Louisiana Sunday Night

I will be back in the bloggy saddle either this evening or tomorrow.  Still recovering/basking in the memories of a fun (albeit oily) weekend spent feteing my sis at the beach!  (Bags remain packed, messages and mail piling up, I am sure you get the picture, right?)

No stacks of laundry or food-less pantry, however, stopped us from tuning in last night to True Blood and Treme on HBO.  It occurred to me that Louisiana (and the Gulf Coast) is not only dominating the news right now, but also dominating HBO on Sunday night.  Whether you are tuning in to the supernatural goings on of the fictional Bontemps, Louisiana or clinching your teeth as you wait to find out the fate of Tulane professor, Creighton Burnette, in New Orleans (or both), it is definitely a Louisiana Saturday Sunday Night on HBO! 

Now, for those of you who do not watch either show, I beg of you to at least click on these youtube clips of the shows' opening credits.  For years, I have thought that the True Blood intro may be the most genius I have ever seen....and the Treme credits have certainly followed suit. 

Perfectly captures the eerie Southern tensions between religion, morality, good and evil...


How catchy is the Treme opening?  (and it features our pals Paola and Jose!)



I think both are visually stunning and perfectly suit the shows, although they are a feast even if you are not particularly "into" either Louisiana distraction!

Cheers,

JSH

Print Shop

First, Happy Friday.

Second, based upon a hot tip from this month's Lonny, I checked out the Urban Outfitter's Print Shop.  I standardly check out UO's "Apartment" section and have scored some serious finds in the past, but never have I examined the Print Shop.  Well, well.  $25.00-$55.00 for every giclee print in the bunch (based upon size)....and some choice options for your casa.

Some of my selections...

Vintage-feel colors with modern impact here.

Cute for the kiddie room.

My favorite photograph in the bunch. 

Killer in a lucite frame.

I think this one is cool in Size Large.

This will be mine.  C'mon....a Nola AND Crosby Stills and Nash reference in one piece?

Now, fair warning.  You have to be selective or you run the risk of dorm/first apartment chic instead of chic chic. 

Pretty, yes.  Potential (college dorm room) pitfall, yes. 

Affordable options abounding...especially for spaces where you need something small with impact, but don't have $5,000.00 to spend. 

Cheers,

JSH

Public Service Announcement: Lonny Mag June/July Issue

Just a quickie to remind you to lounge around this evening, with your glass of wine (or Bourbon slush) in hand, and bask in the glory that is the current and brand spankin' new issue of Lonny!

Check.it.out, Gimleters. 

More commentary/pics/lust later, but I figured you guys NEEDED to know this info.  STAT.

Cheers,

JSH

Another Non-Recipe Recipe

Hmmm....this may have to be a weekly feature.  I can tell you all kinds of ways to be a faux chef de cuisine!   It seems that y'all have enjoyed them so far, so I will keep 'em coming for a bit longer. 

Anyway, sorry that posting has been a little light this week.  It will likely continue at this rate through the weekend.  I am headed to the Redneck Riviera (loving reference) for a little fun in the sun in honor of my sister!  It is her bachelorette weekend, and oil be damned.  In fact, I am actually excited to be contributing a bit to the tourism economy of Alabama's coast....lord knows they need it just as much as we do. 

We have rented this beach house, through Reed Realty.  Her name is Kokomo and she sits right on the beach.  She has a pool, which is nice, as there is a swim advisory for the Gulf right now.  Reed Realty has been wonderful throughout the oil spill....we would never cancel on these guys! 

So, in honor of the pseudo-tropics, I am going to share with you a delightful recipe that Julie sent to me.  I made this last night in preparation for day drinking in the sand.  Apparently, there are hundreds of versions, but this one sounded the best for our purposes (cooling off with something fruity and easy!). 

Bourbon Slush

1 Two Liter of 7 Up or Sprite (I actually used Sprite Zero)

I jar of maraschino cherries

I can of concentrate frozen pink lemonade

3 cups of Southern Comfort

Dump all of these ingredients into a big bowl.  Freeze over night.

Now, you have slush!

Here she is all zhushed up in the freezer.

Hint: It looks frozen through, but, to slushify it, you just have to stir it.  The So Co doesn't fully freeze.  Hence, slush. 

Funny that I should post about this today...my Garden and Gun newsletter revealed a similarly delightful slushy recipe.

Garden and Gun's Bourbon Slush from the book Porch Parties: Cocktail Recipes and Easy Ideas for Outdoor Entertaining

Here is the G and G Bourbon Slush recipe:

Garden and Gun Bourbon Slush

Once relegated to cheesy weddings and bridge parties, the venerable punch bowl is making a comeback, showing up on trendy bar tops from New York to South Beach. And since we’re suckers for anything bourbon related, we were particularly excited to try out a recipe for a concoction called Bourbon Slush from the new book Porch Parties, by Southern libation expert Denise Gee. This particular punch—a mix of citrus juice, bourbon, and dark tea—was a favorite in Gee’s hometown of Natchez, Mississippi. Quick, easy, and dangerously refreshing (trust us, we tried it), it’s the perfect addition to a party at the end of a long, hot summer day—or any other day as far as we’re concerned.

6 cups water

2 cups strong tea

2 cups bourbon

1 cup sugar

One 6-ounce container frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed

One 6-ounce container frozen lemon juice concentrate, thawed
Garnish: Mint sprigs or lemon slices (optional)

Combine the water, tea, bourbon, sugar, orange and lemon juice concentrate in a large container or bowl, and mix until sugar dissolves. Pour into two gallon-size freezer bags. Freeze until an hour before serving. Place the frozen punch in a large bowl and let thaw, breaking up every 15 minutes. When punch is melted, add more ice or water as desired. Serve in punch cups. Garnish, if desired

Strong Tea

2 cups water

1 family-size or 4 regular tea bags

Boil the water. Add the tea bag(s) and let steep until cool. Discard the tea bag(s) and set aside.

Let me know if you create one of these refreshing concoctions.  Cannot wait to hear about it! 

Cheers,

JSH


P.S.  Mondo, Susan Spicer's latest restaurant, is open in Lakeview.  I cannot wait to try it.  Not only because Bayona (her flagship)  is one of my favorite restaraunts in New Orleans, but also because I think it is amazing that she built her latest baby in the midst of the slowly rebuilding Lakeview (neighborhood of my peeps, 100% devastated in Katrina...).  FUN FACT: Do you watch Treme?  The character, Chef Jeannette Desautel, was inspired by the real-life Spicer.  Check out Mondo (whether you live in Nola or are visiting) and let me know if you like it!  I am hoping to post reviews soon....

Kuku for Lulu's Bazaar

Not sure if any of you read "Trail of Inspiration," Lulu De Kwiatkowski's awesome blog.  Once I discovered it a while back, I became hooked.  The POWERHOUSE fabric/bedding designer, artist, mom, wife, and mogul delightfully allows us Average Joes/Joans a peek into her fabulously creative life. 

Check out Lulu's blog to see what inspires her unique creations!

I have been a Lulu DK and Matouk fan for a lonnnnng time, constantly figuring out ways to work some of it into my designs as well as figuring out how to pay for it for myself!   

Custom initial fabric.  Yes, please!

Here is a snap of my very own Matouk pillow sittin' on my bed.  Despite the "odd" (in a good way) gray-green-blue color, it has seen me through three different bedding sets, showstopping each time. 

I have the euro sham placed in between my two other Euro shams...orange, white, and gray-green-blue.  Love that combo!

Anyway, let me share something fabu with you.  Have you heard about Lulu's Bazaar?

From Lulu herself:

We are making room for our oh-so-exciting, fresh and vibrant new line of fabrics and colorways. Soooo, for the first time ever we have decided to start a bazaar section where for a limited time some of our earlier fabrics will be on sale to everyone for over 60-70% off. Please visit our website at http://www.luludk.com/ and tap on the very cute "bazaar image" of my sister, on the opening page. Or call the office at 212-223-4234 to order.

Of course, like a good little soldier, I promptly followed Miss DK's instructions and was not disappointed.  Check out the Bazaar's offerings....more than 50% available to everyone on select (and really good) fabrics.  Thanks, Lu!

Please let Gimlet Nation know if you score anything delightful from the Bazaar.  If the River fabric in Mocha colorway is still available, I may not be able to resist. 

ooh.la.la.

Cheers,

JSH

Tiny Cool Pool

It is no secret that I would love a pool in our backyard....or 100% 24 hour access to a neighbor's pool....or, as I have discussed, I will settle for a baby wading pool.  

Don't mind if I do.  A perfect pool backyard in Palm Springs.

You can rent it through Room Service Home

After we bought the house, the real estate agent for the seller said, "And look!  You could fit a pool back here!"  I, of course, agreed enthusiastically (not taking any measurements or surveys of the land, of course) and Beau laughed at the fact that I would actually believe her assertion and not see the "obvious" fact that a pool could never fit in our tiny yard. 

Another Room Service rental...just for fun.

 

I now agree with the likely fact that a pool, unless it is a "cocktail pool" (such a cheesy name, not a cheesy concept, necessarily), would certainly not fit back there. 

UNTIL I saw this on Coastal Living's website.  Does hope spring eternal!?  Regardless of whether there is actual hope that I could have my very own backyard oasis, I think this solution utilizes pretty genius spacial planning.

The article explains that, to make the lap pool fit in their slender backyard, the home owners joined the edge of the pool to the foundation.  The folding doors in the family room are literally up against the water's edge.  Tres chic, I think!

Apparently, this solution also visual lengthens the backyard.  Win-win?

Cheers, 

JSH 

P.S. Lamar Sighting in P.R.

I occasionally receive "Lamar sighting" emails, links, iphone snaps, phone calls, etc.  This phenomenon CRACKS me up.  Well, I have to share with you the best real life Lamar sighting email I have received thus far.

This photo hails all the way from the luxurious Ritz Carlton in San Juan, Puerto Rico. 

Lamar in multiples above the open air beach bar!

(Talk about High-Low, people.  One of the best Ritzes in the world features Ikea lighting...how bout them apples?)

Paola's simple message: "Look who we came across at the Ritz in San Juan!"

The "Lamar Sightings" are starting to verge on a veritable design version of Where's Waldo, it seems.  Perhaps I should offer cash and prizes for the best Lamar sightings?

 I knew I would love this blogging gig.

Cheers,

JSH