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

I.  My spectacularly talented friend, Catherine Kwong, is featured this week on One Kings Lane’s Tastemaker Tag Sale series.  Catherine launched her career designing shops for Ralph Lauren, and now creates luxe interiors all over the world.  I can’t wait to take a peek at her pieces on OKL!!

II.  I’m smitten with this chandelier made of canning jars.  The industrial glasses, used to create jams, preserves, and pickles provide the perfect kitchen aesthetic.  I’m counting on the pendant to make a major impact for a shockingly small price.

III.  A fan of an elegantly appointed monogram as much as the next girl, lately I find myself a bit tired of obvious stand-alone initials.  This clever linen guest towel provides a subtle alternative by disguising the letters in the skin of a zebra.  Pre-order them now for holiday gifts!

IV.  I’m headed to Southern California this week to chase the sun, which means that I’ll miss Balboa’s much-lauded Chicken Paillard night on Wednesday.  But that doesn’t mean I will be skipping out on my weekly tradition…  Instead, I plan to make the delicious breaded chicken in Marsala wine sauce for my friends down south with my recipe hack.  Crisis averted!

V.  It’s difficult to grasp that we are headed toward the end of summer, wasn’t it just June?!  While my friends and I put together plans for Labor Day, the call of Lake Tahoe sounded fiercely.  If, like us, you will be headed up there to savor the last of the summer, make sure to stop by Maria’s Mexican Tacos in Auburn!  The carnitas and al pastor are to die for.

Have a wonderful week!!  xx tt