CHARMING & GORGEOUS

A Civilized & Refined & Edgy Tea Salon… It Is Certainly About Time!

Photo courtesy of Rick Castro

I am a fan of civilized and refined entertaining and social gatherings. I enjoy rituals, great and small, one of the most significant being a proper afternoon tea, with all of the fanciful flourishes.

I am pleased to announce that Rick Castro of Antebellum is now hosting a monthly Sunday Tea Salon, at  the recently opened Chado Tea Room at H-Wood. Guests are offered four different tea services to choose from, that range in price from $10 for tea, a scone with clotted cream, jam and strawberries; to the $40 Antebellum King’s/Queen’s tea, which bestows upon the guest all of bells & whistles one expects from a high-tea, including a glass of champagne/wine. To up the ante, the November salon will feature live DJ, Richard Gibson who will be spinning Vintage 78 records exclusively.

Chado Tea Room offers over 300 varieties of tea, and is a connoisseur’s tea room. The quality of their tea and their tea cuisine, along with their elegant presentation is unmatched.

“Steeped in Victorian nuances with a salon style, Antebellum is a casual space for art and engaging conversation. It is intended as a hybrid of artistic, cultural and political iconoclasm.” (excerpt from website).

The culmination of the two entities makes for a charming and thought-provoking Sunday! Albertine & Odette hope to see many friends, readers, and like-minded bon vivants in attendance. I am quite sure a blog post with titillating photos shall follow the afternoon’s festivities!

Date: Sunday,  November 7

Time: 2:30 P.M. to 5:30 P.M.

Location: Chado Tea Room at H. Wood: 1738 North Orange Dr., LA, CA 90028

For Further Information: Antebellum Tea

 

EXTRAORDINARILY SACRED

The Tea Ceremony Chair

The Tea Ceremony Chair 2010 by Hiroki Takada is extraordinarily sacred in its design; a recreation of the tea whisk used in Japanese tea ceremony. Its bamboo structure is clean and elegant, making it the perfect place to sit down with a cup of tea and contemplate life, love and all that is sacred.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

photos from Hiroki Takada website

CHARMING & GORGEOUS

I’ll Have Champagne Please!

K&L Wine Merchants in Los Angeles held a Champagne Tasting Event yesterday, which featured over 50 Champagnes, including big names such as Krug, Dom, Bollinger, Louis Roederer, Moët & Chandon, as well some French artisanal growers/producers. I absolutely adore Champagne and this provided a wonderful opportunity to put some of the best “bubbly” on the market to the test. Following my sparkling afternoon spent sipping, comparing, and hearing the ins and outs from the experts, I compiled a list of my favorites to share with you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Armand de Brignac NV Blanc de Blancs Ace of Spades: “The highly sought after ultra-luxury cuvee made by Cattier. It is packaged in a gold bottle with a pewter card-spade with an A on it instead of a label, giving rise to the nick-name “ace of spades”. It is a favorite of many musicians and has been popping up in celebrity circles and even in videos. Take your cue from Jay-Z and pop open a bottle of this bubbly, made exclusively from Premier and Grand Cru-rated villages in three different terroirs: Montagne de Reims, Vallée de la Marne and Côte des Blancs. It is a blend of 40% Chardonnay, 40%, Pinot Noir, and 20% Pinot Meunier.” (Gary Westby, K&L)
• 1999 Pommery “Cuvee Louise” Brut Champagne: Grapefruit, wheat cracker and ginger flavors highlight this sleek, tensile Champagne. On the dry side and firmly structured, it would pair nicely with food. Moderate length. Drink now through 2018.
• 2003 Moët & Chandom Grand Vintage: “An extraordinary wine, offering from the very first encounter, all round pleasure that is completely seductive. This vintage is splendidly free, tremendously assertive, distinguished yet delightfully spirited and mischievous.” (Benoit Gouez, Chef de Cave)
• 2004 Taittinger Millesime: “A toasty Champagne, with an exotic hint of cumin spicing the wine and supporting flavors of clementine, ginger bread and graphite. There’s intensity and racy acidity, all put together in a well-meshed, elegant package. Drink now through 2024.” (Wine Spectator)
• Heidsieck Monopole “Blue Top” Brut Champagne: “Elegant and expressive, this delivers floral, pear and toffee flavors matched to a creamy texture. Beautifully integrated, this lingers nicely on the mineral finish. Drink now through 2010.” (Wine Spectator)
• Ariston Aspasie “Cepages d’Antan” Brut Champagne: This super rare bottling is made with some of the nearly extinct, native varietals of Champagne. It is composed of 40% Meslier, 40% Arbanne and 20% Pinot Blanc. The nose has only hints of exoticism, the over all impression is of rich cream and toast, but underneath is a hint of pine and exotic white fruit from the old varieties. On the palate the Champagne makes for a double take: it is very rich and textural, but finishes with a laser beam of chalky acidity that just goes on and on. It is fantastic first course Champagne, and pairs well with a wide variety of foods, we tried it with both foie and oysters to equal delight!”  (Gary Westby, K&L)
• Launois “Cuvée Reserve” Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne: “This spectacular Champagne is one of the most sought after in France. This house is from Mesnil, the southernmost Grand Cru in Champagne and home to Salon and Krug’s Clos de Mesnil. This Champagne is all Chardonnay and all Grand Cru from the villages of Mesnil, Oger, Cramant and Avize – a roll call of the finest crus for Chardonnay in all of Champagne and all Veritas-certified for sustainable agriculture. It is made primarily from the 2004 harvest with 10% 2001 reserve wine and more than three years on the lees after an all stainless-steel vinification. The aromatics of this Champagne are like polished white Burgundy with a touch of pine nut and minerals. The flavors are broad and rich. This is serious wine, with small bubbles and a refreshing finish.” (Gary Westby, K&L Champagne Buyer)

 

Dom Pérignon 2002 Vintage, featuring Warhol-esque packaging

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Armand de Brignac "Ace of Spades"... They will even personally engrave the case nameplate upon request

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Along with the Champagne, gorgeous little nibbles were provided by Cube Marketplace.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

K&L Wine Merchants have a number of events coming up. I suggest taking a look at their online calendar if you enjoy a good glass of wine. The events are lovely and definitely worth the ticket price.

 

CHARMING & GORGEOUS

Host Gifts… Sometimes It Is Best To Stick With The Classics

It seems like I have been focused on holiday treats this week, but I think it is fair to say that with Halloween a week away, the season has officially started.

Now… Let’s talk host gifts! I have been a fan of Harry and David Gourmet Gifts since I was young. And I must admit that when I think of the holiday season I do think of Harry & David. I secretly hope each year, that I will receive at least one surprise package of pears in the post; so I was delighted when I was invited to experience one of the first “Pop Up Orchards” they are rolling out this holiday season nationwide. First off, the “Pop Up Orchard” was adorably decorated… and upon walking in I was surprised to see that Harry & David have become, well,  kind of hip! They have new packaging that is sleek, tasteful and chic enough to bring to a glamorous friend’s house. They also have classic holiday items that are packaged more traditionally and are almost kitschy in their charm, which I find hugely appealing. Most importantly, everything tastes positively delicious; the Pears, the Dark Chocolate and Butterscotch Moose Munch… they even have wine now! While I am a fan of many of the latest food crazes, at heart I love the tried and true classics. Stop by an “Orchard” near you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Albertine & Odette’s Roasted Harry & David Pears with Lemon Stilton, Walnuts and Honey

6 firm, ripe Harry and David Pears

4 ounces of Lemon Stilton

1 tablespoon of butter

1/2 cup walnut halves and pieces

Honey

Heat the oven to 375°F. Slice each pear in half, lengthwise, and remove the seeds and core with a spoon. Place in a 9×13 baking dish. Mash the stilton together with the butter. Drop a spoonful of the mixture into the hollow of each pear half. Sprinkle the walnuts over the top, and drizzle with honey.

Roast in the oven, uncovered, for 20 minutes or until tender. Place two pear halves in each bowl and drizzle with whipped cream (I suggest a rose infused whipped cream) or a petite scoop of ice cream (I recommend Mashti Malones Lavender Ice Cream)

 

DEGREES OF HYSTERIA

Holiday Season = Heavenly Desserts and Most Importantly… Holiday Cupcakes

Magnolia Bakery has finally arrived in Los Angeles, and as a cupcake fan, I am swooning. We all know by now that their cupcakes are to die for, but their new holiday flavors take things to a whole new level of confectionery deliciousness… Snickerdoodle, S’mores, Orange, and my personal favorite, Pumpkin Spice! They are the perfect festive dessert to bring to any holiday party… Oh, and did I mention they offer curbside service? Cupcakes without leaving your car is simply genius… and while you are at it, you may as well have one of their Famous Banana Puddings all for yourself!

 

8389 West 3rd Street, Los Angeles • 323.951.0636

ESOTERIC ESSAYAGES

Tokyo Fashion Week, Spring RTW 2011

Hip. Edgy. Youthful. Eclectic. Fun. Tokyo Fashion Week has officially kicked-off and the runways are a breath of fresh air!

Araisara

Araisara

Araisara

Araisara

Mint Designs

Mint Designs

Beautiful People

Sunao Kuwahara

Sunao Kuwahara

Sunao Kuwahara

Nozomi Ishiguro

Nozomi Ishiguro

Photos from WWD

SCHOLARLY MUSINGS

Exene Cervenka

“bums don’t bullshit. bums don’t pick up chicks. they say every dog has its day, die tomorrow or die today. i met one, we estimated it was three o’clock by the sun. we were both looking for winter coats. we’re the same size. he said i’d get my money’s worth because my coat was too big and didn’t have any mistakes. i gave him thirty cents, coats were three dollars, i didn’t have three dollars. he told me what to look for. but not to tell you, or i mess it up for myself. the bum will tell me a story, if i have one minute, that’s how long it takes. i didn’t understand every word but one time this bum had twenty-two dollars so he wanted to buy this other guy breakfast. he turned out to be an fbi agent, and i think he took this bum’s money. so when next we saw this government man, he gets him so mad he blows up and hits the bum. then the bum kicks his ass and the fbi agent loses his job. see, now he’ll never make captain. that seems fair to me. bums grow disabilities, bad teeth, slow legs, no coats, and can’t recall the right words, this one kept asking me, “what’s the other word?” but he said one thing. that he’s always liked me and once tried to tell me but i didn’t hear him. bums don’t pick up chicks. they don’t bounce checks. don’t pay rent. sore teeth, see too much of everything and don’t have any body to tell.”

 

-Poem from Adulterers Anonymous, by Exene Cervenka and Lydia Lunch, 1982

CHARMING & GORGEOUS

Sometimes You Could Eat Off The Floor

At the London Design Festival last week, IVANKA – Concrete Design launched the FLASTER tiles camelion floor. They offer a wide colour palette and each piece of the dazzling puzzle can be selected to suit your discriminating eye. We love being beautifully in charge!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHARMING & GORGEOUS

The Tussie Mussie… A Long Lost Charm

The tussie mussie was the Victorian solution to warding off unpleasant smells and disease. Not only were the posy-holders elegant and ornamental, they were an essential part of a woman’s wardrobe. In the latter part of the 19th century they became incredibly fashionable, and gentlemen callers were expected to arrive with a nosegay for the lady they were courting. Worn on a gloved finger, or pinned to the bodice of an enchanting gown, they provided the wearer with the assurance of being ensconced in only the loveliest and headiest of scents.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXTRAORDINARILY SACRED

Scratch My Name On Your Arm

Deanna Templeton’s exhibition, Scratch My Name On Your Arm, comes to the Kopeikin Gallery in Los Angeles, October 30 to December 18. The series focus is on people and their body autographs. The photos are arresting in their bluntness. They remind us that the marking of one’s body, perhaps continues to be the most elemental form of self expression, something inherent, axiomatic… dare I say… primitive.

… I cannot help but to hear the voice of heartbreak… Morrissey singing sweetly, “scratch my name on your arm with a fountain pen, this means you really love me.”

Kopeikingallery.com