Desperation Hot Fudge Sauce

It's Sunday night. You desperately need a hot fudge sundae, but alas, no fudge in sight. Here's a recipe that will give you the fix you need - it only takes about 2 minutes out of your couch time and it can be accomplished with no grocery store runs.

• 3 Dove milk chocolates (I'm sure dark would work too)
• 2-3 Tbs. fat-free (or regular) Half n Half
• Vanilla ice cream (preferably Breyers All Natural Vanilla)

Unwrap the three Doves and do not eat while unwrapping. Place in a small microwavable bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds. Check. Microwave again for 20-30 seconds until you can easily stir all three into a big chocolately swirl. Add a Tbs. of Half n Half. Stir. Add another Tbs. of Half n Half. Stir, making sure the chocolate is not hardening. Microwave another 20-30 seconds until mixture is hot.

Scoop however many scoops of vanilla into a separate bowl. Pour the hot fudge sauce on top and let it melt the ice cream a little. Eat and enjoy.

If you're feeling really energetic, you might also try:

- Adding a Tbs. of coffee to the chocolate in place of Half n Half (or in addition to)

- Adding nuts - chopped pecans preferably

- Putting a cherry on top

Are You Red-dy?

For two years now I've been stalking storefronts for the perfect red top I once saw on the Marni rack at one of my favorite places to waste time. Countless salespeople have told me, "red is not in this season," blue is, or green, or yellow, or white. Whatever. I want red. Lo and behold, that bell-weather of fashion Times is now predicting red will be big for fall. Hallelujah.

Amber Alert

Really? This is what made me fall in love with San Diego.

More or Less

A few weeks ago, one of my dreams came true. I met the heir to Tony Duquette's design throne. And then, I was promptly invited to visit Dawnridge, Duquette's former estate and current home to the aforementioned heir, Hutton Wilkinson. The Bev Hills fantasy-land is chronicled in part in Hutton's new coffee table book More is More, which is total eye candy. I am dreaming up all sorts of new ideas for the Duquette brand. I'm sure my visit will inspire even more of my hare-brained ideas - stay tuned.

Note: I received an email today from the attorney for the Duquette estate and have updated my original post (am glad to see someone's reading this). My intent was not to say that the brand needed reviving, but that I am excited by the momentum the brand is now seeing. It's clear that the team is working hard to bring the brand to the forefront once again. I'm only hoping my little blog post will help spread the word to those outside the colony of design tastemakers.

Rock of Ages

I've always dreamed of a cross-country journey, so our trek across the southern U.S. to get from The ATL to Cali was supposed to be the ultimate adventure. Nonetheless, we were racing against the clock and it turned into a long haul instead of a leisurely ride to see the largest ball of twine. But, we did still see some neat stuff. Here's a quick recap of the highlights:

1. Alabama countryside - I can't say I was expecting anything at all, so how could I have been disappointed? The road between Montgomery and Selma (Hwy. 80 AKA the Selma-to-Montgomery Trail) was surprisingly pretty - rolling hills, yellow fields and lots of fresh, spring greenery.


2. Crossing the Mighty Mississipp - The bridges in Vicksburg, crossing from MS to LA were pretty monumental.

3. East Texas - As a fan of Friday Night Lights, I could just see Riggins and crew playing football and drinking beer in the hills of East Texas. A stop to see family in Tyler (esp. our adorable nephew, Dallas) was a highlight.


4. West Texas - I didn't think anything could be uglier than W. Texas after we passed Dallas and drove for hours, and hours, and hours. I was shocked when we started to see mountains in the distance and discovered how beautiful it was. The Guadalupes have always held a mystique for my dad, and I felt the same way. It was so peaceful driving through and I can't wait to go back. Plus, Marfa is a fascinating town I'm dying to visit.

5. Las Cruces, NM - El Paso was pretty darn scary, I have to admit. The traffic was nuts. It was NM or bust, and we made it to Las Cruces to stay at the pet-friendly Hotel Encanto. It was a little slice of heaven.


6. Imperial Dunes - Seriously, could California get any cooler? I had no idea what we were going to see when we crossed the border to our new home state. Sand dunes like I didn't know existed in the U.S. - Sahara-size, humongous dunes. So amazing - if I wasn't so afraid of the border patrol (they take their jobs very, very seriously) I would have gotten out, run to the top and rolled all the way down.

7. Cleveland Natl Forest - Remember Rock Biter in Neverending Story? The eastern side of the mountains in Cleveland National Forest look like he's chewed em up and spit em out. When you come down, you pass through the Lagunas, enter the hill country east of SD and then ride on down to the ocean. It's like heaven.

Indecision 2010

Never have I been so flummoxed by my red carpet opinion as with this year's Oscars. I have waited far too long to post my faves, possibly because they aren't actors at all - they're both part of the fashion world in some way. I wish I had an actor and actress to include here, but they were all too pretty and predictable (or atrocious) so I'm going to stick with those that hit me first:


Tom Ford - The ne plus ultra in men's grooming and style. If I could come back as someone in my next life, it'd be Tom Ford. Bonus, a nod to Coco with the camellia.

Sandy Powell - Winner for Costume Design for The Young Victoria. I don't love her accessories, but the dress shall overcome. I would have worn it plain. The low back is enough of an accessory.

These are a few of my favorite things...

Had to share these little things that make me tick on a Saturday morning; hope they bring you some sunshine (OK, I'm really ready for spring to get here):

Phillip Lim - I'm lucky enough to have a few items from 3.1 and they are my absolute favorite works of art in my closet. His stuff is RTW priced but is still pure genius. Here's a peek inside his apartment from The Times. After reading this profile, I think we're soul mates.

Jamie Cullum - Something in his songs just get me. Saw him last night in concert and he's way better live - I cried during All at Sea, what a sap (hey, 2009 was a rough year and the song was there for me). His new album The Pursuit was just released.

The Times Style Magazine - I'm pretty ticked that I ended my subscription just before this issue came out. Reading The Times on the weekend with my cup of java is transporting.

Keurig Coffeemaker - So fun to try new flavors. Today I'm having Spicy Mayan Mocha. Delish.