THANKFUL FOR BRIE EN CROUTE

Cozy-Cluster-Cuss

LOVE

My Kate with 8-month-old Finn.


Lady Walsh with 7-week-old Leo.

New Kicks!

Keds for Opening Ceremony. It's a good thing.

Commune

Is there a better place to kick start your holiday shopping than Community Shop featuring "American Products Made By Real People"? I think not. After sampling the L'Oeil de Vert perfume, flipping through vintage copies of The House Book (1974), opening and closing Alma Allen canisters, adorning myself with rings by Kathryn Bentley and digging through a basket of hand knitted slippers made by "a knitting collective in the valley," my creative juices were really flowing.

And sure to be one of the hottest gifts of the holiday season, my dear friend Clare Vivier debuted her laptop clutches in the most buttery leather I have ever touched! I think I'll have to pick one up for myself before I head out to Art Basel Miami Beach in a week.

Afternoon Delights

How happy would you be to receive one of these babies, loaded up with local produce, honey, wine, bread and more? My lovely amigas, Holly and Becky (the visionaries behind Holly Flora) have expanded their horizons into the world of deliverable gift baskets. Just in time for the holiday season....

Read more HERE.

Side note: how gorgeous are these peonies? it's too much! click to enlarge - trust me, do it.

Major hotel love

At the behest of my unofficial travel guru and dear amiga Sherry Walsh, we paid a visit to La Casa Que Canta a beautiful hotel in Zihuatanejo, Mexico. A mere three hours away from L.A., this is my new favorite spot on the planet. Our room, our terrace...

Floating

MEXICO

Today my beloved and I depart for Mexico, a place I have wanted to visit ever since becoming enamored by Frida Kahlo and the Mexican muralists while studying them in college. Can't wait for relaxation and inspiration. See y'all next week.
xxHBT

A Good Cause + Best Holiday Shopping Ever?

I'm super excited about BOOKMEAT (great name, huh?), a fantastic fundraiser on November 21, which benefits Side Street Projects, a completely-mobile, artist-run nonprofit organization. Their mission is to give artists of all ages the ability and the means to support their creative endeavors. That's a great mission.



I love the idea behind BOOKMEAT - 200 celebrated artists, writers, and curators have donated a book from their personal collection that's important to their practice. Books are autographed by the contributor and include a secret inscription (for the buyer's eyes only) explaining the book's significance. Most starting bids are $75.

Books have been donated by some local heavy hitters including: Mark Bradford, Charlotte Cotton, Ken Gonzales-Day, Barry McGee, Laura Owens, Jennifer Steinkamp, Pae White, Charlie White and many more.

And just because Laura Owens' pieces are particularly soul soothing, I leave you with one of my favorite images...



(via Artnet)

A SINGLE MAN

Went to a screening of Tom Ford's feature film, A Single Man, last night in Beverly Hills. There's a lot to say about Ford's directorial debut, some good and some bad, but what I'll say right now is this:

Production design porn. Big time!!!!!!

Time for cashmere and trench coats

It's getting chilly outside! Time to bring out the winter* gear.

*in LA-speak that means a trench and a cashmere scarf.

(via The Sartorialist)

Cozy Weekend

How dreamy is this photo of a 1840s farmhouse in Walton, N.Y.? I die.

Wishing everyone a particularly warm and cozy weekend. After our gallery opening tonight, I'll be able to relax for a bit and fully plan on farmers market-ing, hiking, newyorktimes-ing and baking some apple cider donuts(!!!!!) this weekend. Expect a full report next week! xoxox

In the meantime, you can drool over the whole gorgeous farmhouse spread here, via the New York Times.

How 'bout some breakfast in Ojai?

Maybe some warm and cozy chai paired with huevos rancheros at The Farmer and the Cook?





Or perhaps some traditional and perfect buttermilk pancakes at Bonnie Lu's?

La Super-Rica Taqueria

Julia Child's favorite taco stand is now my favorite too. La Super-Rica in sunny Santa Barbara lived up to all the hype. Delicious tacos, tamales and the best horchata I have ever tasted. Can't wait to go back!

"The Love Shack"

We have officially found heaven on earth in Ojai - "The Love Shack" redefines cozy and the promise of returning to this little cabin will get me through anything!! Nestled in the peaceful mountains along a roaring creek, this is truly the stuff dreams are made of.

It's a good thing...

If you're seeking a wholly satisfying baking experience, I highly suggest that you buy some bananas, wait patiently for them to ripen and then proceed to make a batch of Banana Crunch Muffins. My little sister made them last week and gave me the same advice, which I dutifully followed. The result was a happy baker (me) and very happy friends (Jeana). Seriously, these muffins are kind of over the top.