That's So Square - An Homage

Before it stops looking like this outside, I thought I'd just explore.....

a little this idea of why

a square is so supremely satisfying.

Is it because it's snug and so seemingly

(All above, via BloodandChampagne tumblr)

sound?

(via PlentyofColour)

Is it about simplicity?

(Photo: Anja Mulder)

Or symmetry?

Is it because it seems so sensible.

(these last two: vintage World of Interiors)

And safe in every season?  (And lends itself to S-words?)

How do you feel about them?  Those squares?

Chinoiserie Update - David's Restaurant, Melbourne

Found via Wabi Sabi Scandinavia

David's Restaurant, Melbourne Australia

Remember my Chinese New Year post here

that talked a little bit about reinventing traditional Asian cultural traditions?  This is definitely the kind of thing I had in mind!  L-O-V-E this space!  

I've heard that Melbourne is really a great town.  Who has been?  I need to go, right?  Are you coming with me?

(All photos from the restaurant website.)

Sunset Sunset

The Paradis family have some new neighbors in the 'hood.

We did not know it.  Till we took our late(st) Sunset walk.

Our first discovery was that the Micheltorena School have been keeping chickens.  Right in the middle of Silverlake. And right on Sunset Boulevard.  They hadn't arrived when I posted this picture.  (Does it look familiar?)

There's been alot of new activity on the block.  And since February is just over, lots of hearts and flowers.

Yup, in early March in Southern California already things are in bloom.  Even sweetpeas!  (Note to self: plant sweetpeas next fall!)

In the waning light we detected another newcomer to a burgeoning retail strip

just a little along from the school.  En Soie has joined Claire Vivier and others

on the corner of Sunset and Micheltorena.  (I like En Soie's inky-silhouett-ey style ID.  You?)  These pared-down little shops

are a casual-sleek-chic contrast to the texture and grit of hookah bars, tattoo shops

and taquerias that still dominate this streetscape.

Night still falls a little early for me.....but while the shops remain open.....(this is Sumi)

there's still something to look at.  Another new arrival: Rob Ryan!!!!  Has reached our shores.  Here, a nice big vase at Hemingway and Pickett.  (They describe themselves as: "art and design near and far".  Tout a fait juste!) And this is the perfect item (large vase) for the first of March when this part of the world is wafting with the perfume of jasmine.  Yes, please, SMELL! You will never get tired of the scent of it, floating in the misty evening air.

Yes.  Especially in the this part of L.A. it will ALWAYS be o.k. to wear your indian headdress with your fripes.

And everywhere you look you will find flowers.

And more taquerias.....

And you WILL always be welcome.  Nice walk, huh?

Scone Fishing

I was hungry for these before, during, and after Christmas.  So I finally made them the other week.

I was not entirely satisfied with the star and gingerbread man shapes that I had available to me.  But you can't have everything.   I guess I need to go shopping. 

I made them with dried currants and without, with a sugar crust and not, with an egg wash, and naked.

I think I prefer them QUITE PLAIN.  No currants, no egg-ey wash.  The crust of sugar was nice.  Of course if you can figure out how to make clotted cream at home (my next project) they are best slathered with a nice crusty nub of it.  Then smothered with a very strawberry-ey jam.

I've always used the Savoy Hotel Scones recipe here.   They are delicate, tender, and buttery and very nice just on their own.  Wish I could invite you over to share!

(Martha Stewart has published the same recipe using 1 3/4 c. flour vs. 1 1/2 c.  I've tried both and would recommend something in between!  And if you can't use good butter - even Land of Lakes is a bit anemic these days - make sure to use whole milk or cream.)

Have a Happy Weekend!  It's March already - YIKES!  Or, Yippee!

Palos Verdes Peninsula

And you thought L.A. was just about

red carpets and stretch limos.

If you take the 105 or the 405 South from LAX

and turn right onto the 110 heading towards San Pedro

you can exit around Torrance and wend your way through horse ranches and nature preserves

and Pleasant-Valley-Sunday subdivisions to this lovely place.  Like much of L.A. that has nothing to do whatsoever with the Hollywood Star factories, there is not a lot of information about how to actually FIND these places if you are not already a native.  But these two sites can help.  Plan carefully before you come and you will be richly rewarded.

When you're done pick up the Pacific Coast Highway back North for a picturesque drive through all of L.A.'s famous beach communities.  Make sure to load up all your Beach Boys tunes!

Old Town Hastings

Remember my post about the Hastings sea front here?

How's about a few more images, and mostly of Old Town Hastings....

just steps from the Beach.

It is a sweet scenic little area.  And very walkable. 

Hendy Home is a bit of a new sensation.  What is it?  A bit of a hybrid, but you will find that you can shop for olde-style hipster homewares here AND get a very high end (and expensive) meal too.  All brought to you by a London emigre with great style.

This little street old "High Street" is quite a cosmopolitan passage in a fairly vast old-school seaside destination town that is now, in the era of easy-and-cheap air travel (to places that have more sunshine), pretty much past-its-best.

Hoping perhaps this street is about the beginning Hastings' reinvention.  In any case, past or future, ignore them all.......

Just have a nice little moment of now

digging up goodies

enjoying the sunshine

soaking up the atmosphere

and lightening your pocketbook a little.

It's a pleasant olde stroll.

which you won't really need wheels for at all.

Despite how tempting they might be.

Better to explore the alternatives.....

and finish up the day in proper English style!  Pass the malt vinegar please?