misa en place

Some would say that once you’re a certain age, you should stop wearing silly t-shirts. I heartily disagree (I should note that I am by most definitions at that “certain age”). As long as the fit is excellent and the rest of your outfit kitsch free, I think they add a bit of fun.  They work great under a blazer or over a plain pencil skirt with high heels.  So today’s pick is a whimsical t-shirt designed by artist Jose Pulido.

Etsy Gold: Flying Boston Terrier Shirt by MisNopalesArt.  Price: $17.

Note: If Boston Terriers aren’t your bag, there are lots of other fun dog breeds and animals to choose from.  This particular shirt is in honor of all the wonderful, ball obsessed BTs that I know.

Flying Boston Terrier Shirt from MisNopalesArt

It’s a dress, a hoodie, and a t-shirt, oh my!  A dress that’s both fashion-forward and comfortable – does it get any better?  Oh wait, yes it does: the dress has pockets.  Unlike the name of the designer’s line, this little number will make you want to put your clothes on.  I think I may just have to order one…

Etsy Gold: The T-shirt dress by takeoffyourclothes.  Price: $80

T-shirt Dress by takeoffyourclothes

Etsy Gold: Matte Gold Drop Earrings from Shlomitofir. Price: $18

Beautifully simple jewelry handcrafted in Israel. This is but one example. I ordered a few pieces from this seller several months ago and am very pleased with them.  Her work is well-made, easy to wear, and way classier than ghetto gold (though there’s a place for that too, of course).  She also packages her wares very nicely, so this would be a great seller to buy a gift from. I believe her prices are quite fair, and if you’ve ever tried to make a pair of earrings or a necklace yourself, I think you’d agree.  So enjoy her lovely jewelry and her gorgeous models.  And remember, Gold is the new Silver.

Matte Gold Earrings by Shlomitofir

Today’s Etsy Gold is a beautiful, handcrafted, cashmere coat from yystudio, a small design studio in the UK.  Price: $368

This coat is 95% cashmere, made to your size, and looks super classy. More like a coat with a dress’s style cues, it’s a statement piece that slips easily into your everyday wardrobe.  While I know the price seems steep at first glance, think about the last time you had something made to your exact measurements.  Now consider what you paid for your last wool coat at Banana Republic, JCrew, or Anthropologie.  My guess is the price difference isn’t that great.  And I bet this one will last longer.

Did I mention that it’s also lined in silk, not nylon or polyester acetate?  One thing I learned in fashion school at Bocconi is that cheap synthetic lining makes the garment “hang” poorly on you, not to mention makes you more likely to sweat and smell.  Even if this isn’t the coat for you, check out the tag to see what the lining is made of the next time you’re shopping for a coat or blazer.  If you find one with a silk liner, try it on and see if you can tell the difference.

Cashmere & Silk Trench from yystudio

Dear reader(s),

I realize I have been horribly inconsistent in my writing on the blog. So sorry. As part of my 2010 6-month plan (thank you, Tim Ferriss), one of my goals requires that I be committed to the blog. And what better way to do that than through one of my obsessions in 2009: Etsy, a marketplace for independent crafters, artisans, and designers.  I spent a lot of time on Etsy during the distance-wedding planning months and have never kicked the habit. Through Etsy I can bring to the blog another promised, but undelivered element: fashion (and by relation, design).

Several friends have commented that it’s difficult to find real treasures on Etsy due to the the sheer number of sellers. I agree. But the similarity ends there. Do you spend an unnecessary amount of time mining Etsy, looking for nothing in particular? No, I didn’t think so.  Let my habit become a timesaver/eye-candy/perfect gift for you.  Without further ado, I present to you my picks on Etsy.

First pick: Hand-knit cable fingerless gloves (can you tell it’s snowing here?) by homelab.  Price: $39

Available in a variety of colors and hand-knitted to order, I’ve had my eye on these for months. Given the resurgence of 80s fashion, I think these would be a perfect way to bring a little of edge to your wardrobe.  Just keep in mind rule #1 of fashion and you’ll be hot to trot: Only one set of appendages should be clad in 6+ inches of knitted goodness. In other words, leave your legwarmers at home when you rock these. Unless, of course, you happen to be starring in the remake of Flash Dance.

Fingerless gloves by homelab

Carissimi,

Labor Day has passed, the short week has left me wondering what day it really is, the kids are back on the playground while the principal is on the PA, and though the leaves have not turned (nor will they ever) it is autunno. The evening still feels cozy as we listen to Mimicking Birds and I peruse picture books while the leftovers heat up. The only real work going on is the Epicuro taste-off, which is probably the most enjoyable and most important work I’ve gotten done today

First step in the booged-out Italian wine project, look at this photo:

One of these is things is not like the other...

I have two bottles of the always reliable Epicuro label open: the Aglianico of 2007 and the Salice Salentino of 2005. The Aglianico is my recent favorite (to help me over the urge to open my precious bottles of Chariot Gypsy) and the Salice seemed the next obvious choice. Was not a huge fan of the Nero d’Avola, despite many recommendations.

If you carefully examine the picture above, you will notice that one bottle seems a bit more empty…. The Aglianico is an amazingly drinkable red that also pairs nicely with food that straddles the border between late summer and early fall. Tomatoes, eggplants, late summer squash, and some leafy greens. It is pairing wonderfully with this mac & goat cheese + swiss chard. The Salentino, on the other hand, is less drinkable and might need a more robust pairing with grilled meats or hearty stews. Have to confirm that later when I go kill my own wild boar and make a September sugo.

A presto,
SAC

Carissimi,
It has been a long day of dissertating, which merits a nice glass of wine alongside the piles of books and fitfully scribbled notes per a recent discussion with my professor. The weather is taking a turn and starting to cool down (I hope for good) and the days seem to be shorter. Took a run/hike in Griffith park after a theory-induced headache had set in: the air had a crispness and the light had an amber quality that reminded me that it is already September. Tonight I am enjoying a new Malbec find from Fresh & Easy – the 2008 Ambas Malbec for $4.99.

books and booze

This completely blows my last TJ’s Malbec find (Black Mountain) out of the barrel for just a dollar more. Upon opening I got an immediate whiff of cinnamon spiciness and vanilla, perfect for my spicy margherita pizza con rucola or for the leftover peach/blackberry crisp in the fridge. Very versatile. Best wishes to everyone on the slow transition to bigger reds as the cooler weather begins to taunt us.
A presto,
SAC

Carissimi,

It is almost the end of summer and it is sad to say I have not been keeping up with my vinoblogging duties. Either too busy or too busy drinking. Summer started off with the sensational find of the Chariot Gypsy: glad that I bought almost a case and am now hoarding it in the closet. Problem? I want to drink it all the time. Suitable replacements a must at this point if I am going to make it through that harsh LA winter (hilarious, I know) with a nice stash of damn-good drinking red. Question now? What to drink when it is in the 80s and humid and my red wines have to snooze in the fridge to reach drinkable temperature? I’ve been consistently turning to one $4 wine from Trader Joe’s: a French SauvBlanc – Kiwi Cuvée (2007).

It hails from the Loire Valley and its label says “grassy and gooseberry aromas,” which I have to confirm and “luf.” Since I have recently lowered my purchasing limit to $5, this wine is an excellent value that satisfies my craving for a New Zealand-style SB. I do not know how long the hot weather and wildfires will last but perhaps I should snatch up a case of this in case the Santa Ana winds appear in September.

A presto,
SAC

Carissimi,
Allora, it is true that I spent a good deal of March traveling in the UK and then on to Milano to visit MM herself. Needless to say we partook in a lot of culinary adventures and old favorites, and I drank my way through several lunchtime house wines and stumbled upon a reasonably priced Barolo. Though, I have to say, the standout wines of my entire trip were some amazing Malbecs had in England that either renewed or sparked my interest in them. Upon my return, I’ve tried the $3 Black Mountain from TJs and found it (both times) extremely “bechy.” So tonight, on my whim shopping trip to Whole Foods because they were donating a portion to my favorite public radio station KCRW, I “splurged” on a $7 Vida Organica 2008 Malbec from Argentina. You know, for philanthropy. Which do I prefer? Surprisingly, the Black Mountain has more of that plummy, jammy flavor that I am coming to luf (aka “love”). I have to give credit to MM for the Malbec interest… only in my old age (of 29) have I truly come to appreciate the ‘Bechs.
A presto (ve lo giuro),
SAC

Josh and I made it in for the last day of Carnevale in Venice.  Amazing – like halloween, but more exotic.