One of the coolest aspects of living in an area where the average yearly temperature is 52 degrees, is that you can actually forage out to a farmer's market in the month of February. This morning on a fam. outing, we hit the University District farmers market. Seattle's oldest and largest market.

It would be an interesting test to time how quickly cash (must time an ATM visit properly) flies out of one's hands in a market like this. I'd say in the course of about 10 minutes we had thrown down on some Washington apples, potatoes, some amazing stinky (this is a good thing) blue cheese from Willapa Hills Farmstead cheeses, lettuces and these DARLING mini African market baskets(check out the leather handles) for the girls…who needs a traditional Easter basket when these stylish totes are available? P.S. the vendor bargained with us, always a thrill for me!

This is also the place to buy fresh eggs, all year long, yum and now the daffodils are starting to make an appearance at the flower stands along with, low and behold, branches like those I referenced in my Feb. 9 post, shellfish and all kinds of redonc-ulous pork products, like pork belly I know we'll buy next week…

Can't wait for a farm fresh meal tonight! Popping a cracker spread with big boy blue, yes actually the name of the cheese, with a drizzle of honey in my mouth right now, happy Sat. night!

Some food is worth being fat for…plain and simple. These are my feelings about butter.  I’ll be honest, I try to be careful with carbs (so sad, been brainwashed), but throw caution to wind as it comes to a fresh crispy baguette smeared with some delicious and salty butter.  Salty, you ask?  That’s right, here’s a fun new indulgence for you.

A French butter called Au Sel De Mer, by Paysan Breton.  In other words, a moulded butter blended with coarse sea salt crystals.  Of course the French get it right every time and this is a perfect example of a party in your mouth.

Just introduced to me by some amazing friends (thanks J&B) so of course, I have to run right out and buy it. It is not cheap, mind you.  I picked our little hunk of deliciousness up from our local divine Italian (but would imagine you could find at a  good gourmet store) grocer, DeLaurentis for $8 bucks or so for 250g, but worth every penny.  Plus what are freezers for anyway?

We are having our French neighbors, with a gutted kitchen, over for dinner tonight and I wonder how impressed they will be by us?

By the way, I LOVE getting feedback about posts.  This one in particular is coming to you as someone told me they would like to see more about food.  So let me know what you like and I’ll do my best to get it to you.  Thanks for reading.

What's more fun than a great dinner with a great friend on a Monday night? However some of the great spots around town might not be having that festive and lively, yet intimate atmosphere I always seek in a good restaurant…Not the case with Monsoon, a treat of a neighborhood spot (awarded best neighborhood restaurant by none other than Bon Apetit Magazine) located smack dab in the middle of North Capital Hill with every table filled on a random Monday evening.

I love the open kitchen with visible flames peering from above the work stations. A menu designed for sharing dishes is always great for dining with a pal. We noshed on crispy imperial rolls where you can wrap delicate noodles, spicy basil and other exotic lettuces around your roll before dipping into a savory and spicy sauce. This is a signature Vietnamese thing I believe, my husband is way into layering the flavors in this way.

Then onto a catfish cooked in a clay pot (that gets everything hot, hot, hot)

that doesn't taste in any way that you would imagine–other than delish with a nice carmelized skin. This dish is unexpected (no soul food here, though I'm not knockin' it), but as I've ordered it more than once, is consistently executed perfectly and memorably. And finally some green beans, or as they call them, Chinese long beans, crisp and accompanied with a tangy sauce and cute little mushrooms.

Of course we swished all down with a couple glasses of champagne. Why not? You pretty much have to as they do have a prize winning wine list.

Get the week started out with a bang,I say…

Sometimes I wonder if I'm the world's BIGGEST sucker to get drawn into the stupidest reality MTV show's? The latest, got me tonight, The Buried Life. The premise of the show is 4 somewhat cocky twenty-something dudes filming a documentary of 100 things they want to do before they die. Most of them are embarrassing stunts, but it gets endearing when they help a perfect stranger accomplish something they would like to do before they die. It got me thinking, what would I like to do? While I'm still pondering for now, I'm focused on things I'd like to do before I'm say, 40. Fashion week perhaps? New York or Paris would do just fine.

So speaking of that, NYC Fashion Week was just last week. One trend I LOVE is cat eyes in sunnies (sunglasses) for a fresh (though retro) new look. Like these below from Tory Burch.

Seems like the buzz from the catwalks was "geek chic" so these shades totally play…I even noticed thattrends inmakeup like eyeliner for example, is shown ina sexy come hither cat eye look. I love it. Remember, we are only one post away from "old hollywood glamour" so this shouldn't be too shocking. Check out Gwen at Fashion Week here with her posse and her make up in particular…

MEOW!

These days fighting our way through a recession, the concept of  “old school Hollywood glamor” is probably not a subject many of us think much about… but I assure you, it’s alive and well in old Palm Springs, CA.

Palm Springs is an architecture buff’s dream-come-true.  The area boasts wonderful Mediterranean architecture and is particularly well known as a Mid-Century Mecca!   We recently visited the area and stayed in this home called a “Swiss Miss”

designed by famous architect, Robert Alexander. I can just picture perfectly suave movie stars from back in the day, lounging poolside with a martini on a respite from Hollywood to the Desert.   The area, Las Palmas, where this home is located. is also choc-full of old stars homes, like Dinah Shore, screen star from the Big Band era and the original private home where Elvis honeymooned and later purchased was just up the road.  Of course, Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, Sinatra and others were running around these parts as well, so fun!

And now onto the nightlife (or day life as day time drinking is perfectly acceptable here)…first stop, is The Viceroy Hotel designed in a Hollywood Regency style for some desert fabulousness and a great spot for poolside drinks (we spotted Hulk Hogan’s ex…Not exactly Hollywood Glam.,sorry Linda).

Conveniently located next door is Melvyn’s.  This place reeks of Sammy and Sinatra, in the best possible way.  It is a must for at least a drink, and I don’t think the décor has changed one iota from the original.   We also checked out The Riviera with it’s swank indoor and outdoor lux lounge vibe a definite good spot for at least another drink.  And finally, you must bring your amigos to the Amigo Lounge at the Ace Hotel and don’t forget to duck into the old school photo booth to document some of the fun.

Of course, most of the daily activities revolve around lazing poolside, but to switch up the scenery grab an iced coffee and head down the Walk of Stars to remember those Hollywood titans of yesteryear.

On our final night, we checked into The Colony Palms Hotel , an exquisite property that is 100% old world Hollywood glam.  Think immaculate gardens dotted with fruit trees, palms (duh) and lush foliage as well as a lawn for croquet, a pristine pool surrounded by beautiful wrought iron chaise lounge chairs and red and white striped private cabanas.  The comfortable yet ultra well-appointed rooms are loaded with marble and equipped with a full bar to shake up a tini or two.  There is also a wonderful restaurant called The Purple Palm, that I could not recommend highly enough.

So I’m back now, sigh…but oh wait, it’s 5:00, time for a martini, got to run…