Bells Are Ringing

Weddings:  my oldest daughters (twins) have been invited to the first wedding of their peers.  Graduation from university (Notre Dame) is this week-end and next month the whole marriage thing starts!  It's hard for recent graduates to afford many of the things that people register for.  I got married right out of college and specifically chose china that wasn't that expensive so I would get a few settings or at least enough to make a table look as though it all went together.  I spent some time today searching for things that my girls could combine their efforts on and thought I'd share.  

I am a big fan of wine and know that many young kids aren't but they will like it someday and they may entertain people that like it and might want to start a nice collection of barware--something that they would never go and buy themselves.  This is an Italian Waiter's Corkscrew, created by Enrico Albertini with input from sommeliers and other experts on looks, feel and functionality.  Some thought went into this and I would LOVE to have this in my kitchen.  As a matter of fact, I think I have convinced myself to order one the moment I am done with this post.  Italian Waiters Corkscrew, $50.00

Add a set of wine glasses that people who talk with their hands like I do can't knock over and destroy and I think the party can begin.  Check out the champagne flutes.  I love them.  I might have to convince myself that I need those as well.  Set of six stemless wine glasses $42.00

This next one is a bit off the charts but let me explain.  We have a HUGE round table in our kitchen that can seat up to 10 people.  In the center is a lazy susan that spins around and while we are eating, whatever we need finds its way to us as it spins.  It sounds crazy I know, but people LOVE it and I have had offers to buy the table, scratches, nicks and all.  They want the lazy susan.  So here's one that you can put anywhere, anytime;  on a dinner table, buffet, take it outside on the patio, whatever.  AND you can have it monogrammed with the happy couple's name.  How fabulous is that!  My shopping cart is getting full!   Wine Barrel Lazy Susan $129/$149

My last item is the cheapest and I think the most fun.  Wall decals were everywhere in Europe when I lived over there and I am finally seeing them mainstream themselves into decor here.  I found this wonderful monogram that is on Etsy (one of my favorite places on the internet) that again, can be made specifically for the happy couple.  And the best part, it's made from vinyl and can easily be removed so they can take it with them wherever they go!  I think this idea wins! Monogram Decal $30.00 

I am off to shop!

Moroccan Mint Tea: Drink of the Gods

I spent a year living in Paris which could be a million posts long going over the delights of that experience.  Most I am sure will be revealed as I write.  Today I will share what I discovered to be one of the most exquisite drinks I had there:  Moroccan Mint Tea.  

I am reminded of this liquid pleasure as I look at my garden, completely taken over by a wildly invasive strain of mint that is making me insane.   It has taken on the likeness of  that mythological creature, the many headed Hydra who just kept growing more heads as Hercules tried to get rid of them.  Instead of fighting my minty nightmare, I have decided to embrace this herbal blessing and am on a constant quest for recipes requiring it.  It is garnishing everything I make--dressings, dips, desserts and.....tea.  

I have been very fortunate to come across a blog that I "read" daily even though it is in Italian and I don't know a word of Italian.  Cucinare Lontano is a cooking/lifestyle blog I think, written by Jean-Michel who is French, lives in Florence and speaks perfect English. (that is all good in my books!) I leave little comments for his posts when I can and he answers back in English.  It is his recipe for Mint Tea that I am sharing with you.  If you go to his site, you will understand why he knows what he talks about.  

2 tablespoons green chinese tea

10-15 leaves of fresh mint

5 spoonfuls of sugar
Pour 1 liter boiling water into teapot and let steep for 5 minutes.  Pour into small decorated Arab glasses.  You can put a few pine nuts in the glass--they will swell and soften in the hot water and become quite fragrant.  

Here are some little goodies from Just Morocco to make the experience even more authentic. 

A Hyatt teapot

Beautiful golden tea glasses to drink this ambrosia from!

If you aren't as lucky as I to have a huge crop of mint taking over your backyard there's always Mighty Leaf.

Photo credits: Mighty Leaf Tea, Just Morocco, flickr: Dragos z 

Travels to Spain: Paradors

A nomad I will remain for life, in love with distant and uncharted places.

-Isabelle Eberhardt-

I started traveling, REALLY traveling late, or what I consider late in my life.  My daughters ranged in age from 11 to 8 when we started taking them to Europe.  Prior to that, we were on a first name basis with Minnie and Mickey and felt it was time to spread our wings.  London was a first overseas destination; nice but not my favorite place.  The next year, my hubby wanted a beach vacation.  So, leave it to us, we came up with one--Marbella, Spain.  He would tell you he was thinking along the lines of the west coast of Florida.   Hard to argue with this selection; it was on the Mediterranean, the Rock of Gibraltar made itself known in the distance and the sun poked it's head out every day.  It's been our most memorable trip to date. 

So many things stand out for me but I would have to say, hands down, our visit and overnight stay at the Alhambra in Granada was the highlight.  Nestled at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, this compound of Islamic inspired buildings dates back to the 9th century built initially as a military fortress and four centuries later becoming the royal residence of Mohammed ben Al-Hamar.  It's history is rich in peace and conflict that is too complicated to go into here. Currently, it is one of Spain's most popular tourist attractions and worth the trip!

 

We were fortunate enough to stay on the grounds of the Alhambra at Hotel San Francisco, a fifteenth century convent that has been transformed into a small four star hotel.  Referred to as a Parador, it is one of many  historically significant buildings (convents, castles, palaces and monasteries) throughout Spain that have been transformed to accommodate guests in some spectacular settings.  Once the last tourist was ushered off the grounds at the end of the day, we were able to roam about certain parts of the grounds as if we alone lived there.  It was amazing.  To watch the sunset and have millions of stars appear as we stood at the highest point in the watch tower will never be equaled for me.  

I have found tours through the Smithsonian that initiated this whole post idea.  Travel to Spain this fall for two weeks as you make your way through this beautiful country, staying in beautiful Paradors at each stop.  I can't help but think you would have an experience of a lifetime.  

Additional information:  andalucia-travelguide,  Smithsonian Journeys, Paradors, 

                                  

Photo credits:  Personal collection, GreatBuildings.com

Colors from Milan

Check this out:   a new line of rainbow colored plastic ware from Pandora Design, a company in Milan. They're so magnificent, I would have to wash and reuse them!! I covet this beautiful chandelier that they've created.





This set looks similar to an antique serving fork I bought years ago. Great design stands the test of time!

Flower Girls Wishing You A Happy Mother's Day

In my ongoing journey to find fun, fanciful, wondrous things on the web, I came across these absolutely delightful creations done by Elsa Mora or as she is known to her readers, Elsita. Her story is interesting and one of those that has looped about in different directions and has landed her in what appears to be a most beautiful place. Take a look:

REGINA

LIZETTE (my personal favorite!)

ROSETTA

Her artwork appears in galleries throughout the world and lucky for us we can bring some of her beauty into our own lives by visiting her Etsy shop.  Such gentle creativity really is inspiring. I hope these brightened up your day as much as they did mine.  

A Beautiful Tribute To Women

My daughter found this video months ago and shared it with me.  I "stumbled-upon" it today and was reminded how beautiful it is.  Hope you enjoy it as well.   

Paris Before We Met

I am in the process of weeding things from my surroundings as our family gets ready to pack up the last 12 years of our life and come July split off in different directions as we go through a monumental shift in how and where we live our lives.  As a result, I have been going through things and of course, get all caught up and side-tracked in old photographs, magazines, the dilemmas of, "Do I keep this Mother's Day card from 1987 and where do I pack it if I do?"  All things that take me totally off track from what I am supposed to be doing--downsizing!

I am a lover of many things but antiques are right up there for me.  During a phase when I had a small business, I was constantly at auctions, digging around for that great find (many of which I kept for myself......that's allowed).  Often times, I would buy something that ended up being auctioned off along with a box full of junk which I would then get to search through and hopefully find the elusive pot of gold.  Here are two items that although will not get me millions at Sotheby's, make me happy just the same.  

This is Opéra Garnier as it looked at the turn of the 20th century.  This building is the piece de resistance in Baron Haussman's urban planning crusade of Paris.  Designed by Charles Garnier, a young, unknown architect at the time, Mr. Garnier beat out over 170 of his contemporaries in winning the right to design this opulent, over the top structure.  It is magnificent and deserves a trip inside should you be in Paris--a tour would be nice, but to experience a performance here is a different memory to take home with you altogether.  

Here's a photograph of the Champs Elysées, looking towards the Arc de Triomphe from the Place de la Concord--that is quite a mouthful.  Check out the horse in the center.  How crazy is that.  I can just hear Maurice Chevailier singing "Thank Heaven for Little Girls" as he strolled down this very same boulevard in the movie Gigi.

Photo Credit:  Personal Collection