Happy Valentines Day

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I've never loved Valentines Day even if I had a Valentine (married for twelve years). Before the invention of Hallmark cards Saint Valentines Day (later shortened to Valentines Day) was a holiday honoring early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine. It wasn't until the High Middle Ages (when tradition of courtly love flourished) that Valentines Day became associated with romantic love. It was Geoffrey Chaucer (the guy who wrote that little book called "The Canterbury Tales", you know that book we were all forced to read in High School) that wrote the first association of Valentines with romantic love. The other day I walked into a 99 cent store, how could you not go crazy walking into a 99 cent store?? All these things pictured (except the tags) are from there. The 99 cent store in Los Angeles is a treasure trove of Valentines Day treats. The "sayings" on the tags are things I try to do on Valentines. Not everyone may have a valentines. For your friends or family who don't, do say something that will put a smile on their face. The tags and the pink paper (used in the background) are from the scholastic store (Venice and Robertson).

I will be serving this "sneeky" to my valentine.

Pomegranate Cilantro Chili Margarita

1 Small piece of Serrano Chili

A Small Bunch of Cilantro

2 Oz.Tequila

1 Oz. Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice

1/2 Oz. Agave

½ ounce pomegranate juice

muddle the cilantro and chili then add the rest of the ingredients and shake, shake, shake Pour into a glass filled with ice Garnish with mint

Inspiration

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inspireverb 1 the landscape inspired him to write: STIMULATE, motivate, encourage,influence, rouse, move, stir, energize, galvanize, incite; animate, fire,excite, spark, inspirit, incentivize, affect. 2 the film inspired a musical: GIVE RISE TO, lead to, bring about, cause,prompt, spawn, engender; literary beget. 3 Charles inspired awe in her: AROUSE, awaken, prompt, induce, ignite,trigger, kindle, produce, bring out; literary enkindle.

I love to be inspired! My intern Chaysen gave me the book "Are you a Jackie or a Marilyn?" It was Fascinating and fun to read. If you don't get a little inspiration from reading this book you are crazy. I try not to read every blog that I come upon because if I did I would spend all day on the computer and there is much more productive things I could be doing with my time like taking a walk with Teddy K. and Mr. Pickles (my dogs) or creating something delicious in my kitchen, which either could be a "dish” or a "sneeky. " The first thing I do in the morning is read the New York Post and have a truly magnificent cup of coffee made by my husband, Stevie. For Christmas Stevie got a new milk frothier/warmer (Aeroccino plus) by Nespresso. He now hands me a cup of coffee that looks like a piece of art in the morning with the milk perfectly frothed…that froth "hatched" an idea. I get inspired by everything, you can too. Just look around. Take it in. My uncle Frank used to always say to me "Lu, don't forget to stop and smell the roses." That phrase is what allows me to read the blogs below and enjoy. To all the bloggers below-Thanks for inspiring me. I love reading your blogs. Keep that inspiration coming.

armonia

My favorite new online mag: Toujours.com My favorite new food site: foodily.com My favorite new LA store: HAUS on 3 rd ST My favorite new eatery: Sweet Butter in Sherman Oaks

3rd Annual Bake Off

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These are my dear friends the infamous Jules Allen and the incredible Stephanie Nicks. Who brought me as their guest to the 3rd annual “BAKE -OFF".

Look at this incredible cake. This is a masterpiece. The woman who did this is a true artist. Stevie could not believe this was an actual cake.

The pink is for the party but also for breast cancer awareness month. Hollye, one of the hostesses, is a breast cancer survivor. Please check out her incredibly courageous blog with her days of conquering the “terrible beast.” God bless her and all the other woman out there fighting! Please check out Hollye’s blog: brooksidebuzz.com twitter.com/hollyejacobs

 

While tasting all of these goodies, Rose champagne was flowing!

This picture could be out of Better Homes and Gardens in the 50’s.

Check out the creative presentation - hair curlers, bud light can, and cigarettes!

Check out the aprons. The ladies are waiting for the festivities to begin.

Hollye holding up one of the cakes signs.

This is the 3rd annual Bake off started in Montecito, California by three woman: Suzanne, Hollye and Gina. Hollye said "The idea came about after an afternoon with two girlfriends comparing our favorite desserts, none of which was homemade." They thought it would be fun to see what other desserts friends loved and make it a competition. That is how the Montecito "Bake- off" started. The rules: You can make your own dessert but you don't have to. You can have it Fed ex'd in, buy it, do whatever you have to do to get a dessert you love to the bake off table.

Jules, Steph, and I brought a 10 minute cake. We bought angel food cake at Whole Foods, cut it into 4 layers, and mixed sour cream, coconut, and vanilla to spread on each layer. Then we stacked the layers and frosted with a whipped cream - one cup of heavy cream, 1 tablespoon creme fraiche, 2 teaspoons vanilla, and 1/4 cup confectionary sugar. We topped it with chopped Violet Crumble candy and Cadbury flaked chocolate

The Bake –off inspired me. I felt like I was going back in time a little bit. I only thought they did these bake-off’s in the south. I now want to have my own bake off in Los Angeles. The woman who were at the party all had a story for their dessert. They all came dressed up. Most had fun “hostess” aprons on. My favorite dessert and story was from a lovely lady, Jo Saxon. Her dessert: A Ganache Torte with A Pecan Crust and adorned with Caramel Sauce . Her story: The dessert was A.K.A. Seal the Deal Pie. It was an afternoon to remember and one to look forward to next year. Hope I get invited back for the 4th annual bake off!!

"Let them eat cake"

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I first discovered Caroline's cakes at my friend Ashley McDermotts house in Nantucket. It was so good that I ordered my self my very own birthday cake from them! At Caroline's cakes you can order half of two of their delicious cakes and they will ship it to you in one of their signature red tins. I got half the classic caramel cake, which is what they are known for and the infamous coconut cake. Not only do they look beautiful displayed on a cake plate but both were scrumptious. I used my vintage cake breaker (a birthday gift from my good friend Sally Horchow from Current Vintage) to cut the cake. This cake breaker is one of my favorite birthday presents yet.

Find of the week. Fashion for a cause

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On a recent trip I took to Nantucket I came across these bracelets and immediately bought a bunch for myself and as gifts for friends and family. Erica Wilson Nantucket works together with the women in Djenné, Mali providing them with a viable means of support and are sold to raise funds for L'Empire des Enfants, a school for homeless children in Dakar, Senegal. You can purchase them at http://www.ericawilson.com/maliBracelets.html#