Charles Aznavour Emmenez moi

This is one of my favorite song I wanted to share it with all friends on the blog.
Enjoy.

Coco Chanel

A lot has been said and written about Gabrielle Coco Chanel, I am nobody to add anything, it is just that, like millions of people I too am intrigued by her personality. Women look at her as a fashion icon and founder of house of Chanel who gave them Chanel no 5 and liberation from frilly long skirts. As a man I admire her for her courage, business acumen and creativity. Coming from a very humble background, in a male dominant world of early 20th century, she achieved what many men could not.

One aspect of her life I find very interesting is, she lived in Ritz, Paris suite # 302 for 37 years. Though she had her apartment on top of her boutique at Rue Cambon 31. I have traveled considerably and stayed in some fine hotels, sometimes for weeks, it was always boring after a few days. I wonder did she ever get bored at the Ritz?

There is no doubt she was a remarkable women, who lived a remarkable life.

Her apartment pictures below:

Chanel and Dali on the stairs

Her suite at Ritz, Paris:

Picture credits: Conde nast, Google etc.

Patina!

I don't like shiny new things any more, I like shiny old things instead. May be it is part of aging process, or I would say maturing ( I hope it is maturing, because some of us age but never mature!).

I prefer driving my old cars than the new ones. Pleasure I get driving my 35 year old car can not be described. My daughter thinks I neglect my new car at the cost of my old ones. All of a sudden I prefer to sit in old antique chairs and want to walk on old tattered Persian rugs. Since I am getting patina of age myself therefore I am liking everything with patina?
'am glad my beloved wife has patina spell on her too, otherwise she might have thought I have gone cuckoo.

Last night I saw pictures of a black 1957 Mercedes 300SL roadster, all original unmolested (as the car people call it). I was so overwhelmed by the beauty of it, had hard time falling asleep. The car is already sold, I just kept thinking and hoping that new money has not bought and over restored it.

Here is some patina to share, what do you think?

French Deco leather club chair

French Deco leather club chair

Pair of tufted antique leather chairs

Arm detail on the tufted leather chair

An antique leather chair is my study

Antique leather chair with embossed crest

Arm detail

English leather club chair(side)

English leather club chair

Detail and patina on the chair

Barn find 300Sl roadster

Sat in a barn for 23 years

300SL roadster at Legendary Motor cars

Speechless

What do I say?

wow!

 Picture credits: Legendary Motorcars, flicker, 1stdibs.

Barefoot Kitchen

I love Ina, who doesn't love Ina and Jeffrey.  I enjoy a lot of her recipes (with a little less butter of course).  Some of her baking recipes are my favorite.

Watching her show is a joy, some times I am not even interested in the food she is making, I  just enjoy the atmosphere, her happy and easy going way which makes you feel  happy too.

The magical place from where she churns out all those wonderful recipes and joy, is her kitchen, and we all love that too. Here is Ina, her kitchen and Plum Crunch recipe. Enjoy!

Entrance

Ina and Jeffrey

                                                             
                                Plum Crunch

3 pounds prune plums pitted and quartered
11/2 cup light brown sugar lightly packed
1/4 cup all purpose flour
6 tablespoons creme de cassis liquor

FOR THE TOPPING
11/2 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup light brown sugar lightly packed
1 cup oatmeal
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter

Vanilla ice cream for serving

Pre heat the oven to 375 degrees

In a large bowl combine the plums, brown sugar, flour an casis. Pour the mixture in a 12x8 inch shallow baking dish.

For the topping combine the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, salt, oatmeal, walnuts and butter in the bowl of electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment. Mix at low speed until the mixture is crumbly and the butter is the size of peas. Scatter the mixture on top of the plum mixture.

Bake the plum crunch for 40 to 45 minutes, until the plums are bubbling and the top is browned. Serve warm or at room temperature with ice cream.

 Credits: Barefoot Contessa, google