A NEW CITY, A NEW HOTEL

Discover this Best Business Hotel also great for pleasure travellers. Check www.budgetdesignhotels. Select Vienna!

Keep or Return?

The other day I was walking through Nordstrom (yes, had to buy socks) and stumbled upon this blush pink purse by Vince Camuto. Never heard of this line, but I thought the bag was quite pretty. Couldn't help myself...had to buy it. Buttery leather and the prettiest blush/neutral pink.

Dilemma...I just saw online that it comes in grey and other colors. I wear mainly black and white.

Do you think it's too "cutesy" or trendy for a 50 year old hag? Which color do you like?

I Need Some Color, Do You?

Happy Monday!

It's been gloomy and raining here in San Francisco, so I was looking at some photos on my desktop and came across this photo of this eclectic, colorful room. Not sure if I could pull off the multi-colored chairs in my house, but the colors are sure cheery during a gloomy Spring!

Have a great week ahead!

Happy Easter!

Wishing you all a lovely Easter!

photo: Such Pretty Things

mmm... Matzoh Brittle for Passover

Today is the 4th day of Passover and tomorrow night we'll be going to my cousin's house for a seder. If you've celebrated this holiday, you know one of the limitations...flour. This makes it quite tricky as to what you can eat. Take for instance, desserts...not too many without flour...

Passover matzoh

Well, you don't have to be Jewish to enjoy matzoh brittle...the most over-the-top, yummy dessert ever! Definitely gives toffee a run for its money. Crunchy, sweet & salty, chocolately heaven! I'm off to make some today.

Here is the recipe: warning...you may want to make two batches, as it can mysteriously disappear!

Matzoh Brittle

4 sheets of unsalted matzoh
1 stick of salted butter
1 cup of brown sugar, firmly packed
2 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup of slivered or sliced almonds or walnuts (optional)

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

2. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil, overlapping it over the edges. Place the matzoh on the baking sheet, breaking it in half or quarters to make it fit--make sure to place the pieces as evenly and close together as possible.

3. Combine the butter and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring until melted and beginning to bubble (about 5 minutes). Continue to stir occasionally for another few minutes, then remove the pot from the heat.

4. Pour the caramel over the arranged matzoh pieces, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Bake for about 6-10 minutes (until the caramel is bubbly).

5. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and sprinkle the chocolate chips over the surface and return to the oven for a couple minutes until the chips melt.

6. Remove from oven, and with a spatula, spread the chocolate to cover the matzoh. Sprinkle with nuts if desired.

7. Refrigerate or freeze for about 20 minutes before breaking into pieces and serving. Best kept refrigerated for about a week.

ENJOY!

photos from eating sf

My Trip to Round Top

I'm finally home from my 5 day stay in Round Top, Texas, where the bi-annual antiques extravaganza takes place. I had never been so my friend Renee finally decided to check it out. 10,000 people from around the globe congregate in this small town twice a year to attend!

We stayed at the beautiful Tillworth Retreat in Round Top, run by the charming Bernard and Marilyn Mendoza. This lovely Bed & Breakfast is surrounded by lush greenery, cows, fountains and pure peacefulness. We stayed in one their meticulously restored historic log buildings called the "Albert Suite." It was beautifully decorated with lovely antiques...so comfy!

photo: Cashon & Co.

photo: Cashon & Co.

I lugged my camera around everywhere, and can you believe it? NEVER TOOK ONE PHOTO! I could kick myself for that, but this was a working trip, thus, fighting the elements; heat, wind, mud, gravel, bugs, etc. With the wind snapping at your face, I could hardly think of photos! So, please visit Kellie's blog here to see some great captured moments of Round Top.

Okay, so let me sum up our experience. Did we have fun? yes. Did we buy a lot of treasures? no.

REPRO ALERT!!

I need to share a couple of my observations with you. Round Top is miles of fields, tents and barns brimming with everything from old gas station signs to fine European antiques. Here is my problem. I noticed a huge percentage of antique reproductions. Yes, quite a large amount, and that scared me. Even though there were spectacular "real" antiques, I saw more reproductions than I've ever seen in my life.

photo: Tongue in Cheek

Take for instance, these popular sunburst mirrors. This photo above is from Tongue in Cheek's blog from one of her earlier Round Top trips. (disclaimer: I'm not saying the above photo are repros)

Any time you see an abundance of something, you need to question it. There were hundreds and hundreds of starburst mirrors, most of them great reproductions, but with "antique" prices. Some were real of course, but many of them were repros. The repros are done so well that even a seasoned antiques dealer can be duped.

BEFORE

AFTER

Well, I was duped by this 19th century French mirror that I purchased. It was not inexpensive. I packed it very carefully in my suitcase, but the mirror fell off. Had it not fallen off, I would never have noticed this "EBONY" stamp on the wood. REPRO!


I've been selling antiques for 15 years, and once and awhile we all get burned. But this mirror looks over 100 years old. Even the felt on the bottom is old. The mirror, even chipped on the edges. How can this be? A 19th century European mirror would never been stamped "EBONY." In fact, there would be no stamp. And certainly if there was, it would be "NOIR" in French.

The back even looks old...

Someone out there is making frames, stamping them with the color of the paint, and placing old de-silvered mirrors in them. Scary, huh? And along with reproduction mirrors, I saw everything from repro French furniture and chandeliers, to French globes and apothecary jars. Advice: Buyer Beware. Just make sure you know your seller very well, or feel comfortable purchasing a reproduction at a reasonable price to get "the look" you want. AND, if you see an abundance of something, think carefully. It may be a reproduction.

I don't want to bash any of the sellers at Round Top, as the folks in Texas couldn't have been lovelier, and I saw some of the most beautiful "real" antiques. We even enjoyed a Passover Seder with the owners of our Bed & Breakfast, Marilyn and Bernard. Who would have thought that in a town of 70 people, I would be having a Seder meal with strangers? That's Texas. Nothing but surprises.

my new vintage cowboy boots

And finally, one of the highlights of my trip was this vintage pair of cowboy boots I purchased. Yes, my first pair! I love how aged they are, the hints of gold, and the great design.

photo: Cashon & Co.

I'll always remember this wonderful trip; meeting great people, the delicious pies at Aunt Lou's, having dinner at a Shell gas station (only two restaurants in Round Top), gazing at green pastures with cows...Texas is fun y'all!

Chanel Line for Target?

Rumor has it that Chanel is collaborating with Target to launch a new line of products! Crazy, huh? Check out this link for a preview...