January 12, 2013

Potato and Bean Gratin - In the Kitchen

I prepared this out of focus bowl of Great Northern beans in the oven. Cooking the beans in the oven rather than the stove really helped them keep their shape; they seemed less watery and more savory. After cooking the dried beans, I prepared a delicious bean and potato gratin! We loved this - especially with breadcrumbs toasted on the top. It was so good I forgot to take photos of the gratin. Check out Mark Bittman's recipe here

January 11, 2013

Book Stand - LA


This winter I feel like I'm missing out on titles to read and more, art books!
Art books and creative journals curated by Los Angeles based, Claire Cottrell. Selections for sale include rare and unique books, magazines, videos and zines unveiled. The online experience is polished and organized by collection, and is a holiday from busy, cluttered sites!

I repeat to my kids over and over that reading is sexy, and Book Stand donates $1 from every purchase to The Library Foundation of Los Angeles

January 10, 2013

Chris Benz - Of The Now

Chris Benz Resort 2013 is vintage-inspired fabulousness wherever your destination - see here:
80's OMO Norma Kamali style
Tropical Miami modern
Saint Tropez nautique 
70's Diane von Furstenberg
images via Chris Benz

January 8, 2013

Two Are Better Than One - Sweet Youth

young son in double at joshua tree the day after xmas - mirrorgram is the fun app!

Expressive Treasures- Vintage

Vintage, modernist, gothic, abstract, shiny and brilliant treasures via Etsy






January 7, 2013

Life Pretty

I couldn't imagine anything more fabulous than owning a book shop in a village in Burgundy, France. I met George at a going away party for Guy's colleagues, Tim and Kim, who were leaving Southern California and moving to Seattle. George arrived at the party alone and explained that his girlfriend had moved to the heart of France and was living the dream, operating a small book stand in a picturesque village where everyone knows everyone (imagine David Sedaris' life in France with Hugh). Although the couple only sees one another every few months (George travels a lot), he beamed as he recounted the ways this lifestyle is a happy one and really keeps him going:

1. Living apart makes them appreciate one another.
2. Separately, they have nearly grown children.
3. A quiet, romantic place to live out their years with a little business to keep them involved with tourists and neighbors.
Guy and I in Antibes last April

We drove home to Claremont and talked all the way about what it was like when we lived and worked apart over the years. It's true, we ALWAYS had the most fun scheming, planning and executing a way to be together (with or without kids) when we were separated by Guy's life at sea. Contemplating the changes in our life and moving around the country gave us much to think about on our drive. I took off my party clothes and went to sleep dreaming of the Bourgogne, wine, and macarons. I woke up the next morning with the holidays full on. Not giving much attention to skiing the les Alpes and living in France; but, thinking of Tim, Kim, and their little one moving in the heart of Winter to Seattle to be close to family - something I am more familiar with. Living in Seattle was sweet because we were close to family and friends, and experienced the unconventional style of living apart together.

January 5, 2013

January 4, 2013

Football Fiesta & Fashion

while we cheered our beloved emerald-clad ducks to sweet victory in the fiesta bowl, Etsy's style council broadcast a viridian themed treasury celebrating Pantone's 2013 color of the year - yes, emerald! Select items of interest from the campaign curated by Etsy's Nicole Smith:

January 3, 2013

Identity Crisis



Oh, I've been waiting, definitely! Searching for my waist so I can wear my big, brown leather belt with soft, cloud colors this spring. Stylish ladies of LA are turning on the neon, but i'm hanging out in the storm, everyday. Inspired by Bruno Cucinelli 2013


January 2, 2013

How to Live with Young Adults or Infinite Love With Fulfillment



groove to my sound track for living with young adults holiday 2013 -  

Young Again - Paul Banks ++ Despues del After - Kinky ++ Saturdays - Cut Copy ++ Life Magazine - Cold Cave ++ No Es Que No Que Tierra - Hello Seahorse ++ Youth Lust - Cold Cave ++ Drift Dive - The Antlers ++ Vanessa - Grimes ++ I Carry The Fire - El Perro Del Mar ++ Infinite Love Without Fulfillment - Grimes ++ Andamios - Cafe Tacvba ++ How to Live With a Pantom - Shintaro Sakamoto ++ Lonely Satellite - Yura Yura Teikoku ++ Skin - Grimes ++ Tounges - d'Eon ++ Video Games - Lana Del Rey ++ You Just Decided - Shintaro Sakamoto ++ Genesis - Grimes ++ Beautiful - Yura Yura Teikoku ++ Oblivion - Grimes ++ Slow Lights - Sin Fang ++ The Base - Paul Banks

January 1, 2013

New Year Age


Guy said he wanted to visit the ocean more often in 2013 and we resolve to do so. We walked in the sand at Newport Beach this New Year's afternoon. What IS the phenomenon when the atmosphere mirrors the sea? Is there a name for it? It was a dreamy sky with broken waves appearing to look like the broken clouds overhead. It felt like relief to be covered up and sheltered from the familiar bright, extraordinary light. 
Happy New Year!