Jet-Setting: NYC

The best of friends, a warm sunset on a rooftop, the calm after the storm, a clear summer morning, a beautiful bride, and a happy story for an amazing weekend.  I miss them already!

Storefront: ABC Carpet & Home

While walking down Broadway this past weekend, I couldn't help but ogle at the storefronts at ABC Carpet & Home.  The windows were staged with eclectic mixes of furniture and accessories in what may initially be perceived as haphazardly, but in fact the composition was well balanced.  And the organic fluorescent accents gave the necessary pop to draw the eye from the busy sidewalk up to the store.  We were running late for dinner plans, so I wasn't able to see all the goodies inside this decor emporium that many rave about, but I'll be back in two weeks to check it out!

Cali Orange Crush: Jerky

A hot summer day calls for a chilled frothy brew, oh, and some tasty beef jerky- ha!  This sign caught my eye right when we arrived at Toby's, and Lauren surprised us all later when a tiny bag of homemade jerky emerged from her purse- a delicious treat!  

North County Design: Chicweed

On busy Cedros Avenue in the heart of the Solana Beach design district sits an open air boutique that fences off a collection of bright outdoor furniture and accessories scattered amongst a myriad of pots and bins brimming with plants.  This is Chicweed, owned and operated by Leah, Melissa & Susie.  I was initially drawn to the bright bistro chairs, which I later learned are by Fermob, a French furniture company.  The pieces come in funky bold colors, with names like carrot, verbena, and aniseed.  Once inside Chicweed, I was able to peruse all the interesting accessories, like miniature birdcages.  I took a liking to the floral arrangements, mostly succulents, and took some notes for a weekend gardening project of my own.  I was delighted to learn that in addition to some of the vintage containers and garden pots, a portion of ceramics are created by local artists.  Chicweed purchases and then fills the containers with their custom arrangements.  They will also fill your own pots (in case you already have a favorite at home), or come out to your property (if its too large or heavy to transport).  This is where their landscape design and consulting plays in.  I will definitely be making a trip back to Chicweed as I begin sprucing up my own patio for summer BBQs!

Food: Peaches & Grilled Chicken Salad

I am too tired to write much.  But I did somehow summon enough energy to throw together a tasty salad for dinner tonight, Peaches & Grilled Chicken Salad.

Grill:  Chicken (with lime, s&p, and Thyme), Red Onions & Chives

Mix with: Diced Peaches, Toasted Walnuts, Sliced Parmesan Cheese, Arugula

Drizzle Balsamic Dressing, toss & Serve.

(Picture is not my dish, but similar + chicken)

It's simple and delicious.  And, peaches are in season right now, so they are abundant at the Farmer's Market.... and super juicy!

Off to catch some zzzz's.  

Lazy Sunday..... My first fish

Spent this weekend out in east county San Diego, fishing and camping at Lake Henshaw.  With summer in full swing, it's a challenge to make last minute reservations at many of the more popular campsites.... so in a determined attempt to go camping, we found same day openings at Lake Henshaw.  It's a ridiculously tiny "town" alongside a quiet lake in the Palomar Mountain foothills.  It was a quick and easy escape for an evening under the stars.  But the highlight- I finally caught my first fish!  A catfish, that to my excitement nibbled on my grasshopper!  YAY!

On that note, we returned back to the beach to enjoy a beautiful afternoon with friends in Cardiff. A lazy Sunday before the busy week.......  

Restaurant Interiors: Neighborhood

My weekend began with a visit to one of my favorite places downtown, Neighborhood.  Since I can no longer frequent as much as I use to, this was a treat!  Sometime in the last couple years, the gastropub and burger lounge trend swept over San Diego, and a selection of eateries popped up that would inevitably give Rockies notorious burger a run for its money.  The burgers in these new joints put a gourmet spin on your average burger.  So what you may ask sets Neighborhood ahead of the competition.  Well, it is much more than just a delicious urban eatery (I am obsessed with their sweet potato fries, and the spicy cajun burger is super zingy!).  With 27 micro brews on tap, many locally brewed, it's a great place to gather up a few friends and relax over a cold one, either at Happy Hour or into the evening.  And, to top it off the interiors are great.  Owner, Arsulan Tafazoli, sat down with several architects, and together, they collaborated to create his vision.  The result, a sleek and modern twist to the traditional diner, with a funky attention to the details.  A cityscape mosaic takes up an entire wall, wine bottles line the bar wall from floor to ceiling in an abstract rack, while an enormous painting of a rather creepy old man holds a gigantic burger hangs overhead the dining tables.  Neighborhood supports the local art scene, and it's a refreshing to find nontraditional pieces displayed within the restaurant.  I recommend to all to check it out, I promise you'll go back!

Storefront: Graffiti Windows

Earlier last week, the windows at Becker Surfboards shop in Encinitas caught my eye as I passed the Lumberyard.  Bright, bold, graffiti art was splayed across the windows, from which behind the tips of lined surfboards peak.  It provides a great backdrop for the communal central patio at Lumberyard, where locals are always spotted sipping a coffee, grabbing a bite or reading the paper.   

Cali Orange Crush: Subtext

I have my first commissioned piece that will be shown in the Cali Orange Crush show.  It's an enlarged print on canvas of Subtext.  The dimensions are still in the works, but I am very excited to have this opportunity.  Many thanks to K. Flanagan! Subtext was photographed in 2006, and I received great feedback when I showed it at the Art Walk in Little Italy.  The distressed, neutral background is balanced against the stark orange.  This piece will fit perfectly in Ms. Flanagan's downtown living room, providing a subtle brightness to the slate textiles and light wood.

Restaurant Interiors: Syrah

Last week, I returned to the downtown wine bar, Syrah, a spirit and wine parlor (as they say). Recently opened, the underground space is whimsically decorated by talented designer, Michael Soriano.  I was particularly drawn to the organic lighting, which weaves dried wine vines along the ceiling.  The entire space is an eclectic mix of different seating areas; a row of high-back booths, private enclosures with long farm tables, pods of plush couches, or a string of sleek high tops.  While their menu is limited, containing an assortment of meat & cheese plates and desserts, it's not a let down for a delicious little nibble.  Definitely recommend stopping in... just make sure you can find the handle hidden on the ivy covered front door in the graffiti covered stairwell!

North County Design: Beginning the Guide

Last year I wrote a San Diego Design Guide for the Grace Bonney's amazing home and product design blog, Design Sponge. 

www.designspongeonline.com/2008/07/san-diego-design-guide.html  

At the time, I wanted to narrow my focus, and since I was living in Little Italy, I chose to highlight my surroundings in the up and coming downtown neighborhoods.  But, now that I have moved up to coastal north county, in Encinitas, I find the need to write a supplemental focusing on some of the amazing creative outlets that are nestled amongst the string of surf towns I now call home.  Figure once I complete the piece, I'll shoot it over to Grace and see if she wants to post it alongside my other Guide.  If not, I'll be happy just sharing the information here on Megan.Christine! 

Lazy Sunday.... Del Mar

It's finally starting to feel like summer! Brought Sasha to Dog Beach in Del Mar on Sunday afternoon.  It was chaos with dogs in every size and every breed playing fetch into the surf and intrusively sniffing anything that moved.  There was also a volleyball tournament and the Del Mar fair was in full swing.  The ferris wheel definitely caught the eye of many of the children.  Glad I didn't have to be those parents and come up with a convincing excuse why they didn't need to go to the fair :)  

Cali Orange Crush: it's official

Earlier this month I met with Farah about my summer art show.  Cali Orange Crush is officially set to open August 17 (monday) at Maida, downtown San Diego in Little Italy!  While this is extremely exciting, I am realizing just how much I have to get done in two short months.  I have quite the vision for the opening, and have started my quest for local sponsorship.  And, I have definitely given myself the challenge to focus on the color Orange.  Aiming to produce at least 20 quality photographs -- my eyes are peeled to locate the orange details of my surroundings.  Take this afternoon, as I walked the pup through Cedros Design District in Solana Beach.  Quite a perfect hue for a sunny afternoon :)

Jet-Setting: Austin, TX

This past weekend I flew to Austin, TX to have a fantastic girl's weekend visiting Christiane (and Jim), and Jackie flew in from Virginia too!  I was warned that coming from SoCal, the Texas heat would make an impact- and boy was it HOT!  But, I must say there is something enjoyable about wearing a tank top or strappy dress in the evenings and not having the slightest chill.  Summer evenings- I miss those!  

We spent most of the weekend around water: Lake Austin, Lake Travis, and some river down in Gruene (true Texas people watching!).  We did brave the heat and attempt to shop on South Congress, found an adorable pair of white jeans in By George, but was way too clammy to even think I could slip them on.  Popping in and out of boutiques (enjoying their cooling AC), we found some neat little places, like Feathers (an upscale vintage boutique, lined with Prada, Gucci, etc).  We definitely ate and drank like queens, always a given when we all get together.  I got a good sampling of Austin, but I am still dreaming of that delicious Carrot Cake cupcake from Hey Cupcake.  Mmmmm!

I can't wait to go back.  As we packed up our bags, we already started another mental list of all the places we'll have to check out next time :)  Love my girls, and Christiane's cowgirl boots!

Food: Ancho-Rubbed Pork with Cuban Espresso Sauce

Clearly Memorial Day began a whirlwind of busy workweeks and jet-setting weekends.  Today is the first day that I actually feel like I can catch up on my long list of "to-do's" and not feel too entirely guilty sitting on my couch in my pajamas watching MSNBC with a cup of coffee.  

Since I just peaked in my refrigerator to see left overs, I figure I can start this string of morning blogs with a delicious recipe that I adapted from my brother.  It's Ancho-Rubbed Pork Loin with Cuban Espresso Sauce & Avocado, over spicy black beans and plantains. Yum, Yum!  The original recipe is from Havana Blue, a restaurant in St Thomas.  They use filet mignons, which my brother also made during my last visit to North Carolina.  Both versions are delicious!  But be ready for a food coma in need of a lomi-lomi massage!  

Original Recipe:

Ancho-Rubbed Filets Mignons with Cuban Espresso Sauce
(original printed in October 2007 Gourmet)

Ingredients:
For Filets:
6 (1 1/2 inch thick) center-cut beef tenderloin steaks (filets mingons; 8 to 10 oz each)
2 tablespoons ancho chile powder
2 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
3/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 1/2 tablespoons canola oil

For sauce:
10 whole cloves
2 cups veal stock (NOTE: I just used beef stock here)
1/2 cup water
1/2 onion, sliced
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup honey
1 tablespoon ancho chile powder
1 1/2 teaspoon instant-coffee granules
1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 stick unsalted butter, cut into 8 tablespoons

Method:
MARINATE STEAKS: Pat steaks dry. Stir together spices, sea salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper and rub on top and bottom of steaks, then rub oil over spices. Cover with plastic wrap and chill, 3 hours.

MAKE SAUCE: Finely grind cloves in a spice grinder until finely ground. Combine with remaining ingredients except butter in a heavy medium saucepan and simmer briskly, stirring occassionally, until reduced to 1 cup, about 30 minutes. Straigh through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, pressing hard on and discarding solids, then return to cleaned saucepan and bring to a simmer. Whisk in butter until incorporated, then season with salt and keep warm, covered, off heat.

COOK STEAKS: Preheat oven to 400 F with rack in middle.

Heat grill pan over medium heat until hot, then lightly oil. Grill steaks, turning once, 10 minutes or until grill marks form (NOTE: 5 minutes per side), then transfer to a shallow baking pan and roast in over 10 minutes for medium-rare (NOTE: I roasted mine for 8 because I like a rarer steak). Remove steaks from overn and let stand, loosely covered with foil, 5 minutes.

Transfer steaks to plates. Top with some sauce and serve remaincing sauce on the side.