relaxing at demitasse

Sometimes you enjoy lunch with a friend, but your need to converse lasts much longer than your need to occupy a table at a busy restaurant. On just such a recent occasion, Jane suggested that we try a new coffee shop in nearby Little Tokyo so that we could spend some time relaxing and getting caught up. Cafe Demitasse was the perfect place for such a plan. It was a warm and sunny day, so after procuring our own individual carafes of iced tea, we settled in on the patio to chat and people-watch. The patio was full of slatted wood furniture and surrounded by succulent sculptures, many of which were mounted on the walls of the building. It was a serene little spot in the midst of the busy city. The barista guided us to the best tea blends and his recommendations were spot-on!

Cafe Demitasse 135 S. San Pedro Street Los Angeles, CA 90012 (213) 613-9300

Images by Lauryl Lane.

the most important meal of the day

Breakfast continues to be my favorite meal of the day. I eat after my morning run, and I love the ritual of making my breakfast and sitting down to eat before I turn on the computer and let the momentum of the day envelope me. My go-to breakfast of late is Trader Joe's Hot Cereal (farina), with sliced fruit, a generous dollop of greek yogurt, some dried cranberries, and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice. I always start my week-day mornings with a cup of earl gray tea, too. Don't you just love the Bunnykins dishes? This set was my "baby china," and my mother recently gave it to me to keep (!!!). Although the mug is rather small, I love drinking from it- I have such clear memories of drinking from it as a child! Don't tell my husband, but I think I might start collecting Bunnykins china...

Images | Styling by Lauryl Lane.

san francisco's ferry building

The Ferry Building Marketplace in San Francisco is one of my favorite places to visit. The last time I was in the Bay Area, {lovah} and I scooted into the city early one morning to browse the Ferry Building and indulge in lattes at Blue Bottle and sugary treats from Miette Patisserie. Later, we met my sister Erica here for lunch since she works right across the street. With yummy sandwiches from Cow Girl Creamery in hand, we claimed a bench overlooking the bay, and watched the ferry boats coming and going. The Ferry Building is full of incredible artisan shops, delicious eats, and sweet gifts from local purveyors. Every time I visit, I discover something new. It's a true marketplace.

Ferry Building Marketplace One Ferry Building San Francisco, CA 94111 (415) 983-8030
Images by Lauryl Lane.

the boulder dushanbe teahouse

By a happy stroke of luck, my friend Erin and I recently found ourselves at the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse in Boulder, CO. We settled in for a light lunch (the greek salad was delicious!) and a repast of tea and scones. We were surprised and delighted by the beautiful architecture and design of the teahouse, which was apparently constructed in Tajikistan as a gift to the city of Boulder. We loved being tucked away into a corner where we could survey our gorgeous surroundings while catching up over our little pots of soothing tea. I even took my {lovah} back a few weeks later to indulge in tea and scones all over again!

Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse 1770 13th Street Boulder, CO 80302 (303) 442-4993
Images | Styling by Lauryl Lane. Shot with the iPhone 4, square images processed with Instagram.

Perfectly Poached Eggs

To poach an egg perfectly: Crack an egg into a small bowl or cup and let sit. Fill a saucepan with about 3 inches of water and a generous splash of white wine vinegar. Bring to a low boil, then turn the heat down so that the water is very gently simmering. Using a slotted spoon, stir the water rapidly in a counter-clockwise motion, and while stirring, use your other hand to tip the egg into the funnel created in the middle of the water. Remove the spoon just as you slip the egg into the water. The spinning motion will cause the egg to fold into itself as it solidfies. Allow the egg to cook for 2-3 minutes or to the desired "doneness." Remove the egg with a slotted spoon and place it on a piece of paper towel or on a sieve to dry for a few seconds before serving.

Image | Styling by Lauryl Lane.

natural mood enhancers

More cold, rainy days here in Colorado. I won't lie- the weather here depresses me. Locals like to talk about how sunny it is, but they are clearly not from Southern California! I never thought of myself as a sun-worshipper since I'm fair-skinned and have always had to make a concerted effort to shield myself from the sun's rays. Yet after only five months of living in Denver, my doctor informed me that I was Vitamin D deficient! Who knew? I'm looking forward to lots of travel in sunny regions in the days ahead, but for now I'm trying to use bright flowers as mood-enhancers in lieu of sunshine. You've heard of pet therapy, right? Well, how about some flower-therapy instead? I've heard it can cure a multitude of woes!

Images | Floral Design | Styling by Lauryl Lane.

beauty in the heart of texas

The San Antonio Botanical Garden is a veritable playground for nature-lovers. My grandparents spend their winters in San Antonio, and every few years I join them there for Thanksgiving. I tend to forget that Texas is so far south, so the lovely weather in November never ceases to surprise me. I've visited Botanical Gardens across the globe, from Singapore to London, and the San Antonio Botanical Garden remains one of my favorites. From the formal gardens to the plots representing plants native to Texas, this beautiful 38-acre garden reserve is a tranquil place for a long walk with family or friends. It's also home to a yummy bistro and a gift shop brimming with treasures for your favorite gardeners!

Images by Lauryl Lane.

the proof is in the baking

Although there are many excellent choices for a morning coffee in East Los Angeles, I find myself drawn to Proof Bakery over and over again. It's a short walk from my old home in Silver Lake, in an inauspicious shopping strip in Atwater Village. Proof is rather tiny, with seating for little more than a dozen people, but it's utterly charming with it's dark walls, light floors, and marble-topped tables. I love to grab a latte (delicious!) and split a delectable chocolate croissant and a slice of quiche (the flavors are constantly changing) with my husband, whilst sitting in the window, people-watching - and occasionally waving to neighbors also out for a morning stroll. Proof Bakery is one of the many reasons I love L.A.-living, it's yummy, cozy, and totally community-driven.

Proof Bakery 3156 Glendale Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90039 (323) 664-8633
Images | Styling by Lauryl Lane.