Go pro with your presentation with these three videos featuring over 20 ideas for how to plate sauces.from Fine Dining Lovers
Thursday, May 31, 2018
20+ Ways to Plate Sauces
Go pro with your presentation with these three videos featuring over 20 ideas for how to plate sauces.from Fine Dining Lovers
How to Throw a Simply Beautiful Summer Brunch
As we dive into summer, (I mean, we’re close enough) I realized I’d yet to throw a party this year. Not really sure how that happened. Oh wait, I have a three-nager. That might be why. But I recently decided that had to change (not the having a toddler part – the party part). I’ve learned you really shouldn’t wait for a reason to get friends together. They take too long to materialize. Instead, just make one up! A brunch to welcome summer seemed like as good of a reason as any. But as a busy mama I’m in no mood to spend hours pulling a party together.
So I pulled out all my tricks to host a beautiful summer brunch without losing my mind. And today I’m spilling the beans in the hopes it might inspire you.
TRICK 1: Amp up your tabletop. A gorgeous tabletop is a bit of a ubiquitous requirement for a brunch, but who can manage to stock multiple set of dishes to switch up a look? That is where the first trick comes in. Take your classic set of white dishes next level with Harlow & Grey. If you haven’t discovered Harlow & Grey yet, I’m about to blow your mind. This line of modern party goods are absolutely stunning. This is way more than a disposable plate. Their artful collections feature modern designs and amazing attention to detail like gold-foil edges and of the moment colors. Hello amethyst color of the year. Harlow & Grey’s coordinated pieces offer plates, cups & napkins to transform all your staples for a morning.
To celebrate the transition from spring to summer, we layered my dining room table in a sea of light lavender, white, and light pinks A mix of gray and white candles in marble and brass holders added ambience. Hits of black keep things from getting overly saccharin. To make things feel extra personal and little more special we added Harlow & Grey placecards.
TIP 2: Don’t sweat the food. While I’m all for some good home cookin’ when you’re hosting why take on the unnecessary burden. Especially for something like brunch. I strongly advise hitting up your favorite bakery or cafe for a bevy of treats. Things like quiche can be purchased the day before and reheated. Salads are simple and easy. I turned to Le Marais Bakery, my go-to spot for an amazing treat. Supplement with fresh berries, mixed nuts & dried fruit and everyone will go home quite satisfied. And you won’t have spent hours slaving in the kitchen. Win win.
TIP 3: Rosé all day everyday. Enough said. Except if you want to make a really dramatic moment serve up your rosé in a magnum. Just be sure you know how to open the bottle. (check Instagram stories today to see my poor attempt to open my favorite Azur Rosé).
TIP 4: Take your flowers next level. You can break the grocery store bouquet habit. Thankfully now there are some really great sources for beautiful blooms that you can arrange at home. We’re lucky in the Bay Area as we often get to test out new services before they go national. Case in point, Matilda’s Magnolias. Matilda Magnolias buys fresh cut flowers from Bay Area farmers, changing their arrangements weekly to make sure they’re using the best of what’s in season. Then they deliver a “bloom box” of stems to your door and you get to do the arranging! Each box comes with a beautifully illustrated tip sheet on how to make the best bouquet if you feel like you need some pointers. Matilda’s introduced me to Astilbe which might be my new favorite bloom.
I want this brunch to serve as the model for gathering friends this season. Because you can create a stunning atmosphere, have delicious treats, a table full of people you love and not make yourself crazy. You just have to remember you don’t have to do everything yourself. There are amazing, beautiful things created by amazing talented people who can help you. And there’s no shame in that!
SHOP THE TABLE: harlow & grey plates / marble candle holder / wine glasses / gold flatware / harlow & grey cups / gray taper candles / matilda’s magnolias blooms / harlow & grey place cards / copper place card holders / harlow & grey napkins
This brunch was a such a special treat and shared with such lovely friends that we had to go and make a beautiful video to capture the day. I hope it inspires you to gather your girls and spend some time together for no other reason that than you can.
For even more summer party inspiration, CLICK HERE.
original photography & video direction by andrea posada creative
amethyst collection tableware by Harlow & Grey
wooden place card holders from Esselle
calligraphy by Joy + Confetti
floral arrangements by Matilda’s Magnolias
brunch spread by Le Marais Bakery
rosé via Azur wines
gifts by sage wellness / lilah b beauty / karuna skin /
The post How to Throw a Simply Beautiful Summer Brunch appeared first on Apartment34.
from Apartment34
1975 Ford Bronco Custom
from Men's Gear
DELTA 7 EDC Multi-Tool
from Men's Gear
RED Hydrogen One Smartphone
from Men's Gear
Daily Dream Home: Verbena
Also known as Summerfield, the town of Verbena, Alabama is the perfect spot for long summer days. This gorgeous lake home has panoramic water views of the main channel on Lake Mitchell just off the much desired Gargile Creek in Chilton County, with year-round deep water, on 1.39 acres with 365 feet of waterfront. Custom […]
The post Daily Dream Home: Verbena appeared first on Pursuitist.
from Pursuitist
Roger Dubuis Excalibur Knights of the Round Table III
The Roger Dubuis Excalibur Knights of the Round Table undergoes a contemporary facelift while keeping its high fantasy appeal
The post Roger Dubuis Excalibur Knights of the Round Table III appeared first on LUXUO.
from LUXUO
Top 5 Beauty Essentials for Spring – 2018 Edition
It has been a while since I did a Beauty Essentials list (maybe because I haven’t been in the right frame of mind) – but I am feeling the love for Spring and I know Summer is just around the corner.
I like trying a few things (but most of my beauty routine hardly changes) – so if a product makes this list, it is really because I love it.
Here are my Top 5 Beauty Essentials for Spring, which I hope you will love too.
Bamford Rose Hand and Body Wash (250ml)
Costs £22 and you can get it from Liberty London or Net-a-Porter – both do international deliveries. (also have a look at the hand wash and lotion option from Liberty)
I didn’t know that Bamford and Daylesford were owned by the same brand until my friend Molly visited their amazing spa and told me about it. I love their rose scent and can also swear by their bath oil (which is a family favourite).
Shiseido Advanced Body Creator super slimming reducer anti-cellulite cream (200ml)
Costs £56 and you can get it from Harvey Nichols, John Lewis & Feel Unique (UK with international shipping) and Look Fantastic (US/Canada or rest of the world)
Weirdly enough, there are a LOT more options for cellulite creams in Continental Europe than in the UK (and I think it is because the others have a Summer season per se, but I am not sure). I did a search online and this came up as the best option – I am two weeks in and the results are visible. I am not sure if things ‘have reduced’ but the skin is visibly smoother and I am grateful. There is also the effect after a week where things get a lot worse before they get better.
Mario Badescu Drying Lotion (29ml)
Costs £16 and you can get it from Harvey Nichols and Liberty and $16 from pretty much everywhere in the USA such as Amazon or Ulta. I actually have the “repair kit” which you can get from Amazon or Nordstrom for $46.
I am going to do a whole post on spot treatments as I have been suffering quite a bit, and this has been really really really good. You apply this at night (it is a pink powder inside a bottle with some white liquid which you cannot shake) and you will have pink marks all over your face. Visible effects after one single night – that, I promise you. I bought mine and made Luxury Travel Mom buy one too and she agrees with my verdict.
Rosie for Autograph Divine Sugar Body Scrub 195ml
Costs £10 from Marks & Spencer
I go to M&S for food (and food rubbish bags as they are the absolute best) and I recently had a very pleasant surprise when my favourite body scrub from Clarins had sold out at my usual department store. The lady from Clarins told me to cross the street to Marks & Spencer and ‘see if I could get’ the Rosie for Autograph Divine Sugar Body Scrub (this is a true story). There was none, but a nice lady found me one. I am now on my third one and have been popping in and out of M&S and rarely found one. Best option is to order online – and it is only £10. If you like ‘proper scrub’, try this.
Living Proof frizz Shampoo and/or Conditioner (236 ml each)
Costs £22 for each at John Lewis, Marks & Spencer or Amazon in the UK and Europe, and $36 (for both the shampoo and conditioner) in the USA/Canada with Amazon. There is also a discovery kit from John Lewis.
I love everything about this range – and it has been firmly on my ‘rotation’ of 3 shampoo brands which really work for me. I have quite a bit of volume in my hair (and I also colour it because the greys are ruthless and seem to love me) and this is just perfect.
I love all 5 products and have recommended them to my best friend. If you are having trouble sleeping, we should talk – I have loads of trouble but having a good run at the moment with no medication and only these 5 items. If you fancy changing your perfume in time for Spring and Summer, here are my current choices (some new ones there!).
If you have tried something you love and are definitely on your top 5 beauty essentials for Spring, please let me know.
xo
Mrs. O
The post Top 5 Beauty Essentials for Spring – 2018 Edition appeared first on Mrs. O Around the World - a luxury travel blog by Ana Silva O'Reilly.
from Mrs. O Around the World – a luxury travel blog by Ana Silva O'Reilly
Leaos Pressed Bike
from Men's Gear
Grand Hotel La Favorita, Sorrento – A Luxury Amalfi Coast Haven
Sorrento is one of the most charming places on the Amalfi Coast, Italy. It’s also easy to explore other coastal gems such as Capri and Positano from here. That’s why staying overnight or for several days here makes perfect sense. We chose Grand Hotel La Favorita, Sorrento, one of the best 5 star Amalfi Coast hotels for our trip.
We arranged our stay via Classic Collection Holidays, the leading tailor-made luxury holiday specialists. They are experts in arranging holidays to Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast. Having previously travelled to Italy with them, we knew that everything would run like clockwork. They booked our e-tickets and got us the best seats on the plane, sending us a printed copy in a handy travel wallet with a guide to Italy. They also arranged our car rental at Naples airport.
Grand Hotel La Favorita, Sorrento
One of the most highly rated Sorrento hotels according to TripAdvisor is Grand Hotel La Favorita. It’s a family run hotel with a gorgeous rooftop pool and great restaurant.
First Impressions
Grand Hotel La Favorita has a fantastic location a few streets away from the town centre and Piazza della Vittoria. Staff are very friendly and instantly put you at ease. The other thing we noticed straight away was the spacious lobby and the beautiful tiled floor. This sense of space carries throughout the hotel, with a huge rooftop terrace, sizeable ground floor gardens and bar.
Accommodation
The 85 rooms at Grand Hotel La Favorita are beautifully decorated, with unique floral tiles from Vietri. Ours had a lovely garden view balcony from which we could see the Bay of Naples.
Thanks to the comfy bed and pillows, we got an excellent night’s sleep.
Our Deluxe Double room had all mod cons including a flat screen TV with foreign channels, a safe, mini bar, complimentary high speed WiFi and air conditioning. We also had access to a personalized concierge service. The hotel rooms are very well insulated and you don’t hear any external noise. The bathroom also had beautiful flower tiles and a marble basin and was equipped with slippers, towelling robes and a hairdryer.
Breakfast
You’re in for a treat with the breakfast at Grand Hotel La Favorita. Unlike some Italian hotels that simply serve hot drinks and pastries, there’s a huge choice at the buffet in Tiffany Restaurant. From 7 am until 10 am, take your pick from cereal, homemade cakes, ham, cheese, fresh fruit and salad. There’s also an array of hot buffet dishes and freshly cooked omelettes made to your taste.
Facilities
One of the highlights of this hotel is the magnificent rooftop bar and pool, The Bellavista Terrace. Located on the top floor, it’s the perfect place one which to sunbathe or cool off with a refreshing swim. From the sun loungers and bar, you can admire the tiled dome of a nearby church, as well as Mount Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples. Bellavista Terrace is open from 12 pm – 16 pm.
On the ground floor there’s yet more open space with a sunny seating area at the front of the hotel.
There is further seating in the rear garden. You can dine here in Summertime or simply enjoy a refreshing drink. There’s even a secret garden tucked away at the back, with a lemon tree ensuring that it’s nice and shady. Adjacent to the gardens is the stylish American Bar with comfy white leather Chesterfield sofas, chandeliers and wall tiles dating from the 18th century.
The bar serves some great cocktails in the evening, both indoors and on the terrace.
If you want to work off the drinks or you’re feeling sporty, there’s a well equipped gym in the basement.
Tiffany Restaurant
Guests at Grand Hotel La Favorita can enjoy fantastic fine dining at Tiffany Restaurant and bar. Non residents are welcome and it is open from 12 pm until 15.30 pm for lunch and from 19 pm until 22.30 pm for dinner. Tiffany Restaurant is a popular fixture on the Sorrento dining scene, known for its Italian specialties and attentive service. We loved our dinner here, with tasty dishes such as locally caught seafood.
Leave some room for dessert as they are superb, in particular the chocolate cake.
Things to do near Grand Hotel La Favorita
Just 200 metres walk from the hotel you’ll find O Parrucchiano.It’s owned by the same family as Grand Hotel La Favorita and is one of the most well known Sorrento restaurants. There are a few reasons for that – firstly its vast courtyard gardens bedecked with flowers and secondly due to its cannelloni. The dish was actually invented here over 100 years ago and was formerly called strascinati.
There’s an interesting art museum on the pedestrianized main street, Corso Italia. Fondazione Sorrento has regularly changing exhibitions of local artists and a permanent collection of music boxes in the basement. Sorrento Cathedral is also on the main street and has a beautiful bell tower.
You’ll find some great boutiques along Corso Italia and in the surrounding alleyways. Part of the fun of visiting Sorrento is wandering through these little alleys with their picturesque restaurants and shops. Marquetry is a Sorrento specialty and there are a few workshops where you can see craftsmen making it. There’s also a marquetry museum if you’re interested in finding out more about the subject.
One of the most beautiful Sorrento sights is the Cloisters of San Francesco. They were built in the 14th century and are remarkably well preserved in a shady courtyard.
Above the cloisters, Gallery Celentano has a popular Instagrammable Sorrento attraction on its terrace, a swing with views over the Bay of Naples. You can also sit in a cutaway Fiat 500 car, and wander around the photographic exhibitions. On our visit, there was a great one on Sofia Loren and another on Raffaele Celentano, the owner of the gallery.
Sorrento lemons are famous the world over and it’s well worth visiting I Giardini Di Cataldo on Via Correale. They make all kinds of things from lemons including liqueur, jam, marmelade and of course, lemon gelato! Visitors can take a guided tour around their lemon grove and see the typical pergolas made from chestnut wooden poles, protecting the lemons from adverse weather conditions.
A bit further along the street you’ll come to Museo Correale di Terranova. Over 4 floors, it showcases paintings from 17th and 18th centuries, European porcelain, glass and table clocks. At the far end of the museum gardens, you’ll find a path leading to a great viewpoint of the coast.
Head back towards Sorrento town centre, past Piazza Tasso and walk through the old town entrance, Porta di Marina Grande to the harbour below. Marina Grande is still a working fishing port and extremely picturesque. If you’d like to get to Marina Piccola, you can the Sorrento Lift from Piazza Francesco Saverio Gargiulo. It’s free for children less than 1 metre in height, € 1,00 for adults or € 1,90 for a return ticket.
Getting to Sorrento
The closest airport is Naples and from here it’s just 48 kilometres to Sorrento. The route along the coast is extremely scenic, just be prepared for it to get quite busy in Summertime. We’d allow a couple of hours from door to door.
There are so many things to do in Sorrento that you’ll want to stay here for several days at least. Grand Hotel La Favorita also makes an excellent base from which to explore the other Amalfi Coast towns such as Positano and Ravello. With such excellent facilities, it’s easy to see why it’s considered to be one of the best Sorrento hotels. The only downside will be checking out and leaving this oasis behind. When the charming receptionist joked with us that we should stay longer she also asked if we really wanted to leave. The answer was no and we’re sure you’ll feel the same way if you stay here. Thanks to Classic Collection and Grand Hotel La Favorita, our stay was a pure delight.
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In association with Classic Collection Holidays
The post Grand Hotel La Favorita, Sorrento – A Luxury Amalfi Coast Haven appeared first on Luxury Columnist.
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Will You Pledge to Make Kitchens Fair?
The #FairKitchens initiative wants to make kitchen culture kinder, healthier and more open – here's how to get involved.from Fine Dining Lovers
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