Dean

Talk about fabulous! He stepped off the escalator accompanied by one of his very well-dressed clients and I swooned! She was wearing a one-of-a-kind Chanel jewel encrusted leather jacket and was carrying a pink crocodile Hermes handbag embellished with diamonds. Yes, diamonds. My friend said, "I want to be her!" I said, "I want to be him!" Dean works for Chanel in New York. His black sequined blazer worn with black jeans and a crisp white shirt was stunning and I absolutely loved the Camellia "jabot". But beyond all that, Dean is a gentleman. He knows his product inside and out and he makes his customer feel beautiful even if she is no where near able to fit into the sample size garments he is selling. If the sleeves are too tight, he says that Chanel isn't very kind about the fitting of its sleeves. He explains in his soft manner, that all the seams have a 2 inch allowance--that they are begging to be tailored to fit each woman's body and her needs. There is nothing to feel badly about when you are with Dean, there is only beauty and charm and the potential of a dream Chanel wardrobe.

I didn't walk away with any clothes, but I did walk away truly inspired.

Beauty in Imperfection

I was invited to attend the opening of Van Cleef and Arpels in San Francisco this past week.  The jewels were glittering in every corner of the room but for some reason my eye kept going to the run in this woman's stocking! I found a certain charm about it!  Beauty in imperfection. 
My eyes finally moved off the stockings and over to this man's sleek hair, black rimmed glasses and fabulous orange coat.  The pink flowers on the side added the perfect touch.  

And since I was there to see the jewels, I should add that they didn't disappoint!

The Drive South

If you can't be shopping the Paris Flea Market, then Summerland Antique Collective is a great choice.  Who says all the treasures are in France? Head to Southern California on 101 and take the Summerland exit.  There is only one main street in the town (Lillie Avenue) but an incredible selection of antique shops to choose from. Have a coffee and cinnamon scone at Tre Lune and begin your hunt!
Leave the shopping and come with me on my drive through the Santa Ynez vineyards on Foxen Canyon Road.  Mozart is playing, the raptors are flying and the grapes are divine.
Not many cars on the road....just peace and quiet.
Juxtaposed to the vineyards are the grazing cattle and the cowboys mounted on horseback--all in white hats.  Not a black cowboy hat to be found in the Valley. The energy is good!
Stop and chat with the locals and find some wonderful single vineyard wines.  My pick this round? Bell Glos' Clark and Telephone Pinot Noir 2006.  Rich, fruity and great for the soul.

90210

A trip to L.A., Beverly Hills to be exact.  Life is transparent here....no old-fashioned, hidden charms but maybe a few hidden agendas.  It's all black and white with a dash of color.  What you see is what you get....maybe. 

And the shopping?  Crazy shoe sale at Saks.  Shoes were falling from the sky and money dripping from all the designer handbags.  Louboutins exhausted, laying on their sides.
So many shoes on display....and people too.  One never knows who one might see......

Interested? Interesting!

I was invited to a cocktail party this week that would be attended by foodies, beauties and exercise aficionados.  While sipping a great glass of pinot and nibbling on chef created designer appetizers, I chatted amongst the crowd that had gathered. I eventually found a group of women by the bar that I knew better than the rest, I was ready for some real give and take kind of conversation.  We covered all the topics: the gains and losses in life, love, weight and the economy! And then a gentleman walked up who would remind me of something important. He was in his 70's, quiet, intelligent and unassuming. He was a " twinkle in the eye" kind of man, a delightful and curious man!  My short time with him left me happy, hopeful and energized.

Once home, I began thinking of the different conversations I had that evening. We worry about everything from extra pounds, to aging skin. Reinventing ourselves to watching our children invent their futures. And that's just the start of it! So much worry.  And then I remembered this gentleman and the secret he revealed between his lines....Be interested while being interesting.  It's as simple as that.  What a formula! The best beauty/happiness product yet to be marketed and you won't empty your pockets while applying! Interesting!

Life is Rich

Maybe the newspaper headlines have succeeded in yanking a bit of joy from my spirit, but yesterday I woke up ready to fight back!  If everyone is suffering from becoming "poor" then I had better find a way back to "rich"!  I jumped out of bed and headed to the kitchen to make what was soon to become the creamiest, thickest, richest gateau au chocolate in the world (or at least in my world)!  If you too are ready to fight back, put your apron on and get busy!

 Rags to Riches Chocolate Cake!

Ingredients:

10 oz ScharggenBerger bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped

7 oz butter, salted or unsalted, cut into pieces

5 large eggs, at room temperature

1 cup sugar

Butter a 9" springform pan and dust it with cocoa powder.  If you doubt that your springform pan is water-tight, wrap the outside with aluminum foil, making sure it goes all the way up to the outer rim.

Melt the chocolate and butter in a double boiler (or microwave), stirring until smooth. Remove from heat.

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar, then whisk in the melted chocolate until smooth.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and cover the top of the pan tightly with a sheet of foil.  Put the pan into a larger baking pan/roasting pan and add enough hot water to come about half way up the outside of the cake pan.

Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes.  The cake will be done when it feels just set, like quivering chocolate pudding.  If you touch the center, your finger should be clean.

Remove the cake from the water bath and remove the foil.  Let it cool on a cooling rack.

Serve thin wedges of this very rich cake at room temperature.  Cocoa dusted raspberries on the side add a nice touch.

Close your eyes and take a bite---life is rich!

CointreauTeese

Dreaming of Paris and  Miss Von Teese?  CointreauTeese will keep the dream alive!

1 1/3 oz. Cointreau

.75 oz. Apple Juice

1/2 oz. Monin Violet Syrup

1/2 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice

Shake with ice and strain into a tall martini glass.  Finish by sliding a fresh slice of ginger along the rim of the glass.  Close your eyes, sip and dream.....