The cherry blossom girl

Personally I don't like blogs where people photograph themselves, but I can't help sharing with you this link, The cherry blossom girl, because it's unquestionable that she has talent for photography and fashion styling. I particularly loved these pictures about her make-up of the day.

10 corso como

A mandatory stop for every designer who has the chance to be in Milan is certainly 10 Corso Como. It is just a building with its inner court covered with ivy and plants but it is also famous to be one of the most interesting art and design places of the city. Here, you can admire a few small but nice art galleries, take a look at some lovely shops, have a (I would say expensive, even if I don't have the certainty) coffee, and, above all, take a breath of every possible design field in the bookshop. Every time I go there I fall in love with it and I wish to have falls of money to buy everything.

Eggs Royale

Yesterday, I don't know precisely why, I thought about a lovely breackfast I had with my friends in London, during the last days I spent there. We were at the Breackfast Club (I already mentioned it here) and I ordered something my friend Sunny adviced me: eggs royale. It was so good that today I searched for the recipe and I'm posting it below! Enjoy!

[from Buongalow INDUSTRIES]

Ingredients: 4 muffins, 225 g smoked salmon, 2 tbsp vinegar, 8 large eggs, 1 small jar of caviar

For the hollandaise: 60 ml white wine vinegar, 60 ml white wine, 5 black peppercorns, 1 clove garlic, 2-3 stalks parsley, juice of 1 lemon, 175 g butter, 4 egg yolks, salt, cayenne pepper

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Method: 1. To make the hollandaise, place the wine vinegar, white wine, peppercorns, garlic, parsley and lemon into a saucepan. Bring to boil and reduce by half. Remove from heat and leave to cool. This is the infusion that forms the base flavour for the hollandaise. 2. Melt the butter in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water, allowing it to separate so that the whey falls to the bottom. Remove from heat and ladle the clear butter (clarified butter) into a heatproof container. 3. Place the egg yolks and 2 tablespoons of the cooled infusion in a clean heatproof bowl and place over a saucepan of simmering water. 4. Whisk continuously, until the yolks start to become firm. Remove from heat and place on a flat surface. 5. Start to whip the yolks. At the same time add the clarified butter. Keep slowly pouring the butter in until it is blended and then continue to whisk, adding a further scant tablespoon of the infusion until fully blended. Add a pinch of salt and some cayenne pepper. 6. Halve the muffins and lightly toast on both sides. Cover the split muffins with the smoked salmon. Preheat a grill until hot. 7. Fill a large saucepan with water up to 10cm. Stir in the vinegar and good pinch of salt. Bring water to boil and then turn heat down as low as possible. Crack each egg into a small ramekin. Using a whisk create a whirlpool in the water then tip each egg gently in from the ramekin. Allow the eggs to cook for 1-1 1/2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove eggs as they are cooked. 8. Place an egg on top of each of the salmon topped muffin halves. 9. Spoon the hollandaise on top and place under the grill until the sauce is golden brown. 10. Serve with a teaspoon of caviar on top and a twist of black pepper. [from Good Food Channel]

Latecomers, you're wasting MY time

Unfortunately today I'm posting something just for Italian speakers, but I found this article about punctuality, which I truly want to share with you, readers. I definitely am a punctual person but, as usual, everyone of us who use to arrive in time, has to deal with an endless amount of latecomers who seems to do not be able to understand the value of our time. The whole Italian-way-of-life seems to be the best example of this, I'm thinkin about the whole bureaucracy system or our disgraceful transport service (and every Italian knows I'm speaking about Trenitalia). So, I'm here to say to all of you, latecomers, you're wasting MY time, think about it and feel at least a little bit guilty, but, above all, try to make a bigger effort to arrive in time the next time.

Click on the image twice to enlarge and read.

[from D la Repubblica 12/03/2011]

Natalie Portman

I've never been interested in VIPs' events but I just took a look at some pictures of the Oscar Night because I have loved Natalie Portman in "Black Swan". I think she has been a real talent and she always looks pretty and refined (also she's so sweet with her big belly in this picture on the red carper).

[from Confession of a Beautyholic]

Lo Sportone L by Essent'ial

From the objects I discovered at the Design Supermarket, the one
I liked more was this ecofriendly bag "Lo Sportone L" by Essent'ial.

Design Supermarket

Searching for a design item in Milan?
This is definitely the right place: the Design Supermarket at la Rinascente.
From lamps to keyrings, here everything has been made in the design name and, as the name says, it is a supermarket, thus you can also find some nice and cool presents for affordable prices.

Typomag

Graphic design and typography passionates,
here you are a pretty book to look at.
Typomag | Laura Meseguer.


[from Swiss Legacy]

Hidden memories

This is definitely one of the most courious project I've ever come across. She is Mirando Van Dijk, she's Dutch, and she creates memory leaves and flowers printing old pictures on unbleeched cotton. The projects is called Hidden memories and if you wish the item can be personalized with your own pictures.

Culinary advices from Milan

I can't help to advice you to have a look of these places if you have the chance to be in Milan.

Amorino & Bottega Caffè Cacao


Latteria & That's Bakery

Huggy

Huggy | Lago
by Brit Leissler




[from Appartamento]

Dentro un grande rumore

Teatro i | Dentro un grande rumore.
New theatre season leaflet.

TRIENNALE 02 INTOLERANCE ZERO

INTOLERANCE ZERO is another of the current exhibitions at the Milan's Triennale.
It runs till the 31st of March and it collects pictures aimed at the tolerance education. The topic is obviously relevant for the current times and the images are beautiful. Besides they released a nice pubblication.

TRIENNALE 01 Graphic Design Worlds

A couple of days ago I was in Milan to visit an exhibition at the Triennale. It's called Graphic Design Worlds and it's definitely a good way to have an idea of some examples of remarkable contemporary design. Go and see it, if you have the chance (hurry up though, it's open til next Sunday), if you don't, you can have a look at the website to know the designers and search for their graphics on the net.


[from Frizzifrizzi]

Something about fashion

It's been a long time since I posted something about fashion,
therefore here you are a couple of outfits I like from The Sartorialist.

Why I do not look so great with red lipstick?


I love her shoes.

Today is the book day: Area 2

I really want this book.
And Phaidon's books will be certainly sold in my shop.
To buy Area 2 at the best price click here.
(and if you find a better price please tell me where, thank you!)

hhhhhhh

Fragiles

The next book on my shelf. It looks so beautiful.
Fragile | Gestalten

n.

Here you are some lovely watercolor art by Natsumi Nishizumi.

Blackboards

I love the idea of writing everywhere! It could also be perfect for my (still imaginary) bookshop: clients could write their opinions and favourite books.




[from Shabby Chic Interiors]

Frames Wall

I love this frames wall from Design*Sponge.

Convoy

Jennifer Prichard

A few days ago I was flipping through some Elle Decor and I came across this amazing decorative ceramic wall compositions by Jennifer Prichard. I've always thought that ceramic is something for crockery, but this is an example of a definitely more creative use of it.

Looks Like Good Design

No need to explain what it is: Looks Like Good Design.

IL CORPO DELLE DONNE

The 8th of March in Italy is the Women's Day.
After the last Italian political affairs and the recent (or not even so recent?) degeneracy of television I can't help sharing this video with you Italian girls, because we have to demonstrate that this women's image is absolutely not the one that represent us!

What time is it?

These are Pendel (Ikea) and Two-Timer (Established & Sons),

definitely two objects I wish to have at my home sooner or later.

Isn't it clear that I like punctuality?

[from Decoracion2 and Dezeen]

Todd Mclellan

Beautiful deconstruction and explosion of an old clock by Todd Mclellan.

A Collection a Day 2010

Through Ffffound I came across Lisa Congdon's "A Collection a Day" project. She is a San Francisco-based illustrator and fine artist who decided to undertake a year long project. Every day of 2010 she photographed a different collection of similar objects and every picture has been collected in "A Collection a Day, 2010" blog. The interesting thing of the project (besides of many nice pictures obviously) is that, even if the brief is quite simple, at the end of it you have loads of images to work with. I'm already starting to think about my 2012 year project.

Wardrobe Office

I want it. I've already emailed it to my dad, who's the one able to fulfil my wish!

[from a very very old (as you can see from laptop thickness) GRAZIACASA]

PISTON MAGAZINE Issue #0

PISTON MAGAZINE / Berlin / Issue #0

I haven't tryed to understand the theme of this magazine yet,

but it looks visually interesting isn't it?

Steve Jobs at Stanford

Here you are Steve Jobs' touching speech at Stanford University.

It is always worth to hear and reflect on what these great business and creative men and women have to tell to students and non. Makes me think, almost as Randy Pausch's one.

What Katie Ate

Every time I found a new foody blog I believe it's the best one.

And then every time I have to step off and admit that there's something better.

But this time guys, it's the right one, I can feel it.

This is definitely the best culinary blog ever, as well as the most inviting one.

I introduce you What Katie Ate.

"What Katie ate is a resource of info. relating to all things food and drink. Based in Sydney, Australia it includes recipes and photography by Katie herself ~ a professional photographer - specialising in food, lifestyle and interiors. It also documents local, national and international culinary offerings; restaurant reviews; gourmet shops; artisan producers and general foodie related items."

What is nice about this blog is that amazing food goes with a high quality photography and a nice graphic representation of recipes, and everything is very well mixed up.