Sunday, November 11, 2012

Love Thy Neighbor



A new neighbor

HUDSON GRACE
is open for business
 in perfect time for the holidays
3350 Sacrament Street 
San Francisco

Be prepared to fill some crisp shopping bags 
in this jewel box space designed by 
Michael Bodziner
of Gensler - San Francisco
Conceived by proprietors
Gary McNatton and Monelle Totah
  Style Prevails
at
HUDSON GRACE

SIMPLICITY- ELEGANCE- GOOD TASTE



"Give them what they never knew they wanted"
Diana Vreeland

... like disposable 'cloth' cocktail napkins

or an orange cowhide rug


Natural Wax Tapers

 Rugged Storage

Refined Details

Found Objects


Scented candles 
Displayed under sparkling bell jars 
  No overwhelming fragrance
upon entering this magic world of beautiful things

The devil is in the details
Caligraphy labels identify the enormous varieties of scents

I couldn't resist 
SOLIS REX
from 
Cire Trudon
the world's oldest candlemaker,  established in 1643

LOUIS LOUIS
The Sun King

Close your eyes- 
take a breath
Be transported to the Hall of Mirrors at the 
Chateau de Versailles
The scent of old wooden floors and dripping candle wax 

How much is that doggie in the window ?
Priceless...

 so bring along all your credit cards


www.hudsongracesf.com
HUDSON GRACE
A house A home

Shopped out ???


GARIBALDI'S
a neighborhood favorite
is around the corner

Established 1990
by Proprietors
 John Hurley and Justin Hafen




Garibaldi's has become a San Francisco destination 



 White linens-white dinner plates-fine stemware
sparkle in this beautifully lit chic interior

and the menu...
YUM!



If you are reading this journal entry 
you are probably in a warm, safe,  comfortable spot



PLEASE 

don't forget the horrific damage caused by 
Hurricane Sandy and
the Nor'easter that followed closely on it's heels


Many are still shivering without power or heat

Volunteers are pitching in as they can 

homes have been destroyed


 and lives devastated

Let them know we more fortunate have not forgotten them

 LOVE THY NEIGHBOR

Let your simple act of kindness show your  style 
and
be your way of saying all the complicated things 
you feel when you recognize such agony

DONATE IN ANY WAY YOU CAN

HELP CHILDREN IN NEED- Save the Children and World Vision
FOOD & SHELTER-Salvation Army and American Red Cross
CARE FOR ANIMALS-The Humane Society of the United States
GIVE BLOOD-The American Red Cross
JOIN THE CLEAN-UP- Team Rubicon and Samaritan's Purse

All can be found on line for more information

Thank you for caring

Rela

Monday, October 29, 2012

Orange Crush

Good things come in orange packages...







The color that has come to symbolize
Luxury
Quality
Elegance

 Hermes has catered to the Carriage Trade and the Horsey Set
since the mid 19thcentury

NICOLE DE VESIAN
1914-1996
Creative Director - Hermes 
She retired in 1986 to her home

 La Louve 
Bonnieux, France

She channeled her impeccable taste and amazing talent
into a new career in landscape design. 

Baby Boomers take notice- There is life after 65...
Her creations and spirit continue to inspire 


Nicole selected her plant materials for complimentary 
color combinations using 
Agent Orange
to add a burst of color in the fall 

Planning a trip to the south of France ???
You can arrange to visit La Louve 


Orange is particularly in vogue in home fashion today
but it is always reliable to add warmth and punch

A dash of citrus- persimmon -paprika
in an otherwise a monochromatic interior

warm and welcoming



This indulgent display is cheeky and fun


Adding a jolt of color to a neutral room is as easy as 
bringing in a persimmon glazed lamp


STEPHEN GEROULD
Hand Thrown Ceramic Lamps
with an amazing capability of glazes
available through

Cover something in faux pebble grain orange leather from VALTEKZ



or in a 100% cotton hand dyed Ikat



available from




From head..... 


FUR HAT- MICHAEL KORS 


SHOES- DIOR 

                                                                             ......to toe
 and everything in between  !!!

Just got word from  Paris
that the latest hottest trend in men's fashion
The orange wrist watch
thanks for the update Tim

Orange 
stands out


adds a warm pizazz





and makes you take notice


Orange Icons



LUCILLE BALL
1911-1989

Even in black and white you recognize
the flaming hair that became her trademark 


California Dreamin'



No question what  the color this iconic bridge

so open up your Golden Gate



Congratulations to The San Francisco Giants 


GO GIANTS !!!

World Series Champions 2012


Cause for Celebration


The identifiable orange label




The best selling business biography of the young woman 
who survived the French Revolution
and went on to establish a champagne empire

A GREAT READ

I loved learning about this amazing woman,
her business savy and her innovative ideas .


BARBE-NICOLE CLIQUOT
1777-1866

She recognized the value of orange branding 
and showed the world how to live with style...
a good reason to celebrate



 Mexico celebrates the Day of the Dead with orange candles


Photo courtesy of Jeffry Weisman from San Miguel Allende

 Halloween wouldn't be Halloween without orange







 Indian Summer fades into fall


The last of the prolific SUN SUGAR cherry tomatoes are harvested

Farmer's are folding up their tents 

so grab the last chance for heirloom tomatoes of 2012


and let the juices run .... 

Deconstructed Bruschetta
Serves 4



1           Giant Heirloom Tomatoe (red works as deliciously as orange) sliced 1/2" thick
1           SQUARE loaf fresh bakery bread hand sliced 1/2-3/4" thick  - the right bread is critical
1            Package of fresh Burrata
1           Bunch fresh basil   ( set a few little sprigs aside for garnish)

3/4       Cup extra virgin olive oil
1          fresh lemon
4          cloves peeled garlic
kosher salt
fresh ground pepper

1 extra clove peeled garlic
Sea salt flakes

PRE HEAT BROILER 

To make the Pesto Drizzle...
Put olive oil, garlic cloves, fresh squeezed lemon juice,and basil leaves in a blender jar and blend at high speed until fully pureed.  
Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper as needed.  Sey aside

Set bread slices on a cookie sheet and place under broiler . Watch closely and remove when golden brown.

Rub each slice with the garlic clove and then spread with a layer of Burrata

Drizzle the pesto oil liberally over the Burrata
Top with a slice of tomatoe
Sprinkle with salt flakes
Garnish with another dollop of pesto drizzle and a sprig of basil

Serve with plenty of napkins

Trick or Treat ???

TREAT ,

Rela