Traveling to Los Angeles? I’ll let you in on a little secret of mine…..

May 29, 2012 By pearleandpiercehome in Chit Chat, Entertaining, Lifestyle Tags: Guest House, Housing, Los Angeles Travel, Museum Row 2 Comments

Know anyone traveling to Los Angeles?

I’ve got the answer!

The Museum Row Guest House

It’s the perfect hideout for a Los Angeles visit.

Do you have parents coming and you want them close by, but not under foot?

Are you an actor who needs a comfy place to crash during pilot season?

Want to experience LA in a comfortable “home” enviornment instead of a hotel?

Are you here on an extended business stay and need a home away from home?

This is a great solution!

The Museum Row Guest House is the brain child of couple Merritt Price and Carla Roth. The perfect hosts. I know this first hand because they’ve had me over for dinner. Merritt is an astounding cook and Carla is warm and inviting. They make you feel right at home, the food is incredible, wine and conversation flows. On top of all that, they have impeccable taste and design ascetic. No detail is over looked and they have carried this lifestyle over to their Museum Row Guest House.

The Kitchen Area

The Guest House is 524 Square feet, eco-friendly, with a private electronic security system, and its own private sitting area, nestled on a tree line street in the centrally located Wilshire Vista neighborhood. Amenities galore: A Breakfast Welcome Basket, 42″ High Tech TV, Wi Fi, equipped kitchen, high-end 100% cotton linens, Rain Fall Shower, Plush bathrobes, the list goes on.

The Bedroom

The Breakfast “Welcome Basket”

Private Sitting Area

Get on-line ASAP to reserve your dates! The word is getting out.

Museum Row Guest House

xoxo Carrie

Please Set The Table.

May 8, 2012 By pearleandpiercehome in Chit Chat, Entertaining, Parenting, Point of View Tags: entertaining, Family Dinners, Parenting, Tablescapes Leave a comment

Photo: www.thefoundblog.com

I think one should set the table every night. It is a good way to keep your family at the table longer, it prompts conversation. It sets a good precedence for your children, by setting the stage for learning table manners. I am astonished how many kids and adults do not know where a knife and fork should be placed. Paper napkins send me over the edge and soda bottles on a table make me cringe. If you routinely eat on a paper plate you need a time out. Save those for the picnics!

Photo: The 10 minute dinner table setting

I can sense the eye rolls. I know we are all super busy, time is tight and some may think it is silly to put effort into setting a table. It seems like every day is “Casual Friday” and I think it should stop. What’s so wrong with a little formality? I am not suggesting we put on a suit to travel or wear white gloves, just simply take the time to set your dinner table. I timed it. It takes 5-10 minutes to set a table with plates, napkins, silverware, and a place mat.

Photo: Caroline’s Placemat

Give your children the job of setting the table so they know how it is done, do it with them and then set them free and let them do a table scape themselves. Caroline has drawn place mats for us, picked flowers, pine cones, special rocks or shells when she set our table. It was a great activity and it kept her busy and out of my hair while I cooked dinner.

I will admit I do use paper napkins when there is a messy dish such as ribs or if it is lunch on the run, but I try to routinely use cloth napkins. It’s so much nicer. You can use a tip from Lulu Powers, author of “Lulu Powers, Food to Flowers” and go to Ikea, buy some $0 .79 cent dish towels. Buy a ton and keep them folded in a cute basket so you have them at your fingertips. They wash nicely and even look better with wear. If they get too stained then throw them out or use them a dust cloths.

So for those who need a reminder here is a diagram of a proper table setting. Keep in mind the daily meal setting will be much simpler so don’t freak about the 12 different pieces!

Photo: weddingsandeventsbymuse.com

I may loose you here….How about pulling out the Wedding China out on a regular day? Who says you have to keep it for a special occasion? I like to have a “fancy” dinner night where I use all the good stuff, but I serve breakfast for dinner.

Photo: www.paloma81.blogspot.com

So go open your linen cabinet and pull out your napkins and table clothes and start setting your table!

Just do it!

xo Carrie

25 Years Ago…..

April 23, 2012 By pearleandpiercehome in Chit Chat, Entertaining, Point of View, Social Life Tags: 1987, College Reunion, Drake University, Friendship, KKG 3 Comments

I am headed to my 25th college reunion this week. Please don’t do the math.

I haven’t seen some of my old pals since we walked across the stage to receive our diplomas. So much has happened in our lives since then yet so much stays the same. I land on Friday and will head straight for the campus bar “Peggy’s” to meet the KKG gals.

It is going to be a great weekend.

Here is what was going on 25 years ago.

I was sporting a Swatch Watch

Spraying Sebastian Shpritz Forte all over my bi-level hair cut

Cindy Crawford was doing GAP ads

Michael Jackson was still cool and not creepy.

Fatal Attraction was the top grossing movie of the year.

Anna Wintour put out her first Vogue Cover.

Camp Beverly Hills Clothing was the Peak of Chic

Photo: www.burningsettlerscabin.com

Clara Peller was screaming “Where’s the Beef” for Wendy’s.

I would spend many an afternoon at the KKG house watching General Hospital (GH), eating Monster Cookies and nursing a hang over resulting from way too many wine coolers.

I wonder if they still have Bartles and James on the menu at Peggy’s?

I wonder if I’ll be dancing on the bar like I did in 1987.

I think there may be a good chance of it. I think I still have it in me.

xoxo Carrie

The Perfect Gift For A Friend with A New Baby. Hint: It’s not a Onesie.

March 28, 2012 By pearleandpiercehome in Chit Chat, Entertaining, Lifestyle, What's Cooking? Tags: baby gifts, barefoot contessa, italian wedding soup, joan's on third 4 Comments

Card: www.etsy.com

My friend Heather had a baby boy 14 days ago. I contemplated getting her some cute designer duds for her little man, but then I realized what a new Mom really needs (besides sleep) is time. Especially, time away from the kitchen by having a couple of meals ready and waiting for her and her family. I knew that would be a much better gift than an overpriced onesie from Fred Segal. I remember my friend Keary brought me a lovely pork roast and full on dinner spread right after Caroline was born and I appreciated that gift above most others.

I think when choosing a meal for a family with a newborn it is best to do a one pot meal. Easy to prep and serve. Avoid any veggies or foods that are…well no delicate way to put it…gas makers. It helps the wee ones at feeding time.

Barefoot Contessa “Back to Basics”

I decided to make some Italian Wedding Soup for the family. It’s a great thing to make because it’s a meal in itself and easy to heat up. All you need is a crunchy loaf of bread and some creamy irish butter, simple salad and you’re set. I used Ina Garten’s recipe from her “Back to Basics” Cookbook. I have made it several times and it never fails to please.

This is my Italian Wedding Soup in it’s final stages.

Photo: Vegas and Food Blog

Because I didn’t have oodles of time to cook, I hit LA’s go to Gourmet Take Out Mecca, Joan’s on Third to finish out the gift bag. They have an amazing array of cheeses, salads, sandwiches, pre-made salads, frozen homemade soups and baked goods. I filled my care package with Home Made Potato Chips, Ficele with fromage d’affinois & apricot glazed ham sandwiches, two yummy side salads, chocolate dipped pretzels for Big Brother G, Cookies and frozen scones that could be popped into the oven and heated for breakfast the next morning.

Photo: www.sarahlambersky.wordpress.com

The phone call and appreciation in my friend’s voice made me realize that the gift of food was the way to go.

So next time you’re thinking buying of those really cute onesie’s for your friend with a newborn, put it down and start cooking!

xoxo Carrie

Caroline’s Carnival

March 24, 2012 By pearleandpiercehome in Chit Chat, Entertaining, Lifestyle, Parenting, Social Life, Where I live... Tags: 99 Cent Store, Barts Carts, Carnival Theme Party, Children's Party, Party Ideas, Shindigz 3 Comments

My daughter recently turned 5 and she decided she would like a carnival party for her classmates and neighbors. I like a girl who knows what she wants. So I went to work.

I ordered a ton of stuff from Shindigz, an on line party supply store. We got a Pin The Tail on The Donkey, Bean Bag Toss Game, Egg and Spoon Race, Duck Fishing Game, Potato Sack Races and all the outdoor decor…a 5 Foot Carnival Barker, Banners, Welcome signs and my personal favorite, a Personalized Clown Photo Stand. I had a big basket of red clown noses (also ordered from Shindigz) and all the kids took funny photos.

And a few adults….

I enlisted two of my favorite 7 years olds Stella who did the Fortune Telling and Hazel who ran the face painting (along with my ever patient and devoted friend Olivia). I also hired four 6th graders to help out with the games, to hand out prizes and to monitor the pinata whacking. They were awesome!

The 6th Grade Posse from St. Marks

Hazel and Olivia working hard!

Now I had to figure out how to feed everyone. I decided to make it easy on myself and rented a Hot Dog and Cotton Candy Cart from Bart’s Carts. Cotton Candy+5 year olds=heaven. We also had a vintage popcorn popper, animal crackers, and believe it or not some fruit and veggies made an appearance.

The first of Caroline’s three cotton candy servings.

Abel from Bart’s Carts Serving Up the Hotdogs.

I hit the 99 Cent store for prizes. That is my go to place for kid parties and functions. I loaded up on the prize buckets, plates, napkins, and pinata candy. To avoid tears over lost loot bags I had each child decorate a paper bag with their name on it so they could keep track of them and made it easy for my helpers to find them.

The Prize Buckets

Potato Sack Races

The party ended with a clown Pinata and Carnival Cake. It was a great day and Caroline had the time of her life.

Caroline has already informed me she would like a unicorn party next year.

So, does anyone know where to get a live unicorn?

xoxo Carrie

Hopping Down The Bunny Trail-Getting My Home Ready for Easter

March 19, 2012 By pearleandpiercehome in Entertaining, Interiors, Lifestyle, Point of View, Where I live... Tags: Alabaster Eggs, Easter, Easter Decorating, Lilac Hydrangea, Mantle Scapes, Pottery Barn, Spring Decorating 1 Comment

I’m getting ready for the Easter Holiday.

Here’s a sneak peak of what’s happening at my house.

I love my foil wrapped rabbits and chicks on the fire place mantle. Adorable right? They look exactly like the chocolate covered ones we all got as kids (I always bit the ears off and worked my way down) but this version is foil over wood so they are good to go year after year.

I added some pastel colored egg candles and baby blue painted mercury glass votives from Pottery Barn.The flower strand is a Target special from years back. The brass vase is from Little India in Artesia.

When Spring is around the corner, I race to Trader Joes’s to buy them out of all their lavender Hydrangeas. I find that Trader Joe’s has the best price in town on these beauties, $6.50 which is a steal compared to the $19.99 price at Whole Foods.

I have two huge terra cotta planters on either side of my front porch, each containing 5 plants. I also have pots lining my driveway way and in the car port. Even with 16 and counting planters I still want more, more, more.

Add some pastel roses or any spring time colored flower to a table and viola’ you are in the Springtime mood.

I love my alabaster eggs, the colors inside of my malachite bowl are amazing. It’s like I left them in the green and blue Paz egg coloring for 6 months. I also love how they look in front of my gorgeous new lamp from Nickey Kehoe.

I got this wreath at Rolling Greens, my go to store for garden and holiday decor.

They have two locations now, so it is easier to support my “must decorate for every holiday habit”.

I would love to see or hear about your Spring/Easter decorating ideas!

xoxo carrie

Top Photo: Peeps & Company

Rocky Mountain High

March 12, 2012 By pearleandpiercehome in Entertaining, Exteriors, Lifestyle Tags: Colorado, Horse Ride, Keystone, Snow, travel, Vacation Leave a comment

I was in Colorado last week skiing and visiting my Mom who has a house there. She and her husband Bill have a place on Buffalo Mountain in Summit County. This above photo is of the view driving down into town from her house.

I am a big fan of Summit County. You can ski Keystone, Copper, Breckenridge, Arapahoe Basin, Vail, Beaver Creek and Loveland. All accessible, close by and hard wired to accommodate all the visitors. I love all the ski options and every place is super kid friendly, especially Keystone (that’s where our family cut out ski teeth because my parents bought a place there in the early 80′s). As a Mother of a 5 year old, kid friendly places are paramount when planning a vacation. Days of skiing past I was in search of the best happy hour with the cutest boys. Now I am figuring out ice skating rink hours and making ski school reservations. I have to be honest, now a day of skiing wears me out and I end up collapsing on the sofa under a big blanket instead of dolling up and hitting some hipster establishment for a night out.

We did however, make it out for dinner one night. We bundled up ourselves and the kids and headed to Keystone Ranch for a sleigh ride dinner.

I was sceptical, it seemed kind of touristy and a smidge cheesy, but the ride through snow covered Soda Creek Valley was so breathtaking and beautiful I didn’t mind the bad jokes our guide was telling us. It was actually all quite charming and I quickly got into the mood.

We were pulled by 2,000 pound draft horses named Bert and Ernie and given warm plaid wool blanket lined in shearling. We snuggled in close for the 20 minute ride to the historic ranch homestead where we were to have dinner.

It was a rather chilly excursion, but the promise of home made Hot Chocolate, Beef Barley Stew and piping hot biscuits with honey butter waiting for us when we arrived made me muscle through it.

The meal continued with steak, potatoes, veggies and finished with a warm slice of apple pie a la mode. They had a great musician with an awesome voice playing the guitar and singing.

The ranch was indeed beautiful.

The sky crystal clear and the air crisp and clean.

There is nothing better than spending an evening with family, singing and dancing to some knee slapping guitar music. It warmed me up for a long time. That and the shot of Peppermint Schnapps they handed out right before we got back on the sled for our ride home.

xoxo Carrie