The highlight of my year was definitely our trip to Greece (you can see the photographs here, here and here). I love taking trips that make you feel like a completely different person - trips that expose you to new walks of life, history and amazing food. While we were on the island of Paros, we drove up winding mountainous roads to Lefkes, a charming white-washed village with pockets of Byzantine influence. It was there that we had the most amazing baklava on our trip. We were wandering the narrow roads when we came across a little shop run by an elderly Greek woman. She sliced us both two large pieces of baklva that we decided to eat once we got back to our hotel - it was divine. The flaky phyllo dough layers melted in your mouth while the sweetness of honey and aromatic cinnamon made you close your eyes to relish the moment. It was since that very moment in May that I have wanted to make this pastry, so I finally did and it just so turns out that baklava is very appropriate to the season, as it infuses honey, cinnamon and cloves. I used this recipe and was blown away by the results. The only thing that was missing was a caffè freddo (a Greek specialty) and a view of the Aegean Sea.
Garland, tinsel and twinkling white lights - these are just some of the elements that make me happy this time of year. Up until last year, I couldn't wait until we had a place of our own so that we could decorate for the holidays. This is our second year in our apartment and the thrill is still there. I love incorporating festive elements that make you want to sip hot chocolate, sing Christmas songs and sit around your tree until the wee hours of the night. This is the time of the year that you want to relish, don't you?
Pepperberry & Birch Wreath / Stocking / Berry Garland
I can't believe that we are already into December! This time of the year always seems to creep up on me and then goes by in the blink of an eye. We haven't started winter yet, but boy is it cold here in New York and this year they say we are in for a real winter. After last year, I was starting to not mind the months of February and March as both greeted us with much warmer temperatures than in years past. Even though we are decking the halls and have shopping lists that long, it is nice to drift off into resort land, as most of the collections are hitting stores now. Wouldn't you love to escape to the Maldives? This five-star resort located on a tiny private island is brimming with all of the alluring details that make me want to close my eyes and just appear there. If that were to happen, I would like to be wearing these pieces below from the latest resort collections. Happy Monday!
