The Livin' is Easy: 5 Fabulous Finds for Summer!
"Summertime, and the livin' is easy..." - Ella Fitzgerald
Summer's in full swing and to get you in the spirit (as if you aren't already), here are five of our favorite things we love to enjoy during this delicious time of year:
1.) Round Pond Estate Meyer Lemon Olive Oil ($36): If you're a fan of all things citrus (I can't get enough!), this olive oil is not to be missed. In addition to making fabulous wines from California's Napa Valley (for more info click here), Round Pond Estate also produces a delicious assortment of olive oils, fruit syrups and vinegars from fruit grown on their extensive, organically farmed land. This delightful Meyer lemon olive oil is made by crushing Meyer lemon peels with a selection of olives which have been carefully chosen to enhance the beautiful fruit. This oil is perfect for salads, marinades or as a finishing oil, and will add a delicious depth of flavor you're sure to enjoy!
2.) Rosé wine: Nothing says Summer in the glamorous regions of the globe like rosé. Not to be confused with the cloyingly sweet White Zinfandel, "Provençal style" rosé is essentially its stylistic opposite. Dry rosés are are rife with notes of red berries and cherries followed by a clean, dry, mineral-tinged finish. These wines are incredibly food friendly and pair brilliantly with just about any Summer fare (think Tuna Niçoise salad - yum!). They also make the transition from beach to elegant evening soirée effortlessly. So embrace the vinous equivalent of Summer and click here for a list of some of our favorites.
3.) Calypso St. Barth Boutique: No store's couture embodies Summer quite like this special boutique with outposts in such glamorous getaways as St. Tropez, the Hamptons and Honolulu. Founded by French-born Christiane Celle, Calypso's colorful, linen tunics; flowy maxi dresses; and butter-soft cashmere dusters have that certain Summer je ne sais quois that exudes comfort and elegance. In addition to the eclectic mix of fabulous clothing, be sure to check out Calypso's home collection and assortment of fragrant candles and perfumes, for Summer Mimosa is an enduring favorite.
4.) The Mad Delicious Cookbook ($27, Amazon.com): We're all looking to whittle our waistline for bathing suit season but if you hate giving up all semblance of flavor, grab a copy of Keith Schroeder's Mad Delicious cookbook. This 2015 James Beard Award Winner, with foreword by Alton Brown, showcases Schroeder's witty approach to food and is dedicated to "the science of making healthy food taste amazing" - boy does it succeed! This book is chock full of healthy, yet flavorful recipes including some of our new faves: Pollo a la Brasa, Butter-seared Sea Scallops with Pan-fried Sweet Corn Hash and Black Bean Soup with Habanero Crema. Healthy never tasted so good!
5.) Stephanie Johnson Travel Bags: If you aspire to travel in style, pick up some of Stephanie Johnson's fabulous bags for your Summer vacay! I have long been a fan of Johnson's intuitive approach to design based on her own years of experience traveling the globe. Each piece anticipates your organizational needs whether you're caching makeup, toiletries, beach accessories or jewelry. Stylish details such as decorative tassels, metallic zippers and colorful fabrics set these bags apart and allow them to effortlessly transition from functional piece to glamorous accessory. We especially like her Tamarindo Pink (seen above), Nolita Purple and Miami Pink collections.Cheers,