Author: MS

thank you gwyneth paltrow

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I couldn’t resist including this photo in my blog, because although gwyneth paltrow is not yet 40, her beautiful gown is one that a woman over 40 can surely support. I love it when celebrity dress down to earth even when they do dress up because their particular style “at the moment” gives the average woman the hope that she doesn’t need to go overboard to look good. The dress she is wearing is from BCBGMAXAZARIA gown available at Nordstrom, so it is pretty obtainable around $298.00. Thank you Gwyneth for your gorgeous choice of gown.

sex in which city, i ask?

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As you know or can already tell, I have an opinion on  just about anything and everything. I can’t help it and as I always say, I am entitled to voicing it not because of my right as an American but because I am a woman over 40.  (We have special privileges you know) With that said, I have to take a moment and comment on the film Sex and The City 2 and attempt at impacting women over 40. I remember when the show first aired on HBO, I was probably one of the first (in my circle) to take a peak and recommend it to all my friends and by the time season 2 aired, all of my acquaintances were glued to their television sets when the show came on and I was busy doing other things. Truly it was a craze and when the show ended, probably only a handful of woman including myself, didn’t give a damn one way or another – after all I had better things to do with my time… Well, when the …

cheese and more cheese please

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Don’t you hate it when you go to a restaurant and order, mostly Italian food, and when asked if they can sprinkle Parmesan cheese, they always end the sentence with “tell me when” and all you can think is, leave the block of cheese with me and I will gladly return it when I am done with it. But instead, you just wave your hand a minute after the waiter shaves some cheese unto your plate, feeling embarrassed to ask for more. Well the point of this story is, of course, to tell you how much I love cheese. I think if I were asked to list my 5 top favorite foods, cheese would be number 1. Seriously. Yes I understand eating too much cheese has repercussions but if eaten moderately and carefully then it shouldn’t be a problem. Check out some of my favorite cheesy blogs and hang outs PaniniHappy.com – a place to get your cheesy panini fix Whole Foods Market – organic cheeses with great pairing suggestions Napa Cheese Stores – Artisan …

angelina’s Cafe

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I must have driven by Angelina’s Cafe on California Street and 22nd (in the Richmond District in San Francisco) about a hundred times and said to myself, wow what a cute place, I have to go there sometimes. Well, finally today, after years of contemplating and planning, I finally decided to eat breakfast there after my one hour walk. As I parked my car half a block from the corner where Angelina’s Cafe is situated, I got a great feeling in my stomach as I walked by the French bistro table and chairs lined along the outside of the cafe. When I entered through the door, I noticed the customers lined up along the deli counter, waiting to order their food. Some were holding on to their dog’s leashes. I instantly knew I would love this place since they allowed dogs to be in the store. (Just in case you are wondering, I feel dogs should be allowed everywhere) I ordered a sesame bagel with eggs, cheddar cheese and bacon and was asked if I …

no recipe here just good food

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I love “good” food like most individual with an artistic palette. I refer to palettes as artistic because if you think about it, those who lack creativity, lack a taste for good food (in my opinion). Good food to me is something that has to compliment my taste buds, it has to enhance my sense of smell from the array of spices used to create the dish, and finally it has to fulfill my innermost sensuality. Believe me if you think about it, you will understand what I mean. I am always in search of good food and when I find myself settling due to my financial state at the time I frequent the restaurant, or the party I am with doesn’t have an artistic palette, I leave the restaurant feeling unhappy and a bit grumpy. Keep in mind I am not implying that only expensive restaurants or those who claim to work with the best chefs in the world have the best meals. I am stating that even the simplest and most inexpensive places …

handbag and shoes for the woman over 40

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If there is anything I can say I am addicted to, even in midlife, is shoes and handbags. I can walk through department stores and browse through the selection of designer shoes and handbags, oh probably an entire day without feeling tired. I know I am not alone in this, but choosing the right shoes and handbags for a woman over 40 could sometimes be very challenging. There is a certain protocol when you reach a certain time in your life and the shoes and handbags you select should compliment your maturity rather than hinder it. A handbag should never be too big or too small and the handle should be designed so that when you carry it, it doesn’t seem like you are struggling. Sticking to pale colors in the summer is ideal and keeping with the blacks is appreciated in the winter months. Women over 40 should stay away from bright yellow or fuchsias and greens. If color is your thing, then stick to lavenders and power blues instead for spring and summer. …

modern design and middle age

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I love architecture and design. I cannot settle for the outdated in this area of my life. I don’t know if this is a good or bad thing but to me, because I don’t live by what others think about me, is a great thing. From the 70s to the 90s I had trouble accepting the furniture and home designs and flipped through magazines, being simply bored with what I saw. Nonetheless I conformed hoping someday, somehow, somewhere, someone would create design I can live by and with. Then came Dwell Magazine and the erection of modern homes with energy efficient as well as recycled materials used to build the dwelling and I must say, I have never been happier about architecture and design. I am a firm believer of streamline, clean design and the notion that less is more and so goes the appreciation of modern design. In the past, we cluttered our homes with pieces we really did not need and colors that only worked with one season and not the other. For …

pebbles and such

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I love pebbles. I can honestly say that I prefer a collection of pebbles in my household more so than diamond  in my jewelry box. I often walk the ocean beach in San Francisco in search of unique pebbles and also shop home furnishing stores for bagged or boxed pebbles as well. This is probably an obsession of mine, but who cares, I am entitled to one or two. I have canisters and glass vases full of them around the house and one day with the proper loft design I plan to incorporate pebbles into my living room space or along a long hallway either outdoor or indoor of an eco-friendly home. The most interesting thing I found about pebbles  is that a collection of them in a glass container goes with almost any neutral decor in any coastal city as well as, if arranged correctly most decors elsewhere. Pebbles are also very easy to work with, whether you create your own design or purchase a ready-made design from a store. The possibilities are endless if you put your mind to it. Pebbles also come in different …

poached halibut with saffron fennel cream

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I love it when grocery stores give a complimentary booklet or a magazine advertising their products with a few good recipes. I collect them all and use them frequently. I found this amazing recipe on Nugget Market’s website and magazine and it is amazing to say the least. Here it is – enjoy 4 Halibut fillets Court Boullion: 4 cups water 2 cups white wine 1 yellow onion, quartered 2 ribs celery, rough chopped 1 bay leaf 1 fennel frond, rough chopped, reserve one more for garnish 12 to 15 whole peppercorns 1 lemon, juiced Fennel Cream: 1 pint cream 1 head fennel, small dice 1 clove garlic, minced 1 teaspoon saffron salt and pepper to taste Preparation Court Boullion: Combine all the ingredients in a sauce pan.  Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer for 15 minutes.  Strain.  Fennel Cream: Combine the ingredients and bring up to a simmer over medium-low heat.  Reduce the cream by half.  This should take 10 to 15 minutes. Puree and season to taste with salt and pepper. …