27 July 2013

Saturday Morning Musing


Accessories I'm Loving!

Cartier Ring .... $11,300.    Lovely!

Natasha Lilipore Sunglasses!  Awesome!  Check out her blog & shop ... www.hertinyteeth.com

Druzy Necklaces with Chrysoprase Stone Accents

Joy Dravecky Jewelry ......Druzy Necklaces with Chrysoprase Stone Accents

Happy Saturday Morning!

24 July 2013

Favored Bags for Fall

From some of the Hautest Designers....If your looking for a new bag this fall...these are top of the list!
Burberry
Dolce and Gabbana RTW F/W 2013
Dolce & Gabbana

Louis Vuitton Summer 2013
Louis Vuitton Summer 2013

Gucci
Gucci

Dior...
Dior

Chanel Collections Metiers D'Art 2012/13 Paris-Edimbourg
Chanel Collections Metiers D'Art 2012/13

LOVE <3.
Juicy Couture

McQueen Clutch
Alexander McQueen

Emilio Pucci dragon minaudière
Emilio Pucci

Happy Wednesday Musings!

20 July 2013

Summer Color Inspiration





Its a Rainy Saturday here, but I'm still Beach Weekend Dreaming!

Featured Home ....Jennifer Lopez

Veranda featured the exquisite home of Jennifer Lopez and as expected it is fabulous.
JLo is after-all a Fashion Icon and an awesome entrepreneuress!
Loving the soft shades of grey, blue and taupe mixed with sparkling mosaics, mirrors, and metallics.




"There are all these tones of gray, and we played with that—using a bit more of a gray-taupe here, a bit more of a gray-blue there," says interior designer Michelle Workman. "It's almost like a black-and-white film from the forties."


Some Purchasing Details:
Custom klismos chairs in Calvin Klein Home fabric for Kravet. Tête-à-tête sofa, Michael Berman Limited, in Casamance fabric. Side tables, Global Views. Charles Hollis Jones coffee table. Custom sofa in Manuel Canovas fabric. Pillows inScalamandré stripe. Tufted chair, Hollyhock. Fretwork chair, McGuire. Curtains in Schumachersilk.


She has a great line of clothing and accessories at Kohl's that embodies the style of her home as well.
Its obvious that she believes in her brand ...it comes through as completely chic.



Happy Rainy Saturday Afternoon!

12 July 2013

Essential Summer Treat

Southern Peach Tart



1 puffed pastry, thawed
3 cups of peeled and sliced peaches
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon flour
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons honey
  • Heat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Place baking sheet in oven to heat.
  • Add peaches, sugar, flour and vanilla and gently mix.
  • Tear a sheet of parchment paper to fit the baking pan.
  • Place puffed pastry on paper and roll out to approximately 12 X 10 inches.
  • Remove baking pan from oven and gently place the parchment paper with pastry in center.
  • Fold edges of pastry inward creating a crust.
  • Spoon peaches onto the dough.
  • Drizzle with honey.
  • Bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Allow to cool slightly, serve with powdered sugar or whipped cream. 

Perfect accompaniment ...some earl grey.

Happy Thursday Musings!

10 July 2013

Concept Party.... an afternoon in the garden

Thinking of throwing an ultimate relaxing summer party in the garden.... and there's no better iconic hostess to inspire than Jane Berkin....her boho chic beauty and style is perfect for a free spirited afternoon. 
The Hostess: Jane Berkin
I love the idea of celebrating the warm weather, beautiful blooms and the bounty of the garden harvest with a laid back event.  The great thing about summer afternoon events is how they linger into the evenings magical hour... how the soft glow of afternoon light gives way to twinkling fairy lights strung in the trees, candles on table tops and the glow of the stars above....all lending itself to hours of conversation and togetherness.


The Drink: Blackberry Smash
The Blackberry Smash is minty and refreshing and just the right amount of sweet and sour.  Blackberries remind me of days spent with my Grandmother driving down dirt roads on the farm gathering berries for pies and jam, so I love the thought of using them for a refreshing summer drink.
Blackberry Smash
2 tbsp coarse sugar
2 1/2 tbsp lime juice
8-10 fresh mint leaves
1 1/2 oz. Chambord
1 oz. Jack Daniels Whiskey
Handful of fresh blackberries
Club soda

Instructions
Muddle the sugar, lime juice and 6-8 mint leaves for about 30 seconds or about 8 twists of the muddler. Add the Chambord and whiskey and muddle for another 8 twists or so of the muddler.  Shake over ice and pour with the ice into a tall glass. Mix in the blackberries and fill the rest of the glass with club soda. Add remaining mint as garnish.  I love to pluck the blackberries from the bottom, after they've been soaking in the 'smash' for a while and enjoy their juicy goodness.


The Food: 
Cucumber and Napa Cabbage Coleslaw

1 small head Napa Cabbage, finely sliced (about 8 cups)
4 small cucumbers (1 ½ pounds), julienne cut (6 cups)
½ cup chopped roasted, salted peanuts
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
1/3 cup peanut oil or canola oil
¼ cup freshly squeezed lime juice
2 teaspoons sugar
¾ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon garlic powder
Red chili flake to taste, optional
Instructions
Combine cabbage, cucumbers, peanuts and cilantro in a large bowl. Whisk oil, lime juice, sugar, salt, garlic powder and red chili flake if using in a small bowl. Pour over the vegetable mixture and toss to coat.


Grilled Turmeric Chicken (Gai Yang Khamin)

2 tablespoons finely-chopped cilantro stems or 2 cilantro roots
2 teaspoons whole white peppercorns
2 teaspoons whole coriander seeds
4 large cloves garlic, peeled
3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into small pieces
3 tablespoons fish sauce
2 tablespoons oyster sauce
1 tablespoon ground turmeric
2 tablespoons light or dark brown sugar

Instructions

Combine cilantro, white pepper, coriander and garlic in a mortar and pestle and pound into a fine paste. Alternatively, combine in a small food processor and process until a fine paste is formed.

Cut the chicken into 1-inch cubes; Transfer a large mixing bowl along with fish sauce, oyster sauce, ground turmeric, brown sugar, and the prepared paste. Mix everything together well, cover, and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours.

Thread the chicken pieces onto bamboo skewers, pushing them tightly against each other to form a tight, compact body of meat on the skewers.

Light one chimney full of charcoal. When all the charcoal is lit and covered with gray ash, pour out and arrange the coals over the full surface of the charcoal grate. Set cooking grate in place, cover grill and allow to preheat for 5 minutes. Alternatively, set the burners on a gas grill to the medium-high, cover, and preheat for 10 minutes. Clean and oil the grilling grate.


Grill the chicken, turning occasionally, until thoroughly cooked through and slightly charred, about 8 minutes total. Remove the chicken from the grill and serve.


The Vibe: Decor & Music

Lots of candles and twinkling fairy lights in the trees, natural color baskets, weathered wood furniture, lace and pastel summer accents surrounded by a lush garden.  Have some upbeat Jazz playing softly in the background; perhaps some Harry Connick Jr., Diana Krall, Micheal Buble and Joss Stone.

Hoping everyone is inspired to plan their own Saturday Evening party.

Happy Wednesday Musings!

07 July 2013

The Thought of it......

Imagine if emotions really did imprint themselves onto the garments we had worn.



Happy Sunday Evening

05 July 2013

The Rooms that make the HOME at Kensington House in London

Today I'm sharing a fabulous home located in the Kensington district of London.
Talk about inspiring.....London based architects SHH created so many things to love in this home.
The light, bright airy feel is accompanied by so many lush textures.  
It makes for a tranquil, inviting home.... not stark, not harsh.... but plush and one you can 'sink' into; one you can live in, create in, dream in. 

Kensington House, London....

Countless magazine covers and awards across three continents for this luxurious interior, created from the simple brief ‘cream, off-white and funky’.

Its a contemporary take on a Georgian terrace, set within a classic square. The property - for an international family with six children – combined all the conveniences of modern living with state-of-the-art AV and comfort cooling. The house is comprised of a very generously proportioned reception room, large formal dining room, family room, cinema and pool room, all located on the lower three floors.    The client’s brief was simple. The look had to be: 'Cream, off-white and funky'. 






The entire first floor is occupied by the master suite, with the remaining two floors taken up by five further bedrooms. 








Layers of differing tones and textures allowed this simple directive to bear fruit in a cool, dramatic and elegant and final scheme, which was a hit with both awards judges and magazine editors the world over.



Hope Everyone has a Very Inspiring Friday Afternoon!