Tramonti: Toscana

  

(Sunset over a vineyard in Tuscany)

(The centuries-old aging cellar at Castello di Verrazzono winery)

(The entrance to Amedei chocolate factory)

This Valentine’s weekend, celebrate the Amore that a sunset in Tuscany has to offer. Pick up a red Vespa (the Vespa factory is located in Tuscany) and cruise over to the Chianti Region for wine tasting.  Visit Castello di Verrazzano winery; producing wine since 1170, this family is also famous for one of its members, Giovanni Verrazzano, who discovered New York.  Before the sun sets, try Amedei chocolate, from a local chocolate maker who is said to produce some of the best chocolate in the world from cacao found in Chuao, Venezuela.

Taste Italy in your own home this weekend by making a pizza! The recipe is easy and fun to make with a group of people or with a date:

INGREDIENTS:

       Pizza Dough: trust me, it’s a lot easier to buy it

·              Central Market’s café to go section sells pizza dough at a very reasonable price, just tell them how        
             many people you are trying to feed and they will tell you how much dough you need

·                       Pillsbury also sells pizza dough and it’s available at almost any grocery store

        Other: Flour

·    

                       Pizza Ingredients: this is where you can be creative and add whatever you want!

·                     Tomato Sauce (I generally use a pasta marinara like Classico’s Tomato Basil, if I’m using sauce) you    
            can also supplement the sauce with Olive Oil if you want a lighter pizza

·                    Mozzarella, gorgonzola, or any cheese you prefer (I usually mix both of these)

·                     Parmesan (to shred on top later)

     
      Topping suggestions:

·                     Caramelized Onions

·                     Sundried tomatoes

·                   Cherry tomatoes

·                    Sautéed Mushrooms

·                    Italian sausage, cooked ahead

·                   Pepperonis

·                   Bell peppers

·                   Basil

    

     PREPARING THE PIZZA: Directions are for Central Market pizza dough. For Pillsbury dough,  
     directions can be found on the package.

     
      Preheat oven to 375 or whatever the back of the pizza dough package says

1.               1.  Prepare the countertop and a rolling pin with a sprinkling of flour

2.               2.  Place dough on the floured surface and use the rolling pin to roll the dough into desired thickness  
                and shape.

3.               3.  Transfer dough onto a flat baking sheet or pizza stone.

4.               4. Spread desired amount of tomato sauce onto the surface of the dough. If you are using olive oil,
              drizzle desired amount on top.

5.              5.  Sprinkle the mozzarella or whatever cheese your prefer on top (if you want to use cheese).

6.              6.  Add the toppings you desire and create any type of pizza you want!

    Baking Instructions:

      Place pizza in pre-heated oven and cook for 13-17 minutes

  When the pizza is ready, allow to cool for a few minutes then slice and enjoy!

Valentine's inspiration: Shades of Pink

(Chanel Spring 2010)

Whether we want to celebrate it or not, Valentine's day is just around the corner. If anything this holiday should be an excuse for girls to be girls. So make pink cupcakes (the more sprinkles the better), paint your nails with Tendresse, Chanel's perfectly pink polish, and find something feminine to wear!

Let's stay in the Ice Hotel before it melts

Once you land at Kiruna Airport in Sweden you are given warm clothes and whisked off by dog sled to this architectural masterpiece that melts every spring and is rebuilt in stages every winter. When you stay at the Ice Hotel enjoy watching the northern lights or spend time at the ICE Bar. Don't worry about missing church because there is one built into the hotel. At night, sleep in thermal blankets on blocks of ice covered in deerskin and wake up to a cup of hot lingonberry juice at your bedside. All that to say, the vacation may not be the warmest one you've ever been on but it's definitely one to remember.  

Chambray

January 2010 W Magazine

I will admit the last time I wore a denim shirt was in the mid-90’s and in the form of a button-up collared vest that I tucked into my denim jorts and paired with white Keds (which was practically my daily uniform). Hopefully that trend is buried with the other fashion faux pas of the past but I really do love the classic look of a denim shirt.  Ashley Olson wore one a few years back and the look was all over Spring 2010’s runways ranging from Ralph Lauren to Louis Vuitton. I think this chambray shirt from jcrew paired leggings may become my new (and improved) denim uniform.

A door to look forward to

(Domino Magazine)

Going outside on a cold winter day is no easy task.  Before stepping outside you have to somehow convince yourself there is a reason you are leaving your warm house with the cozy fire behind. Well I thought about it and if the door is inviting, I think leaving the house will be a lot easier. I just love the idea of painting the front door an inviting color, like turquoise. The color reminds me of summer days and the Caribbean Sea. Now if the door could just magically open up to reveal a sandy beach…

Tramonti: Barcelona

(Sunset over La Marina in Barcelona, Spain)

In Barcelona, become a part of history by stepping into Gaudi's ongoing masterpiece, La Sagrada Familia. Walk along the cobblestone streets of Carrer Moncada to the Picasso museum housed within five Gothic palaces. At sunset, enjoy the delicious paella and sangria in one of the local eateries overlooking La Marina.  

Try this recipe for a little sangria with your sunset: 

Ingredients:

1/2 cup brandy

1/4 cup lemon juice

1/3 cup frozen lemonade concentrate

1/3 cup orange juice

1 bottle red wine (a merlot or cabernet is good and the cheaper, the better)

1/2 cup triple sec

1 lemon, sliced into rounds

1 orange, sliced into rounds

1 lime, sliced into rounds

1/4 cup white sugar (optional)

a few maraschino cherries

2 cups carbonated water (optional, but I usually use champagne instead for added sweetness)

Directions:

In a large pitcher or bowl, mix together the brandy, lemon juice, lemonade concentrate, orange juice, red wine, triple sec, and sugar. Float slices of lemon, orange and lime, and maraschino cherries in the mixture. Refrigerate overnight for best flavor (but you don't have to). To make it a little more fizzy, add the club soda (or champagne) just before serving. 

Let me know how it turns out, I think I might make this for the Super Bowl!

Inspiration: silver and white

(Prada spring/summer 2010)

(Versace Spring/Summer 2010)

(Gucci Spring/Summer 2010)

It's the details that make an outfit and these pieces just make me happy!