Infusing grandeur into otherwise drab Monday mornings with five things/ideas/events for the week:

I.  Little compares to the beauty of nature when winter gives way to les fleurs du printemps. Though I’ve largely steered away from bouquets for dinner party tablescapes, there’s something wonderful about capturing the essence of the season with an arrangement for my nightstand.  I picked lilacs, tulips, and white stargazer lilies - a deliciously fragrant combination.  (Confession: unless I’m purchasing in bulk, Safeway is my go-to floral destination.  They last just as long as more expensive options, and I don’t have to make a special trip to a flower stand).

II. Springtime also beckons spring showers - something that the Bay Area will be doused in over the next few days.  To combat the dreariness, I’m making my favorite adaptation of the Barefoot Contessa's Roast Lemon Chicken with Croutons.  The chicken spends hours simmering in sauvignon blanc, onion, and citrus, which makes the entire house feel instantly warmer.  The best part is the leftovers for lunch!

III.  My enamorment with interior design ends with art.  I like a perfectly curated print hanging on my wall as much as the next girl, but I don’t have an eye for it (example: prior to living with an art adviser, ornately framed Botticelli and plexiglass posters of Marilyn Monroe lined my hall).  In an attempt to avoid both picking art and barren walls, I’ve taken to dimensional pieces like the butterfly installation in my dining room.  When I found Scott Coppersmith’s rustic light fixtures, I knew that they would fit in perfectly with my “art philosophy” (er… lack thereof).  I’m particularly obsessed with the world map marquee made of automotive aluminum and reclaimed wood.

IV.  Bon Appetit recently published 11 Cooking Tips with accompanying recipes.  The genius feature runs the gamut from soft scrambled eggs (with caviar - why not?) to salted chocolate chip cookies.  While some of the advice is common knowledge, you won’t waste your time flipping through the simple straight-forward article - even if just for a few reminders!

V.  “In the midst of all the air kisses are a lot of relationships that are extremely superficial.  And a lot of people don’t have the emotional support to back them up.”  This quote from a New York Post article coming on the heels of designer L'Wren Scott’s suicide resonates more than I care to admit. The advent of social media has provided a self-marketing tool that’s allowed people to reinvent their image to the world.  The problem is that these fronts becomes so convincing that there is a significant disconnect between image and reality - even to your innermost circle.  Tragedies like L'Wren’s death remind us that it’s vital to make sure that you are checking-in with the people you love - even if it seems that they have it all on Facebook and Instagram…

Have a wonderful week!  xx tt