why 129?

Are you curious about why the number 129? I mean, food, clothing, shelter is pretty self-explanatory; those are the necessities of life, which is what this blog is all about.

Although, one could argue that there are degrees of necessity; bread and water = necessity vs. 1978 Montrachet and Petrossian caviar = perhaps a necessity for some, but a luxury for most of us. A loin cloth (necessity) vs. a Stella McCartney LBD (luxury) A nice house or apartment (necessity) vs. the penthouse at Trump Tower (luxury). It's all relative, but let's face it; a bit of luxury now and then is a necessity.

And planet carol; well we all live in our own little world, don't we? I live on planet carol...

But why 129? 

I was born on Saturday, August 25th, 1951 at 1:29 in the afternoon. But the thing is, the number 129 constantly pops up on my radar; I look at the clock...it's 1:29. I buy something online...it's $129. I glance down at the gas mileage on my car...it's on 129 miles. I'm driving on the interstate, and my exit just happens to be...you guessed it...exit 129. It happens almost daily. Coincidence? I think not. If you're into numerology, perhaps you can enlighten me.

In the meantime, I've decided that 129 must be my lucky number, and that one day the reason why will be revealed to me. I'll let you know when that happens...

xoxo C 

inspirational interiors - yellow

I LOVE YELLOW! YELLOW IS A HAPPY COLOR.

That's why decorating with pops of yellow is one of my favorite ways to brighten up a neutral interior. You don't have to paint the whole room yellow; a little bit goes a long way. Imagine the rooms below without the yellow accents. Pretty, right? But the cheery yellow adds style and zing. So spread some sunshine!

images via TUMBLR

eden eats

EDEN GRINSHPAN

This morning, I'm watching a show called Eden Eats on The Cooking Channel. Yes, I know it's early, but I'm an early riser...

Eden Grinshpan is a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu in London, and the host of Eden Eats, a traveling show to find global cuisine in cities across the US. I've been watching it every Sunday morning for the past few weeks. So far, I've seen Charlotte NC, Phoenix AZ, San Diego CA, Austin, TX, Salt Lake City UT, and today; Baltimore MD.

If you're interested in dining off the beaten path, you'll love this show. Eden is enthusiastic and adventurous, as well as quite knowledgeable about food. I share her curiosity about what other cultures eat. Every time I talk to someone from another country, the conversation eventually turns to food. My favorite questions are, "What do you eat for breakfast?" and "What are some of the traditional dishes that you prepare for holidays?" And of course, their holidays are often not my holidays...so I want to know all about their holidays too. Most people love to talk about their heritage. They're proud of who they are and where they came from; and traditional cuisines are an important part of any culture.

There are a few ethnic restaurants here in Dallas that I go to frequently. I've gotten to know the proprietors and ask questions all the time. They often prepare dishes for me that are not on the menu; usually exotic, and always delicious.

You're doing yourself and world peace a favor when you embrace other cultures and get to know people outside of your familiar circle of friends. And if you're lucky, they'll invite you to dinner!

read more about Eden Grinshpan here
image via COOKING CHANNEL TV

thought for the day .03

The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity.
~ Dorothy Parker




photo by Pieter Jan Meijer via Tumblr

Meet "Poulette"

I found this cute, vintage ceramic egg cup several years ago at a Paris flea market. She was all alone, hiding behind a stack of crackled, cream-colored pottery bowls that I was admiring. Everyone knows I'm a sucker for anything "animal," so of course, I brought her home with me. Her name is Poulette; a combination of the French word for chicken (poulet) and Paulette; a pretty French name for a saucy little chick!

i'm dreaming of a white kitchen...

Whenever I envision my "dream" kitchen, it's almost always white. White is just fresher, lighter, brighter, and cheerier. White not only makes a kitchen seem larger, it also provides a clean canvas for showcasing other elements to create an inviting and functional environment. Wood finishes look richer against white; and lighting fixtures, accessories, and especially food, stand out against the neutral backdrop.

Here are a few of my favorite white kitchens...do you have a favorite?

 

 

images via tumblr.com

Satomi Kawakita ~ 18K gold stack rings

Yellow gold jewelry is making a real comeback these days, and I'm loving these delicate, organic, 18K gold stack rings from SATOMI KAWAKITA.

Satomi Kawakita is a New York City based jewelry designer and professional diamond setter. She launched her own jewelry line in 2008.