In celebration of Chinese New Year, the year of the sheep.
Lucky Colors: red, brown, purple
Lucky Numbers: 2, 7
Lucky Flowers: carnations and primrose
Year of Birth: 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027
I have highlighted some beautiful Asian jewelry from Etsy to help celebrate. I love all these vintage pieces. Its hard to choose just one.
Last week I went for lunch at the Inn at Pound Ridge by Jean-Georges. It was so wonderful and the perfect combination of modern chic meets rustic charm. At the Inn, “Jean‑George cultivates a truly seasonal, farm-to-table cuisine, with ingredients sourced from the Hudson Valley and New England, whenever possible. I thought I would share one of Jean-Georges famous salad recipes. It is a delicious Kale salad with Parmesan and Mint. Enjoy!
photo: imageshack
photo: Jean-Georges
Jean-Georges Kale Salad
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons fresh juice and 1 tablespoon zest from 2 to 3 lemons
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 small clove garlic, minced (about 1/2 teaspoon)
- 1 anchovy filet, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1 egg yolk
- 1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes
- 2 ounces Parmigiano Reggiano, grated on a microplane grater (about 2 cups)
- 3/4 cup neutral oil (such as safflower or canola)
- 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 cups finely cubed sourdough bread
- 12 ounces kale leaves, large stems removed, sliced into thin ribbons
- 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, sliced into thin ribbons
- 1 serrano chili, thinly sliced
Procedures
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Combine lemon juice and zest, vinegar, garlic, anchovy, mustard, egg yolk, chili flakes, and cheese in the bowl of a food processor. Process until homogenous, about 10 seconds. With processor running, slowly drizzle neutral oil through feed tube, stopping the processor to scrape down sides as necessary until a smooth emulsion is formed, about 20 seconds.
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Transfer to a medium bowl. Whisking constantly, slowly drizzle in 1/2 cup olive oil. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to use.
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Heat remaining two tablespoons olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add bread cubes and cook, tossing and stirring constantly until golden brown and crisp, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and season with salt and pepper.
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To serve, combine kale and mint in a large bowl with about 1/2 cup dressing (more or less as desired). Toss to coat well and let sit around 3 minutes. Transfer to a large serving bowl and top with croutons and sliced chilies. Serve immediately.
Does the video below sound familiar, ladies? My friend told me that this is based on an a nail salon in DC. Women actually avoid the place at all costs. I love this and laugh every single time. The only thing they are missing is the death trap “relaxing” massage at the end of your service! I have a way you can avoid this awkwardness altogether. One late night when I was channel surfing, I fell upon the Haute Polish infomercial. In full disclosure here, I must admit that I cannot pass up a good infomercial. My Haute Polish kit arrived yesterday and IT IS LIFE CHANGING. It is a home version of the salon gel manicure, that is suppose to last TWO WEEKS and does not damage your nails. Its so easy and it really does look professional without all the “free salon advice”. Check out the Haute Polish kit HERE.
Though I think my book club ladies would really want me to post about our latest read, I could not resist blogging about the greatest book I heard about last week, “I’ll Have What She’s Having:My Adventures In Celebrity Dieting”. “A hilarious look at the eating habits of the fit and famous–from Gwyneth’s goji berry and quail egg concoctions to Jackie Kennedy’s baked potato and Beluga caviar regimen–Rebecca Harrington leaves no cabbage soup unstirred in her wickedly funny, wildly absurd quest to diet like the stars.
image Amazon.com
If it worked for Jackie, it’s bound to work for the rest of us, RIGHT!! You can buy the book
Since we are all in a fashion state of mind, with this being New York Fashion week, and receiving all of the wonderful fashion tips, yesterday, from Cricket, I thought it would be fun to spend our Saturday window shopping for vintage fashionable finds on First Dibs. In honor of fashion week, First Dibs is featuring “American Design Greats”. They have curated the best of best. Enjoy! You can visit the collection here:
FIRST DIBS FASHION PAGE
PS Happy Valentine’s Day!!! XO
Celebrating New York Fashion Week, February 12 to 19
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Today’s Fashion Friend Friday is Cricket Burns. Cricket is a highly respected New York City based fashion editor, and stylist with over 30 years in the industry. She recently established the website Crickets Crush. CricketsCrush.com is a high end E-commerce site selling all genres of furnishings and home decor in addition to the works of artisans which Cricket believes reflect the taste level and design interests of her clients. Recently added, by demand of her clients, is a “Fashion” platform including faux jewelry, fine estate jewelry and unusual handbags. Crickets searches for the highly sought after and unusual, only those unique pieces that she is “Crushing” on.
This is the story of a fashion-obsessed stylist turned home decor fanatic:
After 30 years as a creative director, styling cover shoots for magazines such as Harpers Bazaar, Seventeen, Avenue, Quest, and Scene, Cricket Burns’ passion shifted focus from Haute Couture to Interiors. She found herself detouring from Bergdorfs to the D&D building, spending hours entranced by wall coverings and fabric options rather than bias-cut skirts and statement baubles.
As a result, she packed up her prada prop kit for a utilitarian canvas bag, cancelled market appointments at Chanel and Dior for walk-ins at Waterworks and trips to Paris for Maison Objet rather than Pret a Porter. Hence, the birth of CricketsCrush.com. Also as a direct result of her clients’ requests, Cricket is also “The Jusher”. They longed for their homes to have that certain “Wow factor” that Cricket is known for in both her fashion and interior taste and interpretation. Following an in home consultation, Cricket will return with her Crush-mobile brimming with treasures she personally curates for each installation. In a matter of hours, she will work her magic and style on your living space whipping it into a chic frenzy! Your home will transform form “This is nice” to “This is drop dead gorgeous” right before your eyes and who doesn’t want that?
photo:Cloudfront
I was fortunate enough to be able to interview Cricket for NS LIFESYTLES and get some of her expert advice for my readers. Enjoy and don’t forget to visit Cricket’s Crush.
Current Residence?
Carnegie Hill, NYC
Years in Fashion Industry?
Over 30
Favorite Stylist Trick?
For me the best trick for when you don’t know know what to wear is to keep is sleek, simple and elegant and add a statement necklace or stacks of bangles or major earrings (only one of these options please!). Great fitting jeans with a crisp white shirt and an insanely chic choker will turn heads as well as a simple monotone shift dress with an armful of colorful bangles.
Five Items every girls needs in their wardrobe?
1. lots of statement baubles
2. simple / chic black or chocolate brown dress
3. pencil skirt / fit cashmere t-shirt
4. an investment bag for day
5. a fabulous minaudière for night
Most treasured item in your closet?
My mother’s vintage needlepoint Chanel bag.
Describe your own personal style.
When I got married, my wedding was featured in Vows in the NYT and my best friend described my style as Princess Grace meets Lucille Ball. I am an unexpected combo of elegance and wackiness!
Favorite City and Why?
Right now, Istanbul. I have found so many treasures in their mile-long Souk.
Biggest Mistake women make when shopping or getting dressed?
Impulse buying for a specific event. You have it in your closet, just reimagine what you have. I love shopping my closet and I always find something fabulous that I forgot about and reinvent it!
If you could choose a celebrity closet to shop in, who’s would it be and why?
SJP. period.
What items do you feel worth splurging on and saving on?
Splurge; your watch, coat and day bag. Save(wait for sales); fun jewelry, designer shoes, cashmere.
If you could choose to give anyone a makeover who would it be and why?
Rachael Ray. I happen to have this on in the background every morning at work. She is so pretty, but she is styled all wrong for her body type. It pains me.
Who or what inspires you on a daily basis?
My two beautiful daughters, Manzi and India. I want to show them that if you can imagine it, you can do it! All you need is passion and perseverance.
Whats your favorite store and why?
I’d like to be more creative, but I have to say Bergdorf Goodman. It has been my grandmother’s, my mother’s and now my go-to fashion and home decor mecca. From my prom dresses, wedding gown, wedding registry, to my baby layettes and decorating my first apartment and every one since, BG has never let me down the in the chic department…for big occasions as well as everyday needs.
What your favorite restaurant and why?
The Columbus Club in NYC – a stunning little-known Townhouse off of 5th Avenue that serves the most authentically delicious Italian food in a city that is saturated with Italian restaurants that just don’t get it (note: it’s a members only club)
What is your go to item in your closet?
Right now in the freezing cold, my multi color fox fur jacket. Sounds nutty, I know, but it actually works perfectly over everything…It’s a head turner!
What is your favorite piece in your home?
My favorite piece in my home is a super graphic photograph of Mick Jagger taken by Annie Lennox’s former husband/photographer, Dave Stewart. It is the first thing you see when you enter at the end of long hallway above an antique mirrored vanity table adorned with a white porcelain buddha (see photo below). Some of my constant and most passionate crushes include;The Rolling Stones, Buddhas, pug dogs, skulls, anything Andy Warhol, vintage Chanel,and Larry VRBA jewelry.
What is on your wish list?
There are many; like a Manhattan townhouse, a live-in masseuse, a month long trip to India — but back in reality, I would have to say the Cartier “Juste Un Clou” bent nail bracelet in the biggest size and rose gold. Divine!
Cricket, thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me. I cannot wait to get my first purchase from your gorgeous site.
To contact Cricket call her at 646 270 6065 to book your jushing consultation today.