French Kissed

~Blogging Vacation~

April 30, 2012 • Comments (26)

By the time this post goes up I will be en route…traveling most of May…

and of course the best part is spending time with my girls. My adventure got off to an early start, meeting up with Paris daughter in LA last week…lots of fun stuff going on but can’t breathe a word right now.

And before leaving the homeland…

I am squeezing in a short trip to New York where I will see my New York daughter…and as an added treat I am meeting with one of the most fascinating and admired women in the fashion/design industry.

So what am I packing?

Before my Spring sojourns, I always treat myself to a new pair of jeans and lately that means a fabulous pair of Made In Heaven denims. Believe me these jeans hug you in all of the right places and fit like a glove. Having no lycra or stretch to them…this version holds you in like a girdle…molding you to their perfectly predetermined shape…am I the only one who hates those stretch versions that let my body determine the silhouette! Whoever came up with the notion that snug fitting properly designed jeans are not comfortable just hasn’t found the right pair.

And to play up the wide flare bottoms I found the perfect pair of platform wedges by Halogen in a gorgeous shade of blue. With all of the walking and shopping I do in New York and Paris, comfortable shoes are a must and I find that wedges are a great option.

Fun, comfortable and approved as “age appropriate” for Mom by both daughters. What would I do without my iPhone camera when I am shopping alone?

I started collecting French luggage (actually made in California and not French at all) back in the mid 80s. French is no longer in business but I was lucky enough to find the shoe bag at a flea market a few years ago. I think this piece originally sold for around $800 and I remember pining away for it way back when, but boy am I glad I waited for the right time and place… I paid only $10 for it at the Ventura flea market.

It is beautifully made and has 8 pockets and with the extra room in the middle easily holds 12 pairs of shoes…or mix in belts and other accessories.

My favorite hat is another treasured travel companion…

always traveling in my carry-on because I couldn’t bear to lose it.

I love it when other bloggers post about beauty products and I wanted to share with you something else that always goes with me. This self tanner is the best I have ever tried and looks so natural. My husband and I have a tandem and bike year round in Santa Barbara…without this little secret my bike shorts can be pretty intimidating thru the Winter months. With Tantasia legs look as golden in January as they do in July.

I’ve been blogging since October of 2008 without taking an official blogging vacation… I think it’s time to take a few weeks off and with a jam packed May this seems like the perfect opportunity. I am planning on being back with all new posts in June.

Wishing you all a blissful month of May!

~French Alchemy & Sorrel Elixir~

April 23, 2012 • Comments (18)

Abundant patches of deep green…

French Sorrel

pushing its way up through the garden soil is a sure sign that Spring has arrived.

This lowly garden herb has a long European history of detoxifying powers…gladly welcomed after a long winter of heavy eating and preserved foods.

A little culinary Alchemy and this tangy lemony herb magically transforms into a delicious cleansing elixir...

French Sorrel Soup

one of our favorite springtime indulgences here at French Kissed.

Fresh tied bundles plucked from our local Santa Barbara Farmer’s Market…

and while indulging, we might as well bring out

the cloth napkins and our favorite monogrammed soup spoons even for this humble little feast.

And we will also be using our antique Wedgwood Patrician

Torbay

green soup bowls.

I only have bowls but would so love to add to this collection some day.

It makes me feel healthier and cleansed just looking at this delightful springtime offering.

Below, you will find my altered Vegan

Recipe…

serve with salad and some rustic bread and you have a wonderful springtime supper.

I pulled this serving tray from the shelf for our gluten free bread…

appropriately entitled

Printemps

Rosenthal

~~~~~~~

Traditional French recipes may include chicken stock, cream and eggs, but this Vegan version that I put together is altogether rich and satisfying. I also use all organic ingredients.

2 large bunches of Fresh Sorrel

1 medium yellow onion

5 ribs celery

6 cups organic vegetable broth

3 tbs. olive oil

2 sm/med russet potatoes

salt to taste

Peel and dice potatoes into 1 inch cubes and cook in water until soft but not mushy…don’t overcook. Drain water off and set aside. To large stock pot add olive oil and rough chopped onions and celery. Sauté until celery and onions are soft Add washed, roughly chopped sorrel (stems removed) and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and cook 15 minutes. Add in cooked potatoes and purée in stock pot with hand held blender until smooth.

Here a fresh sorrel leaf is the garnish, but for a non Vegan rendition a dollop of sour cream or creme fraiche is rather nice.

***

Bon Appétit

Comments (18) / Posted in: ANTIQUES • Fabulous Foods • Garden / Tagged: Printemps Rosenthal Sorrel Soup Wedgwood Torbay

~My Space~

April 17, 2012 • Comments (21)

Every woman needs a space of her own…make that multiple spaces…her own closet, her own bathroom and her own home office.

My office is really my MacBook that travels with me from room to room, city to city, and country to country. I rarely work specifically from my home office, but it’s far more photogenic than a Mac so if you like I will take you on a little tour.