AUREA

Getting Ready For Christmas

2010-12-10T20:07:00.000-08:00

I love Christmas! This year I'm giving either books or hand made treasures found on Etsy. Still haven't started your shopping? Find some ideas on my 2009 gift guide.
I also received a few presents and cards already, all of which a piled up on my red chest - also adored with fresh flowers and scented with two of my favorite candles, English Ivy and Hinoki Temple. Now what's missing is a gingerbread house...

Korean Funerary Figures

2010-12-02T17:44:00.000-08:00

A collection of small Korean funerary figures, or Kkoktu, were on display at the UCLA's magical Fowler museum, where I went to meet them. Here is how the catalog describes them: Koreans have a tradition of creating charming and festively painted wooden dolls. But rather than being placed in a toy box, these joyful figurines of clowns, tigers and acrobats adorn coffins. Their costumes and poses reflect the realities of rural Korean village life. Though the kkoktus’ gaiety seems incongruous with mourning, they express a culture’s deep desire that the dead enter the next world surrounded by joy — and its appreciation of the fleeting nature of all experience.

Korea is very present here in Los Angeles, and though I must admit I am no fan of kimchi, I want to absorb more of this culture - for instance with a visit to the local Korean spas, famous for their Akasuri scrubs and exotic baths.
Suggestions, anyone?

A Whale And Flowers

2010-11-28T11:41:00.000-08:00

Meet my new little friend, a cheerful whale. The best part: it's handmade in the USA by an amazing craftsman who sells toys through his Etsy boutique, US Wood Toys. And it's ridiculously cheap ($12). I am dying to buy his hippo, too. If you want to treat some little ones for X-mas, you know where to go.
Another adornment at home this week - these happy yellow flowers, brightening up wintery days; we're experiencing record breaking cold in the Los Angeles area. Brrrrr...

Around My Neighborhood

2010-11-20T10:45:00.001-08:00

TIGER, tiger, burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
(William Blake, "The Tiger")

A shop window on Main Street - I wonder what is wrong with Mr Pumpkin's eyes? Near sighted, do you think?

This 1952 convertible MG is for sale for $4,400. I walk past it on Rose street and sigh with desire.

California sunset over anorexic palm trees - this is paradise.

He's On His Way!

2010-11-17T14:54:00.000-08:00

Aren't I rakishly handsome, on a wrought-iron bed with my almond eyes and my basket ball? These pics of me were snapped in Paris a few days ago. But by the time this post goes live, I will be flying to Los Angeles! As usual, pet-friendly Air France is my carrier of choice. I am eager to hop off at LAX under the California sunshine. Stay tuned for more! Woof!

Mud Pies For Dolls

2010-11-12T11:16:00.001-08:00

Marjorie Winslow's 1961 Mud Pies And Other Recipes, exquisitely illustrated by Erik Blegvad, is a treasure of a quirky cookbook - a cookbook for dolls!
Some recipes are exquisitely simple; for instance, here is how to make Dollypops: Pick a dandelion from the lawn carefully, so as not to disturb the fluff. Hand it to your doll and tell her to lick. But what is most remarkable is the attention to details, including in terms of presentation of the dishes, and the impression, conveyed throughout the book, that cooking is a fun experience, not a chore. I also love the idea that children can make their own playthings with what they find around the house and the garden, instead of buying more plastic junk. Winslow, for instance, explains how to make a doll cake pan with the bottom of a milk carton.
Gravel en Casserole, anyone?

Recent Purchases

2010-11-06T19:12:00.000-07:00

To store my expanding collection of vintage hats (some going back to the 1930's), I really need to find some hat boxes. I found the one above at the Santa Monica flea market (Pine st. and Lincoln bv.). Only $4, too!

Isn't this an exquisite passport cover? It's handmade (in England!) and I got it from the Etsy store Handmade With Joy. I find that one of the joys of Etsy is receiving packages in the mail from foreign lands...

And now, a few books. My exploration of Scandinavian literature (remember my post about Per Petterson?) has led me to Tove Jansson, a Swedish language Finn more famous for her children's series, The Moomins. The cover of her haunting The True Deceiver is as magical as her universe.
Right now I'm enjoying David Grossman's ZigZag Kid (book on the left); not since Mark Twain's Huck Finn and J.D. Salinger's Holden Caulfield has a written so successfully channeled a youthful voice. So quirky.
Next on my list is a new translation of poems by the Syrian-born, Lebanese author Adonis. In the Arab and Persian world, poetry is the literary form par excellence, and Adonis's works are certainly worthy of the extraordinary tradition that he sprung from and challenged. In my opinion, he is the greatest poet alive.
(For a good intro to his work and that of the just-as-great Mahmoud Darwish, check out the slim anthology Victims Of A Map).

Before & After The Farmers' Market

2010-11-03T12:21:00.001-07:00

Fashioning Fashion at LACMA - Favorites

2010-10-30T12:11:00.000-07:00

Follow Me To Work - LA

2010-10-26T16:13:00.000-07:00

Last August, while I was in New York, this post invited you to discover my itinerary to work. I'm in Los Angeles now and last week, I worked in Hollywood. Of course, in LA it's all about driving. Follow me!
When I get off the freeway, I love glimpsing at Dorca's - this tailor used the outside walls of her shop as an advertising billboard, with figures in a compellingly naive style. The other wall is all in Spanish, and prominently offers quiceañera gowns, to be worn to girls' lavish 15th birthday parties.

Los Angeles is a super multicultural city. After passing by the Latino tailor place, I stop at Sunset and La Brea for a Middle Eastern treat - Mashti Malone's ice creams in flavors such as rose water, saffron and (my favorite) orange blossom with pistachios, are irresistible.

A few blocks down, when I drive past the crazy Chinese theater, I know I almost reached my destination. While the tailor place and the ice-cream parlor are the real thing, the Chinese theater is gloriously fake, a crazy take on an imaginary Oriental style.

And for a good laugh on the way, there's always the "Let,s Relax" sign put up by someone who is obviously very confused about spelling and punctuation - who doesn't love a great typo?

At my desk - out of my Sesame Street tote come stumbling out a notepad I adorned with Ingres's superb portrait of Madame d'Haussonville, sharp pencils and, of course, an apple.

Fashion Structures

2010-10-21T21:12:00.001-07:00

To inaugurate the new Resnick pavilion, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art brings us Fashioning Fashion, an exploration of fabrics, cuts, trims etc. from the late 18th century to the 1910's. The exhibition is very poorly staged, compared to the recent fashion show about American women, at the Met, which featured settings and characters seemingly interacting. Here, each piece is displayed in a box, archive-style. What a lost opportunity!

Next week I will show you my favorite pieces, but in the meantime here are some dramatic fashion structures - various kinds of corsets and other "figure enhancing" devices that are tremendously architectural. By the way, the show also features padded jackets to make men's chests seem bulkier and "waist binders," also for men.
One fascinating phenomenon is how developments in technology allow fashion to be transformed - case in point, this metal panier that could be created thanks to breakthroughs in the use of steel.

Contrasting with all those metal structures, supreme designer Paul Poiret's exquisite 1915 brassière (below) offers another type of support altogether...

At Home

2010-10-18T17:02:00.000-07:00

From top:
Fresh plums from the Santa Monica Farmers' Market...
A wonderfully warm 100% wool throw woven in Argentina, from luxurious brand Alta Pampa. So expensive but so worth it - as I may be moving very soon to a freezing cold place, I really need this...
Bill's Bees is a tiny local Los Angeles company that offers, in addition to honey, a few all-natural natural skincare products such as this magical almond-scented balm.

Cat On A Ladder

2010-10-15T15:42:00.001-07:00

Earlier this month, on the occasion of St Francis of Assisi's day, AUREA celebrated dogs; no sooner had I clicked Publish that guilt started gnawing at me - what about my feline friends? I envisioned a forest of revengeful claws looming in the distance. To make up for my oversight, here is a post devoted to Cats.
Above is a witty bowl (yes, a bowl can be witty) created from the wonderful Koide Studio (an Esty boutique). Kitty, kitty on the ladder, what are you looking at with such rapturous attention? Oh, I see, it's delicious goldfish...

And since we are on the subject of cats, I cannot not mention my sister's Petimoo, who lives the life of an Oriental princess at my sister's home in Dubai.
(Photo credit: Joren Scharn)

Art In LA

2010-10-12T14:27:00.000-07:00

It's unfortunate that the image most people get of Los Angeles springs from shows such as Baywatch and 90210... Really, LA is a city that is rife with exciting exhibitions when it comes to art. Here are some shows I don't want to miss. UCLA's exotic Fowler Museum currently shows Korean funerary figures, wooden "dolls" that traditionally accompany the dead into their tombs and towards there hereafter. And the show is free! Also at UCLA (top picture), an upcoming dance performance by the Helios Theater.
Meanwhile at LACMA (LA County Museum of Art), the brand new red and white Resnick Pavilion, designed by Renzo Piano, offers Fashioning Fashion: European Dress in Detail, 1700-1915; I'm very eager to see those treasures.

Above are 2 irresistible ads for museums: with plenty of wit, the Getty Center parodies nutrition information boxes, while the Natural History Museum presents a toothy Angeleno.

Out Stealing Horses And A Scone

2010-10-10T09:19:00.000-07:00

This seems to have become a recurrent type of posts on AUREA - snapshots of a book I'm reading and a scone or other delicious snack. Above, a macchiato and a corn-blueberry scone (at Groundwork, on Rose in Venice) await me together with Per Petterson's Out Stealing Horses. In this novel, an elderly man, who lives with his dog Lyra in a remote cabin in the Norwegian wilderness, remembers his youth. The forests and the fjords are ever present, and if the weather is sometimes described in exquisite details, it is probably because in those parts of the world the climactic conditions mean life or death. Sometimes a couple of sentences stand out like Japanese haikus, terse and expressive - for instance, page 121:
A swan comes in to land. Soon there will be ice on the lake.
But mostly, it is a poignant coming of age story with echoes of Turgenev's splendid First Love - I can't say more without giving it away...

And speaking of harrowing literature, have you heard that a poem about Sylvia Plath's suicide, by Ted Hughes, was just found in his papers? It's extraordinary. Hear Jonathan Pryce read a passage from it.

Hot Chocolate

2010-10-08T12:16:00.000-07:00

I usually don't love hot food, the kind that makes you weep and yearn for a fire hydrant while your lips triple in volume under the blaze. But lately I have become addicted to "hot" chocolate - the kind that includes chilis, in keeping with the ancient Mexican tradition.
The easiest one to find is Dagoba's Xocolatl, which leaves a teasing rasp in my throat and my tongue atingling. But my favorites are by Taza (with Guajillo chilis) and ChocoVivo. Both of these are made with stone-ground beans, a process that has been used in Mexico for over 2 millennia (read more about the process here). This makes for a rather grainy texture that takes some getting used to but once you're hooked, you really don't long anymore for the creamy texture of chocolates loaded with added cocoa butter.
Another bar from ChocoVivo that often buy at the Venice Farmers' Market, where these bars are sold, is the one with almonds and sea salt.
And because all these bars are so hot and spicy, I don't even feel like eating pound after pound to satisfy my cravings. A little chili goes a long way.

Let's Celebrate Dogs!

2010-10-04T22:47:00.001-07:00

October 4, the feast of St Francis of Assisi, is the ideal day to celebrate animals. Last Sunday in LA and around the world, many churches organized pet blessings and I found this poster, spotted in hip Silverlake, absolutely irresistible.
Of course, some pets don't wait for this special occasion to step into a shrine. I remember with delight the arguments that Colette recreates in one of her masterpieces, La Maison de Claudine, as her very own mother, who adored animals, and the local priest quarrel about whether or not her faithful dog should be allowed to attend mass with her. As the mother has trained the pet to get up and sit down together with the congregation, she cannot see what the grumpy priest could possibly object to. Like most of Colette's writings, it is exquisitely written and amusing while still conveying a fearless sense of love.

Above: a baby dachshund I met in Santa Monica, an animal rescue USPS stamp, a Japanese book from the magical Kinokuniya Bookstore in Little Tokyo (crochet dachshunds? kawaii!)
But how can we celebrate dogs without Benjy, ask you. You have a point. Rejoice, as Benjy will soon be back on AUREA in his Oracle capacity, to answer a question from a fan... Woof!

Happy Colors

2010-09-28T14:59:00.000-07:00

At my mechanic's, a giant Winnie The Pooh tests drives a red car.

I've had the same iPod mini for almost 5 years - I just can't let it go because 1) it works fine and 2) it was a present from someone precious. But when I see those new candy-like Nanos...

Pretty cards that landed in my mailbox; even better when they come in an envelope adorned with cool stamps.

On Main Street in Santa Monica, a gate and a building get a fresh coat of paint.

The 30's With A "Provincial Lady"

2010-09-23T14:55:00.000-07:00

If you've been following AUREA, you know about my passion for the 1920's and 1930's - not for nothing did I recently gulp up Juliet Gardiner's massive The Thirties, an 800-page exploration of that decade in the UK. So I was delighted when I stumbled upon E.M. Delafield's 1933 Diary Of A Provincial Lady, a best-seller in its time, in a 1982 edition that includes the novel's original illustrations - wasn't it wonderful back in the days when novels were illustrated?

Weekend Gourmand

2010-09-20T13:31:00.000-07:00

From top: pure pomegranate juice, snap peas and cherry tomatoes (all from the Venice Farmers' Market), Syrah wine.
What does the word gourmand (see title of my post) mean? It's very difficult, if not impossible to translate into English. Basically, it's used to refer to someone who enjoys eating. But a gourmand is not necessarily a gourmet - a gourmand is not always picky about the quality and complexity of the food. It is more of a simple hedonistic quality; a gourmand always wants more, but there are no negative connotations (a gourmand is not a glouton!).
For instance, yesterday at Stella's in Silverlake when I poured gallons of maple syrup on my lemon ricotta pancakes, I was really being a gourmande...

A couple of fun links:
Models reading books backstage during Fashion Week
and
Gustavo Arellano asks: Frugalistas - what took you so long to become Mexicans?

Earth Tones

2010-09-16T23:31:00.000-07:00

Tsuchikara Pottery, is one of my favorite Etsy shops. The pottery offered by Ippuku is both rustic and delicate, and it always comes in such pretty paper that I don't want to unwrap it for a while... I just bought this little pitcher; with its graceful lines, it is a genuine adornment for my kitchen.

As you know, I love vintage hats. I got this original 1930's skullcap at the Green Flea market in New York last month. 100% wool. I find it youthful and sassy.
Isn't it adorable?

Welcome, Lily

2010-09-13T13:09:00.000-07:00

My friend Mariame is not only the most intelligent, best read and most articulate person I know, she also has a rare sensitivity, a true gift of empathy that have endeared her to me for over 10 years. A couple of years ago, I blogged about her wedding. And now she is a mother!
On August 26, she gave birth to a little girl, Lily. The uncanny thing is, just a few days ago I was reading a children's book about John Singer Sargent's masterpiece "Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose" and thinking what an enchanting name Lily was - without know that Mariame and her husband had chosen that very name for their baby! More uncannily yet, the very day Lily was born, I posted a picture of this painting on my blog.
As soon as Lily is old enough, I will buy her Hugh Brewster's magical book about this painting (above)...
Maybe one day Lily will have brother and sisters, echoing other Sargent paintings I adore - I just read Erica Hirshler's fascinating Biography Of Sargent's Daughters, which tells the story of "The Daughters of Edward Boit" (Sargent never had children of his own, bar his works).

In the meantime, I got her the same mouse hat I had chosen for another tiny friend, from ElleGanT's Etsy shop; I hope it keeps her warm in the Parisian winter.

Welcome to life, Lily! In my heart, you are already a treasure, a beloved trasure.

A Postcard From Benjy

2010-09-10T20:15:00.000-07:00

Readers! Fans! Bipeds and Quadrupeds (including Feline Ones)!
Over the course of the summer, many of you have inquired about my whereabouts and spirits - thank you for keeping The dachshund in your hearts. I gave my amanuensis/assistant/nanny/owner some time off these past two months and went on adventures of my own.
From my home in California, I flew to Paris in early July; there I was feted as I should be. I then took the train to Normandy, where my warm hostess was one Dame Elizabeth. I roamed gardens and paths in the vicinity of the D-Day beaches, and also worked out an agreement with my hostess's husband: as his appetite waned, I kindly helped him polish off the steaks on his plate and for a while, no one was the wiser. Yum. A few weeks later I headed for Lafitte, the manor in South-Western France where I always spend parts of my summer, ruling over the park while my assistant's mother made apricot preserves in the kitchen.
Finally, I hopped once again into my silver Mercedes, dozing off on my personal backseat checkered blanket as we drove to Belgium for dear Celinoo's wedding; during the cocktail, many prominent, international guests came by the Mercedes to curtsy or bow before me, and during the ceremony, as Mary-Laure walked up to the mike to read her limerick, a song composed and performed by the bride in my honor played in the background ("Benjy Pipi", hopefully soon available on iTunes).
And now?
My assistant is shuttling between Los Angeles and New York for work, so to avoid all those flights that disrupt my activities (meditation, soccer, digestion), I have stayed in Paris. But I will join her again soon, either in our LA home or, if all goes well, in our new home, in a city whose name I will shush for the time being...
Love, Benjy

Flower Market In Nivelles

2010-09-07T23:09:00.000-07:00

Céline & Joren In Belgium

2010-09-05T08:34:00.000-07:00

Remember, last December, my sister married Joren in Paris? It was a strictly intimate celebration, and this weekend, they tied the knot again in Belgium in front of many friends and relatives - some had flown in from as far as the US, Uruguay (my grandma!) and Kuwait. Céline and Joren met in Amsterdam and now live in Dubai, so traveling was the theme of the party; guests sat at tables with the names of places that are meaningful to the couple and everyone received a boarding pass guiding them through the event.
The bride wore turquoise and gold, a reflection of her sparkling and creative personality - I wore a black chiffon dress from the 1920's.
Belgium seemed like a good place, between France (our father's country) and the Netherlands (Joren's homeland). The castle of Feluy, dating back to the 14th c., was the chosen venue, with its medieval tower and beautiful garden, where the ceremony took place - after Céline and Joren pronounced their vows, we blew bubbles in an airy and iridescent demonstration of joy that the children particularly enjoyed. During the cocktail, guests chatted by the pond, and then everyone moved on to a wood-paneled room for dinner.Here is the limerick I wrote to read during the ceremony:
september 4, september 4
'tis a special day
in belgium we are gathered
'tween the french and dutch midway

my celinoo, my sis, my pal
to joren she said OUI
oh dear oh dear oh dear
what doth this mean for me?

her jokes her sparks
her secrets and gaffes
no longer will she share?

los angeles chauffeur
midnight confidante
shall i no longer be?

wistfully do i sigh
yet blissful is my grin

for i know tis a good man
who loves my dear celine.

Paper & Silver

2010-09-02T05:38:00.000-07:00

I bought this exquisite silver-plated spoon for $1 at the great flea market on 76th and Columbus - if you go, don't miss the mouth-watering farmers' market behind the Museum of Natural History, one block North.
As for this extraordinary and delicate silver mesh bag, it dates back from the 1930's. I bought it on Etsy, from Arte Della Moda.

And here are the books I've been reading this past month in NYC.
I just bought Ian McEwan's Enduring Love to read on the plane tomorrow, as I'm flying to Paris. Stay tuned for more traveling!

New York Favorites

2010-08-30T17:24:00.000-07:00

New York loves its dancers! Especially around the Lincoln Center (66th st W). That NYCB ballerina is beautiful but where's the turn-out?

New York loves Japanese noodles! At the teeny restaurant Totto (52nd st W between 8th & 9th), I had a delicious vegetarian noodle soup.

New York loves art! The Frick collection is not just one of my favorite museums in the world. It's also one of my favorite places - the art is displayed in Mr Frick's home, so luxurious yet cozy.

New York loves being a little crazy! A wood horse and hippo went for a ride around the city last week...

The Cheesecake Nerd

2010-08-28T20:59:00.000-07:00

Cheesecake - I always loved it and have been craving it these past few weeks in NYC, so I have set on an altruistic quest to find nothing short of the best. My stomach will know no rest until I have tried all the renowned cheesecakes of NYC; I have been compensating the tender creaminess with a side order of chilling and complex Norwegian thriller, The Redbreast, by Jo Nesbø.
Of the cheesecakes I have tried, the one from the exquisite, tiny bakery Two Little Red Hens, at 2nd avenue and 86th street East, is by far the best I have ever had - ever. Light, not too sweet, tart and fluffy, it's just perfect and well worth schlepping up to the Upper East Side. The people who work there are friendly and you can see how much they care about what they bake. My only regret is that the cakes are served on paper plates with plastic spoons.

The same is true at Magnolia, one of the city's most famous pastry places since a popular TV show I loathed featured it in one episode. The place has a bit of a "chain" atmosphere (I went to their outlet on Colombus and 69th), with an uninvolved staff, and the vanilla cheesecake was pretty good, if too sweet. I took delight, however, is spying on the trendy and elegant girls who came in for a sugar fix - don't you love this young woman's shoes (below)?
As for Yura on Madison (Madison at 92nd), though it came highly recommended, don't bother. The pastry is just okay and the staff just acts bored, barely paying attention to you.

Breakfast With Madame X

2010-08-26T10:56:00.000-07:00

I have long been fascinated by Madame X, the stunning portrait by John Singer Sargent, so I really enjoyed reading Strapless, a book that explores the life of the mode, Amélie Gautreau, and her relationship with the painter - the painting caused a scandal in Paris, causing socialite Amélie's downfall and, of course, a falling out with Sargent.
I wish there were more books about the relationships between artists and their models.
I read a few pages of this volume over breakfast at Smooch, in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, where everything is fresh, organic and simply delicious. Last weekend, I had their wonderful granola with vanilla yogurt and fresh fruit before dashing off to their nearby flea market.
The book has led me to rediscover Sargent's oeuvre. Even more than Madame X, the painting I find the most magical is Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose, below.

Let's Take The Bus To Work!

2010-08-22T08:42:00.000-07:00

Take the M7 bus to work with me! I hop on in the 70's West. A few blocks south, at 66th, we drive past the Lincoln Center and the prestigious Juilliard School...

... then the bus goes around Colombus Circle...

... past Carnegie Hall...

... as yellow cabs whiz past beautiful buildings...

... I get off at Times Square, with its orgy of billboards...

... and leaving 42nd street behind...

... I reach 38th street, in the old Garment District, where dark little stores still offer sewing machines (new or vintage), dress forms and all kinds of little things.

Dean & Deluca Snack

2010-08-19T18:46:00.000-07:00

On the first floor of The New York Times building (8th ave and 41rs st), and a mere 2 blocks from where I work in Manhattan, Dean & Deluca lure me with all their delicious, fresh (and overpriced) goodies. I can never resist a good scone; the one above is cranberry, but the oat scones they get from Balthazar's are memorably tasty. Another treat is a Siggis yogurt - they are made with a grass-fed cows' milk, very little sugar (actually, agave syrup), no additives, and no starch, pectin or other junk despite ending up pudding thick. Here is how it works: Skyr is the traditional yogurt of Iceland. It is made by incubating skim milk with live active cultures. The whey, the water naturally found in milk, is then strained away to make for a much thicker, creamier, concentrated yogurt. So to make just one cup of skyr, with all that water going out, you need 3 - 4 times the amount of milk required to make a regular cup of yogurt. As a result of this process skyr comes out with 2-3 times the protein count of standard yogurt.
As for the ginger ale pictured, it is a simple blend of fizzy water and actual grated ginger, with some cane sugar syrup.
I love sitting there with a book - such as Mind's Eye, by Hakan Nesser, a super smart and chilling crime novel set in Sweden.

Writer's Almanac: Federico Garcia Lorca, supreme musician amongst poets, was killed this day, in 1936. See Susan's great post about him. I wrote about him here.
Verde que te quiero verde.
Verde viento. Verdes ramas.
El barco sobre la mar
Y el caballo en la montaña.

Happy Childhood Summers

2010-08-16T16:19:00.000-07:00

I'm having problems with my camera's SD card (don't ask...), so I thought that instead of posts from this Sunday's flea+farmers' market in NYC, I'd regale you with some pics from my childhood. How I loved those summers, in Cape Cod/Maine with my god father's family or in the Alps with my 3 cousins! It was all about picnics at the beach in Cape Cod, riding our red little wagon around the house in Woodshole, going for ice cream after dinner and singing songs. In the Alps (4th picture) we'd go berry picking in the garden; the oldest of the children, I was allowed to watch TV later and would also read in the alpine chalet while my mum's sister, Martha, brewed her innumerable daily cups of coffee - oh, that rich Brazilian fragrance. Those were active, blissful days and sometimes we'd fall asleep even before we'd get home (below, my sister Céline in my dad's arms in Bar Harbor).

Makeovers

2010-08-13T20:55:00.000-07:00

The Museum of Natural History, a few blocks away from my New York abode, has undergone a serious makeover. Like many old art institutions around the world (the Louvre in Paris and the Covent Garden opera house in London come to mind), the building has a new appendage, in the form of a metal and steel structure. That is where visitors now enter and discover the solar system floating around, as they go up a spiraling, upwards walkway flooded with sunlight.
My ancient Mini iPod has also been revamped, with products from DCI. With those fun earphones, no more need for diamond studs from Tiffany's... As for that tiny cube, it's actually a speaker that allows me to listen to some music and NPR podcasts in my little room.
On my playlist: NPR's Fresh Air, Wait Wait Don't Tell Me, Bookworm, and music by Björk, Debussy, Bach. What are you listening to?

New York Love

2010-08-11T09:09:00.000-07:00

Wednesday morning, at the Theodore Roosevelt Park, outside the Museum of Natural History.
Right sparrow - Hey there, pretty chick. I just flew in from Central Park...

Left sparrow - Oh shut up and kiss me!

A Week End In Connecticut

2010-08-09T09:41:00.000-07:00

Summer in New England always reminds me of happy childhood vacation, as my family would spend a few weeks every August in Cape Cod. Sometimes on our way we would stop to visit my mum's best friend from high school, Mary Alice, for more magical and sunny moments. This weekend, I fled New York City's stifling weather and joined Mary Alice in her dreamy Connecticut home. What lushness! From my bedroom window, among the trees, I could glimpse at a stunning red house - a remodeled barn.
In the evening, we attended a production of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night on the green in Guilford. For our picnic, I had made asparagus lasagna, and the Good Humor truck was there to provide treats.

At the yacht club, while we had lobster rolls, a seagull too was having lunch... One of the things I enjoyed was checking out the names of the boats - a sailboat owned by some physicians is called Ouch!, which I thought was very funny, but my favorite was the typographically witty one above...

Doors To Burgundy

2010-08-05T02:30:00.000-07:00

On our way back from Italy, we stopped in Burgundy and visited the magical village of Châteauneuf. Both the medieval castle, complete with moats and towers, and the 16th century church are beautifully preserved. I took tons of pictures but thought I'd share the ones featuring doors... This post is dedicated, with love, to my sister Céline, who kind of collects door postcards and images.

Final Tribute To Italy

2010-08-03T02:21:00.000-07:00

From top:
Olive trees... Ragazze play in front of a store in Argegno... The San Pellegrino bottle dressed in a Missoni design... A classic and irresistible Fiat Cinquecento in Bellaggio... A little girl in a waiting room - Sei una principessa?, I asked her (Are you a princess?); she nodded gravely... A statue outside the church in Tremezzo.

Italian Treasures

2010-08-01T02:02:00.000-07:00

Years ago, my friend Chloé introduced me to Santa Maria Novella, which has been making perfumes, skin care products and more in Florence since... 1612! I treated myself to their Acqua di Sicilia cologne, a citrus-based enchantment.

I love writing little notes and cards to friends, so I can never resist beautiful stationery. Aren't these delightful?

Italian is my favorite language. I can never get enough of its literature, so while in Italy I raided some book stores. Of course, I highly recommend Lampedusa's Il Gattopardo, one of my favorite novels ever, with its baroque, expressive writing and its poignant insights into a nostalgic heart; if you haven't seen Visconti's adaptation, The Leopard, watch it ASAP, no excuses. And I can't wait to read Il Giardino dei Finzi-Contini, by Giorgio Bassano - I remember watching the Vittorio Da Sica's somptuous adaptation years ago. Right now I'm still reading Italo Calvino's super quirky Barone Rampante (The Baron In The Trees).

In Como

2010-07-28T11:53:00.000-07:00

Sorry girls, I have no George Clooney sighting to report in Como - the star famously owns a villa in this beautiful and posh little town. I did however see things of great beauty, such as the Duomo, with its extraordinary, ornate facade.
In the tiny little streets, every single building seems to have remarkable ancient features (such as that carved woman's face, below, spotted in a private courtyard) and sheer elegant lines - isn't that wood door fantastic? I also shopped and treated myself to something very, very nice. Visit Aurea again this week to check it out!

Delicious Italy

2010-07-26T05:43:00.000-07:00

From top:
A pastry shop and coffee shop in Argegno...
In Como, I have an expresso macchiato while I read the critically-acclaimed best-seller Non Ti Muovere, one of the books I most loathed in my life. The boring, self-centered, boo-hoo-poor-me confession of a man who remembers a sordid sexual affair while his daughter lies in a coma... The New York Times Book Review called it "Beautiful. . . . The splintered, humanizing observations that constantly animate this novel . . . are exhilarating." Beats me.
And at a tiny ristorante in Tremezzo, where only the locals go, some antipasti (pickled onions, baby artichokes and white flagioli) and a tiramisu. I blush to admit this, but growing up I was convinced that the tiramisu was a Japanese dessert - doesn't the name sound Japanese?

Villa Carlotta

2010-07-24T01:28:00.000-07:00

One of the things I find fascinating about plants is their Latin names - Citrus Paradisi, isn't that exquisite and tempting? The Villa Carlotta is indeed famous for its botanical gardens. Fragrant with gardenias, dotted with hundreds of camellias, it includes some very exotic specimens and spectacular landscaping.
The Citrus Tunnel for instance, which is literally a tunnel made of orange, lemon and grapefruit trees of all kinds, seemed like something out of Alice In Wonderland.
Inside, the villa, we discovered some moving sculptures. I adore how the hard, cold marble can convey the limpness of a Madonna's hand, the delicate curves of a body. Really, how can marble dance?

Around Tremezzo

2010-07-20T21:13:00.000-07:00

The Villa where we're staying, seen from the park and its sumptuous lobby.

In Tremezzo, by the Lago di Como... The village seen from the coast, the stairs leading to the preschool and steps that take you to the water.

On The Road To Italy

2010-07-18T23:31:00.001-07:00

We drove through Burgundy...

Through Switzerland...

Italy at last!

Packing For Italy

2010-07-14T11:48:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow I am leaving for Italy - Tremezzo, by the Lago di Como, in the North. Maybe it's because I had an Italian great-grandmother, but since my very first trip to Italy I fell intensely in love with the country. I just adore it.
Here are some of the things I am packing...
A vintage 1930's man's hat I bought on Etsy and, also from Etsy, a Japanese eye mask to sleep in the car; the latter was made with an old kimono by Naomi and its soft silk lining rests soft soft soft against my closed eyelids.

A pile of freshly purchased all-cotton Petit Bateau T-shirts. This classic brand is worn by French little kids and stylish young women alike. I've been buying the same models for decades! I have to say though that those tees used to last a lot longer back in the days when they were Made In France.

Supreme historian Juliet Gardiner's 800-page volume on The Thirties - the 300 first pages are fascinating so far, especially for someone like me who is obsessed by the 20's and 30's.

A Saturday In Paris

2010-07-10T23:50:00.001-07:00

Down the rue Michel-Ange...

... and then left on the rue Molitor...

... past the intersection with the rue Boileau...

... to take the Métro at Chardon-Lagache.

Waiting for the Métro...

... to take me to meet a friend at La Motte-Picquet, where the Métro flies above the street.

And then, off to the Théâtre du Châtelet, where Diaghilev produced his first Parisian shows of the Ballets Russes...

... to see the amazing Novosibirsk Ballet dance Balanchine!

Petit Garçon Parisien

2010-07-08T12:57:00.000-07:00

Last summer, my little friend Arthur visited me in Los Angeles - where he discovered the beach. This summer, I paid him a visit at his Paris apartment. Despite the unbearable heat (the temperature is in the mid 30's Celsius, or the 90's Fahrenheit), Arhtur was a gracious little host. He showed me his favorite piglet book and then we walked to a nearby park.
Isn't he just perfectly adorable, with that pouty mouth and that silky shock of hair?

Ballet De L'Opéra

2010-07-06T13:28:00.000-07:00

Last night, I was delighted to go to the Opéra Bastille to see the institution's ballet company performing Jiri Kylian's extraordinary Kaguyahime, inspired by an ancient Japanese legend. My favorite ballerina, Marie-Agnès Gillot, was regal as ever (but pictured above is the equally exquisite, emotional Agnès Letestu). An ensemble of traditional Japanese musicians played live, as Eastern tradition merged with Western modernism in its most graceful and poignant expression. It was a triumph.

Speaking of art and sublime women, did you know that the Louvre's Venus de Milo has a blog?

What Would Alice Wear?

2010-07-04T10:47:00.000-07:00

Here are some of my most recent Etsy purchases... This Alice In Wonderland Oversized Bow by Zara Carpenter, made with some vintage cotton upholstery fabric (as if a naughty Alice had cut out a bow from her mama's fancy living room chairs...) has become my everyday accessory. I adore it so much that I may buy this one too. In fashion-conservative, conformist Paris, people stare at my quirky bow on the street but I don't care.
My bloomers by Under The Root have also become a staple. I love their candy colors and their old-style design. I think Lewis Carroll's Alice would like them too, no?And finally, these exquisite vegan shoes (yes, that does exist!) by The Generation, oriental style Mary-Janes; these flats are super comfortable, and perfect to run after a rabbit who dashes ahead as he mumbles "I'm late, I late..."

Paris Balcony

2010-07-03T10:42:00.000-07:00

Bliss - Coffee & A Good Book

2010-06-30T16:53:00.001-07:00

Bye Bye Mr Dreyfus

2010-06-27T21:12:00.000-07:00

A few days ago, Francis Dreyfus, the father of my dear friend Chloé, died of cancer. A larger than life character, he created his own independent music production company, FDM, which went on to become hugely successful. His passion was jazz, and he paid tribute to this genre's masters in his critically acclaimed Jazz Reference collection, in addition to producing many an extraordinary contemporary artist. He loved art and mint-flavored candy. He adored his 3 daughters, Julie, Chloé and Laura. He will be missed.

The Sky, The Moon & The Branches

2010-03-05T19:28:00.000-08:00

Céline at 30

2010-03-03T18:41:00.000-08:00

My dear sister Céline is 30 today! It's hard to believe that the baby who was once so tiny that she needed to wear my doll's clothes (regular baby clothes were too big for her...) is now 30.
In the picture above, she's a few months old - we were living in Kenya at the time. The pic on the side was taken a couple of months ago, on the occasion of her wedding.
I have just found out that March 3 is considered a lucky day for a girl to be born in Japan: On the third day of the third month, it is traditional in Japan to celebrate Hina-matsuri, or Girls' Day — a day for wishing all little girls health, growth and happiness, writes Heather in her post about hina-matsuri.

As for Benjy, he just turned 9 yesterday, March 2. He is in great shape of a 9-year-old and just met a new girlfriend at the Venice dog park - a Great Dane (!!!).

We're Napping!

2010-02-01T17:55:00.000-08:00

Benjy is napping. And right now, so is AUREA.

Obama Speaks

2010-01-27T23:59:00.000-08:00

Did you listen to the State of the Union last night? Whatever you think of President Obama's ideas, you can't deny that he is a superb orator and a talented writer; I interned as a speech-writer at a Paris foundation for the arts and, a few years later, at the French embassy in Tokyo, back in the 90's, and I find speech writing a fascinating process.
Ever so cool, with its great team of designers, Penguin has released a slender blue hardback with Obama's inaugural address, some speeches by Abraham Lincoln and my dear Ralph Ellison's essay, "On Self-Reliance." If you are interested in Obama, in history and in the USA, it's a wonderful little book. Here's a brief passage:
And because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself.

And if we mention our President, can we fail to mention Michelle Obama? I find her as stunningly intelligent as she is elegant and beautiful, and Glamour voted her one of its Women Of 2009 - how could it be otherwise?

In My Neighborhood

2010-01-24T19:06:00.000-08:00

New Glasses

2010-01-22T23:02:00.001-08:00

Recently, I had been debating whether or not to get a new pair of glasses - after serving me loyally for 8 years, my little Guccis were showing serious signs of wear. And then it happened. They fell, breaking beyond repair. To replace them, I chose this Giorgio Armani pair. They are unapologetically big and have a retro, almost awkward style that I find rather cool.

Around Sculpture

2010-01-20T17:39:00.000-08:00

Last week, I attended the opening of a new show at Venice's LA Louver gallery with my dear friend Spangler. I loved the gouache paintings by Sol LeWitt, as well as the sculpture above, by Joel Shapiro. It's magical how it seems to be falling, as if in motion, and how the lights multiply its shadows, like echos of light and darkness.

This made me reflect on how different LA and Paris are. LA, all angles and modern; Paris, voluptuous and old, as reflected in this sculpture by Antoine Bourdelle, in the garden of the Paris museum that bears his name.

Weekend Yard Sales

2010-01-17T22:08:00.000-08:00

On Saturday I went to a few yard sales around Venice and Santa Monica. My loot includes a set of 3 red dessert/salad plates, a blue ceramic pitcher (perfect for when I make lemonade), and a huge wood salad bowl with its three matching individual bowls - all that for a grand total of $15.
Finally, I bought this ancient egg beater... I know I'll never use it but I just couldn't resist its retro look - also, it only cost $1.

So Delicate

2010-01-14T21:55:00.000-08:00

Top: White flowers in Pacific Palisades
Bottom: A Japanese ginger grater

Accessorizing

2010-01-13T07:34:00.000-08:00

I'm not much of an accessory fan, wearing very little jewelry and allergic to it bags of all kinds. However, I do need to carry my essentials, including a book (always) and some water; I always choose leather-free deigns that are as light as possible and preferably handmade. This graphic, geometrical felt bag found on Etsy fulfills all these requirements with style.

The bakelite ring I bought from Petit Oiseau and a bird necklace (from Rag Trader) I gave a friend for Christmas.

And since so many of you liked the pics of me trying hats at a Parisian department store (see them here), I thought I'd share 2 more pics from the series...

So long, Rio Bravo

2010-01-11T10:50:00.001-08:00

A few days ago, my grandmother said goodbye to Rio Bravo, the house in Uruguay's Punta del Este where she lived with my grandfather and their two daughters after moving back from Texas - where my mum was born. The house was just too big for her to live alone in, among other things.
Oddly perhaps, I didn't even feel the faintest twinge the day my abuela moved out. Because I lived in Iran, Kenya, Iraq, China and then-British Hong Kong before moving to Paris, all before I turned 15, I have become quite indifferent to houses and apartments. To me, home is where my parents are; and if tomorrow they move to a hotel in a country where I've never set foot, I'll call that place home.

Top: that's me, aged 9 months, with my mum, when I first visited Uruguay.
Bottom: a few years later, in Rio Bravo again.

Is Benjy Vogue-worthy?

2010-01-08T22:44:00.000-08:00

Benjy and I finally got our eager little paws on Dogs In Vogue, a superb collection of photographs and illustrations published over the decades in Vogue magazine, and featuring pooches of all kinds. Dogs, dogs, dogs everywhere! Dogs in the arms of their famous owners, like Moujik with Yves Saint-Laurent, and dogs as characters in fashion spreads.

And what about Benjy of the black almond eyes, the floppy velvet ears and the slender body, Benjy the dachshund jetting between chic Paris and trendy Los Angeles? Is he Vogue-worthy?

Last Paris Snapshots

2010-01-07T14:27:00.000-08:00

From the café-restaurant Le Fumoir, a view on the rue de Rivoli's graceful arches.

Chez Chloé, a dear friend from my high school days, a gorgeous poster and some trinkets.

Birds flying around the lake in the Bois de Boulogne.

I gave out many Etsy presents for Christmas, and now the items are "living" in Paris - here are two friends in the métro with a LOVE pillow I just gave them, and little Arthur (remember him?) wearing his handmade mouse hat, which I bought from ElleGanT's shop.
This post is dedicated to two beautiful and precious friends, Stacie and Adrienne, who have been dreaming of Paris for so long. May 2010 take you there!

Gui Et Fleurs (Mistletoe & Flowers)

2010-01-05T17:30:00.000-08:00

Shops of Paris

2010-01-04T13:26:00.000-08:00

The shop window at Guerlain on the rue de Passy...

An ancient shoe at a traditional cobbler's on the rue de Biot... A chocolate shoe in the window of a hip confectioner's on the rue de Seine.

The top floor of the Bon Marché - designer lamps under the old department store's splendid metal structure.

One of Paris's most famous department stores, Le Printemps is decorated with spectacular holiday lights.

Trying on some hats.

Slow Readers' Book Club

2010-01-04T12:13:00.000-08:00

I just joined the Slow Readers' Book Club, whose name is based on the Slow Movement, "a cultural shift toward slowing down life's pace." The first book we are going to read is Half Broke Horses by Jeanette Walls, and of course you are all welcome to join in - just email diana@ourcitylights.org. Diana, the founder of the SRBC, has been joined by Gabbi and Sam, both dear and inspirational cyberfriends, as well as other bloggers I am eager to learn more about...

It's All In The Collar

2010-01-03T02:00:00.000-08:00

Allow me to show off some of my Christmas presents... Beautiful garments bought on Etsy by my mum and my sister, who always spoil me shamelessly. These exquisite designs, expertly crafted, coincidentally happened to have in common amazing collars.
First of all, there is a black linen mini dress/tunic by Tortilla Girl; its name, Marie Linen seems to echo my own, Mary-Laure.
Then there are two pieces from Sohomode. The brown and beige houndstooth cape, with its warm deep purple lining, has been a blessing in this Paris winter - I haven't taken it off since Christmas! As for the "mumu" dress, made in the most delicate wool fabric ever, has details that I am just smitten with, such as the flattering neckline as well as the sleeves. Such perfect craftsmanship - craftswomanship?

2010 - With Art

2010-01-01T03:03:00.000-08:00

To illustrate what I wish us all for 2010, I thought I'd use images from exhibitions I've enjoyed these past 2 weeks in Paris. At the Pinacothèque, where masterpieces from the Dutch Golden Age have been loaned by my dear Rijksmuseum (Amsterdam), we can wish for many books, both enlightening and amusing... and for music, played by that graceful mandolin... Let's also wish for pooches and pets of all kinds, curled up on our beds...

The musée Antoine Bourdelle celebrates Isadora Duncan - wishing us plenty of dancing.

Finally the Fauvists & Expressionists show at the Marmottan Monet museum speaks of a year filled with colors.

Meet Saki, Un Chat Parisien

2009-12-30T10:34:00.000-08:00

When he is not running wild around his Etretat (Normandy) country house, Saki le chat hangs out at his Paris apartment. Named after a British writer, and owned by a history/geography teacher, he is quite the intellectuel parisien, with a passion for food too. Outside his window, he can gaze upon the zinc roofs of Paris - very Amélie, no?

Le Fleuriste Municipal In The Winter

2009-12-28T14:38:00.000-08:00

Last summer, I posted about the Fleuriste Municipal, a botanical garden at the Porte d'Auteuil in Paris. I went there again this weekend, for a walk in its greenhouses - a tropical break in an otherwise bleakly cold winter day. There I saw graceful orchids and palm trees as well as carnivorous flowers that seemed rather creepy and hungry. Koi fish swam around impassively. Outside, all kinds of naked trees haunt the grounds but one in particular caught my attention, its white bark covered in something that looked like dashes - apparently, this tree is from the Himalayas.

Christmas On The Rue d'Auteuil

2009-12-26T23:44:00.000-08:00

The many little stores on Paris's rue d'Auteuil were abuzz with Christmas preparations on the 24th... The most exquisite floral arrangements, graced with this little bronze girl, are on display at Le Jardin d'Auteuil, my favorite florist... The pâtisseries all offer bûches de Noël, or yule logs, filled with creamy delights - to know which of the many pâtisseries is the best in the neighborhood, just spot the longest line, in this case at the Grillon d'Auteuil... The award-winning cheese place displays platters... And don't forget the oysters, fresh from Brittany, still filled with the fragrance, minerals and fresh air of the Atlantic.
So this year, it was Christmas in France for my parents, my sister and me. But here's a full list of all the countries where I spent Christmases since I was born: France, Uruguay, USA, Iran, Kenya, Iraq, China, British Hong Kong, India, Korea, Egypt, Singapore, Mexico and Australia...

Céline's Wedding - Tao Speaks Up

2009-12-23T23:10:00.000-08:00

As many of you may know by now, I am a traveling dog. I am incredibly loyal to my beloved owner who schleps me halfway around the world so I can pee against exotic trees.
But lately a male human started coming more and more often to the house. After a while, he settled into MY bed, stealing MY pillow, and stretching his long limbs on MY side! He even decided to steal MY spot on the couch! Little by little he moved more foreign stuff inside our home, and all of a sudden here he is walking me at night, and turning our dynamic duo into a trio: the male human moved in.
After almost eight years of pure bliss with my owner, another testosterone-generating entity has decided it was all right to intrude, without even consulting me first. Going so far as to even put his dirty human paws on my owner! Sure he can be nice, plays fetch with me, feeds me and sometimes takes care of me when my owner is away, but because she chose him that doesn't mean I necessarily agree with her choice!
Now it's becoming even fishier. You see, last week, my owner put on a dress, got a bouquet of flowers, the male human put on a tie, and they all left the house. When they came back, the male human told me he was now my official step-owner. Say what??? My owner married the male human who is now going to be an integral part of our lives. Good for her but don't you think she should have asked me first?

Image: Tao with his toy burger in his Amsterdam home, as recreated by Fifi based on a photograph. These Tao cards, as well as their matching large framed version, were a surprise present for Céline from mum on the occasion of her marriage.

Paris Under The Snow

2009-12-22T02:45:00.000-08:00

Céline's Wedding

2009-12-20T03:49:00.000-08:00

On December 14, my sister married Joren, the Dutchman in her life! The bliss! In France, marriages must be celebrated at City Hall (Mairie) to be valid, so they tied the knot at the Mairie of Paris's 16th arrondissement, in the very building and in the very room where my parents got married 32 years ago. This was a very small affair, with just the parents and siblings of the couple - a great party, in a Belgium castle, is scheduled for next summer.
Céline wore a beautiful BCBG dress, with black flowers embroidered on white fabric, and carried an exquisite bouquet in addition to a silver handbag that my mum bought back when she (my mum) was 15... However, she made a cultural gaffe because she wore a pearl pendant and in the Netherlands, pearls represent the bride's tears.

The dinner took place at our favorite Parisian restaurant, Le Congrès, which I blogged about here. Guests were given a choice of foie gras, raw oysters or goat cheese salad, followed by a choice of scallop risotto, lamb or duck breasts. We then went back to my parent's apartment for a pièce montée, the traditional French wedding dessert; this towering pile of cream puffs filled with delicious crème pâtissière was made by Le Nôtre, Paris's supreme pastry store.
And the champagne flowed!

AF0065 - LAX to CDG

2009-12-18T09:12:00.000-08:00

Benjy and I headed for Paris a few days ago. My travel essentials: Teen Vogue, my iPod with plenty of NPR podcasts, short stories by the Israeli writer Etgar Keret, an all-natural almond-scented moisturizer from Weleda, my Lucien Pellat-Finet cashmere shawl to use as a blanket and a pair of lovely slippers by Etsy's wonderful and talented Infusion.

Christmas Presents

2009-12-12T15:40:00.000-08:00

Christmas gifts are piling up in my room... For those of you who are a bit lost, here are a few tips.

Wrap it - Half the fun about presents is wrapping and unwrapping. Skip over-priced gift paper and use pages from magazines or newspapers - glossy ad images, crazy National Enquirer type headlines, or something meaningful to the giftee.

Write it - a little note makes a present more precious and personal. Even "tired" presents such as the perennial soaps, mugs, and scented candles can become fresh with a note - for eg., Because I know you dream of Provence with a lavender/fig candle, or To help you dream sweetly with a chamomile tea for someone who has trouble sleeping.

Open up - I would never give makeup to my beauty editor friend or my sister who might as well be one. Rather than risk yourself into their field, open yours up to them. I may get some DVD's/books about ballet for friends who told me they find ballet fascinating but don't know anything about it.

Eat it - If you're going home for the holiday, stack up on local goodies. Even your home region that doesn't boast a stellar cuisine, you can find some local honey, or delicious preserves made by a local granny. It makes great little presents for colleagues, neighbors etc. I'll be bringing back from France treats such as: fleur de sel (fabulous sea salt), artisanal mustard, bonbons...
Drink it? I don't like giving alcohol. Still, a bottle of cider with a pretty jar of mulling spice is a lovely gift.

Don't splurge - I don't like getting sumptuous presents (note to Mum and sis: disregard this; I don't even mean it.): they make me uneasy - like I need to reciprocate. No one expects an expensive present, nor should they.
This year, I'm going (almost) all Etsy. A few ideas and shops I like: Tweet Heart for laptop vinyl decals; Good4You for fun teas, artistically packaged; Ippuku and Koide Studio for exquisite ceramics; handmade yoga mat bags; pouches to keep your handbag/suitcase/closet organized; etched mustache pint glasses from Bread & Badger; custom return address stamps from Asspocket (mention AUREA with your order and get 15% off!); message pillows stating Let's Make Out (I adore it!) by Alexandra Ferguson or Love (from Dedeeetsyshop)...

After my presents are distributed, I will post some pics. Until then, if you are clueless about what to give someone on your list, leave a comment and I'll provide ideas for all budgets. Promised.

Deer Decal

2009-12-10T07:13:00.000-08:00

Recently, I have been obsessed with foxes (blame Wes Anderson's fabulous adaptation of Roald Dahl' Fantastic Mr Fox) and deer, those graceful creatures of the forest. So my heart skipped a beat when, as I browsed through Etsy's shops, I discovered this deer laptop decal, designed by Tweet Heart. I promptly ordered it - after all, my dear MacBook too deserves a Christmas present.
Isn't it enchanting?

Elizabeth Grant - A Cocktail & A Giveaway

2009-12-08T11:12:00.000-08:00

When I covered the Cannes Film Festival in 2008, I was delighted to meet April Jackson, the PR dynamo for the high end cosmetics brand Elizabeth Grant. When I met her, April told me about the history of the company and how in the 1950's England, one young woman decided that since she could not find cosmetics that suited her skin, damaged by a shrapnel during World War II, well she would create them herself - thus her company was born and it endures to this day, with splendid packaging and extraordinary ingredients like Vitamin C or their own hi-tech, trademarked Torricelumn.
A few days ago, the regal Elizabeth Grant herself was in Los Angeles with her team, including her lovely and enthusiastic granddaughter Margot Grant as well as April Jackson, in order to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the WIFT. I was delighted to attend the cocktail and the awards ceremony - at the top of the Andaz Hyatt Hotel, on LA's Sunset Boulevard. I was spoiled (spoiled!) with some goodies, including day and night skin serums and their brand new The Socializer, or 2 pens, each filled with extraordinary treatment creams that regenerate, revive, and hydrate the eye area- Bright Lights for the morning and Late Nights for the evening.
And to thank you for being such wonderful and loyal readers, I am launching my second Elizabeth Grant Giveaway. One lucky person out there will win a golden Elizabeth Grant pouch, filled with luxurious products. Just leave a comment by Friday, and one winner will be chosen at random.

Update: we have a winner! It's lucky Beth.

Oh Let Me Nap!

2009-12-05T06:13:00.000-08:00

Textures

2009-12-02T16:33:00.000-08:00

From top:
Trees in Pacific Palissades...
My new corduroy pants from J.Crew (the matchstick model, in "Shadow" color)...
A coconut I have no idea how I'm going to split open...

Holiday Season Cards

2009-11-30T22:55:00.000-08:00

As the holiday season dawns, one of the things I enjoy doing is selecting the 30+ cards that I will send across the world - remember the ones I sent last year, illustrated by Yoshimoto Nara and dear Fifi Flowers?
This year, I chose these graphic, fun, green cards from Kate Paperie in New York. I also chose some plain ivory-color cards that I will decorate with stamps I bought in Amsterdam - I especially love the paw stamp, which allows Benjy to co-sign my cards without having to dip his precious pads in messy ink.
Finally, on the back of these beautiful, delicate and creamy envelopes, I will apply the spectacular stamp designed for me by Etsy's Asspocket Productions - mention AUREA if you purchase from her store and you'll get 15% off!

Writer's Almanac - my dear, worshiped, adored Oscar Wilde died on this day, Nov. 30, back in 1900; his "Canterville Ghost" is my favorite short story of all times (download it for free here).

Children's Books

2009-11-28T17:12:00.000-08:00

With Where The Wild Things Are (which I reviewed here) and The Fantastic Mr Fox, these past few months have brought us true gems when it comes to adaptation of children's books - or rather, masterpieces aimed primarily at children. The likes of Roald Dahl, my absolute favorite writer when I was a kid, and Maurice Sendak, are true magicians, true artists who do not pale in comparison with the greatest writers.
Right now, I am reading a recent scholarly volume, Children's Literature - A Reader's History From Aesop To Harry Potter, by the respected University of California professor Seth Lerer. In this fascinating study, Lerer pays tribute to extraordinary authors such as Lewis Carroll and Dr Seuss, and makes you yearn to rediscover those eye-opening classics. My only regret is that there are not more illustrations (the few we are treated to, such as the one below, are really great) and that none is in color; it seems to me that the imaginary universe of many authors has been enhanced by illustrators (I would hate to read Roald Dahl without Quentin Blake's sharp drawings), or in cases such as Sendak's, are an intrinsic part of the book.
The books that illuminated my childhood were, among others: the Noddy series by Enid Blyton, which got me hooked on reading, Odette Joyeux's La Porte Ouverte, chronicling the live of a little girl learning ballet at the Opéra de Paris, anything by Roald Dahl and later anything by Judy Blume, the Nancy Drew novels, Martine Petit Rat de l'Opéra (which I blogged about here), Kessel's Afghan tale Les Cavaliers, Pipi Longstocking, and more.

Christmas present tip: a beautiful copy of a classic children's book is always an enchanting present...

Thankful For The Beauty

2009-11-26T11:18:00.000-08:00

Sesame Street T-shirt

2009-11-23T17:40:00.000-08:00

Sesame Street is 40! The classic PBS children's show may be 40, but really, it is timeless. To celebrate its anniversary, American Apparel came up with a special line of t-shirts; I immediately got my little paws on one, of course.
For a little nostalgia and a good laugh, check out Sesame Street's YouTube channel.

New Old Rocking Chair

2009-11-20T19:00:00.000-08:00

I found it, distressed and abandoned on the sidewalk. It had most obviously not been taken care of for a long time. I carried it home, sanded it carefully and painted it bright white.
Now all it needs is a cushy pad/pillow for its seat, to make it more comfortable. I haven't found anything on Esty, and am now considering making a custom sized pad using old sweaters. Any suggestions?

Rawsome

2009-11-18T21:04:00.000-08:00

The metal door says Members Only. Upon entering, you must sign a discharge of liability. Yet this little Venice "club" is merely a place where you can buy produce, raw milk dairy products and all kinds of foods, some of which are pretty crazy - like the Kombucha featuring "symbiotic fungus"; I'll pass, but my dear friend Stacie swears by it. The dairy products, made with raw milk à la Europe, come from an Amish community, know for its commitment to all-natural methods and ingredients; the Amish also produce an apple cider I'm eager to try.
They have their own oil press on the premises and just bought a mysterious machine they mention with awe, that should allow them to make such products as almond butter...

If you're interested in food, don't miss The New Yorker's food issue, now in stands. Also check out the New York Times's article on so-called edible walls.

More Etsy Loveliness

2009-11-16T06:43:00.000-08:00

As I continue to search for X-mas presents on my fave shopping website, Etsy, I sometimes stumble upon items I can't resist buying... for myself.
I was looking for a flower wreath to nail on my door to celebrate the joy of the season, but I wanted to avoid corny Christmas wreaths, with their red ribbons and heavy, plump figure. When I landed on Etsy's New Hampshire Woods Creations, I was smitten - every single wreath was so graceful, in such delicate colors, that I had a hard time choosing just one. Allison, who was taught this art by her grandmother, makes her own dried flower wreaths, among other floral creations. I finally chose the Santa Cruz oregano wreath. When I received the package, a thoughtful present from my mom, I was submerged by the fresh and invigorating scent of oregano. The bliss!

I really needed (yes, really) glass cases, as I hate my Ray-Ban's ugly and bulky case and don't want to scratch them, and as I lost my eyeglass case a long, long time ago. Etsy's Sew Gracious offers lovely, very affordable ($8), handmade eyeglass cases I chose 2 of. Aren't they perfectly exquisite?

Meet Guest Blogger Taocito

2009-11-13T15:13:00.000-08:00

Perhaps you are already familiar with my witty comments which I sometimes leave on this lovely blog. My name is Tao, aka Taocito, and I am a traveling pooch. I was given to my owner at the tender age of 2 months and ever since it has been quite the adventure. She took me to Ithaca when she was studying for her MBA at Cornell, and then we jetted off to Mexico. While in Singapore she did have to leave me behind but then she took me to Amsterdam where I blissfully resided for two years.
A close friend of Benjy the Oracle, I enjoy chewing on expensive leather shoes, chasing toys around the house, eating fruit and just living it up in any country my owner decides to move to. I am often praised for my thick fur, approachable demeanor and incredible whiteness. I will be dropping a few lines on this blog to share with you the adventures of a traveling dog and the ins and outs of living with a globe trotting owner.
Hope you enjoy my posts!

Venice Skateboarding Kids

2009-11-11T19:50:00.000-08:00

On Sunday, a walk on the beach took me to Venice's new skateboard park. Its was packed with kids, their curvy shadows following the funky shapes of the concrete park. Like many of us, I've long loved the easy stylishness of skateboarders, with their cool sneakers.

Curry

2009-11-10T11:14:00.000-08:00

When you think of Kenya, where I spent some years as a child, the Indian community is probably not the first thing that comes to mind. Yet there are many Sikhs living in Kenya - the British brought many Indian workers to build the East Africa railroads and to serve in the police forces.
My family was often invited to the home of Kenyan Sikhs - I once saw a Sikh man rolling up his long long hair before putting on his turban, a beautiful and mesmerizing sight. Most of the time, we joined Sikh families for curry dinners and as a result, my mum learnt to prepare curries; they became staples of our own meals. Years later, in Paris, when a friend of my sister's was horrified she did not know how to make the classic French dish "escalopes à la crème", she retorted that she could make curries - and she prepared a fabulous chicken curry to drive her point home.
I always have curry in my pantry; I add it to pumpkin soups, chickpea salads and pretty much anything. I bought this one at Penzey Spices in Santa Monica yesterday.
And a must-read about curry: the fabulous Curry: A Tale of Cooks and Conquerors by Lizzie Collingham.

The picture hereunder, taken at my Nairobi school, reflects some of the ethnic diversity wonderful Kenya allowed me to discover and value.

Benjy At The Dog Park

2009-11-06T22:56:00.000-08:00

In my ballet flats and Stronghold jeans, I took Benjy to the Venice dog park, where he could have fun with beasts much bigger than him... Can you spot him on all the pictures?

Don't forget - adopting pets from shelters is the way to go!

French Kids' Friends

2009-11-04T20:52:00.000-08:00

For the past couple of weeks, I've been tutoring kids at France Exchange, a Los Angeles institution that has been offering French language programs for over 20 years. Little by little, the house has become filled with all things French for children, including an extensive book collection, with some concessions to local passions - witness the basketball court. It is precisely around this court that you will find the almost life-size figures of some of French children's most beloved characters.
There is the Petit Prince, from Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's eponymous little masterpiece, and Tintin with his loyal pooch Milou in tow - for some reason, Milou is called Snowy in the English version of the bande-dessinée (graphic novel/comic strip). Visitors also run into Bécassine, another character all French children are familiar with, though she is not as famous abroad as Tintin or the Petit Prince - now over 100 years old (she first appeared in a comic strip in 1905), Bécassine is youthful as ever.

Sad Update: I was fired. The reason? I am not authoritative enough with the kids - I get the work done, and done well, but I'm not bossy enough. French education could be summed up by this principle, once stated by my high school biology teacher: "In teaching, you can go with the carrot or the stick. I've always liked the stick better."
I'm devastated.

Volunteering With Food Forward

2009-11-02T22:15:00.000-08:00

Some time ago, I posted about how, in bounty-laden California, people have been getting together on private properties to pick fruit that would otherwise just rot away. This is done, of course, with the kind authorization of property owners, and the fruit is then donated to food pantries.

I just joined Food Forward here in Los Angeles - "a grassroots effort by Angelenos to help fight urban hunger." And on Sunday, I participated in my first orange pick. With a group of volunteers, we descended upon a garden in Northridge, reaching for oranges packed with sunshine and sugar; we then loaded the fruit-filled crates into an old blue hatch back car. All the oranges we picked will be distributed to struggling people around the LA area.
Writer's Almanac: The great Irish playwright Bernard Shaw, who gave us My Fair Lady via his witty, sharp and just plain wonderful play Pygmalion, died today (Nov. 2) 59 years ago.

Weekend Treats

2009-10-31T22:46:00.000-07:00

Watches

2009-10-29T16:03:00.000-07:00

I don't usually wear a watch - do you? The two exceptions are when I'm traveling (no one wants to miss that connecting flight...) or when I'm teaching. I've recently taken up tutoring again, which is code for "having fun with little kids at France Exchange in Los Angeles," so I pulled my watches out of the drawer.
Both are very precious to me. The elegant yet sporty Tag Heuer model was given to me by my generous parents on the occasion of my 20th birthday. The other one is an Omega that is quite ancient since it goes back to the days when my father was a young man - he bought in 1965, in Dakar, Senegal, where he was then living... Unlike the Tag, this Omega is a mechanical watch, meaning that it's powered by the energy from your wrist rather than a battery; every time I use it, I just adjust the time, shake-shake-shake my wrists and it's good to go. Very environment-friendly. Magical.

My Bathroom

2009-10-27T20:07:00.000-07:00

You've seen my bed-side table. You've seen my decal chandelier, my red chair reading corner, and my closet door, you've seen my pillowcases and towels. You've even peeked inside my fridge!
Is there anything you haven't seen from my home? Why, my bathroom of course.
It has some lovely details, such as the glass door knobs, and salmon-pink tiles with green details - to make the bathroom more green and less pink, I chose a fish-pattern shower curtain, in hues ranging from teal to aqua.
Behind the door, hanging over the hot pink hot water bottle I use to relieve tense muscles, one of my heavy linen nightgowns waits for me to step out of the shower - I have a few of these granny nightgowns, with delicate embroideries and trimmings, bought in French flea markets .

On the sink and in the slim cabinet behind the mirror, I keep: all kinds of natural products (such as the deliciously scented Weleda almond facial moisturizer, my Olive Oil and Aloe Kiss My Face body lotion, Dr Brommer's energizing peppermint liquid soap)... a year's worth of contact lenses... eucalyptus and tea tree essential oils to sprinkle around the house and in the washing machine for invigorating, clean scents... my favorite perfumes (Blenheim Bouquet by Penhaligon and Comptoir Sud Pacifique's Vanille Extrême), a little bit of make-up and Frederic Fekkai's magical Glossing Sheer Shine Mist...

I also store a couple of products brought from France: months worth of Anthélios SPF 50 fluid sunscreen, and some Friction de Foucaud - this post-workout liquid lotion packed with citrus, thyme, lavender and rosemary essential oils activates blood circulation so I always rub my legs with it after a long distance flight to make my legs feel lighter and happier.

Writers' Almanac: today October 27 is Sylvia Plath's birthday. She would be 77 today. Oh, Sylvia.

Sophie La Girafe

2009-10-26T12:09:00.000-07:00

A recent article in the Los Angeles Times explained "How Sophie the giraffe became a status teether - A mom ponders the appeal of the soft, adorable and pricey teething toy from France." This article brought back many memories from childhood and beyond, as I used to have my own Sophie back in the days when she was certainly not an it toy, and as I have since seen her, clutched in the little hands of many French kids - lovely, precious baby Arthur, whom I posted about last summer, was so kind as to let me borrow his Sophie for the picture above.
Sophie La Girafe has been produced artisanally in France since 1961; the all-natural rubber she's made of comes from hevea trees, which makes her safe for babies to put in their mouths.
Just for old times' sake, I had my mum mail me one from France a couple of weeks ago. At first propped on my bookshelf, Sophie had to make a hasty retreat into a closet as Benjy was eager to sink his fangs in, and to chew in order to elicit Sophie's high pitched squeak...

In the picture below, yes, it's me! Aged about 6 months,in our Paris kitchen, with my dear Sophie...

Ice-Cream Dress

2009-10-23T18:08:00.000-07:00

Ice-cream dress - that's the lovely name that my favorite Etsy seller, Tortilla Girl, gave this item. With its delicate, playful shoulder straps, its seersucker grayish blue fabric and its perfect, perfect execution, this crisp and fresh dress has become my favorite. Becky, aka Tortilla Girl, adapted this design to my body (I emailed her my exact measurements for a flawless fit) and my color preference (I wanted gray or blue stripes instead of the pink featured in her Etsy shop, and she went to buy some fabric especially for me)...
The bliss, the bliss!

I may love it even more than the previous dress I got from her, the exquisite model below...Do you have an Etsy shop? Which ones are your favorites?
I'm already in full Christmas shopping mode and want to buy as much as possible from Etsy - and also from dear Marie's lovely new shop, Ici.

Around Los Angeles

2009-10-20T19:17:00.000-07:00

Inside the Walt Disney Concert Hall designed by Frank Gehry...

A superb old tree on my street in Venice...

The threshold of a building on the hip Abbot Kinney Blvd.

Hitchcock in LA - black birds congregate on the power lines downtown.