JeNeSeQua: 2010

12.06.2010

JENESEQUA has a new address

Im really excited to announce the change of JENESEQUA's web address

PLUS a chic makeover!

I wont be posting here anymore, so update your RSS feeds & bookmarks

and PLEASE visit me @

www.jenesequa.com

11.30.2010

Guess what tomorrow is?
Yes...you guessed correctly. Im off to Paris for 10 days. But taking a short train into London for the weekend - Im such a lucky girl. This also means Im going to be taking a small sabbatical from writing until the new website is launched. Details coming soon! I will miss you all but cant wait for all the great things to come! Au REVIOR!

11.29.2010

the NEW jenesequa - SNEAK PEEK!!!!

I am THRILLED to announce that jenesequa will have a new look very shortly! Giving my readers a sneak peek at the amazing new header. Do you like it? I've been behind the scenes working with a wonderful designer in Montreal, Canada - for the last 2 months on the new site and its looking TRES MAGNIFIQUE!

Stay TUNED - the countdown begins!

TREND ALERT: BLUE NAILS

LOVING this trend! Seen all over the runways at Chanel's Cruise SS11 shows in Paris:

Get RIVA for only $27 on Chanel.com LIKE NOW before its gone - otherwise you will be kicking yourself! Seen on Ebay for $40, and Amazon for $70?!! OR save a little money for the manicure and get ORLY's GUMDROP for only $6 - so similar nobody will ever know.

*images courtesy Harpers Bazaar.com*

11.26.2010

Eat and Drink: M's Truffled Egg Toast

The best way to finish off a great holiday weekend is with a little (Black Friday) shopping and brunch. One of my all time favorite brunch and even dinner time recipes is Truffled Egg Toast! My recipe is inspired by the restaurant inoteca in New York City. Trust me - this is super simple and will impress anyone eating it - even yourself!

Ingredients:

eggs
asparagus spears
fresh ciabatta french, sour any kind of bread loaf
truffle oil
thin slices of Gruyere, Fontina, Swiss any kind of semi hard cheese
fresh cracked pepper
sea salt

Directions:

preheat oven to 450 degrees
spray baking sheet with non stick spray or olive oil
chop asparagus into "bits" but also leaves half whole spears for eating
grill asparagus with olive oil and sea salt (I add red pepper flake to add some spice!)
cut bread into 1 inch slices
hollow out center and place hollow side up on baking sheet
drop egg yolk and a little white into center
layer the cheese around the yolk
bake for 12-15 minutes until cheese is melted, bread is toasted and yolks are cooked (I sometimes blast with a high broil for a crispier top (I like a little dark burn!)
remove individual toasts and place on plates
drizzle immediately with truffle oil, sea salt and cracked pepper
drop asparagus bits onto the toast and around the plates. Add full spears as well
serve Immediately with Prosseco!

grilling the asparagus

hollowed out bread with yolk and egg

chopped cooked asparagus

almost done!

finished product

11.25.2010

Happy Thanksgiving!

11.24.2010

Being Thankful

Im signing off for the rest of the week!

Wishing you all a very bountiful Thanksgiving full of food, family, happiness and rest.

PS.. the image above is a hand engraved fork from Wooden Hive Etsy Shop!

Great way to give back to the honey bees - as we all know they are suffering. A portion of the proceeds from your purchase with Wood Hive goes to the Honey Bee Conservancy.

11.23.2010

Maison: Idahoan Rustic Chic Winter Retreat

Can you imagine my excitement when I heard the news of a friends winter-home in Idaho, I was so fortunate to visit last winter, is gracing the cover of December's Elle Decor? Out on news stands today!

Marie (in the middle), her mother and sister form the trio of M. Elle Design - where home decor, art and antique consulting is at its finest - and this home is proof.

Everything in this home was hand picked or personally designed by the ladies above. The carefully curated furniture, blankets, centerpieces and art were inspired by bringing out the outdoor organic beauty to the indoors to create a cozy, relaxed, and luxurious environment.

The dining room with custom made steel bookcases, reclaimed wood, and oak dining table.

Driftwood chandelier, wicker chairs, and a view of the Big Wood River and Sawtooths.

The guest room where we stayed overlooked the Big Wood River. Waking up to the smell of snow, and the sound of a trickling river was complete heaven!

This is not your normal bunk room - luxurious linens, pillows, and windows with a view.

The game room was the centerpiece of the apres' ski action.

For more photos and the full article The Peak of Rustic Chic - visit Elle Decor. Its a well done article demonstrating Marie and her families creative sensibilities. Marie is also quite the Elle Decor darling! Named this year as Elle Decor's "5 Interior Designers to Watch" - read her other contribution: The Top Ten Bar Carts. Congrats Marie! Well deserved.

Readers stay tuned for more on Marie. Im really excited to be attending her summer wedding in SunValley at this very home, which I will be sure to post pics here (with her permission of course!)

*photos courtesy Elle Decor*

11.22.2010

Greetings from...

San Francisco!

Sounds of trolley bells, jazz music and the hustle bustle of foot traffic outside my hotel window! I just love this city so much more with every visit. Over the weekend I was lucky enough to discover a few new things:

1. My first sip of Tokaji (toh-KAY-oh-SOO) wine. I guess this is the hottest thing in the bay area right now. Move over Pinot! Tasted like a light dessert wine - but very drinkable and no instant sugar rush/headache. Sited as being created in the 1600's on accident (threat of war invasion kept the grapes from being harvested on time in the Tokaj region in in Slovakia) Tastes like: Honey and orange with a balance of citrus.

2. Exploring Russian Hill - you know that hilly slope with the famous twisty turvy Lombard Street? When visiting San Fran - we typically stay in Union Square, and hang out in the Mission, Marina, Pac Heights and outside of the city. Thanks to some amazing friends hosting a FABULOUS dinner party in their cute quintessential San Francisco home, we were able to check out this charming neighborhood. Do you know why its called Russian Hill? I guess back in the Gold Rush when the hill was being settled, a Russian cemetery was discovered.

3. Dogs ARENT allowed at Point Bonita in the Marin Headlands (one of our fav spots to visit while in the Bay!), but they are allowed at Rodeo Beach. Really fun day exploring the headlands, hiking, taking photos of the city from Point Bonita (we actually didnt get caught with the dog for about 30 mins..shhh) breathing in fresh sea air, exploring the old military barracks and last but not least, getting to drive over the Golden Gate Bridge and back. Its unbelievable how much there is to do just right outside of the city. If you havent explored this area its a MUST!

4. After all of these visits to San Fran, Im embarrassed to admit Ive never walked the Ferry Building! With over 30 merchants - the Ferry Building represents San Francisco's food and beverage at its finest. From restaurants, coffee shops, patisseries, wine merchants, farmers markets, and antique cookware - this place has it all. Go for lunch, breakfast, or dinner - or just stroll with a Blue Bottle Coffee (move over Starbucks!).

5. Still at the Ferry Building - you must eat at Boulette's Larder. If not for a quick bite of organic and sustainable soups, sandwiches and salads, the a MUST order is the Cannele. Super rare, these are the best Ive tasted. They only make a dozen a day, so rush down before noon.

Ill be back tomorrow with more on San Francisco and surrounding Bay Area on where to eat, shop, drink, discover and play!

11.19.2010

Bon Weekend!

Guess where Im off to this weekend?

Get ready for a week of posts from San Francisco! Im going to "discover" the city through food, fun, and adventure. I plan to provide a little peep into the San Francisco I love.

Hope everyone has a relaxing few days off. à bientôt!

11.18.2010

Guess who?

Watercolor arTIST extra-ordinaire, Anne Harwell - of Annechovie blog -

created this sweet piece just for me!

I love it. What do you think?

Check our Anne's Etsy shop for more of her prints, originals, and pricing for commissioned projects!

Here is just a small idea of the splendor you can find in her shop:

quote

Pink/Black Elkins Chair

Amalfi

Super affordable art form $25-$30 above. Great for the living room, study or for gifting to others!

Bookcase Envy

Arranging and curating a bookcase is quite an art! We just aquired an amazing vintage cabinet/bookcase ($300 on Craigslist!) and Im currently having a dilemma on how to arrange our very diverse book collection. When in doubt, I always turn to my decorating bibles for inspiration:
Design Sponge /Lonny Mag/ Decorista /Rue/Domino Book of Decorating

I love the "organic" feel of just throwing books together despite color, size, shape..
Greige
and adding little collectibles and treasures

Lonny Mag
On the other hand, I love the way books are organized by color here

But also looks too decorated for our style...
designsponge
this is more the arrangement Im trying to achieve -
horizontal & vertical placement with a peppering of personal treasures

Lonny Mag
The"before" shot of the new cabinet
As you can see its stuffed full - in no organized fashion.

In the next few weeks between holidays I will be reorganizing this and post an "after" shot! (PS our walls arent orange - but the natural light makes them look that way in this photo)

STAY TUNED!

11.17.2010

Sexiest Couple of the Year

According to People and GQ Magazine - Ryan Reynolds and Scarlett Johansson are one hot sexy duo! Do you agree?

I have to say - I CONCUR!

Splurge vs Steal: Birken-like Handbag

Birken lovers - you are in luck. No more waitlists or fear of jailtime trying to aquire a fake.

Muska has created a more affordable look-a-like! Definitely adding to my wish list!

Hermes Bags, Birken
Price upon request
Hermes handbags »

Muska Caviar Leather Handbag #30
$850
muskamilano.com»

Wisdom

"Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone....just remember that all the people in this world havent had the advantages you've had"

Nick Caraways father's advice to him in Chapter 1 of

F Scott Fitzgerald's Great Gatsby - 1925

Im anticipating the premiere of the much rumored-about adaptation of the Great Gatsby! The internet was buzzing on the lead character, Jay Gatsby, being played by Leonardo DiCaprio?!?!! (ooohlala) and now instead of Amanda Seyfried as Daisy, Ive read posts that Carey Mulligan will be playing the part. Either way I cant wait for details to be finalized and filming starts. Im sensing a trend now in film/televion. Mad Men brought the late 50's and 60's back...are we going to see a 1920's frenzy with BoardWalk Empire and now this movie? Get your flapper dresses ready!

11.16.2010

Anyone else excited

about this BRILLANT news coming from England today?

We have watched Prince William court Kate Middleton for 8+ years now. To top off the sweetness, William proposed with his mother, Diana's, ring. From the frocks to the fancy millenery - I look forward to seeing how this event unveils!!

This news almost trumps the excitement of my upcoming Paris trip...almost.

AMERICAN GIRL IS GOING TO...

PARIS!!!!! December 1st marks the departure for 12 days in the city of love & lights. Below is a peek into my "dream" suitcase. Its just for inspiration and will obviously have to pull like items from my very real, not-as-fabulous closet.

Am I missing anything?