LAPLATES

lAPLATES

A pool time favorite at The Park

Green and Black's... Bliss

The finest chocolate in the world - Green and Black's Organic. Their milk chocolate is my personal fave. Darker than most and simply glorious. Helped me to put together this little cakelet at Christmas.

Rebecca

I wish they'd made bedrooms like this when I was a little girl...

Fortunately, Mark Wilkinson make furniture for adults too, so when my book deal comes in, I know where I'm going first. Image taken from their site - http://www.mwf.com

Rebecca

It's Seersucker Season

Gummi Bears

O.k. I admit it. I'm a gummi bear snob. Can't stand the ones from the candy store next door to the movie theater or the drug store. Won't touch the worms. My favorites are these Haribo Gold Bears. Their texture is just right, they've got good flavor, and they aren't so sticky that they'll pull a filling out. Yes, I catch the irony of that statement-- if I hadn't eaten so many maybe I'd have fewer fillings to worry about-- but trust me, it's worth it. I can't buy the big bags though, because I'll eat them all and ruin a good thing. I can find them in wee 2 oz. bags. Just right.

Mexican

Mexican food is an interesting thing. It is rare that you find a restaurant that knocks your socks off, but the rest are average. They are quick and you know what it will taste like. When you do find one that is amazing, don't keep it a secret, let others know so that they will stay in business. I found mine, if you are ever in Richmond, let me know.

Cielito Lindo Mexican Restaurant
4702 Forest Hill Ave
Richmond, VA 23225

Reginato Celestina Sparkling Rose of Malbec

In the mood for something different? I'm not much of a wine drinker, but I recommend this sparkling red. Yes, it says rose, but it's a darker red because of the malbec grapes. Looks heavy, but it's light, bubbly, and dry but not brutally so. Good with party food or a meal. $15 to $18 a bottle depending on where you can find it.

Peter Beard

A true original

Easter is upon us....bring out the sundresses

Please don't strike me down for being so blasphemous. Yes, we all know the religious significance of Easter. But, in the female world, Easter Sunday also has another serious connotation.

The Ultimate Sunday Sundress Showdown.

For the best Easter dress in town. This is serious business. Everyone comes to church on Easter Sunday. Aunt Mabel, ex-boyfriend from high school and his new wife and perfect baby and former frenemies from high school. On Easter Sunday, one must be ready with a killer dress. You cannot look like you are trying too hard. Effortless chic is key. Especially when ex-boyfriend's wife is being spit up on by the baby.

This dress is the one. Feminine, flattering, effortless and not the usual Easter Sunday pink or navy that are overly prevalent in my conservative Episcopalian parish. The wrap dress may well be the best invention for the female form since the brassiere and this modern interpretation is quite lovely. Menfolk, what do you think?

By Lela Rose, available at Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf for a small fortune.

Eliza B ballet flats

http://elizab.com/elizab_ballet_flats.html

Jamie Ford

A Must Read

I hate scotch drinkers

Ok, hate might be a strong word. But the whole single-malt thing, and the insistance on drinking it up, and the snobbery...whatever. I like a blend, this one in particular. Delicious, and always available at the Costco up the street. Perfect for a Sunday night of eBaying and blog reading, in a glass with ice and water.

Pralines and...

I'll Be Seeing You Later

Sam: Norm, what would you say to a beer?
Norm: Hi ya sailor, new in town?

Too Cool for School

I'll continue the discussion about cars by showing you two models that always get the thumbs up from my two boys, 16 and 15. There are two of these old Landcruisers tooling around our neighborhood. One is owned by a good friend who is a garden designer and she always has the back filled up with flats of annuals and tools. The other shows up at the high school everyday driven by the youngest son of a socially prominent banker who lives in a house once owned by the Maxwell family (of Maxwell House Coffee fame).


We have just one of these beauties still on the road around here. It's navy (which is my favorite, as I so coveted a friend's classy navy number back in the early 1990's when the rest of us were all stuck in our matching Dodge Caravans) and currently has a boat hitched to the back in a neighbor's driveway. It's parked in the perfect position for a quick getaway to the lake.

When I was 16, all I wanted was a Trans Am or a Firebird like all the rich farm kids had (I drove a Pontiac Ventura, the same car as the Chevy Nova....and no I did not get to pick it out!) If we lived in outer suburbia, I'm sure that the boys would have different ideas of what is considered a "cool" car--something very expensive no doubt. We planned on giving J3 DOTR's 1999 Landcruiser when he turned 16, but DOTR isn't ready to give it up yet. He'll probably still be driving it 2019.

By then we might finally be too cool for school, too.