Some might argue, fashion saves the best for last – as in the final days of fashion month are upon us.
Chiara Ferragni with Louis Vuitton bagMiroslava Duma in Leopard coat.Miroslava Duma in Snakeskin Coat. The girl loves Animals.
Make your own assessments with my picks (choices I find more adaptable) from Diego Zukko’s 250 “best off the catwalks street shots” from Paris.
Prada Bag & Red Coat. It’s nice to put a Face to a Bag!Casual Cool with FringeJoanna Hillman – Fringed jacket.Joanna Hillman in Versace with Mark Cross Leopard bag.Michele ElieBar Rafaeli in Stella McCartney jumpsuitEmmanuelle Alt
Caroline de Maigret
MORE: Details on How to be a Parisian – please click on the link to the video below which is not only funny but sadly true to fact. Watch and Learn from the co- author of How to Be Parisian Wherever You Are: Love, Style, and Bad Habits.
I enjoy a really good Jerk chicken and have the perfect recipe for those who are daring enough to try it.
FIRST, a bit of history (you can always skip this part & cut right to the chase but I think it’s a good idea to let people know where the dish originated from).
It all started with survival (and if you really want to take it a step further I guess you can say that that’s how all food started). The beginning doesn’t sound too appetizing. Escaped slaves living in the Jamaican jungle interior had to develop many survival techniques – but none more impressive than the way they hunted wild pigs (cleaning them between run-ins with the law) and covering them with a mysterious spice paste and then cooking them over an aromatic wood fire. Now this spice mixture is so popular, inspiring commercial spice mixes, bottled marinades and the use of the word “jerk” around the world. What about the word used to describe this dish? Most Jamaicans offer the non-scholarly explanation that the word refers to the jerking motion either in turning the meat over the coals or in chopping off some for customers.
However…JERK….is the English form of a Spanish word of Indian origin. The original Indian word meant to prepare pork in the manner of the Quichua Indians. Now Jerk is prepared with chicken, fish, shrimp even lobster. Several of the best jerk purveyors are still on the beach at Boston Bay, Portland (not in Oregon) somewhat off the tourist track mostly frequented by Jamaicans, not tourists. But I was lucky enough to try some from a local stand (actually no more than a thatch-roof hut built over low-lying , smoldering fire) – and it’s never tasted better.
The jerk sellers tend to be characters with colorful nicknames and singsong sales pitches that tell you why their jerk is the best on the island. They’ll even pull out a glass jar of jerk paste with lethal scotch bonnet peppers and scoop out some for you to try. This definitely will require a *red stripe to cool down the flames. *Red Stripe is the beer of Jamaica. Oh my, I almost forgot I have a recipe.
Jerrific Jerk Chicken
This recipe is great served with rice and peas. It can be made more authentic by doubling all the dry spices – including the fiery chili flakes! You could also substitute a whole chicken cut into serving size pieces instead of chicken breasts with terrific results. At this time of year you can grill the chicken under the broiler instead of on the barbecue.
1 Tbsp. ground allspice
1Tbsp. dried thyme
1 ½ tsp. dried chili flakes
1 ½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1 ½ tsp. ground sage
¾ tsp. ground nutmeg
¾ tsp. ground cinnamon
1 Tbsp. salt
2 Tbsp. garlic powder
1 Tbsp. brown, cane or coconut sugar
¼ cup olive oil
¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
¾ cup vinegar (either regular white or apple cider)
½ cup orange juice (freshly squeezed is best)
Juice of one lime
1 fresh *scotch bonnet pepper, seeded & chopped
1 cup chopped onion
3 green onions, finely chopped
6 single chicken breasts, skin and bones removed.
Preparation:
In a large bowl, combine all dry ingredients. Slowly whisk in oil, soy sauce, vinegar, orange and lime juices. Stir in scotch bonnet pepper and onions. Add chicken, cover and marinate at least 4 hours.
Preheat barbecue to medium (or oven to 350 degrees). Remove chicken from marinade; grill 6 minutes each side or until cooked through with no pink remaining. Baste with marinade while grilling or cooking. Bring remaining marinade to boil; spoon over chicken. Makes 4-6 servings.
*Scotch bonnet is a very hot chili pepper available at West and East Indian food shops and at some supermarkets. If unavailable, substitute a fresh jalapeno or extra dried chili flakes to taste.
Recipe courtesy of Sugar Reef Caribbean Cooking (McGraw-Hill)
History & Photos courtesy of The Food of Jamaica – authentic recipes from the Jewel of the Caribbean.
The girl who would be King spent several years (off & on but mostly on) traveling all over this beautiful island sampling resorts, jerk, rum, coffee and…..whatever else.
Another recommendation – Blue Mountain Coffee preferably on the top of Strawberry Hill.
When you just want to RELAX with no outside interruptions – the very essence of a perfect vacation…you might want to go to Jake’s Treasure Beach, Jamaica.
Jamaica is a great place to unwind but when you think of places to travel in Jamaica what usually comes to mind? Is it fast paced and touristy Montego Bay, Ocho Rios for newlyweds and honeymooners or Negril for miles and miles of white sand beach and many all-inclusives?
When I travel I love to explore places off the beaten path and find little hidden treasures. If you drive for one hour outside Montego Bay you will find a beautiful tropical countryside with breathtaking views of fishing villages, beaches, centuries old great houses, natural waterfalls and wetlands. You’ll find the South Coast of Jamaica.
Stumbled upon this stylishly funky hotel/spa by accident while driving along the South Coast. It’s a world away from the island’s high-pressure resort towns. A welcome opposite of Ocho Rios while still maintaining tropical charm with a beautiful low-key seafront setting and lovely gardens. The brightly painted cottages stretch along the water’s edge, in the sleepy settlement of Treasure Beach in south-west Jamaica. Centred on a lovely open-air dining ‘room’, the pool and Dougie’s bar, Jakes has really lovely, raffish Jamaican charm.
The Bar
The PROS:
Friendly staffers who know every guest by name
On-site art classes for everyone, all ages
Daily yoga and Pilates workshops
One of Jamaica’s best spas
Excellent restaurant with fresh, locally produced Jamaican fare.
No nearby tourist attractions or nightlife
THE CONS: Remote location on the South Coast No nearby tourist attractions No nightlife Coarse black-sand beaches less desirable for swimming A hike – two hour drive ($120 by taxicab) from Montego Bay’s airport No in-room TV, phone, or Internet
In a NUTSHELL:
With just 30 hippy-chic cottages in secluded Treasure Beach, Jake’s is a member of Bespoke Hotels, a trendy, luxury hotel group. Guests come to unplug — there’s no phone, Internet, or TV in the cottages (but there are CD players and CD’s in each room with an extensive CD library). The black-sand beaches aren’t Jamaica’s most impressive, but the Driftwood Spa, on-site painting classes for all and yoga/pilates workshops, and excellent locally prepared food make this a particular favorite.And that is exactly why I recommend Jake’s.
And if you’re lucky there may be some other hidden treasures…but we can’t discuss them here. If you catch my drift wood.
wannabeItalian style is a natural attitude. It is about a life of good taste. It doesn’t have to be expensive. Simple but with good taste. Luxury is possible to buy. Good taste is not. – Diego Della Valle (President and CEO of the Italian leather goods company, Tod’s).
The trouble with eating Italian food is that five or six days later you’re hungry again. – George Miller
If your mother cooks Italian food, why would you go to a restaurant? – Martin Scorsese
First off, let me preface this by saying I LOVE SUSHI and tend to eat a lot of tuna especially.
General concern about the levels of mercury in our water and food are coming up more and more so you can imagine my interest to see the article about toxicity levels in my weekly Goop in-box edition .
Goop asked Dr. Alejandro Junger, a Cardiologist and detoxification expert (they claim to trust him with their lives & love his very easy-to-implement program, Clean), just how concerned we should be. And more importantly, they asked him how we can help our bodies unload toxic heavy metals.
IS MERCURY POISONING A REAL THREAT?
Mercury is an extremely toxic element and heavy metal that is increasingly affecting the health of millions of people. It’s a major problem today because our exposure to it is rising, from the air we breathe to the food we eat. One of the primary ways we are exposed to mercury is by eating large fish such as tuna, shark, and swordfish. The bottom line is that we want to reduce our exposure to mercury as much as possible.
One of the biggest challenges is that most practitioners and researchers are not aware of the latest science that shows elevated levels of mercury can take a serious toll on our health. Exposure to this heavy metal has been linked to increased incidents of chronic fatigue syndrome, autoimmune conditions, ADHD, autism, as well as memory loss, irritability and blurred vision. Even if you don’t have one of the ailments listed above, mercury exposure could still be having an effect on your health. When I see a lingering health issue that hasn’t been cleared after significant lifestyle, cleansing, and dietary changes, I look to see if mercury is one of the causes.
DOES MERCURY EXPOSURE JUST COME FROM FISH? WHAT ARE ALL THE SOURCES?
There are different types of mercury, but most of our immediate exposure comes from just a few major sources:
Fish that are high in methylmercury, also known as organic mercury. Typical examples are the big fish mentioned above, like tuna, swordfish, shark, etc.
Mercury amalgam—also known as inorganic mercury—dental fillings.
We can also be exposed to mercury through drinking water (especially private water systems like wells that are often untested and municipal systems), occupational exposures, and by coal heating in homes.Most of the mercury tht finds its way into the environment is from coal-fired power plants, artisanal gold mining, and processing plants that make plastics and chlorine. The mercury is sent into the air, then rained down on lakes, into soil, and carried off by rivers. It all eventually makes its way to our oceans where the organic compound is then accumulated into the fatty tissue of fish. Finally, it ends up on our plates.
When we eat high-mercury fish, the mercury is distributed throughout our body but primarily takes hold in the kidneys and brain. Once there, the mercury can cause slow havoc to a variety of organs especially the heart, brain, and gut.
In pregnant mothers, mercury is transferred to the fetus through the placenta causing increased risks of poor neurological performance, language skills, and verbal memory.
New cases of mercury poisoning have also been connected to certain skin lightening face creams. I recommend that people check if their products are free from toxic chemicals at the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Database.
industrial or environmental mercury sources may require both industrial and governmental assistance to design ways to prevent exposure to forms of mercury.
Mercury Poisoning Prevention at Home
At home, there are a few mercury- containing items (for example, thermometers, medical devices, some disinfectants, fluorescent light bulbs) that potentially can be the source of mercury poisoning. People are advised to read the labels on products to see if they contain mercury, have warning labels about potential toxicity, or have directions about how to dispose of a broken or non-useable product.
Mercury Poisoning Prevention – Vaccines
Another source of concern by people is the use of thimerosal, a mercury-containing preservative used in vaccine preparations. Except for some influenza vaccines, it is not being used in most vaccines.
What a major drag it would be to not be able to eat my favourite sushi anymore. Let’s try to clean up our act ASAP! Anyone??
Different cultures have tried-and-true BEAUTY REMEDIES as old as the civilizations themselves.
We always love discovering new methods for achieving gorgeous skin and shiny hair so we looked to countries around this beautiful planet of ours to find out their beauty secrets. Find the “best at-home” treatments from around the world that you can DIY with items from your kitchen.
Beginning with my current (and recurring) obsession:
ITALY
For many generations, Italian women have been flaunting beautiful, glossy hair thanks to a nourishing yogurt and olive oil recipe.
Try now: Mix one cup of plain whole-milk yogurt with one teaspoon of olive oil. After shampooing, comb in the mixture and let sit for five minutes. Rinse the mask out with cool water.
EGYPT
Since the days of Cleopatra, women have been bathing in milk for soft, rejuvenated skin.
Try Now: Add 3 cups of powdered milk to a warm bath to remove dead cells and soften skin. You’ll instantly notice your skin becoming smoother and softer.
MEXICO
Known for their smooth complexions, women in Mexico have long been exfoliating with avocado.
Try now: Make your own face scrub by drying out a clean avocado seed in the sun for one week. Cut into 4 pieces and drop into a blender to grind into a chunky powder. Mix the remnants of the seed with a daily moisturizer and massage into skin while in a steamy shower.
GREECE
According to lore, Grecian gods bathed in rosemary water to purify and thicken hair.
Try now: Boil fresh rosemary in two quarts of water and let cool before pouring over clean hair. This cleanses any buildup on the scalp and stimulates follicles to spark hair growth.
CHINA
Women in Southeast Asia have been using a traditional tamarind skin peel to remove sunspots and acne scars for ages.
Try now: Remove the pulp from three fresh tamarind pods and mix with honey and water until the consistency becomes creamy. Massage onto skin and let sit for five minutes before washing off. Repeat weekly for lasting results.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Women have been using garlic to strengthen their nails for centuries.
Try now: Finely chop half of a fresh garlic and add to a bottle of clear nail polish. Let sit for 10 days before applying to nails. The strengthening and antibacterial properties in the garlic make your nails stronger—but not without a bit of a stench.
CANADA & USA:
recommended by the girl who would be king
For those who don’t like going to the hairdresser or want to experiment at home with a really easy DIY catwalk worthy dip-dye kit.
New Wild Ombré is the first ever DIP-DYE COLOUR KIT by L’ORÉAL PARIS. It may not be natural but it ends up giving your hair a two-tone fashion-forward finish.
The specially designed application brush will apply the lightening crème solely to the desired area of your hair to create the ultimate two tone effect. Maximum waiting time – 45 minutes.
Source: thezoereport.com (because Rachel Zoe is so much more than a stylist)
Unfortunately I’m only kidding….but I can imagine wearing this Quilted Versace Helmut (price upon request). versace.com on my little scooter.
AND then there are the Italian Stallions who Scott Schuman for “the Sartorialist” sums up very eloquently:
A lot has been written about “Italian style.” A number of “facts” have been detailed: the Agnelli-isms of unbuttoned shirt collars, unbuckled monkstrap shoes, ties over the sweater – your general *sprezzatura minutiae. But when it comes down to it, these things border on gimmick. To me, that’s not really about what Italian style is about, or what people relate to in my photographs.
Photos: Scott Schuman for The Sartorialist
What I think people are actually aspiring to is something much trickier to attain. It’s the same kind of thing that you’ve seen in all classic menswear icons, most perfectly embodied by Cary Grant and Fred Astaire. It’s grace.
Why people react to Italian style is the grace with which these gentlemen inhabit their clothes.
Now, some people will discredit this and call it “effortless style,” or write it off by saying, “These Italians are just born with it.”
But it’s quite the opposite. There is nothing effortless about their style, or their look. What’s unique is that they put an extreme amount of effort into their look when they buy the clothes, when they have the clothes altered by their tailor, and when they put them on in the morning. But once they put them on, they don’t think about them until they take them off again at night. It’s that graceful thoughtlessness that is so seductive.
Do me a favour. Look at these photos above. Look at the shoulder line. Look at how relaxed these guys are. Their shoulders aren’t uptight and around their ears. These guys are having fun. Then take a look at your typical Savile Row-tailored gent. Refined (read: restrained) to within an inch of his life, shoulders straight as a board and typically looking like they’re having as much fun as an American wearing a suit.
If there is one piece of advice that I could give to someone who wants to embody, in their own way, the very best of Italian style, it would be: take an extra half an hour when buying the clothes, and extra half an hour at the tailor to make sure they perfectly fit you, and an extra half an hour in the morning to make sure you are confident in your choices.
Then think about food, think about women, think about cars – and only think about your tie when you buy the next one.
*Word of the day: sprezzatura: a certain nonchalance, so as to conceal all art and make whatever one does or says appear to be without effort and almost without any thought about it”.
The Sartorialist by Scott Schuman (Penguin) is out now. £19.99. amazon.co.uk
Looking at my photos from Italy got me thinking about the simplicity of good, fresh, local ingredients.
Many of the farmers markets are open until the end of October so you can pick up a nice selection of fresh tomatoes.
This is a quick, easy, and delicious basic tomato sauce that can be dressed up with spices and herbs for pasta, stews and pizzas. Although the recipe calls for heirloom, you can use any kind of tomatoes you like – it will make an array of prettily colored sauces.
INGREDIENTS:
4lbs tomatoes quartered
4 garlic cloves
1 yellow onion sliced
4 bay leaves
6 sprigs of fresh thyme
¼ cup of fresh oregano leaves
2 teaspoons smoked Pimenton
¼ cup of extra virgin olive oil
Sea salt & cracked black pepper to taste
Selection of sterilized jars with tight fitting lids
PREPARATION:
Preheat the oven to 425°F.
Place all the ingredients in a large ceramic baking dish and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Roast in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, stirring half way through.
Remove from the oven and take out the bay leaves. Rest the tomatoes for 10 minutes.
Reduce the oven heat to 250°F.
Place the tomato mixture in the blender and working in batches, turning the tomatoes either either smooth or slightly chunky depending on your preference.
Pour the sauce into the prepared sterilized jars leaving a ¼” space and screw the lids on. Tap the jars on the counter top to get rid of air pockets and wipe clean with a damp cloth. Place in the oven for 30 minutes to seal.
Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack. You will hear a pinging sound as each lid seals. Check to make sure that the center of the lid is concaved. (If a jar does not seal store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.)
Label and enjoy!
Recipe courtesy of Valerie Aikman-Smith for Goop.com
It’s pretty straightforward. I want to live like an Italian.
There are too many likes. From the Renaissance paintings and sculptures of artists like Michaelangelo and Botticelli in Florence, to medieval villages, historical towns, castles and country churches scattered all over a vast territory of rolling hills. Romantic architecture abounds.
the house that was used to film “Under the Tuscan Sun”
Simply prepared delicious food: lunch on the terrace overlooking ancient vines and olive groves, wine, olive oil, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Aceto Balsamicos, and Gelatos.
Vespas and fast luxury cars like Ferrari, Lamborghini, Pagani & Maserati.
Style in general which includes a well-tailored desire to look alla moda.
I want to live like an Italian.
I’m sure I missed a few things but this pretty much sums it up.
Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION. 
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