Fete du Pain 2011

"Celebration of Bread"
Paris, France
Good Eats Wednesday 


While I was in Paris, the annual Fete du Pain was going on outside the Notre Dame. It was nice to see the finest bakers of Paris sharing the art of bread baking. I particularly loved seeing the children in their little hats.

Baking bread is something I haven't spent much time practicing. I think I'm too impatient to let the yeast rise, but would like to try again. I recall as I was finished My Life if France by Julia Child, that she spent months researching the art of baking bread in Paris for the second part of Mastering the Art of French Cooking, and it took her awhile to come up with using a damp asbestos brick in the oven (something which made it have the right amount of moisture if I remember correctly) but while the book was just about to go to print, studies that asbestos caused cancer were just released, so she had to alter the recipes at the last minute.

The Julia Child tour of Paris is coming up soon... stay tuned!

Have you ever baked fresh bread? Any favorite recipes or methods?

A Sunday in Versailles

Greetings! Well after uploading so many pictures of Paris, I have so much material for it will be coming for awhile and some delayed. My main focus the past few days has been to do a Julie & Julia themed tour on my own, which I do a post for you later. This has been rather exciting for me to see Paris the way I like to see it, not swarmed with tourists. Which I'm on my 9th day here, and may be officially convinced that city life is not for me.

I'm also really interested in history, particularly French history, so touring Marie Antoinette's footsteps has also been another theme of mine. Which is the reason I spent yesterday at the Conciergerie which is an old prison on the Ile-de-la-Cite (near Notre Dame, Sainte-Chapelle, and the Palais de Justice), so I saw her jail cell where she was held for 76 days before hauled off in the tumbril carts to the guillotine. (Full post on the Conciergerie later.)

Today, I spent the day at Versailles. It was a cold day, and the sun was not a photographer's dream. But since I've been in the palace, I opted for the Gardens (or the Musical Gardens) in the morning, and in the afternoon the Grand Trianon, Petite Trianon, and Marie Antoinette's Estate and hamlet where she played a peasant when she wanted to escape Versailles. This was something I longed to see, since one of my favorite scenes in Sofia Coppola's, Marie Anotoinette, shows her frolicking the gardens, retrieving fresh farm eggs, and living amongst modest farmhouse means...one of my dreams. (Full post later as well.)

Have a good week!

All photos taken in Versailles.

Kate Middleton

Guest Post


Greetings! Hope everyone had a lovely Easter holiday. Today, I am hoping to join the audience for Good Morning America with Robin Roberts in Jubilee Gardens... so the lovely Kori from Blonde Episodes is guest posting for me. Blonde Episodes is a beautiful blog about Hollywood (old & new) and awe inspiring fashion. Kori is a dear friend of mine, and she has her first novel due to be released in just a few short days!!! Available on Amazon.com May 6th!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hey there, it's Kori from Blonde Episodes filling in for Nicolette while she's off enjoying herself in Europe! Lucky girl!  Everyone seems to be talking about the royal wedding, so I thought I would share a few of my favorite images of Miss Middleton herself.

Loving the hats!  

Have a great day and make sure to tell Colette to have a great time!

-Kori

Under the Tuscan Sun

Weekend Bites
& Hollywood Movies


Do you have one of those movies that you continually watch over and over, never gets old, always there to uplift you when you're having a glum kind of day, perhaps just want to smile, or inspire you? Under the Tuscan Sun is my movie. So when I pulled it out a couple weeks ago, I was thus inspired to make bruschetta especially since my little basil plant is now flourishing.

The Italian version of salsa, bruschetta can be as varied as salsa. I happen to enjoy mine fairly simply. A little toasted baguette drizzled with premium Italian olive oil such as Laudemio and fresh Roma tomatos and basil with garlic powder, salt, and olive oil mixed together. Bruschetta can be baked with the bread, but I happen to prefer it fresh at room temperature. (I also used garlic powder versus fresh raw garlic just because it's slightly easier on the breath.)

Bon appetite!

Or shall I say... Mangia Mangia!

Teriyaki & Black Sesame Salmon

Good Eats Wednesday


Summer is just around the corner, and that means bikini weather! This recipe of salmon on a bed of spinach is perfect for those who may be watching the scale, want their daily omegas, or just enjoy a good piece of salmon.

Teriyaki & Black Sesame Salmon

Kosher salt (sprinkle on salmon)
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (blend into a dry rub)
Black sesame seeds
salmon
1 slice of lemon

Rub into salmon. Brush 2 tablespoons of Teriyaki seasoning onto salmon. Sprinkly black sesame seeds. Bake at 375 for 15-19 minutes depending on thickness and preference of how well done you prefer it. Squeeze fresh lemon juice before serving. (I like mine just pushing the edge of being cooked because it is much more moist.)

In other food news: I finally finished reading Julia Child's, My Life in France today, and I've pulled out Mastering the Art of French Cooking. I feeling some very big culinary adventures ahead... but they may not be as bikini friendly.

Bon appetit!

2010 Books Reviewed

What I Read...


Well I completed 9 books this year, it wasn't quite my goal of 12+, but it sure beats my record the past couple of years. I'm excited to start my New Year's Reading Resolution of Classics, History, Biographies, and some Cookbook Reviews throw in for good measure.

1. Dear John by Nicholas Sparks

The year started off with Dear John, my first Nicholas Sparks book. It was such a great book, but then the movie was released and it turned out the way I wanted to the book to end, but by that time it just seemed ruined and untrue, although I do like Amanda Seyfried and Tatum Channing in the movie. (For those who didn't read or see the movie... total opposite ending!)

2. Garden Spells by Sarah Addision Allen

The cover art of this book drew me to this book when it first came out, and I spent months picking it up and setting it back down at the bookstore, before I finally bought it in an airport and read it on my flight from Reno to Ft. Lauderdale. A tale of empowerment in women, creatively written with lots of food for thought!


3. In the Woods by Tana French

This was my first book for the Aventura Book Club, and I fell in L.O.V.E with the author, Tana French. About the Dublin crime squad investigating the murder of a teen girl, and how it ties in with the disappearance of children decades ago. This book left me frustratingly wanting more... so much so that I had to read Tana French's next book and therefore not participating in book club the next month because I was became so wrapped up in Irish crime.

4. The Likeness by Tana French

Turns out The Likeness was not a sequel to In the Woods, rather a spin-off with a new case, and the best supporting character from The Likeness as now the main character in In the Woods. None of my questions were answered in the second book, but the new undercover case of a college girl left me quickly turning the pages nonetheless, and wanting more from French. (I eagerly waited until July for her third book to be released.)

5. Look Again by Lisa Scottoline

Read for my book club. A quick read, with a predictable outcome. A mother discovers her adopted child looks strikingly like a child who went missing some years back. It was a true, The Face on the Milk Carton take 2.


6. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Surprisingly I struggled getting through this book prior to the release of the movie. All the whining and self-loathing that one goes through in a breakup, leaving you just want to shake the main character, and say, "Get over it already!" But I'm glad I read the book before the movie, because I really did appreciate the movie. Who wouldn't want to travel for a year to "find oneself"?


7. Faithful Place by Tana French

After waiting for it for a few months, it was finally out! But sadly, it didn't really compare the first two novels. This one was a little more predictable, and ironic that yet again the members of the Murder Squad have a past involvement with a case dating decades old. All three books by Tana French show a realistic side to the inner battle it's members go through to protect the emotion of their involvement with each case and how they struggle ethically.


8. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

Another book for Aventura Book Club. I read it quick because I was intrigued by the movie due out in 2011 with Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson. The idea of the circus has always been a little entertaining. But the heirachy system and the truth in the way it's employees and animals were treated was what made this story great. You will understand why an "elephant never forgets".

9. Soul Survivor: The Reincarnation of a World War II Pilot by Bruce & Andrea Leininger with Ken Gross.

I loved the concept of this book. And if it really is true, then I love it that much more. Although a struggle to get through the first half, I found it fascinating in the last half. About a WWII pilot who died in combat, and whose soul is reincarnated in a little boy over 50 years later, and the family's quest for answers half a century later. Read more HERE.  

To Read all Books & Hollywood posts again from this year, click HERE.

What were some of your favorite books this year?

The Classics

Clothbound Penguin Classics


In preparation for my 2011 reading list, I've been planning since July to enroll the Classics into my plans because regretfully I haven't read many of them yet. Even though I've secretely fantasized about going back to school to get my master's in literature, just to study and absorb great works of the past sitting by a fireplace with a cup of tea.

However, with these pretty hardbound cloth books available at Anthropologie, I am very excited to start this venture. So Santa, these books are available HERE.

Do you have any reading goals for 2011 yet?

What genre of books do you enjoy?

My current favorites besides cookbooks are:

crime & investigation

as well European History

(more of a fascination coinciding with travel).

WWJD?

I. LOVE. THIS. BUTTON!

Button available at BayMoonStudio on Etsy.

It's true! I watched Julie & Julia yet again this Saturday night. It has been my goal to try a Julia meal once a month since last summer, and maybe now that I'm putting it in writing, and a new year will be starting soon, this can be a new goal. "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" is just so darn intimidating, and I get caught in needing photos when reading recipes. It's also true that "My Life in France" by Julia Child is the only thing on my Christmas list so far this year.

Read my other Julie & Julia post HERE.

Follow on Facebook.

Soul Survivor

Books & Recommendations
Currently on the Night Stand...

I regret I have not been reading as much as I wish, blogs have been consuming most of my attention these days, which I can't complain about that! But this non-fiction book recommended by my father is a great story in theory, though filled with much fluff about daily mundane life. I will forge on with this one though because I do want to hear how it ends. Unlike the last three books I've picked up, things slowly trickle off after the third chapter, and they end up back on the shelf to be maybe continued at a later date. It doesn't help that I spend almost every weekend at the bookstore, so I'm constantly getting pulled in every direction like a kid in a candy shop. Do you ever have that problem?

While I was searching for the book image yesterday, I discovered the Food for Thought blog, and I am in love with this blog. I have been pining for years to have a Book Club with the feel from the the movie The Jane Austen Book Club. The book club I semi belong too is nice, but too far of a drive after a day at the office and it's held at a bookstore. I want the kind held at someones home, you know the kind where hors d'oeuvres are served with tea or wine, and it's more of a bonding thing than anything else. The house of Mrs. Food for Thought is the idyllic place for this. The way she reviews books is so up my alley. She finds a food theme in each book she reads, prepares that dish with a highly creative set and props with her amazing views from her Northern California home as a backdrop. The blend of books, comfort cuisine, photography, and setting make this a Top Notch blog in my book.

I spent most of yesterday morning going through her old posts, something this very busy girl rarely has time for... but I promise if you love books, food, and photography you will definitely appreciate this blog. I'm also thinking she should have the biggest Annual Book Club Potluck at her home, wouldn't that be grande?


I am hoping to participate in her next Food for Thought post on Nov. 27th! Find out how you can participate HERE!

P.S. You must see the Fondue in a Pumpkin post & quick before your Thanksgiving grocery shopping this weekend!

Happy Friday!!

Gossip Girl Returns (Paris)

Sneak Peak: Season 4
Monday, Sept. 13th 9/8c on the CW.

Get ready for fall fashion, drama and Paris

all Gossip Girl fanatics!

Here is my annual pre-season post

with a sneak peak of this season's Gossip Girl...

Is there anything better than this red dress?

Perhaps a box of macarons to go with it.

J'adore this polka dot dress!

But did Cinderella lose her slipper?

Is that Chuck Bass I see in Paris?!!

Did he follow Blair to romantic Paris

after last season's messy finale?

Or does another one of his debutantes get in the way once again?

Stay tuned fashionistas!

Tomorrow night is the night. :)

For more Blair Waldorf fashions,

read last year's pre-season post!

XOXO... Gossip Girl

Water for Elephants

I'm very excited for my book club tomorrow night, with the ABC (Aventura Book Club). I haven't been in a few months, because it's a little far from me especially after work. But, I've always wanted to be part of a book club resembling that of The Jane Austen Book Club movie. It's such a warm feeling to think of a bunch of ladies getting together and hosting a little soiree with appetizers and drinks. Ours is not quite like that, we meet at the Paul Bakery, so it's not that cozy and endearing, but I am excited to try their French Onion Soup. :)

Back to the book though, I must scurry to finish tonight just in the nick of time! If you weren't aware, there is a movie to be released next year on tax day, April 15th, 2011 based on the book which casts Reese Witherspoon & Robert Pattinson. If anyone is interested in circuses and the 1930's, this book offers a good look inside.

Thanks for following PHOTOgraphy Getaways on Facebook and Twitter! 

Eat Pray Love

The Movie

I first began reading this book because I saw the trailer to the movie months ago,

and it looked like a wonderlust travel movie that would speak to my soul,

besides who could go wrong with Julia Roberts. But as Melissa, at Reverie Daydream Blog

(we read at the same time)

pointed out to me, Elizabeth seemed so self-obsorbed in the first half,

which made it hard for me to finish because I got frustrated with the whining.

I did finish, and it got better.

I think I just had to be patient and understand that when difficult things occur in life... things take time.

It did with Elizabeth, and it also did with me.

Elizabeth is unhappy and realizes she doesn't want to be married,

and decides to spend a year abroad to find herself and spirtuality.

The second half of the book got better,

as Elizabeth's wounds healed with time, self-discovery, 

self-sufficiency, spirituality, and balance...

which later leads to love.

I think the reason this movie and story is so popular is because

this is so common and

 everyone can relate at one point or another in their own lives...

and we all wish for a little escapism sometimes.

The above image speaks wonders to me, because I also went through a difficult period earlier this year.

Having time off in beautiful South Carolina, riding my old beach cruiser through the marshy land helped wonders. It's funny how something so simple as the wind blowing on your face from a leisurely bikeride can be so therapuetic. Not to mention the comfort of food, in Elizabeth's case authentic Italian cuisine... in my case, Southern crab soup and fried green tomatos.

On the last night of my own vacation,

was very much like one of Elizabeth's unsuccessful meditation attempts

when she couldn't get her mind to relax.

"What am I going to do with my life? What am I going to do?"

Unfortuately, I was only given a week off... not a year.

Oh, the desperation and insomnia that the peacefulness of a blissful vacation would all come to an end, and I would still have no answer about what to do.

But then... with balance, hope, and patience, prayers are answered...

and that's when the little smirk comes, when you know everything,

as Bob Marley would put it, is going to be alright.

Did you see it, or read it?

*Financial Journalism*

Henry M. Paulson, Jr.

On the Brink

Inside the Race to Stop the Collapse

of the Global Financial System

As I mentioned yesterday, I saw The Honorable Henry Paulson, Jr., former Secretary of the Treasury, as a guest at the Pershing Insite 2010 conference at The Westin, Diplomat in Hollywood.  My purpose in attending the conference was to see him speak, and I ended up receiving his signed book in my junket package much to my surprise.

I don't ever get political on my blog, or share my work life too much, as this is my creative corner to actually utilize my magazine journalism degree a little. But I do work in the financial world with my own tv at my desk tuned in to specifically watch the stock market all day. It can be super stressful and very exciting all at once, especially during the past few years. Despite the craziness and financial turmoil I've been fortunate enough to maintain my job. I've learned quite a bit about different strategies in investing, and I've even done extremely well in a few of the CNBC Portfolio challanges ranging in the top 1% of hundreds of thousands of participants, which is something to gloat about being in a male driven industry, which is not my area of expertise, nor do I have a CFA as many of them do.

Getting back to Hank Paulson though, as a former big wig at Goldman Sachs, he was asked to be the Secretary of the Treasury three times, and took up the title of Secretary of Treasury in 2006 under Bush's administration. He was forced to sell his stock in Goldman at the time, and did not have to pay taxes on his large gains, his timing couldn't have been better, which draws scrutiny from many people.

For those who don't know much about why he was a big deal the past years, as I sure wouldn't have if my eyes weren't glued to business television, he was basically responsible for the TARP program (or bailing out many of the large financial institutions).

The 60 minutes style on-stage interview was a personal interview about why he did what he did, how he didn't really want to, but felt it was necessary to avoid another Great Depression. He explained that Lehman was like the 'weakest deer in the herd' and although Bear Stearns didn't have nearly enough assests as Lehman, they had a better business and those two reasons were why JP Morgan was able come to it's rescue--sort of.

When asked his views of where we are today in stage of recovery, he replied:
     "We're underway, not quickly... we've got some serious problems with unemployment, and taxing isn't the way to deal with things. The fiscal deficit looks worse than it is. The TARP money is going to come back."

Some of the economic challenges currently are that the tax relief hasn't quite helped with foreclosures, it's hard to create a program that works for people not to be able to walk away from their mortgage. He believes Obama will need to push international trade, especially with China, because if the U.S. doesn't no one else will. He believes if China does well economically, so will the U.S. "China's success is our success."

Paulson's review of his job as Secretary of Treasury... he believes he was "uniquely suited for the job because he was decisive," as he stressed twice, and although it was a "miserable job he was glad he did it, and glad it is over." At the time, he had to act fast, and didn't have time to be scared, he had to be decisive and act quick in order to prevent the alternative of a great despression. He said "the hardest thing was after I left for taking a beating on things I knew what was right to do, and was interrogated for it afterwards."

If you are interested in more of the story, there is movie about Lehman Brothers and Henry Paulson on tonight on CNBC at 9:00PM entitled The Last Days of Lehman.


(If you finished reading this, thanks, for letting me show a little of my financial journalism writing.)


Have a Great Weekend!

Jamie Deen

Lady & Sons Restaurant

Savannah, GA

On our roadtrip to Beaufort, SC,

we stopped in Savannah specifically to grab lunch at Lady & Sons,

which is owned by Paula Deen (Food Network star).

I was dying to try her Fried Green Tomatos

and Crabcake Sandwich,

but we only had one hour parking,

and the wait was very long,

I was more than a little crushed,

so I said "I'll just buy something from her shop

next door instead."

But I got something better than a crabcake...

Jamie Deen, Paula's son was there!!!

Both brothers, Jamie and Bobbie regularly appear on her show,

which led to them becoming hosts of their own show.

So I purchased a book,

which happened to be signed by Paula,

and Jamie signed it as well.

He was so sweet, his momma raised him right with that Southern Charm.

He posed for a picture with me, and even signed a postcard for my grandmother

who loves to watch Paula

and has agreed for years that Jamie is easy on the eyes.

That make two Food Network stars for me this spring!!

(If you missed the Giada De Laurentiis book signing read again HERE.)

Have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend!!!