Toques & Toboggans

Maybe it's the Winter Olympics or maybe it's the snow reports from the Northeast but I have been thinking about sledding. I grew up going to Ottawa, Canada to visit my cousins in the winters and it was all about toques and toboggans there. I also have great memories of sledding in Central Park in the East 70's in the 1970's. When I was a kid I had a red plastic sled with black handles supposedly designed for turning and breaking. I'm not sure the handles really did either of those things.

But this is the Hammerhead sled and it looks super sleek.

I see a Bobsled team in the making...

http://www.vancouver2010.com/store/clothing/hats/vancouver-2010-coca-cola-fitted-cap-red/prodCCU9RPF.html

Photographic Memories

What would you grab from your house in an emergency after you made sure your loved ones and pets were safe?

I would take my photographs. My Mother would probably grab all of her make-up. I'm not kidding.

My friend Jane who has three children had three photo books going at all times. Her albums are leather bound and engraved for each child and they are stunning. She must have done an album for each year from newborn until they were teenagers. When Cordelia was born, I decided to do the same thing. Mine are from KOLO, and so far on book 8, I have been able to order a different color for each year. It's fun to turn the pages snuggled up in front of the fire.

http://www.epica.com/leather-photo-albums/


http://www.perannum.com/products/CT.aspx

Want your own KOLO Album? Please follow this link:

SHE hydrates.

I took a ceramics class a couple of months ago at the Barnsdall Art Center. It was a varying mix of students of different ages and careers. The teacher's pet was a tall lanky woman in her early 30's who always looked like a million bucks. Of course she had to be the one toting the coolest water bottle I have seen in a while.

And this is why I didn't like the her: She would not reveal her source of where she got the bottle. Hrmmf.

Luckily, I happened to be walking down Abbot Kinney in Venice last week and stopped into A & R. It's a beautiful store.

http://www.aplusrstore.com/product.php?id=336&cid=95

Hydration Vessel

And there was the bottle.
The Kor Water - KOR ONE Hydration Vessel.

I bought the orange one. Should I sign up for another class?

http://www.barnsdallartcenter.org/

A new set of wheels.

The first bike I owned was navy blue and very cool. I rode it in Amagansett, Long Island from the house we rented in the summer to the town tennis courts where I had lessons. Like ballet, I was not very good but I did enjoy ordering Fanta orange soda in the glass bottle at the Pro Shop afterwards. I was solo and I loved it.

Bikes have become super fancy these days and although I am sure it's a lot of fun to have all those bells and whistles (okay, gears and comfy seats) I kind of like the idea that a bike can be simple and cost less than 120 bucks. The Schwinn Legacy from Target is such a bicycle.

I don't think this Schwinn would have made the many hills traveled the following summer when my Mother sent me to bike camp in the Vermont mountains. She thought that such an adventure "would beat the Blooomingdale's out of me."

Nice try.

Spend $50 in Sports/Outdoors, Get Free Shipping On Select Items

P.S. I Love You

Uggh. Valentine's Day. You can embrace it or ignore it. It can be romantic or practical. But at minimum, there should be pollen involved.

Hands-down, one of the least romantic gifts I have ever received was the year I was given a first generation Brother P Touch label maker from my boyfriend, who will remain nameless.

The poor guy wasn't even witty enough to put an "I love you" label on it.

It actually turned out to be a great machine and I still have it twenty years later. He didn't make it to Easter.

Brother PT-2700 Desktop Labeling System (Silver/Black)

Food of Love

I had the pleasure of being in New York City last week and found myself shopping in the Grand Central Terminal Market to buy salad and dessert to bring to a dinner party. The Market is incredibly appealing; Murray's Cheese shop, Lilac Chocolates, gorgeous cut flowers, and yummy delights from Corrado Kitchen.

Hint, hint - you could absolutely assemble a great Valentine's dinner in one shot.

There is also a wonderful shop called Cursive next door to the Market; John Derian decoupage trays, unusual letterpress cards and a bracelet I would love to wear every day - engraved in a slice of silver a quote from Buddha:

"Your work is to discover your work and then with all your heart to give yourself to it."

There's something quite romantic about meeting at a train station...

http://www.grandcentralterminal.com/go/dirListing.cfm?currCat=2138210767

http://www.cursivenewyork.com/

Are you in or out?

It's been raining cats & dogs again in Los Angeles. Our dog is perfectly happy to go in and out of the dog door, leaving her wet Lab paw prints around the house afterwards. The cat on the other hand, would prefer it if you would kindly leave the front door slightly ajar so he can sit and wait for the appropriate time to exit the premises. Thus, all the warm air in the house is replaced by wind and rain.

It is at times like these that I:


  a: feel like the doorman.
  b: wish I had an indoor/outdoor rug.
  c: wish I had no pets at all.

These rugs are very cheery and made with materials to withstand muddy paws. They call it a rug for all seasons...
http://www.dashandalbert.com/product/view/negril-indoor-outdoor--RDB145

She doesn't cook - she assembles.

My Father once said of his friend's wife that she doesn't really cook - she assembles. How pathetic, I thought. Then I realized, "Wait, I assemble too." Frequently I just throw things into a pot - soups, lentils with sausage, sauces. Maybe the difference is I channel my inner Julia Child while doing so. Most things just taste better cooked in a Le Crueset French Oven. Many colors offered. Of course, I own the orange one.

Want your own? Please follow this link: Le Crueset