XOXO

My heart's in the right place. I know, 'cuz I hid it there.
- Carrie Fisher

L-O-V-E

Hope you all have a love-ly weekend! XOXO!

Photo by Noe DeWitt

Pretty in Pink

There was a time when I couldn't look at pink without picturing Pepto-Bismol or my childhood bedroom but the color is starting to grow on me. I love it when it's used in a more sophisticated way in an elegant setting such as the dining room by Suzanne Kasler above. It looks less bubble gum then. So in honor of Valentine's Day, I've put together a pretty presentation of my favorite pink pictures! XOXO!

Larry Laslo

Miles Redd

Frank de Biasi and Gene Meyer

Hal Williamson

House Beautiful

Cy Twombly

Unknown

Stella Tennant

Stronheim & Roman

Mathilde Agostinelli by Jacques Grange

Mathilde Agostinelli by Jacques Grange

Ines de la Fressange by The Selby

Steven Gambrel

Ines de la Fressange by The Selby

Kelly Wearstler

Domino

Vogue Living

Raoul Dufy

Markham Roberts

Suzanne Kasler

Unknown

Alexandra von Furstenberg

House Beautiful

Amanda Nisbet

House & Garden

Christopher Baker

Treats for My Sweets

I had a Martha moment this week and decided to make a batch of cookies to give to my friends for Valentine's Day. The recipe is based on my favorite White Chocolate, Cranberry, Macadamia cookies that I used to pick up as a special treat. Everyone enjoyed them so I thought you might like the recipe too!

White Chocolate and Cranberry Cookies

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup white chocolate chips
1 cup dried cranberries
I also added about a 1/2 cup pecans but you could add whatever nuts you like

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until smooth.
3. Beat in the egg and vanilla.
4. Combine the flour and baking soda; stir into the sugar mixture.
5. Mix in the white chocolate chips and cranberries and optional nuts.
6. Drop by the spoonful onto greased cookie sheets. I used Silpat non-stick baking mat instead.
7. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. I checked them at 9 minutes but they all seemed to take 10 minutes but this will depend on your oven. For best results, take them out while they are still doughy.
8. Allow cookies to cool for 1 minute on the cookie sheets before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
9. Enjoy!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Rose are red,

Violets are blue,

I hate Valentine's Day!

But I love you!

Photo by Francois Halard from Vogue Living: Houses, Gardens, People

Be Mine

I don't have a Valentine this year (certainly not from a lack of trying) but I'm vowing to enjoy the day anyway inspite of this fact and thought I would put together a little gift guide anyway.

If you are feeling really indulgent and want to buy your sweetheart something fabulous that also benefits a good cause, check out Sotheby's Red Auction on February 14th where you can bid on love related art from Damien Hirst, Jeff Koons, Cecily Brown and Sir Peter Blake pictured above. All proceeds of the sale will go to the United Nations Foundation to support HIV/AIDS relief programs in Africa.


Of course, you could always buy your significant other some flowers but might I suggest something more original than the usual cliche of long stemmed red roses. In fact, I hate red roses. I actually received a bouquet last year and although it was a very thoughtful gesture, it also meant he knew nothing about me. If I am required to know when his favorite sports teams are playing, why can't he take a minute to ask me what kind of flowers I like. Anyway, you can never go wrong with pink peonies or cabbage roses. Even a bouquet of hyacinths would be pretty. Believe me, think outside the box on this one!


There is no better joy in life than chocolate and if you've never tasted a Teuscher Champagne Truffle, you haven't lived! They are one of my favorites and always make a great present any time of year! But if you can't find them in your area, Marie Belle and Vosges are great alternatives. At this point, I'd settle for a Reese's Peanut Butter Heart, my ultimate guilty pleasure.

If you're single and bitter this Valentine's Day, then I suggest you check out this Love is Lame t-shirt. It might be too late to buy it to wear tomorrow, but there's always next year. Happy Valentine's Day!