I love this. I’ve been singing lots of Do-Re-Mi to the bebes lately. They love it (and so do I), there’s nothing like those Von Trapps to brighten your day.
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I am going to see one of my ballet students in ABT’s Le Corsaire at the Kennedy Center- go Ryan- so proud of him. Otherwise, we are laying low and hanging out.
I heard this great 8 minute history on Johnny Cash’s recording career this week. A fun listen coinciding with the release of the his complete Columbia Records recordings- a 63 cd box set. I love the “If I Were A Carpenter” duet with June. P.S.: Who knew Johnny Cash was so into gospel.
Also discovered this new affordable art site, Buy Some Damn Art- gotta love the name. Since it seems 20×200 is closed (boo), I’ve been looking for new outlets to buy affordable art. This one showcases a small selection of rotating collections. Pretty stuff.
While we’re talking about art, I spied this post, a collection of art appreciators appreciating, on Miss Moss via Joanna Goddard’s Cup of Jo. A fun look.
And this is an interesting article on the power of talking to your babe. Worth a read. I like the illustrations.
Meet Super Maeve. I am lucky enough to live nearly next door to Maeve and her fabulous parents, Megan and Vu. Less than a month ago Maeve took a fall at the playground. Her parents took her to the doctor after she complained of some pain in her belly. The dr. assumed it was a stomach virus but sent her for some extra tests just in case. Those tests revealed several cancerous tumors in Maeve’s abdomen, lungs and liver. To think that a 2 year old that simply took a fall on the playground would be facing such news is unfathomable.
Maeve’s diagnosis is Germ Cell Tumor- a rare form of cancer that affects about 4 in one million and in turn, does not yield much research. I cannot begin to imagine the frustration the family feels. It would be so easy to become buried in anger, but I am constantly inspired by the love, light and positivity that radiate from Maeve and her parents- true courage. She will endure treatment over the next few months and her family and friends are hopeful that she will welcome a speedy remission as she presses on fearlessly in her super battle against cancer, after all she truly is Super Maeve. Eveyone should be so lucky to spend an afternoon with her, she is an amazing little girl- just look at her.
I invite you to follow her journey and offer your support if you are so inclined. The family will face some incredible challenges in the year to come and there’s nothing like a community of caring people in times like these. Please visit Super Maeve’s website and fb page for updates on Maeve’s journey and beautifully inspiring stories of the kindness of friends and strangers alike that will warm your heart. ALL HAIL SUPER MAEVE!
{Black & White Photo by Megan Nguyen, Color Photo by Rashmi Pappu}
Just a few images of what spring looks like in our neck of the woods. Easter was still sort of winter-y. We went from coats to short sleeves in a matter of days. Spring is here and I am so so happy about it.
Fun times at the park.
We visited the Tidal Basin today to see the glorious cherry blossoms.
I am just loving these illustrations by Margaret Bloy Graham from Gene Zion’s 1956 book, Really Spring. These drawings make me swoon for springtime in NYC. We’ll be there come May- can’t get there soon enough. I love her drawings of the rooftop gardens and water towers. One of the first things I do when I get to the city is look up at those friendly water towers that dot the rooftops- the skyline from Houston and Lafayette is prime viewing- there are tons of them in all different shapes and sizes, each with their own personality. So pretty on a April evening.
Anthropologie’s Poisson Paillette Peep-Toe flats. Because I know I will wear these every friggin’ day and I’m a sucker for anything metallic- the best neutral.
Springtime in Paris- ooh la la. A darling little mini globe of Paris so a girl can spin while she dreams. Perfect for the bebes’ room.
Smadar Shani’s silver basket bags. This Israeli designer has a way with brushed silver and leather.
Trader Joe’s sells this Blason de Bourgogne rosé brut cremant for 12 bucks and it’s delicious. Fizzy, bright, rosy and like a mouthful of strawberries- you can’t go wrong.
I just ordered this book because who doesn’t want to eat where the pros go? Just another indulgence for my everlasting list making.
I’ve been looking for a great affordable gold cuff for this season. I love a constellation- sold.
I’d love to hear what’s on your wish list for spring.
Dear Spring, Are you really here? Please say yes. We are gearing up for our very first egg hunt with an outing to a local farm on Sunday. I can’t wait to see the bebes with the little spring farm animals. Should be a fun weekend and the forecast here calls for blue skies- we’ll see how it shakes out as Punxsutawney Phil was clearly trying to pull a fast one on us.
A Few Fun Easterly Things
-Thomson’s seersucker pin striped blazer with matching shorts at Pink Olive.
-Dad’s skinny minty tie, an Etsy find.
-My Peacekeeper’s “Paint Me Content” natural lipstick- this is the most flattering color for fair to medium skin-toned women. I pretty much wear this everyday. I originally found it at ABC Home and they have since sold out, available at the company’s website.
-Felt Easter baskets found at Whole Foods.
-Gigi’s ballet flats- another Etsy find.
-My go-to yucky stuff-free Tarte foundation with SPF 15 for the hopefully sunny weekend- love this stuff.
-Gigi’s Tulip Clips- aren’t these adorable- and spring appropriate. Hello Shisho.
-My Colorcycle Tote from Anthropologie. I love this thing. I throw diapers, wipes, pacis and my laptop in, and I’m good to go.
-My Punchy Pink Chewbeads for the teething bebes.
-Portrait of a spring lamb by Sharon Montrose at The Animal Print Shop- amazingly cute baby animal portraits- so adorable for a nursery.
What I’m Cooking for Easter Dinner:
Yields: 2 servings
How You Make It:
Seared Sea Scallops
1. Over medium heat, add a small pat of Irish butter to the pan.
2. Add scallops (6-8 for 2 people), season with salt and pepper and quickly sear on both sides until browned, about 2 minutes tops.
3. Take off the heat and allow scallops to cook off heat for 5 minutes. They will cook through.
4. Add pan back to medium heat and throw in a splash of white wine with the juice of a lemon. Allow to come to a boil, take off the heat and drizzle over scallops.
Salted Arugula Salad
1. Throw a large handful of washed and dryed arugula into a mixing bowl.
2. Salt the leaves with a few pinches of sea salt and work through.
*The key to your salted salad- add the salt before the olive oil so that it will stick to the leaves. This little tip courtesy of famed Italian cookbook author, Marcella Hazan.
3. Add in a handful of pine nuts, sliced avocado and a few fresh mozzarella balls.
4. Season with fresh black pepper.
5. Squeeze the juice of a small lemon over the greens.
6. Drizzle olive oil to taste over the salad and toss.
Voila- a super easy and tasty meal.
If I’m super ambitious, I’ll make this for dessert, a Cornmeal-Almond Cake with Mascarpone and Strawberries- kind of perfect for Easter. Not exactly great for the calorie counting that I’ve been trying to do, but hey- it’s a holiday!
What I’m Sipping with Easter Dinner:
Kermit Lynch’s 2009 Clos Ste. Magdeleine Cassis Blanc
Mostly Marsanne, this white tastes of the sea air as it is made literally on the coast of Southern France in Cassis- a perfect pairing with seafood. I visited the winery last summer, talk about La Belle Vie- Wowzers. This place is the stuff of dreams churning out the nectar of the Gods.
Cin Cin and Happy Easter! How will you celebrate this weekend?
Easter bonnets for me always conjure up that great Irving Berlin song from Easter Parade- “On the Avenue…”- and I imagine myself strolling down Fifth Ave. in a big pink and proud hat. I actually don’t think I’ve ever worn a proper Easter bonnet. Have you? In any case, here is a great little DIY for your littles so that they can do so via our Clever Girl’s paper bowl bonnet.
Clever Girl’s challenge: Make an Easter hat out of a paper bowl for her daughter’s school parade. Leave it to Natalia, mission accomplished. Her little one is decked out in her self-made bonnet. They had a blast making this together. How cute, easy too.
What You Need: 1. Paper Bowl
2. Pastel acrylic paints
3. Glitter
4. Ribbon
5. Styrofoam Disc
6. Store-bought paper flowers
7. Foam Eggs
8. Plastic Eggs
9. Pastel pieces of felt
10. Glue and/or Glue Gun
11. Stapler
12. Tape
13. Sharpie
How You Make It:
1. Paint both sides of bowl with paint and glitter
2. Tape foam eggs onto the rim
3. Arrange flowers onto the styrofoam disc and secure with glue.
4. Glue to top of bowl.
5. Design a little bird and bunny out of plastic eggs and felt.
6. Glue gun your woodland creations on to hat.
7. Staple ribbon to rim of the hat.
8. Voila- her very own Easter Bonnet!
She’s donned her bonnet and ready for her stroll down the Avenue. Check out Judy and Fred doing their dapperest:
It’s still a little chilly here on the east coast to feel much like spring but I’m off to tackle some spring cleaning in the spirit of the season. My friend and Volatizing’s Clever Girl, Natalia sent me Jessica Alba’s new book, The Honest Life and I’ve been thumbing through it this week for some toxin-free inspiration (so has Gigi, above). I read Healthy Child, Healthy Worlda few years ago and it set me on a new path to clean living. It is a bit overwhelming though. I have to admit that after reading it, I was a little panicked about the level of toxins in our everyday environment and my lack of control over it. I think her take is a more simplified and easier to digest version. Kudos to her for having the courage of her convictions to create The Honest Company and spread the knowledge.
Each month we receive our little cleaning bundle full of honest goodies, which I LOVE- especially the shampoo/soap and the laundry pods. Her partner, Christopher Gavigan, is the former CEO of Healthy Child, Healthy World so that adds some serious street cred to the mix. She comes across very real and cool in her book and has filled it with some great recipes, diy makeup and style tips to boot. Sure life’s a bowl of biodynamic pesticide free cherries when you’re a movie star, but it’s actually not so hard to make a few adjustments and live a little cleaner. We’re not exactly camera ready in this house as clearly illustrated above and while our home doesn’t look like Miss Alba’s on an ordinary day, and I lament that I will never be as organized as her, her book is still chock full of great insight. I recommend.
P.P.S.: We’re drinking rosé full tilt right about now whether spring is here or not. We popped open this bottle tonight, one I had been saving since a trip to Provence two summers ago. While there, we toured a few small wineries in Gigondas, Vacqueyras and Chateauneuf du Pape with Olivier Hickman, a British expat now making his home and living as a winemaker in the Rhone Valley. If you find yourself in the Southern Rhone, I highly recommend Olivier as a guide for a fun and inspired day of wine tasting. Back to the wine at hand- my glass was a deep strawberry, ruby red with bright red fruit and beautiful herbal notes of wild garrigue with a grounded earthiness. Not to be a tease but this bottle is not available in the states. Michael Skurnik imports Domaine la Garrigue’s wines but not this one. A crime since it is absolutely heavenly.
What are you up to this weekend? What will you be imbibing to celebrate spring? Enjoy and Cin Cin!
Oh give me floor, lots of floor… We let the bebes loose in the dance studio yesterday- pretty great. This picture pretty much says it all. I’m looking forward to a low key weekend. We’ll get our weekly dose of Shark Tank tonight (I know, so dorky- but we are obsessed with that show) take some walks, drink some vino of the bubbly persuasion (carbonation really does help the winter doldrums) and just chill. Wishing I was off to Austin to attend SXSW but instead I’m working up a kickass guide for all those Austin bound, be sure to look out for it. How about you? Pray tell what you are doing this fine weekend.
Stir ingredients together slowly and simmer throughout the day.
Serves: 1-however many you may be sharing your snowy day with.
My kids are still pretty little so when a snowy day arrives, I don’t have to scramble for fun and creative indoor crafts. We’re good just singing, playing and reading. So for now, I enjoy a good book during their naps, a nice smelling clean scent in the air, warm and comfy clothes, comfort food and vino once the bebes have been put to bed and old school game with the hubby. This makes for a pretty spectacular day. Let’s break it down.
1. Candles: as long as they smell delicious and burn clean, we’re good. If you read my blog, you know I’m a huge fan of the Tisane candles. This one smells of “a stone cottage in the Welsh countryside; rain drops and moss. Walk down country lanes in a landscape where magic fills the air.” Ok, works for me. These little candles really are magic.
4. The best hot chocolate on earth. Ok, I didn’t have this today because I’m not in Paris. But soon Angelina Paris’ world famous hot chocolate will be available online. Yippee Kay Yay!
5. What can I say- I love Terry Gross. I’ve loved her for years and she never disappoints. I usually just catch Fresh Air in the car but snowy days are a great excuse to search the archives. She’s on a Supreme Court roll this week. Her interview with Sandra Day O’Connor is quite something- now that’s a lady that doesn’t give anything away- tough crowd. An uncomfortably fascinating listen.
6. Books! Yay for books- the old fashioned kind. I dug out my hardcover copy of Reflections Of A Wine Merchant. My husband gave this to me just after we were married and it is what got me into the wine business. A romantic and nostalgic look at wine merchant and importer Neal Rosenthal’s life, he tells tales of tasting with Italian winemakers in cellars that their great grandfathers tasted in, spitting vino on the proper angle into the corner of said cellars, hiking up sheep filled hillsides to meet with vintners and the hits just keep on coming. Such a fun read if you’re into that stuff. And we broke out Ezra Jack Keats’ The Snowy Day. Can I just say Wow! The story is so endearing and illustrations- Fabulous. My favorite is that of the bathroom floor- see above. I think the kiddos liked it too.
7. Backgammon- because who doesn’t like a good old fashioned game of backgammon. In our next house, I am designating a corner for a game table. I think it’s important to devote time and space to game playing in one’s life. Games are the best- an afternoon playing games is one you will remember. And what’s life about other than making memories, right? Vintage seafoam green backgammon set on etsy.
8. And last but not least- comfort food. This kind of seals the deal on a cold wintery day. You just sort of have to indulge- it’s the rules, isn’t it? My comfort food of choice- an authentic margherita pizza and a Sagrantino wine. Paolo Bea is my first choice. If I could afford it, I’d go for the straight up sagrantino- 100% sagrantino grape but alas, it’s not a $60 bottle night. I’m going for the San Valentino blend instead. Anything from Bea is pretty killer and at half the price, this will do.
What are your ingredients for the perfect snow day?
Former showgirl, forever travel junkie, sometime sommelier, and mom to twin bebes. This little blog is a mixed bag of tasting notes, travels, tales of motherhood, and current musings. Thank you for stopping by. Cin Cin! (photo by Amy Dickerson for Anthology Magazine)
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