Dîner en Blanc 2013

In case you missed it!

 Dîner en Blanc 2013 at the Eiffel Tower /Trocadero

The 25th edition of the original "pop-up" dining experience took place here in it's city of origin last night.  Starting out way back when, with about 200 people "in the know"of where to congregate for this delightful summertime treat, Dîner en Blanc has swelled not only in attendees here in Paris but in similar events held around the world.  

Invitees are given a general idea where the event is scheduled to take place.  Groups of people dressed head to toe in white carrying a variety of props such as tables, chairs, candelabras and coolers filled with champagne and French culinary delicacies make their way to these spots. At the appropriate time they are texted their final destination and the race is on to get there and get their tables, humble or otherwise, set up for a long evening under the stars. This year there two spots were required to handle what looks like the entire population of Paris ... the courtyard at the Louvre and in the photos you see here, the Eiffel Tower and Trocadero. 

If you missed out on last night's event, take a look at the website to see if your city plays host to a similar event.  Or, start your own!

Dîner en Blanc 

Photo credit:  Untappedcities.com/michelleyoung

Isabel Marant: H&M 2013

I have my sleeping bag all set and ready to camp out in November when Isabel Marant's collaborative  collection with H&M hits the stores.  I can only imagine the mad scramble in Paris that will ensue to get a hold of these pieces.

Her designs reflect the look of the quintessential French woman.  Young girls, to women who could be and probably are their grandmothers, wear her cloths.  Her collections, much like the women who wear them, are timeless and effortless.

Isabel Marant

Art For The Home: Super-Size Mine Please

 I am a Pinner.

As I typed that I had this vision in my head of me looking down at the floor, unable to make eye contact with the world as my vice of time-wasting on all things DIY-ish, yoga-ish, recipe-ish, shoe-fetish-ish and eye-candy-ish (just to name of few of my boards) was a weight too heavy to bear.  And yet, Pinterest is the second most popular social media site right now so there should be no shame because we're all doin' it.  All of us abusing our drug of choice;  spending too much time making a pretty, virtual world.

In my real world (which doesn't yet match up to my virtual one) I would buy ginormous art for my home.  Can't seem to pin enough of these images and want them all.  Big art.  Entire walls covered in one huge masterpiece. Larger than life-size. Like this one.

Or any of these 

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These are leaning slightly towards wallpaper but it's my virtual world so I get to decide that no they don't

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And then, I would need a super-size GIF of a waterfall with super-size speakers re-creating the super-size sounds of rushing water. Love this. 

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SO, now you know a little bit more about me...one of my vices, at least. Pinning. There's certainly a few more.  

Like this.  

Life would be so dull without them, vices, don't you think?

Just checking to see if you were paying attention.  This would be on my eye-candy-ish board.  

Stop by and say hi in my virtual happy land

Amedeo NYC: Cameos For The Future

I happen to like cameos.  The craftsmanship that goes into making one amazes me.  All that intricate carving on a tiny piece of shell.  In the hands of a tremendously gifted artist, the results can be spectacular.  

This is a ring I bought myself about eight years ago.  Not the best quality photo but hopefully it shows up as a women dressed as a Roman warrior. A simple profile in an even simpler bezel type setting.  I was feeling the need for empowerment at the time and the minute I saw this in an antique market, I knew it had to be mine.  

Amedeo NYC

Today I came across a website that has taken cameos into the future.  Amedeo NYC is a company revolutionizing what, where, who and how this ancient form of jewelry design can be used. 

Everyone needs an elephant with a crown of diamonds

Bespoke Monogram rings

Classic silhouette with a twist

Must-haves in Vogue (#23)

The pieces on their website start at about $1700 so all this beauty comes with a price.  However, and don't laugh, they have a whole line on HSN.com!!  While many of the pieces on that site come across as a bit more traditional and stuffy, these earrings (I adore them) are clearly in a "not stuffy" category but do have a hefty price tag of $5,700. 

This resin bracelet which I think is fun was on HSN (sold out) and retailed for about $140.  That works. 

I can't believe I am linking you to HSN.com.  This is a frightening thought (I spent a few minutes watching it after I wrote this .... scary) but in all fairness, this line and some others they have would end up in my shopping cart.  

Happy shopping.   

Fabio Viviani: Crush Material

My new crush.

He is probs a royal pain in the ass.

But he's cute, funny, knows how to cook, speaks with a great accent ... all good in my books.  I think I'd overlook whatever flaws (or at least the minor ones) he might have.  Who among us is perfect, right?

Lots of videos to watch at his site.  This one happens to be a recipe I actually made and they were delicious.

Let me know what you think ...  about him and the cookies.
I leave you to enjoy a wonderful weekend, perhaps filled with delish things to eat!

Chow Ciao

Times They Are A Changin'

So, I was cleaning up my bookmarks and came across a site I hadn't been to in awhile Sköna hem or Swedish House.  These days it seems that the Scandinavian aesthetic is a major influence on product and interior design.  What I see mostly is clean, streamlined all white interiors that are balanced with organic elements and small details to soften the linear elements.

Having lived in Sweden for a year, I understand the need for all the whiteness.  Their winter months are brutal.   In the southern most tip of the country where I was, winter daylight was about 2 hours long.  Making the best of that situation, the Swedes fill their home with light, whether it be in color, as in all white, or millions of candles lit when the first sign of darkness appears.  I can only assume that in the northern parts, it's candles and coffee when one hops out of bed.  And lots of both.

These two photos came up on Skona Hem and my new self was completely drawn to the paired down, contemporary feeling of the top photo.  My new self also cringed at the second photo which felt cluttered and utterly claustrophobic.  The funny thing, the second photo is what my old self would have been completely drawn to.  As a matter of fact, I own many pieces similar to ones in the "Rococo" dining room. A few that I purchased in Sweden.  Huh!

Think it's time for a yard sale!

Which do you prefer?

Photo credit:  Sköna Hem

Words To Live By

Profound advice from an installation at the MFA Boston.

Perfect Time For a Rosé

As much as I refuse to grow up, certain parts of me have had to mature and come to terms with ... life.  Dancing on tables (appropriately), taking a dare and occasionally crossing the line towards awkward in my conversations are a few things I will do forever and one just has to love me that way.

One area where I have gratefully gained profound wisdom is the quality of wine I will pour into my glass at the end ... or middle ... of my day.  Move over cloying white Zinfandel.  SO over that.  Do they even still make it??  My evolved self has learned a thing or two about the wonders of wine and while I'm not over drinking a refreshing "pink" something on these warmer summer days, it is indeed a bit more sophisticated.

Lately, rosé, more often than not, is the wine I've been putting in my shopping cart.  Easy to drink, pair with foods and refreshing, it is the perfect choice for this time of year.

I stumbled on two articles today that made me think of this post so I'm going to link you to them and allow you to discover a few good ones to buy if you can find them and meals to pair them with.

You're in for a treat.

Bon Appetit
Gayot 

Photo credit:  Bon Appetit

Black & White

Yes, I know that the world goes far beyond black and white.  It felt symbolic somehow to come back to this place at either end of the spectrum and work to fill things in. Life has been feeling a bit black and white as of late.  Now it's time to see the possibilites.  To see color again.  This is a going back to move forward exercise.  I plan to make it spectacular.  The blog ... and the moving forward.

Stay tuned!

Photo credits:  1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8