When the price isn't right.

Weeks ago, I decided to sell my desk. I have been out of college for a few years now and have to homework to tend to – no piles of library books occupying space, and notebooks filled with research. I now only use my laptop computer, which in my mind doesn’t really need to have its own desk space. I posted my desk on craigslist and received many emails from prospective buyers. I sold it last weekend, and once it was gone, the first thing that came to my mind when I saw all the desks’ contents spread on the floor was “what now.” I hadn’t bought anything to replace the desk yet. I had the idea of using the space for an armoire or chifforobe to put away my bed and table linens, and winter sweaters. I perused a few websites for ideas but of course, my favorites were at 1000 to 1700 dollars at Pottery Barn. Yikes. I searched ebay, West Elm, Crate & Barrel, Craigslist, Ballard’s, etc for more options but always went back to PB, yearning for the sleekness and beautiful wood it had to offer. Here are pictures of the 3 armoires that enticed me:

Pottery Barn Farmhouse Chifforobe

Belvedere Armoire

Scarlett Armoire

My mother convinced me not to spend that much (I didn’t need much convincing). I opted for a mahogany-finished armoire found on Ebay at a significantly lower price (picture on right). I didn’t like the round old-fashioned knobs but I immediately thought of how much fun it would be to pick out new knobs at anthropologie. Woohoo! I clicked ‘new tab’ on my computer and started browsing away. Here are my finalists:

Which ones do you like best?

Clockwise from top left:

1) Calico Owl     

2) Gothic knob       

3) Reims knob  

4)Toscana knob  

5)Mother-of-Pearl

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gateau au yaourt

When I was little, I spent endless hours watching my grandmother mixing batter, pitting sugar plums, whisking eggs into white soft, powdery flour, rolling out sweet 'génoise' and 'pate à tarte'. It all seemed delectable, but also complex for my small hands' undertaking.
"100g de farine Manou ou 150?
Un oeuf ou trois?
On mélange comme ça?"
Measurements seemed beyond my capabilities when I was 6-7 years old. I was always distracted by the birds flying by the window, the 'cigales' singing their summer songs, or by my cousins jumping in the pool.
I tried my hands at simpler tasks like 'le gouter de 4 heures' (the 4 o'clock snack), which generally consisted of arranging sugar plums, dark narrow purple plums, and larger blue plums in a basket, and toasting 'pain de campagne' (country bread) in the oven (my grandmother did not acquire a toaster until much later) with 2 milk chocolate squares melting on top of each slice. I'd then place everything on a tray with a few glasses and a pitcher of water and a selection of 'sirops'.
The first cake I remember being successful at baking was the 'gateau au yaourt' or yogurt cake. The simple measurements and few ingredients made it easy to remember. The measurement tool: the yogurt cup. Not only is this cake fun and easy to make, it's also my favorite cake. Its airy texture makes it a light dessert, or snack, while the acidity of the yogurt makes it boast with flavor and moistness. Today, I love to jazz it up with anything I have in my cupbpard or fridge. From blueberries to chocolate, and vanilla to cinnamon, this cake can be baked to anyone's liking. Here is the 'recette':

Yogurt Cake façon AC ;)



1 single serving size yogurt (I like Emmi Plain Swiss Yogurt)
3 eggs
1/2 yogurt cup canola oil
1 yogurt cup granulated sugar
2 yogurt cups of all-purpose flour
1 vanilla bean, scraped
1 cup blueberries


Preheat oven 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients in the order they are listed above. Butter a bread pan. Pour batter in it and place it in the oven. Cook for approximately 20 minutes. Then remove from oven and let cool. I like to sift some powdered sugar over it. And voilà! Enjoy!

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Turbot with Mango Salsa

Many think it's expensive and time-consuming to cook a dinner that bursts with unique flavors. I really enjoy seafood, and if it were up to me, I would probably be eating swordfish, wild alaskan salmon, and chilean sea bass daily if my wallet could support it. Lately, however, I have been opting for less expensive fish. Turbot is my current favorite. A white fish, Turbot, when cooked just right, is flaky and fondant. Here is a recipe with summer flair to bring some color, and savor to your kitchen!

Turbot with Mango Salsa

2 manila mangoes
2 filets of Turbot
1 large sweet onion
1 cup white jasmine rice
1 lemon

Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Bring water to a boil in pot, and pour rice in. Turn heat to low and cover. Cook until soft. Dice onion and sauté in pan with some olive oil until golden. Dice mangoes and set aside. Place turbot filets in a baking dish. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and half of the freshly squeezed lemon (I like to add herbes de provence but it is optional; cilantro would be very good with this dish too). Bake for 15 minutes (until soft and flaky). Remove from oven and top with mango and onion, and more freshly squeezed lemon. Serve with rice!

[image 1 thanks to Zeetz Jones according to this license]

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When it's raining...

It's been pouring in New York City. It seems that it has been raining a lot everywhere. Atlanta, Los Angeles, Paris, London... no sun. We're 2 weeks shy from summer and people are still wearing boots, jackets, and scarves. Ah.. miséricorde!

I don't know about you but this weather makes me want to curl up in a hole (or my bed) and stay in there until the sun calls my name. However, since I am of an optimistic nature, I have decided that I am going to set aside my disillusion and disappointment and welcome the rainy days (*ahem*) with some comforting indoor activities. Here are a few ideas to help you make the most of these grueling almost-summer-yet-no-sun-to-be-found days:

#1 Host a board-game night with Cranium Wow. This fun game combines pictionary, charades, and trivia to really get the party going. Another entertaining game that triggers some hefty clowning around is Apples to Apples. I played this word association game on a rained-on camping trip in New Hampshire and I can count that moment as one of the silliest and enjoyable moments in recent years!
Bonus snack to keep everyone fueled with energy: Stacy's Simply Naked Pita Chips with Tribe 40 Spices Hummus

#2 Curl up and reminisce 1990's TV series night with Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Friends, or, what the heck, Dawson's Creek! Make delicious popcorn with this easy DIY recipe:

3 tbsp canola oil
1/3 cup corn kernels
1 3-quart covered saucepan

Heat oil in saucepan on medium/high heat. Put a few kernels in pan and cover. When kernels pop, add rest of kernels. Cover and remove from heat and count to 30 seconds. Return pan to heat. When the corn starts to pop, shake pan gently. Once popping noises start to slow down, remove from heat and put in a large bowl.

Seasoning option #1:
1 to 2 tbsp Brown sugar and cinnamon (to taste).
Seasoning #2:
3 tbsp parmesan, 1 tbsp oregano, 1 tsp sea salt.
Seasoning #3:
1 lime, squeezed. 1 to 2 tsp chili powder.


#3 Relax an unwind with a hot shower. Stimulate your senses with Yves Rocher Vanilla Body Wash, leaving skin soft, smooth, and fragrant. Then pick up a book you've been meaning to read for a while, or a book you really enjoyed and always wanted to reread. Mine is Seeing me Naked by Liza Palmer.

[image 2 thanks to {-Maria-} according to this license]

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satisfying my sweet tooth...

Fun to make and delicious to eat!

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