February 24, 2012

The One That Got Away - Las Casas

The tour of affordable luxury continues even though we're settled in our Claremont home. The truth is that we are addicted to looking for new houses. We first visited Las Casas last summer  - it was out of our price range and needed a lot of work outside around the garden and pool. Recently re-listed at a more down to earth price! Some lucky folks will get to live here in this spacious, warm home. It was built in the 50's and remodeled by local architect, Everett Tozier in the 80's. The house is open and a great vibe with a gated courtyard and a casita with a stunning wisteria entwined all over the pool house.





February 18, 2012

Chris Benz RTW Fall 2012

"And now girls are making the effort to be glam like that again." - Chris Benz


February 17, 2012

On the Road

On the road, heading to Palm Springs on a quest for gorgeous vintage anything!

Modernism Week Palm Springs

Mid Century madness in the desert 16-26 February for Modernism Week Palm Springs. Most of the events charge admission and one of the few free tours is the Del Marcos Hotel Open House on Friday, February 17 from 11:45 am-1:45 pm. This open house is scheduled before the William F. Cody star dedication. Guests will be able to view availalble rooms and enjoy refreshments. The hotel is located at 225 West Baristo Road, one block west of the Star placement at 300 South Palm Canyon Drive.









February 15, 2012

Ceci and Beet

Sometimes this blog ends up on the subject of food - especially around holidays and celebrations. Also, when I'm long gone the only thing my kids will have left of me are these pretty vintage clothes and this blog. I'm sharing my cultivated gluten free cupcake recipe so my offspring will remember my thrills in the kitchen. These cupcakes are soft and delicate with deep chocolate flavor. I didn't have any fancy cocoa on hand, only Ghiradelli.

I've been experimenting with chickpea flour for the last couple of weeks and for valentine's day made my darlings red velvet cupcakes from a pool of three recipes including food 52, babycakesnyc and the back panel of bob's red mill gluten free baking flour (chickpea flour). It's not because I've celiac or allergic to gluten, just want to mess around with chickpeas and chickpea flour. Lola in Belltown makes delicious chickpea frites that I will attempt some time.


roast and puree beets for the sticky, deep magenta
mixing wet
mixing dry
sifting dry

folding in the beets, beautiful!

ready for the miniature gas oven


et voila! no valentine hearts on these - just icing.

Red Velvet Chocolate Beet Cupcakes

1 cup roasted beets, mashed
1 cup butter melted
1/2 cup coconut oil
2 cups of granulated sugar
3 eggs
1/2 cup warm water
1 1/2 cup Bob's Red Mill GF Baking Flour
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp xanthum gum
1/2 tsp salt

1. Preheat oven 350 degrees. Line muffin pans with large muffin liners.
2. In a large mixing bowl, beat togethers melted butter, sugar, oil, eggs and water.
3. In a separate bowl, sift dry ingredients until thoroughly combined.
4. Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet
5. Fold in mashed beets and mix to combine.
6. Pour batter into prepared cupcake tin. Bake for 20 minutes, until set.

Cream Cheese Icing

1 cup cream cheese, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
1 Tbs vanilla
4 Tbs heavy cream

Beat cream cheese until fluffy, add powdered sugar and mix with cream cheese until smooth, add vanilla and cream until desired consistency. Frost. Enjoy!