Wow, glamorous train travel. The passing of the breakfast tea on the railway between Peshawar and Lahore, Pakistan circa 1983. On the job hazards for sure, but these guy don’t look like they mind. In any case, I don’t think I’ll be seeing this anytime soon on my monthly Amtrak Northeast Regional train to NY. Nope. A little link love: 1. A House That Turns Into An Open Air Theater- this is the coolest ever, you have to watch this video. 2.2003 Auditions for The Office- so many great actors up for these roles. I spied this over at Cup of Jo,[…]

  

How cute is this! $33 for a cotton blend cocoon-style sweater with this great graphic pattern- instant chic- even if I do have on yoga pants underneath. I found it here. Related posts:Keepin’ it Weird: An Austin GetawayPast & Present PersonifiedFive Groovy Things

  

First of all, can we just talk about the fact that this is Lake Michigan. Seriously. The Western shore of the great glove state is one of America’s last hidden gems. I almost don’t want to write this post because it is so beautifully unspoiled. I went to college in Ann Arbor and spent a summer in Interlochen and had never been to this beautiful shore until my friend Meghan’s wedding last summer (posted here). The lake is clear blue and shark-free, the shores are sugary sandy and there’s no one there. I totally get why Mario Batali takes up[…]

  

I don’t want to push summer out of the way just yet but I can’t help myself, I always get really excited for fall. Back to school, the change of season, falling leaves, hayrides and autumn festivals, sweater weather, college football, a new cute coat, boots, boots and more boots, I could go on… Here are a five simple and pretty things for fall: 1. this coat: because it’s cool and looks comfy 2. this No.2 pencil: because you kind of have to have one for fall, I can at least pretend I’m going back to school 3. this bowl: for the fall[…]

  

LA’s Ray’s & Stark Bar at the LACMA is adding a 45-page WATER menu to its beverage list. Huh? They also have a water sommelier. Really? A water somm? Which water would pair best with my chicken sandwich? Should I go with the Vichy Catalan or the Saratoga? The water selection on this extensive list spans the globe stemming from 10 different countries with the most expensive from California. Martin Riese is said water somm and maker of 90H20, the $18 California water. I think I have to call bullshit on this. I mean, if the market will bear it[…]

  

I went to Whitehall, Michigan last summer for one of my best friend’s weddings. I’ve been holding on to these photos for a while but I’m kind of on a Michigan kick, so I thought I would share. Whitehall is a magical place on the east side of Lake Michigan. Whitehall is such a gem of a place, it feels like a little secret. Local and quaint, this lakeside town seems almost bashful about its beauty. Standing on the sandy shores, Lake Michigan stretches out before you as far as the eye can see. Sitting in my rustic room, alone[…]

  

Could Rita be any cuter eating her sandwich in Santa Monica circa 1941- I love her. Happy Weekend dear readers, I hope you are off to lots of fun.  I’m traveling to NYC for some work and play, what are you up to? Here are a few fun things I found this week: 1. In the mood for cake and a beer? Bake a craft beer cake- 2 birds with one stone. 2. Talk about portion control- these are hilarious. 3. This one’s on my wish list- a former W Magazine art director’s tales of renovation and inspiration in the Greek Isles. I’m thinking it’ll[…]

  

Zwetschgendatschi! Yes, that’s the name of this little beauty, is that a fantastic name or what. For a few weeks at the end of summer, black plums are terrifically in season and this classic Bavarian tart sets them up beautifully- I love the celebration of a beautiful piece of fruit. This tart is not only pretty and delicious but so easy to make (easier than the baby casserole recipes a mom friend of mine sent me) and really satisfying. It just tastes like summer. Pastry chef and cookbook author, Gesine Bullock-Prado recreates a German tradition from her childhood in her[…]

  

I just love these. The Fifty United Plates project is flooding the blogosphere and Pinterest and I have officially jumped on the bandwagon. I backed these guys on Kickstarter because I absolutely love their work. Kaitlyn and Ryan Lawless are partners in life and design and have collaborated through their cottage industry ceramic and design studio, Corbé Company, to create these beautiful state-shaped plates. How cute is a homemade pie baked in your home state plate or chips and dip in your football team state on Superbowl Sunday? I love it. Lots of us do apparently, as these guys rocked[…]

  

How great is this photo- three of my best dancers making their way through the mean streets of NYC to their next dance class. These girls- Blair, Jenna and Sophie- are 17, 16 and 18 and loving every minute of it. They were in the city for a plié-packed week of dance classes and Broadway shows. With their topknots, leggings and backpacks, they are an adorable dancerly site to see. If you spend time between W. 42nd St. and W. 74th St. in Manhattan, you will undoubtedly have dancer spottings aplenty. That’s our corridor, yo. I just loved this photo[…]