Turning The Tables On Brunch

 

When I threw a brunch for a wedding shower recently, I wanted to come up with something pretty... yet unexpected... yet entirely breezy. What I decided to do -- finger foods only... strewn all over the table. Literally, directly on the table. No serving platters. No serving utensils. Just a colorful melange of food to easily grab and throw onto a plate. 

Wrapping Things Up

It seems every year I get closer and closer to easy street, which is quite fulfilling amidst the chaos that is the holidays. 

Thanksgiving -- Simple Is The New Complicated

Getting in the mood for Thanksgiving and keeping things simple, as usual. As a creature of habit and tradition on this one, the word simplicity rises to a whole other level. I remain a don't fix it if it 'aint broke fangirl.

In The Kitchen -- Just Olive Oil + Salt

I've been keeping things pretty lax in the kitchen lately. The solar vortex in California this year might have a little something to do with it. 

Found -- Let There Be LuMee

Cheers to the pal who sees a void... fills it... and causes an outright stir.

Happy New Year!

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy, fresh start, resolution conquering, goal achieving, risk taking, self-realizing, new year. Or else, a happy, healthy, relaxed, no big changes, accepting, zen, go-with-the-flow, self-realized enough for now, new year. Whichever your current inclination might be! Mine is somewhere between the two --  though I'm ready to shake things up a little and seize new endeavors this year. Welcome, new year.

{And... Why New Year's Eve Is My Favorite Holiday}

Cheers... xo

Thanksgiving Recap And Future Gathering Readiness

It was a stellar one. Simple and sweet. With a perfect, West Coast twist.

Thanksgiving... Give Me What I Know And Love

As I've said before, I am an utter traditionalist when it comes to Thanksgiving. Don't fix it if it ain't broke -- a gem of a saying and I think probably one of the most overlooked keys to happiness in life.

In The Kitchen -- Hot Apple Cider Glory

At the most relaxing Halloween gathering I think I can ever recall, in the home of Kristina of Estilo, I was treated to a divine concoction -- a hot gin apple cider that Stephanie of Shindig stirred up for the grown ups to sip while trick-or-treating.

Daytime Dating aka Couples Who Lunch

I've always been more of a day person than night (with the exception of my years living in NYC where I was a round-the-clock person). Longtime favorite daytime indulgence -- stealing an afternoon movie. 

Found -- A New Floral Delivery System

My daughter was having a piano recital and I wanted to bring her flowers. I happened to be at a market where I saw the sweetest bunch of freesias -- unbelievable scent and in the perfect hue for her. (Freesias are a little underrated, no?) 

Found -- Gorgeous Tableware from Suite One Studio

I have fallen in love -- with this elegant line of handmade tableware from Suite One Studio. It-is-stunning.

Soiree Season...

My weekend kicked off with a dreamy birthday gathering for a friend at her home, curated by born beautifier, Stephanie Sanders, of Shindig. It was an evening outdoors made heavenly with fireplace, flatbread pizza, and string lights. Other favorite elements of the night have succeeded in whisking me right into holiday soiree mode...

Thanksgiving... Around The Corner

I'm taking a little peek back at last year to get in the mood...

In The Kitchen -- Roasted Cauliflower

 

Simple, delicious, roasted cauliflower. It goes like this...

Little Things -- Afternoon Tea

 

For the last many years, I've been drinking coffee. Decaf in my case, but coffee nevertheless. I indulge as frequently as five times a day (as a decaf-er, I'm pretty sure it's more about the ritual and comfort than anything else).

In The Kitchen -- Easy Pizzy

Everyone needs a good cheat in the kitchen for those lazy days where you just can't lift a spatula, and this is one of mine...

Found -- A Perfect Glass (That's Not A Glass)

Doesn't the experience of a beverage start with the right glass? Well, I have met something perfecto. Here's the twist -- it's not a glass at all, but a votive candle holder! 

In The Kitchen -- Cheese Plates

If you're ever at my home, one of the things you will surely find on the table is a cheese plate. It's simply my favorite thing to have out for company to nibble on. Truthfully, it might as well be my house soundtrack as I could easily have one of these playing in the background each day, with or without company.

Found -- Finery

Santa Barbara based style visionary, Monica Epstein, has just let the world in on her exquisite new creation, Finery.