Inspired by the Dreamiest Editor of All

When Magic Man and I first got married I was a new step-mom to four little kids and I didn't have anything kid related - toys, movies, etc.  One rainy day we were desperate to entertain the kiddies and that's when the Audrey Hepburn DVD set came in handy.  

I put on Funny Face and the girls 

(at the time aged 3, 5, and 7) were mesmerized. 

They were so captivated by the 'Think Pink' 

number they started to refer to the movie 

as 'Think Pink' and not 'Funny Face.'  

I loved that they loved Maggie Prescott, 

the Editor as much as Jo, the Model.

Also being obsessed with all things Diana Vreeland I loved how they'd repeat Maggie's catch phrases that were based on Diana, like 'Pizazz.' 

All girls need to learn about Diana Vreeland, right? 

"This world without a leopard . . .

I mean, who would want to be here?"  - DV

  

Argh! Such a genius!

Now that we are in Austin, I acquiesced to some of the local traditions, like decorating trees on the side of Capital of TX Hwy for Christmas. 

But I didn't want to just throw tinsel on a tree so I decided we would decorate a small tree inspired by Diane Vreeland: 

Meaning Red and Leopard and we could shout 'That's got pizazz!' as we dressed the tree. 

However, with four kids (the youngest being a 2 yr old boy), and with a very limited budget, things did not go as planned.  And I'm not just saying that because I ended up going in my pajamas.

First, we decided we would not even attempt to pull over on the highway, so we chose a tree close to the girl's school on a quiet street - so not the 360 Hwy where everyone can see. 

I was hoping we would concentrate all the beads, ribbon and faux red berries in a tight cluster for just a pop of 'pizazz,' but the girls wanted to string the beads and ribbon over a few trees, spreading out the limited decor and diluting the design.  

You could hardly see the end product, but we were doing this for them so I was not going to tell them 'no,' -- we were in it for the memories, not appearances. 

There were no shouts of 'Pizazz!' or singing''S Wonderful' or dancing around, but we did leave in one piece with no fights or meltdowns so I was pleased.

I Think I Live in a Dream State

I think California is beautiful.

And I think New York is beautiful.

And I think Utah is also very beautiful.

And I think Massachusetts is beautiful as well.

Everywhere that I have lived in the States has been lovely.

But right now I am convinced there is no place more beautiful than Birmingham.  

(Does this guy look a little heavy to you?)

True, these were all taken at the Botanical Gardens 

but it really looks like this everywhere you go. 

Want proof?

Here is a photo of my friend and me leaving the office, 

walking to the parking lot.

I really feel more patriotic since moving here.

And I haven't even told you about the food yet.

The food is even better than the trees.

Dreamiest Appetizer Yet

I went to lunch one day and was greeted 

with a Twig and Tree appetizer.

Do you need a closer look?

Here's the twig.

Here's the tree.

And here's the recipe:

2 firm avocados finely diced

4-5 baby zucchini finely diced

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 tablespoon olive oil (plus a little more for garnish)

2 tablespoons micro basil (or finely minced basil)

1 tablespoon minced chives (plus more for garnish)

1 teaspoon agave

2-3 teaspoons coarse salt

freshly ground pepper for garnish

P.S. It says that it will serve four but it happily fed two that day and I would not want to halve the portion I had -- it was too good.

Toss all the ingredients until well combined.

(Press into adorable bird ring molds if you have them.)

Garnish with chives, fresh ground pepper and olive oil.

Dreamy Decor Details

As a game (and to stall organizing my room) I was looking at old photos I have collected through the years and puzzling together which items would best fill this Room:

No, it's not my room, it belongs to 

a young L.A. actress I have not heard of.   

To start, I would hang outdoor lights 

from Restoration Hardware indoors,

And a faux-animal head or two 

(I know! they look so real) from Anthropologie,

I would add a small side table and drape this Snow Grid tablecloth (also from Anthropologie) over it,

And display some vintage brass candle sticks (candles might be optional as I do not want them to drip wax on my pretty tablecloth).

 I think to contribute to the antiquated feel some needlepoint would be in order and what better form of needlepoint than a line or two from The Smiths?

Or Kanye West.

To top it off I would add a cashmere pillow from Armand Diradourian using my favorite motif, the tree.  

Or a piece of fruit.

Or a snake. 

 Ha! Were you expecting the pillows to have a Biblical Creation Theme?  Not to make light of the temptations in the Garden of Eden, but I would love to have all three scattered around the house.  

And since I am fond of the macabre, I would need it in black.