Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Walk in Wednesday

I hope each of you had a wonderful holiday!  The beach was beautiful and relaxing!  It was as fun as it has been in a long time for me as I got to enjoy the beach like I did as a child...digging in the sand, searching for sand fiddlers & shells and splashing in the surf with my 15 month old daughter...who seems completely mesmerized be the sea.  So today, it's back to work and routines after lots of 4th of July fun!  Today's, Walk in Wednesday, closet feature is Eva Jeanbart-Lorenzotti's founder & CEO of VIVRE.




In a most reveling post from Eva, she describes her life as a collector: SO INSPIRING! 

"There is something to be discovered everywhere you go. From a secluded beach to an off-the-beaten-path bistro, hidden gems are endless—and finding them is only a matter of opening your eyes. Since I’m passionate about adventure, I love to hunt for the unusual and the unexpected. I think it’s important to expose yourself to everything, and to follow your curiosity wherever it may lead.

In a world of too much of everything, I try to experience life with a curator’s eye. I believe in collecting. I don’t care about the “it” factor. I care about the “why.” When I’m traveling—and even walking through New York—I challenge myself to look for things that have an intrinsic value of quality, or fun, or that tell a story. And only when I find something I love, or that fascinates or inspires me, do I take it home.

I can often be found in the back of a store, rather than in the front, getting to know the owners and asking them to open up all of the drawers. I’ve learned that that’s where all of the true treasures are kept. Once in Greece, I even tracked down a storekeeper in an alley when I saw a one-of-a-kind piece of pottery in the window of his closed-up shop. I loved it. I had to have it. Because I believe that an object is good only when the experience is good—and I was having an incredible stay in Greece—I knew this piece would be something I would cherish forever.

Living a ‘collector’s’ life means a constant search for objects for your table, your home and for your wardrobe. I love the process of building a collection. The buildup is what makes pieces special. It’s exciting. And while there’s nothing wrong with looking—ever—you should never just buy something for the sake of buying it, or because, for example, that dress or shoe was ‘big’ this year. For me, the most important thing to realize in life is that you have to experience things to know what you like. Once you do that, then will you find yourself with a collection of things that truly makes you happy, and thus uniquely your own. After all, isn’t life all about enjoyment and finding your passions?!"




Friday, July 1, 2011

Summer Friday Cocktail Series

Today's, Summer Friday Cocktail Series, feature is from a wonderful family friend, Denise Gant, who is one of the best cooks I know!!!  Have a wonderful, safe and happy July 4th holiday!



e-stationery from iomoi



denise, brian and kate,  2010

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Walk in Wednesday

To kick off my new weekly series, Walk in Wednesday, I thought, what could be more legendary than Vogue's Fashion Closet?  In the 60 Minutes video below, Sylvana Soto-Ward gives Morley Safer a tour...and while there is no doubt, in my mind, that I could post daily regarding new & inspiring images of fabulous closets I will reserve Wednesday's for this inspiration obsession.  Don't miss Walk in Wednesday each week for your dose. 


If it's in style, then it's in Vogue's legendary closet. Sylvana Soto-Ward gives Morley Safer a tour.

Monday, June 27, 2011

Happens Every Day

I sometimes long for enough time to really settle in to a good book but being a full time mom with a full time job doesn't always allow this little luxury.  That being said...there haven't been too many books in my life that have really taken hold of me and had a lasting impression.  Isabel Gillies, Happens Every Day, is one of those books.  My sister, an avid reader, told me about the author & book.  She had actually had the pleasure of meeting Isabel on several occasions.  I remember not wanting the book to end and after finishing; searching and hoping to see if the author had written any other books.  Happens Every Day is Gillies debut memoir (March 2009) and I am so excited to learn that her second book A Year and Six Seconds will be available August 2, 2011.  All I will say is: READ IT!!!  I will not pretend to play book critic so below are some reviews from those in the industry.


"A memoir so raw you feel like it's your best friend telling you her story." Glamour ("Must Read" pick)


"This is another favorite of mine. I started this book on a plane last week and did not stop until I'd finished. What I really admired about this book is the way Gillies is brutally honest, even when it comes to certain moments that are less than flattering for her. Fans of "Eat, Pray, Love" will devour this book."
-John Searles, book editor, Cosmopolitan magazine



"I couldn't put the book down. Gillies' memoir is so disarming, especially given that she's not a writer. But therein lies her charm... you're on her side. Gillies comes off as a genuinely peppy, uncomplicated woman. For those readers who've endured similar seismic shifts of the heart, Happens Every Day will offer the comfort of solidarity. For the rest of us who've been, so far, spared, it makes for compulsive and, frankly, chilling late night reading."
– Maureen Corrigan, Fresh Air, NPR



"It's a surgical reconstruction of her marriage's sudden collapse, and it's utterly honest and painful. It's a tart book, a universal book, which is to say completely human, and eminently worth reading for both men and women."
-Palm Beach Post



"As intimate as if it came from your best friend." 
—Parenting magazine


"Happens is an emotional train wreck you gobble up, rooting for the engaging Gillies."
-USA Today



"[Gillies] brings to life the town of Oberlin, Ohio, complete with organic market, eccentric academics and insanely quaint coffee shops."
—Kirkus



"Emotionally involving...There's a redemptive grace in her struggle."
—Entertainment Weekly



"This is a memoir that reads like a gripping mystery and a moving coming-of-age tale."
-David Auburn, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Proof



"A smart, rueful memoir of love, betrayal, and survival."
-O, The Oprah Magazine









Friday, June 24, 2011

Summer Friday Cocktail Series

For my first, Summer Friday Cocktail series...drum roll please - the Electric Eel - the refreshing signature drink of Ruschmeyer's in Montauk, NY.  I will definitely be picking up some fresh sage at the farmer's market on my way home.  If you want to be super simple; pick up a bottle of Simply Limeade and mix in a couple of ounces of Vodka. Delish!  Don't miss next week's Summer Friday Cocktail feature.  You are sure to be the star of your July 4th soiree when you serve your guests the most delicious Sangria recipe ever!!!


Nostalgia

I have recently given a little bit of thought (truly, just a bit) in regards to eliminating meat from my diet (beef, pork & chicken and just for a little while...to see if there are any, major or minor, effects in my overall feeling of healthiness) and then I ran across this picture of a JG Melon cheeseburger - an NYC institution.  JG Melon is always on my list when visiting New York - it is one of the tastiest cheeseburgers I have ever eaten!!!  This also got me thinking about another favorite spot on the Upper East Side that still brings a feeling of nostalgia - Sant Ambroeus - the almond cookies take me back to my childhood and to family trips to New York City.  I can taste the homemade cookies & pastries now.  I am certain that part of this feeling of joyfulness also comes from the wonderful packaging of these little delights - who wouldn't fall in love with that lovely printed peach colored paper?  On my last visit to the city my mom and I stopped in for some petite sandwiches, gelato for dessert and, of course, almond cookies for the stroll back to our hotel.  Sant Ambroeus - I heart you!  Another favorite is Fred's at Barneys for the Penne di Farro al' Arrabiata (spicy, heaven!) and Estelle's Chicken Soup - described on the menu as "grandma's recipe to cure colds and stay thin"  Oh well, so much for the no meat idea...it is summer, after all, and one can't possibly do summer without burgers & BBQ on the grill.  There's always fall...have a wonderful weekend!
xo,
Helen

jg melon cheeseburger







box of goodies from sant ambroeus, packaged just as i remember :)
gelato, sant ambroeus nyc

estelle's chicken soup, fred's at barneys 

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Summer's Bounty

Last weekend my husband and I took our daughter to Foster's Market in Durham for lunch - Sara Foster has created the ultimate oasis for food lovers like ourselves.  The place was packed both inside and out with friends and family enjoying each others company and conversation.  You can find it all here.  I saw delicious sampler plates from the cold case, casseroles, homemade soups, cookies, homemade, fresh fruit Popsicles, etc.  I, myself, had the Cobb Sandwich which was simply amazing, my husband enjoyed the Cuban sandwich and Kate quite liked the squash bisque.  Our visit reminded me of a favorite, Sara Foster, cookbook, FRESH EVERY DAY, a wonderful resource for the summer months (all year long, really!)  Our visit to Foster's Market has inspired me to make weekly trips to our state farmers market to take advantage of all of the wonderful, local, fresh fruits & vegetables (as well as fresh pastries & fresh bouquets of flowers) that the summer months produce.  I have also included a few additional cookbooks that are on my shelf and one by Gwyneth Paltrow that I will soon be adding to my collection.  While My Father's Daughter is Gwyneth's first cookbook she certainly is not a newbie in the kitchen.  One of my favorite picture cookbooks, Spain, by Mario Batali features Gwyneth Paltrow - the two take you on a culinary road trip, meeting old and new acquaintances along the way.  The book is a true feast for the eyes.  And last but, certainly, not least...what screams summer more than fresh blueberry pie & lobster rolls - YUM!  Lobster Rolls, Blueberry Pie is a gem of a cookbook offering three generations of recipes + stories from summers on the coast of Maine.  I cannot wait to plan my menu for July 4th.  The coast is calling my name!  Happy Wednesday!
Best,
Helen


entertaining

peek inside: my father's daughter

peek inside: my father's daughter, gwyneth cooking with moses and apple

peek inside: my father's daughter cookbook: sweet potato ravioli

from gwyneth's, my father's daughter cookbook: duck ragu



Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...