Scent of the Month

This month's scent is Penhaligon's Lily & Spice. Described as 'sensual and edgy... Saffron, the world's most expensive spice, earthy and warm, wraps itself around the oozing sweetness of White Madonna Lily. The final effect is remarkable, outrageously beautiful, dark, sweet, earthy and creamy'.

Clockwise from top left: jumpsuit, scent, hooded scarf, bag, heels, necklace, eyeliner, bracelet

Interior Design Inspiration: A Hippie Chic Big Sur Hideaway

Clockwise from top left: lamp, wreath, purple chair & ottoman, rug, cabinet, firewood holder, green chair, coffee table, throw

Favorite Beaches - Zuma Beach

Zuma Beach is one of our favorites in California - easily the most accessible in Malibu, this beach is also clean, open, and visually stunning.  Though the drive up Highway 1 can be long and congested, it's always worth it to get to a beach where we can swim, sun, and surf.  We love this beach even after the summer heat dies down...  It's very walkable, with soft sand, and beautiful views up and down the coast.  The beach has a parking lot which charges a fee, but there's also street parking if you're willing to make the extra effort to find a spot.

Style Icon: Ali MacGraw

Like her fellow Style Icon Lauren Bacall, Ali MacGraw was discovered by Diana Vreeland, starting her career as an assistant to the legendary editor at Harper's Bazaar, before moving on to modeling and eventually acting.  Ali has a unique, dark beauty, and an American style that's influenced by everything from her Connecticut upbringing, to her time in the New York City fashion world, to her life as a Hollywood star, and now her retirement in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  Famously married to producer Robert Evans and then actor Steve McQueen, Ali's personal life and strength have always been as compelling as her films.

 

 

Recipe: Earl Grey Tea Cake

Now that fall is here, it's finally getting cool enough for us to resume one of our favorite hobbies: baking.  This tea cake is a great option, since it can be eaten as a breakfast, dessert, or afternoon snack, and it has just enough spice to taste slightly autumnal before we get too pumpkin crazy.  This recipe has been adapted for US bakers from the UK edition of Jamie Oliver's Jamie's Great Britain.

Ingredients:

6 bags of good quality Earl Grey tea
1/2 cup each of raisins, currants, and sultanas - or whatever dried fruit/berries you prefer
1.5 cups sugar
3 cups flour
1.5 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 egg 
1 orange
1 lemon
1/2 tsp all spice
1/4 tsp nutmeg

Boil about two cups of water, then place 4 of the tea bags into a glass measuring cup, and fill it to 1 1/3 cups with the hot water.  Add the dried fruits and orange zest, then cover and refrigerate it, leaving it to soak overnight, or up to 3 days.

When you're ready to bake, line a loaf pan with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 350°F.

Mix the re-hydrated fruit with a whisked egg and a cup of sugar.  Add the flour, baking powder, all spice, nutmeg, salt, and juice from the orange.  Combine until well blended into a dough-like consistency, place into the loaf pan, and bake for about 1 hour and 10 minutes, or until cooked through.  You should test it with a skewer after about 55 minutes, and the cake is done when the skewer comes out clean.

While the cake is baking, boil the other 2 tea bags in a cup of water with juice and zest of the lemon.  Once boiling, add the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar, and bring the water back to a boil, never stirring.  After about 10-15 minutes, the ingredients should reduce into a syrup. 

Once the cake comes out, use skewers to poke holes all over the top, and then pour over the syrup.  Once it absorbs, allow the cake to cool completely, and serve with a mild cheese such as Wensleydale (Jamie's pick) or Nicasio Valley's Foggy Morning (our pick).

Crazy About: Graphic Sweatshirts

Clockwise from top left: leopard, love, boom, zodiac dial, blue gio ponti print, 

horses, woman, magnetic, lipstick, malibu, stained glass, tulip print

Milan Fashion Week Recap

Dolce & Gabbana

Dolce & Gabbana

Dolce & Gabbana

Moschino

Philipp Plein

Philipp Plein

Marni

Gianfranco Ferre

Gianfranco Ferre

Salvatore Ferragamo

Salvatore Ferragamo

Giorgio Armani

Giorgio Armani

Missoni

Autumn Essentials

It's officially Autumn, and we are embracing the season with plenty of cozy accessories and fall favorites.

Clockwise from top left: Pumpkin Spice Latte, Hat, Sweater, Parfum, 

Candle, Throw, Driving Mocs, Mittens, Scarf, Checked Cape

Song of the Week

Avicii - Liar Liar

Our Favorite Emmy Fashion 2013

Julie Bowen in Zac Posen

Kate Mara in J. Mendel

Robin Wright in Ralph Lauren

Allison Williams in Ralph Lauren

Claire Danes in Armarni Privé & Hugh Dancy

Laura Dern in Naeem Khan

Kristen Connolly in Nicholas Oakwell

Zooey Deschanel in J. Mendel

Michelle Dockery in Prada

Taylor Schilling in Thakoon

Vista Vision

Treasures from the Grand Tour

We picked up this bracelet and ring at a small jewelry boutique in Montmartre in Paris. They're cast bronze, and remind us of the statues at the Rodin museum every time we wear them.