All Things French

The third Thursday of November is quickly approaching and that means that the 2011 Beaujolais Nouveau is almost here!  By French law, this young wine is not permitted to be released before 12:01 am on the third Thursday of November.  It is an annual event and throughout France where there are dégustations for the release of this wine.  I love the anticipation of the release; it is almost like Christmas for me.  My favorite, to date, is from the "King of the Beaujolais," Georges DuBoeuf.  It is a staple at my Thanksgiving table and is best served slightly chilled.  ~c~

All Things French

In February, my family had a four-legged beast wander into our lives.  Timing is funny; her arrival came months before the loss of Tache, the best four-legged friend a girl could ask for. Our new baby thinks she is a chihuahua and loves to cuddle on the couch, so when the time came to finally give her a name, it was perfectly logical to name her Coco Chanel.  Did I mention that she is the most adorable, slobbery St. Bernard that I have ever met? 

So far, her wardrobe consists of her raincoat, a bargain that we found on the sale rack at PetSmart (little did I know that doggy raincoats came in XL).  Sadly, in the desert southwest, she does not have much of an opportunity to wear it out. I am still on the hunt for the perfect pearl collar and little black dress for her, but I know that one of these days I will stumble on them, perhaps in the corner of a little junk shop, tucked behind a perfectly polka-dotted dress.
~c~

All Things French

I find a martini glass to be a perfect accessory to any ensemble. I adore a good "Diva-tini" and found this recipe two years ago when I attended a friend's martini party; it is called "The French Kiss":

1 1/2 oz. vodka (I try to use Grey Goose or Absolut if I can)
1/4 oz Chambord
1/4 oz pineapple juice
a twist of lemon and a strip of lemon rind to garnish

Pour the first 3 ingredients into a shaker over ice, shake well and strain into a martini glass. Add a twist of lemon. Drop the rind in the glass and enjoy!  Santé!!

~c~

Fashion

Fashionista Weather Woes

Living in the desert southwest can sometimes be a real issue for a girl who loves coats, jackets and cold weather accessories. Although I have lived here for quite some time, I continue to yearn for the crisp, cool October days that a northern fall brings.  Every morning, I look at the faux fur vests sitting on their hangers,where they are almost begging to be worn.  I flip through autumn issues of Lucky, Vogue, W and see the most adorable sweaters, scarves, hats, gloves and coats and I ache a bit because I know that here, in our corner of the world, most of those items are more or less useless.  My sweater collection has become quite dismal since living here.  I have come to the conclusion...A fashionista really needs to have 4 seasons in order to satisfy her wardrobe needs.

I finally couldn't take it another second and busted this out this morning; it had to be done.  So cute with a brown shirt, denim skirt and the most amazing chocolate brown boots.  Of course this morning's weather was ideal, but how will I look this afternoon when it is 85 degrees outside?  But really, does it matter?  I will suffer in the name of fashion. It is so worth it.
~c~

Fun, Fashion, All Things French

In the November issue of InStyle, there's a fashion spread that features the most glamorous icon of them all: Miss Piggy. Oh my, the worlds of Muppets and high fashion colliding.  I completely squealed (no pun intended) with glee when I saw the photographs. Am I the only one who remembers loving those pink satin elbow gloves as a little girl? Something tells me there are quite a few of us out there, those who thought Miss Piggy talking about herself in the first person and in French was actually quite awesome, those of us who admired the way she could show off her karate moves, those of us who could totally understand why Kermit would fall for such a porcine beauty. And now, dressed in the creations of Jason Wu, Opening Ceremony, Brian Atwood and others, there's no chance that anyone would ever question again why Kermit lost his heart the first time he laid eyes on her. ~m~

Fun

In certain situations, a few of my personality flaws start to rear their ugly head. I'm an enthusiastic eye roller. I'm fluent in sarcasm. Sometimes the only word I want to use is "the mother of all curse words." On days when I'm shopping at Walmart or reading a quiz answer that  says "Accticus Flinch* was a murderer who practiced economy," it seems that there is no way to win the battle against these incredible forces of evil, and my eyes just need to know that they are in for a work out.

So, imagine my happiness when I found a cool little find on Etsy that reminds me that victory is possible over Walmart and teenagers uninterested in reading relevant literature.  In an Etsy shop named Piper and Rory (http://www.etsy.com/shop/piperandrory?ref=ss_profile), you can find cheap little bracelets ($5) with phrases from literature and pop culture. I bought the Expecto Patronum bracelet, which I think will keep the Dementors who wander the aisles at Walmart and the hallways of middle school at bay. I also bought the bracelet that is inscribed with a phrase from Le Petit Prince in French: On Ne Voit Bien Qu'avec Le Couer. L'Essentiel Est Invisible Pour Les Yeux (translated: "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential is invisible to the eye"), which might make me pause before rolling my eyes to the heavens, blurting out a sarcastic comment, or letting the F word fly out of my mouth.  Maybe. ~m~

*This is exactly how the student spelled Atticus Finch. It truly adds a whole other dimension to this spectacularly mind-blowing answer.

Fabulous Finds

Who doesn't love a Fabulous Find?  I am always on the hunt for fashion treasure. Whether it be a navy polka dotted dress hanging in the back corner of a junk shop or a Missoni for Target clutch strategically placed amongst the backpacking magazines for later retrieval, I am always looking for that item that someone else has left behind. I suppose it goes back to my childhood. My parents owned an antique business.  In order to keep me focused (and not whining) while antiquing, they would pay me a quarter for every piece of Heisey glassware that I found.  Even then, I felt like I hit the lottery when I would find the glassware on a shelf... oftentimes covered with several layers of dust and cobwebs.  Now, so many years later and I still can't explain it, but I feel a huge sense of accomplishment when I have found what I perceive to be a Fabulous Find.  

My latest find is a most adorable polka dotted, navy dress.  Today, I have decided to channel my inner Coco Chanel and am wearing it with several strands of pearls.  Isn't it great to wear a stunning outfit, with accessories, that costs less than $20?!  
~c~

Fun

It's been a while since a novel truly enchanted me. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern is one of those novels that makes you want to live and breathe in another world. With language that is both vivid and beautiful, the novel brings to life a fantasy world that is both dark and magical.  Le Cirque des Reves, or "The Circus of Dreams," opens only at midnight, takes place in stark black and white tents, and promises experiences not found in any other venue.

The sumptuous midnight dinner parties thrown for the performers and investors, a gown that changes color to suit any viewer, circus delicacies such as chocolate bats and spiced cider, a tent that promises a garden completely made of ice... all these images inspire me to throw a themed party based on the book. Wouldn't this be a great book club choice?  Imagine everyone showing up dressed only in black and white, with the occasional red (you have to read the book to understand). Imagine trying to replicate any of the incredible, magical food-- blown spheres of sugar that have to be cracked to taste the cream inside, pigeon cooked in cinnamon, a tiered cake in the shape of the circus itself. Finally, imagine the conversations the novel could inspire. What more could you ask for? ~m~

All Things French

Being tucked away in our particular corner of the desert, it is a gastronomical challenge to find French cuisine. What is a Francophile to do? Buy some (canned) escargot, slap some butter and garlic on them, break out some French cheese and baguette, and imagine very hard that you're in a chic, dark bistro known only to Parisians.  I know some foodies may shudder at the thought of canned escargot, but ,really, few will care if you have enough butter and garlic. Trust me. ~m~

Recipe for Escargots (très simple).

Ingredients - 1 small can (2-4 dozen) escargots, 1 stick of unsalted and softened butter, 3 cloves minced garlic, chopped parsley (to taste)

Materials - escargots dishes (6 places per dish), oven preheated to 450 F, cookie sheet

1.  Open aforementioned can of escargots - or, purchase fresh if you happen to be living anywhere in France - drain and rinse.

2.  As the escargots drain and dry, mix softened butter, garlic and parsley in a small bowl

3.  Place one escargot in each compartment of the escargots dish.

4.  Place a generous amount of butter mixture on top of each escargot.

5.  Set the escargots dishes on the cookie sheet and place in the oven for approximately 15 minutes or whenever the butter is hot and bubbly.

6.  Sprinkle with additional parsley and serve hot with baguettes or crostini to soak up the butter/garlic mixture.

7.  Bon Appétit!

~c~

Fashion

Bravo has debuted a new show, Fashion Hunters, where upscale goes retail.  I saw the first preview in July and I was instantly drawn in.  As I sit here watching it, I love the idea of the show and, more importantly, I love the idea of the shop in NYC, Second Time Around.  What I wasn't prepared for was the amount of pouting and cattiness going on throughout the show.  Show me beautiful clothing and accessories...keep your personal lives (and pouts) out of it.  Will I watch it again?  Of course. I love to see gorgeous couture. ~c~

The show reminds me how much I love to root around our own local thrift stores to find treasures that have been tossed out by women no longer enchanted with items that probably once drove them mad. Will I ever find a Carolina Herrera dress like the one from Second Time Around? Probably not. But I have found items to make the label whore in me very happy (hello, never used Gucci pumps?) as well as unique pieces that are one of a kind (a 1920's dress clip that is now an awesome pendant). ~m~