Spring Breakup

Sorry for the lack of posting lately...I've been feeling a bit uninspired. What I need is a spring break, but sadly I am no longer a student and it's hard to take a spring break from life. At least the weather will be taking a decidedly summer-like turn starting tomorrow. Until then, it's brownies, movies, and gazing longingly at the pictures from my spring break trip to California last year. The above photo was taken on a perfect day in Coyote Hills Regional Park...if you live in the Bay Area, it's definitely worth a visit!

Inspiration Folder: Credenzas

At the top of my vintage furniture wish list is a sturdy credenza with clean lines that I can give a colorful face-lift...

(via Little Green Notebook)

(via design*sponge)

(via design*sponge)

(via Odi et Amo)

(via Lonny Magazine)

*****

If I lived in the Brooklyn area, I would totally go pick up this little guy RIGHT NOW. I love the simplicity and the graphic vertical lines...would be perfect in an entryway (after a couple coats of sunny yellow paint and new hardware, of course)!

Spring Reading List

It's that time of year when I start feeling the urge to get out and explore, so I'm gravitating towards books that will transport me to far-away places...


The Shadow of the Sun by Ryszard Kapuscinski. I picked this book up secondhand a few years ago, but I just never got around to reading it. Kapuscinski, who died in 2007, was a renowned Polish journalist who traveled extensively in the developing world and wrote about war and unrest in places like Angola (Another Day of Life), Ethiopia (The Emperor), and Iran (Shah of Shahs). The Shadow of the Sun, which is described by one reviewer as a "personal and political travelogue of one man's rocky love affair with a continent of nations," covers more than three decades of Kapuscinski's experiences in Africa.





A Passage to India by E.M. Forster. From Amazon: "A masterly portrait of a society in the grip of imperialism, A Passage to India compellingly depicts the fate of individuals caught between the great political and cultural conflicts of the modern world." British manners, exotic adventures, and cultural conflict? Sign me up! I just hope this one delivers more than Howard's End and A Room With a View.






Memoirs by Pablo Neruda. This is another book that I bought a long time ago and haven't managed to read yet. I'm a fan of Neruda's poetry, and I enjoy a well-written memoir, so I have high hopes for this one. Though he was born in Chile, Neruda traveled extensively, spending time in Burma, Ceylon, Java, Spain, Mexico, Russia, and Eastern Europe. Along the way, he made friends and acquaintances with artists, politicians, and other luminaries, including Federico Garcia Lorca, Pablo Picasso, Che Guevara, and even Gandhi--how could this possibly be boring?

Liberty of London for Target

If you've been to Target in the last week, you've probably seen Liberty of London's new line of exclusive products for the discount retailer. The blogosphere has been abuzz about this collaboration for months, but I wasn't all that excited about it until I saw (and smelled) the items for myself. These are some of my favorites...

This fun, pretty flower pot featuring Liberty of London's
"Sixty" print screams spring and is practically a steal at only $9.99.
Yesterday was the first day of spring--it's time to get planting!

It's difficult to find inexpensive candles that smell really, really good, but Liberty
hit it out of the park with these jar candles. There are six different scents (my favorites are
sugared grapefruit, spiced black tea, and lotus & white flower), and there isn't a single stinker in
the bunch! At $9.99 each, you can afford to get one for every room.

You know I'm a sucker for pretty stationery, and these printed notecards
(which sell for $6.99, I believe) are no exception. They would be perfect for thank-you
cards or informal invitations for a spring brunch. There are three different sets, each
featuring three designs, but I think the set pictured here is my favorite.

Signs of Spring

Crocuses have started sprouting up all over my backyard in the past couple of weeks. I can't wait until the trees start budding...that's the best!

Ballymaloe House

I've never been to Ireland, but if I had a chance to go, I would want to spend my time driving through the countryside and staying at charming inns like the Ballymaloe House, a Norman castle in County Cork which dates back to 1450.

Situated on a 400-acre estate, Ballymaloe House offers gardening and wine tasting courses and it even boasts its own cookery school (complete with 100 acres of organic farmland). There is also an award-winning restaurant on site.

Ahhh...this is what I will be daydreaming about today. Happy St. Paddy's!

Home Sweet

I am seriously loving the hand-printed textiles and home goods by Delaware-based artist Jennifer Nelson. Jennifer's designs are the perfect blend of geometric and organic, and she works with environmentally-friendly fabrics and inks. At the top of my wish list are the lumber pillow cover in the "sunburst" pattern (pictured above) and the "morning glory" printed fabric. Check out her website and her Etsy shop.

Lost Things

For your viewing and listening pleasure on this gray and rainy (at least in PA) day. Enjoy.

Chocolate Cloud Cake

Nigella's picture-perfect cake (photo by Francesca Yorke)

Back in January, I vowed that this year I would get more use out of my many, many cookbooks. So far...I have not made good on this promise. The truth is, it's very difficult for me to get excited about cooking when I don't have my own kitchen. I'm trying to work on this, though, and the housewarming party that one of my friend's had last night was a perfect excuse to dust off the cookbooks and get in the kitchen. You can never go wrong with bringing something sweet to a party, so I headed straight for Nigella Lawson's How to be a Domestic Goddess, which is chock full of luscious dessert recipes. I considered the Chocolate Coffee Volcano (p. 181) and the Chocolate Mousse Cake (p. 176), both of which look insanely delicious, but in the end I could not resist a recipe from another one of Nigella's books, Nigella Bites. Unfortunately, I don't actually own Nigella Bites...I found the recipe online. Oh well, so I'm not cooking from one of my own cookbooks. At least I'm getting back in the cooking and baking saddle! And the results were pretty delicious.

CHOCOLATE CLOUD CAKE

Ingredients:

For the Cake:
9 ounces bittersweet chocolate - minimum 70 percent cocoa solids (I used 64%)
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
6 eggs, 2 whole, 4 separated (room temperature)
1/2 cup plus 1 Tablespoon sugar
2 Tablespoons Cointreau - optional (I left this out)
grated zest of 1 orange - optional (left this out, too)
9-inch springform cake pan (I used a 10-inch, because that is all I have)

For the Cream Topping:
2 cups heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (I used about 2 teaspoons)
(I added about 1/3 to 1/2 cup of powdered sugar)
1 tablespoon Cointreau - optional (I left this out)
1/2 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder, for sprinkling (I used dark chocolate shavings instead)

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Line the bottom of the cake pan with baking parchment. Melt the chocolate either in a double boiler or a microwave, and then let the butter melt in the warm chocolate. (I microwaved it on a low setting, checking it every 20 seconds or so to make sure it didn't burn.)

Beat the 2 whole eggs and 4 egg yolks with 1/3 cup of the sugar, then gently add the chocolate mixture, the Cointreau and the orange zest (if using).

In another bowl, whisk the 4 egg whites until foamy, then gradually add the remaining sugar and whisk until the whites hold their shape but are not too stiff. Lighten the chocolate mixture with a dollop of egg whites, and then fold in the rest of the whites. Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 35-40 minutes or until the cake is risen and cracked and the center is no longer wobbly. (Mine was done at about 30 minutes. If I make it again, I might take it out even earlier, because I like a fudgier cake.)

Cool the cake in its pan on a wire rack; the middle will sink as it cools.

When you are ready to eat, place the still pan-bound cake on a cake stand or plate for serving and carefully remove the cake from its pan. Don't worry about cracks or rough edges: it's the crater look we're going for here.

Whip the cream until it's soft and then add the vanilla, sugar, and Cointreau (if using) and continue whisking the cream is firm but not stiff. (It's best to add the vanilla and sugar a bit at a time and keep tasting it until it tastes right to you.) Fill the crater of the cake with the whipped cream, easing it out gently toward the edges of the cake, and dust the top lightly with cocoa powder pushed through a tea strainer (or shave some dark chocolate on top, as I did).

My cake--not as pretty as Nigella's, but still tasty

Inspiration Folder: Dry Bars

One of the first things I'm going to do in my next place is set up a small but sweet dry bar. I like the idea of being able to have impromptu cocktail parties when friends drop by. All you need is a small table or even just a tray, 3 or 4 bottles of liquor, a few glasses, maybe an ice bucket, and you're in business!

(First, second, and fourth photos via Lonny Magazine. Third photo via Design*Sponge.)

Jamie's Food Revolution

Has anyone seen the promos for Jamie Oliver's new TV series, Jamie's Food Revolution? The show takes its name from Jamie's most recent and very popular cookbook, which was published in October (and which, interestingly, is called Jamie's Ministry of Food in the UK). I love any show that revolves around making over people's diets and helping them to live healthier lifestyles (and I have been known to preach that gospel myself), so I will definitely be tuning in! If you want to check it out, it premieres March 26th at 9 PM on ABC.

(Photo via Jamieoliver.com)

Secret Source: Delia's

I was crazy for delia's when I was in high school, and even though I'm now a bit beyond their target age-range, I still check their website occasionally to see if I can score a bargain. Once in a while, I will find a great, affordable piece that belies its teeny-bopper origins. In fact, one of my favorite items in my closet is a khaki skirted trench jacket that I bought from delia's a couple of years ago (and which I happen to be wearing right now). Here are my top delia's picks for spring:

"Caitlyn" Striped Shirt, $39.50

"Trista" Striped Dress, $44.50

"Georgia" Hobo, $24.50

"Harriet" Cascade Cardigan, $39.50


"Nikkita" Floral Skirt, $34.50

Gown Crazy

I'm watching live red carpet coverage of the Oscars, and I'm too excited about the gowns to wait until tomorrow to comment!

Amanda Seyfried - I rarely like dresses that are described as "interesting" by fashion commentators, but I actually think that this is the best I've seen Amanda Seyfried look...possibly ever. The bodice and the draping at the hip of this Armani Privé are sculptural without being cumbersome. The color of the dress is gorgeous, and the overall look--hair, makeup, jewelry--is young, fresh and modern.

Anna Kendrick: The best supporting actress nominee looks soft and lovely in this pale pink Elie Saab and is almost pulling off the color. I love the neckline and the criss-crossing on the bodice, which is very flattering to her figure. I can understand why she picked this dress, because it's just so pretty, but overall it is a little boring and not enough of a statement for a break-out star on one of the most important nights of her young career.

Carey Mulligan - I'm happy that the best actress nominee (in Prada) finally added a little sparkle to her look. I have felt lukewarm about her fashion choices thus far in the awards season, and when I first saw Carey on the carpet tonight I thought "yay!"...but then I saw the full-length look and I was a little less thrilled. This gown seems to fit her body much better than the gowns she wore to the Globes and the SAGs, but I just wish it went all the way to the floor. This is such an awkward length, and the thick ankle straps on the shoes are not helping matters.

Jennifer Lopez - This is pretty standard J. Lo fare, but I'm loving the hair and makeup. She just looks so fresh and pretty (and happy!). I can already hear the fashion insiders oohing and aahing over this Armani Privé, but honestly I feel like we've seen this look from Jennifer so many times that it leaves me feeling a little underwhelmed. I must say, though, that her body looks amazing in this gown!

Rachel McAdams - Rachel is another one whose fashion choices usually leave me feeling lukewarm, but I think she looks so pretty tonight! What first caught my attention was her hair and makeup--so simple and natural, but so very stunning. I think I actually prefer her with the blond hair...it just makes her skin seem to glow. I'm also loving her earrings, and there's nothing to dislike about her Elie Saab gown.

Sandra Bullock - Saving the best for last. I actually love this look, but doesn't Sandy (in Marchesa) look a little bit like a deer in the headlights tonight? Poor thing. She usually looks so relaxed...I guess she's just nervous (this is potentially one of the biggest nights of her life, after all). Not everyone could pull off this much shine, sparkle, AND lace (especially in combination with such a body-hugging silhouette), but Sandra Bullock has one of the best figures in Hollywood, and I think she looks gorgeous, glamorous, and still somehow understated. When I first saw her, I was disappointed in her hair, but the more I look at her, the more I think the simple hair (and jewelry) is the perfect complement to this dress. I also love the pop of pink on her lips, which is a nice change from the expected red. She looks timeless yet modern. In short, she looks like a winner.

I'm also loving Kate Winslet (she's just one of the most gorgeous women on the face of the planet), Nicole Richie, and Cameron Diaz (her dress, but not her hair and makeup). And with that, it's time for the show to begin...with Neil Patrick Harris in a sparkly tuxedo, apparently. Oh boy.

(Photo credits, from top to bottom: Kevin Mazur; Steve Graniz; Steve Granitz; Steve Granitz; Jason Merritt; Kevin Mazur)

Countdown to Oscar

Who's excited for the Oscars this weekend? I must admit that I've seen a pitifully low percentage of this year's nominated films. Was 2009 a bad year for movies, or have I just been lazier than usual? Can you guess which 2 of the 10 nominees for best picture I have seen? Of course, we all know that the Oscars aren't about the movies, anyway...they are about the GOWNS! I'll be sharing my thoughts on this year's fashions on Monday :)

(Photo via People.com)