In the wink of a young girl's eye

(on the right with the cat eyeglasses and cigarette)

(as a schoolgirl with an uncharacteristically feminine bow)

(donning her classic co-ed picnic on the diag casual ensemble)

When I was growing up my parents had this older friend who never married or had children. She spent every holiday and most weekends with our family attending concerts, movies, trying new restaurants or testing the latest Bittman recipe from the NY Times.

I wouldn't describe her as motherly or even interested in children, and frankly, I don't think she cared much for children. (I later found out that she gradually lost her hearing and had a particularly difficult time hearing children's voices; something about the pitch.)

For our birthday, she always gave me and my sister books-- really wonderful books. When we were young it was irritating but now that she's gone, my biggest fears are that I will forget the sound of her voice and I won't be up on the latest and greatest books. She used to send me random packages from Amazon with books I didn't even think I'd like, but inevitably enjoyed.

She passed suddenly about six weeks ago and as my family and her friends gather for her celebration of life, many photos have emerged of her as a child and a young woman. I never thought of her as old or elderly, but I really never thought of her as a young person. She was in a realm of agelessness and I was shocked to find out her real age (79) when she died.

These are photos of her as a young adulthood and as a girl, and they are fabulous. Look at those glasses! Sassy. And that bow around her little towhead is just adorable.

It's a funny that I never thought about what she was like when she was young or how her life experiences shaped her into the adult she was.

Sophie and her Voluptuous Peach Treat

I am taking this peach-based recipe by Sophie Dahl a whole lot more seriously because her grandfather, Roald, wrote my favorite piece of literature on the peach. Is that wrong?

I love how the description is "feeds two greedy people." I am familiar with food-greed. (What? I'm a twin. We learn to be greedy in the womb.)

Ingredients
4 peaches, ripe but firm
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
1 tablespoon butter or sunflower oil
2 cups low-fat greek yogurt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon honey or agave syrup
fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)

Preheat oven to 450. Wash and halve peaches, removing the pits and place in a small roasting pan. Sprinkle each half with cinnamon and brown sugar, and dot with butter or oil. Cook for about 10 minutes.

While the peaches are roasting, mix the yogurt with vanilla and honey or agave. Serve peaches in a bowl doused with yogurt.

Now I am seriously interested in checking out Sophie's cookbook, Miss Dahl's Vuluptuous Delights. Have any of you seen it? Worth buying?

recipe and image of peaches via House Beautiful

just a little green, like the color when the spring is born

I've spent pretty much all night on Shopbop and I'm feeling a tiny but guilty for giving them a hard time about those horrible Rachel Pally pants. Hey, we all make mistakes. This little dress by Rebecca Minkoff is pretty amazing. I'm going to daydream about it for a long time.

Rebecca Minkoff Ilaria Dress via Shopbop

fail: rachel pally

Rachel Pally makes some really, really, really great pieces. They are simple, easy to wear, comfortable and the fabric is both washable and durable. But somebody must have blindfolded her and/or drugged her to get a signature and green light on this disaster.

Clearly the cut and fit is all wrong, and the shade of rose/taupe that is just the right color to turn California sunbathers into Wednesday Addams. Also, Shopbop? I'm not overlooking the fact that you stocked and sold these.

Rachel Pally, more of this please:

Images via Shopbop

yipes, stripes!

One of my weaknesses is an all-over animal print. You know, the whole animal, not just its stripes and spots.

This dress is adorable! Look at the back! Oh, I love it.

(Images from Shopbop.com, Zebra Print Dress by Of Two Minds)

Sequins

How fun would it be to work for JCrew to uncover the vintage rainbow sequin bag that inspired this gorgeous top? And did I mention I love this? I do. JCrew, if you read this, please hire me. I could work on commission for clothes if they look like this!

Jcrew, Multisse Sequin Tank

americana polka dots!

I have been eyeing this dress on Anthropologie's website and finally got a chance to try her on-- I was worried because normally I loathe strapless, but this one is perfect! It fits without having to worry about the top falling down. Only minor complaint is that the white fabric is a little more sheer (despite lining) so it requires a slip. No big. I plan on rocking this one all summer long. I love me some polka dots, and the Americana story never goes out of style. All I need are some sparklers and watermelon!

I also want this top-- same color story! Different quirky pattern!