Blackberry summer.

PUBLICITÉ: The Kooples.

Cute couples are even cuter when they match.  Having a similar aesthetics in a wardrobe makes a couple look stronger and more connected (we're not talking matching terry jumpsuits here).  Welcome the genius that is The Kooples.

Yes, I'm on a French roll...

The Kooples, barely a couple years old.  A baby, but a major fashion staple for the bobo's of Paris.  You may say hipster, but with that perfect tailoring, it's Parisian hipster.  An ad campaign that hasn't gotten old yet—a series of simple interviews with couples, decked out in Kooples—it's simply cool, c'est cool, that's all.  Just accept it, and buy yourself sexily tailored oxford shirt the next time you're in Paris.

les ailes.

Pastry chef Andy again.

Fresh rainy day start.

Purging the closet has only resulted in getting rid of several pairs of Abby Dawn jeans and a handful of dresses.  Baby steps.  What can I say, it's a very thoroughly tailored collection, curated since middle school. I go by 5 very simple rules.

Toss:
1. Anything that doesn't fit correctly. Meaning all the baggy men's clothes that doesn't help your figure.  Oversized anything isn't bohemian chic or Mary-Kate.  Same goes for too tight, you can always loose the weight, but if that means the rest of the closet is jeopardized for that one pair of skinny jeans...not worth it.
2. Clothes that are uncomfortable, itchy, scratchy, pinching...causing general uneasiness...
3. Unless it's a T-shirt or a nostalgic jersey or camp shirt, anything with large graphics or logos or words.
4. If it still has a tag on it, return it, and if you haven't worn something since you put it on in the dressing room 1 year ago, give it away...
5. That shirt you love so much but is stained, ruined, ripped, torn, accidentally dyed beyond repair.

Now onto less frustrating and depressing matters...

Beautiful rainy weather, nostalgic for Paris of course.  Effortless is always the word that comes up first when I think of french women.  Rainy days are their best dressed days.  And what's more french than a classic trench?

Unfortunately, still new to this style blogging business and having the worst time finding pictures.  Le sigh.  So here is one trench and we'll pretend it's in Paris.

keepthebeat.mango.com

à la fraise.

Beautifully created by Andy Jajja

Dear burger.

Salad:

-Boiled yellow beets

-blue cheese crumbles

-hazelnuts

-vinaigrette

Burger:

-venison

-garlic

-shallots

-thyme

-cinnamon

-salt&peppa

-cayenne

(really just spice the shit out of venison)

Garnishes:

-grilled yellow squash

-thinly sliced red pepper

-chipotle mayo (mayo, cayenne, anaheim chili pepper, lemon, salt, pepper)

A lot of ingredients, but super simple to make...no measurements necessary.

Don't forget the sweet brioche buns!

P.S. I'm only posting recipes if someone requests them...because I'm lazy.

Picnic.

Crisp mint leaves
float in soft
clinks of ice
tea.  A bright red
raspberry brew.

The perfect compliment
to perfectly triangular
minty green cucumber
sandwiches.

Tart and tacky
citrus tartlets
tickle our tongues
our cheek-backs
aching from
pinching sour.

Aching sour
pinching our
cheeks back.

Olive oil salsa.

à la grecque.

Escargo.

Terrine.