Les Bon Enfants

Breakfast on the Go

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:08:00 -0700

I’m a creature of habit - I don’t do well with decision making early in the morning, which is why I plan my outfit for the next day and make my lunch before I go to bed. I’m not awake enough to whip up eggs or make a pit stop at Starbucks at 6:30 AM, so I keep my desk stocked with oatmeal. Boring, I know, but these habits get me to work on time, even in my zombie state.

When I found a recipe for refrigerator oatmeal, I was hooked. I can prep it the night before in about 1 minute, throw it in my lunch bag in the morning and have a healthy breakfast ready to go. It fits into my morning routine perfectly. Cold oatmeal may seem a little odd, but it has a really great texture and you can easily jack it up with fresh fruit, nuts, or any mix-in you can think of – perfect for the summer! And the combination of oatmeal and yogurt holds me over until lunch; it’s the perfect fuel to start my day.

I don’t like overly sweet breakfasts, so my recipe has just a hint of honey and lots of fresh fruit, but the beauty of this oatmeal is you can customize it however you want with whatever you happen to have in the fridge. If you need some inspiration, check out these ideas from The Yummy Life.

Refrigerator Oatmeal

½ cup old-fashioned oats (not the quick cooking kind!)
¼ cup skim milk
2/3 cup plain non-fat yogurt*
1 Tbl honey
1/3 cup fresh blueberries or any fruit of your choice**

Add oats, milk, yogurt, and honey to a small portable container and mix well. Stir in your fruit and other mix-ins, cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight. That’s it!

*If you’re using Greek yogurt, increase the amount of milk just a little.

**The photo above is a banana and dried cranberry version – delicious - but blueberries are my favorite so far.

Party Plates

Tue, 21 May 2013 15:35:00 -0700

When I first began the wedding registry process, I fell in love with about thirty different china patterns. I couldn’t decide if I wanted a pattern that was gorgeous and floral, minimal and classic, or bold and geometric. In the end I chose a beautiful, busy pattern, but it gave me an idea - why not register for just a few small bread and butter plates of all different kinds of patterns to keep on hand for cocktail parties or desserts? It’s a great way to add some POP to your parties without the full investment of formal china, especially if you don’t think you will use it often. Even though my registry days are behind me, I am always on the lookout for a fun set to use for our next gathering.

A few tricks:

Bargain home decor stores like Home Goods, Cost Plus World Market and Target are great sources since their inventory changes often - and their prices mean you can pick up a new set every season!

Browse your local flea market and consignment shops for bargains on china, and keep an eye out for vintage patterns that speak to you - since you’re only picking up a handful of these you can afford to experiment with some out-of-the-box patterns!

Don’t relegate these beauties to your cupboards - show them off even when they aren’t in use! I As you saw in this post, I love displaying a few of my bread and butter plates right on my coffee table. They are too pretty to stow, and we are always party-ready!

Here are a few of my current favorites (clockwise from the top left)…

These Royal Limoges bread and butter plates are a bit of an investment, but they’re also heirloom worthy - your great grandchildren will love using them too!

Whimsical fish plates would be so fun for a sushi-making and cocktail party.

I love these minimal plates with a cheeky message.

This geometric pattern from Anthropologie would look so gorgeous permanently stacked on a coffee table.

These sweet birds are so spring-y, they would be perfect for baby shower nibbles.

Floral china is my favorite for a super-girly afternoon of tea sandwiches and champagne.

Get Grilling!

Fri, 17 May 2013 11:41:00 -0700

It’s officially springtime in Los Angeles, which is a lot like summertime in other areas of the country. It was over 80 degrees in downtown LA on Monday, and when I came home starving, the last thing I wanted to do was fire up the stove and effectively turn my entire apartment into a sauna. Friends, this can only mean one thing: grilling season is upon us! I have a deep love for anything smothered in BBQ sauce, but this year I want to get out of my regular rotation of BBQ chicken and burgers. So, here are a few recipes I rounded up just in time for the weekend - from appetizers to dessert - to make sure I don’t have to turn on my oven again until September.

1. Grilled Jalapeno Poppers: Jalapeno poppers are a game day favorite at my house, but I’ve always cooked them in the oven. This grilled version is perfect for those late September football games when the weather is still warm.

2. Grilled Corn: I became obsessed with grilled corn last summer – the combination of sweet corn with the smoky, charred flavor from the grill beats out the run-of-the-mill boiled corn on the cob any day. I can’t wait to try it with a little cilantro butter a la Martha Stewart.

3. Grilled Romaine: I started playing around with grilled romaine last summer. It seems totally weird, I know, but trust me - it’s delicious. Charred and caramelized on the outside, but still crisp on the inside. I like to eat it whole, but you can also chop it up for salads.

4. Grilled Pizza: Dannye is a huge fan of grilled pizza, but I haven’t tried yet. When I do, I’ll be using these tips from the Kitchn.

5. Grilled Potato Salad: Full disclosure – this recipe does require some pre-grilling prep by partially cooking the potatoes in boiling water. But a little boiling water is a far cry from a hot oven, so I’ll still be giving it a try. If you’re short on time, you can microwave the potatoes in a covered bowl for 3 – 5 minutes before grilling.

6. Grilled Bananas: This recipe for Honey Rum Bananas looks amazing and so simple. I’m imagining a caramel-y, tropical flavor, but not too rich. It’s also a good option for a low-cal dessert.

7. Grilled Ice Cream: I saw this recipe and it immediately went on my list of recipes to try this summer. It seems like it would take some practice to get right, so if you’ve ever grilled ice cream and have some tips, leave us a note!

8. Grilled Pineapple: Like the grilled bananas above, grilled pineapple is a perfect, low-effort dessert, or as a replacement for plain fruit salad. I’d serve it with a fat scoop of vanilla ice cream and a sprinkle of pecans.

9. Grilling in Foil: And finally, for those recipes that just don’t work on an open grill (like saucy main dishes and chopped veggies), these ideas for grilling in foil are the perfect solution. Bread pudding during the summer? Yes please!

My husband is something of a Bloody Mary enthusiast. In his opinion, a restaurant should live or...

Tue, 14 May 2013 17:11:00 -0700

My husband is something of a Bloody Mary enthusiast. In his opinion, a restaurant should live or die by their recipe, and while there are alot of sub-par Marys out there, he can never resist the opportunity to try one whenever he sees it offered on the menu. There’s something other-worldly about that sharp tang followed by the slight nose-smarting burn of horseradish when you know you’ve found a good one. It has taken us years to craft the perfect one at home, but it has become a Sunday brunch staple in our house ever since.

The Ultimate Bloody Mary
Adapted from The Mermaid Inn in New York, NY

2 oz. good quality vodka
4 oz. tomato juice
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons horseradish
pinch of fresh ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard
4 shakes of tabasco (or your favorite hot sauce)
1 squeeze each of lime and lemon
cornichons, capers, boiled shrimp and/or celery to garnish
Old Bay seasoning

Rim a cocktail glass with the Old Bay seasoning (like you would with salt on a margarita glass) and fill with ice. Combine all other ingredients (except the garnishes and vodka) in a cocktail shaker and shake well. Pour the vodka into the glass. Top with the Bloody Mary Mix and garnish with cornichons, capers, boiled shrimp and a tall piece of celery.

I’m a sucker for any type of fruit cobbler, but unfortunately, most of my family and friends just...

Fri, 10 May 2013 09:57:01 -0700

I’m a sucker for any type of fruit cobbler, but unfortunately, most of my family and friends just aren’t fans of “cooked fruit” (What weirdos, right? I need new friends). So when I’m in charge of dessert, I end up making a lot of brownies and cake. Delicious, but kind of disappointing when you’re craving the sweet/tart flavors of seasonal produce. The only person in my family who seems to share my tastes in dessert is my dad, so when he came over for dinner last weekend, I seized the opportunity to try out this recipe for blueberries and biscuits. Yes, the whole pan pictured here was for just the two of us - and we were so happy we didn’t have to share!

Blueberries + Biscuits (aka Blueberry Slump)
Recipe from Saveur

2 cups flour
1 ¾ cups sugar, plus more for sprinkling
4 ½ tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. kosher salt
4 tbsp. unsalted butter, cubed and chilled
1 ¼ cups milk
1 ½ lb. blueberries
1 cup fresh orange juice
¼ cup fresh lemon juice
Vanilla ice cream, for serving

Whisk together flour, ¼ cup sugar, baking powder, and ½ tsp. salt in a large bowl; add butter, and using your fingers, rub butter into flour until pea-size crumbles form. Add milk, and stir just until a moist dough forms; cover and refrigerate dough until ready to use.

Heat oven to 400°. Bring remaining sugar and salt along with blueberries and citrus juices to a boil in a 12″ cast-iron or enamelware skillet over high heat, stirring to dissolve sugar.* Remove pan from heat, and using two tablespoons, portion and form chilled dough into 2–3″ oval dumplings, and drop them evenly on top of the blueberry mixture. Sprinkle dough dumplings with sugar, and transfer skillet to oven; bake until biscuits are cooked through and blueberry mixture is reduced, about 25 minutes. Serve hot with vanilla ice cream.

*Note: I didn’t have the right stove-to-oven cookware required, so I just cooked the berries on the stove in a regular pan, then transferred it to an oven-safe dish before topping with the biscuits and baking.

Summer Obsessions

Tue, 07 May 2013 15:59:00 -0700

Last week I managed convinced my husband to sneak out of work a little early, and we raced (convertible top down) over to the beach while it was still warm. While 90 degrees in Santa Monica in May was a bit unseasonable, it definitely got me excited about the months (and beaches) to come. We’re headed to Palm Springs in a few weeks, and the Mayan Riviera in August, so I am already day-dreaming about airy caftans and gold sandals to get my wardrobe summer vacay-ready! Here are a few of the pieces serving as my beach bum inspiration…

From the top left:

I’ve been rocking the same pair of Ray Ban aviators for three years now, and while I love them, now is the perfect excuse to upgrade to these killer Oliver Peoples pair.

Far from the days when I used to lie out with a bottle of my mom’s spf 5 tanning oil, these days I am all about covering up as much as I can. This hat is cute enough to throw on over a simple white sundress, and my skin will thank me!

While I love the idea of a retro-inspired one-piece swimsuit, most of them look a little too matronly for me. When I found this one on Net-A-Porter it was love at first sight - it’s low cut enough to still be a little sexy and the one-piece cut is just too fun to pass up.

No fabulous beach outfit is complete without an equally fabulous beach tote, and no one really compares to Tory Burch. I love this woven raffia version - it’s durable enough to plop right in the sand, roomy enough for a beach towel and my Kindle, and the fun pompoms just scream vacation.

I usually end up grabbing my $2.50 pair of rubber flip flops from Old Navy when I’m headed out to the beach, but these gold sandals have me thinking twice. The gold is a surprisingly versatile color and they’ll add a little luxuriousness to my usual jean shorts/white tank summer uniform.

I normally don’t go for rompers (just the name sounds toddler-esque) but this patterned one from Anthropologie is changing my mind. It would be so easy to throw on en route to a BBQ or a pool party!

Happy Hour

Fri, 03 May 2013 09:56:00 -0700

Lately I have had an unhealthy obsession with the blueberry mint lemonade at this place, and after picking up a basket of blackberries at this week’s farmer’s market, I knew I had to try to re-create a version of it at home. Since I have never made lemonade from scratch before, I wasn’t expecting much out of my first batch, but I have to say, it was easier than I thought it would be and it turned out way better than expected. And, as most things are, it was greatly improved with a splash of vodka and served on the rocks.

Start with a full cup of fresh-squeezed lemon juice from 5- 10 lemons, depending on their size (for the love of cocktails, please do not use the bottled stuff!).

Heat one small carton of blackberries with 1/2 cup of water and a few mint sprigs on low heat. Muddle the berries and mint gently while they simmer for about 7 minutes, or until the berries have “melted”. Press the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer, pressing on the pulp so as much of the mixture is pressed through as possible.

In a large pitcher, combine the lemon and berry juice with four cups of filtered water and 1/4 to 1/2 cups of agave syrup or fine sugar, adjusting the amount of sweetener to your taste (I used 1/4 cup of agave because I like my lemonade on the tart side). Keep the lemonade in the refrigerator for up to a week, or serve on the rocks with an ounce of good vodka and a mint sprig to garnish.

Get creative and experiment with other fruit/herb combinations - like strawberry and basil or blueberry and thyme!

Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 10:20:56 -0700

Last weekend, Dannye and I went with our mom to the annual Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts – an interior design and garden showcase to benefit youth music programs and music-oriented nonprofit organizations that provide music therapy, education, scholarships and concerts.

If you’re in the Los Angeles area, the event goes on through May 19; buy your tickets here! Besides supporting a good cause, the Showcase House is chock-full of amazing decorating ideas – from stunning woodwork and cool color combinations to unusual materials (pewter countertops, anyone?) and little details that you can apply at home now. I especially appreciated the different paint treatments and wallpaper uses all through the house, and the cool mix of traditional styling with industrial accessories in the kitchen. Tour guides are in every room, ready to answer your questions about materials, colors, and designers. Bring a notepad and take notes of your favorite ideas, then check out the little shops set up on site.

Here are just a few photos from the event:

The gorgeous, light-filled living room

One of several relaxing patios. I’m obsessed with that table!

The beautiful pattern on an office armchair

The luxurious master bedroom

A stunning mosaic and mirrored bathroom

A sparkly bird sconce against a bird print wallpaper. So fun!

An adorable labeling system in the garden

I really cannot speak highly enough of this event - I look forward to it every year! Pick up your tickets before they sell out!

Wish List: Outdoor Entertaining

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 15:14:51 -0700

My favorite part of spring and summer is the warm nights, and being able to sit outside and enjoy the mild temperatures late into the evening. The past few weekends have been spent repainting patio furniture, washing cushions, sweeping (oh, so much sweeping), and hunting for an outdoor rug to pull the whole look together. I finally have the basics squared away, but I need a few accessories to finish the look and make my patio the perfect spot to lounge and entertain all summer long. Here’s what I have my eye on:

1. Bistro Lights: The single, bluish bulb hanging over my patio is sort of depressing, so I ordered these lights to flood the space with a softer, more festive light. Major improvement!

2. Adirondack Chair: I love the laid back vibe of a classic Adirondack chair. I could lounge in this with a cocktail and be happy for hours.

3. Ikat Plates: These cute appetizer plates are perfect for cocktail hour.

4. Throw Pillows: Stripes are classic for outdoor décor, but this punchy cobalt blue version takes it up a notch. Mix in a few natural fiber pillows to soften the look and add a little texture

5. Coasters: My table has a lattice top, so sometimes it’s a little tough to balance glasses on it. These cute coasters are exactly what I need, plus, they’re disposable!

6. Outdoor Rug: A more understated rug looked best with my lacy furniture, but if you have a simple outdoor set, this rug is perfect. The free-form chevron pattern gives it a more casual, playful vibe.

7. Galvanized Bucket: I can’t comfortably fit more than five people on my patio at once, so a small galvanized bucket is all I need to keep drinks cold for everyone.

8. Hurricanes: I love candlelight, and these lanterns are the just the thing to keep mine lit all night.

9. Colorful Tray: A bright serving tray in an accent color is perfect for serving drinks or arranging appetizers. Go for pattern or texture.

And for bonus points…

10. Acrylic Pitcher: This simple acrylic pub pitcher is perfect for serving sangria or lemonade. Since I’m short on serving space outside, I prefer the sturdiness of acrylic over glass, just in case an errant elbow knocks it over!

11. Light Blankets: This cozy blanket is exactly what you need when the sun sets; get a few monogrammed for a little extra style. They’re machine washable too!

12. Patterned Paper Straws: There are so many cute patterns out there, but I love these polka dot straws. They’re just a little more festive than your regular plastic ones.

It’s no secret I’m a sucker for pretty gift wrapping. I’m always on the lookout...

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:16:00 -0700

It’s no secret I’m a sucker for pretty gift wrapping. I’m always on the lookout for new paper inspiration, and lately I have been finding myself drawn to relatively clean and simple designs. I picked up a roll of twine last week from Paper Source, and of course couldn’t resist stocking up on pretty rolls of paper. Their walls of specialty papers don’t really qualify as “wrapping paper” (and at up to $10 per sheet they aren’t for the faint of heart), but their gorgeous designs and patterns make me swoon every time I walk in. Since it’s pretty pricey I try to use it sparingly and in creative ways - I used a pretty geometric pattern to wrap a few bottles of wine for my dad, a thick piece of Japanese paper around a loaf of Orange Bread I brought my aunt on Easter, and this one is currently in a frame on my wall.

The key to really making an impact is to use the paper sparingly - a thin strip on the base of a pretty potted plant, a single square in a frame in your bathroom - and keep the rest of the details relatively simple, like a single piece of twine and a craft paper tag.

Whole Wheat Pasta + Broccoli, Feta & Lemon

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 13:34:00 -0700

I’m a lazy cook. Don’t get me wrong - I’m a good cook - but if I have the choice between a simple meal or a slightly complicated one, 99% of the time I’ll choose simple. This pasta recipe is one of my favorites, especially on week nights, but I think it’s still colorful and tasty enough to serve to guests. With whole wheat pasta and lots of broccoli, it’s healthy too. And the best part: it’s a 1 pot meal. It just doesn’t get any easier than that.

This recipe can be adapted to serve 1 to 100 people - I usually just eyeball the amount of pasta and broccoli, then season to taste. Play around with the ratio of veggies to pasta if you’re on a health kick.

Whole Wheat Pasta + Broccoli, Feta & Lemon

1/4 lb whole wheat pasta, any shape
1 head of broccoli, cut into florets
3 Tbl olive oil
salt & pepper to taste
2 large lemon wedges
1/4 c feta cheese

Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add pasta, and cook according to package directions. 3 minutes before the pasta is done, add the broccoli florets to the pot. Cook 3 minutes more, or until the broccoli is crisp-tender (or longer if you prefer your broccoli and pasta a little softer), then drain. Return the pasta and broccoli to the pot, and add the olive oil, salt and pepper, and juice from one lemon wedge, and toss. Transfer the pasta to a serving platter, sprinkle with the feta cheese, and squeeze the remaining lemon wedge over the top. Garnish with an additional lemon wedge, if you’re being fancy. Enjoy!

Note: This recipe is easily adaptable, depending on what you have in your fridge, so play around a little. Try subbing asparagus for broccoli, adding a little creamy ricotta or goat cheese instead of feta, or top with crunchy breadcrumbs and red pepper flakes. I also like to chop up a little garlic and fresh tomato, and saute it in the pot before I add the drained pasta. Anything goes!

We’re excited to introduce a new series to Les Bon Enfants called Tips and Tricks! We wanted...

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 15:54:00 -0700

We’re excited to introduce a new series to Les Bon Enfants called Tips and Tricks! We wanted a place to share all of the little pearls of wisdom, great ideas and nifty tricks we have learned over time that make our lives easier, and BAM! A new series was born…starting with a new way to store fresh herbs.

I have a self-admitted problem with my refrigerator. Like socks in a dryer, things just get lost in there, and don’t re-surface until they have completely shed all resemblance of anything edible. I am constantly looking for ways to reduce the amount of waste that comes out of our kitchen, and I realized that my fresh herb habit is a major perpetrator of the problem. Those convenient little packets from the grocery store just fit so nicely in the crisper, and there they stay to shrivel up and dry. Last weekend, after picking up gorgeous bunch after gorgeous bunch of fresh parsley, thyme, dill and rosemary at the farmer’s market I decided these pretty little beauties deserved more than to be shrugged into a drawer, and, inevitably, forgotten about. Instead I gave them the fresh cut flower treatment and stored them in bud vases and juice glasses right on my counter. Not only does my kitchen smell like an herb garden, but they last twice as long than they do in the fridge. Bonus: I am encouraged to use them since they are out in plain view - a few snips of thyme mixed into my scrambled eggs in the morning, a sprig of parsley tossed into the batch of soup I made for dinner…and since I don’t have space for a garden in our house, fresh herbs on my kitchen counter is the next best thing!

About six months ago, after several years of never really feeling “good,” my husband...

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 11:36:00 -0700

About six months ago, after several years of never really feeling “good,” my husband discovered that a gluten allergy was the root of all his ailments. Since then, we have been eliminating gluten from our diet, and the results have been amazing. In addition to feeling so much better every day, his energy levels skyrocketed. But for a die-hard pizza lover, born and bred in New Jersey, giving up some of his favorite treats hasn’t exactly been easy. We have been able to make substitutions in a few places without too much pain (brown rice pasta is a surprisingly good alternative to traditional pasta), but we have been failing in the baked goods department…

That is, until I discovered Cup 4 Cup, an amazing gluten-free flour. It was developed by Thomas Keller, the chef behind Napa’s famed French Laundry restaurant, and is a blend of several different types of gluten-free flours. Instead of having to mix different flours together to achieve the same results (a few tablespoons of xantham gum flour to bind, a cup of garbanzo flour to give weight…) this flour can literally be swapped out, cup for cup, with regular flour, with virtually identical results. It has really been a game-changer in our house.

At $19 per three pound bag we definitely try to use it sparingly, but it’s a life-saver when my husband has a serious hankering for fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies, or when I need a few tablespoons to thicken up soup or gravy.

Available at Williams-Sonoma

Favorite Cookbooks

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 12:16:44 -0700

Happy Tuesday everyone! This week, we wanted to share with you a list of our favorite cookbooks. With more and more fresh produce showing up at the market each week, les bon enfants are getting inspired to get in the kitchen and put it all to use. Here are some of the cookbooks we’ll be using now and all year long:

The Balthazar Cookbook: Dannye loves the Roast Chicken for Two and the Parmesan Mascarpone Polenta.

Silver Palate Cookbook: This is a classic; the peach cobbler is the best I’ve ever had and almost impossible to mess up.

The Barefoot Contessa by Ina Garten: Try the Turkey Meatloaf – it’s always a hit and makes tons of leftovers!

Everyday Italian by Giada De Laurentiis: Her recipes are always so simple and delicious. Make the Sweet Red Pepper Crostini for your next cocktail party.

The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook: We’ve posted several of her recipes on our site, so of course we love her cookbook! Make the White Bean & Chard Pot Pies for a vegetarian twist on the comfort food, and the White Chocolate Pudding with Blackberry Curd for dessert.

Tyler’s Ultimate by Tyler Florence: Everything in this book is fabulous, but the minestrone soup is my absolute favorite.

Happy cooking!

By Lesley

Old-School Slumber Party

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 10:39:06 -0700

As a kid, nothing, and I mean nothing, was as exciting as getting an invitation to a sleepover party. Staying up super late, snacking on all the unhealthy, sugary stuff our moms wouldn’t normally let us have, truth or dare – it was always the Best. Time. Ever. We have “Girls’ Night” now, with wine and boy talk, and it’s all good, but sometimes I still really miss wedging my sleeping bag between my two besties and laughing until 3 am.

When my boyfriend booked a week-long vacation without me (ugh!), I immediately got to thinking about what I could do with my girls while he’s gone. Girls’ night? Not special enough. Spa Day? Too expensive. Sleepover Party? Um, HECK YES. Here’s what I have planned so far; a mix of nostalgia and grown up fun!

Invitations: I like this one from paper source. It’s simple, customizable and available in lots of colors. Tell everyone to bring a sleeping bag and wear their favorite pajamas!

Games: Twister, Uno, Truth or Dare, and Never Have I Ever were my favorites as a kid, and I think they would somehow be even more fun now. Isn’t everything is after a few glasses of wine?

Movies: Anything Disney was fair game in grade school (and if I’m being honest, it still is), but classics like Dirty Dancing, Breakfast Club, and Pretty Woman would all be great choices too!

Pizza: I’m dying to try this Hatch Chili + Fresh Corn pizza; it’s definitely an upgrade from my old pepperoni standby.

Snacks: Red Vines, popcorn, and Chex Mix are sleepover staples, but I’d try to take them up a notch with recipes like this (except the Red Vines. You just can’t beat the originals).

Dessert: This Bourbon Root Beer Float is the perfect grown-up alternative to the childhood classic.

Drinks: Wine. Duh. And maybe another girly cocktail like this Cosmopolitan.

What was your favorite part of childhood sleepovers?

By Lesley

Into the Jungle

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 07:53:00 -0700

I have been on something of a decorating kick lately. Our house still feels unfinished after moving in two years ago - we sort of lost steam after buying all new furniture, getting married and then returning to a normal routine, and we still have a few walls unadorned, and empty floors where a rug would be perfect. I have made it my mission over the last few weeks to finish all those little touches that make it look more like a home, warm and lived in, instead of a showroom.

Plants, I have decided, are a decorator’s best friend. They instantly add something warm and a little luxurious, and since we don’t have a yard, they allow us to bring a little of the great outdoors inside. With so many different shapes and sizes - even paper options - there really is something for every home. Here are a few of my current favorites around our house.

Maidenhair ferns are beautiful and wispy. I like to offset the delicate leaves with a rustic pot, like this pretty blue one from Anthropologie. The contrast of the blue and bright green adds the perfect pop of color to our TV console (and also keeps the not-so-pretty TV wires and receivers hidden from view).

My latest obsession is the Fiddle Leaf Fig tree, and it’s no surprise they have been popping up on design blogs and magazines everywhere. They add a beautiful texture to almost any room decor, and the leaves are so sculptural and pretty it’s instantly the first thing you notice when you walk into a room.

I’m still on the lookout for the perfect pot to complement the tree, but for the time being it’s so pretty I hardly even notice the ugly plastic one it came in!

If I am being totally honest, I will tell you that I was drawn to these paper flowers because I kill any plant that enters our house. But really, these are just so pretty and modern that the thrill of knowing I can’t kill them is just the icing on the cake.

I love that they add a little bit of spring-y color to my mantle without being too over the top.

Our patio balcony is definitely the ugliest place in out whole house. The white stucco walls and flooring, the hideous white balcony bars… we hardly ever venture out there because it’s not the prettiest spot. I’ve experimented with plants and trees out there before, but ~~I usually kill them~~ they never seem to last more than 6 months. I found this lemon tree a few weeks ago, and I am kicking myself for waiting so long to buy one. Not only does it provide something nicer to look at than the ugly building next door, but the blossoms smell so nice that it’s encouraged us to sleep with the doors open.

By Dannye

Color Study: Green

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 10:51:00 -0700

Green is the color of spring and new beginnings, and at the time of year where everyone is starting to open their windows and freshen up their homes, we can think of no better time to show you why we love green. From pale mints to bright grassy hues to deep emeralds, there is a shade of green for every style. Click below to read more!

These punchy green chairs make a statement.

Soft green drapes are a subtle way to bring green into a neutral room.

Pops of green: If you don’t want to commit to a full wall of green, try accessorizing with bright pops of the color, like a fresh set of drapes or eye-catching dining chairs.

I love this green wallpaper - it’s a great balance of color and neutrals.

This green grasscloth wallpaper looks fresh and warm at the same time.

Patterns & wallpaper: If a solid wall of green seems overwhelming, try wallpaper in a green pattern to add some visual interest, or grasscloth for a little warmth and texture.

Mint green opens up and brightens smaller rooms.

These light green walls are so soothing.

Mint and pale green: Lighter shades encourage relaxation and bring a sense of airiness and calm to a room.

This apple green bathroom will wake you up in the morning!

Chartreuse green and white looks clean and modern, and playful.

Bright green: Apple and chartreuse shades are fun and vibrant, and look especially fresh when paired with white. Try these shades in a bathroom or guest room.

True green: Not for the faint of heart, bright, deep greens - like this emerald living room - can hold their own against accents of equally saturated colors like pink, yellow and blue.

This dark green shade is the perfect masculine color.

Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves in a dark, dusty green look especially cozy.

Dark green: The deepest shades of green can be both masculine and glamorous. I love a grey/green shade for a study, library, or even a dining room.

Here are some of our favorite shades of green, from super pale to very dark.

Tropical Paradise by Benjamin Moore

Barnyard Grass by Behr Premium Plus

Outrageous Green by Sherwin Williams

Peppermint Leaf by Benjamin Moore

Calypso Green by Benjamin Moore

Sporting Green by Behr Premium Plus Ultra

By Lesley

Easter Baskets

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 15:01:00 -0700

Right up there with presents from Santa, the Easter Basket is one of those rituals from childhood I miss the most. My mom still hosts a grown up version of an egg hunt (think mani-pedi gift certificates and get -out-of-doing-the-dishes-free cards), but I still miss tearing down the stairs Easter morning to check out the goods.

The next best thing, however, is putting the Easter baskets together. Luckily for me, I have nephews and a niece to spoil! Since they live across the country (and already have an awesome aunt living nearby) I shamelessly spoil them from afar, lest they forget about little old Aunt Danielle all the way out in Los Angeles. I usually end up mailing the gifts, which almost always results in a packing dilemma, as I often forget that whatever I am sending has to fit in a small box and ship for under $20. Here’s how I did it this year…

Choose your vessel. Try to think outside the basket. A pretty flower pot would be sweet and spring-y, or use a vintage basket from your local flea market and line it with a modern, pretty fabric. This year, I found these darling little Easter-themed takeout boxes at Cost Plus World Market and knew they would work much better than the bulky, over-priced baskets I had been eyeing, especially since I am shipping them across the country.

Pick your filler. I found this pretty colored crinkle to use at the bottom of the baskets at Cost Plus, but you can also use tissue paper if you’d like. Tailor each basket for the child you are giving it too, and try to use non-candy fillers where you can. For my seven-year-old nephew I found a great joke book (since he is the funniest kid I know), galactic ooze (what little boy doesn’t like oozy slime?) and Pop Rocks. For my three-year-old nephew I chose Chocolate Milk Straws (they’re magic!), and modeling clay. I tried to go easy on the candy, but I am gunning for the position of Favorite Aunt, so I couldn’t resist tossing in a few chocolate-filled Easter eggs for good measure.

Skip the candy for the little ones. Isabelle is a little too young for a basket full of candy, but I didn’t want her to feel left out, so I stocked her Easter eggs with little toys and stickers instead.

Package and deliver. Once the boxes were assembled I tied them closed with a piece of twine and included a little note ~~from their favorite aunt~~ and sent them on their way, ready to be opened on Easter morning!

Happy Spring!

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 14:18:00 -0700

Like so many of you, I am beyond excited that spring is finally upon us! This winter just felt like a long, grey slog, and though I enjoy cozy fires and rainy days more than most, even I can’t wait for warm nights, hot beach days and bright colors to come. Here are a few things we’ve put on our list to get ready for the sunshine!

Peonies - I can’t wait to grab a big, bright bunch for my coffee table.

Colorful sandals - This vibrant pair from J.Crew will be a spring and summer staple.

Sundresses - I love the print on this shirtdress from Anthropologie. I’d dress it down with a denim jacket and flats, or dress it up with strappy wedges and a statement necklace.

Patio décor - My patio is seriously lacking in decent lighting, so I plan on stringing a few strands of bistro lights over the top to make it more welcoming. Bring on the warm nights!

Rhubarb pie - Rhubarb is finally in season, and I’ll be taking advantage of it with this Strawberry Rhubarb Pie.

BBQ - I use my grill even in the winter, but the seasonal produce is finally bringing me more to work with than burgers and chicken. Grilled artichokes are a favorite!

Bike rides - I’m very lucky to live close to the beach, so I can’t wait to spend the longer evenings riding along the boardwalk.

Bright manis/pedis - This pink color makes me feel like I’m on vacation, but it’s not too flashy for the office.

New bikinis - Everyone is rolling out their swimwear lines, but I can’t wait to get my hands on this cute suit from JCrew.

What are you most excited for this spring?

By Lesley

Tea Time

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 14:25:00 -0700

I’m not sure how or when it started, but sometime during my childhood my grandmother started taking my sisters and me to tea every Christmas. We would get dressed up - matching outfits and all - and pretend we were ladies for an afternoon. Soon after we began hosting a tea party for her in our house every year for her birthday, and as much as I loved dressing up and spending the afternoon at a fancy hotel for tea, it was so much fun spending weeks planning the menu, deciding where - the garden or the living room? - to set it up. While I’m sure our peanut butter and chocolate chip “tea sandwiches” weren’t exactly the height of sophistication, our grandmother always made a big deal about how scrumptious everything was.

When I realized one of my closest friends is turning 30 this month, I decided there was no better way to celebrate than with a ladies-only tea party. I set it up in our living room, so we could pretend we were at the Peninsula, pulled out my china and silver and bought our the entire floral section at my local Trader Joe’s. With my sweet friend Annet’s help we made the sandwiches, desserts and scones and set up the table before our guest of honor Jessica arrived. Click below for a few photos of what we did!

I took advantage of all the gorgeous flowers blooming this time of year and went a little nuts. I used different size vases for each bloom and clustered them in one corner of the table to make a pretty centerpiece. Bonus: each of the girls got to take home a posy of daffodils as a party favor!

When I originally registered for my wedding china I worried that although I was obsessed with the pattern, it might not be very versatile. I am happy to say I couldn’t have been more wrong. The abstract leafy pattern looks just as pretty on this spring-infused table as it does on a Christmas-themed one.

I love tea sandwiches - there are so many flavor combinations, and they look lovely on a simple white platter, especially when they are left open-faced. I kept it simple; these were goat cheese with Persian cucumber on white bread and pesto with roasted vegetables on egg bread. Annet also made a fantastic smoked salmon tea sandwich with a dill cream cheese spread (my favorite!).

A tea party isn’t a tea party without pound cake, and I made a Grapefruit Olive Oil version from this cookbook - the grapefruit gives it a citrus-y kick, and the olive oil is a perfect, earthy addition. It wasn’t too sweet, which I loved, and it was perfect paired with blueberries.

Scones are my favorite part of a tea party. I made traditional cream scones and added blueberries to half of them. They are traditionally served with Devonshire cream and lemon curd, but I prefer mine with raspberry jam.

By Dannye