Quote of the day...

"In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different."

Coco Chanel

Happy Birthday Tiger...



My Boy's

Happy birthday! We love you to pieces! You make us laugh, give well balanced advice, and cook up the most delicious chicken wontons and Banana's Foster! You're hilarious when you want to be and such a gentleman each and everyday! You always look like you walked out of a GQ magazine...such great style! I also love that every TV show you watch is either sports or Anthony Bourdain.
We feel so lucky to be your family.

Kelly + Finn

Happy Spring...

Lola the Sun Goddess!

Finn working in MiMi's garden!

Today is officially the first day of Spring!
Get out and enjoy this beautiful weather!

Friday Night Fun...

Went out with some great friends Friday night to dinner at Maurepas on Burgundy. What a great little neighborhood with a cool vibe! There was a great little art gallery and handmade shop in the area!
What a beautiful night it was with great friends!!!!

 

Maurepas Foods was amazing! Great food in a casual atmosphere. We started with the cheese plate... One of, if not, the best in the city!!! I had fish & chips which was delicious. Tiger had the Bar Jack fish with cordoons (eggplant type veggie). Mark had the goat tacos that he said were incredible! Julie had the chicken with stone grits...wow! We finished off the night with strawberry shortcake.....to die for!!!
Check it out...

3200 Burgundy Street
(504) 267.0072



At Bon Castor we met Amy, the owner who was the sweetest thing! She is a transplant from Chicago....but you would never know it! She fits right in!
All items in her shop are hand made by local artist.
She had a great mix of home items as well as women's clothing and jewelry.
Chech it out...
3207 Burgundy Street (504)948.9987
info@boncastor.com
facebook.com/boncastor     

At Antenna Gallery there were a few shows going on, but the one that caught my eye was "vista sans wood type project" a group installation from artist all around the world! They were all given wood block letters that spell "touch" and they were asked to create whatever they wanted using those letters! So cool! It is sold as a set for $1500.

Check  it out...

3161 Burgundy Street

Gallery Hours Sat-Sun 12-5 or by appointment

www.pressstreet.com/antenna

Erica Tanov...

New spring at Erica Tanov............................. Simone Petal silk cami $136......................... Papillion in Mushroom silk with sparkle tie $334..................Atticus trouser in frosted linen $492.

I'm loving the neutrals with a little pop of color! So pretty.

Check out Inspiration on  http://www.ericatanov.com/  ..............absolutely BEAUTIFUL!

Two...

Last year I found a new line of clothing "two new york"...and I'm in love!!! The one woman show is Monica Patel-Cohn, she gets the most beautiful fabric from India and makes beautiful caftans, tunics, dresses and now tops! They are super easy to wear and you can wash them! Yea!!! I purchased about 4 last summer and am looking forward to receiving the new one I just ordered!!! They can be worn with a slip, a belt, or as a beach cover up! Perfect for New Orleans weather!

Check it out here: http://www.twonewyork.com/   

Also, Monica here: http://www.themakersproject.com/

Shrimp Sauce Piquant

So as you know, I have been obsessing over this dish a very good friend made during Mardi Gras....
Well, I finally made it! Here is my version...I put shrimp instead of chicken!

Chef Donald Link (My very favorite chef)

Shrimp Sauce Piquant
 3-4 pounds of shrimp pealed and devained
Spice mix (recipe follows)
¾ cup vegetable oil or lard
1 cup flour
1 small onion, diced
1 small poblano pepper
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
3 stalks celery, diced
5 medium Roma tomatoes, diced
2 cups canned tomatoes
1 tablespoon dried thyme
4 bay leaves
5 cups chicken stock
4 dashes hot sauce
Hot cooked rice
Diced scallions, for garnish
Toss shrimp in spice mix, making certain the shrimp is evenly coated. Wash your hands.
In wide bottom pot or Dutch oven, heat oil until it begins to smoke slightly. While waiting, coat the shrimp with the flour in a large mixing bowl, tossing the shrimp with your hands to make sure it all gets coated well. Shake excess flour off the shrimp, reserving the leftover flour.
Pan fry the shrimp over medium heat. Don't crowd the pan. The shrimpshould be side by side, not on top of one another. When shrimp has reached the desired color, remove it from the pan with a slotted spatula. Most likely you will have to do this in two batches. (I did it that way, but think to cut down on time, you can also leave the flour off the shrimp and grill them with the spice mix in the oven.
Add the remaining flour to the oil in the pan, and cook over medium heat for about five minutes to make a medium brown roux. Add onions, peppers, garlic and celery, and cook five minutes more. Add the tomatoes, dried thyme, bay leaves, stock and hot sauce.
Simmer over low heat for 45 minutes. I added the shrimp the last 10 minutes, that way they were not over cooked! Serve over rice with freshly diced scallions.
SPICE MIX
1 ½ tablespoons salt
2 teaspoons black pepper
½ teaspoon white pepper
2 teaspoons cayenne
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon paprika
Combine all ingredients.

Rumi...

One of my favorites.

The Guest House

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

~ Rumi ~