wisconsin weekend

This is the view from my dad's deck looking out to the Wisconsin River. He recently moved to America's Dairyland, hence why I was there this past weekend. We really packed in a lot (terribly out of character, I know) - lots more posts to come!

vintage dad

My friend Hannah wrote a post about all the vintage photos she and her friends posted on Father's Day. She asked me to contribute, so I sent her the above photo of my dad's high school basketball team (check out those shorts!). My dad is number 16 and we went to the same high school (although the team looked a little different when I was there).
See all the photos she collected here.

gilt taste

Who is that handsome man? Why, it's my lovely husband and he is on the front page of Gilt Taste for their "Sommelier Series" in which he selects five wines and tells you why you should buy them*. Speaking of Gilt Taste, they actually have some pretty good recipes and articles on there, like how to make a better pb & j, and shrimp tempura tacos.
*If you buy $100 or more you can get $20 off with this promo code: JEFFSDISCOUNT

k&j

As I mentioned before, my sister got married at the end of last year. The wedding took place at an old bank in downtown LA and was so so fun. More photos and details here and here.

I designed all the paper stuff and had it letterpressed printed at work:

As the matron-of-honor, my only requirement was to wear something navy. Since I abide by somewhat strict buying practices, I was a little limited in my options. I found this navy satin dress a couple weeks before at one of my favorite vintage shops in Brooklyn (for $18!):

All photos by Erin Hearts Court.

135 prospect park southwest

135 Prospect Park Southwest was the childhood home of my grandfather before he hightailed it out of Brooklyn for warmer western lands. The pre-war building was built in 1929 and has a fancy lobby and period details.

All photos by me.

two bouquets

My sister got married this weekend.

Her and my bouquets. Photos by me.

decade

Inspired by a friends idea, I commissioned my favorite artist to draw a portrait of Jeff and I for our ten year anniversary of being together.

objects in my grandmothers house that are now in my house

Some of the treasures that I took home with me.

All photos by me.

objects in my grandmothers house

Some treasures I found while in my grandmother's house.

All photos by me.

my grandmothers house

My grandmothers house is in the process of being sold. Since this would most likely be my last visit, I decided to take some photos.

All photos by me.

kauai cookoff 2011

I'm proud to say that I come from a family who enjoys cooking, drinking and most of all, competing. For our last family vacation we engaged in a fierce cooking contest, and our trip to Kauai was no different. Not wanting to give up our reigning title, Jeff and I pulled out all the stops when it was our night to compete. Cooking for fourteen people is no easy feat, so we started out day early with a trip to the Hanalai farmers market and fish market.

Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres were served on the patio: a Hemingway daiquiri and an individual serving of cucumber mint soup (above). The soup was served with a macadamia nut gremolata, tobiko and a slice of watermelon radish. 

After the soup, everyone came inside for the pasta course, a fettuccine with fresh tomato sauce, scallops and shrimp (we used a simpler variation of this recipe). We served this and our main course with a William Fevre Chablis.

For our main course we roasted Hebi (a local white fish) and served it on wilted escarole (sorry for the poor photo). We had made an avocado-mango salsa to go on top but forgot to serve it (whatevs - it was good for breakfast the next day!).

Our dessert was a roasted pineapple crostata (recipe curtesy of Brooks Hadley, pastry chef at Del Posto) served with vanilla ice cream.

The other teams had strong showing as well (see their meals here), but there can only be one winner....

Champs! Take that family!!

highlights from hawaii

After my annual houseboating trip, fourteen members of my immediate and extended family met up in Kauai. We spent a week swimming, snorkeling, hiking, cooking and drinking. What more could you ask for?!

More photos here.
All photos by me.

happy thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving (a.k.a. Jewish Christmas) is my favorite holiday. There's no religion or awkward gift giving - just eating and drinking! Hope yours is a great one!!
Plate from here via here.

another post about booze

If you've been reading small medium large for awhile now, you are aware that I like the sauce. You might also be aware that my husband does too, enough that he's made a career out of it. He has decided to start a wine club through a local shop near our home and I am doing some rather nepotistic promotion. But if you like wine (and who doesn't, really?!), it's a great deal and the wines are awesome. If you live in Los Angeles, you don't even have to pay shipping. All the details can be found here and feel free to email me if you have any questions. Cheers!
Photo from here.

enamored with: apples, part II

Blog and ye shall receive! My aunt send me these adorable apple containers this weekend - thanks Tina!