Happy Weekend dear readers. It’s Santa Lucia Day! Cue my annual viewing of one of the most fantastic and hilarious holiday movies ever- The Ref, of course. Have you seen it? If you haven’t, you will not believe it’s taken you so long to see this little masterpiece. It’s seriously unbelievably funny with a killer cast- Kevin Spacey, Judy Davis and Denis Leary, not to mention the hilarious Christine Baranski (“slipper socks… medium”- my favorite line of the movie). The script is flawless. If you don’t mind a little profanity and uncomfortable family gatherings in your holiday movies (just the way I like ‘em), you’ll love it.

What are you all up to this festive weekend? There will be brunching, imbibing, playing (never too much play for those bebes) and general merriment around these parts, and maybe some rest too if I can manage to squeeze that in. We’re taking the bebes to Sesame Street Live tomorrow- woohoo- they love that Elmo so we’ll see what they think. I’m hoping to finally get my Christmas cards out, we’ll see how that goes- doubtful.

What I’m Drinking This Weekend:

I’m popping open a bottle of ’11 Volver tempranillo. I’m kind of in a Spanish mood these days, maybe because I’ve been talking to my friend Alana, of the fab Analogue Guides, who currently lives in Barcelona. Volver was recommended by another wino pal. It’s red, it’s rich, it’s hearty, it’s single vineyard, it’s $12 and it shares the same name as the great Almódovar film- ok, I’ll give it a shot. I’ll let you know what I think on Monday. I’m planning on making this City Bakery Pretzel Chicken as an experiment in whether or not the kiddos and the adults can dine on the same dish- maybe not the most perfect match with the Volver, but the mustard-baked chicken promises to be a hearty so we’ll so how it pairs.

A Few Things: 

This makes my friggin’ day! Faith in humanity restored.

.A rare Redford interview and it’s 40 minutes long with the incomparable Terry Gross. Awesome.

Maureen Corrigan’s Best Books of 2013. If only I had the time or energy to read more than one page a day. Filed away.

A Guide To Napping? Yes please.

Inspiring Holiday Interiors. Pretty.

6 Ways to Use Leftover Wine. Clevah!

7 Kitchen Design Mistakes Everyone Makes. Helpful.

Enjoy your Weekend and Cin Cin!

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My talented friend Alana Stone has done it again. She and her husband Stefan Horn have just published the three latest editions to their Analogue Guide travel series- Barcelona (where they currently reside with their young daughter), Berlin and Los Angeles, folks. If you’re headed east or west anytime soon, you must pick up one of these little lovelies to accompany you.

Alana is my go-to girl for all things la dolce vita and especially all things done with a crafted and detailed hand. The maps in their guidebooks are impeccable and the photos, beautiful. Little gems. The New York Times just named The Analogue Guides in their 2013 Holiday Gift Guide- “Can a guidebook be artisanal? The almost pocket-size Analogue Guides are about as close as they come”. True that, Times.

The guides are organized by neighborhood so you can take in the city’s spots like a local, not a crazed tourist trying to traverse the city at top speed while checking off the so-called must-sees. These guides really give you an insider’s look into how the locals live from a well-rounded perspective. Great for foodies, art lovers, design mavens, bon vivants and adventurers alike.

If you have a traveler in your life, the Analogue Guide is an awesome gift. Currently available for London, Paris, Copenhagen and New York as well, with more cities on the way.

Read it to believe it.

Alana’s 5 favorite spots in the City of Angels:

 

2. Heath Ceramics

3. AXE

 

4. Stahl House

5. Hollywood Bowl

A summer evening concert at the Hollywood Bowl is a quintessential LA experience. Dramatically nestled in the Hollywood Hills with prime views of the Hollywood sign, the Bowl hosts world renowned classical and contemporary musicians, in addition to the LA Philharmonic’s summer season. Bring a picnic and a bottle of wine along or simply book a table at one of the Bowl’s al fresco restaurants. 

Analogue Guide, $10.26

Photos: Analogue Guide, Intellegentsia: Orrin Anderson, Axe: At Home At Home, Stahl House: Scott Radnidge, Hollywood Bowl

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Stylish 2D graphic collages by French architect, Alexandre Ciancio? I need one in my house please.

Cynthia Rowley leopard slip-on sneakers that look like these Celine beauties, but for $47? Duh.

A shawl with a giant eye? A bit pricey for me, but I like its style.

Cable knit floppy hat? Check. Newly purchased with a trusty gift card I dusted off from the recesses of my wallet. Sometimes it pays to be unorganized.

Handpainted, heavy brushstroked table runners? Yes please.

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Happy Weekend dear readers. Did you all celebrate Halloween? It was the bebes’ second Halloween and we ventured out with friends to a local event. Lee Street in Old Town Alexandria legendarily hosts a beautiful trick-or-treat extravaganza. I was completely blown away by it. Imagine Colonial-era row homes all decked out in their spookiest best, sporting haunting houses, interior tableaus of the dearly departed and pumpkins galore. It is a beautiful combination of Colonial meets Southern tradition and haunting voyeurism not for the faint of heart. Peer into a window and you may see a skeletal family residing on that parlor sofa. It’s sort of like a scary Parade of Homes, I loved it.

Each Halloween, Lee Street’s residents welcome thousand of trick-or-treaters. Literally thousands, as demonstrated above. Those folks ran out of candy around 8pm. Grown ups, babies, and yes- the dogs put on the dog, everyone is decked out. This little festivity is one to put on your list. If you find yourself in my neck of the woods on Hallow’s Eve, do not miss Lee St.- a darling Colonial street all tricked out for the treaters.

Now for this weekend, I’m so pooped from all of our Halloween festivities, we have zero plans. The weekend is supposed to be about rest after all right? What about you?

My Weekend Wine:

Etienne Dupont Cidre Bouché Brut de Normal, Organic ’11. Ok, this one’s not wine per se, it’s that elixir of fall- apple cider. A French hard apple cider to be precise. I busted out this bottle on Halloween for a small little gathering and our guests were delighted. Funky and unfiltered, it’s so fall-like and festive, affordable too at anywhere from $10-$15. This cider is a great compliment to food that’s a touch sweet as it’s naturally fruit-forward and extremely aromatic. I found it at Whole Foods and will be drinking it over the weekend. A classic French cider with a bit of the funk. Love it. Tasting note to come.

A Few Things:

1. Oh Grace and Audrey- where would you be without Edith? Probably not in icon territory, is my guess. My mom sent me this post highlighting some of the divine Ms. Head’s most iconic designs. Growing up, my mom and her best friend both wanted to be Edith Head. I love that they wanted to be her and not one of her muses.

2. More cute kitchen art. Fresh and whimsical prints by Julie Lee.

3. This home reno by Sarah Sherman Samuel is so fun to follow. I love those floors and that giant flamingo print by Sharon Montrose. Here’s the one I want.

4. Great hostess gift ideas. I love these modern gold cheese knives from West Elm.

5. What a cool project.

And Another Thing(s):

I cannot stop staring at this.

Ha ha. This kills me.

Hmmm. Really Lorne?

7 grammar rules we should really pay attention to. Look out! It’s a dangling modifier.

5 ridiculous Craigslist roommate ads.

The world’s most powerful people, according to Forbes. Obama got dissed, Putin’s number 1.

A Few Scenes From Last Night’s Lee Street Festivities:
It’s all about that bespectacled Pumpkinhead in the tux. Peter Sellers does Pumpkinhead.

Happy Weekend and Cin Cin!

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Ok I know Halloween isn’t even here yet and I don’t like to jump the holiday gun (although my husband would beg to differ as he thinks I start the Christmas music a wee too early… he’s right), but I can’t help thinking about my Thanksgiving table. We’ll be hosting dinner this year with my in-laws at their Harlem brownstone. I’m bring the table stylings and cook the crunchy squash & sage, Texas-style cornbread stuffing, roasted sprouts and pecan pie. We’ll all have a hand in the turkey I imagine but for now, I’m dreaming of the table. A gorgeous Mexican vintage farm table that bears an old door as its tabletop, the table itself is a little work of art so we don’t need much in the way of styling.

Here’s what I’m thinking:

I like to keep it simple because let’s be honest, the food’s the thing. A few little simple and thoughtful touches make for a gracious table. I was perusing through Paper Source the other day with the bebes and I picked up a few things.

Menu/Tasting Card:
I’m thinking about using this harvest corn rubber stamp with a pretty silvery metallic ink on the menu/tasting cards. I’ll do a wine pairing with dinner (but of course!) so I like to do a tasting card, listing out the wine with each course and leaving room for notes. I find it engages conversation about the vino and that always makes for happy talk.

A Touch of Thankfulness:
I picked up these sweet placecards that say “I am thankful for” and thought that we could each write down something that we are particularly grateful for on that day. Since childhood, we have had a tradition of going around the table before the feast commences, voicing what we are each grateful for that day. I love it. The little placecards will crystalize that moment in writing.

Placecards & Napkins:
I’ll use the back of the card as a proper placecard and handwrite the guests’ names. I love pinning placecards to fruit and vegetables, so I think I’ll use tiny pumpkins on each plate flanked by these polka-dotted Pehr napkins. Cute right?

Flatware:
I’ll bust out the gold flatware I bought on sale at One Kings Lane- score!- (here’s a similar set at West Elm) and throw some spray mums from Trader Joe’s in a few different vases (mason jars and these zinc buckets that I use for everything) and… done.

How will you style your Thanksgiving table? Tell me about some of your Thanksgiving traditions.

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Oh Julia, ’tis true. Happy Weekend dear readers. I hope this finds you all cozy and warm. We are having a big cold spurt here, the first of the season. My mom is in town so we’re going to hit up Mount Vernon for its annual fall festival and a local Halloween parade on Sunday. What are you all up to?

What I’m Drinking This Weekend:

You guessed it, it’s another Central Coast Pinot. I’m still loving on these Pinots (always will but having a particular taste for them at the moment), good stuff and great for fall. I’ll be chewing and swirling this one around with some honey-drizzled and ricotta-topped figs. Recipe to come.

2011 Jack Hammer Pinot : at 13 bucks, you can’t beat it. Full tasting note to come.

A Few Things:

Clever. The answer to all of my closet-less woes. An Ode to the Pax by the genius DIY’er Jenny Komenda. This customed wardrobe is no big box closet. It is swank-a-roo. Less than half the cost of a custom built closer, I am filing this one away for the dream house. Fo Sho.

Brilliant. Sam Wasson brings his Jazz Hands A game to this short teaser for his new Fosse bio. Nathan Lane, Andrea Martin and the almighty Liza make cameo appearances. Hilarious. If you know anything about the brilliant dance maker Bob Fosse, you’ll love this. All That Jazz is required viewing for maximum appreciation. Plus, if you haven’t seen it then… well, why not? I’m talking to you Lauren, it’s only one of the greatest movies ever made in my humble and Fosse-fanatic opinion.

Creative. The Yellow Table’s Anna Watson Carl realizes a dream. She’s writing a cookbook and has given herself 5 months to create 100 recipes. Follow along with The Cookbook Diaries.

Groovy. I like Jaime Derringer’s abstract work.

Repulsive. On all levels. In light of our recent government meltdown, we’ve taken to watching the West Wing and longing for a better era. That show just makes you feel all warm and fuzzy unlike the current state of American politics. Ugh.

Cool! A stick figure baby for Halloween. I might have to do this next year.

Kind. Tell a friend (or a stranger) that she’s a good momma. A little goes a long way.

Creepy? Justice Scalia believes in the devil. This piece is Halloween apropos.

Spooky. According to a recent study, the country of Japan will have its last Japanese baby in the year 3000. Say what?  The Last Japanese Baby- it sounds like a new Sci-Fi film starring Will and Jaden Smith. Can they save the last Japanese baby? What do you think? There have been lots of books released lately on the issue, an interesting topic.

And lastly:

What will you be this Halloween? I mean you, grown ups. We are invited to a kids birthday party for Halloween and the adults are required to dress up. I’m not usually one for a lack of interest in dreaming up these kinds of things but time is of the essence here. I’ve got two days to pull something together with no budget. What are some funny and easy costumes that you have all thought up over the years? I was once the Night Sky and just wore all black and stuck glow in the dark stars all over myself, but this party’s during the day so that won’t work. I’ve been a Black-Eyed Pea, that one’s easy. C and I went one year as 2 Peas and iPod (get it- yuck yuck). Let me know if you have any easy quick costume ideas.

Cin Cin and Happy Weekend!

Images: {Domino, The Yellow Table}

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I dig it. Jennifer Kindell sells her art via her online store and her mobile business in San Francisco.

My next kitchen is jonesin’ for this Blue Artichoke.

This Albion Strawberry would be terrific in a playroom or the kitchen. The color is delicious.

And this Belgian Endive is kind of rocking my world. Pretty palette.

This is some serious painterly produce with a point of view. Go big or go home.

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Happy Weekend dear readers! What adventures are afoot for you all this autumn weekend? I wish I could say we’re hosting one of our infamous backyard movie nights but we don’t have a backyard. The minute I get my hands on one, this is going down every Friday night that weather permits. Come on over, I’ll let you know when we’re outdoor cinema ready.

No-backyard aside, we have an action packed agenda (just the way I like ‘em). C and I are off to see Gravity tonight and then bar hop a bit through Old Town for an upcoming post I’m working on- gotta love when work involves sipping around town. Tomorrow my brother Matt and my sister-in-law Wendy are hosting their very first Hobbit Hole party. You read that right folks. They have built- strike that- constructed an entire facade that looks just like Bilbo’s Shire abode, right in the comfort of their own backyard. They enjoy their afternoon tea on the front porch of what they call their Bag ‘End. I love it, it is wacky and so them. I have yet to see the finished product, so we are looking forward to it indeed. Next up, an outing to the Kennedy Center to catch Hubbard Street while they’re in town. This is the one company in America that makes me wish I had pursued concert dance. I’m thrilled with my career and Broadway was the dream but Hubbard Street makes me swoon. Have you seen them?

My Weekend Wine:

I’m hooked on Lompoc these days, so I’m sticking with the Central Coast. I tend to do that- drink a certain region until I’m ready to dive into another. It makes me feel more connected to the region and gives me a greater appreciation for the wines.

I’m trying a Cab Franc from the Santa Ynez Valley, Lieu Dit. I’m a little dubious as the Loire and the Central Coast aren’t  really anywhere near the same climate and we all know that the world’s most gush-worthy Cab Franc hails from that heavenly French valley, right? Please pipe up if you disagree.

The Loire is quite a bit cooler giving those delicious Cab Francs those classic lead pencil and green pepper notes. I’m thinking the Lompoc Cab Franc has got to be rounder, riper and less lean, not qualities I love in a Cab Franc. But I’m curious. This one has great pedigree, a joint venture between Somm Eric Railsback (of RN74 and Les Marchands) and Justin Willett of Tyler Winery, which turns out some great juice. These guys know what they’re doing so I’m excited to try it out. I’m pairing it with The Kinfolk Table‘s “Perfect Roast Chicken” from their beautiful new cookbook.

A Few Things:

1. This stay-at-home mom’s cute food has made her famous. Hey, ya gotta have a gimmick.

2. DIY Leaf Animals- so cute.

3. Speaking of moms, Kid & Coe is a genius new company devoted to family vacation rentals. LOVE IT.

4. This print is entitled Can I Get A Witness? I would buy it just for that title (well not really, but maybe). That and that bright pink splotch. 30% off now at Furbish studio with the code FALLWALL.

5. 15 recipes every parent should know.

6. I can’t wait to dig in to this month’s Vanity Fair. I have to agree with the editors of VF, Jay-Z kind of is our the modern Frank Sinatra, the chairman if you will. I’m a fan. What do you think of Mr. Carter?

And Another Thing(s):

This essay by Amy Poehler in The New Yorker. A snapshot in the life of her teenage self , she reveals how a summer job scooping ice cream and playing the kazoo her career choice- thank you Chadwick’s Ice Cream Shop for giving us Amy Poehler.

This is totally awesome. Zen-ful power!

This looks like the worst vacation ever, well maybe not ever but it looks pretty terrible to me. A Twitter-centric hotel. Ugh.

Oreos may be as addictive as heroine? Say what?

Great interview with American classic, Billy Crystal on Fresh Air.

{Images: Backyard Movie Night: Laura Dart, Jay-Z: Mario Testino}

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Two Words: Gold Flatware. I’ve been wanting to spring for the West Elm set but found this today at One Kings Lane for half the price. A little less bold than the West Elm design, I like its classic and modern detail. A simple and elegant setting with a little bit of luxe thrown in to bump up your dinner party. I went for it. A deal at $14 a place-setting.

One Kings Lane Gold Flatware
This sale ends in 2 days.

*This post is totally un-sponsored. I just really like this.

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Sometimes you just want to stare at a big black inky splotch on your wall. Or at least I do. Is that weird?

Eva Black is an LA-based designer whose work I have oft admired. She sells her prints via Society 6 and they are unbelievably affordable.

I love her style. Check out her exquisite site as well. She brands, she letters (that watercolor script is so fabulous), she designs, she’s a little bit famous amongst the blogosphere (she designed Bri Emery’s Blogshop site) and she is one cool lady.

Reading the names of her prints aloud sounds like the beginnings of a great Dr. Seuss book:

One/Cream    Two/Cream    Three/Cream    Four/Cream

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