Today I’m Couch Tripping in the High Sierras just outside Yosemite. Far Meadow provides glammed up A-Frame and traditional log cabin style digs for those who really want to get off the map but stay in style. I’m roasting s’mores, hiking, fishing and just relaxin’ cold maxin’ on my own private 20 acres high above Bass Lake. Sweet. With sweeping views and eco-friendly, sleek interiors, this is not your grandfather’s A frame. Dig it:
Oh Jack, you are so cool. This Vanity Fair photo is kind of the perfect way to kick off the weekend, with a wink and a smile. Thanks Jack.
I hope you’re all off to a fabulous weekend. This link love roundup is a wee tad smaller than usual as I am busy prepping for a shoot this Monday with Anthology Magazine. I will be hosting a Virginia wine pairing dinner party for my family at a local Virginia vineyard for the story, so I’m busy planning menus and tasting through lots of VA. wine. So fun. If you all have any suggestions for me, please send them along. We are doing sort of a picnic chic theme. Lots of yummy French inspired food centered around what’s in season, so lots of ripe fruit and produce. Fun. I hope you all have a great weekend.
Just a little link love:
This article speaks volumes about the state of our society with regard to technology. Thank you for writing it, Mr. Wilson and shame, Apple.
How fabulous are these bathers from LIFE magazine circa 1948. Tres gorge. I hope you’re off to a fun filled weekend. We’ll take in some fireworks here in Old Town Alexandria. Not about to be outdone by the nearby nation’s capital, this town celebrates its very own birthday on July 13th. This year Alexandria turns 264. Wow, that’s pretty old for America. What are you all up to?
Here are a few of my favorite things from this week and a little link love:
1. I love these illustrated posters for the kiddos- animals of the world by artist, Andy Ward.
2. Unplugging at Camp for Grown Ups. I always wanted to go to camp as a kid and now these grown-up camps are everywhere- although I don’t know if I can really classify the people in their Moonrise Kingdom‘d-out photo above, grown-ups. In any case, it’s never too late even if you do look a little ridiculous.
3. Looking to remodel, upgrade or update? Here’s a handy tool to price out costs in your area. Fun to look at- more fun if you live in Des Moines than if you live in Palo Alto.
4. The Newsroom is back baby. Yahoo. I love these characters, that Sorkin speak and the little lift you get from watching his shows- cue the anthemic West Wing-like theme- bring on season 2. P.S.: Jeff Daniels is totally a bad ass in this show. When have you ever seen Daniels as a bad ass. It’s kind of hot and a long way from Dumb and Dumber.
8. I love this floor tile- a collaboration between Carocin and Petit Pan. Blue and pink heaven.
9. Imogen and Asher edge out Charlotte and Finn as this year’s most popular baby names (as in: most viewed on nameberry). Really? Imogen? The only Imogen I know is the divine Ms. Coca and she’s an Imogene. Ok, there’s also Imogen Heap- she’s got to be the draw. I can’t imagine many young parents naming their little ones after Aunt Edna- although she was pretty fantastic.
P.S.: Blurred Lines as The Cosby Show opener- it kind of works. And speaking of the Cos, he’s launched a Cosby Sweater Tournament- how could we possibly pick the best Cosby sweater.
P.P.S.: This is funny- 24 hunky actors that will make you wish time travel was for real.
P.P.P.S.: I know this has gone viral and everyone’s probably already seen it, but it’s interesting. Tootsie- one of the greatest movies ever made- and Dustin Hoffman’s reaction to playing a woman has got to be one of the reasons it is so good.
And- heads up New Yorkers, Manhattanhenge touches down on the grid tonight and tomorrow.
Ok, one more: this is pretty crazy town. An impala dives into a tourist’s SUV as he flees a chasing cheetah. Whoa. When’s the last time you’ve seen this happen? Never.
If this isn’t one of the greatest photos ever, I don’t know what is. It just doesn’t get better than these guys. Clooney and Pitt may be a close modern second to Redford and Newman but there’s just something about these two guys. I was so fortunate to meet Paul during the last year in his life, even in his old age he was as twinkly eyed as ever. He told me the story of how he met Joanne and how she taught him to dance backstage in the Broadway theater where they were doing Picnic. I wonder if he knew he made my year?
It’s been a big week over here. The bebes turned 13 months and my little man is waving and say night-night and bye-bye. He also loves to say Tiger. I love that so much. My little lassie is walking all over the joint- it’s amazing how so much can change in one week. I hope you’re off to an inspired weekend. No big plans for the 4th weekend over here, we’ll see what unfolds. It’s real hot, that’s for sure. I’m loving all this rain though- makes me nostalgic for my childhood summers in Florida.
A little link love and some things that inspire:
Parisians are given an etiquette manual to encourage friendliness. Interesting.
Fäviken: I gotta get here- somehow… someday. Apparently one of the best meals on the planet in the remote woods of Sweden. And- the chef’s name is Magnus, I mean come on.
My newest obsession, I would wear these things out.
I just saw this documentary- so inspiring. It really made me see our public defenders in a completely new light. I have so much admiration for the people that do this important work.
Also: It was so fun to read about my fab in-laws’ long lasting Showmance in this NY Times article.
I’m fascinated by people who work professionally as a Nose or “Le Nez” as they call them in the mother country. As a wino, I used my nose for work as a sommelier and rep and continue to do so as a Diploma student. But a perfume Nose is an entirely different ball of wax. Sure, a winemaker uses his nose (and taste) to build his elixir, but a Nose uses only his one sense- that almighty olfactory one- to create a scent. It is kind of mind blowing to think about how a Nose can manage to maintain his subjectivity and perspective when constantly surrounded by scent. When I attend an industry tasting and have upwards of 300 sips of wine (with spitting of course), I start to lose it around the 50th sip, and that’s being generous.
These guys spend their lives in the lab in the midst of musk, floral, citrus and even gamey notes. Mind you, they’re probably hanging out in a pretty nice lab if they’re sniffing it up at Hermés or Givenchy. It’s not exactly like they’re spending their days in an office park in Los Alamos, but still.
If you’re curious about what the experience might be like, Maison Guerlain Paris offers a Fragrance Workshop where you learn from the pros in their flagship store (totally worth a visit even if you don’t do the workshop) and even concoct your own scent for 50 euros. Anne McClain of MCMC in Brooklyn also offers custom classes. The classes are taught by her and will run you a bit more for the up close and personal experience. McClain is classically trained at the Grasse Institute of Perfumery in southern France, the Harvard of fragrance education.
Here is a run down of other perfumeries and mix masters offering workshops and classes. Put it on the list- more fun stuff to do.
Ok, I found my new dream destination- a private cove, a mind-blowingly beautiful hotel, and fresh Italian seafood under the stars paired with a local Vermentino. Days with nothing else to do but stare at the sea, swim in its Mediterranean waves, steal its shells and eat its bounty… Come. On.
This, amici mei, is la dolce vita. Eco del Mare. Very near the well known Cinque Terre, this place looks like a dream. It’s expensive but if you don’t want to blow your wad on a night in the hotel, stay nearby and just use this pretty place for its beach club by day.
A few swoon-worthy photos:
That’ll do.
Eco Del Mare: A day at the beach for 2 people with umbrella and chaise lounges will run you about $100- it’s an expensive day but it looks to be memorable.
Doesn’t this look just like summer! I’m not usually a spritzer kind of girl but this looks delicious. Thanks Joy the Baker!
It’s been a crazy week. DOMA is repealed- hooray (this is a kind of funny 2 -word response), Brazil’s in an uproar, Wow Wendy Davis, and George Zimmerman’s lawyer is telling knock knock jokes- what is happening. Stephen Colbert’s mother passed away and he gave a loving tribute to her on his show. This is a Colbert we have not seen, so sweet.
In light of a big week, I hope you are all off to a big and fun-filled weekend. My momma is coming into town- double hooray- so we’ll head out to North Beach with the kiddos and check out the so-called “Jewel of Chesapeake Bay”. It’s only 45 minutes from our place so I’m crossing my fingers that it’s awesome- there’s nothing like a nearby beach on a hot summer day.
I’ve also started reading again. I know, I know- alert the media, right. It is kind of a biggie for me as I have been a little sleep deprived with work, travel and the bebes and I haven’t really read anything in months. I’m listening to Andre Agassi’s Open on audiobook- so well written- I know I’m a little late to the game (no pun intended) on this one, but it’s awesome. I just downloaded Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s Mo Meta Blues- so looking forward to that. Google Books review says, “You have to bear in mind that [Questlove] is one of the smartest motherfuckers on the planet. His musical knowledge, for all practical purposes, is limitless.” Nice. Anyone who references the episode of The Cosby Show where guest star Stevie Wonder samples the Cosby family’s voices in the recording studio as inspiration for 90s hip hop artists, is pretty much a must read for me. I’m also reading this book on parenting that my sister in law recently gave me (she’s an inspired preschool teacher so I basically read everything she tells me to). It’s great and really revealing. If you like a psych study, you’ll really enjoy this. And for all of us that believe constantly telling our kids that they’re smart is a good thing, this may change your mind.
A little link love:
1. Dora Maar’s house in Menerbes- Peter Mayle land. Love that town, love her and love this house. I would love this little setup in my backyard- throw up a sting of lights and voila- nirvana.
2. What to do with your bebes when you don’t have a backyard. This is so simple, it’s really a duh. I’m trying this today.
3. A girl after my own heart- just another reason to travel with your kiddos. How Anne Postic feels like a change of scenery improves her kids’ palates. Yes.
4. Add a little dash of Rome to your hot summer day. Espresso granitas with whipped cream- grazie mille Smitten Kitchen.
5. Another cool map- I do love a map. This one needs your help to get produced. Visit the Kickstarter campaign here if you feel we need this in the world.
You guys may have seen this book at your local Anthro- Paris Versus New York. I always thumb through it whenever I’m strolling through the store. This is my favorite illustration:
Here are a few others:
Fun, right. I love the illustrations. This would make a great little gift for any lover of the two cities.
I forgot how much I love Montauk- it’s this magical beachy place that conjures up images of Robert Shaw-like fisherman, summertime regulars exchanging hellos at the local grocer, and lobster rolls at the local seafood stand just off Hwy. 27. It also stirs up a kind of quiet solitude. You feel like you’re standing at the edge of the world on the tip of that Island. It is markedly more chic than I remember as my last visit was back in ’06, but despite the house music at the latest 60s motel-turned-hipster haunt and the city’s latest eatery and shop offerings, Montauk manages to maintain its salt-of-the-earth sensibility and rustic charm.
Our friends graciously invited us (and 5 other couples with kiddos in tow) out to their sweet Montauk beach pad. We had a ball, there were 12 adults and 14 kiddos. We joked that it should have been a shit show but it was completely and totally awesome. These are my best girls from college and now that we’ve run out of weddings to attend (we’re all hitched), we have to come up with ways to get together. It happens about once every 2 years and it’s always amazingly memory filled. It was a weekend filled with rosé, lobster rolls (the mayo-less kind from Red Hook Lobster Co.- yum!), beach days, pool time, shingled homes, blooming flowers and the world famous Star Island Yacht Club Shark Tournament.
Ok, let’s talk about this shark tournament. I honestly could not believe I had never been to this before. I am such a Jaws fanatic, this tournament was surreal. Boats were lined up to come in to the harbor where the docked in front of the crowd while the fisherman hooked their catch to the pulley. The sharks were lifted up and weighed next to the fiberglass 3500 lb. Great White that was caught in ’86 while the crowd waited to hear what type of shark and how it weighed in. Most were Makos, Blues and Threshers and the winner this year was a 360 pound Thresher brought in just under the gun at exactly 5 o’clock, when the tournament ended. No doubt those proud fisherman were circling the harbor, waiting to come in at the last minute and make a splash with their Thresher. I was completely in my element, mouth open and wide eyed as the weighed the sharks, cut them open, gutted and filleted them inches from my flip flops. They severed their heads and nonchalantly threw the sharks’ parts in dumpsters that soon hauled them off. Seriously, the whole thing was so surreal. There was a marine biologist on hand to cut out important organs for science and research so that did put one’s mind at ease a bit that this was not entirely all for show. Every part of the shark’s meat is donated to local charities, churches and nursing homes, so that helps too. Honestly, it was pretty crazy town.
If you love sharks and are not offended by a fishing tournament or grossed out by a close up gut, you have to go.
How great is this photo- I love it so much. Happy Weekend to all, I hope you have some fun stuff lined up for the weekend. We’re in NYC with family- fun times. Enjoy and Cin Cin.
A little link love:
Coasters and Keychains and Cacti Oh My!
1. How cute are these little butterflies via the sweet little French vintage shop, Trendy Little. Love. My Gigi would eat them at this point but maybe when she’s older.
2. Felt Confetti Coasters via one of my new favorite Etsy shops, Cotton and Flax- I love their graphic pillows too.
3. No Sleep Til Brooklyn- Mike D’s Brooklyn Brownstone that is. Pretty Phat. Everyone needs a swoonful ocean print above their bed- I’m in love with this one.
4. A sensible cacti garden- I love a succulent. Those A Beautiful Mess girls are truly DIY Gods.
5. Old school keychains from another fun mom and pop shop find- Three Potato Four. These remind me of summer vacations and camp. I never went to camp, but I always wanted to.
6. I absolutely loved this Travel & Leisure article about a family’s trip to Italy’s Ligurian seashore- a tale full of missteps and mishaps with toddlers in tow, eventually leading to a memorable and killer vacay. That’s totally the way I roll, it made me laugh.
P.S.: Travel & Leisure’s twitter feed is totally rocking my world lately- great articles and tips, like this one for affordable Italian agriturismos and this one on how to get that last minute rezy in NYC.
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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