Moda: Sandal Love

Cordani Jameson Sandal

Místico: Purse Dwellers

It's been awhile since we've posted on the stones we are currently carrying with us or are drawn to at the moment. We always surprise ourselves by how in sync we are... we haven't been able to see much of each other lately but we both chose springtime stones that are associated with the heart chakra.

Mary's Stone: Emerald

The ancients associated emeralds with the Greek goddess Venus, the goddess of love and beauty. Being one of the most feminine representatives of the mineral world, the emerald can teach us what it means to be a powerful woman, how to come into ourselves in all of our roles and challenges: as a mother, lover, wife, and a creative, fulfilled professional. I've been thinking a lot lately about my role in this life, about how I can be the woman I want to be and do everything that my heart desires while remaining balanced and giving each area of my life the attention it deserves.

Emeralds have been said to help eyesight which is fitting because I just got my first pair of glasses! During the time of Hippocrates, emeralds were crushed into a fine powder and made into an eye lotion.

The strongest time for the powers of the emerald is said to be spring. It is also associated with the heart chakra which seems to be the case for all of the stones I resonate with lately.

Candice's Stone: Peridot
When native Hawaiians first discovered Peridot in the black volcanic sand, they believed the gemstones were the tears of Pele, the goddess of Fire. The green sand beach in Hawaii is actually formed from Peridot.

Peridots evoke friendliness, purity and simplicity. Hailed as a stone of springtime, it is considered a gift from mother nature.

It has been used in Incan civilizations to keep one's head clear. Peridot is wonderful at helping one release the old and embrace the new. Completely fitting for the tempest that I am enduring.... Light green to dark olive in color, it generally deals with the heart chakra. So I will continue to keep one close at heart as I weather negativity and keep my head up.

Sabroso: Limoncello!

Limoncello reminds us of Nonna, dancing and thunderstorms in Cuernavaca, some of our favorite things. Nonna always had homemade limoncello on hand, oddly stored in plastic coca-cola bottles in the refrigerator.

To made your own homemade limoncello, all you need are 10 lemons, 1 bottle vodka, 3 1/2 cups water, and 2 1/2 cups sugar. Zest the lemons and place in a jar. Pour the vodka over the peels, cover and steep for a minimum of one week. Stir water and sugar in a large saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves. After it has cooled, pour the syrup into the jar. Let the mixture age for a minimum of 2 weeks. Strain the limoncello, seal the bottle, and store the liquor in the refrigerator or freezer. We like to serve it in chilled glasses. Salud!

Once the lemon zest turns white, it's ready!

Our favorite part of Nonna's house was the indoor/outdoor living and dining room, perfect for the tropical Cuernavaca climate. We would rush home after our evenings out, pour ourselves a limoncello and wait/pray for a thunderstorm. There is nothing like sitting inside with your limoncello by candlelight (we love when the storm cuts off the electricity, others not so much!) listening to the thunder and watching the raindrops fall on the pool, preferably while enjoying some Mina. 

Our first limoncello of the evening, presumably, before dancing in the rain and on the coffee table ensues...

New Beginnings

Tuesday was the Spring Equinox and we can already feel change in the air. This time of year gets us excited for new beginnings and makes us curious as to what lies ahead. When the sun starts shining brighter and the flowers start blooming, it makes you feel like anything can happen.

  

Isn't this photo of Stella McCartney lovely? Taken by her mom, Linda. 1984

Also, we have been loving the moon reports over on the sphinx & the milky way. This new moon is in the sign of Aries and is powerful for manifesting changes or new beginnings in your life. Read more here and be sure to make your new moon wishes.

Sabroso: Risotto

So... it's turning out to be a very Sabroso week! This is a classic and one of Nonna's (and our) very favorites. Seriously, again with the fabulous cazuela!

A proud Nonna after a fantastic meal!

Tia Margery makes a fantastic risotto as well. Some photos of one of the many fantastic meals she has made for us and her recipe for risotto alla milanese can be found here.

Sabroso: Rajas con Crema

One of our favorite dishes is this simple mexican dish called rajas con crema. Breakfast, lunch and dinner...it is super versatile. Candice had the rare opportunity to be able to capture a few pictures of Nonna making this yummy meal. We miss cooking with her...

Very important to get a good char on the chiles using an open flame or on a comal. Directly after, put them in a bowl and cover it with plastic wrap for about 10 mins. to sweat. This process makes it easy to get the skins off. Then slice into "rajas" or strips, add onions (optional), cream (we like crema mexicana), salt & pepper and cheese. One of the best cheeses if you can find it is Oaxcan but anything that melts well will work. Be careful not to boil the mixture. You really just want to melt everything together. It can be served over rice as a main course, placed in a tortilla or as a fantastic side.

Stir with lots of love...

Isn't this cazuela beautiful? Perfect for serving this yummy dish!

Sabroso: Brie & Pear Soup

What a stormy weekend we just had! Perfect excuse to cozy up... read, watch films, pin lovely things, and indulge in some comfort food. Our mom/stepmom whipped up some of our favorite soup for us to take home and warm up with all weekend.

Brie & pear soup is so yummy and so easy to make. Just take a handful of pears (sliced) and 2 cups chicken broth (or bouillon) and simmer until pears are soft. Pour into a food processor and blend until smooth. Return to the pot, add a wheel of brie (trim the rind and cut into small cubes first) and stir until creamy. You can garnish with a variety of spices but we like some nutmeg sprinkled on top.

P.S. Last week was Grandma Kathleen's birthday and today is the anniversary of Nonna's passing. Needless to say, we are feeling you both with us more than usual and miss you so much. 

We know you two would have loved this soup. :)

Web Trésors: Emerson Fry

Emerson Fry debuted her spring line today and we are in love. We are supposed to be saving for our trip, ahem. Apparently this is just making us want to shop more! Oops...

But seriously, those tunics are so lovely and would travel so well. Trying to justify here.

Moda: Macrame Jewelry

We are way into this macrame jewelry right now. Those first three pieces seriously might have to make their way into our collections...

Ifat Creations

Ifat Creations

Ifat Creations

stoneagetale

Mingui Kelly

Global Gypsy Jewelry

Mamma Earth Creations

Gitana Mama

ESKUAK

Annalee Crafts

AMiRA jewelry

Dove Siete: La Casa de Benedetta Tagliabue

When we first saw this home featured in Dwell, our jaws dropped. We are slightly obsessed with architectural detail, to the point that looking for a home or place to stay turns into quite a project. We are drawn to homes with history, with character, buildings that have soul. And this one has loads of it...

This reminds us of visiting friends' homes in Mexico, passing by on the streets, you would never know what lies behind these doors...

When Benedetta and her husband, the late architect Enric Miralles, purchased this apartment in Barcelona in the 1990s, it was nothing more than a run down warehouse. Working without plans, they let their discoveries dictate the design. How exciting to find 18th century murals or carved stone staircases hidden behind unassuming doors?

Sigh... When can we move in?