Cozy Sunday Night Movie

We finally saw the new Woody Allen movie “Midnight n Paris” and if you are a Woody fan as I am then I think you will LOVE this movie! And guess what, even if you are not, I still think you will love this movie!

Midnight in Paris has an incredible cast starring Owen Wilson who I really don’t even like! But I have to say although I’m pretty sure Woody Allen wrote this with himself in mind to play the role if he was about 40 years younger (!) Owen Wilson does a pretty good job of making neutotic and awkward charming. Still I could just hear the dialog coming straight out of Woody’s stammering mouth. Rachel McAdams is also good as perhaps many could but Marion Cottillard is perfect as the mistress of Picasso and so are the many actors (Adrien Brody) who play the great great artists of Paris in the early 20′s!

Allen newbie – Lea Seydoux (see her in the Prada “Candy” fragrance campaign.
Clearly a personal fantasy of Allen’s to be able to go back in time and mingle with Gertrude Stein, F Scott and Zelda Fitzerald, Picasso, Dali, Gaugin and of course Hemingway.

At the age of 75 and a career that has so far spanned so many amazing films, this is Allen’s highest grossing film ever.
Charming, interesting, romantic and beautiful. Oh yeah, and Paris.
Whats up next for Woody? Berlin with Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone – can’t wait!

Just Waiting to Have it’s Picture Taken!

Sometimes cozy things turn up when you least expect them. Like when I was taking one of my many walks around the neighborhood and decided to turn down the alley instead of the usual street. Not only did I get to peek into the backyard of many houses (yup, I’m a bit of snoop!) I met and had a chat with 3 very tall cats, saw lots of newly planted garden beds and then came across this topiary. Just sitting there. On a bench. Waiting to have it’s picture taken. By me. Like something out of Tuscany. Or a dream. Or Cozyland!

Seattle Sunshine is Cozy!

Wow, this is the kind of day dreams are made of! At least my dreams being the Autumn-addict that I am! Yesterday (Sunday) we took a walk into Queen Anne with jackets buttoned in search of coffee (and a birthday card). The right coffee is easy to find, the right card is another story….

I know the rain will come but so far my 3+ months in Seattle have included a lot of days like this with brilliant blue skies and white puffy clouds which are especially when seen over the Puget Sound.
And now that the leaves are turning colors it’s in my book, even better!

My girlfriend Valerie is coming into town this Thursday and we will have FUN rain or shine, but please please please let us have a couple of days like this!!!

Sunday brunch: The Coziest Meal of the week!

I just love Sunday brunch! Especially when it’s given by really good friends and you know it’s gonna be special! This past Sunday Marc and I were invited over to Miriam and Michael’s new house for brunch and as we wound our ways though Laurel Canyon the green of spring and the wild flowers growing all over the canyon just increased the sense of relaxation – so rare these day!

There is nothing like a spread of homemade quiches (asparagus and lorraine), fresh fruit salad, bagels with all the trimmings and the most amazing cloud of a coconut cake to make you want to reach for a glass of champagne. Wait, did I say that?!!! Yes, I did and that’s because Mimosa’s are Brunch 101 and everyone should know that!!!

Luckily Michael was whipping out some pretty good strong French Press coffee to keep us from entering that lovely but dangerous champagne haze – Miriam calls it the Laurel Canyon Lethargy syndrome (but Marc and I just had such a cozy spot on their couch…!)

Marc and I were the last to leave, honestly I could have stayed on and on just sitting at the dining room table chatting away but the day still called, always something to do, even on a Sunday. Miriam and Michael were expecting some last minute drop ins, perhaps there to finish off the coconut cake or have a later afternoon or early evening Mimosa.

That said, I think it’s fair to say that Sunday brunch is just a state of mind!

Thanks you guys, it was absolutely lovely and downright Cozy!

Cozy Cat of the Week: Chloe!

Chloe just posted these pics on her facebook account. She has 30 fans!

I mean who could resist of being a fan of this tiny little thing who certainly knows a thing or two about cozy! Sleep tight Chloe! Don’t let the bed bugs bite!!!!

Cupcakes and Wine: The coziest of Combos!

Everytime Marc and I go up to the Santa Ynez wine valley we discover something new and this time it was a really something special. While sitting in our favorite coffee shop I picked up the latest issue of Santa Barbara magazine and read a quick article about a party that happened at the Sarloos& Sons tasting room. From the list of celeb guests it sounded pretty swanky. I noticed the address was right on the main street running though Los Olivos. Marc and I usually don’t go to the tasting rooms, preferring to visit the actual wineries when possible but since Los Olivos is so tiny it would be impossible not to check out this new addition.

After breakfast we took a stroll around town and easily stumbled upon Sarloos. When I saw this sign I knew we were in trouble!!!

Inside was like a tiny jewel box! Everywhere I looked was something beautiful, especially if you like Vintage Modern as much as I do! This was not your usual tasting room, someone had really thought this out and taken the concept of cupcakes and wine, or wine paired to go with cupcakes to a new level!

Cupcakes with names like Chocolate Blackberry Syrah and Ginger Lime Chardonnay are paired with the wines of the Sarloos & Sons winery. You can order a “flight” of cupcakes like the picture above, don’t ask how we resisted, but we did. However, we did do a wine tasting and liked some of them very much. The labels are on par with the tasting room, beautiful and unusual each with a story. Check out this page on their website. Also like how they are into Social Media – this is one modern thinking winery. Wish other’s would jump on the bandwagon and update their sites. Hello winery marketing???

One of several gorgeous wine labels

Lots of beautiful treasures to look at!

even a little “retail therapy”… a highly dangerous combo with wine and cupcakes, right?

I loved this table made out of a silver tray

So, all in all a totally delightful new discovery. Maybe a little on the girly side, but let’s face it, if the wine is good and the woman is happy then guys, what’s not to like about that! Sarloos & Sons, highly Cozy and highly recommended!

It’s Lilac Season!

All you have to do is close your eyes and take a deep breath – you can smell that it’s Lilac season at the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market and they are everywhere! I love seeing all the people carrying big stalks of varying shades of lavender, purple and white. You just know they are going to take them home and beautify some corner of their house! What a breath of springtime!

And check out this picture from the Kilcoyne Lilac farm located just one hour north of Los Angeles in Acton.

Imagine what it smells like there? Sounds like a Sunday afternoon to me, VERY COZY!!!!

Cozy Geraniums: in full bloom

I had lunch with a friend a couple weeks ago, a fellow flower fiend. And one who also loves and appreciates Geraniums, especially the smell (she even once bought me a fabulous Dyptique candle with the scent of Geranium which I loved!). It seems it would be awhile before she would be able to actually see my garden so I decided to create this little visual aid and bring my garden to her!

I loved how all the petals looked and with the addition of the Mexican sage leave and mint leaves. The garden has filled in tremendously from the dirt patch it used to be. Here is what it looks like today!

Wish I had a better camera to really capture how many blooms there are! It looks much much better in person with lots and lots of flowers and maybe soon there might even be some stubborn roses! I am quite proud of it as this used to be first the dirt patch followed then by an unsuccessful tomato garden. Now it seems to be very happy and looks like it will for a very long time!

Check out the Nasturtiums in my patio garden I transplanted from around the yard. They have gone crazy and look beautiful! I love how they climb like a beautiful vine! Nasturtiums are an edible flower but I have yet to throw them into a salad. Not sure if Marc is ready for that…! Might have to wait for a special occasion but can’t wait too long, these blooms only last for so long and will be gone with the hot heat of Summer. Certainly am enjoying them now and the good news is they will be back year after year!

J.Crew Cozy

It is definitely Springtime and I love this picture on the JCrew homepage with this super waif model and tons and tons of flowers – beautiful!

Cozyland author has started a new and grueling job which is currently leaving her very very little time for blogging but have no fear, there will be a light at the end of the tunnel. For now, some short and sweet cozy posts to offer us all a little inspiration.

Bottom line, it’s Springtime – go out and dig in the dirt, get your hands dirty – now is the time! Plant a garden, whether its tomatoes, flowers, herbs or anything!!! The point is to just do it – you will feel better and have so much fun seeing the result!

P.S. After watching one of my heros Jamie Oliver do this I stuck some old potatoes with roots I had in the pantry into the ground and now I have 2 big potato plants!!! Not sure when to dig them up, not for a while, but what a fun project it is!

Book Clubs are Cozy: Lying: A Metaphorical Memoir

Well, the bad boys and girls book club was true to form the other night when although most people did show up, only half had read the book! What the what????

We convened at Miriam’s beautiful new house on Laurel Canyon to discuss the novel Lying: A Metaphorical Memoir by Lauren Slater. This was Brandy’s choice and since Brandy is now a reality TV star (The Amazing Race) she was unable to attend but everyone else was there: Elizabeth, Craig, Meredith, Sara, myself and of course, hostess Miriam.

And kudos to the group for actually having an interesting discussion on a book most had not read! The topic was the disease Epilepsy and the biographical story or a woman growing up with this disease. The novel is complex, dark, disturbing and bitter sweet. Also interesting and educational. Brandy if you are reading, please comment below as to what made you choose this particular book?

Comforting certainly does not describe the book but did describe the delicious short ribs and mashed potatoes with celery root that Miriam served. The food was perfect and everyone had seconds but did manage to just save room, as we always seem to do, for the lemon cake!

Of course anyone who follows our book club knows that lots of wine is consumed during these meetings and perhaps that is why our “casting” of the book we have read gets so darned creative.
Here it is, the casting of Lying: A Metaphorical Memoir

Lauren: Winona Ryder/stand-in Ally Sheedy
Mother: Anne Heche
Dad: Michael Stuhlbarg (from A Serious Man)
Piano Player: Michael Cera (our mascot)
Dr. Neu – Ho Chi Ming Ling Cohen
Her lover: Jeff Bridges
The Alcoholics:
Courtney Love
Brittney Spears
Lindsay Lohen
Brittney Murphy
Cory Haims
Both Belushi Brothers
Ben Affleck
Michael Vartan (we just want him in our movie)
Jeff Conoway
Matthew Perry
Steve Jones (from the Sex Pistols)
Keith Richards
Tommy Lee
Danny Bonoducci
The Racoon that ate Sara’s seafood delivery (not sure why, but who cares????)
The Writers Clinic:
Jennifer Love Hewitt
Keanu Reeves
Matt Damon
Diablo Cody
Jessica Simpson
Joyce Carol Oates
Jackie Collins
Ethan Hawke

Not sure how we’re going to afford our fabulous cast but that is the producer’s problem! And we never worry about that part anyhow, we have already moved to thinking and hopefully READING our next novel which is:

Mr. Pip by Lloyd Jones. Hopefully, Leslie might have to wrestle Craig to host this one as she is long overdue. The date is May 13th (uh-oh, Marc’s birthday) so we’ll see you around then!