Copper cups and mugs: The warm glow of copper adds so much character to a kitchen, we love the idea of putting it on the dinner table as well. A few of our favorite copper drinking vessels come from Dot & Bo (left) and Napa Style (right). If you want to test drive the Napa Style ones, they use them for drinking water on the tables at Michael Chiarello’s fantastic Yountville restaurant, Bottega.
The writings of M.F.K. Fisher: A food writer before food writing was so popular, M.F.K. Fisher published from 1937 until her death in 1992. An avid traveller and voracious eater, her prose is poetic but accessible, and categorizing her as a “food writer” doesn’t properly convey the variety of styles that her bod of work encompasses. We especially love her philosophy on dinner party guests, from Serve it Forth (Harper 1937):
Dining partners, regardless of gender, social standing, or the years they’ve lived, should be chosen for their ability to eat – and drink! – with the right mixture of abandon and restraint. They should enjoy food, and look upon its preparation and its degustation as one of the human arts. They should relish the accompanying drinks, whether they be ale from a bottle on a hillside or the ripe bouquet of a Chambertin 1919 in a crystal globe on finest damask.
Vintage red, white and blue sofa: Ok, we know this is a day late, but we’re still feeling patriotic! And we had to share this vintage sofa that’s been re-upholstered in red, white and blue fabric? Add some navy or neutral pillows, keep the rest of the decor simple, and you’ve got a memorable statement piece.
Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes: Starting to notice your regular makeup isn’t holding up to the summer heat? We love this fantastic eyeliner (in tons of great colors) which goes on ultra creamy, doesn’t smudge once set and lasts all day.
Watermelon Agua Fresca: If you’ve never had it, agua fresca (literally translated as “fresh water” from Spanish) is a cool drink made from fruits like cantaloupe and strawberry, flowers like hibiscus and even a combination of rice and cinnamon called horchata. Carla is lucky enough to have many Latin restaurants in the SF area with rotating options for these refreshing brews, but it’s not at all difficult to make yourself!
We wouldn’t say no to one of these classic agua fresca barrels (Only $20 at World Market!) either…
Shop Goodwill: Ever been jealous of other people’s fantastic vintage finds in thrift stores around the country? Big cities tend to be lacking in both inventory and great deals since folks are always scouring the goods. We just discovered that Goodwill stores from across the country have started to contribute some of their items for an online auction site and the deals are FANTASTIC. We’ve added some of our favorites here:
A 9 piece Fred Press cocktail glass set in decent condition. Current bid? EIGHTEEN DOLLARS. (We found a similar set on Etsy for $80.)
TEN DOLLAR current bid for this milk glass ruffled cake stand! (Similar on Etsy for $55.)
