Queenie's Treasury

Happy Saturday, kids! I've had something of an unusual week, what with my whirlwind trip to Montauk and a very busy couple of days at work. I'm ready to enjoy the weekend, and have already been for a run and visited the Greenmarket. Before I head back out to sun myself and read in Central Park (wearing SPF 30, minimum, of course), let's take a look at this week's Treasury!

First up, the gorgeous, almost unbearably cool Brooklyn abode that's home to Solange Knowles and her family. It seems like a seriously fun place to be - not to mention effortlessly stylish and comfortable. I wouldn't mind an invite, is all I'm saying.

Next, some exciting news courtesy of SF Girl By Bay, who attended a launch party for the new collaboration between The Curiosity Shoppe and The Shops at Target. Everything looks great, but I'm particularly excited about this continental US-shaped serving board. It will most definitely be making an appearance chez Queenie come October 20, when the line becomes available.

Last, but certainly not least, these incredible photographs by artist Alberto Seveso, created by injecting water with two different inks. Don't they make you think of billowing, delicate silk? I cannot get enough of these.

Queenie's Treasury

Happy weekend, my doves! Saturday has dawned bright, sunny and incredibly humid here in Manhattan. I'll be spending my day avoiding direct sunlight, reading, and drinking as much iced coffee as possible. In the meantime, here are a few bits and bobs to fill the hours before sundown.

First up - despite my current horror of turning on my oven - is a gorgeous new cookbook from Ashley English, baker and Design*Sponge contributor extraordinaire. A Year of Pies features recipes for pies and tarts both sweet and savory, organized by season and accompanied by lovely photographs. Not a bad add-on to an off-the-registry tart pan or rolling pin gift, right?

Next, courtesy of Food52, a truly lovely food blog. Food on Paper is a collection of artist Elizabeth Graeber's original drawings and paintings, all featuring - you guessed it - food! Her recent watercolor of a soft serve cone with sprinkles is really hitting the spot for me today.

Despite the heat and humidity, I haven't been able to stop daydreaming about my fall wardrobe. I wear dresses an awful lot, in part because they're easy and in part because they just work for me. I'm a little bit in love with this richly textured number from Boden, which will be wonderful in the early autumn with pointy-toed flats, and just as great through the winter with tights and boots. But it's not quite time for that, is it?

Queenie's Treasury

Aaaaaand...we're back! After a bit of a hiatus for the holidays (when real-life shopping and partying took over for the imaginary sort), I'm ready to reboot the Treasury for 2012. And it's going to be a luxe, lavish, happy, colorful kind of year, kids.

First up, this golden flatware from West Elm. I love how the rich, shiny color is set off by the supremely clean lines of the design. I'm thinking that - when it's back in stock, as West Elm has promised it will be - I'll buy a set to mix in with my vintage sterling. I think the combination will be divine.

Next, a perfect cold-weather food project, for those of you who enjoy that sort of thing. My friend Lucy Vanel lives a pretty amazing life in Lyon, and you can read all about it on her exceptionally beautiful blog, Lucy's Kitchen Notebook. (You can also engage her for what promises to be an incredible food tour of the city.) Today she posted her latest project, duck wing confit. Duck wings are traditionally neglected for their meatier breast and leg counterparts, so Lucy was able to snag a whole bunch of them at three euros a pound. Add in a bit of time, a whole bunch of rendered duck fat and some herbs, and you have a winter's worth of tender goodness.

I always find Rita Konig's particular brand of casual polish enchanting. This shot of her living room inspired me to finally pull together a few stray corners of my own tiny apartment. The result has been an ongoing sense of harmony, comfort and oh-so-grown-up-ness. I could get used to this.

Queenie's Treasury

Hello, readers! As you've no doubt heard (or felt), it's really freaking hot across most of the US today. I'm spending as much of my time today as possible inside where it's air conditioned, which provides the perfect opportunity to draft a Treasury post. Enjoy, no matter what the weather where you are!

First up, some fabulous posters. A few weeks ago, I was shopping for a Mountain Goats concert poster for my brother's birthday gift. I found what I was looking for and more at Poster Cabaret, an Austin-based poster shop that carries a wide variety of stock. I'm especially fond of these posters by Valhalla Studios. I'm seriously pondering a Camera Obscura poster purchase. That lemony color suits their summery music perfectly.

Next up, a fabulous Sneak Peek from Design*Sponge, this time of an apartment belonging to two of You+ME*'s event planning clients. Their wedding (which was featured in the most recent issue of Rue) was gorgeous, so it's no surprise that their apartment is, too. I love their built-ins, their dining area, and this perfect art wall. Just lovely.

I find the Australian food and photography blog What Katie Ate endlessly inspiring. Her cooking is the kind I like - unpretentious yet unabashedly delicious and exorbitant, and her photos are stunning. It fills a bit of the hole left behind by Gourmet's absence. Just a little.

Queenie's Treasury

Happy weekend, my lovelies! It's been a busy week in these parts - work and movies and work and...well, that's pretty much it. But a lot of both. It's a bit gloomy here in New York today, so here's a bit of cheery Treasury goodness to help brighten things up.

Lonny blogged about Samantha French's paintings this week, and I am completely obsessed. I especially love her depictions of swimmers. She captures the fractured quality of light streaming through water, and the effect is one of cool, calm, wistful summeriness. (Not really a word, but you know what I mean, don't you? See?) She has an Etsy print store, too!

Herriott Grace creates unique, beautiful goods from all different kinds of wood, and are probably most well-known for their stunning cake pedestals. While those creations can run to more than $300, their kitchen towels are just as lovely, and in much closer financial reach. I think my kitchen might like a little treat, and these seem like the perfect thing to layer under a cooling summer fruit pie.

Last, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to direct your attention to this fabulous Serious Eats piece about stocking your bar - with bourbon. (What else do you need, really, except for maybe a bottle of gin?) I am loving all these recommendations, especially the ones for tasty, complex bourbons that don't break the bank. (And, of course, for the ones that do, but are totally worth it.)

Queenie's Treasury

It's the first Treasury in a while, kids. I apologize for being so neglectful, but hopefully what I'm about to share will make up for my absence. Here goes!

First of all, I'm loving this house tour from the always-resourceful Copycat Chic. Reichel (and her readers) find cheaper versions of high-end pieces for the home, and their finds are seriously impressive. An especially great resource for anyone looking for a just-right piece. But anyway, back to the house in question, which belongs to a blogger named Luisa, who is apparently a freaking genius at paying the very least amount of money for some seriously cool stuff. I am dying for her little brass nesting tables in particular, and the bookshelves are gorgeously styled, and the bedroom - oh, the bedroom! Brava!

Design*Sponge always finds great stuff, and these food paintings by Joël Penkman are no exception. I can't decide on a favorite, though the warm weather gives the popsicles a bit of an advantage, you know?

Speaking of popsicles, Smitten Kitchen posted some delicious-looking fudge specimens this week. I think it might be time for there to be a popsicle mold investment around these parts. Yes, indeedy.

Queenie's Treasury

Happy Monday, all! So sorry that this week's Treasury is a bit late. My Saturday got away from me, and I spent most of Sunday, well, paying for Saturday. Ouch. But here we are, on a gorgeous Monday morning, and it's time for some pretty things.
First up, a gorgeous piece of art I found via the amazing blog sfgirlbybay. Lauren Bahr's Cradle is full of energy, but still a bit calming, thanks to the blend of soft colors. The pops of brights make me smile. I love, love, love it, and an 8x10 print is only $20. Hmmm....

Next up, Food52's shop has, once again, hit it out of the park. I am simply in cookware lust with these colorful serving pieces from Horne. I certainly don't need more tools right now, but that ceases to matter when I gaze at the lovely enameled handles. Sigh.

Finally, this house. Is. Amazing. It's a house built in and around the remains of a 19th century Scottish farmhouse, and it is simply stunning. I want to go there and retreat from the world for a while. Just wonderful.

Queenie's Treasury

Happy Monday evening, all! I'm so sorry that this week's Treasury is late. I had quite a whirlwind weekend, between Nick and Louisa arriving in town, making dinner for Jeremy and Miriam on Friday night, and seeing theater on Saturday (Company) and Sunday (Jerusalem). I'm ready and raring to go with the Treasury, though, so let's get to it!

First up, take a look at these mouthwatering doughnuts from LA's Donut Man. Fresh doughnuts stuffed with, fat, juicy, sweet in-season strawberries. My mouth is watering at the thought, let alone the image. Thank goodness Louisa and I already have plans to visit Doughnut Plant this weekend. (Via Serious Eats.)

A couple of weeks back, I spotted this incredible Stockholm apartment on the blog Bodie & Fou. I'm in love with its all-white kitchen, its giant windows, and its wall of bookshelves. I think I'll move in tomorrow.

Finally, courtesy of the always inspirational SwissMiss, an amazing wood mug. I agree with Tina - I'd love to know what it feels like to drink out of this. I think it would be a perfect gift for a tea or coffee enthusiast.

Queenie's Treasury: All Etsy, all the time.

You guys! It's the weekend! Aren't you psyched? Me, too!

As you know, I've been a bit under the weather of late, so I plan to spend the weekend banking lots of sleep, reading a good book and watching a couple of Oscar contenders. I'll also be cooking for my lunches this week (braised chicken with mushrooms, beet salad and pasta with cauliflower are all on the menu) and doing a little laundry. Bo-ring, I know.

In the meantime, let's check out this week's Treasury! I've decided it's time for an all-Etsy edition, and I do hope you enjoy it.

This cushion cut aquamarine ring by Garnet Girl makes my knees weak. It is absolutely stunning, right? I love the pale blue stone set against the warm rose gold. I love the old-fashioned cut, and I love the way the setting sort of hugs the stone to the ring. Love, love, love.

These coral and turquoise earrings from Beadycats are a burst of sunny happiness, amirite? I can't get enough of their cheerfulness, and I can totally picture them with a cute little sundress and sandals. Ah, summer.

Nick Heywood is one of my favorite bloggers, and I'm also completely enamored of his Etsy shop, where he peddles all kinds of vintage goodness.  This mirror-framed needlepoint has been calling to me for a couple of weeks now; I feel like it would be right at home in my home - or maybe in yours?

Queenie's Treasury

Happy weekend, everyone! It's a bright, sunny day here in New York, and I'm stuck inside with a nasty cold. Boo. That's right: feel sorry for me. And if you feel sorry enough to bring me some chicken noodle soup, even better. Maybe this week's Treasury will cheer me up a bit - shall we?

First up, have any of you not heard of Ban.Do yet? If not, consider yourselves informed. They make some of the most adorable accessories around, including headbands, shoe clips, and - my current favorite - big, organdy poufs, perfect for dressing up any outfit. You simply must go check them out; their blog is pretty much the happiest place on the interwebz.

I owe a huge thanks to Jen of The Haystack Needle for turning me on to Linea Carta's incredible table linens. I'm obsessed with the fox print items, and I wouldn't be surprised if one of those tea towels wound up in my collection sometime soon. Stunning stuff.

Beaming with pride.

Why, you ask? Because my lovely partners in blogland, Miya and Elisabeth of You + ME*, are featured in the new issue of Rue! Head on over to Rue's site to peruse the new issue and get inspired by Miya and Elisabeth's idea for a Skill Swap Jamboree! (Skip right to page 60 if, like me, you can't wait to see Miya and Elisabeth in action. But then, obviously, you should go back and read the whole thing, because it is awesome.)

Congrats, ladies! I'm so proud of you!

Amazing photos of the party by the uber-talented Trent Bailey.

Queenie's Treasury

Happy Sunday, my dears! It's pretty cold here in the northeastern United States, and we've been told to brace for - yet another - bad storm at mid-week. My one plea to the weather powers-that-be: please don't let the storm come between me and the Decemberists concert I'm supposed to go to on Wednesday. Mmmmkay?

First up this weekend, an adorable iPhone decal that makes your decidedly 21st century device look at little bit retro. Design*Sponge spotted this one, but, sadly, it seems to be sold out! If you're still craving an old fashioned camera aesthetic for your phone, check out this Leica version!

I seem to be in a somewhat analog mood this week, because I'm seriously into this alarm clock. I wish I could use one like this, but I've become somewhat addicted to my little clock radio with its multiple alarm settings and ability to switch between both WNYC stations with the touch of a button. All that said, how freaking adorable is this clock?

Last, something actually food-related. (Shocking, I know!) Have you seen the blissfully spare blog Simply Breakfast yet? If not, you must go visit. Jennifer Causey chronicles her daily life through lovely still life photographs of her breakfasts. One day she might enjoy a fried egg with spinach and a grapefruit on the side; another might bring a bagel with cream cheese and a tiny little cookie. There's something incredibly peaceful about these tableaux, and I highly recommend adding the blog to your daily reading.

Happy Blogiversary to me!

That's right, cats and kittens. Four years ago today, I posted some musings on food in New York and a review of the then newly-opened cocktail bar Death & Company, and a blog was born. Since 2007 (when I posted a measly 54 times, compared to 245 in 2010), we've been on many adventures together - Paris, Sonoma, India, Napa, Ohio, Pennsylvania, London...it's been a pretty marvelous run thus far!

As a bit of a celebration and a walk through the past, I thought I'd share a few photos I found browsing entries from over the years. I tried to select one favorite and truly representative specimen from each year, but 2009 proved to be too chock-full of merriment (Hello, 30th birthday trip to Sonoma, Napa and San Franciso!) to be so restrained.

2007: Wild Asparagus with Spaghetti & Chives

2008: Pork Belly-Off: Crispy Pork Belly with Watermelon & Pickled Jalapeno

2009: Banh Mi Mania

2009: Angelina's Taqueria in Sonoma

2009: Barbecued Oysters at The Marshall Store on Tomales Bay

2010: Browned Butter Pound Cake


2011: Mushrooms de Bourgogne

So, there you have it! 4 years and 637 posts' worth of content distilled into seven photographs. I hope you enjoyed this little wander through the past, and I want to extend an impossibly hearty thank you to all of you for reading! It's been so wonderful to spend time with all of you, albeit virtually, and I can't wait to see what the next four years bring our way.

Smooches!

Garlic and parsley and capers - oh, my!

Meatless Week may be over, but I didn't have any meat for dinner on Monday night, and these mushrooms are to blame. Smitten Kitchen posted about these a few weeks ago, reminding me of my intention to make them for ages and ages now.

You see, these mushrooms are made in the style of escargots de Bourgogne - roasted on high heat and smothered with lots of butter, garlic, capers and parsley. After all, the butter left behind once the snails have been eaten is always the best part.

These mushrooms are, in a word, delicious.

Seriously. Not only are these pretty much the easiest thing you can make, they are also freaking phenomenal. I ate mine with some crusty baguette and a glass of red wine, and I honestly can't think of a better supper on a cold winter night.

Roasted Mushrooms de Bourgogne
Republished from Gourmet, via Smitten Kitchen

1 lb. small mushrooms, cleaned and stems removed (I used cremini, which were large and needed to be quartered.)
2 tbs. capers, drained, rinsed and chopped
3 large cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 tbs. vegetable oil
Freshly ground black pepper
3 tbs. unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
2 tsp. lemon juice
1/4 cup finely chopped parsley

Pre-heat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and place the oven rack in the center.
In a shallow 1 1/2 quart baking dish, toss together the mushrooms, capers, garlic, oil and several grinds of black pepper. Dot with the butter and roast for 15-20 minutes, until the mushrooms are tender and a bubbly, golden sauce has formed in the bottom of the pan.

Remove the pan from the oven and toss the mushrooms with the lemon juice and parsley. Serve immediately, preferably with a loaf of crusty bread.

Serves two. No, really - you'd think the recipe would serve more, but they're just too damn tasty.

Paying a visit.

It's a busy day here at Queenie! Ana of Rearranged Design (you might remember the House Tour she invited me to do a couple of years back, or her super-awesome ice cream guest post here) invited me to post a little something. I shared a bit of my brainstorming around a planned kitchen update, so, if you'd like to chime in on my ideas, get on over there!

Image of Ruthie Sommers' kitchen from the tragically defunct Domino.

Queenie's Treasury

Happy Saturday, kiddos! It's the last weekend before Christmas, so I'm betting quite a few of you are out and about and busy as heck. I'm about to join you, but, before I do, I thought I'd give you a few Treasury bits and bobs to enjoy in your downtime.

I don't know about you, but I'm fascinated by anything created on a miniature scale. From dollhouses to tilt-and-shift photography, I love it all. So I was bound to be fascinated by these snowglobes, created by artists Walter Martin and Paloma Muñoz. At first glance, they seem sweet, but a longer look shows some distinctly Grimm-like (I'm also seriously into fairy tales.) happenings captured in the tiny, snowy landscapes. I could pore over these for ages. (Discovered via Design Shimmer.)

David Lebovitz lives a pretty awesome life. An American ex-pat in Paris, he writes cookbooks and blogs about all of the fabulous food-related things he encounters. A few weeks ago, he posted a drool-worthy tour of one of Paris' marchés des producteurs, where shoppers can buy directly from the artisans who product their enviable food. I mean, look at that butter. Just look. Wowza.

For a long time, The Great Gatsby was my absolute favorite book. It's still up near the top of the list. And so, I found this poster - which imagines the business cards of Gatsby's guests from the summer of 1922 - to be pretty freaking cool. It's also really pretty. Well done, The Heads of State!

Gingerbread madness!

Over on You + ME* Holiday today, Elisabeth posted the cutest gingerbread house made by her two year old daughter, Claire. She also suggested an awesome gift idea: a homemade, DIY gingerbread kit, candy and all.

As someone who made a gingerbread house (with my dear friend Caroline) every Christmas of her youth, I heartily endorse this idea. In fact, Caroline and I were planning to gingerbread it up this year, too, but time - as it often does when you're old and have obligations and stuff - got away from us. (We did make them back in 2005, as evidenced by this oh-so-flattering photo of us both.)

Next year, Lina, I promise!

Photo of the gingerbread kit by Angela Gaspar, styled by You + ME*.