C'est Si Bon

"There once was a little bakery by the sea..."....If I could write cute little stories about my travels..that is how this one would begin....However, this one is right in my own backyard...C'est Si Bon Bakery has been a Newport Beach staple for years...a small bakery that serves the best bageuettes this side of "FRANCE"...no joke...made fresh every day..throughout the day....they make croissants, muffins and the unparalleled baguettes I mentioned....and use them in their amazing sandwiches ...turkey, ham.. and my favorite...chicken curry salad..(to name just a few)...If you are lucky, the bread may still be hot out of the oven..Like Proust's "Madeleine" it sparks the involuntary memory of strolling down a Paris street nibbling on the warm baguette tucked in my messenger bag...AAhhh!....(Well, if that had happened it would....) They have a Barista working furiously, as well...Dark and white chocolate iced cookies, chocolate mousse cakes and cheese cakes...all fresh, fresh, fresh and made daily! (Oh, I think I already said that) I take my daughters there after ballet class to pick out their cookies or grab a "pain au chocolat"...(bread and chocolate..what an inspired combination!!!) They have a busy, friendly and conspicuously "good looking" staff who are always happy to see the locals and out of town visitors. If you are out this way you must not miss this place because you won't find better or fresher baked goods or bread ANYWHERE this side of Paris...Oh, I said that already too!...but because it's so true it requires re-reiterating!...They DO NOT have a website...the buzz on this bakery is all word of mouth ..So visit them at 149 Riverside Avenue, Newport Beach, Ca...92663..(949)645-0447....C'est Si "TRES" Bon..!!

I love Harvey Faircloth and must thank my friend and favorite fashion blogger and stylist, Kelley Lilien (www.mrslilien.com) for introducing me to this great modern line, which somehow maintains a hint of nostalgia which I love to see. Not only do I love the clean, crisp clothes, I love the ladies behind the curtain of this New York based design house. Abby Clawson Low, Katie Hatch and Mara Papa launched HF in the summer of 2008 after years of putting their designer dreams on hold. They named the line after a gentleman Katie sat next to at a wedding..an eccentric and seemingly well-traveled fellow named Harvey Faircloth who said to Katie ..and I am paraphrasing, "Hey Kid, you've got to follow your dreams...Press on regardless" They took his advice and launched their company at the onset of the financial crisis even though it was a risk....These ladies "pressed on!" and Voila! I, for one, am glad they did...They mix up bold prints with tailored ensembles for a fresh, witty look. I love the Penny Ring too!...Fun, Fun! Go to Harvey Faircloth for on line sales and a list of stores.

Monday, April 26, 2010

"Don't Be Shy,.. Re-Apply!"...Dr. Robin

Summer is fast approaching and it's time to pull out the sunscreen. Just in time for the nice weather, I've discovered a new line of sunscreen that I love...It's called Dr. Robin and it is perfect for my kids. Formulated by Los Angeles based pediatric dermatologist AND Mom...Dr. Robin Schaffran - It is all natural & water resistant. Oat and Quinoa keep the skin hydrated, while Green Tea wards off free radicals. Zinc Oxide and Titanium Diozide are also key ingredients which block UVA and UVB rays safely effectively and without chemicals. (Yes, I am a scientist now..) Not only do I love that this was created by a dermatologist...but a MOM dermatologist, no less!...She gets it that our kids hate it when sunscreen gets in their eyes...(the biggest complaint in my house...and under our umbrella!)..and has created a formula that we Mom's can trust to be safe for our children's sensitive skin - and won't irritate their eyes - My kids tried it and yes, they liked it.....and especially liked the stethoscope wearing Robin on the tube! There was no struggle while I applied it to their face - That is huge! Dr. Robin can be found at Fred Segal and Kitson.. just to name a few stores.... and of course online at www.drrobbin.md where you can also find a full list of retailers and more information about this very smart Dr. Mom.

Good Scents

As I walked by our neighborhood grocery store on Balboa Island the other day with my little girls, these pretty cobalt blue candles caught my eye. I used to be heavily into scented candles in my twenties and thirties....I was loyal to Diptyque in particular.....although the thick, dark green Rigaud's also brought back rich, happy memories of childhood holidays. That was all well and good until my first pregnancy when the smell of a scented candle within a ten mile radius sent me into a morning sickness aversion frenzy...Ughh!...Since then I am partial to more subtle - tolerable scents...and this one definitely falls into that category..Simple, pretty, slightly citrusy... with a soft beachy look and feel....This line strikes a nice balance between girly sparkle and sophisticated cool. They are reasonably priced at $22.00. You can find them on line at Primal Elements / Icon Candles..or if you are up for a drive...head my way to the beach and find them at Hershey's General Store on Marine Avenue on Balboa Island ...and treat yourself to a Balboa Bar while you're here!...The younger girls might also like their line of sweeter candles with jeweled Cherry Pie, Blueberry Muffin and Lollipop embellishments set in a creamy milk glass ($24.00)...cute!...See you on the boardwalk...Happy Spring...!!

Nailed It..

Now that the holidays are over, I have time to blog about things I loved DURING the holidays..I know, not the best timing on my part..but I think this entry applies to any season. Over the last few months I discovered Deborah Lippmann's line of Nail Lacquers. Many of you may already know who she is..And yes, I am late to the party, as usual..But I love them! They are so unique and glamorous. I like her story too. She was an aspiring singer who paid the bills by "doing nails" during the day so she could sing at night. Not surprisingly, you will notice that many of her colors have "song title" names. Her reputation as a manicurist extraordinaire soon spread all over New York City making her the "go to girl" for celebrities and ladies all over NYC! Over the holiday I wore Ruby Red Slippers..Inspired of course, by "Dorothy's" famous shoes...For those of you who know me, you know those shoes hold a special place in my heart! The polish is a deep red with subtle yet, undeniable sparkles infused within. The polish will decorate your feet or hands or both! Who needs an expensive cocktail ring when your nails are doing all the necessary "glamming" work all by themselves. Not to get too existential or "deep" about manicures, but sometimes, when I'm feeling scattered or when remind myself I am out of shape..."OR" if I am just overwhelmed in general, the occasional manicure with a great shade of polish can lift my spirits and make me feel a little more "in control" and pulled together. Just glancing at my fingers on the keyboard as I type this, my nails seem to say.."Hi, We are happy down here!!..You should be too!!!!" At $16 a bottle I think it's a relatively guiltless indulgence. "Slippers" was out of stock when I first visited her site..But I found it on Beauty.com. Now that it's the new year..I am liking her "Diamonds and Pearls." It's a clean, fresh color for a clean, fresh start. You can also find this well respected nail guru's line at Neimans and Nordstrom.

In A Seaton State of Mind

When you walk into Seaton at 8920 Melrose Avenue (at Almont) in West Hollywood, you almost feel like someone just might hand you a cocktail with an umbrella in it. The cool, blue calm of the store will put you immediately at ease. You have already embarked on a mini vacation just by walking in the door. The feeling is relaxed, yet elegant and the clothes are just, well...classic Jill Roberts. I am lucky enough to have known her for many years and have watched her evolve into an accomplished designer and savvy businesswoman (not to mention her greatest work of all, being the mother of three terrific boys!) Ever since I can remember, she has epitomized chic. Her easy, unpretentious fashion sense is refreshingly simple..but always has an air of "fancy" that is in no way intimidating. One thing that I really love about her is that her accessible style makes you feel like you can do it too...effortlessly. I remember in college when she and my good friend Jill Freeman..(who, by the way, eventually became JR's sister- in -law) came home from a trip to France with the greatest pairs of cowboy boots. (In Black and in Pink) Hey, it was the 80's and they were PERFECTION! I was fortunate enough to get a pair in black myself & I wore them into the ground. Tretorn tennis shoes, clean crisp white t-shirts and perfectly worn jeans were staples of hers & Jill wore them like no one else. Many may already be familiar with this fashion veteran because of her very successful Jill Roberts Boutiques. Today, Jill and her husband, Mark Freeman have created their own line of clothes with Seaton. A Seahorse is appropriately and sentimentally, their logo - and an homage to the Sand and Sea Club where they spent many summer days while dating. Beautiful dresses, great slouchy linen pants, cozy cashmere sweaters and creative tunics in great colors - are a just a few of the creations that come to mind as my current favorites. Their designs are classic yet unique, and are pieces that will endure from year to year. If you are lucky enough to be traveling to warm weather this holiday - or even if you are one of the many (me included) who will be staying close to home in California you will find the "menu" at Seaton weather appropriate, incredibly versatile and just plain...yummy (Yeah, I know.. I used the word "Yummy"..my apologies.. but it really is the only way to describe it!) You can also shop online at Seatonsurf.com and hear from Jill personally by visiting her new blog at Seatonsurf.blogspot.com.

Let Them Eat Cake

I love cake..Yep, Muffin LOVES cake...any kind of "good cake" will do ..but I must say that for sentimental reasons I am partial to wedding cake and birthday cake...I actually think it is not only a little rude but actually bad luck (for anyone) to leave a party before having at least a bite of cake...or so I tell myself. For the last few years I have been making the birthday cakes for my best friend and her daughter...it's become a casual tradition that Alex will make and bring a cake...and since they love chocolate...that's where we start!..Nothing fancy is expected..just a home baked cake that my daughters help decorate with sprinkles, etc. But I do seem to get lots of compliments on the cake...and i think it is because of the secret ingredient ("Ancient Chinese secret??!"!.....NO!)...Just half a can of Bordens Condensed Milk folded in (fancy word for "stirred carefully into" after all the other ingredients are mixed. For good chocolate cake I use "Pillsbury Moist Supreme Devils Food" and for yellow cake I use Duncan Hines...Those seem to turn out the best!...Just follow the directions on the box and then add the Bordens...and then cook for the time suggested...However...make sure before you remove it from the oven you check to see if a knife comes out clean from the center...Let cool and frost away!...If you really want to get creative make the Castle Cake shown here from the Betty Crocker Kids Cookbook from the '70s (I found it on Ebay because ours had been lost for years) - I used to make this as a kid with my Mom..and it was always a lot of fun...I often make this for my kids, friends and my god children because you can morph it to suit any occasion!... .A Princess Birthday Castle, a Haunted Halloween Castle.....or for your boyfriend or spouse?...The Playboy Mansion Castle!!!!!! (Ha ha!) Have fun...no matter how crazy it ends up looking...you can be sure that it will taste amazing!!!....Get the milk!!!!