July 14, 2012

Moqueca

photo via James Oseland for Saveur
we made this commixture of brazilian magic on our gas barbecue without the palm oil. it was so delicious we forgot to take pictures! love eating hot, spicy food when temperatures are scorching. The recipe came from Saveur. There is a well written article on their website with stunning photographs by James Oseland accompanying, Passage to the Amazon - 
The Elemental Flavors of Brazil's Marajo Island by Neide Rigo. 


July 13, 2012

Moonrise Kingdom

Dear Suzy,
Here's my plan...

Dear Sam,
My answer is yes.

Dear Suzy,
When?

Dear Sam,
Where?

So beautiful to watch and very sweet. Seamus said the dialogue made him feel like he was watching Fantastic Mr. Fox again. I enjoyed Jason Schwartzman's performance as the ne'er-do-well scoutmaster - stole the show! We've been watching bored to death and love him!

July 11, 2012

Cherries for Dinner

Yes! 
When we moved to the southland we decided to subscribe to Sunset again, the wonderful magazine that I grew up with (I'll tell you when you move to the east coast the publisher sends you some rocky mountain version from hell that has no relationship to the best coast). Fortunately, right off the bat, the so-cal edition's food section is filled with recipes for fresh, seasonal menus that you know will work and make you feel good. We have been to the Claremont farmer's market every sunday, ready to go, all inspired. A lovely preparation featuring rainier cherries with ready-made ravioli is one of the favorites of the summer, so far. We substitute toasted pine nuts for toasted almonds  (I am afraid of almonds tasting like amaretto - I love almonds, but not with cherries! Do you feel me?) This recipe is simple and has only a few ingredients. It has wow factor and is really quite delicious!

  1. 10 ouncestore-bought cheese ravioli
  2. 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  3. 3 tablespoons lemon juice
  4. About 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
  5. 3 cups pitted and halved Rainier cherries
  6. 1/4 cup toasted almonds, roughly chopped
  7. 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves

  8. 1. Cook pasta as package directs. Drain and spread out on a shallow serving platter. Tent with foil to keep warm.
  9. 2. Meanwhile, melt butter in a medium saucepan over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until butter starts to turn medium brown and smells nutty, about 7 minutes. Remove from heat and carefully add lemon juice and 1/2 tsp. salt (it will bubble up). Pour all but 2 tbsp. brown butter into a small bowl; keep warm.
  10. 3. Put cherries in pan of brown butter and cook over medium heat, stirring often, until hot and skins start to wrinkle, about 7 minutes.
  11. 4. Pour cherries over reserved pasta along with half of reserved brown butter. Sprinkle with almonds and thyme, and add salt to taste. Serve with remaining butter.

July 10, 2012

Hulk Smash

 just finished the incredible hulk smash pillow! Hulk is made in natural and beautiful emerald heavyweight jersey by the yard from Alabama Chanin and inspired by their delicate reverse applique technique with stencils. Love the way it turned out!

July 6, 2012

Bring Some Red To The Piazza

Visiting the Sart's site looking for fashion inspiration, I clicked on this gorgeous smiling woman. She dresses with effortless style in vintage red with bronzy heeled sandals that sparkle like a twilight vampire! I love the sexay and strappy mix with this dress!
photo by The Sartorialist

July 5, 2012

Dr. Patricia Sloane - American Treasure

The Dream Map Series 1960's - 1980's by Hermine Patricia Sloane on ebay
Modern, intriguing and fabulous!

July 4, 2012

Alabama Chanin - Made in USA

Alabama Chanin, the Florence, Alabama clothing and lifestyle company is all about American made and purveyors of the most spellbinding vintage-inspired clothes, furnishings and crafts for the home. What a treasure. Happy 4th of July!

July 3, 2012

The Maeght Foundation


Guy and I visited The Marguerite and Aimé Maeght Foundation in Saint-Paul-de-Vence. This contemporary museum is a wonderful example of a private european foundation. Inaugurated on July 28th, 1964 by André Malraux, then Minister of Cultural Affairs, this architectural ensemble was entirely conceived and financed by Marguerite and Aimé Maeght to present modern and contemporary art in ALL forms - what a wonder! Make certain you visit a new or favorite museum 
in your city this summer!






July 2, 2012

Christopher Owens Leaves Girls

Girls is over. Chris is going out on his own now. I'll never forget reading Siri of Ringo Have a Banana's post that introduced most of us to Girls with Morning Light and these words of inspiration- best ever! 

Sweet Dreams Dream

I want to paint our bedroom and make it less stuffy. I find this room spare and relaxing. What about the gauzy windows, offset rug and the beautiful bench? Browsing Elle Decor for inspiration.
Photographer: William Abranowicz