faux strawberry shortcake

It's strawberry season! I am obsessed with strawberries, always have been and always will be. I like to prepare elaborate strawberry dishes, but when the berries are at their ripest, sweetest, and freshest, my favorite way to eat them is sliced with a little dollop of home-made whipped cream, sweetened with a tablespoon of local honey. Recently, I found myself with some hardened left-over scones, and I decided to make a little "faux" strawberry shortcake. I didn't have any cream on hand, but I put half and half into my hand frother, and within a few minutes, I had a totally delicious faux strawberry shortcake snack. Crumbled scones, slices of strawberries, and frothy creamer. Simple and absolutely delicious!

Images | Styling by Lauryl Lane.

simple garden roses

Garden roses are extremely popular right now for weddings and events, highly coveted for their variegated colors, full, luscious petals, ruffly textures and intoxicating fragrances. While the garden roses that are cultivated for cut-flower use tend to be very expensive, now is the time to cut and enjoy the garden roses growing in your yard... or your neighbor's yard! During the months of May and June, the rose bush in my yard in Denver went wild! Now I see the roses in Los Angeles are going crazy, too. They don't have a long vase-life, but they sure are lovely for the few days that they will last in water-- and they will fill your home with their heady scent!

Images | Floral Design | Styling by Lauryl Lane.

recharging at mount washington

Self-Realization Fellowship 3880 San Rafael Ave. Los Angeles, CA (323) 225-2471

One of my favorite tranquil spots in Los Angeles is the Self-Realization Fellowship on Mt. Washington. The property and Mediterraean-style building of the Fellowship were part of an exclusive hotel over a century ago. During World War I, the building served as a convalescent hospital for solders, but it has been the home of a spiritual community since 1925. The grounds are free and open to the pubic, and despite the close proximity to and view of downtown Los Angeles, it feels like it is completely secluded. The beautifully cultivated gardens are lush and green, and offer many spots for quiet contemplation or meditation. It is a serene respite from the fast-pace of city living.

Images by Lauryl Lane.

zesty lemon bars

Lemon bars are the perfect light dessert for these balmy days of summer. It's lemon season on the west coast, so this recipe will be perfect for my friends who have trees that are producing lemons at an epic pace. Fluffy and delicious, these lemon bars are best served with a cold glass of sparkling water or a black iced tea.

First layer: 2 cups flour 1/2 cup powdered sugar 1 stick butter, melted

Mix together, and pat into 9x13" pan. Bake for 20 minutes at 350.

Second layer: 4 eggs, beaten 2 cups sugar 4 tblsp. flour 6 tblsp. lemon juice zest from the rind of 1 lemon 1 tsp. baking powder

Beat all ingredients together and pour over the first baked layer. Bake an additional 25 minutes at 350. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and cut into squares while warm.

Images | Styling by Lauryl Lane.

punchy colors and happy flowers

When I had a few extra flowers after a recent shoot that I styled, I decided to make a small arrangement for my dining room table in an old Irish oatmeal tin. The tin would have rusted with water inside, so I dropped a clear water glass into the tin first, filled it with water, and then created the bouquet in my hand before placing it inside the doubled container. I love the bright, punchy colors and the mix of the refined, traditional roses with the textural berries, ruffled ranunculus, sexy anemones and cheerful poppies!

Images | Floral Design | Styling by Lauryl Lane.