6 Things

every day necessities:

• freshly ground French Roast
• cut flowers
• color in my clothes, house, everywhere
  
• stretchy pants
• cheese
• Clinique superbalm
  

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

Guess what? Mirrors aren't only for walls anymore!

What a lovely way to open up a small space or add a bit of shine and reflection to your room:
images borrowed from Elle Decor

Feeling Blue

I need an occasion for a blue gown:


photos 1 & 4 by Annie Leibovitz, photo 2 from Life Magazine, photo 3 from IMDB

Take a Hike

"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings." John Muir

Most people who know me would probably not list hiking as one of my preferred past-times: cocktails and pedicures, yes indeedy...climbing uphill in not-so-cute boots, no thank you. But among the many interests my husband has recently instilled in me (avocados and baseball probably hold the #1 & #2 spots), is the love of a good hike.

In Southern California, land of the meticulously manicured lawn and green-spray painted "grassy" freeway medians, untouched and untamed nature is a rarity. So, often on Sunday afternoons, we venture out to one of our favorite state parks and spend a few hours meandering through dusty paths, taking in the ocean view and wildlife.

Last weekend, we enjoyed the bounty of wildflowers after a particularly rainy winter:

Take a Little Trip: Capri

Are y'all having a case of the Mondays like I am? Today, let's pretend we're lounging on the Isle of Capri, indulging in some raspberry gelato:

images borrowed from: villaeva, capri images, la tosca, sdfoody

Ciao, bellas!

Wonders for Your Wall

Aren't these prints by JHill Design fabulous? I adore her cheery colors and quirky text. What a fun way to commemorate travels to your favorite location or dream of future journeys!

Saturday Brunch

I heart breakfast. If I were a poet, I would write a sonnet to my favorite meal of the day.

Two of my preferred Saturday feasts:
Butterscotch Monkey Bread

Also, an eggy BLT is always tasty:
-two pieces of wheat bread, toasted, one coated with ketchup and one coated with mayo (sounds a bit strange, but trust me on this)
-1 or 2 fried egg(s) to your liking, I prefer them a bit runny
-1 slice of cheese (colby jack is great here)
-1 piece of crisp butter lettuce
-2 pieces of bacon
-1 slice of tomato
-a couple of slices of avocado
My maple bacon:

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Then place a cookie cooling rack on top of the sheet. Lay the bacon out flat on the cooling rack (over the baking pan). This allows the bacon to get really crispy and for the fat to drip off into the baking pan. Brush each slice with a little maple syrup. Bake for 20-30 minutes, depending on your desired crispiness.

food and photos by moi

Flowers for Friday

"The earth laughs in flowers."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Almost every Friday, I treat myself to a fresh bunch of flowers. Some people indulge in good wine or dark chocolate or manicures, I prefer posies. Tulips, dahlias, roses, lilies, or rannuculus, I simply choose whatever looks fresh and vibrant (and generally pink).

Throughout the week, those blooms unfailingly bring me immense happiness. I've sometimes heard people remark that they don't buy flowers, because they'll just wilt. For me, that evanescence, that fleeting aspect of natural beauty makes the fresh cut flowers that much more of a joy. Why deny yourself a great pleasure merely because it's ephemeral?

photos and flowers by moi

Happy Hour

Miranda: "Why did we stop drinking these?"

Carrie: "Because everyone else started."

Even though they were the ubiquitous girly cocktail of the early 2000s (thanks to SATC), it tough to deny the scrumptiousness of a classic Cosmopolitan.
My version:
2 parts of vodka(Svedka or Ketel One)
1/2-1 part of Triple Sec or Cointreau
2-3 parts of cran-raspberry juice
squeeze a wedge of lime

shake with lots of ice and serve in a chilled glass with a floating slice of lime

Something Beautiful

In the midst of her literal and metaphorical voyage of self-discovery, Elizabeth Gilbert in her memoir Eat, Pray, Love, proclaims:

"I think I deserve something beautiful."

It is such a simple statement that encapsulates vastly universal human longings: for love, for excitement, for pleasure, for material things, for immaterial things. Though I wouldn't go so far as to argue that Gilbert has become a modern day prophet, I certain can identify with her pursuit of pleasure (which she discovers in Italy), devotion (India), and balance (Indonesia).

In the book, her narration about India particularly seized my imagination. Her illustrative descriptions instilled in me a very strong desire to explore this faraway land.

Most of what I know about India comes from film. While I'm guessing that "real" India may be closer to what I saw in Slumdog Millionaire than Monsoon Wedding or The Namesake, there is still something so alluring, so otherworldly about Indian culture. Perhaps because I know so little, I want to travel this place so much more.

So, alas, a few beautiful things from India to hold me over until I get to discover this gigantic, diverse and distant country for myself one day:
PS. Julia Roberts is bringing Eat, Pray, Love to the big screen in August, along with James Franco, Billy Crudup, and Javier Bardem.

Celadon, Chartreuse, Olive, Lime & Kelly

No, these are not the latest celebrity baby names, but rather shades of green. St. Patty's Day is not my thing. But, I can definitely endorse the color green:

Carrie the Wise

SSB: Secret Single Behavior. Sex and the City's Carrie Bradshaw coined this fitting term for all those things we do that we do not want our hubby/partner/bf/gf/flame to see. Carrie's SSB involved eating a stack of saltine and grape jelly sandwiches, while standing up in the kitchen and reading Vogue--she couldn't explain why she did this, just that it felt so good.

What are your SSBs? What are the little innocent and unexplained rituals that you enjoy only by yourself? What do you do for no rhyme or reason when you have a moment of solitude?

I light all of my yummy smelling candles and watch the Real Housewives while painting my nails (and hope that I don't ignite from all of the nail polish fumes and candles). Sometimes, I put on my stretchy pants and eat waffles for dinner, while watching Jeopardy and saying the answers aloud.

Why? Who knows? Because it feels good. Because bringing someone else into these rituals would change them. Because another person would take away from the inherent innocuous pleasure of doing precisely what I want. Because some idiosyncrasies are best enjoyed alone.

Take a little "you time." Relish your SSBs.

Dinner Time

Last night for dinner, I pulled together (with the help of recipezaar) an updated version of fish and chips: panko-crusted tilapia, oven-roasted potatoes, and asparagus with Parmesan. Serve with a dollop of Trader Joe's jalapeno tartar sauce, some fresh lemon and a cold Stella, and voila, dinner is served!

Weirdly Wonderful

I would be lying if I said I didn't want a Mad Men Barbie. Sorry kiddies, mini-Don and mini-Betty do not come with mini-martinis or cigarettes or emotional baggage. And, no, in case you're silently judging me, I am not one of those weirdo e-bay freaks who collects this crap. I just really like this one singular bit of pop culture memorabilia...okay, and maybe I have a stray beanie baby from 1995.

Image from New York Times

Puppy Love

I certainly would be a happy gal if this little gremlin showed up at my doorstep. I think I would name him Pablo:

photo from: http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/brooklyn-puppies#slide_2

Happy Spring

photos borrowed from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/liquidskyarts/sets/72157602258118113/

Taste Treats, Butter Edition

This morning I decided to surprise my hardworking hubby by making something extra delish for breakfast. Trader Joe's frozen chocolate croissants make the kitchen smell divine--butter and sugar and chocolate, oh my! These chocolate goodies are a perfect wow factor at breakfast or brunch. All they require is proofing at room temperature over night and a quick egg wash over top before baking (to make them shiny and flaky!).