After a long trip abroad, I missed my creature comforts of home. While basking in the Maui sun, mojito in hand, and trade winds blowing - I was actually pondering on a home cooked meal! A typical Sunday usually consists of a leisurely day (sans helicopter rides, zip lining, and a bartender!) until I break out into full-on cuisine mode and start the early evening with a cheese course. I adore my new (a.k.a. belated wedding gift) Lagioule cheese knives with ivory resin handles. Artisanal fromages never looked so chic next to this cutlery! I have also been taking note on how the Japanese (and certain 'tenders in Hawaii) pay special attention to the art and style of preparing a perfect libation. What better way to present a cocktail than on my vintage thrift store cocktail napkins in coral-pink linen with a cornflower blue stitched border and what else --- someone else's monogram! These always evoke a laugh when I set them out for display. As for the main course, I have yet to "master the art of french cooking" a'la Julia Child (Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child,Louisette Bertholle and Simone Beck) but I do have a fondness for Thomas Keller's Braised Short Ribs w/Root Vegetables and Sauteed Bone Marrow, pg. 188 of The French Laundry Cookbook by Thomas Keller. Amidst this romantic haze of food, drink, and entertaining, I caught my eye scoping out a Japanese fashionista poolside in black leggings (yes, in Hawaii!) with little white skulls all over them by Alexander McQueen! I then was transported to two of my favorite memories and possessions in the world...my first McQueen skull scarf purchased eons ago that I still love, and the 4-legged angel that tugs at my heart strings daily, my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Delphine. Aaah, it's good to be home! - BH
Friday, August 28, 2009
A Deux Luxe State of Mind
After a long trip abroad, I missed my creature comforts of home. While basking in the Maui sun, mojito in hand, and trade winds blowing - I was actually pondering on a home cooked meal! A typical Sunday usually consists of a leisurely day (sans helicopter rides, zip lining, and a bartender!) until I break out into full-on cuisine mode and start the early evening with a cheese course. I adore my new (a.k.a. belated wedding gift) Lagioule cheese knives with ivory resin handles. Artisanal fromages never looked so chic next to this cutlery! I have also been taking note on how the Japanese (and certain 'tenders in Hawaii) pay special attention to the art and style of preparing a perfect libation. What better way to present a cocktail than on my vintage thrift store cocktail napkins in coral-pink linen with a cornflower blue stitched border and what else --- someone else's monogram! These always evoke a laugh when I set them out for display. As for the main course, I have yet to "master the art of french cooking" a'la Julia Child (Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child,Louisette Bertholle and Simone Beck) but I do have a fondness for Thomas Keller's Braised Short Ribs w/Root Vegetables and Sauteed Bone Marrow, pg. 188 of The French Laundry Cookbook by Thomas Keller. Amidst this romantic haze of food, drink, and entertaining, I caught my eye scoping out a Japanese fashionista poolside in black leggings (yes, in Hawaii!) with little white skulls all over them by Alexander McQueen! I then was transported to two of my favorite memories and possessions in the world...my first McQueen skull scarf purchased eons ago that I still love, and the 4-legged angel that tugs at my heart strings daily, my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Delphine. Aaah, it's good to be home! - BH
