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:
1. Intelligentsia Silver Lake
One of LA’s premier coffee spots, Chicago based hipster haven Intelligentsia offers cutting edge brew in the artisanally tiled Sunset Junction outdoor complex, which also houses Café Stella and The Cheese Store of Silver lake. Undoubtedly a place to see and to be seen, Intelligentsia’s tiled bar is an excellent spot to catch up on the latest news while losing yourself in the depths of a perfectly formed flat white.
2. Heath Ceramics
Founded in 1948 by potter Edith Heath, Heath Ceramics grew to become one of the most iconic names in California design. Heath’s wonderfully earthy single kiln fired tableware and tiles, still hand crafted in Sausalito, California, are available for purchase at the attractive LA flagship store. A testament to their lasting quality and artistic value, Heath’s designs are on display at LACMA and MoMA. In addition to phenomenal ceramics, the shop also sells books on craft and design.
3. AXE
Named after a Yoruban salutation, Axe is the brainchild of chef and owner Joanna Moore. Designed in a light and modern mix of congona and black acacia woods softened by handmade lamps, Axe is one of Venice’s most attractive haunts. Open windows and a lovely back patio allow for a constant whiff of Pacific breeze. Dishes are fresh, delicious and inspired, taking full advantage of the diversity of fruits and vegetables sprouting locally. Wines incorporate robust California and Old World selections.
4. Stahl House
In the aftermath of World War II, Arts & Architecture magazine commissioned America’s architectural avant-garde to create a series of efficient yet inexpensive model homes. Many of these Case Study Houses, designed by the likes of Richard Neutra and Eero Saarinen, were built in the Los Angeles area. Overlooking the city from the Hollywood Hills, Pierre Koenig’s Stahl House, or Case Study House #22, is perhaps the most iconic representation of Los Angeles modernism. The house is privately owned but open for visits upon arrangement.
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.
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.
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.
Happy Weekend dear readers. How great is this Minimalist Spook dining room. My good friend Kristen decorated this year at her 5 year-old son’s request. She lives in a beautiful Scandinavian-like home in Connecticut and did this just right, I think. I love her style.
What are you all up to this weekend? We’re going to the Circus! I cannot wait. This will be the bebes’ first time under the big top and we have ringside seats. I’m so curious as to what they will think of it all. They’re still pretty young so there’s no telling how long they’ll be game, if they’ll like it, be scared, I don’t know- all bets are off with two 16 month-old little people. Chances are one will love it and the other- not so much, that seems to be the way things go around here. Cin Cin and Happy Weekend!
What I’m Drinking This Weekend:
Cold Heaven Makepeace Pinot Noir: from the Santa Rita Hills in the Central Coast of Cali. Morgan Clendenden is in charge here. Yes, of those Clendendens. She’s married to wild man Jim, the legendary producer of Santa Barbara’s Au Bon Climat, one of the first wines made in the French style to really put the Central Coast on the international wine map. We served Au Bon Climat’s Chard at our wedding. Big fan.
I can’t get enough of the St. Rita hills ever really, but particularly at this time of year. Their pinots are earthly and mellow but yet bright with ripe fruit and spice. They don’t tend to carry that heavy barnyard note that Willamette Pinots do (though I love that too), these Pinots are of a different breed. They go terrifically with fall fare. I’m thinking about making a roast chicken with some roasted carrots and maybe some red roasted potatoes with fresh rosemary- a real roast fest to pair with this beauty. If you have any good roast chicken tips, please send them my way!
I’ve been visiting this wine region since I was an wee Angeleno back in the late 90s, just out of school. Dare I say, it is my most favorite wine region anywhere. A pre-Sideways devotee, I’m always true to these parts. With wacky Dutch-influenced Solvang a few miles down the road, the Lompoc Wine Ghetto, an ostrich farm and Pea Soup Anderson’s in nearby Buellton, this region is right up my alley. I’m a happy camper when the Santa Rita hills are in my house.
A Few Things:
1. A nice reminder of what the weekend is for via Kinfolk Magazine. It would be great to live the weekend this way at least once in a while.
2. I need to get myself an espresso maker on the double so that I mix up these bad boys- Easy Espresso Martinis- a fun idea for a late Sunday brunch party.
3. These Halloween looks are killing me. Little Miss Wintour. Toddlers as fashion icons- come on- these are great. Oh Happy Day rocks out the homemade Halloween goodness with killer creativity and style- three cheers for Jordan Ferney. (Her artist hubby, Paul Ferney, is creating a canvas of our bebes for Christmas via his Commission Project- I can’t wait to see it, what a talented couple). Check out these great homemade Halloween looks via her blog as well- I love that robot, so old school.
4. The ultimate IKEA hack, this kids’ bike was purchased as a stool. Yes, you read that right. I would like to meet the mind of the person that thought this up. Talk about thinking outside the box- how do you look at a stool and think- bike!? I love it.
5. These shoes. Not in the budget I’m afraid, but a girl can dream.
6. This clutch. From one of my favorite etsy shops, somebody better buy this before me.
7. Holy fall feast- I made this salivatingly good mushroom herb lasagna this week via this month’s issue of Sunset Magazine. Made with béchamel sauce and lots of fresh herbs, it’s is completely awesome. For those of you who read this blog, you know I love my Sunset Magazine. It’s a hold-over I think from all the dreamy western trips I took as a kid. That and my mother-in-law used to save her issues and give them to me each month. After she passed away, I subscribed myself and look forward to it every month. For me, their recipes have never failed to make our mouths very happy. I love their travel, wine, interior and outdoor features as well. Big fan, all around.
8. This is hilarious. Real men posing like male underwear models. Bravo guys!
Russian billionaire Dmitry Itskov has vowed to cure death within the next three decades with his “2045 Initiative”. Say what? It’s all very Avatar involving cyborgs and the “quantum nature of consciousness” and the like. Trippy.
Paintbrush-free indigo mountains by artist Lynn Pollard. These are so dreamy and zen-ful. Lynn paints the mountains near her Atlanta home using a special dipping technique the involves a vat of dye and paper- no paintbrushes here. Check out her work at u-gallery.
For all of us that fancy ourselves little Liebowitzes, here’s an easy guide to shooting interiors that I find works well with other still life too. I love that stick figure drawing. I’ve caught myself in that position on the floor many times never to any success.
Diesel has launched a home collection. Look at this crazy couch!
A Francophilian playlist via Anthropologie. I’m always in the mood for some Frenchie tunes. I’ve been listening to the bebes French music lately. They take a little French class every Wednesday morning which is hilarious. They bop around and listen to tunes, play with a giant marionette and tiny papillons. It’s super cute although I’m not sure they’re really learning anything, they do love it. I love it too though mostly I sit there in a full-out sweat hoping that my little man doesn’t throw a fit when he has to put back his rubber serpent or vache. Mon Dieu!
{Images: Halloween Dining Room: Kristen Schaefer, Matches: Kinfolk, Espresso Martini: Emma Chapman, Lasagna: Annabella Breakey, Mini Anna: Sarah Hebenstreit, Ikea Bike Hack: Coroflot}
Merroir has been on my hit list ever since tasting the Rappahannock Oyster Co.’s beautiful little bivalves last fall at DC’s Union Market. These guys aren’t messing around. After reviving their great-grandfather’s oyster business by googling (yes googling) oyster farming, the Croxton boys are off and running.
The ever-handy tool of the mighty interwebs has done them well. Ryan and Travis Croxton run a thriving oyster farm with a lovely tasting room, Merroir, right on the banks of the Rappahannock River and have since opened two more restaurants in DC and Virginia within the last year. Oh, and their first customer was none other than the greatest seafood chef in all the land, Chef Eric Ripert of Le Bernadin. You read that right. If it’s good enough for Ripert, well then- I mean, I had to go.
After a long and windy drive through the Chesapeake region of southern Virigina, we arrived at a sleepy and picturesque little marina with a modest building and a beautiful shell-bottomed and red umbrella-dotted outdoor dining room. This is Merroir. It’s pretty dreamy. My mom and I hauled the kiddos down to Topping to partake of these freshly shucked tasties. I was prepared for the tastiness but not for the dreaminess. The food other than the oysters (is there such a thing when you’re surrounded by such raw divinity?) is terrific as well. We had some tasty sliders made from local Angus beef and a seared pesto tuna steak that was so fresh and flavorful. The kiddos chowed on a caprese salad- you cannot go wrong. A lunch to remember, this place is well worth the drive. It’s about an hour from Williamsburg, VA., if you happen to be in Williamsburg, you know- just stopping by to join in on all of the Colonial revelry. From DC, it’s about 2 1/2 hours. A hike yes, but if you’re an oyster fan- do yourself a favor and treat yourself to this little enclave. Make an overnight of it and stay at The Tides Inn, a beautiful waterfront resort in nearby Irvington, or tuck yourself in at the darling Hope and Glory Inn in town.
If you can’t make it down to Topping and find yourself in DC, a trip to Union Market is must. You can’t call yourself a foodie while in DC without a visit to Union Market. Saddle up to the marble slab of a bar at the Rappahannock Oyster Co. and order yourself a glass of Muscadet or a Lambic to accompany your dozen. My favorites on the half shell are the Olde Salts, but they’re all delicious.
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.
2.2003 Auditions for The Office- so many great actors up for these roles. I spied this over at Cup of Jo, but couldn’t find an existing link that worked on youtube, so it may have been pulled. Check it out.
4. 50 Things That Look Like Your Childhood (for the youngish Gen Xers, and Gen Yers, is there a Gen Z yet?)
-just a little sidenote, that mountain in number 7 was actually climbed by my brother Ben who was a real live contestant on Nickelodeon’s GUTS- and he won (it was kind of imperative for the future of his well-being that he did, as both his opponents were girls and at 12, you kind of can’t lose to a girl). And I was a real live contestant on Teen Win Lose or Draw and didn’t win. That’s right, that’s what growing up in Orlando gets you.- spots on cheesy pre-teen game shows.
5. The Dog That Will Not Kiss His Owner: hilarious. I’m not really a pet videos-on-youtube kind of gal, but this is funny. The whole culture/language thing helps too.
7. Bon Appetít unveils this year’s 10 Best New Restaurants. This list always makes me want to jump in the car and road trip to each and every restaurant. {Photo by Peden + Munk}
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 residence there every summer, which leads me to the point of this post:
I’ve always wanted to have one special place to call home for a few weeks or maybe even a month during the summer. A place that is friendly and that I can’t wait to get to, a place where I know the local wine shop owner’s name and more importantly- he knows mine, and a place where my kids can make magical memories.
I was fortunate in my youth to travel like crazy- hence my perpetual wanderlust- but we always went somewhere different returning to very few places more than once, namely Jackson Hole and Santa Fe (ahhh, the West- how I miss thee). I loved that we always picked somewhere new to explore and it gave me a chance to see the world, but something in me now longs for a sense of tradion.
I’ve been desktop traveling along with other families’ and their summer vacations- boy, we are getting awfully voyeuristic as a society aren’t we- while I try to figure out where my family should land each summer. A few locales that inspire:
Some drool-worthy images from Batali’s summer in Michigan:
I’ts just such an American summer, isn’t it.
Since moving to VA., I constantly see bumper stickers with the letters OBX on them. For years I had no clue why so many Virginians felt propelled to paste these letters onto the behinds of their cars. For those in the know, OBX is short for the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I have not had the pleasure of visiting these pretty beaches but the people around here sing their praises. We may try it out for ourselves next summer. In the meantime, I followed along with Liz Stanley of Say Yes to Hoboken and her family’s annual Fourth of July trip to OBX. Doesn’t it look dreamy!
A few close friends call Vermont, Canada, and Montauk home for a few weeks every summer. These days I’m lucky if I can get an overnight in Rehoboth Beach, but I would like to make an effort to carve out the time for some proper summer R&R, and make it an annual event.
My friend Molly and her husband Oliver met as canoe camp counselors in Canada. Right next to that camp is a secret little place created for adults who are dropping their kids off at camp- an adult canoe camp. Arowhon Pines Camp in Algonquin Park, Canada is an International destination. On their 2-day stay, they met couples from Japan, Switzerland and Germany. Molly and Oliver return each summer to this part of the world for a nostalgic stay. Summer camp for adults- if you read this blog, you know how I feel about that. Sign me up! I love this place already.
My friends The Fricks spend their summers in Montauk. They graciously host boat-loads of people, including my lucky self and my family, in an impossibly fantastic house on the water. Montauk is pretty bad ass.
These kiddos get their annual dose of Americana at the Bristol, Vermont Fourth of July Parade. A major event in this small town complete with horses, lots of flags and plenty of firetrucks. My friend Natalia and her family love spending family time in Vermont every summer.
Here’s a dose of lovely Lake Michigan from the flip side- the Wisconsin side, that is. My friend Kristen and her family spend every Fourth of July at her in-laws’ lake house in gorgeous Door County, WI. I have always heard such amazing things about this part of the country- it’s definitely on the list- and her photos are so swoonful, I’m inspired to check it out. Look at that pink sky!
Where do you “summer” (how very Country Club of me, right)? I’d love to hear about the places that you love to return to each year.
Fireworks in Sturgeon Bay:
{Images: Lake Michigan- Greener Travel Guides, Batali’s Michigan- Mario Batali, Outer Banks- Liz Stanley, Vermont- Natalia Goldman, Canada- Molly Griffin, Door County- WI.: Kristen Schaeffer}
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 for the first time since having the bebes, all I could hear was the sound of the waves hitting the shore and lots of kids at play on the hotel’s vast grounds- two of the greatest sounds in the world. Whitehall, you have won me over. My two days there felt long and restful even though they were action packed and full of fun wedding events.
A lake wedding that looks like a beach wedding- perfect. A few photos from Meghan and Britt’s big day:
The beautiful bride and I at cocktail hour:
I absolutely loved this lake wedding, not only because Meg is one of my best girls, but because I completely fell in love with Michigan again. No wonder Batali’s up there every summer.
If you go to Whitehall:
Stay:
Michillinda Lodge: this is where I stayed, it’s an old school family resort right on the lake with a dramatic staircase taking you down to the beaches. The rooms are rustic and just right, you wouldn’t want this place to be fancy. I loved it.
Lakeside Inn: this is where the wedding reception took place. Not right on the big lake, but on the smaller White Lake. Charming and local.
Rent a Cottage: this is what I would do next time. What’s better than waking up with your cup of coffee on your back deck overlooking that beautiful lake!
Eat:
Pekadill’s: a sandwich shop and ice cream parlor with a pretty back garden. Exactly what it needs to be and good!
Shop:
Rexall Pitkin Drug and Gift Shop: seriously. This place is amazing, they have goods galore. A great place to pick up a souvenir or a really cute Whitehall sweatshirt. I loved this place.
The World’s Largest Weathervane: this one’s for the Clark Griswald set- which I happily fall into. If you’re at all impressed or interested by things-world-largest- then, you kind of have to see this. A short drive from Whitehall in Montague.
There’s not a whole lot happening in Whitehall, but that’s why I love it. There is a quiet, local charm that reminds me of the simplicity of my childhood summers- riding around on my bike and playing with friends until the street lights came on. You don’t need much to have a great time and with that lake, those trees and that beach beauty, it’s a perfect retreat.
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 be my next Calgon Take Me Away read. I’m waiting for the paperback.
4. For those not a fan of Big Brother- The Off Pocket- makes your cell phone completely untraceable. Get off the map!
5. These ladies are actual mannequins in a Swedish H&M store, I love it.
6. Cameron’s cool glass house from Ferris Bueller is on the market with a price drop. Get it here.
7. The genius foodie site, Food 52, has just launched their own market- Provision. Pick up a cute kitch-y gift for your foodie friends.
8. I just bought these, aren’t they great! I’m a bootie fanatic- what can I say. Budget be damned.
Ha. For those of you living in a cave who haven’t seen this, it’s now clear that Colbert has the most fun job on the planet. Seriously. I want to be in that writer’s room when somebody said, “We’ve got to get Kissinger!”.
Paris in China- hmm, this is kind of creepy and not in an EPCOT-creepy kind of way (which I actually kind of love). Seems the Chinese aren’t exactly nuts for it either, it’s a ghost town.
I love this look for less, I really love that the pants have an elastic waistband. Cute.
If you need a screenful of color, check out this tumblr page. Constant color inspiration.
I’m digging Mr. Connery’s swim trunks and according to Esquire, this is one of the two looks we women like to see our on our men- the other being Daniel Craig’s swimsuit from Casino Royale. But let’s be honest, we’re talking about the two greatest Bonds ever- what don’t they look good in. Still, they are some cute swim trunks.
I hope you all have fun weekend plans. I’m off to pick up one of my best friends who is in the States from Hong Kong. You all know her here as Amy Abroad. Can’t wait to see her and her little ones.
A little link love:
1. I can’t wait to read this book. Tales from the theater including verbatim notes from the rehearsal process of 1963′s The Cherry Orchard with Uta Hagen… this is bound to be fascinating.
2. And speaking of legends- I’m downloading this one too- My Lunches with Orson, can you even image the stories that are in this book.
3. There’s a new green Coke- green label, that is. But you can only get it in Argentina where Coke is doing a massive marketing blitz to test their new Stevia-based product.
4. I’m digging this video. It’s a graphic design wonderland. Watch it, your eyes will thank you if they’re not too tired.
5. These instagram and twitter highlights from journalist Miriam Elder who spent the past few years in Russia are eye-opening.
P.S.: For anyone with littles, this sanity saving list is pretty great. Thanks Natalia!
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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