I buy the best of novels in European bookstores, particularly in Paris (believe it or not). I return for a dozen paperbacks and place them all on my bookshelf in the not-yet-read pile. Picking and choosing each novel based on my mood and need for inspiration. For my own writings. So, here’s the list, and here’s my picks to add to the pile of books to read in 2016:
Me Before You opens in the U.S. on Friday and I couldn’t be more excited to go see the film about a novel I read weeks ago, and loved every word of it. The novel which has left such an impression on me, in every sense of the word, from the author’s writing style, which I admire, to the story, to the characters, and how well she managed to weave together all of it to create the perfect a story – I cannot seem to stop thinking about. So, until Friday, I have been obsessively reading the reviews, the actors interviews, and all that’s been said on social media about the story turned film. (I suppose keeping the momentum). What is it about love stories where one person is terminally ill? Is it the unconditional love expressed in between the pages or on screen? The fact, there is an expiration date to their forever, breaking our hearts? Or is it simply a reminder of how wonderful and caring people can be? Anyway, let me know …
Over the miserably hot weekend, where I “chored” my days away rather than simply enjoy, I had no appetite. The temperatures were in the 90’s by 7:00 a.m. and too hot to feel hungry enough for this San Franciscan spoiled rotten by temperatures reaching only ‘coastal’ 60’s or less. So you know what I did. I ate mostly watermelon with salty Cotija cheese for lack of good goat cheese or Feta, and then I found this recipe today. Which made me laugh – since its based on my Mediterranean upbringing.
This past weekend wasn’t the best I’ve had. Even though I was away from home, thinking I would spend the three days to refresh, regroup, revamp and just relax. Instead it went something like, run crazy errands, clean up, and too many other unplanned chores. So, in order to shake off the damage this weekend caused my nerves. I decided to plan a few things the next few days to help clear up my negative thinking: Tuesday: After work – go out to dinner here for the best El Salvadorian food. Wednesday: Outdoor lunch with a friend here since we are going to have beautiful weather in SF before the foggy summer. And then go watch hubs play softball in suburbia. 🙂 Thursday: Go trekking along the coast, and have drinks here Friday: Go see this matinée – and make a special dinner at home Saturday: Attend a graduation party to which I originally said No to. But why not? Sunday: Buy a new phone (its time) and head to Napa I think this sort of …
There are those who understand Paris in the same way that I do. I know you are out there. 🙂 But just in case… For years the hubs had trouble understanding my love for this wonderful city – not so much the romantic aspect of it. But because of the fact, Paris stands for everything a creative mind needs to feel inspired, and from that infuse, be able to create the most magical of things, tapping into emotions within us that we often times have trouble seeing or not see… intentionally. And so I spend a lot of time in my day, researching for all things Paris that I find inspiring and this time around, I discovered Hotel Panache – the decor alone says it all…
I have a handful of hotels throughout your Europe, I have built a friendship upon, with the staff. Meaning to say, I email them directly, get my rates and dates locked in and just show up, without having to worry much about if we’ll like the place, safety, and all other concerns while travelling: Except, this list came out and I am truly torn…about what I am familiar with, or these wonderful places I’d love to stay. Isn’t travelling supposed to be an adventure anyway? Check out the one’s I am thinking for this year’s trip:
Honey is something I hated most of my life. I suppose it’s because my mother forced it down my throat when I was young, every morning, to get my day started. It was old-world traditions. Until one day, while at work trying to add sugar to my cup of tea, and discovering there wasn’t any, I turned to Honey to sweeten the drink and discovered just how much I loved it on oatmeal, over a cheesy spread, with figs, drizzled over prosciutto, and too many other ideas to list here, except this:
I’ve been blogging for a long time. At first it started as a place I would simply put down my thoughts. You know – kind of like a diary. I signed up with blogger, kept it on a private setting, and just jotted down every thing that was – lets say – eating at me. Until I realized, focusing on the negative wasn’t really making me feel better. So, I launched a second blog, see here, where I began to talk about all things in the entertainment industry. At the time I was living in Los Angeles, for work of course, and felt since I was going to movie premiers and red carpet events and other wonderful gatherings within the entertainment industry, that movie blogging was it. When I transferred back to San Francisco, I wanted to do more with my blog, especially since my passion is traveling (first) writing (second). So somewhere in there RawSilk&Saffron was born, although I could have sworn it was more than six years ago for this amazing blog. Hmmm …
I think this is by far the strangest post you’ll see on my blog, where I share with all of you a recipe I found here, and then try to talk myself out of downing a dozen or more, since I try to eat healthy at all cost. But, I do have a weakness for Nutella, aaaaand, there are times in a month I need chocolate-cake, brownies, cookies, more chocolate, and then some more, the drizzly kind, and the candy covered ones. So, here it is for those of you who feel my pain, OR simply my type of strange cravings:
I’ve always know that I had some sort of deep-rooted connection to the French way (in this case) of decorating. Something my immediate family doesn’t find so appealing, when I recommend the style to add a certain flair to their homes and such. So you know what I did? I shared this article with them about 10 Things The French Always Do When Decorating, and it got them thinking since they are going to see more of these concept in my over the summer remodel. Maybe that will inspire them (smile). Here’s what the article says in a nutshell or two or three: “There is more perfectionism in American style than in France.” The French treasure family heirlooms and pieces that aren’t pristine. They won’t dismiss a chair if the leather is stained, and don’t mind a crooked hardwood floor. The result: a space that feels more lived-in than immaculate. “The French love to mix vintage and contemporary furniture, whereas there is more homogeneity in the American style,” “Don’t worry too much about how pieces …
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