Happy Saturday to you!
I’m a little jet lagged, having just recently returned from London. I’m excited to share some highlights of our trip once I’ve had a chance to download and compile all my photos. I actually went away with just my tiny Leica and the download cord, but no battery charger. So dumb. Don’t you just love packing?
Those of you that follow me on Instagram though have seen several of my holiday snaps there already. The old iPhone (and I do mean the old one) takes a pretty good shot in a pinch. OK so, wait…I’m off track already, bloody hell…the London post will be arriving shortly (it is coming from overseas after all!)
In the meantime, I thought I’d share a few photos from the Indian Dinner table I set at ‘Casa Paley’ shortly before we went away.
We were excited to be having very dear old friends over for dinner and inspired by the spate of beautiful late May weather in Santa Barbara (before ”June Gloom” arrived, right on schedule as I’ve been informed, June 1st) I thought it would be fun to serve up a big old curry with all the fixings.
My Instagram shot of the cookbooks we used:
“Mangoes & Curry Leaves” (gorgeous book, somewhat complex recipes),”Tangy Tart Hot & Spicy” by Padma Lakshmi (easier recipes) and “Vij’s” from my favourite Indian restaurant in Vancouver-even though they don’t take reservations which drives me insane. Maybe because I’m mentioning his cookbook I might not have to wait outside the next time. Do you think??? Hey, It could happen. If you know him, please put in a good word for me 
I’m afraid I don’t have any photos of the food but this is what we served:
Vij’s Family Chicken Curry (OMG-SO good. and I’m not just saying that because of the no reservations thing. Swear)
Prawns in Coconut Marsala
Sauteed Arugula & Spinach with Tofu (because we couldn’t find Paneer)
Ginger & Jalapeño Basmati rice
Green Beans with Toasted Coconut & Cashews
Cucumber Raita
Shredded Carrot, Cranberries & Cilantro Salad (Gorgeous & delicious-so wish I’d taken a photo) from Padma’s book
Huge crispy Poppadoms, Naan bread and lashings of spicy chutneys
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Different flavours of salts on the table are always a nice touch.
I found the porcelain and copper “burning match” votives “At The Table” in LA years ago.
I actually have a “Salt” post in the hopper as we speak. Keep an eye out for it. I know. Exciting, right?!
As usual, I like to really mix it up, so here we have a huge vintage Suzani used as the tablecloth (that’s how much I love/trust these friends ) little silver votives from Pottery Barn, Cristofle silverware, vintage ocean liner water goblets, black & white striped cotton napkins from “Paradise Lane” in Sri Lanka, and all the black & white dishes are from Target. The roses are “White Iceberg” and “Hot Cocoa” from my garden.
Here’s the recipe for the curried chicken:
Taken from “Vij’s” cookbook with love and respect… and patience.
What?? I’m not hinting at anything!
Christofle silver vase (a present for our 25th wedding anniversary last month)
For another Suzani inspired table setting check out this older post HERE -I just noticed that it was also done in May, in 2011. Goes to show how much Spring inspires us to bring the colour indoors (you might also recognise that suzani from my recent post about updating our conservatory) Vintage textiles are such a worthwhile investment, aren’t they?!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend
and
VERY HAPPY FATHER’S DAY WISHES TO ALL THE WONDERFUL DADS OUT THERE!!
xoxox
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but with my newly invigorated passion for bright pink coinciding with getting bolder in my dotage I said to myself ;
Until this week.
Having recently been so inspired by the colours and textures of Morocco, along with my love for lively Sri Lankan style,
All of a sudden I wanted the room done like yesterday.
One of my favourite vintage Suzanis in hot pinks & purples served as my colour wheel
The roses are from my garden
Verging on vulgar in the garden but so great brought inside, these orange roses are for real. NO photo enhancement.
Tons of inspiration in the beautiful book “Rajasthan”
Striped “dhurrie” from Pottery barn, ottoman “George Smith”, vintage leather poof
Yellow throw pillow “Pottery Barn”, straw hat “Maison K” Montecito
A couple of fav. mags always beckon one into a room
Now I can’t wait to get up in the morning and have my tea in the conservatory-it’s positively singing with sunlight
and the perfect place for cocktails at Day’s end (or Day’s middle-towards-end..ish)
,
Love the art propped against the fireplace in this contemporary space.
These are Von’s roses, not from my garden. No scent, but they lasted about 9 days! Viagra roses.
Take note how many of these images have some form of natural wood working beautifully with the orange & black combo.
Such a cool kitch!
Amanda Peet’s entry hall via Vogue
Here, natural wood, orange & black are adding a contemporary pop to an otherwise traditional room.
I want to hang a hammock inside somewhere, don’t you?!
Michael Smith
This is a favorite photo so I’m sorry I don’t have the credit.
Here fiery orange & deep charcoal in my “Boy Barn”
Ben Stiller’s library by Roman-Williams
Black bookcases are terribly chic.
and Hermes blankets always make Mommy happy.
Oh, you naughty young Parisian man in Hotel Costes! How did you get on this post?!
I like the warmth of this living space looking out on to the snow and pines, but can you tell what’s going on on the ceiling?
![image_thumb[50]](http://slimpaley.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/image_thumb50.png?w=870)
This gorgeous, long lasting and, may I add, impressively virile climber is called
Just put your face in that
They even raise plastic cattle.
Roses simply do NOT get any better than these.
Where behind every gently wafting silken drape…
another gasp awaits
The attention to detail at Royal Mansour knows NO bounds
It’s how you spell luxe and then some.
One could wear the newest Dior dress I love so much and not feel overdressed.
“Le Bar” to end all bars
with walls panelled in reverse glass rose gold leaf
Photos do not capture the depth and beauty of the rose gold panels.
Are you getting the idea yet??!
The chandelier in the interior courtyard
We enjoyed a cocktail or two here in quiet awe, just listening to the birdsong, the tinkling of ice cubes and the heavy rustling of palm fronds in the wind.
“La Grande Table Marocaine” restaurant, with blue marble floors, is presided over by celebrated French chef Yannick Alleno.
I would probably choose this little number from Armani Spring 2013 should I be so lucky as to dine here.
Cool marble, embroidered water-silk taffeta, feathers & inlaid rosewood…cuhraazy
I don’t even know how to begin to explain the coffered ceiling in the “Chimney Lounge”
The Chimney Lounge, so named for the transparent glass fireplace that allows you to gaze upon the gardens through the flames while sipping your cognac.
Photo via Royal Mansour
Hand tooled leather walls
and rugs.
“La Grande Table Francaise” Royal Mansour’s French restaurant preparing for the evening.
A gecko candle holder, one of many crystal creatures crawling across the walls of the restaurant.
As dusk descends (yes, we stayed that long!) the hotel becomes even more magical
