This. Is. Gorgeous.

I want to sit and stare at it all day long. (by Alberto Seveso, via Oh Joy).

Adorable Bats?

As a sidenote, I found this article in looking for a photo for my last post - let me just say this was not our experience, cute as it may be (but that's debatable). 

Cute Animals That are Not Bats

To offset my last few posts, I offer you a few pictures of animals that I feel are cuter than bats, to cleanse your minds of the images I may have put there (though it will take more than these to wipe the sound of their wings flapping from my memory):

Our Housemates

My parents were worried we might get bored. So impossible with so much good company and beautiful scenery around! But if we had any doubts, they were shattered Tuesday night when Dirk and I awoke to hear a noise in our attic apartment, turn on the light and see 2 bats flying around! Needless to say, we settled in another room for the rest of the trip and the exterminators were called (and no bat was harmed, except maybe by the sound of my screams). And the entertainment came in the form of sitting outside at dusk waiting for them to show themselves (complete with drinks, of course).

Gratuitous Niece Picture

Our number one entertainment on the trip was absolutely my niece, who could not have been cuter (but could have asked "Why?" a few less times). The picture above was from a winery we visited - small as she is, she loves dogs and takes every opportunity to pet them (I admit the angle we took the picture from is a bit deceiving, but it was definitely a big dog!). The picture below was the theme of the weekend and every time we get together (shirt custom made by Showroom 64).

Charlevoix

Charlevoix was the most idyllic, picturesque Midwestern town we could have imagined. We stayed in an amazing house a block from the lake (above), fully equipped with requisite front porch so that we could sit outside and watch the world go by. But the rest of the town and lakefront was equally as perfect - see Dirk's pictures below - can you imagine a better example of summer Americana?

The Mushroom Houses

One of the sights to see in Charlevoix are the Mushroom Houses, created by developer Earl Young starting in 1918. They are very cute - I would love to see one from the inside, they look like they would be very dark but that would be the shame because they are on the beach and have amazing views of the water. As my mom put it, they look just like what the smurfs live in (if they were real) - it looks like the owners have a sense of humor about them as well, see if you can spot the troll in the last picture.

We're Back!

Hello there! Dirk and I are back from the Barry Family Vacation in Charlevoix - located in northern Michigan at the 45th latitude, halfway between the equator and the North Pole - and we had so much fun relaxing and seeing everyone! There is so much to blog about, it will probably take me all week. As I gather the pictures, please take a look at the ones here that I'm finally starting to organize, from our Tahitian honeymoon in September. It's so nice to look back, and it reminds me that I always love the pictures taken with Dirk's Yashica T3 - I am going to commit to carrying it with me to take so I can take pictures with it everyday.

All of my favorite blogs repeatedly reference Etsy, "Your place to buy and sell all things handmade" (TM). I haven't had the patience to dig into it yet, but partly it's also because I'm afraid it will also become an obsession. And I get a little frustrated with sites that don't seem to have an ending (thus, my love for linear blogs). But I'm going to devote some time to it, and hopefully get some new goodies in the process. I also am going to devote more time to shopping for vintage jewelry on Ebay - again, a bit intimidating because of its vastness but could be oh so rewarding.

All of this future shopping begs the question - how do you store your jewelry? I have 2 jewelry boxes and various other cubbyholes in my room, and I am still overflowing - any great ideas (besides the hand, of course). 

My Other Favorite Ring

Of course, my favorite ring is my engagement ring (followed closely by my wedding ring), but this Lola Rose faceted malachite ring is a close third! I first spotted it at my favorite London store, Liberty, but in usual fashion had to sleep on it until I got all the way back to New York. Thank goodness my lovely English husband was kind enough to go back to get it for me! 

For Like Ever

There is no shortage of love in the blogosphere for this print, but even though it's hanging in our living room I still love it! We bought it at village, and they have since expanded the design into notecards and a tote bag (which Alyson bought over the phone and reported back a lovely buying experience).

Leather Wrap Bracelet

I do have a thing for bracelets lately..............I stalked this Chan Luu bracelet for months before committing to it - and now I don't know why I waited because it is a great go-to (sometimes I wear it as one long strand necklace as well - I love a versatile piece!). What did it for me was when I walked into Henri Bendel and saw a wall of them in all different colors - there is nothing like the impact of a group of things to convince me that I need it! Of all the colors, I did choose this brown version, but mine is silver and gold, although I've never been one to match metals I like the freedom that this one can go either way.

Faux Silver Mesh Bracelet

I was (so pleasantly!) surprised at how many compliments I received while wearing this bracelet, from Ann Taylor Loft - even my (male) chair masseuse at the local nail place loved it! It comes in gold as well. So what do you think?

Tell Me Your Thoughts.....

Hello loyal readers (all 3 of you) - hopefully this new feature will make the site a little more interesting. I am lucky enough to be complimented on things that I wear (at times - other times Dirk makes a face before I leave the apartment prompting a costume change). I thought it might be nice to post things other people think are nice as well (not meant to be in an arrogant way, but I have been struggling with things to blog about lately). 

So, take a look at the following posts and let me know what you think. Since a lot of the items will probably involve jewelry, I have posted the hand above - not only a symbol of me raising my hand to get your attention, but I have always wanted one to hang necklace from (this one is from the fabulous Living, etc. website that sadly I cannot order from while in NYC. They sometimes sell them at Fish's Eddy as well, but couldn't find it on their site). 

Baked Eggs and Mushrooms in Ham Crisps

We had our inaugural brunch today with Nick, Natalie and Polly and the Baked Eggs were a hit - thanks Allison for introducing me to the recipe! They were really easy to make, and for groups the mushroom mixture can be made ahead and refrigerated. And yes, they work just as well without the ham for vegetarians!

Recipe courtesy of Sara Moulton/The Food Network

Baked Eggs and Mushrooms in Ham Crisps

3/4 crimini pound mushrooms, finely chopped 

1/4 cup finely chopped shallot 
2 tablespoons unsalted butter 
1/2 teaspoon salt 
1/4 teaspoon black pepper 
2 tablespoons creme fraiche or sour cream 
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh tarragon leaves 
12 slices Black Forest or Virginia ham (without holes; 10 ounces) 
12 large eggs 
Garnish: fresh tarragon leaves

Accompaniment: buttered brioche or challah toast

Special equipment: a muffin tin with 12 (1/2-cup) muffin cups

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Prepare mushrooms: Cook mushrooms and shallot in butter with salt and pepper in a large heavy skillet over moderately high heat, stirring, until mushrooms are tender and liquid they give off is evaporated, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in creme fraiche and tarragon.

Assemble: Fit 1 slice of ham into each of 12 lightly oiled muffin cups (ends will stick up and hang over edges of cups). Divide mushrooms among cups and crack 1 egg into each. Bake in middle of oven until whites are cooked but yolks are still runny, about 15 minutes. Season eggs with salt and pepper and remove (with ham) from muffin cups carefully, using 2 spoons or small spatulas.