Cocktail Apothecary: Watermelon-Jalapeno Margarita

Cocktail trends come and go, but tequila (good tequila) is always in fashion and this summertime cocktail is sure to satisfy your most fashionable of pool guests.  This spicy twist on a fruit margarita is the perfect way to enjoy your summertime watermelon - not too sweet, yet still refreshing with a smoky kick that keeps you coming back for more.  The key ingredients of this recipe: Tequila + jalapeno + watermelon + lime juice. 

As with all apothecary concoctions, the devil is in the quality of the ingredients.  Make sure to use fresh ingredients - meaning, no frozen, canned or prepackaged juices or purees. 

Recipe makes 3 cocktails:

* ¾ of one jalapeno
* 2.5 oz tequila (I used Patron silver because that's what was on hand)
* 1 oz lime juice (freshly squeezed - usually 2 limes will give you 1 oz)
* 1 oz watermelon puree (save a few slices for the garnish)
* ¾ oz agave nectar
* Hickory smoked salt (for rimming the glasses)

Muddle the jalapeno in a shaker or beaker.  Add tequila, lime juice, watermelon puree and agave nectar.  Shake with ice and strain into glass filled with ice and rimmed with hickory smoked salt. Garnish with a slice of watermelon and lime wedge.

Cocktail tools.

Muddled jalapenos and smoky salt to rim the glasses.

Adapted from Boulder Locavore.
Images by Brooklyn Boheme.

Paris in High Contrast

Dreaming of Paris today (well, everyday).  One of the things I love about Paris is the contrast of the city - striking the balance between ancient and modern design, and the culture's mutual appreciation for old and new generations. 

In the heart of the Saint Germain, long live the classic Parisian cafe and the leisurely time of a bygone era that it represents.  Youth and age alike appreciate the long-standing cultural pleasure of sitting, sipping and enjoying.  A simple game of cards still reigns as the cafe entertainment of choice.

The ancient bones of Notre Dame cohabitate in a city littered with fashionable graffiti and mopeds.

Modern sculptural lights contrast against the historical architectural details of Musee d'Orsay.

Victor Hugo's Place des Vosges re-purposed for the modern daily workout regime.

Paris transcends the eras, it fashionably exudes history and persistently emerges at the modern forefront.  Audrey Hepburn couldn't have been more correct, "Paris is always a good idea." 

Images by Brooklyn Boheme.

International Diaries of a Toddler

I believe that you should travel as far as you can, for as long as you can.  So, it's no surprise that one of my biggest fears of child-rearing was the inability to travel, and I don't mean the Disney all-inclusive one-stop-shopping type of travel.  I mean the immersion in foreign cultures and language, travel that requires planes, trains, and automobiles, and self-service adventures as opposed to bellhop courtesy.  Not one to be held down by convention, I strapped on the Ergo and took to NYC, Paris, Bruges, Gent and Middleburg on a 2 week adventure with a 14 month old. 

Bruges Water Taxis.

SMART LONG-HAUL TRAVEL WITH A TODDLER requires breaking-up the flight into segments.  Since we were traveling from the West Coast to Paris, we stopped for 2 nights in NYC.  Genius for three reasons:

• West Coast to East Coast time difference helped with the jet-lag transition (meaning, fewer vacation nights spent awakening at 3am with a toddler who thinks it's time to play);
• A day at Central Park allowed my toddler a much needed exertion of energy; and
• Open Skies was offering a killer deal on business seats from NYC to Paris - a much more luxurious "lap infant" seat option.  We booked the red-eye flight from NYC to Paris, so my toddler slept the entire flight!

Typical Paris bistro offers easy dining with a toddler.

BEGIN YOUR ADVENTURES IN A FAMILIAR CITY with the hopes that it will relax you.  A relaxed mom is key to relaxing a toddler in a foreign environment.  I know Paris better than I know my backyard city of San Francisco, so Paris was an easy jumping off destination.  Paris also offers the essentials for toddler travels:

• Enchanting architectural visual feast for adults (one that can be enjoyed even when chasing after a toddler);
• Loads of open boulevards (for strolling with toddlers while window shopping);
• Parks and carousels on virtually every corner and outside popular monuments (allowing unplanned museum visits preceded or followed by a park outing);
• Casual outdoor dining with delicious food for adults and children alike; and
• General safety.

Fun at Jardin Du Luxembourg.

Paris is designed to encourage cultural excursions with children.  Outside the Louvre, the Tuileries offers carousel rides, kiddie parks and an abundance of space to run around.  Jardin du Luxembourg features a multitude of kid friendly activities, including a kid-size zip line, fountain boat rentals, and carousels.  Nearly every metro stop is adjacent to either a carousel or park.  Which means, a daily outing in Paris need not be planned in advance.

Playing in the Tuleries outside the Louvre.

BOOK SPACIOUS ACCOMMODATIONS IN A CENTRAL LOCATION for easy outings and returns for naps.  Hotel rooms can be doll-house size in Europe generally and even more so in Paris and Bruges, so we rented apartments via Airbnb and Homeaway, respectively.  In Paris, the Marais provided us a central location with an abundance of parks, eateries, museums and shopping.  Bruges is tiny, so any location in the city center is central and convenient.

Bruges rooftops.

BRING AN ERGO AND LIGHT-WEIGHT STURDY STROLLER to conquer the cobblestones.  Our UPPAbaby G-Luxe stroller glided on the cobblestone streets with ease.  Between the Ergo and the UPPAbaby, I was able to comfortably explore the city for hours at a time.  I would also recommend bringing a rain cover for your stroller - after being caught by surprise (and hostage under street overhangs) by Bruges' moody wet weather, we picked one up at a local store.

Ergo enabled exploration on the Bruges Canal.

BEGIN EACH DAY WITH TODDLER FUN TIME but don't fret about the details of the day.  We began each day at our neighborhood park, which meant my toddler was generally napping in the stroller by the time we made it to our shopping or museum destination - thereby allowing fun time for both toddler and mommy.  The plethora of cafes, parks and carousels in the cities allowed us to meander without having to stick to a particular route or time regime.

I must confess that Paris was much easier to navigate with a child than Bruges because Bruges has fewer parks (and less impressive ones) and, on rainy days (which there are many in Bruges), finding inside seating at restaurants was a challenge.  We were told on several occasions that we could not come in with a stroller - a problem when your child is sleeping.

Carousel time

USE YOUR APARTMENT AS A HOME BASE for exploring the regional area.  Bruges is an ideal secondary home base, it's easily reached from Paris via train, and is a 1hr drive to Brussels, Gent and other Belgium cities and a 2hr drive to the Netherlands, and a 3hr train ride to Amsterdam.  Bruges is a very charming Disney style town that offers delicious chocolate and beer (much needed for mommy after wine indulgence in Paris), but 2-3 days is sufficient to explore this gem.  Next time, I would skip Middelburg and take the train to Amsterdam.

Gent, an easy day trip from Bruges

Middelburg Town Hall

Bruges Architectural Details

Bruges Beer

TO BRING OR NOT TO BRING A CAR SEAT, this was the question that stressed me out until we arrived.  I choose not to bring a car seat for two reasons: too cumbersome for airport travel and the safety latches in U.S. car seats are not generally compatible with European cars. 

I hired a taxi with a car seat to drive us to/from Orly airport in Paris.  Car seats are not required by law in Paris city center, and we got around mostly on feet and via metro, so no car seat needed in Paris.  We rented a car in Bruges to explore the region, and I rented a car seat from the car rental agency.  The only hiccup was that we had to install the European car seat ourselves - I'm still not convinced that we installed it correctly.

Tiny rental car overflowing with luggage

KIDS MENU NOT NECESSARY (and generally not available).  French children are encouraged to eat the same meals (with all the veges and variety) as adults, so menus catered to children are generally not available at restaurants. 

My toddler preferred the cultural offerings of croissants, savory crepes, croque monsieurs, yogurt, and Belgian waffles and fries.  We deviated from this rule while waiting for our delayed flight at Orly airport, big mistake!  A sub par plate of cold sliced ham and french fries was presented as the choice child's meal.

Kids Menu mistake at Orly Airport.

Crepes at Marche des Enfants Rouges.

Waffles in Gent

Enjoying ice cream from the famed Parisian Maison Berthillon

Toddler Jet Set Tips

• Don't over pack clothes, but bring plenty of diapers and wipes (which can be expensive in Europe).  Clothes can be washed at laundry mats available all over the city or in your rental apartment.
• High quality formula and portable baby pouch food are widely available in Europe, so you need only pack enough for the plane and transport.
• Airbnb and Homeaway offer rentals with cribs, toys and kid friendly environments.
• Bring a light-weight yet sturdy stroller, such as UPPAbaby G-Luxe.
• Protect your stroller in transit by checking it at the gate in a check bag, which are available at Target and Toys R Us.
• If traveling during the rainy season, bring a rain cover for the stroller.
• Bring an Ergo or other baby carrier for hands-free carrying.
• Make a list of local hospitals before you leave.
• Traveling with grandparents or other family can ease the stress and provide mommy with some alone time. (Thank you Grandma and Grandpa Reb!)

The best Eiffel Tower souvenir!

Images by Brooklyn Boheme.

Layered by Design - Berkeley Hills House Tour

From the moment you approach Lola's front door - lacquered in apple green and bearing a bronze knocker of a life-size hand holding an apple, you know you are in for a design treat.  Today, we tour the Berkeley Hills home of my dear friend and style maven, Lola Thompson.  Lola is fearless in her use of color and pattern and mixing design eras throughout her 1930s home, and the result is chic and awe-inspiring.  The rooms seamlessly pair Vernon Panton chairs with antique French gilded chairs in perfect harmony.  Lola feels that nothing is too grand in scale for this bungalow style home, and, boy, is she right.  The oversize mirrors and museum worthy paintings make the rooms feel inviting and voluminous.  Too balance things out, she mixes metallics to soften the room and layers antique details for a sense of intimacy. 

Architectural capitals are visible beneath the DWR glass coffee table.

I love the juxtaposition of the modern Leolux leather couch against the antique French gilded chairs.  The straight lines of the couch are softened by the layering of vintage velvet pillows made from scraps of material Lola found in France, classic Scalamandre tiger print pillows, and a sheep skin.  Lola breaks all the rules by layering a zebra rug on top of an antique Moroccan rug.  The result is trés chic.

Muted abstract painting is the perfect backdrop for the living room. 

Vintage Mt St. Michelle souvenir on a lovely rusty table.

Religious cloche occupies a living room table.

Lola brings a sense of balance to the rooms with symmetry.  Whether with chairs, accessories or sconces, symmetry brings a balanced calming appeal to each of her rooms.

Visitors are greeted at the entry with ornately adorned Thai statutes.

A colorful graphic painting presides over the dining room.  Lola felt the bold modern painting was appropriate for the style of the house, but wanted the room to feel relaxed, so she brought in a fragmented plaster horse leg and white Vernon Panton chairs paired with antique French gilded chairs from a Paris flea market.  A round dining table (made from an antique Chinese drum) draped with a Moroccan wedding blanket, books piled high, and stunning petite statuary is another example of Lola's fearless layering to perfection.   

Fragmented plaster horse leg softens a graphic painting.

Gilded details on antique French dining chairs.

Lola is a pro at converting objects to "objet d'art" and creating unconventional spaces by bringing the unexpected into the space – such as the taxidermy and an antique zinc French dormer window in the kitchen.  The top of the refrigerator becomes an ad hoc library display and the stove backsplash a religious candelabra of sorts.  Lola has plans to renovate the kitchen, but, in the mean time, she has created an eye-popping kitchen with her curated artifacts.

An unconventional kitchen featuring taxidermy and statuary.
 

Lola continues the unexpected into the bathroom.  An oil painting hangs above the bathtub, Virgin Mary (adorned with a vintage rhinestone necklace) presides over the bathroom, and an antique Persian rug folded in half becomes a runner.

Oil painting hangs above the bath.

Guests are pampered with boutique worthy toiletries.

Monogrammed details in the bathroom.

Lola manages to transform a narrow hallway into an exciting corridor that transitions the visitor from one exciting space into another.  A large charcoal nude scored at an auction greets visitors in the hallway, and is juxtaposed against a rosary.

Charcoal nude hangs in the hallway.

Rosary layered on drapery.

Each and every space includes at least one show-stopping piece – an antique, architectural artifact, eye-catching modern painting or pattern.  Together they create a stunning example of how to achieve a rich layered look that welcomes the eye without overwhelming the senses.

Lola's house is nothing short of a triumph, a study on how to successfully layer and use scale in a small space.  It's hard to pick a favorite room.  Do you have one?

Style Notes

• Layering can easily turn from chic to cluttered; avoid a sense of chaos by grounding the space in a neutral backdrop color.
• Mix different fabrics and patterns.  The same rule of thumb applies here as when layering clothes - mix high and low (think sequence with cotton), non-competing colors (e.g., bright pink and leopard may be a bit too much), and incorporate a neutral to visibly break the pattern (think a white t-shirt under a striped blazer).
• Soften angular structured lines of modern furniture with sheepskin, hides and velvets.
• Use patterns, artwork and furniture of multiple scales to avoid the room looking flat.
• Incorporate the things that you love and at least one statement piece.  If you love it, you'll find a place for it!

Confessions of a Wedding Boudoir Photo Shoot

Boudoir photography is a sexy way to document the ritual of getting ready for the wedding day, and no doubt a popular wedding gift for the hubby.  Boudoir need not be triple rated (unless that's the model's cup of tea).  Rather, classic pin-up PG-13ish suggestive images tend to be more sexy (at least in my opinion) and a fun boudoir shoot for the bride.  Since my goal was to freeze frame the feeling of our vintage style wedding, I choose a vintage boudoir shoot on the morning of our wedding. 

Allow plenty of time the morning of the wedding to have a little fun in front of the camera - I recommend 1-2 hours.  I must admit that looking sultry was more difficult than I could ever imagine - the "come hither" look is not natural for me and my foolish attempts resulted in laughter every time.  Make sure to have bubbles on hand to loosen things up. And let the photographer coach you into the poses and pouts.  Lesson learned - practice those poutty lips in advance of the shoot and research poses that will feel "natural to you".  I wish I would have known about The Boudoir Cafe because there are some inspiring poses on that site.

Photo credit: Cherie Steinberg of The Boudoir

Wear lingerie that you feel comfortable in.  A corset, high heels, and your wedding ring are a classic combo.  Don't be afraid to mix it up with your bouquet, veil, garter belt and (time allowing) a costume change.  My boudoir attire gave a nod to our wedding's vintage Hollywood glamour theme and included black vintage hot pants paired with my bridal bustier, along with rhinestone embellished Manolo Blahnik kitten heels.

If you are having a challenging time getting your sexy on (as I did), ask the photographer to take a few abstract or silhouette images.  The bonus of this approach is that the end results may be frame worthy for your hallway.

After the conclusion of the wedding affair, present your newly minted hubby with the boudoir photos - one last surprise from the big day that will cause all the emotions of the day to come flooding back.  The photos will provide the hubby with a sexy window into the bride's behind the scenes and the bride's final moments before taking the plunge.  A perfect way to memorialize the moment and share it with your hubby, don't you think?

Photo credit: Long Island Boudoir Photography

Style Notes

• You've already hired a professional photographer for your money, so save money by conducting your shoot on the morning of your wedding as opposed to a different day.
• Review boudoir poses and pouts for inspiration - check out The Boudoir Cafe.
• Wear costume jewelry for bling that stands out in pictures.
• Don't forget to incorporate your favorite stilettos.
• Be playful with your veil.

Last words...As a curvy woman with short stocky legs, a boudoir shoot was a bit intimidating for me.  It was also however, empowering to explore and embrace my femininity.  If I were to do it all over again (and, hey, maybe I will), I would opt for a Vanity Fair inspired shoot and I would definitely practice my poutty lips in the mirror! (p.s., my husband would die of embarrassment if he knew about this post.)

Wedding day boudoir photos by Javon Longieliere