Year: 2019

Holiday Series: Creative Thanksgiving Decor

We tend to stress the most about presentation, I think. Because after the cooking and baking some of your best of recipes, it is important to make the most impressionable presentation of your signature dish and otherwise to draw your guest to the table or buffet. So here’s a list of creative thanksgiving decor and this one for those tapped out of ideas: {featured image source}

Holiday Series: Thanksgiving Appetizers

Normally my appetizer set-up trumps the actual ‘non-turkey’ oh alright, a sliver of turkey dinner.  The reason for that is, most folks arrive at my doorstep very hungry, and very thirsty for a cocktail, so the ritual begins, munching away at appetizers while cocktailing.  So by the time dinner rolls around, folks are too full to indulge. I haven’t yet figured out how best to settle this matter except perhaps try an array of light appetizers. But that doesn’t mean I won’t share some of the appetizers that are making their way to my list for this year’s dinner gathering. For the rest of of the 123 recipes which by the way are great suggestions for any parties, including Christmas, or New Years, go here   And how to host Thanksgiving or any party without the stress – although I welcome the stress – it is invigorating I think

Decor: For The Love of a Neutral Home

Just dream along…I mean what else do you have to do this early Saturday morning? Neutral and steady hues of white are my first and foremost choice for my primary home 🙂 – and then I’d like to have a second place where I can add all the wonderful colors to create the whimsical of space. Or maybe the guest house out back would be that attempt-in my next life since now I am content with my current living space. But the first house would look something like this And my charming guest house or second home used solely for my writing 😉      What decor would you opt for? And how do you get rid of negative energy in your home   {featured image source}

Fashion: A Little French Boutique Store Called Sézane

I walked past the pop-up in San Francisco- Maiden Lane, when my thoughts were elsewhere and it wasn’t until I got home that I realized the opportunity I missed to walk into a Sézane store  in my hometown, that would have taken me away to somewhere in Paris and perhaps do a little shopping for these chic pieces:

Food: Chai Infused Carrot Cake

I love carrot cake, and it is probably the only one I won’t pass up on if I were anywhere in the world offering the option. So a carrot cake recipe is always in order, and this chai infused one is one I am trying on Saturday: For the cake: 1/4 cup of almond milk 1 tbsp of Assam tea 1 cup of sugar 3/4 cup of ghee, melted 3 eggs, room temperature 1 tsp of vanilla extract 2 cups of flour (310g) 3 tsp of baking powder 1 tsp of salt 7 – 8 turns of fresh ground black pepper 1 1/2 tsp of cardamom 1 1/2 tsp of ginger 1 tsp ground cinnamon 2 cups of fresh shredded carrots, about 2 large carrots For the frosting: 1/2 cup butter, room temperature 8oz of cream cheese, room temperature 1 cup of sifted powdered sugar 1/2 tsp of vanilla 1/2 tsp cardamom 1/2 tsp ginger 1/2 tsp cinnamon pinch of salt  {more} Do you have a favorite cake? And a well-tested recipe you wish to …

Decor: An English Home

Ah, the characteristics of a European home, even while remodeled,  I simply cannot get enough. Fortunately for me, I have family sprinkled across England and France and in their quaint homes I take refuge and feel the most inspired by their choice of decor. On another note: Have you been watching The Crown Season 3? If so I have some thoughts to share Do you agree that the age of maturity and clash of generations is the main topic of the era covered in season 3?  What do you think of Princess Anne’s relations with Parker Bowles – what web of drama the royals have shared? Watching Prince Charles life unfold in season 3, do you find yourself emphatetic  towards him? How about towards Prince Phillip?  What’s your favorite scene? Although there are many, I favored the one about Prince Phillip meeting the men who walked on the moon and his expectations from them regarding one of the most important moments in history – episode 7

Culture: Who’s Your Celebrity In-Character Crush

I thought about this topic a few days ago, when I decided to watch ‘You’ve Got Mail’, (for the millionth time) to help me get out of the funk I was in, and also to do character study for my novel. And it did, giggling, tearing up, beaming, and feeling over the moon about the idea of two people, who cross paths on a daily basis, end up falling in-love in the most peculiar of way, over the internet/and kind of in person. Realizing the influence of certain actors in character have over us. Who’s your celebrity-in character crush?  {featured image source}

Holiday Series: Thanksgiving Preliminary Prep

I start out with one menu – and then shift it throughout the week leading to Thanksgiving, so with that mindset, here’s what I am considering for the holiday, perhaps even leading to smaller dinner parties up to New Year’s eve. {featured source and inspiration for this blog post}

What Were We Expecting From The Crown – Season 3

Although I followed loosely the making of Crown 3, mostly who will play what role, and the era the season would cover, I had no idea what to expect. The element of some surprise is very important to me in films. And so I was, completely intrigued by the ‘Hollywood style”of story telling about the events which shaped the monarchy throughout the 1960’s.  Thus far watching episodes 1-4. The true story behind Princess Margaret’s visit with the American President Johnson – covered in episode two   Princess Alice, Philip’s mother – who was misunderstood and perhaps a historic figure worth learning about – covered in episode four In episode two and three – cover up of Prince Philip’s connection to a affair and the fallout from it all had me doing research and connecting the dots – sort of in the approach the filmmakers took to make Season 3 relatable to stories we are all currently following or not of the royal family’s lifestyle. Churchill’s funeral played a significant part in episode one – and the …