Video courtesy of hellomoose983.

Their jewelry is made with Namibian diamonds with the Team Namibia logo on them. This logo means that the diamonds are natural and of high quality, and have been made polished in the Namibian Diamond Factory, where they hire locals with previously disadvantaged backgrounds.

My favorite piece is the World of Africa bracelet. It is a handcrafted 18 karat yellow gold bracelet incrusted with diamonds and a single “little green gemstone” which symbolizes that the bracelet is conflict-free and environmentally friendly, and that those who wear it care about the world around them.

I wish I had $39,500 to spend on this!

Check out the website and the rest of their jewelry!

Courtesy of Evian Babies.

I wanted to share this up-and-coming band with whoever is interested in indie/electronica/pop music. Most of you have probably heard of the talented Frank and Derol, since part of the band are guitarist Brandi Cyrus (sibling to Disney superstar Miley) and singer/actress Megan Park (Grace Bowman on Secret Life of the American Teenager). The third member is Codi Caraco, whom I have never heard about before, but has the most original voice I have heard since Tegan and Sara.

Their very first song “Back and Forth” is truly amazing, and if you get a chance, check out the video as well. It seems they are unsigned, but I believe they are currently working on their first album, which should be exceptionally great. Hopefully it will be out very soon for everyone to hear. In the meantime, they are performing at several venues in L.A. if I am not misinformed. Look at their MySpace and see for yourself what these three beautiful girls are up to.

Back and Forth video

The first is my older sister’s engagement! On June 19th, Geraldine was asked by Ryan, also known as BIL (brother in law) to marry him, and since then, she has been waking up everyday, proclaiming that she is “STILL ENGAGED.” I could not be happier for them, as cliche as this may sound. Ryan is wonderful and it will be lovely to have him as my BIL. He had her ring designed by Broolyn-based Jeweler Marissa Alperin, and it’s absolutely gorgeous!

On a more stressful note, it has now come to all the preparations, assuming that the wedding would take place in the South of France in the late summer of 2010. Other sister AC has been working hard at inspirational boards, trying to find the right theme and corresponding colors, and my mother has been calling up dozens of places daily to check on capacity, availability, etc… As the LMOH, the Little Maid of Honor, also ELMO, like the Sesame Street character (you can’t get any cooler than that really), I am in charge of the wedding’s website. I am still waiting on my responsibilities to be given to me by the bride-to-be, but being pretty tech savvy- no pretension intended- it should be relatively simple, not to mention fun! After all, I am a Publishing major on some level, so this is what I live for (manner of speaking).

To go along with the wedding theme of this post, I am attending my cousin Maylis’ wedding, in Nantes this weekend, which I believe should be fun, getting together with all the cousins. Hopefully there will be plenty of Champagne! Anyway, packing calls. Lots to do, little time.

So long!

I thought I would share a sweet little recipe that goes way back to my childhood in France.

I grew up with this book. One of my mom’s many cookbooks; it stands amidst the Martha Stewarts and others. You can actually tell how much I have used this book over the years because of that one page, thick and messy from the accumulated stains of flour, sugar, eggs, milk, and more. Ultimately, I have tried many cookie recipes, but I have decided to stay faithful to this particular one; I did have a reputation for making the best cookies. I’ve lost my touch a bit. I’m convinced it’s because baking soda is different in France and in the USA. Anyway, they’re still delicious. So here is my Lee Bailey recipe. Enjoy friends!

INGREDIENTS

2 cups of all-purpose flour (I personally use the whole wheat pastry flour from Whole Foods and it works wonderfully)

1 tsp of baking soda

1/2 tsp of salt

1/2 cup and 2 tbsp of unsalted butter (you can also use salted butter and simply neglect the 1/2 tsp of salt that was previously mentioned)

1/2 cup of light brown sugar (cassonade works if you are in France!)

1/2 cup of dark brown sugar (I don’t actually use dark brown sugar; instead I put a whole cup of light brown sugar)

1/4 cup of granulated sugar

1 egg

1 and 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract

I suggest you do the chocolate chips according to how chocolatey you like your cookies to be.

PREPARATION

- Preheat oven at 375°

- Combine flour, baking soda [and salt]. Set aside.

- Cream the butter and sugars until smooth (put in the microwave for less than a minute). Add the egg and mix well.

- Add both mixtures together and stir in the vanilla and chocolate chips.

- Place small one-inch balls on cookie sheets (makes about 26) and put in oven for 10-13 minutes (I go with 10 because I think cookies are nicer when they are soft and moist on the inside)

Let me know how yours turn out! Enjoy!

For this lovebug’s birthday, I got her a nice pink and purple bouquet, and took her out to a French restaurant in the South End called Gaslight. They gave us some fresh, warm baguettes, with smooth, whipped butter. We then had some saumon blinis, with onions and egg, as an appetizer. For the entree, we shared popcorn shrimp tagliatelle, with sides of sauteed mushrooms and mashed potatoes with cantal. Finally, for dessert, the birthday girl chose a chocolate molten cake, also known as a moelleux au chocolat in France.

Happy 20th birthday lovebug! I love you!

I keep thinking that Spring is finally here, that Boston will become beautiful all over again, that I’ll be able to take my daily strolls to and from school without having the chills, that I can wear flats and dresses and light jackets, that I can pull out my fancy new sunglasses from my bag, that I can think about picnics… then I realize that Boston is really just teasing me. There is one day a week where Spring lets its true colors show. One day. Aside from that one day, it rains, the wind blows, and I’ve got chills under my wool coat and hat.

At this point, I’m begging. I want some warm weather.

On a happier note, I suggest having Wine & Cheese parties this month. And if you live in Boston’s North End/West End area, Monica’s Mercato has a delightful selection. If you are closer to the South End, give Formaggio a try!

If you’re feeling the urge to go the movies, Adventureland and 17 Again are well worth the money. Adventureland is more of a witty, Juno-style movie, whereas 17 Again is a more family-friendly movie — not to mention Zac Efron is pretty easy on the eyes.

Here’s a nice little schedule for this somewhat-Spring season.

I’m not a big fan of the expression “coming soon.” It is so vague, yet you expect so much. This one restaurant in Boston has been “coming soon” for over a year and a half now. I don’t call that soon.

Let’s hope this movie comes out sooner… I have heard/read speculations for a July release date.

Video from FoxSearlight and MT’R's page.

All of her pieces are truly unique. If you live around Boston, some of the jewelry is available at the popular North End boutique, Shake The Tree. If not, look at where else you can find her designs right here, and take a look at her beautiful creations on the way.