Jenny Graham
As a brown-eyed brunette gal, I’ve gravitated toward Cindy Crawford’s style since my tween years. Everything about her ’90s look inspired me way back when. To this day, I flip my locks far right for a sexy-I-am-loving-up-life coiffed pick me up. Run your fingers through your hair and throw it one way or the other.
Images via Vogue Paris, Theo Wang and Wire Image.
I’ve been jetsetting like it’s my job. Well, it is my job. It’s a creatively rewarding, out-of-the-ordinary, pinch-me-this-is-happening gig. And it is a ton of hard work. When I’m finally back in the Big Apple, I find myself craving quiet and calmness; no crowds, no noise, no smell on smell on smell on the subway. Oh to be back in the City of Angels, where the ocean crashes, where the sun shines bright. It could be a phase, nostalgia really. But beyond my consistent love of Paris, I am missing the City of Angels more than ever, perhaps ready to leave the apple picking behind.
Image Credit here.
Hello, hello. Nasty Gal has collaborated with Aussie brand Shakuhachi. The force is fierce. Tailored silhouettes under a summer effervescence of signature silks and prints. This leather bustier number will be worn on the next hot date night and while we’re talking jumpsuits, I’ll save this one for a City of Angels evening under the stars. Oh, and everything is coming up roses. Yes, indeed.
Pie has been my choice of dessert for as long as I can recall. To help heal during a rough break-up, I not only began this blog, but I took up pie making classes with a woman named Millicent. The metaphors are enough to fill a book. I’ll save that for the leftovers…today begins the first of many pieces of pie on JBD. Enjoy.
CLASSIC SOUTHERN BUTTERMILK PIE
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 tbsp. all purpose flour
3 large eggs
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 tbsp. loosely packed lemon zest
3 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Perfect Pastry Crust (recipe for crust below)
Garnishes: Berries, Whipped Cream, Mint
Preheat over to 350 degrees, whisk together first 2 ingredients.
Whisk eggs & next 2 ingredients into flour mixture, pour into Perfect Pastry Crust .
Bake at 350 degrees for 35 – 45 minutes or until almost set, shielding edges with aluminum foil after 15 minutes.
Transfer to wire rack and cool for 1 hour. Garnish with berries and whipped cream and mint!
Recipe for Perfect Pastry Crust: Pulse 1 1/2 cups of all purpose flour, 1 tsp. sugar and 1/2 tsp. table salt in a food processor 3 or 4 times or until combined. Add 6 tbsp. cold butter (cubed) and 3 tbsp. cold shortening (cubed) and pulse 8 to 1o times. Drizzle 4 tbsp. ice water over the mixture and pulse 4 or 5 times until dough clumps together, adding up to 1 tbsp. ice water at a time. Gently shape dough into flat disk. Wrap in plastic and chill for 30 minutes.
Preheat over to 400 degrees, roll dough into 12-inch circle on a floured surface. Fit into a 9-inch pie plate, crimp edges. Prick bottom and sides with a fork. Line pastry with parchment paper and fill with pie weights. Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes then remove pie weights and paper, bake 8 to 10 more minutes or until lightly browned. Transfer to wire rack and cool completely.
Original recipe via Southern Living May 2014
Simply put, there are 10 things we can regularly do to increase our resistance to stress. I was reminded of them yesterday and now I share with you:
1. Get enough sleep.
2. Eat right.
3. Exercise often.
4. Dress for the weather.
5. Express yourself.
6. Practice daily pleasure.
7. Look for the good.
8. Cultivate a support system.
9. Love them.
10. Let them love you back.
10 notes above written by Holiday Mathis // Image Credit: JBD – Iceland 2013
Brooklyn Museum has an exhibition entitled Witness: Art and Civil Rights in the Sixties open to the public right now. I wandered into the first floor exhibit on a whim, stoked to stumble upon Barkley L. Hendricks‘ work. From my point of view, his large scale paintings epitomize a deep embrace of self-respect and often embody a fancy free heart. His art is a gift and for the true beauty to be felt one must stand in front of his portraits.
Image via Nasher Museum of Art
Way back when, Paris was the first city I stepped into outside of the United States. It’s been a love affair ever since. From the food and fashion to the architecture to the French way of life, I’ve written about my journeys back and forth to Paris here. It must have been a few years ago when I discovered Parisian Laure de Sagazan. Primarily a wedding dress designer, her lovely, delicate creations seem fitting for Spring no matter the occasion. J’adore.
Images via Laure de Sagazan
Hopping in my car, opening the sun roof and driving out to a surf spot is one of my dreamy-happy activities. I look forward to it when I return from a long work trip. My go-to Montauk, New York surf spot is Ditch Plains. It’s heaven and holds a special place in my heart. When I don’t want to drive too far from my Brooklyn home, I hit up the Rockaways. Locals Surf School is awesome with group lessons at only $80 a pop; it’s worth the adventure. Dillon is my favorite instructor – tell him JBD sent you!
Way back when, I learned to surf from the dudes at ZJ Boarding House. This Santa Monica, California based shop has been around for 25 years. They take your skill level to the next level. If you head out to Malibu, go brave Surfrider Beach. The surf breaks from North to South in three points. Third Point is the first break, followed by Second Point and First Point, the last break. First Point is a long wave ideal for long boarding while Second Point often allows for a barrel here and there, breaking faster than First Point. The Third Point is for short boards; fast waves and early close outs. Since we’re chatting SoCal, I got my first custom board at South Coast in San Diego. If you’re ever in America’s sunniest city, surf all of these spots.
For the surfer who wants to retreat into waves, check out week-long sessions in Costa Rica, surf school in Florida, or Castaway yourself in Fiji for an ultimate experience.
P.S. Cynthia Rowley is creating fabulous surf-wear these days…
Image Credits: Pinterest and Cynthia Rowley for Roxy
I took my first yoga class a few years ago, at the beginning of the end of a serious relationship. Unsure about the future, the moment was all I had. I remember wandering into a neighborhood yoga studio and taking a basic class. I may have even cried a bit on my first mat (break-ups, man…). Goodness grew and I surrendered. It felt like a deep swim in the sea. No words or wonder. Just be. This little diddy gives an anatomical focus and a note to self: yoga makes you a nicer person. It is true, miracles happen when you go with the flow.
Image Credit: Irina Kerasoshvili
Hi my JBD’ers. Now is all we have. I’m certain you’ve heard that before, huh? There are times when it feels right to hunker down and contemplate. There are times when it’s a must to stand at the edge of the lake and shout to the moon. And there are times when all you have and all you know to be true is the moment you are breathing in. The time is now. Your life is your message.
Image taken on a walk in Reykjavik, Iceland, January 2014.