March 2010

3.29.2010

spring fling

Yesterday after a few hours of spring cleaning I decided to drive over to the local Pottery Barn store to look at pillow covers. A super nice saleswoman named Bea helped me choose these. I have been deliberating over pillows for some time now. Joan, at For the Love of a House, also has helped me immensely with this decision. I had decided on zebra stripe pillows but when I got to the store I fell in love with these bright cheery colors. I have been bitten by the spring bug it seems!

These hand towels are on clearance for $4.99. I like the way they match my Aveda Singular Notes.

I would love to show more pics but Blogger is not cooperating with me today. I cannot even post a link. Sometimes I could just scream. So I'm going to take this time to answer a ton of questions that were thrown my way from Faux Fuchsia. I cut the list so as not to bore you too much.

Time I wake up? - 6am
Steak or chicken? - Tofu
Last film seen? - Brooklyn's Finest
Breakfast? - Tea and toast
If you could live anywhere in the world? - Here
Favorite cuisine? - Vegan
Food dislikes? - Prepackaged
Favorite restaurant? - The Farm
Favorite piece of clothing? - My vintage cashmere coat
Place that you would love to visit? - A summer in Provence
Favorite time of day? - Morning
Favorite sport to watch? - Football
Like your job? - Yes, although you may question it when you read my pet peeves!
Favorite color? - Black and white
Tattoos? - Yes, many. Just checking to see if you are still with me!
Pet Peeves? - Women who don't turn off their cell-phones for a facial, women who are 10 minutes late to a service and then need to use the restroom and then wonder why their service was cut short, women who want brazilians while they are on their periods, women who obsess over their brazilians while they neglect their face, women who talk REALLY loud in the spa, women who refuse to make appointments and then get mad because you can't fit them in, women who come to you straight from the gym dripping in sweat, women who can't get in with their regular therapist and then complain throughout the service that "susie" doesn't do it that way! I pass this long list of questions over to An Urban Cottage. Have fun with this list Steve!

3.25.2010

liberty of london

This is my take on the Liberty of London craze going on at Target. The first I ever heard of Liberty of London (founded in England in 1875) was about a month ago. I bought a silk scarf at the Salvation Army for $2. When I got it home there was a small tag that read Liberty of London made in England. I looked it up on the internet and learned a little about the company. Then I read a post from Tracy at Comfort & Luxury about the company and then LPC at Privilege did a thing and informed me that the line was polyester and then The Hostess showed off her lovely purchases. So off to Target I went never before armed with this much info. Well LPC was right everything was polyester, a nice polyester but still our summers here get really hot and polyester is the last thing you want to put on. A little defeated I wandered over to the children's section to see if there was something there for my little Stella. Guess what! The entire children's line is made of cotton. Nice cotton. All the pieces are lined too. So I grabbed a couple of XL girls sizes and this is what I came away with. I apologize for the poor photos. I'm not used to having my picture taken, my camera is crappy and I know the quality of the photos is not very good. But you'll get the idea.

I took this photo indoors so you can get an idea of the really pretty colors Liberty of London uses. They are known for their fantastic florals. Also this top covers a lot of sun damaged decollete. $9.99

Paired with Levis.

Pink capris by Talbots on clearance at Marshalls for $11.

I really love the colors in this dress. Excuse the wrinkled neck but hey what can I say, I'm getting old. $16.99

After seeing these pics I'm not sure I'll keep the dress, although it is really comfy. But I really love the little pink top so that's a keeper.

I just added this little gadget down below. So if you don't have a blog or the time to leave a comment all you have to do is click a little button.

3.21.2010

the laundry room

This is my little laundry room. It used to be a closet and a teeny-tiny room that held a teeny-tiny toilet. We took down the wall that separated the two rooms and made a small laundry room that we were able to squeeze in a stackable washer and dryer. One of my favorite jobs around here is laundry. I'm somewhat obsessed with finding the perfect laundry detergent. I may have found it! I have recently come across Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap. Together with vinegar they have replaced every cleaning product in my home. I overheard a clerk at Trader Joe's telling a customer that you can clean your shower and then jump in and clean yourself with it. I was intrigued. I find it makes a great laundry detergent, bathroom cleaner and kitchen cleaner. I don't take a shower with it. Supposedly you can even brush your teeth with it, although I wouldn't try. It is super concentrated. The aroma is heavenly. So step behind this door and take a peek. Again the room is so small it's hard to photograph.

I have been using 1/8 cup per load.
Plus 1/2 cup of vinegar to a load of whites.

I would not pour this directly onto clothes, dilute it first.

Then hang the laundry on the clothesline to dry for a real aromatherapy experience.

3.14.2010

shopping w/eddie ross

Yesterday one of my very best friends in the world, Melissa flew 5k miles from Kauai to go shopping with Eddie, Jaithan, myself and a slew of very nice people. It was a picture perfect day. Eddie guided us through the flea market and educated us on all kinds of things. It was great fun. As you all know, Eddie is utterly charming, good looking and charismatic. But I was totally unprepared for just how gorgeous Jaithan is. J (I call him J now) is drop dead gorgeous. He is tall and model slender and I have a bit of a crush on him. I mean check him out. I am so sorry I did not get a picture of his shoes (Bally?) that he had on. Is he? Was he? He could be a model.

This is Eddie telling us how great these things are for separating your flatware. You know one drawer for bamboo handled flatware and another for sterling and so on. We got a kick out of that.

This is Eddie telling us that instead of using the ugly bottle that comes with room diffusers, to use an old antique bottle instead. Not a bad idea. They are working with PB on this idea.

While Eddie is going on and on about antiques, J is over there doing really important stuff, like making dinner reservations.

This was funny. Eddie was talking to us about the importance of old linens and the vendor was getting extremely agitated with him. We don't really know why but she was a complete shrew. It's a good thing Tracy from Comfort & Luxury was standing between them. He was being super nice to her and she was just mean. It was funny, you had to be there. BTW, Tracy has beautiful skin!

Eddie and Melissa. They both have smiles that could melt snow.

Eddie & I

Mmmm.

Look at J's abs, I mean belt!

After the tour was over Melissa and I continued on shopping. In 1997 we ran the LA Marathon together. We finished the race in the blistering time of 5 1/2 hours. Yesterday we walked for 7 hours! Carrying crap. What a great day it was. Thanks Eddie and J.

Edited Note: Larry if you are reading this you know I love you and that my crushes don't last long.

3.11.2010

detox broccoli*

A friend passed this super easy broccoli dish on to me. I guess the idea is that if you've been over-indulging then the purity of this dish is supposed to jump start a fresh eating plan. I don't know about that but I will tell you it is delicious, and I've made broccoli every which way imaginable. This truly is scrumptious.

1 bunch broccoli

2 T Olive Oil

1 T Earth Balance Margarine

Chop broccoli into 1" pieces including stems and leaves

Heat oil until quite hot

Add broccoli

Cover and cook for 2-3 minutes (do not stir)

Uncover, stir and add margarine. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes

The broccoli will be caramelized and crunchy on one side and soft on the other.

I sprinkle chopped toasted Walnuts over it and have also laid it over a bed of orzo.

No animals were harmed making this dish.

3.08.2010

awards

In the past month or so I have received no less than 3 awards for being a good blogger. Sorry it has taken me so long to get around to posting this. I love reading about these ladies lives and so will you.

Sarah from Semi Ex Pat in Oz writes about all things stylish Down Under. She is sweet, witty and so stylish herself. She has the most romantic husband in the world. He was in Paris on business, bicycled over to Chanel to buy her a pair of ballerina flats and photographed the whole thing. I could not look at my husband for 2 days.

Next comes Leslie from Hostess of the Humble Bungalow. She is the sweetest lady who lives in a darling bungalow in Canada. I'm telling you see leaves the sweetest, thoughtful comments ever. You will fall in love with her home and garden. And soon she will be a grammy, please go congratulate her.

Finally, Ginger at Cottage on Rosewood is transforming her house into a gorgeous home. Her energy is amazing. She transforms the average into extraordinary. Also, terribly sweet and honest. Killer combo if you ask me.

I'm not sure of the rules of these awards so I'm going to make them up right now. Tell us 3 little known facts about yourself or your life.

1.
About 15 years ago I actually pulled into the driveway of this cottage I now live in and remarked, "who gets to be so lucky to live in a place like this!"

A long time ago I worked at the Playboy Mansion. As a chef. With my clothes on.
3.

I love to sneak into the movies. Yesterday I did. Saw Brooklyn's Finest, not bad.

Sometimes I just have to do something a 52 year old shouldn't do.

Now I have to pass this award on.

Trina at A Country Farmhouse , you're it.

I tried this once before and you said, "not that many people follow me."

You can't use that excuse anymore!

3.07.2010

who?

Who starts a blog on December 1, 2009 and in the first month does 109 posts?

Who has over 300 followers in just 2 months?

Who is an attorney who works in the Coalface but dresses like a movie star?

Who shops at Jean Browne for clobber?

Who says, "chipped nail polish revolts me"?

Who has 11/10 days?

Who makes me want to go to Australia for the first time in my life?

Don't know what I'm talking about? Don't feel bad because I have to ask her all the time what she's talking about.

She is such a fearless, funny writer, I don't think she'll be around here for long. She is definitely gonna be scooped up by someone big. She deserves a column in a proper magazine.

You've been told.

Run, don't walk. (sorry, I can't help myself)

Faux Fuchsia

3.01.2010

the viceroy

Pardon me up front if this post is too long. It contains travel, food and fashion stuff. For me blogging is about sharing information, and so this is my contribution.

If you should find yourself in the Palm Springs area I would highly recommend staying at The Viceroy. It is beautiful and hip without being pretentious. Kelly Wearstler has woven her magic inside and out. The place is dripping in Hollywood Regency style. The staff is amazing. They are so "on it" it's ridiculous. Every single employee we came in contact with was gracious. I wish the manager of the place read this blog to know how lucky he was to have such an awesome staff.

The Executive Chef, James Bailey went above and beyond to accommodate my vegan diet (on short notice) and build a menu around a bottle of 96 Opus One. He created a menu that will make this one of the most memorable anniversary dinners ever. I may as well confess here that I took a bite (or two) of caviar and of a foie gras that was prepared in a blackberry and brown butter sauce. Can you blame me? Our waiter Michael, who closely resembled a man I went to culinary school with years ago, and who put up with me calling him Robert all night, was attuned to our every need.

We started the mornings off with a hike. The Viceroy is snuggled in Tahquitz Canyon with spectacular views of the mountains. The energy these mountains put out is palpable. You can start the Cactus to Clouds hike ( one of the hardest day hikes in California, maybe the nation) right out the back door.

After hiking there was a 9 am yoga class with Eva. She was so sweet, caring and patient. I felt totally rejuvenated after her class. Next I received probably the best massage of my life from Tim. I don't usually get services at resorts because either A. they usually shorten one hour services to 50 minutes or B. they are bland or C. both. But that was not the case here. My one hour massage was amazing.

A couple of notes. I did fit everything into my one bag. I had 2 outfits that I didn't even wear. Faux Fuchsia noted that only her make-up would fit into this bag. That cracked me up because I only wear mascara and lipstick. Steve at An Urban Cottage was correct on the energy of Palm Springs, you really can feel it. And Joan at For the Love of a House, I included pictures of me in that dress that you requested, white legs and all. Thank you all for your well wishes. 30 years is quite an achievement! I promised pictures and here they are...