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Saw two movies this past weekend, both which I really really enjoyed. The first one, The Intouchables I was supposed to see two weekends ago but plans changed and we didn't go, I was bummed. I was happy we got to see it and it did not disappoint. A wonderful typically European film that touches the heart and moves the soul. I so enjoyed it as I do many foreign films.
The second one, Arbitrage with Richard Gere and Susan Sarandon centered around a filthy rich but very corrupt wall street tycoon and the story rings true about what has gone on for so long, its well done, riveting and I also enjoyed it for different reasons.

There are two movies coming that I cannot wait to see! Besides Le Mis of course:) I have included the trailers because I am not sure they will be considered "mainstream movies' that you will see in every theater, but the previews have me waiting in bated breath to see them! Here they are....


RUST AND BONE..... 
 Seen anything good on your end lately? I have never talked about of all things,  a brush before,  but seriously this brush saved my hair:) I have the most sensitive scalp on the planet, ever since I was a little I cried and cried whenever my hair was brushed. To this day when I am getting my hair done I normally wash my hair at home before going to the salon just to avoid the dreadful shampoo/scrub  that so many crave. Well........this little brush is a miracle, I am not kidding! I venture to say I even look forward to brushing my hair, crazy? No, its incredible and for anyone who has a sensitive scalp like me or possibly girls with one....cannot recommend this enough. I call this the miracle brush but its real name is the wet brush.....the link is included under the picture. Yes, its that good!  http://www.mywetbrush.com/  I love to cook during the cozy season.....fall and winter. When its cold outside, nothing beats a warm something cooking away on the stove inside. I have posted about this soup before but its worth repeating, this is a very hearty soup for all you soup lovers. If could stand on its own as a meal, served with crusty french bread, yum! This is a staple in our home and it never disappoints on a cold wintry day.   

Pasta e Fagiole Soup

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons (2 turns around the pan) extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/8 pound (about 4 slices) pancetta, chopped (I do not chop it, it naturally falls apart while cooking)
• 1 (4 to 6-inch) sprig thyme with several sprigs on it, left intact (use sparingly)
• 1 large fresh bay leaf or 2 dried bay leaves (I use 3 fresh)
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1 small carrot, finely chopped
• 1 rib celery, finely chopped
• 4 large cloves garlic, chopped
• Coarse salt and pepper
• 2 (15 ounce) cans cannellini beans
• 1 cup canned tomato sauce or canned crushed tomatoes or fresh tomato sauce
• 2 cups water
• 1 quart chicken stock
• 1 1/2 cups ditalini
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• Grated Parmigiano or Romano, for the table

Directions

Heat a deep pot over medium high heat and add oil and pancetta. Brown the pancetta bits lightly, and add herb stems, bay leaf, chopped vegetables, and garlic. Season vegetables with salt and pepper. Add beans, tomato sauce, water, and stock to pot and raise heat to high. Bring soup to a rapid boil and then simmer. Rosemary and thyme leaves will separate from stems as soup cooks. Remove herb stems and bay leaf from soup and place pot on table on a trivet. At this point, once you have removed your pot from heat, set aside and then put in your pasta. The heat will naturally cook the pasta but just perfectly, not too hot..and will result in a soup with al dente pasta as it should be. Is anything worse than a great soup with mushy pasta? Let soup rest and begin to cool for a few minutes. Ladle soup into bowls and top with lots of grated cheese. Serve with bread and enjoy......this is a real treat!

Its fun sharing the results of which Would you choose and this weeks was particularly fun, so want to know who took top prize? Well there were several who vied for top spot, and a few ties. I am happy to say everyone got at least one vote, I was feeling sorry for poor Steven Spielberg but finally he got two votes, so he can sleep tonight:) Here's the top four......... Bill Clinton with 25 votes Princess Diana with 23 votesThomas Jefferson (oh yea)  with 17 votesLeonardo Da Vinci and Meryl with 15 votes And Mother Teresa, Maya and Coco were right behind Leonardo in a dead tie.
A fascinating bunch to say the least! Did you know Isaac Mizrahi came out with a shoe line? I fell in love with these darling pumps, am a sucker for anything with bows. Love the combinations...ordered them in two combinations and will likely keep just one unless I happen to fall in love with both. Aren't  these so much fun? Shop  news......a few of the planters/statuary items are being phased out and some beautiful new pieces added. Two of the new additions are pieces I already own and love!  All new ones will be added as of tomorrow. This is one of my favorite lines, so versatile and love that you can pick them up and carry them around, the look of real stone with the ease of fiberglass. These will all be offered in one of six finishes, so you can truly customize it to your liking! Click here to visit my shop. I cannot wait to fill mine with sprigs of holiday greenery and pinecones! 

The popular white moss finish

Love this pine cone topiary....ordered a pair in the white moss finish, so perfect for a holiday console table! Stands about 22" tall.

  Napkin rings...oh those napkin rings are such a hit. It is so funny because as soon as people get them they want to order more. They are like a healthy addiction.  They are one of those things you have to see in person, to feel and touch, they are truly special. I got in a few new styles. I cannot wait to set my holiday table with these babies! Here's a few of the new ones....... 

Another adorable version of an amimal conga line

   You know I love showing off my customers homes that are featured in "Your enchanted homes" on my store site where I feature my customers homes and the items they bought from me, here's a few new additions..pretty gorgeous! Click here if you want to see the rest of them. Keep em coming!  

Love this amazingly beautiful vignette....soooo pretty!

 

Hi there, hope you had a restful and happy weekend. Ours was pretty relaxing I must say.....and yesterday I got to spend the day doing very little which was a mega treat. I actually made spaghetti carbonara, a decadent 'once in a while" treat and pistachio ice cream sandwiches which my family DEVOURS. So it was a good day...and when you have great food in the mix, that's kind of the perfect finishing touch! I also want to say how very much I enjoyed reading over all your answers yesterday......fascinating!! I made a short list of movies that I haven't seen that rank high on the list for you.....love those kinds of exercises! Thank you for participating.

 This morning I am so excited to be over at Jennifer's super chic blog, The Pink Pagoda. If you love chinoiserie, all things blue and white and fabulous design then you are going to just loooooove The Pink Pagoda. She asked me to guest post for her popular "Blue and white Mondays" post and the subject had me tickled pink to step aboard. Here is just a sampling of her "beautiful with a capital B" work that is all available for sale...you go girl! Please do stop over to visit my post and say hello and discover a blog that you won't be able to stay away from! See you over there and thanks Jennifer!


I mean can we just talk about fabulous this blog header is! Think that sets the tone.....(click on the header to head on over)







And some of her amazing prints, stationary and of course those totally fabulous iPhone cases.....talk about making a beautiful statement!