what she wore

 Just dropped my daughter off at Crate & Barrel's corporate headquarters. Her school offered various career shadowing opportunities this week. They booked up immediately when offered on-line. Last year, we missed out. Not this year....

We were waiting for the options, the moment they posted. Today, she's shadowing a design team in  Crate & Barrel's  furniture department. They'll go from design boards to the finished products on display at their flagship store. 

Yesterday, she was able to spend an exciting day with top chef, John des Rosiers. His newest restaurant, Moderno, opened last night.

Business casual, as interpreted by Maggie. 

Nolita Jacket, Jackie Cardigan, Gingham Shirt, and Scout Chinos, from J Crew.

It's good to be young.

best ever

Did you know the best banana bread ever was created in my own little kitchen? According to the chef, Miss Rosie (age 4), this is award-winning bread.

She gathered some bananas past their prime, Giardelli bitter-sweet chocolate chips, and some chopped toasted walnuts. Throwing them together in the recipe-required method (and with a little help), resulted in some pretty fine banana bread...

Ingredients

• 1/4 lb unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup mashed very ripe bananas
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, toasted 
• 1/4 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Butter 9x5x3-inch loaf pan.
3. Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add the eggs, beating well.
5. Sift the dry ingredients together and combine with butter mixture.
6. Blend well.
7. Add the bananas, sour cream, and vanilla.
8. Stir well.
9. Stir in the nuts and pour batter into pan.
10. Sprinkle with floured chocolate chips.
11. Bake 1 hour until a cake tester comes out clean.
12. Turn out onto rack to cool.

Rosie now refers to herself as an expert banana masher. 

She's always at the ready, should the need arise.

maisie dobbs

Are you familiar with the series of books featuring Maisie Dobbs- psychologist, investigator and "one of the great fictional heroines, equal parts haunted and haunting" (Parade)? The ninth installment, Elegy for Eddie, was recently published in March, and is currently number seventeen on The New York Times' Best Sellers list.

'The daughter of a struggling greengrocer, Maisie Dobbs was only thirteen when she was sent to work as a maid for wealthy London aristocrats. But being bright and thoughtful beyond her years, Maisie studies her way to Cambridge, then serves as a nurse on the Front during the Great War. Now, years after Armistice, Masie has opened her own detective agency...'

I had the pleasure of meeting the author, Ms. Jacqueline Winspear, at an author's luncheon some years ago. She was just as lovely in person as you'd imagine.

 She gave a wonderful talk referencing her grandfather's experience in the Great War, "the war and its aftermath proved fertile ground for a mystery. Such great social upheaval allows for the strange and unusual to merge and a time of intese emotions can, to a writer of fiction, provide ample fodder for a compelling story, especially one concerning criminal acts and issues of guilt and innocence. After all, a generation is said to have lost its innocence in the Great War. The mystery genre provides a wonderful vehicle for exploring such a time". Ms. Winspear also spoke of her inspiration for the entire series. She was walking in London and suddenly imagined a complete picture of Maisie Dobbs stepping through a  turnstile...

'Even if she han't been the last person to walk through the turnstile at Warren Street tube station, Jack Barker would have noticed the tall, slender woman in the navy blue, thigh-length jacket with a matching pleated skirt short enough to reveal a well-turned ankle. She had what his old mother would have called 'bearing'. A way of walking, with her shoulders back and head held high, as she pulled on her black gloves while managing to hold on to a somewhat battered black document case.

"Old money," muttered Jack to himself. "Stuck-up piece of nonsense."

Jack expected the woman to pass him by, so he stamped his feet in a vain attempt to banish the sharp needles of cold creeping up through his hobnailed boots. He fanned a half dozen copies of the Daily Express over one arm, anticipating a taxi-cab screeching to a halt and and reaching out with the requisite coins.

"Oh, stop-may I have an Express please, love?" appealed a voice as smooth as spooned treacle.

The newspaper vendor looked up slowly, straight into eyes the color of midnight in summer, an intense shade that seemed to him to be darker than blue. She held out her money.' ~Chapter 1, Maisie Dobbs

I've really enjoyed the entire series, they're a unique blend of history, psychology and mystery, providing a glimpse into a time when the world (especially England) was at a critical juncture. You really feel as though you know Maisie. 

And on her behalf, would it be too much to ask, if she could have a little luck in love?

hyacinth blue

Is there anything better than the scent of hyacinths in bloom? The chartreuse planter packs a powerful punch. I wish I had 'smell-o-vision' for you...

Easter provided the perfect excuse to fill the house with flowers.

As you know, I've been pulling together some dresses for the girls for a number of upcoming occasions. While, they're all set, I hadn't managed to find anything for myself. The clock's ticking, as Mary Kate's Confirmation is days away. Last-minute Sally, as usual.

Ran out this morning with my Mom, and found a pretty floral dress and a periwinkle blue cardigan.

 It appears, I like blue.

Do you have certain colors you're drawn to?

easter prep

It's Easter, peeps!

Absolutely one of my favorite holidays. From a religious perspective, Easter is a spring festival that celebrates one of the central tenets of the Christian faith: the resurrection of Christ. It's the oldest Christian holiday and the most important day of the church year. 

 From a personal perspective, the imagery of baby bunnies, chicks, pretty tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils, beautiful baskets filled with the soft colors of Easter candy, is absolute perfection.

All year long, I stockpile Easter themed goodies.

The white bunny lanterns are from Martha Stewart's holiday line at Grandin Road.

I like having my chicks all lined up in a row.

As do my friends...

Kim,  Musings from Kim K., was kind enough to send me a few darling items for Easter. Including, a vintage bluebird sewing card, hand-felted egg, and a whimsically crafted wee favor basket.

The little pink bird atop the felted egg is such a sweet detail. Thank you, Kim!

I was the lucky winner of Ms. Helen Philipps' recent give-away. A sweet Greengate tin, flower pins,  floral buttons, and a clever pin cushion in pretty spring-like colors made its way here safely from England. Thank you, Helen!

Last Easter, Julie Collings was kind enough to send me a box of fun Easter crafting items. I saved it for this year, and what fun to open the box. Everything you need to craft some darling favors. Thank you, Julie!

Are you getting your craft on for Easter?

Read past Easter posts: here, here, and here.

summer at cath kidston

Anyone planning to head to London this summer for the Olympics? I'd love to go, but it doesn't look doable. The girls schedules, not to mention the expense, preclude it.

The next best thing, a one day sale from Ms. Cath Kidston. Enabling the purchase of a few summery goodies...

The hand embroidered Allotment Floral tote arrived and is beautifully done. Although the strap is somewhat delicate, the bag itself is impeccably constructed and very pretty.

 A number of fun things in the new soft blue boating pattern were just introduced. The Boat Cool bag is just what I need for transporting picnics to the boat on sunny afternoons. The Red Wicker Basket is another winner. I've long had a thing for vintage wicker bags and totes and this one is a good size, well made, and perfectly retro.

 I also picked up the Ribbon Rose Stripe Skirt.  A pretty floral pattern, it's lightweight, fully lined, and has pockets. On her site they advise wearing it with a stripey shirt, I don't think that'll work for me. 

 Check out the 'Be a Good Sport' line, perfect if you are going to the games.  

Did you happen to catch the sale?