A Love Letter to Totokaelo

While in Seattle, I had the opportunity to visit Totokaelo. Their beautiful website, chock full of drool-worthy clothes, shoes, and jewels, had me crushing from afar, so I had high hopes for the actual shop, located on 10th Ave. between Pike and Pine. It didn't disappoint. The beautiful, light-filled space, impeccably edited assortment of treasures, and warm, friendly staff made for one of the most positive shopping experiences I have ever had. Post-visit, Christine, the store director, followed up with a couple of really nice emails, and I was surprised at the details she remembered from our conversation. The level of customer service was really impressive and refreshing.  I ended up going twice in a three-day period, taking home a Raquel Allegra dress and two beautiful ceramic mugs that I am absolutely in love with.

The gorgeousness starts with the door:

It was hard to peel my eyes (and hands) away from the amazing home selection at the front of the shop. You can check out the selection of housewares  and decorative objects at Totokaelo Art-Object.

If you're in the area, you might as well stop by Oddfellows for the deliciously decadent Brioche French toast . . .

 . . . and you absolutely cannot skip a trip to the Elliott Bay Book Company. Be prepared to spend hours perusing the titles and reading the handwritten book reviews sandwiched between the thoughtfully selected tomes that line its  shelves. 

Thanks, Totokaelo! I hope to be back soon. In the meantime, I will be stalking your websites per usual. More Seattle highlights to come . . .

Sunday Linkage: Let's Go Back to Big Sur

My trip to Big Sur last September was nothing short of magical, and a sojourn I hope to repeat many times over in my life. Though I'm not sure I'll be able to make it back this year, flipping through the photos rekindles the odd sensation that came over me while traversing this place that felt wild and removed in an edge-of-the-world kind of way that all at once makes you completely forget your life, while recognizing all the strange possibilities in it. Some snapshots and links to favorite spots:

Amid towering redwoods, waves pounding windswept, driftwood-strewn beaches, and dense fog, you can't help but feel connected with nature and simultaneously frightened by it.

The food was fresh and delightful. We couldn't get enough of Big Sur Bakery, and ended up getting their amazing cookbook, which offers a glimpse into a year in the life of the bakery.

Would love to stay at one of the lovely cottages at Deetjens next time around. We were able to go for brunch though and wandered around the grounds for a bit, checking out the cozy cabins.

Spent an afternoon browsing at the Henry Miller Library. We were bummed to find out that Fleet Foxes had just played a show there shortly before we arrived. Helplessness Blues was the perfect soundtrack for our trip, and it's no wonder -- I later found out that Robin Pecknold wrote part of the album at the guest house here. 

Holiday Gift Guide: Nesting Edition

I've been browsing Terrain all week, adding, deleting, then re-adding lovely home finds to my shopping cart. They've got such great things at the moment it's hard to decide what to gift (and what to keep for oneself). Since I don't actually celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah, my list is usually limited to bf, a few friends and colleagues. Here are some nifty little gifts and stocking stuffers to encourage nesting this winter. 


Bellocq's Majorelle Mint Tea sounds (and looks) heavenly. Considering cheating on my Mariage Frères Casablanca to try it.

A stovetop popcorn popper. Apparently microwave popcorn releases harmful chemicals when cooked, so for those movie nights in with the ones you love, consider this is a gift that keeps on giving. At $35 it's not terribly expensive, either.

Breakfast together is better with a sampler of Vermont maple syrups. Set of four, $28.

Who wouldn't want the scent of apples and cinnamon wafting through their home? Spicy Apple Tea Lights, $12 for a set of 6.

Images: shopterrain.com

Sunday Linkage: Autumn Moods

In which we take a break from shopping to gaze at pretty pictures and read about things that caught my fancy this week.

I'm slowly recovering from a marvelous weekend of feasting and merrymaking and not quite ready to face the week. Some autumnal hankerings to distract myself from the thought of a looming Monday:

Each Fall, I refuse to go apple picking for the simple (albeit ridiculous) reason that everyone and their ma is doing it. I would, however, make an exception if I could cart my apples home like this:

via love with the proper stranger

Oven Roasted French Toast Soufflé, I would go to LA just to eat you. Should I be concerned that after having consumed four slices of pizza and a nutella crepe, the sight of this still makes me ravenous? Something about Fall makes me turn into an insatiable food monster, devouring every syrup-laden breakfast that comes my way. Justification: storing fat for winter!

via oh joy!

My next Eurotrip (Paris + Amsterdam next year, fingers crossed!) needs to include a detour to the Dordogne to wander through the enchanting Gardens of Marqueyssac. The thought of autumn there makes me swoon.

via coolist

Hope you have a great week!

Cuisine Art: Food Stylist Helen Dujardin

I did it! I FINALLY kicked the stupefying illness that had plagued me for two agonizing weeks. To celebrate the return of my tastebuds, I made haste for my favorite food blogs in search of some mouthwatering inspiration. I frequent these sites as much for their delectable delights as for the beautiful photography, and was overjoyed to discover that Helen Dujardin of Tartelette actually sells her food photos on Etsy, so you can plaster her hunger-inducing food porn all over your kitchen walls. Some prints currently on offer:

Comforting chocolat chaud for your white winter. Cocoa and Marshmallows, $35 for an 8x12 print.  I've been looking for white silverware like the spoons pictured here and am dying to know where I can get them. For Helen's traditional family chocolat chaud recipe, head on over to the blog.

Beautifully tarnished forks. Let's Eat, $35 for an 8x12.

Perfectly arranged Pears, $35 for an 8x12.

To see more of Helen's beautiful work, check out her website, Helen Dujardin Food Styling and Photography.

Photos: Helen Dujardin

Kitchen Obsession: Morris Kitchen Ginger Syrup

Bf gifted me with a bottle of Morris Kitchen Ginger Syrup as one of my holiday presents, and I am now a complete and total junkie. Though it has many uses, he first had me try it as a homemade ginger ale by mixing it with a glass of seltzer.  I really don't like the taste of ginger in foods, so it was with a bit of trepidation that I took my first sip, hoping I wouldn't betray myself with a wince -- he was so adorably excited about it and I didn't want to disappoint. 

As it turned out, I had nothing to worry about, because it was one of the most refreshing beverages I'd ever tasted in my life. It imparted a cool, clean aftertaste and provided an instant perking up, which I sorely needed. I was exhausted after spending a cold, sleepless night sans heat in the apartment, and after just a few sips of the stuff I suddenly felt awake, alert, and ready for the evening's festivities. I drank it as a tea the next day by mixing it with hot water, and I swear it cleared up my sinuses. I've since been referring to it as "magic syrup" and consider adding to it to just about everything I consume in liquid form. The only thing keeping me from trying is the thought of it running out. When I gushed about it to my grandmother, she asked me to bring it back to DC with me so that she might try it and I actually hesitated. You know something's got you hopelessly hooked when you won't even share it with your sweet old gran.

The potion is made and sold by Brooklyn-based siblings Tyler and Kari Morris, who also happen to be friends of a friend (thanks, Colleen!), and was so popular at the Greenpoint food market that it completely sold out in just a few hours. It's currently sold only through Marlow and Daughters in Williamsburg for $10 a bottle.

A visit to the Morris Kitchen website reveals the syrup's many culinary uses, with recipes for mouth-watering dishes that sound tantalizing even to the ginger-averse: lemon ginger baked chicken, tamari ginger glazed salmon, gingered pear crisp, and ginger shortbread cookies. Kari also mentions that they're working on a boiled apple cider syrup, which, I'm convinced, I will hoard even more selfishly.

I'm a sucker for great packaging, and theirs is lovely.

Photo: www.morriskitchennyc.com

Sunday Linkage: Francoise Fest, Cedric Bihr's Wintry Wonders, and Macaron Mania

In which we take a break from shopping to gaze at pretty pictures and read about things that caught my fancy this week.

My dad was a huge Francoise Hardy fan so I grew up listening to her records long before I came to know her as a fashion icon. She was one of my first girl crushes, and when I saw that 1945 posted a video of her singing Devi Ritornare, it got me hankering for more (and those trademark bangs). Here's a mini Francoise fest for you:

This one was my favorite as a kid:

 

 

I just discovered Cédric Bihr's lovely winterscapes through {this is glamorous}. Though they're of cold and desolate scenes, there's an element of fantasy to them.

 

 

 

While we're sticking to the French, I may as well parlay it into yet another opportunity to talk macarons. Face it -- they're the new cupcakes. I can't really participate in the heated Ladurée vs. Pierre Hermé debate (there's even a Facebook page devoted to the macaron war), being that I've only tried the former, but I hope to make it back to Paree sometime soon so that I may judge for myself.

It's no wonder Sofia Coppola used Ladurée for Marie Antoinette. In case it's not fancy enough for you, however, you could always go for the special edition gold leaf Marni collab.

via Flickr

 via Flickr

Pretty, pretty boxes.

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Please start a stateside delivery service. NYC needs you. I'm still heartbroken after plans to open a shop inside the Plaza Hotel never materialized.

via Flickr