271 picasso paintings

I heard on the news this morning that a retired French electrician, Pierre Le Guennec, who worked for the famed artist, Pablo Picasso, over 40 years ago in his Cote d'Azur home, is in possession of 271 unknown works by Picasso.  The works in question appear to come from Picasso's Blue Period (1900-1932).  Although it's estimated that Picasso created over 20,000 paintings in his career, many which remain unknown, the Picasso's Estate is looking into how Mr. Le Guennec came across so many paintings.  Initial suspicion is that the works were stolen.  Regardless how this story unfolds, it will be very interesting to see the paintings once they are revealed!

home brews & SoNo holiday fest - south park

This Sunday, 5 December 2010, from 11am-2pm, come celebrate South Park's Home Brews & Gardens (HGB) 1 year anniversary.  HBG, which is joined by the McKinley Arts & Crafts Fair and the 14th Annual San Diego Ceramic Connection Chili Cook-Off have come together to throw what will be a delicious and fun event, the SoNo Park Holiday Fest!  Enjoy a bowl of chili in hand-spun ceramic bowls, peruse art and crafts by local artisans, listen to live music and enjoy a beverage in the beer garden.  All proceeds will benefit the McKinley art and music programs.

Home Brews & Gardens: 32nd & Thorn Street, San Diego 92104

bridal morning

I spent the better part of my morning today thumbing through the stack of bridal magazines that has been collecting dust next to my sofa.  It's amazing all the details that go into planning a wedding, and I realized that I haven't done much of anything this past month.  After getting sidetracked from the magazines, I started poking around online looking for bridesmaids dresses.  With all the holiday sales, even JCrew has online deals for their bridal collection this weekend.  I also looked at dresses by Thread and Simple Silhouette.  But I am in no position yet to commit.  The industry is so saturated and the selection seems endless.  How is one to decide?

christmas baubles

Keeping with tradition, the weekend after Thanksgiving the holiday decorations get dusted off, the tree gets purchased, and a winter wonderland emerges out of boxes.  Thanks to an enormous fresh Douglas Fir (as well as Thymes Frasier Fir candles) my entire house smells of crisp aromatic sap.  To please all our senses, I also decided to purchase the new Mariah Carey holiday cd, Merry Christmas II You.  I will openly admit that I loved her 1994 album, but unfortunately, the 2010 album cannot hold up to the original.  We'll see if it grows on me.    
* images Megan.Christine

black friday

Turning on the news this lovely morning after Thanksgiving Day, I was quickly reminded of the rush and mayhem of black Friday shopping.  As reported, some people were at malls since 10pm last night (just enough time for the turkey to settle), stores were opening early at 4am, and the morning welcomed long lines taking well over 2 hours to even get inside.  I personally think time is money, and no deal buster is worth the miserable experience of crowds, slow lines and massive congestion.  So, I'm passing on the frenzy and heading to Torrey Pines!

micro tiles

I spotted these 5 inch micro tiles on Etsy.  Sold as a set, these tiles are delicate, intricate and are rich in texture.  Created by Heather Knight of Element Clay Studio (Ashville, NC), she also sells a selection of other beautiful pieces (votives, bowls, etc).   Her latest collection is botanically inspired 3-d tiles in helios porcelain, and they are absolutely incredible.

bold backsplashes

I was reading the November 2010 Food+Wine issue when I came across an article "Bold Backsplashes," featuring 'esprit blanc' from the luxury tile and stone company Artistic Tile.  The organic pattern of intertwined lines can be cut from any type of stone.  I thought this stark white stone would look amazing against a dark wood cabinets,  a muted continuation of the foliage outside a window.

teriyaki sriracha salmon

In preparation for a gluttonous turkey feast, the night before Thanksgiving we opted to cook up a light dish.  With a craving for fish, we quickly decided on salmon but we teetered on preparation.  With the grocer packed with the holiday rush, we needed something with only a few ingredients.  This very simple concoction ended up being so flavorful, and was the perfect match of texture.

Teriyaki Sriracha Salmon

* marinate salmon fillet in teriyaka sauce for at least 15 minutes
* bake salmon at 450 degrees until cooked through
* simmer 1 cup on jasmine rice (~25 min)
* saute chopped snap peas in EVOO
* arrange salmon on a bed of rice and peas, zig-zag sriracha (to taste)

jet setting: Frankfurt

 

It was a quick trip to Frankfurt, Germany for business travel.  I stayed at the hip, The Pure, a member of the Design Hotels in the heart of the city.  In-between meetings and emails, I was determined, despite the frigid temperature and steady drizzle of icy cold rain, to explore the city.  With my umbrella in hand I schlepped around town, fueled by espresso and Heineken.

Underneath the modern glass structures with gravity defying design, there is still plenty of evidence of the old industrial city from decades past.  Situated along the Main River, there are over a half dozen bridges crisscrossing the water from a beautiful waterfront. With a tree lined promenade connecting restaurant patios and boat docks, I could imagine this was an enjoyable place when the weather was more favorable.  It's a busy town, an economic hub, and with the highest per capita income of any city in Germany, it's not short of stylish bankers and entrepreneurs.  There were many boutiques and shops, had I had more time, I could have done some damage to my wallet.  Noteworthy- PurPur & Sugobo.

pork with roasted apples & onions

I was at the grocer and was wandering through the produce when I noticed the abundance of apples, pears, squashes and root vegetables.  In the spirit of cooking seasonally, I decided to make an apple, onion, pork dish.  It was very quick and easy to make and was the perfect meal for a chilly Fall night.


I adapted the following recipe from Epicurious:

Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Apples and Onions Bon Appétit | February 2004

1 large pork tenderloin (about 14 ounces) 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided 2 tablespoons whole grain Dijon mustard 2 teaspoons fennel seeds 1 large onion, sliced 2 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, sliced 1/4 inch thick 1/2 cup dry white wine  Preheat oven to 450°F. Season pork with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in large nonstick ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork and sear until all sides are brown, turning occasionally, about 5 minutes. Transfer pork to plate. Cool slightly. Spread mustard over top and sides of pork; press fennel seeds into mustard. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to skillet. Add onion slices and apples; sauté over medium heat until golden, about 5 minutes. Spread evenly in skillet and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place pork atop apple-onion mixture. Transfer skillet to oven and roast until apple-onion mixture is soft and brown and meat thermometer inserted into center of pork registers 150°F, about 15 minutes. Transfer pork to platter and tent with foil. Let stand 5 minutes. Meanwhile, pour white wine over apple-onion mixture in skillet. Stir mixture over high heat until slightly reduced, about 2 minutes. Cut pork on diagonal into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Spoon apple-onion mixture onto plates. Top with pork and serve. *images Megan.Christine

north county dog parks

It's a gorgeous day in San Diego and as I sit on my patio sipping my morning coffee this little adorable face pops up from under the table, with those chocolate brown eyes begging me to take her to the beach.  My pup loves the dog friendly off leash parks in San Diego, and north county has a couple great ones, namely Del Mar Dog Beach.  I frequently take her down to Cardiff Beach for early morning or late evening walks, after the life guards have closed up shop, but you still risk getting slapped with a ticket.  I've had to beg for a "warning" up on Grandview in Encinitas years back, and for the most part, they are pretty forgiving.  But, to play it safe, I recommend taking your pup to any one of the following dog parks:
Del Mar Dog Beach: 3200 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar
Torrey Highlands Park: Landsdale Drive, Del Mar
Orpheus Park, 482 Orpheus Avenue, Encinitas
Viewpoint Park, East D Street, Encinitas
Oceanside Dog Park, 2905 San Luis Ray Road, Oceanside
* image Megan.Christine

mog & rue 4th anniversary - encinitas

This Saturday, 13 November, from 12-4pm Encinitas based Mog & Rue boutique is celebrating it's 4th anniversary.  The party includes a cake, cocktails and 25% off clothing purchases.  Mog & Rue (937 S Coast Highway, in the Lumberyard shopping center) is an adorable local boutique that carries brands such as: Lauren Merkin, J Brand, Milly, Paige, Yumi Kim, etc.  With a handpicked selection from NYC based owner and buyer, Kristen Di Zinno, it's hard not to want to take home everything!

M+M: Prep Kitchen

I was delighted when I found out that the crew behind La Jolla's Whisknladel had expanded up to Del Mar, opening Prep Kitchen. I popped in to meet up with some girlfriends, and had a delicious meal on their patio. My introduction came as a House Roasted Turkey sandwich, and while that may sound very boring, this sandwich had so much flavor I wished it was bigger. Topping the Turkey was Watercress, Fig, Bacon and Cambozola cheese. Prep Kitchen has a simple seasonally minded menu of salads, sandwiches and some entrees, using ingredients from local producers. With about twenty wines by the glass, the selection is great for all palettes (I enjoyed the Clifford Bay Sauv Blanc). The ambiance is relaxed and casual, making it the perfect place to linger with good company.
* images Megan.Christine

Cocktails for Choice @ Fifty Seven Degrees

"Loads of choice, lots of culture and a little Cab Sauv" Tonight, November 11, at Fifty Seven Degrees (1735 Hancock Street) wine bar the San Diego, Planned Parenthood is hosting their Cocktails 4 Choice event. I happened to be at El Camino on the same night of their last event, and it was packed with people. A night full of socializing, networking, raffle prizes, art exhibit, and of course the cocktails- it's a fun evening that also benefits the education and outreach in our community.

Fifty Seven Degrees is just north of downtown (in the old Pier One building). The space is enormous, where surrounding the circular tasting bar is a large selection of wine. After hand picking a bottle, you can either enjoy it there (for a nominal corking fee) or take it to-go. Or if you can't choose, they do offer wines by the glass. Fifty Seven Degrees is worth checking out another time if you can't make it out tonight.

a classy cause - 2nd annual stay classy awards

Tonight, in downtown San Diego, the local organization, Stay Classy, which promotes social fundraising for nonprofits, hosts the 2nd Annual Classy Awards. The ceremony kicks off 5pm at the Civic Theater in an Academy Awards'esque set-up to recognize the top philanthropic achievements by charities, businesses and individuals. The nominees are from eight major cities nationwide (Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, New York City, San Diego, San Francisco, and Washington DC) and encompass ten different categories. The winners will be announced during the ceremony (6-8pm) that is followed directly by a private party at Sway nightclub. If you cannot make the ceremony in person, the entire event will be streamed live on NBC affiliates' websites.

I attended the 1st annual Classy Awards last year at the gorgeous US Grant hotel in downtown San Diego, and it was a fantastic event. Not only is it a great for networking and entertaining, but the entire evening is focused on the strides and differences that these wonderful individuals and groups have done over the course of a year. It is eye opening and leaves you with the opportunity to get involved!

Stay Classy San Diego!

Jet Setting: Austin- BBQ & Boots

Last month we flew into Austin, TX to celebrate the marriage of my best friend and her fantastic beau. The entire weekend was such an amazing time, filled with fabulous people, delicious eats, and good down to earth Texas fun. Kicking off the festivities was some finger-licking BBQ at the Salt Lick, we were dolled up in dresses and cowgirl boots, fitting the scene quite well. Before the wedding, which was at the Shoreline Grill along lady bird lake, we explored the city. Huffing it on foot, and dodging the looming rain clouds, we found some adorable boutiques, savvy shops and some more great food.

Two of my favorite shops to mention are the clothing store, By George, and the decor store, Mercury. By George, which is on South Congress, carries apparel, bags, shoes and jewelry from designers such as: La Rok, Corey Lynn Calter, Ella Moss, Salt Optics, etc. Across the water, on W 2nd Street, Mercury design studio is on a trendy block of real estate (including Ligne Roset). It reminds me of a merging of San Diego based Mixture + Solana Beach based Solo. I could have bought almost everything in the store, from the wall reliefs, to fox tails, to the custom covered chairs.

The weekend definitely went by too quick, and there was much more that I want to explore in Austin. Good thing our friends have a big house for visitors!

* images Megan.Christine