Gump's - for Summer Coastal Inspiration

Oh my!   We spent the afternoon in the city yesterday - and lucky me, we went to Gump's! If you have never been to Gump's in San Francisco, you are truly missing out on a one-of-a-kind shopping experience.  Located just off Union Square in downtown, sandwiched between the famous Maiden Lane and Post Street, this historical landmark store is packed with unique finds, art,  fabulous dinnerware, jewelry, and incredibly elegant gifts and luxury for your home.    

I need to go every couple of months just to soak up the atmosphere; feel the cashmere, yearn after the china place settings, breathe in the scented candles.... Yesterday was exceptional!  Gump's entrance was totally transformed with their "Lake Country" Event.
(can you see the full size restored wooden speedboat?)


"A special installation of furniture, artwork, tableware and decorative accents from artists and designers whose unique work captures the essence of Lake Tahoe in summer filled with carefree days of boating, fishing, swimming and waterskiing. Each piece reflects the beauty and warmth of the season, and the anticipation of adventures to come." 

All I can say is "WOW"!


Enjoy my iphone photos - tried really hard to capture this for all of you without getting any of Gump's customers in the images.  


Loved the artwork - the colors of summer!

Rope Lamp, fish plates, helm lunch bags, "water" glasses

Wharf lamp from Currey & Co., silver coral branch candle sticks, Vance Kitira unscented candles, turquoise vases, glass fishing floats.  


(p.s.  if you like unscented candles Vance Kitira is the BEST choice)

Bottle stoppers made of old fishing reels!  

Nautical!  Brass elements, tripod lamp, gorgeous model boats.

Hanging polished chrome lanterns, Lake art, pretty blue and white pillows!

Art - also liked the bright orange ceramic stool mixed in.  Great color contrast with the light blue.

Oyster Lamp, driftwood art, and wicker birdhouses.  (P.S. the Lamp was over $1,600.00 - but totally gorgeous!)




Hope you all enjoyed!  I will be happy to be your Gump's tour guide anytime you'd like to meet in San Francisco..... 




Have a great Monday.




A final P.S. Gump's a wonderful website to explore if you can't come to San Francisco www.gumps.com

Weekend Crab and Artichoke Bisque

Last weekend we took my parents for a afternoon drive to  the Big Sur coastline (Stunning!). On our way back, my dad insisted that we make a quick pit stop at Pezzini's.  Pezzini's is a farm stand just off Hwy 101 between Monterey and Castroville, but it is not quite your average roadside farm stand.  Monterey County can claim fame to the artichoke, "The Official Vegetable of Monterey County - and believe me Pezzini's has every size and shape available!

So of course, we had to bring home a bag full of these beautiful spring beauties, and a new California Artichoke Recipe Book.  Now, what do make out of them?

Ah ha! Crab Bisque is on the menu for this weekend!

Step 1 - prepare the artichokes

Use large artichokes - pull off the lower outer leaves of the artichokes. Cut the stem to 1 inch or less.  I like to either steam or boil artichokes, and avoid the microwave as I am definitely not a great microwave chef.

For Boiling:

Use a deep saucepan or pot, stand the artichokes in 3 inches of water.  Cover and simmer 25-40 minutes depending on the size, or until the leaf near the center pulls out easily.

For Steaming:
Similar to boiling. Just use a rack over boiling water, cover and steam for 25-40 minutes.  This way your artichokes do not get waterlogged, and the taste is preserved better.

Now for the Crab Bisque*:

6 large prepared artichokes
6 cups of vegetable broth
2  cups cleaned crab (we like dungeness!)
1/3 cup chopped green onions
1/2 Yellow Onion - chopped and minced
2 cups heavy cream
2/3 cup flour
2 egg yolks, slightly beaten
1 pound small whole carrots - chopped small
salt
pepper


Artichokes: Scrape meat from artichoke leaves, reserve the meat. Remove and discard fuzzy centers. Place  cooked artichoke bottoms and reserved meat from leaves in blender, process until smooth. Heat broth to boiling, then add green onions, onions, carrots, salt and pepper and cook until veggies are tender.  Add artichoke puree and crab meat. Cook five minutes.

Add cream to flour and blend; beat in egg yolks. Stir cream mixture into artichoke mixture and cook over low heat, stirring constantly until thickened.

Makes 10 to 12  servings.
*recipe adapted from the California Artichoke Recipe Book

Quite the feast!  Serve in pretty crab-themed dinnerware and now you have a party-

Abbiamo Tutto Crab Large Pasta or Soup Bowls (we love these!)

Blue Crab Soup Bowls -  hand painted in Italy

Don't forget the glasses for Wine!

New - Cast of Crabs

Have a wonderful weekend!  Not sure where we're headed for our next adventure - but here's a few glimpses from last weekend along the Big Sur Coast.

We simply love this stretch of the California coast - could go every single weekend....

Sailing Style

I have to be honest.  Love the idea of a "Sailing Style", love the romance, the mystery, the idea of battling with the wild wind and sea.  But, I am not a great sailor and can't even pretend to be.


For starters, I could tell you stories of sailing in Pearl Harbor on a 22 foot sailboat with my ex-husband and with a tiny baby daughter Allison. In the dark, in the wind and then the rain began.....  He thought it was exhilarating - I thought it was one of the most scary things that I had ever experienced.  (all I could think about were the legendary hammerhead sharks that populate Pearl Harbor!)  Needless to say, we sold the boat and I NEVER stepped foot back on board.

 I digress; we're supposed to be talking about "Sailing Style" - not my fear of sailing.


Sailing Style by Tricia Foley is one of my favorite coastal design books.  It's a little difficult to find now, but if you can get a hold of a copy it's well worth the space on your bookshelf.  My friends at Liberty Bay Books may be able to help track some copies down...


"Combining a look backward with her own trademark and forward-looking style—fresh, simple, and inimitable—Foley offers design inspiration for all those who long for a cottage by the sea. Every chapter showcases both the practical design solutions of sailors and sailboats as well as living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and design details that express a nautical style."

For me, Sailing Style has a little more romance, classic styling and shine, unlike some other types of "nautical" decorating.  Think Ralph Lauren, navy blue , crisp whites and calm seas....

It's polished metals... chrome, steel and pewter

(Overboard Lantern - Caron's Beach House)

(Caron's Beach House)

(discovered on Pinterest)

caramel colors of coiled rope 

(from Johnathan Adler)

(from Caron's Beach House)

(House and Home)

combined with shades of bright whites and sea blues....

(Thomas Paul Rope Coasters)

Vietri  

(coming soon to Caron's!)

One of my very favorite pillows on our site - "Sailboat at Sea" 

Hope you are having a great Wednesday!   By the way, I am learning to get over my fear.