DREAMING OF PALM TREES

Beachy Art

noreply@blogger.com (Claudia Cifuentes) — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 11:13:00 +0000

It's no secret that I love anything beach-themed. You can take a girl out of Miami... So when I recently stumbled upon Gray Malin's work I could only think, "Where have you been all my life?" Here are a few of my favorites.

Ice T on "F--- It!"

noreply@blogger.com (Claudia Cifuentes) — Wed, 15 Jun 2016 20:20:00 +0000

I love watching this video when I'm in need of motivation to take a chance. Watch it. So true.

Get Sh*t Done

noreply@blogger.com (Claudia Cifuentes) — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 15:20:00 +0000

Are you guys digital or paper people when it comes to your to-do lists and planners? I have tried many times unsuccessfully to go digital (Any.Do, Wunderlist, etc.), but my efforts usually only last about a week before I switch back to old-fashioned paper and pen. There's just something about writing things down manually, and then checking them off, that remains so satisfying to me.

So I've decided to fully embrace my retro method of organizing, and instead invest in some awesome planners. What do you guys think of these notebooks? They're from Melbourne-based company, Mi Goals, and I love how they're beautiful to look at, and tote around to meetings, while also motivating you to get off your butt. Get it done here: Mi Goals Etsy shop

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Michelle Cifuentes) — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 17:56:00 +0000

Via Bon Appetit.

Hey, friends!

I know we've been sporadic about posting updates lately, but as usual, things got really busy all of a sudden! It's funny how you'll have, like, months of downtime and then all of a sudden, it's BAM. Go, go, go. When it rains, it pours, I guess. Does that ever happen to you?

Anyway, I am glad tomorrow is Thanksgiving and we'll have a nice long weekend to hang and relax. Are you doing anything fun for the holiday or traveling anywhere?

I will be heading up to Rhode Island tonight to spend it with good friends, so I'm excited about baking this Bourbon Pecan Pie with Dark Chocolate. If it comes out decent looking, I'll probably post it on Instagram later so stay tuned for that. Rhode Island is totally my dream place for long and cold weekends, so I'm pretty excited. Packing my flannel, rolling pin and one of the many books I have started and not yet finished. We'll see how that goes. ;)

In the meantime, since you'll probably spend the weekend lounging and enjoying leftovers, here are some fun links to check out.

Holiday checklist.

Thanksgiving recipes to please everyone's diets.

A glimpse into India's transgender community via Refinery29.

Turkey leftovers done right.

Important! Skip Black Friday this year and instead, support Small Business Saturday.

Have you ever heard Debbie Millman's podcast, Design Matters? It's a favorite of mine, and if you haven't heard it yet, here's a good place to start. Good for a road trip if you're planning to drive this weekend.

Marion Cotillard is totally swoon worthy in this Dior video. So is the house!

Gorgeous film with a very limited release so try to catch it if you can!

This is kinda gross but still oddly appealing.

One word: adorable.

Cool gifts under $50 from my favorite online store, curated by the one and only Lizzie Garrett.

A bunch of awesome movies are coming to Netflix this December. I can't wait to hibernate.

Clare Elsaesser is my current favorite Etsy seller. Want, want, want!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm getting married. :)

noreply@blogger.com (Karina Cifuentes) — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 20:24:00 +0000

Hey, friends! Guess who? It's me, Karina! The other Cifuentes sister. Lisa has been posting some amazing things lately so she really inspired me to get back to it. And as she has mentioned, I recently got engaged. :) I feel incredibly excited and cannot wait for the day to come. We have less than a year (we are getting married next fall) and have already checked off some important items from our "to do" list (venue, photographer, and DJ.) I'm looking forward to cruising over the holidays since once we get back from the festivities, we will be in full swing planning mode.

I'm still learning to navigate the wedding world terrain as it's incredibly vast (!) but I think I'm starting to get the hang of it. I now have a few resources that have become my go-to's and I'd like to share them with any new brides out there. And if I'm missing any important ones, would love to know!

A Practical Wedding for the budget-conscious bride.

Wedding Wire. Best for website designs. A lot of them out there are cheesy but this one we like. They also have great tools like a budget tracker and a monthly to do list they have already created for you based on your engagement time.

The Hitch . Good venue research tool.

The Knot. Good not great. But they have good forums from brides and former brides.

100 Layer Cake. For your DIY'ers out there.

Style Me Pretty. Amazing for inspiration and photo gawking.

Martha Stewart Weddings. Because you gotta have Martha.

And holy smokes! Check out this insane wedding at Cap d’Antibes recently featured on Vogue.

And you have to read this if you're getting married. It will save you a lot of time and stress! (courtesy of my fiancee.)

And just because this makes me happy. :)

Photo via Grace Loves Lace.

Dreamy weekend in Granada

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Michelle Cifuentes) — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 17:00:00 +0000

Karina, Me, Nick, Sadie.

This past weekend, Karina and I flew down to Granada, Nicaragua to attend the wedding of our dear friends, Magaly and Aaron. As expected, it was a beautiful wedding weekend filled with plenty of sun, good friends, dancing, and lots of love. It was our first time in Nicaragua and we had a blast, so we put together a small little list of stuff to do, if you ever make it down there.

Hotels
Karina, Charlie and many other wedding guests, including the bride and groom, stayed at Hotel Plaza Colon, which is the only boutique hotel in Granada fully owned and operated by Nicaraguans. It is right in the center of the city, directly in front of Parque Colón, so the area is safe and there is lots to do within a short walking distance. The rooms are large and spacious and the courtyard pool is perfect for cooling off after a day of touring the city.

I stayed at a different hotel not too far from Parque Colón, a cute little place called Hotel con Corzon. The rooms were great, the pool was heaven, and the staff was really warm and helpful. Plus, you can feel good about staying here because 100% of the hotel's profits are invested in education. It also doesn't hurt that they offer a great complimentary breakfast every morning of fresh fruit, granola, yogurt and eggs. My first morning there I had the best lychees! Just writing this makes me really miss it.

Another great hotel we checked out was the Tribal Hotel, which is as hipster as you're gonna get. And if I ever go back to Granada, I will most likely stay here. I mean, look how stylish it is. I am slightly obsessed.

Images via Tribal Hotel.

Activities
Honestly, because we were only in Granada for a short weekend, we did not have time to do a whole lot besides the wedding itself. However, we did manage to squeeze in a two hour boat tour of the Islands of Isletas, which are the 365 islands surrounding Granada. These islands are also known as ‘the daughters’ of the majestic volcano Mombacho. My hotel arranged it, so you can find more info here.

If you have more time, I would recommend heading to San Juan de Sur, which is the beachy part of the country. Most of my friends arrived a week early to do this (regretting I didn't as well!), so I heard nothing but amazing things. I guess I'll just have to go back one day.

Nicaragua also has some incredible volcanoes, so that might be something worth checking out.

Transportation
We booked a private shuttle to pick us up from the airport in Managua and drive us to Granada. It's about an hour long ride and for three people, it was $45. We booked it with Adelante Express. Your hotel should also be able to help you.

Food
We mistakenly ate at a Beatles themed restaurant called Imagine on our first day here, but that was because we were tired and hungry and frankly, just lazy about finding something authentic. So my advice is: do not go here. The food and drinks are NY prices (way too much) and the service is slow. Our food was fine, but just not worth it overall.

I would however, recommend the following places.

The Garden Cafe: I only made it here once, but it's definitely a spot I would try again. I ordered a hummus avocado sandwich that was tasty, healthy, and fresh. They also have a gift shop and cute open courtyard garden with hammocks.

El Zaguan: a bit fancier, with prices to match, but excellent food. Try the carne asado with a side of gallo pinto!

Tortillas: there is a lady who sells fresh tortillas on the street in the center of the park. I mistakenly only had one during the entire trip. I believe she is only there in the evenings, so plan accordingly.

Nectar: we had our welcome drinks here on Friday night, and it was great. It's located on Calle La Calzada, which is the main strip of Granada so there are lots of bars and restaurants surrounding it. Drinks were delicious and very affordable. Try the Macuá, which is made of white rum and fresh fruit juice!

As I said, it was a short trip, but the city of Granada is beautiful, so I'm glad we had the opportunity to visit.

Oh, and lastly, the wedding itself was held at this gorgeous hacienda called Ciudad Hacienda Los Altos, in Masaya, which is about half hour from Granada. I wish I could just relive the wedding, still going through withdrawal.

Have a spooky weekend!

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Michelle Cifuentes) — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 16:58:00 +0000

Tim Curry in my favorite Halloween film, The Worst Witch

Happy Halloween, friends! What are you all up to this tonight? We're going to some family friendly parades in Brooklyn later this afternoon and I am excited to see all the adorable little babies in costume. Like my nephew Luciano in his cute lil' mouse outfit. I just want to eat him up.

Here are some fun links for your weekend.

Where to go for Halloween in NYC

The best breakfasts.

I love Perfume Genius so much.

Maciek Jasik's photos really speak to me.

Pretty studs.

Lisa Eldridge has a cool series called Make-up Moments. Here's a fun one to check out!

Can someone please buy this house so we can throw crazy dinner parties? Hello, dream kitchen!

Totally craving this right now.

So upsetting.

What my sisters and I looked like on Halloween 1985.

Hope you all have a great and safe Halloween!

Would you see this documentary?

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Michelle Cifuentes) — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 13:30:00 +0000

Joan Didion is one of my favorite writers, so I am thrilled to see this new project on Kickstarter, We Tell Ourselves Stories In Order to Live, the first and only documentary about Joan Didion.

"We Tell Ourselves Stories In Order to Live traces the arc of Joan’s life through her own writings, and in her own voice. Our film will tell Joan’s story through passages she has chosen (and will read aloud) from her work, as her friends, family, colleagues and critics share their a accounts of her remarkable life and writing. Patti Smith, Vanessa Redgrave, Allison Janney, Graydon Carter, Robert Silvers, and Bret Easton Ellis are just a few of the people we’ll interview."

I am definitely backing this project, will you join me?

Perfect fall outfits

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Michelle Cifuentes) — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 22:16:00 +0000

I am all about comfy uniforms for fall and this new line called Tradlands has my name written all over it. The pieces look well made and they have such a timeless look to them, don't you think? Turns out a few of the shirts were actually made in collaboration with one of my favorite bloggers, Lizzie Garrett Mettler, who is the creator of Tomboy Style. Makes so much sense! I really appreciate this aesthetic and can't wait for the majority of their collection to come back in stock. I am wishlisting nearly every item.

In addition to making beautiful clothes, Tradlands is a company you can feel good about supporting. They work with a well-established sewing company in downtown San Francisco where every shirt is cut, sewn, and thoroughly inspected before it goes out the door to you. Supporting American made products is important to me, so I look forward to seeing what else this company creates.

New music video we love

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Michelle Cifuentes) — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 14:54:00 +0000

One of my favorite films from recent years is Martha Marcy May Marlene, which if you have not yet seen, I highly recommend. So when I saw on Indiewire that the director of that film, Sean Durkin, just came out with a music video for Sharon Van Etten's song "Your Love Is Killing Me," I was really excited to see it. The result is pretty fantastic. Carla Juri, the woman in the video, just came out in Wetlands, which I haven't seen yet (and to be honest, doesn't appeal to me), but if the video above is any indicator, she's definitely a star to watch.

If you like Sean Durkin's work, then you'll be excited to hear that he is slated to direct the film version of Little House on the Prairie. Should be interesting!

Artist to know: Erin M. Riley

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Michelle Cifuentes) — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 14:00:00 +0000

Ever since I started taking weaving classes last year, I am always on the lookout for new textile artists and thanks to Instagram, I have discovered some really amazing people out there. Among one of my favorites is Erin M. Riley. She creates these large tapestries based on images she finds online, many of women provocatively posing for selfies, among other suggestive setups. I've read a few articles about her work process and it sounds like each piece takes between 60 to 100 hours to create. The results are beautiful and each tapestry looks like a painting. I could only dream of one day having the skills to do what she does. I am beyond impressed.

Some of her work is NSFW, but it's art, so does that count? See more after the jump.

If you happen to be in or near Newburgh, NY, Riley has her work up at the Ann Street Gallery in a group exhibition until November 22. I bet the work looks pretty awesome up close.

Dreamy Dame: Lake Bell

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Michelle Cifuentes) — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 14:30:00 +0000

Via Oyster.

As I was catching up on celebrity news this weekend, I heard that actress/writer/director, Lake Bell just had a baby. Which then reminded me that I wanted to do a Dreamy Dame post on her ever since I saw her film, In a World a few weeks ago (currently on Netflix). Have you seen it yet? It's actually really good. I didn't know much about Lake Bell before this film, though I know she's been around for awhile, and now I am obsessed. She's just really funny and the film was so refreshing. I hope she continues to write and direct. Hollywood needs more women like her. Click below to see her talk about "sexy baby voice."

Via Vogue.

Via Lonny.

Here's a clip from Conan where she calls women out for speaking in a "sexy baby vocal voice."

And have you seen/heard this yet? There is so much out there on the way women speak, pretty fascinating.

On Rejection

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Michelle Cifuentes) — Sun, 26 Oct 2014 22:52:00 +0000

Via.

Do you ever have those days (or weeks or months) where everyone around you just seems to be saying no? I was hesitant to write about this topic on here, since we generally like to keep things light and fun, but I know I'm not the only to have ever faced this so I figured a dedicated post on the subject matter would be not only therapeutic for me, but maybe even helpful to anyone who reads this ol' blog here.

So here are my thoughts on rejection. It sucks. Whether it's love, career, or friendship related, it can be a really confusing time. I personally like to think of myself as smart and creative and loyal, so in the recent weeks where I haven't been able to get what I want, I have to admit, I've been feeling sorry for myself. So I turned to Google. And you know what? There's some really good stuff out there. Thanks Internet!

Everything I've read online about the subject matter seems like total, obvious common knowledge. But when you're in a slump, it's hard to see things realistically and not have so many FEELINGS. So I've allowed myself some time to wallow in self-pity and for me, it actually helped. But after a few days of feeling bad, I decided to just.get.over.it. It's not easy, but here are some of the things I've been doing and thinking about to heal and deal.

1. Hang out with people to adore you. In my case, these people are my family and friends. I'm fortunate to live close to my sisters and I can rely on them when things aren't going so great. And besides them, I have a good handful of dear friends that I can text in the middle of the night with anxiety-ridden messages and who will agree to meet me for coffee the next morning. Having good friends is truly the thing I am most grateful for. They've been able to talk me out of my slumps and make me remember the good stuff about myself and my work.

2. Realize that rejection isn't always personal. This one is a tough one because when it's happening to you, it certainly feels personal. How could this person or company or whatever it is rejecting you, not want you? Well, sometimes that decision just has nothing to do with you. Maybe they hired someone else because they knew someone in common. Maybe you've been dumped because the person you've been dating has other stuff on their plate not related to you. Maybe your friends aren't available because they have their own drama to deal with and aren't even aware of how they're affecting you. The bottom line is, sometimes it's just not about you. I know from experience that I haven't dated very lovely people just because I wasn't ready, or I have not hired someone based on chemistry. It doesn't mean I thought bad things about these people, they just weren't right at the time. Sometimes it's just timing.

3. Get out of the house. This is another challenging one for me because I'm a homebody and I work from home. I literally have to force myself sometimes to leave my apartment, but once I do, it's great. Vitamin D and sunshine are miracle workers. Even on cloudy days, it's just good to get fresh air and do some walking. Being outside forces me to not wallow in my rejection related sadness.

4. Remember that everyone has gone through this. Even the most famous and talented people have been rejected/fired/dumped. Reading these rejection letters to some very talented people actually cheered me up.

5. Keep at it. Be persistent. Just because you've been turned down doesn't mean it's an excuse to give up. There will always be other opportunities, but they rarely come knocking on your door. You have to keep trying and put yourself out there. Even when it's hard.

I know it's really hard to deal with when it's happening, but I hope these little tips help. I'd love to hear any others you may have.

Here's a fun little story to wrap this up. Good luck out there!

Fall Vibes

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Michelle Cifuentes) — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 18:06:00 +0000

New York is really showing off its fall vibes this week, with some cloudy skies, rain and an overall chill in the air. Maybe it's because the season is really just starting, or has been somewhat mild, but I'm really feeling it. So yesterday I gathered all my seasonal veggies and made this roast, as seen above. It's mostly just butternut squash, beets, multicolored carrots and red onion tossed with a healthy serving of olive oil, pepper and pink himalayan salt. It's time consuming to peel and chop all the veggies, but the results are worth it. Plus, I like catching up on my podcasts while I cook.

Speaking of podcasts, I have become obsessed with SERIAL, from the producers of This American Life. Have you guys heard it yet? I highly recommend.

Well, it's Friday so hooray for that. Any fun plans this weekend? I have some craft projects I want to work on and then brunch with an old friend. Kinda low key and nothing major planned, which sounds pretty nice. How about you?

And now for some fun links for your weekend reading! Enjoy :)

This is why I stopped following you on Instagram. (via Swiss-Miss, via Chris Glass.)

Cauliflower cheese, yes please!

Design*Sponge pays tribute to Wednesday Addams and it's to die for.

When women become men at Wellesley.

This 13-year-old girl is my hero.

I could live here.

For Love and Lemons makes some really pretty underthings.

Impressive pumpkins.

All dresses should have pockets. I want this one.

Sounds from space! Via The Atlantic.

I bet this will be really good.

Have a dreamy weekend, friends!

Have a dreamy weekend!

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Michelle Cifuentes) — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 14:44:00 +0000

Medjool Date + Vanilla Bean Café Au Lait De Coco via Offbeat + Inspired.

Happy Friday, guys! Any fun plans this weekend? Our parents are in town so we'll be having dinner with them tonight and I am making this for dessert. Then tomorrow one of our dear friends is having a bachelorette party, and I wish I could tell you what we have planned, but being that it's a surprise, I'll have to wait until next week! Sunday looks like it's going to be sunny but chilly around here, so it sounds like a perfect day to have brunch and nurse a bachelorette hangover. Hoping we can go to one of my old favorites, Caracas Arepa Bar. I am also stocking our house with my favorite morning-after remedy, raw coconut water. Any other tips you guys swear by?

In the meantime, enjoy some fun links!

The coziest house shoes ever. I'd love this as an early holiday gift!

The Wild has a sweet little video up of this really beautiful song.

Having a dinner party anytime soon? Make it a #HolsteePotluck! Holstee will donate $25 to FoodCorps for every dinner hosted, which is pretty great.

October is all about pumpkin overload, and with tasty recipes like this one, it's easy to give in to those cravings.

How to keep a green house in the winter, via West Elm. Which by the way, runs the best blog ever. Can we talk about that?

This woman is so brave. Listen to her story and believe.

Want to make dinner FAST? Claudia swears by this new book.

ADVANCED STYLE is now available on Netflix! Check out the trailer. We're watching this weekend!

Cute planter.

Have a dreamy weekend, friends! :)

Global Textiles

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Michelle Cifuentes) — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 15:54:00 +0000

Ever since I returned from my trip to Guatemala, I have become obsessed with global textiles. Okay, well, I guess I had an interest even before my trip since that's sorta the reason I went, but lately, all I want to do is plan a world shopping trip. Wouldn't that be nice? My first stops would be India, Morocco and Peru. However, since I can't actually do that, here are my top choices that you can find online.

Stunning mix of kilim and pile woven by Berber women of the
High Atlas mountains of Morocco. Available at Proud Mary.

Beautiful handmade Moroccan carpet made in the area of the
Atlas Mountains. Available at Artilleriet.

Handmade by a small cooperative of indigenous women in the
mountains of Guatemala. Available at Maya Mueble.

Handcrafted by a community of over fifty artisans in rural northern Argentina, each of these thick, plush rugs takes about four weeks to complete! Available at The Citizenry.

Block Shop is a Los Angeles-based Indian textile company founded by sisters Lily and Hopie Stockman. They work directly with a cooperative of master printers in Bagru, Rajasthan, where artisans have been hand block printing with natural dyes for over 350 years. Aren't these scarves incredibly stunning? I would just hang them around my house.

These are just a few of my faves but I have more on Pinterest, if you're so inclined to check it out. It's pretty easy to get sucked into a rabbit hole though, so don't say I didn't warn you. :)

Fall and Winter Dresses from Mary Meyer

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Michelle Cifuentes) — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 19:10:00 +0000

New York is getting chillier everyday and you know what that means? Time for new clothes! How perfect are these fall dresses from Mary Meyer? If you know me at all, you know my signature look is red lips and lots of black clothing. So when I saw this new collection, I was just so happy I could burst. Dresses + tights + winter = my favorite thing.

Also, heads up! They are having a pretty great sale right now.

What do you guys think? Would you wear these dresses?

Transparent: The Best New Show You Have to See

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Michelle Cifuentes) — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 21:03:00 +0000

I'll be the first to admit I am not really a TV person and love bragging about how I don't even have cable, but my goodness! There sure are a lot of shows out right now that I am obsessed with. Let me start by telling you about Transparent on Amazon.

The show premiered on September 26, so I hope you've all seen it by now. Can we talk about how good it is? I binge watched it in nearly one sitting (actually, I would have sat through the five hours of it, but had plans to go see Boyhood with a friend that night. Yes, that was an insane amount of screen time for me that day. But that's another story...)

I guess I'll start off by addressing the criticism the show has received. The big one being that the character of Maura is played by a cisgender actor, not a trans one. While I completely understand that that's a huge missed opportunity, there are plenty of other really intelligent blog pieces on that (here, here and here.) So I'll just tell you about all the stuff I love about it.

1. The complicated family life

The Pfefferman's are a pretty dysfunctional bunch, but sorta in the best way possible. As the show progresses, we learn about family secrets and lies, and yet, they are still close and really love one another. The children are pretty selfish, but that's also kinda refreshing to see because no one is perfect. I like how despite all their imperfections, they're still a tight-knit unit. Sibling relationships are always one of my favorite dynamics to see played out on the screen and I think Transparent pretty much nails it.

2. Jeffrey Tambor as Maura. Moving on from the aforementioned miss on casting, I have to give Tambor a lot of credit here in terms of acting. I think his portrayal of Maura is just so touching and vulnerable and just, ahhh. There were so many scenes where I wanted to cry and hug Maura, mostly because her kids are kinda terrible. And yet, Maura gives them unconditional love and is a devoted parent. I have only seen Tambor in a handful of stuff and I missed the Arrested Development boat, so I didn't expect a whole lot in this show, but he has pretty much blown me away. I hope he wins every possible award for his performance. You can read more about how he prepared for the role here.

3. The music on the show. I love it so much and just when I think a scene can't get any better, an amazing song comes on. Can we talk about the first episode where Josh and Ali listen to Operator by Jim Croce? My heart nearly exploded. Flavorwire recently posted an awesome piece where they interview the show's music supervisor, Bruce Gilbert. Check it out here.

4. Carrie Brownstein as Syd. Don't have much to say here except she's awesome in everything she does, so I'd love to see her more.

5. Jill Soloway, the show's creator, is an incredible storyteller. The story is actually loosely based on her real life, as her parent came out as transgender somewhat recently. The NYT did a great write-up on Soloway and it's a fascinating read.

ALSO. No big deal guys, but I recently Instagrammed the cover of the Jim Croce album and Soloway not only regrammed it, but she is now following me! Maybe it's silly, but this totally makes me feel famous and important. I mean, right?

So yeah. Those are my thoughts on Transparent. It's by no means a perfect show, and some scenes kinda annoy me, but overall, it's definitely one of my new favorites. Please watch it so we can discuss! I'd love to hear what you think.

Back from my creative hiatus! (+ photo of my son :)

noreply@blogger.com (Claudia Cifuentes) — Thu, 02 Oct 2014 14:57:00 +0000

My heart!

Introducing Luciano :)

Heeeeeeeellllllllooooooo love-ly READERS!!! How are you all? As the sisters mentioned recently, we've all been on an unplanned blog hiatus as we've shifted our focus to some exciting life events. For me personally, it was the birth of my son, Luciano, in December. He's 9 1/2 months already and its completely flown by. During the pregnancy I was a bit naive as to how he would reshape my daily life. I knew he would change things, but never could I have anticipated the deep love and devotion I would experience. I mean look at that FACE?! How could you not want to kiss those chubby cheeks all day? :) But on a more serious note, it's also challenged me to reimagine how I balance creativity and work in my life. For example, I used to stay up really late, with a pot of coffee, writing screenplays, but now with a 6am-waking-bouncy-baby that's just not a good idea. So instead I've had to learn how to write in short sprints say, during a nap. It can get tricky, and I'm still learning, but I wouldn't change it for anything. He's brought so much joy, happiness and new meaning into my world!

So. What does that mean for the ol' blog here? Expect a potpourri of new posts! Want to talk about babies, working motherhood and writing? I'll be posting about that! All things wedding? Karina, I'm sure, will be posting about that. And Lisa? All things design, soul-searching and awesome. :) I mean, just check out her instagram!

Feels great to be back! Now we'd love to know... how have you all been??? Any exciting updates you want to share? Marriages, breakups, new jobs? All of the above? :) Can't wait to reconnect! Happy Fall! xo!

How to Be Parisian Wherever You Are: Love, Style, and Bad Habits.

noreply@blogger.com (Karina Cifuentes) — Fri, 26 Sep 2014 20:42:00 +0000

The authors: Anne Berest, Audrey Diwan, Caroline de Maigret, and Sophie Mas

My current job is the second French-owned company I've worked for. I work for and with the French all day long (and yet, I still don't speak French. Le sigh.) And although I don't think it's fair to generalize any culture, I do think it's fair to say that a lot of French women have great style that feels natural and effortless.

But I recently got this book in the mail, How to Be Parisian Wherever You Are: Love, Style, and Bad Habits, where the authors--Anne Berest, Audrey Diwan, Caroline de Maigret, and Sophie Mas -- unmarried but attached, with children and friends for years, provide a "how to" to Parisian chicness. When I read the book, I was amused. For one, French women do actually try to look chic! But the key is giving off the illusion of not trying at all. And secondly, they don't obsess.

You'll definitely roll your eyes a few times but then you'll make a mental note of their advice. You can take away whatever tidbits you'd like but read on for some gem quotes from the book...

1. “Always be fuckable: when standing in line at the bakery on a Sunday morning, buying champagne in the middle of the night, or even picking up the kids from school. You never know.” 

2. “Be aware of your qualities and your faults. Cultivate them in private, but don’t obsess.”

3. “Au naturel is the fruit of hard labor, meticulously passed down from generation to generation.”

4. “Like Coco Chanel, do your utmost to avoid dinners with more than six guests around the table. In Paris, an evening often starts with a bottle of champagne, served with ice. If possible, get the conversation flowing with a controversial political statement [...] While your guests are savoring your chicken, redirect the conversation to a Parisian’s second favorite dinner topic: sex.”

5. “Even if the Parisian can come across as a little nonchalant, she nevertheless respects the universal principles of femininity: well-cared-for hands and feet.”

6. “Parisian women never try to appear to be something other than what they are. In truth, more than wanting to look young—which is but a fleeting illusion—they want above all to become the best possible version of themselves, outside and in, at any age.”

7. “The secret to making a man know you need him: Of course you can open a bottle of wine by yourself. But let him do it. That’s equality, too.”

8. “Don’t use abbreviations when texting. (And emoticons should be only for your girlfriends.)”

9. “Take time to take time, because nobody else will do it for you.

Photos via How to Be a Parisian Wherever You Are.

Back. Again. Maybe foreal.

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Michelle Cifuentes) — Wed, 17 Sep 2014 21:43:00 +0000

Brooklyn sunset a few nights ago.

Hi guys! So, it's almost officially fall now and the change of weather suddenly inspired me to get back to this ol' blog here. I'm sorry my sisters and I have been MIA for the last year or so. So much has happened and we all got busy and distracted. All really good things, which I can't wait to tell you about. First of all, Claudia had a baby back in December! Luciano is now nine months old and just the cutest kid ever. We are all a little obsessed, naturally. Secondly, Karina and Charlie got engaged a few months ago! We are, of course, thrilled and excited to plan the upcoming wedding.

As for me, I have had a few adventures of my own. I took a sabbatical of sorts last April and went down to Guatemala for three months! The original plan was to go down and study textiles, which I did, but the trip became so much more than that. I will do a separate Guatemala post soon, complete with pictures and all. I can't wait to show you. I returned to the states in July and spent the rest of summer working on my "life plan." To be honest, I'm not quite sure what that means, but I have been enjoying the process. Some days are completely crazy because I'm just like, what am I doooooing with my life? But then I snap out of it and realize I have never felt so liberated and lucky before. So I am taking that and cherishing this time of the unknown. But more on that in a future post!

In the meantime, I just wanted to come on here to say hello. I don't know if anyone even bothers to check this anymore, but I figured that I would write a quick little post to start getting back into the rhythm of things. Also, to hold myself accountable I guess.

More to come this week!

Missed you guys.

Homemade Momofuku Ramen

noreply@blogger.com (Karina Cifuentes) — Thu, 24 Oct 2013 16:49:00 +0000

Shamful Instagram posting (but still amazing ramen from Momofuku.)

I admit. I am shameful when it comes to Instagram food photos. I've seen eye rolls into the back of people's heads because they loathe food postings, because really, the taste will never translate through pictures. But one of my guiltiest food photo types is ramen. I seriously can't get enough good ramen and can't help but want to share it with everyone I know. My love for ramen is not to be confused with low-quality-crazy-levels-of-sodium-packaged-ramen, which can be a good hangover cure but not exactly satiating. I'm talking authentic, fireworks of flavors in your mouth, eggy gooeyness, slightly al dente noodle, sip from the bowl till there's no more kind of ramen. And since recently watching Season 1 of The Mind of Chef with David Chang, my appreciation for his savory dish went to a whole other level.

So, the next challange for me is! Making Momofuku Ramen at home. If you're up to the challenge, let's do it together and share the results! My chopsticks are ready to go. :)

For the recipe...
Momofuku Ramen
Recipe by David Chang – Momofuku Cookbook
Makes 5 quarts – this is enough for about 10 portions of ramen. Make the entire recipe. It freezes nicely and making less seems like a waste of time when you’ve got a pot on the stove all day. So make all of it. David recommends it!

Ingredients:
Two 3X6 inch pieces of konbu (dried kelp, find this at Asian markets)
6 quarts of water (use at least an 8-quart stock pot)
2 cups dried shiitakes, rinsed well (clean them good, or you’ll end up with a scummy broth)
4 pounds free-range chicken, either a whole bird or legs
2.5 pounds pork neck bones
1 pound smoky bacon
1 bunch scallions
1 medium onion, cut in half
2 large carrots, peeled and roughly chopped
Taré (this is basically the main seasoning – the primary “salt” component – in ramen. This recipe takes another hour to make and I didn’t have enough pots or the time to make it this time around, but I will in the future) – or – equal parts kosher salt, soy sauce and mirin to taste (more about this in the directions below)

Rinse the konbu under running water, then combine it with the water in an 8-quart stockpot. Bring the water to a simmer over high heat and turn off the heat. Let steep for 10 minutes.
Remove the konbu from the pot and add the shiitakes. Turn the heat back up to high and bring the water to a boil, then turn the heat down so the liquid simmers gently. Simmer for 30 minutes, until the mushrooms are plumped and re-hydrated and have lent the broth their color and aroma.
Heat the oven to 400°F.
Remove the mushrooms from the pot with a spider or slotted spoon. Add the chicken to the pot. Keep the liquid at a gentle simmer, with bubbles lazily and occasionally breaking the surface. Skim and discard any froth, foam, or fat that rises to the surface of the broth while the chicken is simmering, and replenish the water as necessary to keep the chicken covered. After about 1 hour, test the chicken: the meat should pull away from the bones easily. If it doesn’t, simmer until that’s the case and then remove the chicken from the pot with a spider or slotted spoon. (After I let the chicken cool off, I shredded all the meat to save for future use and tossed the bones in the freezer to make a future chicken stock)
While the chicken is simmering, put the pork bones on a baking sheet or in a roasting pan and slide them into the oven to brown for an hour; turn them over after about 30 minutes to ensure even browning.
Remove the chicken from the pot and add the roasted bones to the broth, along with the bacon. Adjust the heat as necessary to keep the broth at a steady simmer; skim the scum and replenish the water as needed. After 45 minutes, fish out the bacon and discard it. Then gently simmer the pork bones for 6 to 7 hours—as much time as your schedule allows. Stop adding water to replenish the pot after hour 5 or so.
Add the scallions, onion and carrots to the pot and simmer for the final 45 minutes.
Remove and discard the spent bones and vegetables. Pass the broth through a strainer lined with cheesecloth. You can use the broth at this point, or, if you’re making it in advance and want to save on storage space, you can do what Momofuku does: return it to the pot and reduce it by half over high heat, then portion out the concentrated broth into containers. It keeps for a couple of days in the refrigerator and up to a few months in the freezer. When you want to use it, dilute it with an equal measure of water and reheat it on the stove.
In either case, finish the broth by seasoning it to taste with taré – or – 2 or 3 tablespoons of combined kosher salt, soy sauce and mirin, per quart. Taste it and add more seasoning to get it right. It should be very seasoned, almost too salty. Under-seasoned broth is a crime. I made a seasoning mix of salt, soy sauce and mirin to season the entire 5 quarts I ended up with, but you may have to add additional seasoning after the broth “sits” overnight.

Dreamy Dame: Emmanuelle Alt, French Vogue

noreply@blogger.com (Karina Cifuentes) — Wed, 23 Oct 2013 18:29:00 +0000

There is no doubt French Vogue editrix Emmanuelle Alt is a DOPT Dreamy Dame. Her style epitomizes French chic. She gets it right every time! It's the perfect balance of feminine and masculine (I personally, cannot go too frilly. No polka dot tights here anytime!) So her style definitely speaks to me on a personal level. What I'd give to have this woman's wardrobe. It helps that she has legs that go for miles...but hey, that's what tailors are for. And nothing says style like a good, well-fitted blazer. On the must-have list!

Who's your dreamy dame fashion inspiration?

Hello, again.

noreply@blogger.com (Karina Cifuentes) — Wed, 23 Oct 2013 15:42:00 +0000

By Anthony Burrill

It's been ages since either of us has posted. So, today I thought, "what's the hold up?" There's no time like the present, right? :) Because I'm constantly inspired but I will be the first to admit that I'm not always the best at record keeping these inspirations. But I truly love the world and camaraderie that blogs foster. Which is why I'd like to begin posting again and sharing what my sisters and I have been up to these days.

To kick off posting again, I'd love to share my latest fashion lookbook with you for Aussie label, Casper & Pearl, featuring a ton of great fashion bloggers who you can read more about here.

And the image paired with this post is by Anthony Burrill, whose work I've long admired. It's true, it is OK for me, all of us, to have everything we want and more. :) Now, onto posting!

Cute PJ's.

noreply@blogger.com (Karina Cifuentes) — Fri, 03 May 2013 17:43:00 +0000

I have always wanted PJ's like these from J. Crew. I think they are incredibly cute and so comfy looking, don't you think? Just makes me want to have a pillow fight! And you can get them monogrammed, too! I think I just might have to buy myself the set as an early birthday present. :)

Image via J. Crew