Destination Style: Santa Fe

RIDE: Cruise top-down through the desert in a rented classic convertible, perhaps a 1942 Chrysler New Yorker Navajo. Take the scenic drive from Santa Fe to Taos through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and watch the blazing sunset from the high plateaus.
LISTEN: New Mexico native Ryan Bingham's rugged and romantic crooning will have you swooning.
READ: Fall for the cowboys, drifters, and dreamers in Richard Avedon's In the American West.
STAY: Indulge your senses at The Inn of the Five Graces. Experience echoes of the Pueblo past at Inn of the Anasazi. Seek quiet refuge at the historic St. Francis Hotel. Encantado Resort outside of town, if only for watching the blazing sunsets on the Terra Patio.
DO: If you missed Georgia O'Keeffe: Abstraction at The Whitney, head to the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum to view this revelatory exhibition. Peruse the wares at the Santa Fe Indian Market, the largest Native American Market in the world. Run free with the wild horses at the Sky Mountain Wild Horse Sanctuary.
EAT: The original breakfast burrito at Tia Sophia's, Navajo frye bread from one of the numerous street vendors, tacos al pastor and sangria on the rooftop cantina at The Coyote Cafe, elk tenderloin at Geronimo, coffee ice cream with piñon crisp and cajeta caramel at Santacafe.
DRINK: Stroll down Canyon Road, Santa Fe's famed gallery district, and stop into an art opening for a glass of wine. Mingle with the locals under the stars and sample the mezcal in the Dragon Room Lounge at The Pink Adobe.
SHOP: Embrace the Western spirit of American heritage and craftsmanship and splurge on some custom cowboy boots from Back at the Ranch. Invest in handmade Navajo Yei blankets, Adobe pottery, and turquoise jewelry.

In the American West, Richard Avedon
Shearling & Leather Jacket, Derek Lam
Hat, Pendleton
Flask, Ralph Lauren Gift Vault
Concho Belt, Shiprock Trading Post
Boots, Isabel Marant
Saddle Bag, Mulberry

Destination Style: Tuscany

RIDE: Breath in the heady scent of lavender and sunflowers as you zip around the countryside on your Vespa. Watch the sunrise over the golden Tuscan landscape from a hot air balloon.
LISTEN: Tuscan tenor Andrea Bocelli has led the resugence of popular classical music. Dance to a busker's melodic Spanish guitar in front of the Fountain of Neptune at the Piazza della Signoria.
READ: Get lost in the infinite imagination of Federico Fellini in The Book of Dreams.
STAY: Relax at the luxurious Villa Mangiacane, built by the Machiavelli family in the fifteenth century.
DO: Get invited to Matthew Spender and Maro Gorky's Tuscan farmhouse in San Sano. Head to Cortona for a dance workshop with Sosta Palmizi's Raffaella Giordano. Embark on a day trip to Portofino on the Italian Riviera.
EAT: Immerse yourself in Tuscan gastronomy with a cooking class. Sample traditional Tuscan fare at Il Latini. Embrace your inner child with gelato from Vivoli.
DRINK: Tour the Chianti countryside and visit the 12th century cellar at the Castello D'Albola. Clear your palette with Limoncello.
SHOP: Stroll along the Via Tornabuoni for Florentine designers Ferragamo, Gucci, and Cavalli. Select a signature scent at the Santa Maria Novella Perfumery, started in the 16th century by Dominican monks. Hunt for treasures at the Florence Flea Market.

Scooter, Vespa
Hammered Silk-Satin Mini Dress, Sandro
Framed Bag, Celine
Swimsuit, Guia La Bruna
Terracotta Sunless Self-Tanning Balm, Guerlain
Shoes, Superga

Destination Style: Cahuita

RIDE: The Waves!
LISTEN: The sounds of Bob Marley can be heard everywhere around this Afro-Carribean seaside village. If you're lucky, you may be treated to an impromptu concert by Cahuita's own Calypso singer Walter Ferguson.
READ: What Happen: A Folk History of Costa Rica's Talamanca Coast by Paula Palmer
STAY: Drift away in a hammock to sounds of the gentle crashing waves at Spencer's Seaside Lodge.
DO: Soak up the sun on Playa Blanca, the most beautiful and untouched beach in Costa Rica. Encounter wild animals like capuchin monkeys and sloths on a jungle walk through Cahuita National Park. Snorkel around the protected coral reef, the largest on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast. Watch sea turtles nest on Tortuguero Beach. Dance among the mariposas at the Cahuita Butterfly farm. Take a trip down down to beautiful Bocas Del Toro, Panama.
EAT: Sample the jerk chicken at Cha Cha Cha and the rondón Ms. Edith's.Stay for a Creole cooking classes from Ms. Edith herself. Stop by Corleone's for the best Italian food outside Italy. Go deep sea fishing with Chef Roberto and cook up your catch back on land at his Carribean style seafood restaurant.
DRINK: Stay hydrated on the beach with fresh coconut water. Chill with a cold bottle of Imperial Beer at Coco's Bar.
SHOP: Bring home beautiful handmade jewelry and crafts from itinerant artisans.

Custom Hand Painted Lightning Bolt Surf Board, Alexandra Cassaniti
Hammock, Via Nativa
Swimsuit, Melissa Odabash
Acai Damage-Protecting Toning Mist, Kielhs x Malia Jones
Mochila Bag, 3.1 Phillip Lim
Sandals, K. Jaques

Destination Style: Martha's Vineyeard

RIDE: A sunset sail aboard the Shenandoah.
LISTEN: Get nostalgic with James Taylor.
READ: Get a feel for The Vineyard with The Dorthy West Martha's Vineyard: Stories, Essays, and Reminiscences, edited by Jackie O.
STAY: The romantic Lambert's Cove Inn in west Tisbury.
DO: Rent a bike and cycle around Chappaquiddick Island. Become enchanted at Grand Illumination Night at Wesleyan Grove, a National Historic Site made up of ornate gingerbread cottages.
EAT: Throw a clambake on the beach catered by Bill Smith. Try the fried Clams at Clinton favorite The Bite. Queue up with the locals on Friday afternoons for the lobster rolls at Grace Church. ndulge your inner child with saltwater taffy from Kenny's and midnight apple fritters from Back Door Donuts.
DRINK: Relax with friends over pints of Head Brewer Joe Cleinman's award winning Nutbrown Ale at the Offshore Ale Company in Oak Bluffs.
SHOP: Iconic nautically inspired clothing from The Black Dog.

Aran Sweater, The Aran Sweater Market
Breton Shirt, Vince
Chambray Bikini, J. Crew
Beach Tote, The Black Dog
Anchor Necklace, Giles & Brother
Tank Watch, Cartier
Sandals, K. Jaques

Fleur de Sel Caramels

The subtle hint of sea salt makes these caramels the perfect summer treat!

Ingredients:

• Unsalted Butter, 4 tablespoons
  
• Heavy Cream, 1 1/2 cups
  
• Sugar, 2 cups
  
• Light Corn Syrup, 1/2 cup
  
• Fleur de Sel, 1 teaspoon + more for sprinkling
  
• Vanilla, 1 1/2 teaspoons

Fleur de Sel Caramels:

• Combine all ingredients except Vanilla in a broad saucepan.
• Heat over a medium low fire, stirring occasionally mixture turns nearly brown.
• Mix in vanilla.
• Pour mixture into a parchment lined baking sheet and let cool.
• Sprinkle caramel lightly with Fleur de Sel.
  
• Remove the caramel from the pan and refrigerate briefly.
• Cut caramel into small pieces and wrap in parchment paper.

Summer '10

I. Summer Foods & Clambakes: The transcendentalist poet Henry David Thoreau wrote: Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each. I highly recommend French Women for all Seasons: A Year of Secrets, Recipes, & Pleasure, the sequel to French Women Don't Get Fat. (And this summer I'm bringing the clambake to the West Coast! Uh oh, look out!)

II. Road Trips & Wine Country: Sonoma and Napa may be asking too much of our old 88, so we're headed east to the Okanagan!

III. Music Festivals & Summer Playlists: Rill Rill on repeat! What about them? I'm all about them! (Check out my post on Festival Style!)

IV. Gelato Martinis: Had James Bond gathered intelligence on gelato martinis, I fear Western culture would be without the catch phrase shaken, not stirred!

V. Tie Dye: The charming Proenza Schouler boys brought tie dye back from the grateful dead in their Spring 2010 ready to wear show. The modern incarnation is sexy and oh so cool. Check out the P.S.- I Made This... tie dye diy!

VI. Fiction: Summer is the perfect time to get lost in a good book! Recently, I've read some great novels (South of Broad) and some not so great ones (The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo). I'm always looking for recommendations!

VII. Beach Trips & Sporty Bikinis: We'll be at the beach on our new boat all summer long!

VIII. Shakespeare in the Park: Last summer, I had the best time going with my brother to see Anne Hathaway and all the other amazing actors perform Twelfth Night in Central Park.

Whytecliff Marine Park

View from Whyte Islet

Feeling very much the Jacques Cousteaus, my honey and I set out for a day of ocean exploring around Whytecliff Park aboard our new boat.

My Boat & My Dream Boat!

The sun was warm and the sea calm with nary a rogue wave- a pleasant departure from our infamous kayaking trip to Isla Chora off the coast of Playa Samara, Costa Rica, when we battled against looming fishing boats, ominous clouds, and 20 foot swells until the sea unceremoniously spat us out like the landlubbers we are!

Dungeness Crab & Seal

Photo: Greater Vancouver Parks

We saw all kinds of marine life, including seals, sea otters, barnacles, and even a squid! Thankfully, no sea cucumbers! Not a fan- a rogue sea cucumber foiled my snorkeling adventure in Mexico! The only thing that might interest me in sea cucumbers is if they're served up by Chef Ferran Adria himself in some fantastically avant-garde way at elBulli.

Wildflowers

Then we basked in the warm sun amongst the wildflowers and drove home to the soundtrack of Cinema Paradiso.

Here's the Coulter Curated Guide to Water Sports Style:

Blueberry Season

Freshly Picked Blueberries

It's Blueberry Season!! Not only are blueberries amazing for you (Superfood), they are also delicious! So put on a frothy blouse, grab your wicker basket a la Chanel and Diane Kruger, and hit the orchard!

Blueberry Muffins

Blueberry muffins will always occupy a special place in my imagination- they are the stuff of my first memory afterall. I'll always remember sitting outside Au Bon Pain on that hot summer's day we first arrived in Cambridge and watching with wonder as the sunlight refracted through the sugar granules on my blueberry muffin. On this hot summer's day, I realize that not much has changed and I have been so blessed with being able to maintain my childish enthusiasm!

Ingredients:
Recipe from Martha Stewart

• All Purpose Flour, 2 cups + more for dusting
  
• Baking Powder, 1 1/2 teaspoon
  
• Salt, 1/2 teaspoon
  
• Blueberries, 2 cups
  
• Butter, 1/2 cup
  
• Sugar, 1 1/4 cups
  
• Eggs, 2 large
  
• Vanilla, 2 teaspoons
  
• Milk, 1/2 cup
  
• Nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon

Blueberry Muffins:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Butter a muffin tin and dust with flour.
• Bowl 1: Combine Flour, Baking Powder, and Salt.
• Bowl 2: Toss Blueberries with 1 1/2 teaspoons of the flour mixture.
• Bowl 3: Combine 1/4 cup Sugar and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg.
  
• Bowl 4: Beat Butter and 1 cup Sugar until light and fluffy.
• Add Eggs and Vanilla.
• Mix in the contents of Bowl 1.
• Add Milk.
• Add the contents of Bowl 2.
• Spoon batter into muffin tin.
• Sprinkle the contents of Bowl 3 on top of muffin batter.
• Bake for 30 minutes.

All American Blueberry Pie with a Provencial Twist

Touring Bowen Island, my momma imagined a life of baking pies and solving mysteries. It definitely sounds intriguing! With this pie I'm half way there- I just need a mystery! How about: The Case of the Disappearing Pie!

Ingredients:
Recipe Adapted from Martha Stewart

• All Purpose Flour, 2 1/2 cups + more for dusting
  
• Butter, 1 cup + 2 tablespoons
  
• Salt, 1 pinch
  
• Water, 1/4 cup
  
• Blueberries, 8 cups
  
• Sugar, 1/2 cup + more for sprinkling
  
• Cornstarch, 1/4 cup
  
• Lemon Juice, 1 tablespoon
  
• Egg, 1 large egg yolk
  
• Heavy Cream, 1 tablespoon
  

Pate Brisee:

• Combine Flour and 1 teaspoon Salt in a mixer.
• Mix in 8 ounces Butter.
• Add 1/4 cup Water and let the mixture come together.
• Divide dough in half, shaping into a half moon.
• Wrap dough in plastic and chill for 1 hour.

Blueberry Filling:

• In a large bowl, combine 7 1/2 cups Blueberries, 1/2 cup crushed Blueberries, Sugar, Cornstarch, and Lemon Juice.
  

Blueberry Pie:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  
• On a floured surface, roll out dough 1 into a 12-inch circle.
• Fit dough into a 9-inch pie dish and trim edges so there is a small overhang.
• Fold overhang over or under and crimp as desired.
  
• On a floured surface, roll out dough 2.
• Cut dough into long strips.
• Refrigerate dough for 30 minutes until firm.
• Spoon blueberry mixture into chilled pie shell.
• Dot with 2 tablespoons Butter.
• Weave strips of dough to cover.
  
• In a small bowl, whisk Egg Yolk and Cream.
• Brush pie crust with this egg wash and sprinkle with Sugar.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  
• Place pie on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes.
• Reduce oven heat to 350 degrees.
• Bake for 45 minutes, rotating half way through.
• Serve warm with scoop of vanilla ice cream!

Blueberry Orchard, Westham Island

What are some of your favorite seasonal summer recipes?

And If you like pie as much as me (Impossible!), you may want to check out my Pear & Raspberry Heart Pie!

Farm Fresh: Westham Island

Scenes from Westham Island...or, I Could Live in the Country
(Clockwise: View of the Coast Mountains, Beautiful Farmhouse, Cow,
Westham Island Estate Winery, Westham Island Herb Farm General Store,
1952 Ford Pickup Truck For Sale, Farm Tools, Old Fashioned Pop Stand)

This past weekend, my honey and I spent a tranquil and romantic day in the countryside on idyllic Westham Island. Though a mere 30 minutes outside downtown Vancouver, I felt like we'd been transported to Willa Cather's Nebraska.

Free Range Eggs & Lavender

Blueberries, First Day of the Season

At Emma-Lea Farms we enjoyed fresh smoothies as we strolled through the sun soaked orchard with our John Deere stake wagon, plucking only the choicest berries.

Raspberries

My honey and I both have very distinct and special memories of picking raspberries as children. Me- along the creek at the base of Mount Cutler Trail. My honey- at his granny's gaff in Arklow.

Tayberries

The Tayberry- the love child of the raspberry and the blackberry as interpreted by the Scottish! Brilliant!

Strawberries, Last Day of the Season

These were the juiciest little strawberries I've ever tasted! It's a wonder we managed to get any home before madly devouring them all.

Rhubarb & Rhubarb Wine

We stopped by the Westham Island Estate Winery tasting room to sample a selection of the vineyard's seasonal fruit wines and to pick up a bottle of rhubarb wine to accompany our famous strawberry-rhubarb crumble.

Strawberry-Rhubarb Crumble, The Final and Finest of the Season

Rhubarb is to June/July as cranberry is to November/December. Strawberry-Rhubarb is one of my favorite early summer tastes, but now that the season has come to a glorious end, I must say goodbye until next year. But first...One final Strawberry-Rhubarb Crumble!

Ingredients:

• All Purpose Flour, 1 1/3 cups
  
• Baking Powder, 1 teaspoon
  
• Granulated Sugar, 1/2 cup + 3 tablespoons
  
• Brown Sugar, 3 tablespoons
  
• Lemon, juice of 1 lemon + zest of 1 lemon
  
• Unsalted Butter, 4 ounces, melted
  
• Rhubarb, 1 1/2 cups, chopped
  
• Strawberries, 2 pints, hulled & quartered
  
• Cornstarch, 3 tablespoons
  
• Salt, pinch

Strawberry-Rhubarb:

• Toss together Rhubarb, Strawberries, Lemon Juice, 1/2 cup Sugar, Cornstarch and Salt.
  
• Place in deep pan.
  

Crumble:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• In a mixing bowl, combine Flour, Baking Powder, 3 tablespoons Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar, Lemon Zest, and melted Butter.
• Mix until clumps form.

Strawberry-Rhubarb Crumble:
Recipe from Smitten Kitchen

• Spread the Crumble mixture over the Strawberry-Rhubarb mixture.
• Bake for 40 minutes.
• Enjoy with Rhubarb Wine!!
  

Seymour Provincial Park

Pup, Post Dip, Goldie Lake, Seymour Provincial Park


My New Favorite Shirt- Les Petites
Sunglasses- Oliver Peoples
Bag- Elliott Lucca
Shorts- AA

I rare photo of yours truly to show off my new favorite shirt! I absolutely love the delicately embroidered bell sleeves!

Top 10 Albums of 2010 (So Far)

Broken Bells- Broken Bells


Janelle Monáe- The ArchAndroid


Joanna Newsom- Have One On Me

Jónsi- Go

MGMT- Congratulations

Mumford & Sons- Sigh No More


Sleigh Bells- Treats

The Black Keys- Brothers

The Dead Weather- Sea of Cowards

The National- High Violet

Various- Broken Hearts and Dirty Windows, Songs of John Prine

And check out my Top 10 Albums of 2009.

Gingerbread Cupcakes with Vanilla French Buttercream Frosting

My honey and my momma declared these THE VERY BEST CUPCAKES EVER! Who am I to argue?

Ingredients:

• Flour, 1 1/2 cups
  
• Baking Soda, 1 teaspoon
  
• Butter, 4 ounces + 8 ounces
  
• Brown Sugar, 1/2 cup
  
• Ginger, 3/4 teaspoon
  
• Cinnamon, 1 teaspoon
  
• Nutmeg, pinch
  
• Salt, pinch
  
• Molasses, 1/2 cup
  
• Eggs, 2 large + 7 large
  
• Sour Cream, 1/2 cup
• Sugar, 2 1/2 cups
• Cream of Tartar, 2 teaspoons
• Vanilla, 2 teaspoons

Gingerbread Cupcakes:
Recipe from Ming Makes Cupcakes

• Preheat oven to 350.
  
• Bowl 1: mix Flour and Baking Soda.
• Bowl 2: Beat together 4 ounces Butter, Brown Sugar, Ginger, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, and Salt.
• Beat in Molasses and 2 eggs.
• Add the contents of Bowl 1 to Bowl 2.
• Pour mixture into lined cupcake pans.
• Bake for 30 minutes.
  
• Mix in Sour Cream.
  

Vanilla French Buttercream Frosting:
Recipe from Martha Stewart

• In a metal bowl set over simmering water, whisk 7 Egg Whites and 2 1/2 Cups Sugar for 10 minutes.
• Beat on high for 15 minutes, until stiff peaks form.
• Add Cream of Tartar and beat for another minute.
• Reduce speed and add Butter, piece by piece.
• Add Vanilla and beat for another 2 minutes.
• Chill for 15 minutes.

These taste like Christmas!