French Favorites

As noted here and here, I love Sandro's pieces that make it easy to get that coveted French style. It seems my wish list grows longer every season. I'm heading to Berlin in a couple weeks, so luckily the brand is available there at KaDeWe and Galeries Lafayette.

~Mérédith Trench

~Retour Dress

~Ebel Top

~Jeudi Skirt

Stuffed Lobster Tails

A lobster tail is great on its own, but if you want to dress up smaller tails, this recipe adds a garlic kick {even after I halved the garlic from the original recipe}. As opposed to regular bread crumbs, panko gives it a light, crisp coating when baked.

Stuffed Lobster Tails Recipe

{Adapted from Tyler Florence}

Ingredients

1 cup panko bread crumbs

2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted

4 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves only {or 1 tsp. dried thyme)

2 Tbsp. fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped {or 2 tsp. dried parsley}

2 cloves garlic

1/4 tsp. Kosher salt

1/8 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

2 large {or 4 small} lobster tails, cut down back

Extra-virgin olive oil

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. In a food processor, mix panko, butter, thyme, parsley, garlic, salt, and pepper. Pulse until well-combined. Place the lobster tails cut side up on a broiler pan. Add the panko-mixture, and press down to apply a thick layer. Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil. Bake until tops are golden brown {don’t over bake or the lobster will become rubbery}. Serve immediately.

Lobster Tail Baking Times

~6-8 oz. tail: 8-10 minutes

~10-12 oz. tail: 12-14 minutes

~12-14 oz. tail: 14-16 minutes

April Showers

...bring pretty umbrellas.

~Jonathan Adler: Graphic Umbrella

~Pasotti: Leopard Umbrella

~Pasotti: Gradient Umbrella

~Umbrella Heaven: Loretta Umbrella

~Umbrellas.net: Classic Red Umbrella

Prague

Trek up to the Prague Castle, Nerudova

A four-hour train trip from our new home, Prague’s aura of mixed architecture, traditional cafes, and beautiful bridges was a stark contrast to our recent Bavarian outings. Our weekend was filled with wandering through the cobblestone streets, eating local cuisine of beef goulash and dumplings, and finding the perfect crystal decanter. We took a midday respite in the Grand Café Orient, a Cubist building true to form with abstract angles and intersecting lines.

Winding streets under the Charles Bridge

View of the Tyn Church from the Old Town Square

Grand Café Orient, Ovocny trh 19

Prague Sights, Shops, Eats, and Sweets

Sights

~Vaclavske Namesti: Wenceslas Square

~Karlov Must: Charles Bridge

~Narodni Divadlo: National Theater

~Prazsky Hrad: Prague Castle

Shops

~Moser for beautiful glassware, Staroměstské Náměstí 15

~Pařížská třída for Prada and Valentino window shopping

~Pražská Tržnice-Holešovice for flea market finds, Bubenské nábřezi

Eats

~Café Savoy for a sophisticated lunch, Vítězná 5

~Grand Café Orient for crepes and champagne, Ovocný trh 19

~U Maleho Glena for Pilsners, live jazz, and hearty meals, Karmelitska 23

~U Mecenase for traditional Czech food, Malostranske namesti 10

Sweets

~Bakeshop for spinach quiche and carrot cake, Kozi 1

~Bohemia Bagel for a huge poppy bagel with cream cheese, Lázenská 19

~Hajek & Bousova for honey cake, Vodickova 39

One Tough Lady

After reading this book,

I bought these rings {despite more tale than truth in Cleopatra's suicide by an Egyptian asp}.

Snake and Tiger Rings: I Am, Prague

Live Here

Now that we’ve moved to a new home, I’ve been dreaming up new design schemes. I love the clean lines of modern furniture and mixing them with antique-inspired pieces.

~Alice Lane: Fallon Rug

~Ballard Designs: Whitley Desk

~Jayson Home & Garden: Lauralee Sofa

~Jonathan Adler: Nelson Minor Lamp

~Oly: Ingrid Bed

~Plexi-Craft: King George Vanity

~Z Gallerie: Montecito Dining Table

Easter Markets

Living in Germany, I’ve become well-acquainted with the charm of the traditional Christmas markets. It wasn’t until recently that I discovered the Easter markets, typically found in the Bavarian region. Luckily, the markets also extend into Prague, where I picked up some beautiful hand-painted eggs in a monochromatic blue color palette.

Easter Market, Staromestske {Old Town Square}

Filagree

Whether it is filigree detailing on an iron gate or gilded finishes on pillars, I love the lavish appeal of old world architecture. While in Prague this past weekend, I found myself drawn to the elaborate doors gracing the palaces, embassies, and homes in the Malá Strana district.

Works in Progress

I'm working on some new projects, including a pencil skirt in a mustard wool felt and my version of this beautiful Giambiattista Valli dress. More to come soon.

Speaking of Bags

Last week, I highlighted my favorite handbags here. I also can’t leave the house without these Baggu bags. They are perfect for the grocery store, especially here in Europe where you bag your own groceries and are charged for plastic bags. Plus, they are definitely prettier.

Then, on farmers’ market excursions, I use my Medina French market basket. Its frame keeps fruits and vegetables from being smashed yet is also sturdy enough to stock it to the brim.