Deeply in love: Kitchen Aid Mixer!

I just bought my Kitchen Aid mixer (yohoo!!) and totally recommend it! Fame is not for nothing: stylish, quiet, great accessories, beautiful colors, in sum, all perfect!

Cheers!

This week´s Cheers! is very refreshing and easy to do: Gin Fizz

45ml gin
30ml lemon juice
1 tablespoon sugar
Sparkling water
Lemon to garnish

Place all ingredients except the sparkling water in a shaker with ice. Stir well, move into a highball glass, fill with sparkling water and garnish with lemon.
This drink is refreshing and effervescent, but with a kick of gin.

A beautiful weekend to all!

This week´s DELIGHT!

Marble Cake (this and other recipes here)

Greystone Mansion, Beverly Hills

Over the weekend, I went with my hubby and a friend to the Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills.
I had heard about this place for some time, but never had the opportunity. So, to do something different with my guest, there we went!

         

The Greystone Mansion was owned by the Doheny family (a very important family from the oil business that also names a major Drive here in Los Angeles), but was acquired by the city of Beverly Hills and became a public park (entrance and parking are free).
Unlike most American attractions, you can´t bring food, drinks or pets (maybe that's why when we were there, it was pretty empty...). But still worth a visit to see the incredible view of the city and stroll through the gardens.

   

The mansion is used for filming and events until today. That same day there was a wedding going on (very good idea because the ambiance is beautiful!). The ceremony was held outdoors in the garden and the reception around the main house. Since the house was closed for the event and we found no one from the park to talk to, I can´t tell if the mansion itself is open to visitors or if it is just the gardens (when I get back there I'll find out and let you know!).

As a curiosity, here are some movies that used the mansion as a backdrop: The Social Network; There Will Be Blood, The Prestige, Garfield, Austin Powers: Goldmember, Spiderman, X-Men, Indecent Proposal, The Body Guard and Ghostbusters among many others.

Quiet and nice stroll in Beverly Hills!

Suggested reading: Rob Lowe Biography

I just read a cool article in Vanity Fair - June issue - on Rob Lowe. Actually, it was a piece from his newly released autobiography called Stories I only tell my frieds: An Autobiography, where he tells a little bit about the first important role he got (in the movie The Outsiders), along with other actors who would also become super-present on the big-screen as Tom Cruise, Ralph Macchio, Patrick Swayze, Emilio Estevez, Matt Dillon among others.
For those who, like me, love biographies (other suggestions here), this may be a good option. With a 20+ years career, the actor has gone through a lot and has a lot to tell us...

Amazon has all the versions available including digital for Kindle.

Porcelain - Part II (Reiko Kaneko)

Reiko Kaneko is a British ceramic designer who makes beautiful, simple and delicate pieces. However, she really got me with her work with these tea sets with lipstick marks in gold and platinum. Perfect for the colder seasons that are knocking on our door!
Apart from its "normal" use, it can also be a beautiful decorative piece in your kitchen if you place it in a open cabinet or shelf.

To learn more about the designer and where to buy her pieces, visit her website.

My favorites: French Toast from Grub Restaurant

Continuing my endless search for the best French Toast, I found a wonderful one at a restaurant called Grub, in Hollywood, that certainly enters into the hall of My Favorites!
Forget the calories and cholesterol and ask for Our Friggin 'Amazin' French Toast. It is a piece of heaven on Earth, made ​​with sliced croissant - yes, croissant! - dipped in a sweet mixture (I don't know the ingredients but maybe milk, cinnamon, sugar, eggs etc), the bread is golden brown and it is served with maple syrup and raspberry butter (delicious and super easy to make - I will teach you that here later on).

My hubby ordered a croissant (also french toast style) with eggs, cheese and bacon. The bacon ... hum ... While not part of most of my meals, I felt like asking an extra portion of it! It is super crisp but with some kind of sugar or maple syrup coat. So it is sweet, savory, crisp all at the same time. What a delight!

The place is very informal, small and it seems lost in a super quiet street in the middle of the old post-production studios in Hollywood, but you are in the right place. And during rush hour (brunch time) you'll wait a bit.

I could certainly go back there...every morning ...

Cheers!

Friday is even more delicious with the drink of the week: Gin Tonic
60 ml gin
120ml tonic water
1 tsp lemon juice (optional)
ice cubes
slice of lemon to garnish

In a tall glass, place ice cubes and pour the gin, lemon juice and tonic water. Stir well and garnish with a slice of lemon.

Very refreshing, this drink is perfect for hot days (if you prefer, you can substitute vodka for gin)

Spring has arrived! (and fall too!)

This post is to celebrate the begining of Spring season in Brazil. A delightful season that marks the end of cold, rain, bad mood (for some), weight gain (for many others...) and brings the sun, light, joy and flowers to prepare us for summer!
This last spring I thoroughly enjoyed the flowers. I stopped to look at them andI took lots of pictures (the photo above is from gardens here in the neighborhood)

If you, like me, love to bring the green into the house, take good care of them: before putting the flowers in the vase, cut the stems diagonally, remove the leaves and change water frequently. You can use traditional vases, vintage glass glasses, porcelain, plastic, pots of jam (cleaned, of course) and so on.

  

   

In the case of plants, do not be afraid to get your hands dirty, especially if you have a balcony or garden. Replace the soil (this second picture is of me in action!) and be careful not to water too much, because water in excess is the most common cause of death of indoors plants. But if you do not want to take any risk, call an expert!

Here is a little Feng-shui moment: never leave old and wilted greens inside your home. It doesn´t bring a good energy! If they are not full of life anymore, get rid of them and buy new ones.

Anyway, I hope that everybody in Brazil (or any other place in Spring season) enjoy you Spring a lot. Here in US it is my time to enjoy the autumn. I will keep you posted on everything that happens here during this also great season!

Pics: personal archive, Country Living, Real Simple and Leif.

Effective and multi-use moisturizer: Embryolisse

This tip goes to those who, like me, suffers from dry skin all year round: facial moisturizer Lait-Crème Concentré, from the French brand Embryolisse.
During researches for my trip to France, I discovered that this moisturizer is a must for many people because on top of being a super moisturizer, makeup artists and models use it also as a primer (before makeup) and makeup remover as well. I bought it and loved it! And I have - so far - just used it as a moisturizer...
As the name says, it's concentrated, but the texture is very light. Leaves the skin great, neither oily nor sheen. On their website you will find other options of incredible products not only for the face but for the body too.

Always hydrated!

Keep you baby warm with Bundle Me

I know that winter is almost over in Brazil and here it has barely begun, but the news for the season are coming out. To my mom readers who live in cold places or want their babies ultra protected this winter, I found these cute Bundle Me by JJ Cole's.
Designed to be attached to the stroller and baby carrier, Bundle Me is much like a sleeping bag lined with plush or sheepskin and it is available in several colors (they also have a water resistant version, perfect for snowing places). With it, you no longer need to be carrying blankets, and it is machine-washable. Ideal for babies and children up to 3 years.

  

 

 Sure bet for bitter winters!

Jack n' Jills Bakery & Café

I think you already realized that I am totally in love with breakfast/brunch. So here is another option, in Los Angeles, to savor the most important meal of the day: Jack n 'Jills - American-style restaurant with everyone talking loudly at the same time and plenty of food.
My hubby and I went for a breakfast on Sunday morning and, like every nice place, it is quite crowded, but as we arrived early, we didn't have to wait (when we left, there was a waiting line).
We ate parfait (granola, yogurt and fruit), ham and cheese omelet and coffee. The portions are super generous, the service is fast and the price is good. Definitely worth a visit! (mainly because the restaurant is located in a street with several shops and one block away from Rodeo Drive).

Unfortunately I only took photos of the menu and forgot about the dishes, but I will certainly go back there and make "The Return" as I did with The Kitchen Tasting!

In love! - Bodum Portable BBQ

The winter is ending in Brazil and people start to get out more, take walks outdoors and also the BBQ season begins!
But you are not in the mood to face the waiting list for using the grill in your building? Want something more private? Or just to change a little bit the family lunch on Sunday? My suggestion is a portable BBQ from Bodum.
Small (measures not exceeding 16'), has a cool design and is available in different colors. The price is super affordable, and by its size, is easy to carry and store during the colder periods. I saw it at the store and, as the post title says, I was in love!

Good excuse for barbecue on the weekends!

This week's DELIGHT!

Vanilla cupcake filled with Nutella! (check this and other recipes here)

Suggestion for the weekend: Carlos Miniseries

This weekend I finished watching the miniseries Carlos, on the Venezuelan revolutionary Carlos the Jackal.

Originally composed of 3 parts, the miniseries was shown on French television and won the 2010 Golden Globe - Best Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television. Besides that, the leading man (Edgar Ramirez) was nominated for an Emmy this year and shows his amazing skills speaking Spanish, English, German, Arabic and French.

Here in the U.S., in addition to the original version available online (Netflix), they did a short version for festivals and movie-theaters, but I suggest watching the extended version.

Filmed in several different countries, the documentary mixes fiction and reality, and through it we can learn more about that revolutionary era (the 60s) and its ideals. Very interesting!

In love! - Austrian Designer Philipp Duatz

Surfing on the Internet, I found this sculpture in the form of melted chair that made me scream! And I discovered that this and other amazing pieces are creations of the Austrian designer Philipp Duatz.

On the website you find the process of creation and development of this and other sculptures. In the case of the melted chair, the designer wanted to show, through an object, the transition of forms (solid, liquid and gas). He studied the solidification of liquids and melting of solids, and used 3D software prototypes until the final result. According to the artist, depending on the viewer, the chair (solid) may be melting (liquid) or the liquid may be solidified. But the coolest is that it can indeed be used as a regular chair!
Here are some other creations that would bring a super cool touch into your home or office like this sofa, chair and lamp (in that respective order):



Sculptures-furnitures, furnitures-sculptures!

The Tasting Kitchen Restaurant - "The Return"

I have written about The Tasting Kitchen before telling about the nice place it is. And as my tips are hot, I followed my own suggestion(!) and went back on Saturday for a brunch with my hubby. In our first time there we ordered a burger and a shrimp salad. This time, we wanted something a little different. So one of our choices was the Croque Madame, a classic that, when done well, is delicious (and this was!):

Fried egg with the soft yolk and super soft bread, a light Bechamel cream and nice portion size. And to make it even better, it comes with french-fries with herbs and garlic. OMG!
The other dish was a grilled cheese with dried figs and green salad. The strong melted cheese with the sweetened dried figs was a perfect combination of sweet and salty! The bread - with butter - was crisp and golden brown. Simple and amazing!

If it was good before, it just got better!

Details...

Regular weekday on Rodeo Drive...

Dove Shea Butter Liquid/Bar Soap

For those who live in dry weather places, keeping the skin hydrated is a must. And after trying zillions of soaps, few years ago I found my favorite: the classic Dove, because it really makes the skin more hydrated than the other soaps.
I've tried the classic, cucumber, grapefruit, rose, but my latest discovery is by far the best of all: Dove Shea Butter.
Available in bar or liquid, it is only joy: easy to find, cheap, delicious smell (kind of sweet, vanilla) and excellent result.

It will always have a place in my bathroom!

La Cure Gourmande (Paris, France)

In one of several visits to Ile Saint Louis, in Paris, I discovered the store La Cure Gourmande.
It struck me by the color of the facade (mustard), the vintage feel and, of course, by its content: dozens of toffees, biscuits, nougats and chocolates.
You can create your own box with different candies and cookies, or you can buy them package-ready. The charm are the cans and boxes that mimic old packaging. You can purchase them empty (just the box) or fill it with the delights of the shop.

It's a little expensive, but surely worth it when you are in the mood to try something different, want to give it away or even keep it as a gift from your French trip. The visit is very nice, the attendants are friendly (most of them speak English) and the samples are delicious!