Merci 2013 et Bienvenue 2014!

2013 was a fairly groovy year!

Looking back, and this year seemed to fly past, 2013 was more about 

BEING than DOING, but there were a few fun flashes of activity, such as…

 Naming my own strain of marijuana, Miss Absinthe Deluxe!

My Finnish fashion interview! Always wear your sunscreen.

 Moving to an apt directly above my old one, acquiring my own closet and a patio in the process! Who knew that moving only 10 feet UP could make such a difference? But the great light and trees I look at from my balcony patio have changed my life for the better beyond measure. Great place for napping!

 
I made my very first pizza on Christmas and a tradition is born! I will NEVER order pizza again. I based the dough off this recipe, made a sauce with Pomi tomatoes (nothing ever from a can), olive oil, salt/pepper and a chiffonade of fresh basil, and burrata cheese. I can't wait to see how many varieties of pizza I can come up with in 2014.

Mr F and I are working on our first paid commission for a painting! We've collaborated on two of the paintings in our home, and it's always awesome to get paid to do something you love. Here's a little portion of what we're working on, I'll share the final result when it's finished, hopefully by spring.

As for my treasure hunting...

This is 3Pio (get it? wink), a vintage brass clothes valet (I think) that I picked up for $20 at the Rosebowl in December, along with...

This original painting appears to be an art school project, and I think it compelled me to buy it. I just can't explain, but it makes me happy to look at, like everything in our home should. Also $20, I painted on the gold frame, just because.

My very first Vivienne Westwood top for $32 and this Star Wars tshirt I bought for myself on my birthday pretty much sum up who I am… a glamourous geek!

Steve Madden booties on the left, gold Louboutin flats on the right and my lovely 

Audrey Hepburn Ferragamos in the center, all for less than $175. Thank you again, Crossroads Trader!

And what does 2014 have in store…?

I found both volumes of Julia Child's famous French-cooking tome, and movie inspiration on Etsy. Etsy can be pricey, but when I have something specific I'm looking for, I just wait until the right price comes along and it usually does. I got both of these for under $50, considering some people are selling either for over that. I made my first recipe for New Years Day, a cheese soufflé, but I want to tweak something and do it again. I have no inclination to make every recipe, but instead use these recipes as a base to experiment from. Stay tuned!

I am SO lucky and happy that I live 5 minutes from my absolute favorite dish in LA, 

the shrimp and cheese grits at The Hart and The Hunter. It is just divine. Shrimp, mushrooms, smoky bacon and cheese grits with this sauce, that I can't figure out 

what's in it. It's a big bowl of happiness and I'll be spending 2014 eating my little 

southern-food loving heart out.

My very first fashion find of the year happens to be my very first pair of Manolo Blahniks! In like-new condition, and only $42, they were on a shelf where I couldn't see anything but the unusual rust color sticking out. Like a bee drawn to a flower, I grabbed at the colorful shoe only to find my size in an Italian creation that is beyond comfy and beautiful. Not a bad way to start off a stylish year!

Last, but never least…

Lucie and Charlie will continue their quest to rule the world with cuteness and lots of napping. Get thee a companion animal and change your life! There are so many AWESOME animals that have no home and nothing but love to offer. So let's make this a year where every animal finds a human to love. Gotta dream big on something.

Darling readers, MERCI for being you. Merci for inspiring me. Merci.

May we all have the best year yet… Miss Absinthe