Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION.

Style: Fashion Attraction – the Way we Dress

I have heard it said that women dress for other women. Unless you are dressing
specifically for your man (wink wink), I think for the most part that may be true, but I dress for myself and the occasion. I like to feel good about the way I look even if I’m at home alone and no one else sees me. Even if I’m wearing pajamas, they must be somewhat stylish. Even when I’m glamping…~~I tend to look like this photo (in my dreams).~~ In my recurring dream I’m stepping out of a rolls in NYC wearing a low cut LBD and pillbox hat. Uh huh!While men may be appreciative of a woman’s overall style, women tend to make more of an effort for other women and there is nothing wrong with another woman appreciating the way you look and paying you a compliment. I do it all the time. Women like to look good for their girlfriends because we tend to pay attention to all the little details. Some men too, but those men are rare ~~or gay~~. Sometimes it feels more special when another woman pays you a compliment because she is saying nothing more than “I like the way you look in that outfit.” The overall context of this short film is that we should be able to openly celebrate, look and appreciate one another.

The Way we Dress – “Notes on the Gaze” by Chelsea McMullan

*Short Film (if you are receiving this post via e-mail and cannot see the video please click on the blue title above:

Chelsea McMullan is a filmmaker whose works have premiered at Sundance, The Toronto International Film Festival and the New York Photography Festival. Her award-winning shorts have been featured by Nowness, Dazed Digital, Vice, and Vogue Italia. Whenever possible Chelsea inhabits the space between documentary and fiction filmmaking. She is a member of the artists’ co-operative What Matters Most and a secret but fervent topiary enthusiast.

FUN

Food: chop, chop, slice and dice!

Here are some basic professional techniques on how to correctly slice, dice, and chop Vegetables and Herbs by hand (even without the help of a slap chopper) from a real pro.

The pro being someone by the name of Martha, not me. God knows I’m always slicing and dicing and I’m very lucky to have never chopped off my fingers before now. I’ve been scolded about not following the correct guidelines (maybe being left handed has something to do with it) so how about going by these simple rules.

The most important being:

Always use a sharp chef’s knife, and tuck under the fingertips (oops) holding the food to keep them from getting nicked.

For julienne or very small dice, begin by slicing a vegetable very thinly lengthwise. To make julienne, stack several thin slices on top of each other, and slice them into matchsticks; to dice, gather the matchsticks together and chop them into equal pieces.

“Chiffonade” refers to very thin strips of lettuce or herbs, like these basil leaves. Stack several leaves, with the largest on the bottom. Roll them up, and thinly slice them from one end of the roll to the other.

The best way to chop an onion is to start by cutting it in half from top to bottom; then place the cut halves, flat side down, on a work surface, and slice off the stem ends. Remove the skin, and make vertical cuts lengthwise without cutting through the root end, which holds the onion together as you work. Make a few horizontal cuts from the cut edge toward the root end, then chop across the onion to make cubes.

KITCHEN AID:

I’m one of those people who have kitchen helpers. Unfortunately I don’t have a kitchen staff, but products to help make the process of cooking easier. Things like a food processor with all the attachments which I rarely use because then you have to clean the darn thing, a Starfrit Mandoline to help slice, julienne, grate and shred but it’s messy so I used it like once. I have an avocado slicer but the avocado usually gets stuck in it, a melon-baller but I rarely buy melons and when I do I forget that I have one. Then there’s the George Foreman grill which makes great grilled cheese sandwiches that I used a couple of times before becoming too lazy to take it out and so I end up using a cast iron (flipping the bread and pressing it flat with a spatula – but you don’t get the grill marks). Forget about the waffle maker (this is the most useless gift by the way) because the mix spills out of the sides all over the counter, and the Jack Lalanne juicer makes nice juice but the pulp (which is the best thing for you) separates from the juice. That recipe book that tells you how to use the pulp? Believe me, I tried using the pulp in muffins, etc. It might be good for you but it certainly does nothing to improve the taste. The slow cooker can be a great helper when you can get it together to figure out what you want to put in it and No, you can’t just throw anything in it and expect dinner in 8 hours. Now they come with a faster time slot, but isn’t the idea to s l o o w w w l y cook your dinner?

So that leaves: my vitamix which I mostly use to make amazing smoothies and it’s super easy to clean, a hand held mixer (now why is it I do not have a real kitchen aid mixer to help speed up baking?? – Oh, I don’t have any more room on the counter that’s why), a toaster (the best thing for making toast if you have one with wide enough slots – it’s one of the best inventions of all time), a microwave (for warming up leftovers), an electric braun masher (best mashed potatoes), and a variety of easy hand held gadgets to help peel and grate (I love my Ikea graters) and scoop ice cream with.

What about you? Which of your kitchen appliances/doodads do you tend to use the most?

Source: every great chef and Martha Stewart Living (for guidelines & photos)

Art & Culture

The ART of the Dealer – the True Believer

As it is believed behind every brilliant actor or musician there is a remarkable manager, it seems behind every great art movement there is an exceptional art dealer.

Renoir’s Dance at Bougival, 1883, is one of the masterworks that seduced Londoners in the famous show Durand-Ruel presented at the Grafton Galleries in 1905. Image courtesy of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston — **One of my favourite paintings: Renoir’s Dance at Bougival**, 1883, is one of the masterworks that seduced Londoners in the famous show Durand-Ruel presented at the **Grafton Galleries** in 1905. Image courtesy of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

An important new exhibition at the PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM OF ART (PMA) celebrates the keen eye of Paul Durand-Ruel, the Paris dealer who defied the scorn of critics to promote the raggedy brand of pioneering young painters we now know as the Impressionists.

An exhibition celebrating his brave achievement, “Discovering the Impressionists: Paul Durand-Ruel and the New Painting,” is on view at the PMA through September 13th. It features scores of intoxicating canvases by Claude Monet, Édouard Manet, Edgar Degas, Mary Cassatt and Pierre-Auguste Renoir, all beloved now, but in their own day savaged.

“Discovering the Impressionists: Paul Durand-Ruel and the New Painting” features more than 90 intoxicating canvases by the movement’s masters. Photo by Graydon Wood — **“Discovering the Impressionists: Paul Durand-Ruel and the New Painting”** features more than 90 intoxicating canvases by the movement’s masters. Photo by Graydon Wood

The success of Impressionism was largely due to the intrepid zeal of Durand-Ruel. Or should one say survival? “Without Durand, we would have died of hunger, all of us Impressionists,” a grateful Claude Monet exclaimed shortly after the dealer’s death in 1922 at the age of 90.

A man of conviction, who went to mass every morning, Durand-Ruel never wavered in his belief in his artists. During his long life, he purchased approximately 1,000 Monets, 1,500 Renoirs, 200 Manets, 400 Degases and 800 Camille Pissarros. He once owned Eugène Delacroix’s epic Death of Sardanapalus, 1827, now in the Louvre, and Renoir’s Luncheon of the Boating Party, 1880-81, one of the treasures of the Phillips Collection, along with other masterpieces that ended up in the PMA, Metropolitan Museum of Art, National Gallery in London and Pushkin Museum in Moscow.

In 1851, when he was just 20 years old, Durand-Ruel joined his ailing father at his family’s picture gallery near the Place Vendôme, which over the next 70 years he would transform into an artist-promoting powerhouse. He had a discerning eye, trusted his instincts and was not afraid to sit on stock — or even purchase it back. He introduced such now standard practices as operating his gallery in several cities (London, Brussels and New York), mounting solo shows, sending work to international exhibitions, organizing public lectures, publishing exhibition catalogs, backing art magazines and giving his artists stipends.

The American expat Mary Cassatt was among the many painters Durand-Ruel discovered. She focused on domestic scenes like The Child’s Bath, 1893. Image courtesy of The Art Institute of Chicago: Robert A. Waller Fund — The American expat **Mary Cassatt** was among the many painters Durand-Ruel discovered. She focused on domestic scenes like **The Child’s Bath**, 1893. Image courtesy of The Art Institute of Chicago: Robert A. Waller Fund.

At last, in Philadelphia, Durand-Ruel is getting the credit he richly deserves for having put Impressionism on the map. We may be late to the party, but Renoir always knew this day would come. “Your love of art and your defense of living artists,” he presciently told Durand-Ruel in 1885, “will be your claim to fame.”

Source: title changed and condensed from an article written by Phyllis Tuchman for “Introspective Magazine”

Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life – Pablo Picasso

This quote by Charles Dickens (Bleak House) best sums up giving credit where credit is due – “He didn’t at all see why the busy bee should be proposed as a model to him; he supposed the Bee liked to make honey, or he wouldn’t do it — nobody asked him. It was not necessary for the bee to make such a merit of his tastes.” – Dickens

FUN

Feel-good Friday: lucky dogs!

My therapist has fur and four legs and all I have to do is feed him.

Four dogs, Three nights, Two locations, One great little adventure!

Jack (jack russell), Jia Jia (sheltie) & Max (blue heeler) on Piers Island — **Jack** (jack russell), **Jia Jia** (sheltie) & **Max** (blue heeler) on Piers Island **Photo**: d king

Taylor (1 1/2 yr. old Border Collie) & Jia Jia - Prospect Lake. — **Taylor** (1 1/2 yr. old Border Collie) & **Jia Jia** – at Prospect Lake just getting to know each other

Dogs enjoying the freedom to run around Piers Island — **Dogs enjoying the freedom to run around – Piers Island. It’s always an enjoyable time with these fellows. Photo: Mel d’Souza**

Jack enjoying the view from his living room - waiting for the boat to arrive with more supplies — **Jack enjoys the view from his living room** – waiting for the boat to arrive with more goodies. Now he’s just getting over being stung on his behind by a wasp, poor thing. He might have sat on it. **Photo**: d king

Me & my posse — **My posse & me at the dog park which is basically the whole island. Max blends in with the rocks so well that we can only tell it’s him when he sticks out his tongue. Photo: Mel d’Souza**

It’s a Ruff Life

Reflections — **“I hope Jack can’t swim” Photo:** d king

Have a great weekend with your posse!

A look at Jack & Jia Jia on Pinterest:

Link to dog park picnic with Didi (almost one year ago):

https://girlwhowouldbeking.com/2014/09/11/feel-good-friday-picnic-in-the-park/

Health + LifeStyle

Décor – casual island living

When you live on the water I think you want something reflective of your surroundings. These photos from a friends house overlooking a lake show a balance of simple comfy casualness mixed with sophistication. Of course I love all the sea details with starfish, shells and fish strewn throughout the house.

This is a little sitting nook to have coffee, afternoon tea or just relax or read a book. — **A little breakfast nook to have coffee, afternoon tea or just relax and read**

**The view is the main attraction but there’s no shortage of places to sit & chat**

**Country Style hanging pots & pans** with lots of sunshine that flows from all directions

I like the wood details & oversized comfortable sofa & chairs — **I like the wood details & oversized chair & sofa – well suited for the location**

I like this stained glass piece in the entryway — I like this **stained glass** piece in the entryway even though the owner wants to replace it with something different.

Colourful artwork is displayed all over the house but I’ve decided not to post photos as they are ~~stolen~~ private.

Do you have a favourite home style?

For me, it’s a mix of belongings picked up from various travels. All that matters is that they have meaning to me and bring back memories of places, people and times. I like a combination of rustic and modern, colour, black & white or plain white walls with lots of art. I’m leaning towards less is more now (don’t laugh, I mean that). Ideally, I would have several small homes and each one would be different. A pied-à-terre in Paris, New York and something on the beach. In the meantime, I will live vicariously through some of my friends. It’s always nice to see other people’s tastes.

Photos: d. king

FUN

style: poolside

I’m invited to a pool party this month…

Finally I’ll get to wear my Trina Turk tankini from Palm Springs. It’s exactly the kind of piece I’d wear for a party – not an everyday bathing suit. I’m taking a clue from these world famous pools and what women wear when either swimming or lounging at them.

Here are the 10 CHICEST SWIM DESTINATIONS and ideas for what to wear on your visit. Whether you hang out in The Joule’s rooftop cantilevered pool in Dallas or travel to Bali to swim among the treetops, you can be certain that these will outdo your standard midday dip.

Bondi Icebergs Club - Bondi, Australia — **Bondi Icebergs Club – Bondi, Australia**

Hanging Gardens Ubud - Bali, Indonesia — **Hanging Gardens Ubud – Bali, Indonesia**

San Alfonso del Mar - Valparaiso, Chile — **San Alfonso del Mar – Valparaiso, Chile**

Grace Santorini - Thira, Greece — **Grace Santorini – Thira, Greece**

**The Standard Hotel & Spa, Miami Beach**

The McCarren Hotel & Spa - Brooklyn, New York — **The McCarren Hotel & Spa – Brooklyn, New York**

The Beverly Hills Hotel - Los Angeles, California — **The Beverly Hills Hotel – Los Angeles, California**

**The Four-Seasons Hualalai at historic Ka-upulehu, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii**

The Joule - Dallas, Texas — **The Joule – Dallas, Texas**

Source: style.com for story and photos

Photos: various – Net-a-Porter, Getty Images (Beverly Hills pool photo) and respective hotels.

Which is your pool style?

While I like them all, I gravitate more towards Paris and Beverly Hills (for the love of stripes) & Hawaii. But I love the lingerie inspired Texas two-piece.

Food + Drink

Foodie = Friends with Finesse

Thought I’d share some photos of meals my friends prepared last week. Starting with Bill’s Food on Prospect Lake:
It helped that we ate outside and had an amazing view but that did not overshadow this chef’s creation of: charcoal grilled wild salmon with macadamia oil, dusted with magic dust from “The Hitching Post” from “Sideways” fame, creamed corn with chanterelles, onion & bacon and hand picked wild rice from North Western Ontario. Bill, did you pick that rice yourself? It was magical!

The salad of baby arugula, beets, blueberries, goat cheese and avocado in a vinaigrette of hazelnut oil, lime juice & a drop of honey.

THEN moving over to Piers Island:

Mel’s Meal:

It started with an appetizer of Bill’s (he gave me some to take over) venison tenderloin stew with chanterelle mushrooms & gnocchi. Rich, smoky & tasty.

The star in this dinner goes to the succulent giant prawns sourced from a local supplier and barbequed with butter, garlic, s+p and crushed red dried chillies from India stuffed with yogurt & masala spice. Amazing! Again, barbequed wild salmon (you know we can never get enough of those omega 3’s) but this time marinated with olive oil, maple syrup, lemon, s+p. Green beans with garlic chunks, olive oil & shaved parmesan. Mel, you killed it!

Took’s Terrific Thai dinner:

Our Bangkok evening – oh, we’re spoiled! We helped ourselves to the most delicious home cooked Tom Ka Gai Coconut Chicken soup, Panang Curry, Thai Rice & Took’s secret sweet recipe of pork with tufu & veggies. All this while watching Thai gogo dancers, wild music & goings on in Bangkok on an IPad. Didn’t go with the view but we watched for a little while before deciding to just enjoy the quiet. We had a cherry pie for dessert but ended up having Lychee fruit instead because we were too full. Took also made a beautiful spicyThai salad with tuna for lunch.

BEST PART: I got a private cooking lesson the next day on how to make Panang Curry from scratch. That’s how much I loved it. I’ve made Thai curry pastes & curry before but not like this. Took walked me through the whole way, all the while with a watchful eye. I was tearing & chopping the leaves all wrong for garnish before this. My sister came for dinner the night I got back to sample my new creation – successful review!

What did I make? Nothing. Well, nothing like this. My little contribution was an assortment of baked goods – cookies, muffins & a blueberry/lemon loaf. More breakfast/snack based items although we had breakfast cooked for us too. Not sure I can invite any of these people over for dinner…unless they like hot dogs. I have tons of condiments.

Photos: d. king

Health + LifeStyle

Lifestyle: Vancouver/Gulf Island Living

Ahhhhh…the life of some people!

View from house on Piers — View from living room – **house on Piers Island** (Gulf Islands in the distance)

Spending the summer in Vancouver near the beach makes me feel like I don’t really need to escape. The weather has been perfect and with plenty of picturesque places to walk, run, rollerblade, ride a bike or just relax in a chaise lounge, why go anywhere else?

but I didn't want my deck shoes would go to waste — because I didn’t want my deck shoes to go to waste

But having said that, I just came back from spending three amazing days & nights on two little hidden gems. The first day/night was spent with a friend who lives on Prospect Lake where the water is warm enough to swim in and we watched a resident bald eagle at fairly close range. And we ate very well.

Prospect appies that houseguest Bill prepared - cordon bleu style — Prospect appies that houseguest Bill prepared – cordon bleu style. He even made homemade elderberry jelly. I don’t even know what an elderberry looks like but the jelly is superb, especially on homemade pecan smoked duck breast. Oh; he also made goat cheese filled siljans with roasted red pepper & garlic jelly…yeah!

Next door neighbour flying high — **The bald next door neighbour is a member of the extra mile high club**

The last two days/nights were spent on a friends oceanfront property on Piers Island which is a little island near Sydney, B.C. There are only about 40 permanent residents and about 123 ocean front lots. We took his boat from Canoe Cove and landed on his doorstep about a 15 minute ride dock to dock.

From dock to deck. On Piers we didn't go very far. — **From dock to deck**. On Piers we didn’t have far to go – to get to where we were going.

Soooo I can be an island girl as it turns out..at least for three days. A break from the city is a nice change and doing nothing but taking in the view, eating good food while taking in the view and walking the dogs while taking in the view is really as good as it gets.

**Prospect View with a bowl of homemade soup**

There were two dogs on Prospect and three on Piers and they were in doggie heaven. Piers has no cars so we could take them off leash through the trails. People leave boxes of unwanted stuff outside their places with notes attached that say “help yourself.” Someone left a bike and our friend was going to buy one so we ended up bringing him the one we found. At least I’m hoping it was meant to be taken (it was).

From the back of the house on Piers - to the trails — From the back of the house on Piers Island – to the trails that feel like you’re in the country

Many arty people who have little work studios and make jewellery and glass objects live there. More people tend to paint and make jam in these places. Come to think of it, the last time I went to Gabriola to visit a friend we overnighted on Saltspring, left with a bag of quince berries from a B+B we stayed at and went back to Gabriola to make quince jam…because that’s what you’re supposed to do in these quaint locations. Take it easy and make jam.

Bill made me a Nespresso Cappuccino Fantastico — Bill made me a **Nespresso** Cappuccino Fantastico. Those machines are a great investment.

What is it about these small islands that brings out your artistic side?

Is it because you have more time on your hands or is it simply a better place to be?

– Only no time will tell –

I tried to load one more little thing from the wheel barrel to the boat....looks like I'll have to wait. — I tried to load **one more little thing** from the wheel barrel to the boat….looks like I’ll have to wait until next time. Hope that time is soooon.

Photos: d. king

FUN

Feel-good Friday: Playful Pink Piano

Move over Elton John…

It’s been a long time since I’ve played piano (if that’s what you can call it) so imagine my joy to see this strategically placed pink piano on my walk over the bridge… just had to plant myself down for a few minutes, enjoy the view and try to come up with a tune.

Well at least I tried! I think the Red piano in Vegas performs better.

Photos: Lisa King

STYLE

style: flawless white sneakers

I thought I could make it through summer without a pair of plain clean (they must be clean) white sneakers but that is proving to be not the case.

You would think that with the variety of ballet flats, wedge sandals, flip flops, gladiators, deck shoes and other colourful walking sneakers there would be no need.