July has its moment

  When my kids were young we read Tasha Tudor's book A Time to Keep until the pages were totally worn. There was something so soothing about the old fashioned illustrations and the month by month activities that brought a year full circle. We always wanted to get to our favorite month July for the fireworks, picnics, and long days. This July, we're staying close to home and so we have a renewed interest in what's going on in our own backyard. On the 4th, we walked into our hometown and saw amazing fireworks-it was so great not to be stuck in beach traffic! The next day we walked around Philadelphia and had a civilized breakfast-no crowds-outside at one of our favorite spots. Getting away for holidays is nice but who says it has to be far? Sometimes the best things are right in your own backyard.

Walking around the city I'm always intrigued by the lovely planters and window boxes that seem to be at their best during July. Not to mention the help their getting from the tropical weather that we've been experiencing on the east coast.

The Metropolitan Cafe www.metropolitanbakery.com Rittenhouse Square

 

The Metropolitan's coffee is so good. We had a millet muffin, bagel, and pecan pastry and had no trouble cleaning our plates.

This vertical garden graces the wall at Metropolitan Cafe.

Walking around Rittenhouse Square Park we noticed flags here and there from the 4th celebrations, but this one stood out.

July is a wonderful combination of patriotism and nature.

More beautiful flower boxes...I'm definitely taking notes.

Local farmers gather in the Square www.farmtocity.org/FarmersMarkets.asp to sell everything from fresh cut flowers, beeswax candles, homemade ice pops (the lime and mint and pineapple and basil were declicious!) and fresh produce. Oh and I can't forget to mention the most delicious confectioners from John and Kira's Chocolate.

All stripes on deck

Now that summer is here I have more time to catch up on the NY Times fashion section and see what's what for the upcoming trends. For the past few seasons - or actually years, stripes have been everywhere. At one point it was hard for me to find an article of clothing without some sort of a stripe in the pattern. As I looked at some of the resort shows it was apparent that sailor looks are going to be really big and like the stripe-everywhere in the upcoming collections. I had a quick flashback to Downton Abbey when the Edwardian clothes began to soften and sailor collars and wider collars in general became popular. There is something so chic about a well done sailor collar that incorporates a youthful vibe without the cutesy uniform idea. It's always interesting to me to see how these trends emerge and how they will speak to the mainstream of fashion. I suppose if sailor is in then we will probably see lots of great pea coats too.

A little cake with those strawberries?

My daughter found this Strawberry Summer Cake recipe on a blog she likes called Smitten Kitchen http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/. This above picture was taken after we made it a second time
(first time for my birthday) to bring to a friend's dinner party.  This recipe is really easy and if you want to taste primarily fruit not cake- this is perfect. We used organic strawberries from Whole Foods- it's better to pay the extra money for organic strawberries- better for you and the environment. 

This is before the powdered sugar was added. The slightly sweet whipped cream was a nice touch and added a bit of elegance to the presentation.

The Sweetest Things

When I woke this morning I almost forgot it was my birthday until my eyes led me to the kitchen table where there were homemade cards propped up perfectly from my family.  I also got a text from my sister this morning. These sweet simple things are what make birthdays special. Reading those cards brought tears to my eyes- which isn't hard to do these days- but this time it was a feeling that the power of a simple heartfelt phrase or drawn flower can make such a big- no HUGE difference in someone's day- it did mine. Thanks guys- you're the best. I love your artistic endeavors!

Halcyon Days of Summer

When the first day of summer arrives it does so with a calm and untroubled table of contents. It goes something like this: read, go to the beach, read some more, eat fresh salads, take long walks, see some blockbusters, and get in touch with family and friends. Not very ambitious I know but to me that's what summer is all about. Last week and part of this one I was not feeling up for much so I finished Drowning Ruth by Christina Schwarz. Told in alternating tandem between two characters a story unfolds about the result of one unfortunate night when a young woman disappears. The characters connection is continually strained by memories of a young girl who is unable to piece things together and the aunt who wants to keep it that way.
My latest library finds:

Art in the Park NYC

Yesterday my daughter and I went to NYC and on our way to Soho we stopped at Madison Square Park and discovered an unusual and massive art exhibit by artist Orly Genger inside the park http://www.nytimes.com. My daughter knew about Genger's work and had read about the installation but actually witnessing the display of 1.4 million feet of nautical rope was really amazing to say the least.

As you are about to enter the park, you catch a glimpse of blue rope but can't imagine what's in store.

Reading Balenciaga

 It's true that I have an affinity for fashion or rather beautifully made clothes that I must have picked up being from a retailing background. Working in a retailing store was rewarding for one reason- I learned to tell a good garment from a bad one. Besides that, I never really liked the whole idea of working in fashion and talking about clothes much. I almost felt that it was a bit shallow when there was so much more in the world to be interested in. But now in perspective- I really do appreciate all that I learned from my retail experiences. Although my clothing selection is mostly department store items- and really I wouldn't want it any other way- I still enjoy reading about the designers who changed everything in the world of high fashion.
After reading Balenciaga by Mary Blume it struck me immediately the dichotomy between designers in today's world compared to those in the past. When Christobal Balenciaga designed during the 20, 30s and forward, there was a mysterious quality to his work and to his reticent personality. He was loved by many but only really known by few. To say he kept a low profile is an understatement-and  he seemed to keep all of his energy for keen details in his sought after designs. There are instances when he would be at lunch with a woman for whom he designed a suit and would prompltly ask her to remove her jacket so that he could redo the sleeves until they fit more proplerly. Now that's a bit obsessive but that's the reason Dior and Givenchy and others referred to him as the master of us all.  Blume, through a series of lunches with Balenciaga's right hand assistant, Florette Chalot, is able to construct an interesting story of one of the greatest designers of high fashion. On an end note- I do have a little joke with my kids and it goes something like this...."Mom, someday when we're all out working and making our own money- we'll buy you and dad something really great." My response...I'll take a Balenciaga dress or two!
Next on the reading list- Drowning Ruth Christina Schwarz