vegan feast

went to candle 79 in Manhattan for an amazingly delicious vegan dinner to celebrate Jenn's graduation from Columbia's teacher's college!

best of luck in fl, we will miss you lots and lots!!

p.s. i love you seitan.

for apps, we shared

seitan nachos, grilled seitan chimichurri, saffron-lobster mushroom ravioli

pecan encrusted seitan:

sautéed celery and pine nuts, spicy lentils, heirloom cherry tomatoes, beet reduction

caribbean jerk grilled seitan:

plantains, collard greens, black bean sauce, mango-papaya salsa, habanero-cilantro coulis

seitan piccata:

creamed spinach, grilled potato cake, oyster mushrooms, lemon-caper sauce

moroccan spiced chickpea cake:

seasonal veggies, red pepper-coconut curry, fresh apricot chutney, almonds

then the desserts were just as incredible!

fresh figs with vanilla fig ice cream and chopped pecans

tripple-layer dark chocolate tort

fresh peach crumble with ice cream

remember, the entire meal was made with no meat, eggs, or dairy!!

raw feast

I was so thrilled to be a guest at Daniel's end of the month dinner celebration, noting the end to his 'raw diet' for the month of july.

The Raw Feast was a dinner that he planned and executed summing up what he had learned and all the challenges he faced throughout a whole month of not being able to eat anything that had been cooked. even just a little bit cooked.

check him out on his amazing blog, the thirteenth diet.

Can't wait to join him in the many months ahead!!

"summer" : local heirloom tomatoes, watermelon, tomato chips, parsley sorbet

herb salad : cilantro, dill, arugula, parsley, basil, almonds

beet "ravioli": shaved beets, cashew cheese, mango + yellow pepper coulis, pistachios

tacos : dried corn tortillas, spiced black beans, truffle guacamole, sour cream

dessert : local peaches, cayenne + maple ice cream, peach chips

simple but elegant table decor under a tent in a beautiful s. philly backyard

MAD MEN {dinner party}

the long anticipated 4th season of MAD MEN was started off by one fabulous dinner party...

time to celebrate in style!

(chain smoking not required)

dinner party EATS:

APPS

shrimp cocktail with spicy bloody mary sauce

extra dirty martini

DINNER

50's style meatloaf

scalloped potatoes

prosciutto wrapped asparagus

dinner party GUESTS:

new Hair cut!!

back view. front
anyways, this picture does not do my new hair cut justice, it's super short in the back and BRIGHT orange. It's reminiscent of high school circa 1994.

Make your own terrarium

I've wanted to make a terrarium for the past year or so, but I've always been too intimidated to try,until today! look at what I made.

NEW LOVE!

Lately I've been really into making dioramas. Here's what I can up with!! I love the first one, there are 16 hand painted butterflies in this book:)this was inspired by my Philly hood
I call this one "Doll"
More butterflies.

I hope you think them.

fashion week

New York Fashion Week is 1/2 way through and the Fall 2010 RTW shows are up!!!

check them out for free at style.com

here are some of my top pics so far:

....some seriously inspiring truly great American sportswear with a twist.

thank you fashion week!

Alexander Wang

Wang really delivers with an amazing show of menswear inspired 'banker chic' mixing tailored silhouettes of cropped blazers + vests and with thick ribbed leg-warmers for a sexy feel.

Shipley & Halmos

Since their first collection for Fall 2008, ex-Trovata members Sam Shipley and Jeff Halmos have been updating classics and key separates pieces with a great youthful feel.

Thakoon

Thakoon has always been known for his ultra-fem draped printed dresses, but this season he turns towards a new theme with dark tones, textures and furs: fox, mink and raccoon.

Rag & Bone

The ambitious duo presented their cool, classic separates collection packed with attitude which took inspiration from the "crazy English guys who climbed Mount Everest in the 20's in tweed". Amazingly layered chunky tweeds, marled yarns, and even spins of traditional fairisle patterns.