Artichoke love.

Artichokes are perfectly in season right now.  Yay.  I think you should serve them at your next dinner fete because they're relatively inexpensive and feel special for any menu.  Aesthetically they're interesting on the platter, plus it's a convenient opportunity for your guest to dip a "thistle plant" in lemon butter, (or mayonnaise if you swing for that team.)  Artichokes are a delicious and luxurious side dish, but they could also work for a light main (light if you excuse the hot butter thing.)  If you aren't into "making" them, which is silly, because they're super easy to prepare, just buy some and scatter artfully around.  A bowl of them looks much more lively than a bud vase or garden variety houseplant.  I could describe how to make them, but I'm sure google will tell it better ;)

Wine can be tricky with artichokes because it messes up the chemistry of the higher end varieties.  A crispy dry white is best, but as you can see from my visual, I threw caution to the wind with my dinner companions and enjoyed a full bodied Italian red.  Just don't serve that special bottle that's been haging out in your shoe closet.  Or wait until after dinner because it won't be nearly as delicious as it could be.

Oh, Jane...

Jane Birkin.  Big sigh.  With her long brown hair, bangs & just so clothes -- she's sort of perfect.  (I realize I'm being utterly obvious with my crush, as I have a personal thang for bangs and long dark hair -- yeah, yeah, an obvious crush --) but still, an eternally chic woman, I think everyone can agree ...

Jane and Serge.
I don't think this glam duo ever married?  So this isn't their wedding shot, but even if she's a pretend boho bride, I buy it and love it.  She informs my brunette ness all the way.

3 girls, 3 pretty & neutral looks.

Here are three neutral looks that are being wonderfully rocked by three different women.  I know it's a random picture, but it's caught my attention. There is the layering of the center outfit (crisp stacking of Brooks Brother y colors), the awesome olive green stretchy dress of the lady in the back and the girly shiny dress and snappy shoes of the faceless girl.  Plus, these camel colored coats are so classy and happening.  Yum, I like all of it and it makes want to go get dressed.

Image from streetfsn.com

Mexican Monday.

Mexican tiles make a pretty backdrop for this colorful bouquet and lace dress.
Photo by Paul Johnson

Mexican fabric.

Claudia Schiffer as Frida Kahlo.
Image Credit.

Ethnic inspired sofa by Wisteria

Aida Coronado

Piece by Varro - Mexico City

Frida Kahlo.  Hail to the queen.

A chocolate cloud with four ingredients.

Here is a lovely chocolate souffle cake that requires just four ingredients.  The recipe is from the Gourmet "archives" (February, 2001) and was, for the most part, super simple.  I would encourage you to find the finest quality ingredients (i.e. natural eggs and classy expensive chocolate).  The most annoying thing is the multiple bowls needed, but really that's just an excuse to pull out all your nice ones and enjoy the process.  Actually, the only truly inconvenient bit was having to whip two separate elements in the same mixer -- the second being egg whites, (which means you need a perfectly clean, temperature neutral base to get that task done.)  But I wouldn't let that be a deterrence.  It's a sexy treat that comes together in an elegant way and pairs beautifully with all kinds of sauces or sides.  I love, too, that it's flourless, so all your gluten free friends can indulge, too.  ;)  xxoo


Ingredients:
2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
9 ounces bittersweet chocolate (not unsweetened), chopped
6 large eggs, separated
2/3 cup plus 1/2 cup superfine granulated sugar

To make this cake:

Put a small roasting pan filled halfway with hot water in bottom third of oven (to provide moisture during baking), then preheat oven to 325°F. Butter a 10-inch springform pan and line bottom with a round of parchment or wax paper. Butter paper.

Melt butter and chocolate together in a heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring, then remove from heat. Beat together yolks, 1/3 cup sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl with an electric mixer until thick and pale, and ribbons form when beater is lifted, about 6 minutes. Beat whites at medium speed with cleaned beaters in another large bowl until they just hold soft peaks. Gradually add 1/3 cup sugar, beating until whites just hold stiff peaks. Stir warm chocolate mixture into yolk mixture until combined well. Stir one fourth of egg whites into chocolate mixture to lighten, then fold in remaining egg whites gently but thoroughly.

Pour batter into springform pan and bake in middle of oven (do not place springform pan in pan of hot water) until a tester inserted in center comes out with crumbs adhering, about 1 hour (a crust will form and crack on top of cake as it bakes). Transfer to a rack and cool 10 minutes (cake will "deflate" as it cools). Run a thin knife carefully around edge of cake, then remove side of pan. Cool cake on bottom of pan 30 minutes, then invert onto another rack or plate. Remove bottom of pan, then carefully peel off parchment. Invert cake onto a serving plate.

Recipe, bakers sugar and pretty aqua water glass.

Butter and chocolate combine on the stove.

I like brown eggs, but I know that's psychological.

Combining the sugar and egg yolks to cream.

All creamy and ready to go.

Chocolate and sugary eggs about to meet.

The egg whites folded into the chocolate / creamed egg mixture makes it a true souffle.

Almost there.

Chocolate souffle cake.

Stewed bitter cherries with amaretto liquor makes a yummy and totally winter ish sauce side - but you could do anything.

Friday Love.

West Hampton beach in the wintertime.
Happy Birthday Sam dear.  Wish we could walk & talk by the waves...

bits from the house tonight

It feels like it's been too long of a work week and I'm just dying for the weekend to come around and any food / home / outfit styling inspiration it could bring its way.  Until then, here are some shots of what I'm liking tonight.  Of course, homes are always in process and constantly seem to be in need of a tweak and fiddle.  Our home is no exception, and I'm not sure that this is, in any way, an accurate depiction -- but it's what I'm looking at tonight and saying yes to ...  Yay for Fridays, because then comes Saturday.  Promise.   :)

Shells on wood plank, on wood table.

Wood carved giraffe, an old hanging (wood) birdcage and ceramic sea shells on the window sill.   

Dried seaweed, a dried up rose bloom, a time keeper, a metal finial and the number 27 help compose a funny little still life.

View into the living room area.  

Assorted milk glass, garlic cloves, three totally different bowls I decided looked cool to contrast, and daffodils not yet in bloom.

This chair lives inside during the rainy months, but it's a nice deck chair sometimes.

The brown and white "drape" is an awesome tribal looking piece I picked up a few weekends ago at the Goodwill.  I'm pretty sure it's a dupioni silk.

My forever yum place: big old sofa with soft pillows, warm tea,  sweet smelling candle,    There are lots of white layers going on right now.  The stuffed jar of nuts is for David.  He is a total squirrel.  I have no idea where I got JFK's book.  I wish I could say I was actively reading it, but it's totally one of those things that shows up in a house and I keep forgetting to ask why it's there and who is reading it ... ;)  My reading is the early 90's Gourmet magazine below it.  (Btw, I made a fabulous flour less chocolate cake from that particular Gourmet last weekend and I can't wait to post the recipe and what I learned.  It was fabulous.)

Boy love.

Photo by Rebekah Kaskubar

Audrey time.



Image/Artist Credit: Ashley Longshore

"I believe in manicures. I believe in overdressing. I believe in primping at leisure and wearing lipstick. I believe in pink. I believe happy girls are the prettiest girls .. and... i believe in miracles."
- Audrey Hepburn

I believe in Audrey.  Always always always.

"something blue"

By Emily Esperanza
image via Bleubird 

Spring.

Today marks the first official day of spring.   Yippee & hooray & yes, times one thousand.

DKNY spring fashion show, 2011.  Totally inspiring outfit.  Utterly classic design, not to mention just exquisite shaping on the body. This is a wonderful example of why Donna Karan will always have my allegiance; she gets it.

Spring Flowers in a Vase (etsy)
by pmcookie

Bedroom inspired by a yellow raincoat.  Love.
(image credit)

Mother and child.

Former wild child Nicole Richie poses with her (then) two month old little girl, Harlow.
Image from Harpers Bazaar.

Friday Love.

"Cherry Blossoms for Japan"
By Samantha Hahn

Irish love.

Pink puff and Shilpa Shetty.

Actress Shilpa Shetty models bridal fashion with Harper's Bazaar, India, back in 2009.  Pretty lady, pretty frocks.  Pretty pretty. *

Hello pink puff, I will always love you.

The star burst beading and light grey blue color of this gown is totally exquisite.  
Quintessential bridal.

Love the empire waist and brightness of this dress.

Mostly I included these last two pictures because the styling was so random;
what a bizzare kiddie-skelton-hanging-thing and funny clutter on the dresser?
Obviously I love it all. 

*Could not figure out who shot or styled these photos ...