Holiday

I am back from my vacation in Northern California. The weather was so superb there, it's hard to get used to humidity again. I can't wait to share my pictures with you! But first here's the new video from Vampire Weekend called "Holiday." I am already in love with them , but the fact that they are dressed like they belong in Versailles and are gorging in cake a la Marie Antoinette makes me love them that much more :)

Guest Post: Sara Bimmel

Strawberry Galette

flickr

If you’re used to the perfectly crimped borders and heaped filling of pies, a galette may seem strange at first. As a rustic tart, it’s not often pretty, and it’s not for those who prefer filling over crust. But if you don’t care much about aesthetics and you appreciate the flakiness and flavor of a good pastry, the galette is right up your alley. And with farmers’ markets soon to open their doors for the season and push summer’s beautiful stone fruits and ripe berries, the time to make one is fast approaching.

I recommend a strawberry filling, especially if you can get your hands on some wild berries. The flavor is so great on its own, but the other wonderful thing about strawberries is that they meld well with almost any other fruit, so you can fill the tart with a combination that includes blueberries, peaches, rhubarb, or even apples.

Strawberry Galette
This makes one tart and will serve 6 to 8.

for the pastry:
• 1 c. all-purpose flour
• 1/3 c. whole-wheat pastry flour
• 1/2 tsp. finely ground sea salt
• 1 T. sugar
• 1/2 c. (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 1/4 c. ice water

for the filling:
• 2 pints (4 c.) fresh strawberries, hulled and roughly chopped
• 1/3 c. sugar
• 1/4 c. tapioca flour
• 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
• Pinch of salt
• 1 T. strawberry liqueur or 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract (optional)

1. Toss together the flours, sugar, and salt for the pastry. Cut the cold stick of unsalted butter into small pieces, and use a pastry blender or food processor to cut the butter into the flour. Stop when the butter is in pea-sized lumps.
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2.Gradually add the ice water to the pastry, a tablespoon at a time. Toss the pastry after each addition, and stop adding water when the dough comes together in a lump.
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3. Gather the dough into a rough ball, pat it down into a disc, wrap the disc in plastic wrap, and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes and up to two days.

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4. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

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5.While you chill the dough, make the filling for the galette. Pour the strawberries into a large bowl, and toss the sugar, tapioca flour, cinnamon, and salt in a separate bowl. Sprinkle the dry ingredients evenly over the strawberries, and toss to combine. Pour in the liqueur or vanilla extract (if using), and stir the mixture again. Let it sit at room temperature for at least 15 minutes.

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6. When the dough is done chilling, unwrap it and place it on a flat surface that you have coated with flour. Sprinkle flour on a rolling pin, and roll out the dough to an even, flat circle that is close to 15 inches in diameter. Transfer the dough circle to a baking sheet coated with parchment paper.

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7. Heap the strawberry filling in the middle of the dough circle, making sure it doesn’t spread too much by scooping it in at the sides if necessary.

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8. Create the edges of the tart by grabbing the edges of the dough and folding them inwards. If you want better looking edges, trim the dough to an even circle before you fold it. If you’d like, paint the edges of the tart lightly with melted butter.

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9. Bake the tart at 375 for 45 minutes or until the crust is a light golden brown. Let it cool for at least 20 minutes before slicing and serving. If you’d like, sprinkle the tart with powdered sugar and serve with fresh whipped cream.

This post was contributed by Sara Bimmel, who writes about Halloween costumes over at StarCostumes.com

Many Maries

I love the look of this video for Acid Girl's Lightworks. The song is okay, but the theme of this video - Marie Antoinette - is super fantastic! The costumes and the food - it literally is eye candy!

Le Printemps

{screen shots from Marie Antoinette}

This week marked the start of spring, so to celebrate here is my list of spring-y songs. They are very beautiful songs- just like the season itself:
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1. The First Days of Spring – Noah and the Whale
2. Printemps - Coeur de pirate
3. Honey Bee – Zee Avi
4. Red Berries – Angus and Julia Stone
5. Between Two Lungs – Florence + The Machine
6. Colors – Kira Willey
7. Lille – Lisa Hannigan
8. There Are Too Many Birds – Arthur & Yu
9. Effigy – Andrew Bird
10. Heartbroken – Meaghan Smith

Les Fleurs

This is the left side view from my window. Seeing all the colors is such a pleasant way to wake up in the morning:)

The lighting on my window ledge is best, so I decided to take some pictures of my flowers I bought. I love walking to Harris Teeter with my eco grocery bags, filling them with yummy food to cook, and buying myself a bouquet of fresh flowers just because. My favorite part walking back to my place carrying my filled bags with flowers hanging out the front.

I must say I feel so French whenever I do it!

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Also, enter my Orient Watch Giveaway!

Parisian Love

Here is a commercial that will make you tear up! It's my favorite one of the whole night (Super Bowl). Perfect for V-Day <3

Wolfgang Amadeus

I have recently seen pictures of this movie called Amadeus that was made in the 80's and won lots of Oscars. Where I have I been, I had no idea about this movie! These pictures alone are aesthetically pleasing and remind me of Marie Antoinette - I must add Amadeus to Netflix pronto!

Tables and Chairs

I have had a crush on these Louis XIV Ghost Chairs for a few years now. The shape looks like it should belong in Versailles but the clear acrylic modernizes it. I understand these are quite expensive, but I think they would look really great in my future dining room. I suppose I should start saving now!

to go along with this post about chairs, 10 songs referring to pieces of furniture:

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1. Tables and Chairs – Andrew Bird
2. Big Kid Table - Thao
3. Black Tables – Other Lives
4. Folding Chair – Regina Spektor
5. Bedshaped - Keane
6. Deskchairs and Cigarettes – The Thrills
7. Under My Bed - Meiko
8. Hospital Bed – Ben Kweller
9. Sofa Song – The Kooks
10. In My Bed – Amy Winehouse

Be Our Guest!

Hope you are all getting your costumes together for Halloween!

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I did a guest blogger post for Olive Writes about Halloween desserts. You can see it right here... Her blog is so festive for Halloween - lots of good ideas!

WhoWhatWear

Thanks Plain Jayne for tagging me in this fun post!

How would you define your style?
I would say I dress very feminine and artsy. I wear classic pieces - lots of cardigans, fun dresses and skirts and spice it up with my accessories and how I style it. I use a lot of scarves and belts. And I always wear my gold or silver thin bangles and am not afraid of color. I look for items that aren't "trendy" but still stylish. I don't want to look back a year later and have regrets lol. I like a lot of vintage inspired pieces as well.

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What is your favourite item of clothing EVER?

A dress I got on sale from Anthropologie 3 years ago. Its a summer dress perfect for picnics and shopping trips. I wear it with alone or with a cardigan and straw Fedora.

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What is said favourite item of clothing most suited to (e.g. sailing the seven seas as a free-booting buccaneer, a street carnival in Rio, afternoon tea at the Ritz)?
Sightseeing in Provence or frolicking in the fields of Tuscany.

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Who are your style icons?

Keira Knightly, Kirsten Dunst, Zooey Deschanel, Michelle Williams... and of course Audrey Hepburn! I love their styles equally on and off the red carpet.

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Which song should have been written for you?
"Dance Dance Dance" by Lykke Li. "Having troubles telling how I feel but I can dance dance dance." It takes me a while to really open up to people and show them my crazy self, until then I act very civil and calm. But when I perform (dance or act), I have no inhibitions - I can do it full out and don't care what people are thinking or how I am being judged. It is a wonderful release!

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What is your favourite fairy-tale?
The Little Mermaid. I only accustomed to the happy Disney version, although I know in the Hans Christan Anderson version she dies in the end :(

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What is your favorite word?

Pamplemousse - it means grapefruit in French :)

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Dream trolley dash locations?
Japan, the rainforest, a safari
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Dream location for your future Vogue photo shoot?

A tie between Versailles and the Inca ruins in Peru

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If you could hire one fashion designer as your personal tailor, whom would it be?

Marchesa. I think they make the most gorgeous, timeless gowns. I would be more than happy to wear one every day - even to decorate cakes in - that's what aprons are for! Their pieces are so frothy and feminine.

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Signature scent?
Currently: Daisy by Marc Jacobs

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Which era would you most like to live in?

18th century Versailles or 1950's those dresses always flattered a woman's body!

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Most recent purchase?

This necklace from forever 21 - very LV SS09!

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A tough one... if you were a food what would you be?
Sushi - sometimes raw (I wear my emotions on my sleeve), unique, creative and adventurous

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And, finally - who is the love of your life (so far)?
I wish I could name a man at the moment... but I would have to say music. It influences me, connects with me, and helps me all at the same time.

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BLOGGER'S CHOICE!!!!! If you have been wanting that "perfect" themed playlist to suit your needs, comment and tell me what kind of playlist you would like to see as next week's Weekly Top 10 Songs. If I have the songs and inspiration, you might just get chosen and the playlist would be dedicated to you. If I have already done a playlist like that, I will dedicate a former post to you:)

Order of the Phoenix

Not until Phoenix's Wolfgang Amadeus was I a REAL fan of theirs. It makes perfect since that I should be attracted to this band: the lead singer is the better half of the wonderful Sofia Coppola, the band appeared in her movie Marie Antoinette (pictured below) by serenading the title queen, and oh.. they make great music! Think of them as a French Vampire Weekend crossed with New Order (this album is completely English, although a French song would have been fun). They have this indie pop sound with an 80's flair, making this album a sufficient substitute for the already amazing Marie Antoinette soundtrack. Its a fun CD that will make you wanna dance around around your room while donning some 18th century couture!

**Listen to some Phoenix on my music player :)

Duets

I'm going to state the obvious: duets between a man and a woman are always romantic and sexy. That is why I am going to dedicate this week's playlist to them. I have quite a mix going on here: french, musical numbers, indie rock, but they all spell L-O-V-E <3

1. Come What May – Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor
2. Lucky - Jason Mraz Feat. Colbie Caillat
3. Décrocher les étoiles - Keren Ann & Benjamin Biolay
4. I See You, You See Me – The Magic Numbers
5. You Really Got a Hold On Me – She & Him
6. Islands In the Stream (with Constatines) - Feist
7. Train Song – Ben Gibbard & Feist
8. Your Ex-Lover Is Dead - Stars
9. Anyone Else But You - Michael Cera & Ellen Page
10. Lua - Conor Oberst & Gillian Welch

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Nashville was good - it was a family reunion so there was less shopping/wandering around as I would have liked :( but HAPPY SUMMER!!!

Ceremony

I spy wth my little another Marie Antoinette Party attended by Niotillfem :)

Cakes and Shoes

Marie Antoinette inspired shoot by Vogue Girl Korea, March 2007 (via Moderniteter)

The Cherry Blossom Girl

The Cherry Blossom Girl is one of my daily blog reads. This fashionista/Parisian always offers inspiration through her feminine outfits, trips, and beautiful photographs. Her blog makes me feel like its spring (it helps that she calls herself Cherry Blossom Girl - they are in bloom now!)...

isn't it lovely?