lemon-mint cake with lemon syrup: fresh, fruity and heavenly..flavors that will definitely flirt with your tastebuds.  i love the dense yet fluffy texture of this cake and its crunchy, meringue-like top.  you won't be able to eat just one piece!

for the cake:

• 3 eggs, separated
• 1 cup of sugar, divided into 1/2 cups
• 1/4 cup of vegetable oil
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
• leaves of 8 mint sprigs, chopped
• 1 1/2 tablespoons of lemon zest
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• butter & flour for greasing and dusting the pan

for the syrup

• 1 cup of sugar
• 1/4 cup of lemon juice
• 1/4 cup of water
• 1 1/2 tablespoons of lemon zest

directions

• preheat oven to 350 degrees; butter and flour an 8-inch round cake pan.
• using an electric mixer (like my simply adorbs pink kitchen aid one!) beat the egg whites to soft peaks; add 1/2 cup of sugar and beat until the mixture holds stiff peaks.
• in another bowl, beat the vegetable oil, the leftover 1/2 cup of sugar and salt.  add the egg yolks one at a time, then add the mint, lemon juice and lemon zest.  add the flour and gently mix until combined.  
• slowly add the egg mixture into the oil mixture using a rubber spatula.  spread the batter into the cake pan and bake for 40 to 45 minutes (until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean).
• for the syrup, combine the sugar, water, lemon juice and zest over medium high heat.  bring the liquid to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer until the sugar has dissolved.  allow the syrup to cool.
• to serve, drizzle the syrup onto sliced pieces of cake and garnish with a small sprig of mint.  serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an added creamy texture.  enjoy!

(thrifted camel-colored london fog trench; h&m fur collar/scarf; opal & diamond ring from mom's jewelry box; nails - essie's tart deco)

meet iPaddington jr., the newest member of my family!  i'm not sure how i lived without him before (yes, i'm one of those crazies who names her inanimate objects: camera = cammie and my iMac = mac n' cheese), but i hope we never have to part.  like any good, new mother, i wanted to give iPaddington jr. a nice home so i purchased this fabulous london tan leather case from julie boyles' shop on etsy before purchasing my iPad.  

the craftsmanship?  absolutely exquisite...all handmade, soft but strong leather, and extremely durable.  i am infatuated with the supple leather and heavy stitching of this case that i can carry under my arm like a fab clutch. at first i thought i wanted to buy one of julie's cases that garnered a ton of press in the springtime (the ones modeled after an interoffice mail envelope), but there was something about this menswear-inspired and incredibly chic case that had my name all over it.  did i mention that julie can actually put your name all over it? she offers free monogramming on most of her products, so of course i had to add that personal touch (and surprise surprise, a little heart).  

i recently went on a long, overdue beauty rampage to stock up on new products for the change in season (and it's effects on my skin!).  here are the stellar standouts:

1. nars bronzing powder in irresistiblement: golden shimmer diffused powder that imparts an unbelievable warmth, glow and contour to the entire face.

2. make up for ever hd microfinish powder to go: translucent and silky-smooth finishing powder. 

3. smashbox high definition concealer: a little tube of magic and my new fave concealer.  weightless and good-for-your-skin while hiding your imperfections.  how?  the formula contains cell-energizing ribose and soft focus pearls to revitalize skin and minimize the appearance of blemishes.

4. smashbox photo op under eye brightener: i can't believe i only started using this now!  put this magical potion under your eyes, on top your brow bones & right above your cupid's bow for an instant lift.

5.  laura mercier smooth focus pressed setting powder - shine control: lightweight and oil-free powder that controls oil and shine with a matte finish; the sheer light green shade corrects redness and leaves your skin oh so smooth.

i.  love.  lace.

(images via fashiongonerogue; see the rest from the rive et gauche libre shoot here)

vogue paris september 2010; photographers - mert & marcus; stylist -  carine roitfeld;

models - malgosia bela, daphne groeneveld, andrej pejic, & lea t. 

as i sit here bundled up in my warmest jammies and enveloped in my down comforter, fighting my very  first "summer" cold (thank you spastic sf weather)...i can't help but wish i was back in boracay where i spent a couple of glorious days last year.  often ranked as one of the top ten beaches in the world, the warm, turquoise water, playing volleyball in the soft, talc-like white sand and amazingly fresh seafood are things that i'll be dreaming of.  if only i had a time machine!

gotta love my title!  anyhow, while skimming the latest issue of nylon, i stopped on an article about one fanny bostrom - model turned artist extraordinaire.

aye aye skipper - mixed media on paper, 2008

saltash luck - mixed media on paper, 2008

watercolor on paper, 2009

red shoes - acrylic on canvas, 2009

mother of misfits - acrylic on canvas, 2009 

watercolor on paper, 2009

(images via fannybostrom.com)

her résumé includes illustrations for lula magazine and barneys ny (love and love).  mosey on over to her blog to see more of her whimsical works.

a couple of months ago, i assisted on a photo shoot for bleu magazine.  we spent the day shooting at the notably retro phoenix hotel in sf.  check it out...

(bleu magazine / summer 2010 issue)

Photographer: Billy Winters

Stylist: Pauline Montupet

Hair & Make up: Tamra Marie

Photo Assistant: Beth Barton

Stylist Assistant: Aleza Guiriba

Digital Retouching: Spilt Milk Imaging

Models: Alicia, Rodney Charles (LA Models), Jennifer (Ford), Maurice (Click)

(interior images courtesy of michaelmina.net)

michael mina's rn74 is a hop, skip and jump away from my office and its modern american fare and interpretations of regional french cuisine is the best thing to happen to the neighborhood.  from the unique menu to the gorgeous industrial and modern interior, this chic and sleek establishment transports you from the moment you walk through the doors.  you'll be captivated by the romantic, european train station environment and fall head over heels in love as soon as you take your first bite.

i come here often and luckily am able to sample the ever-changing, seasonal menu.  two of my current lunch favorites are pictured above: scrum-dilly-umptious grilled flatbread (topped with bacon marmalade, tomato, and pecorino) and soft-poached egg & sauteed pork belly (with fresh cranberry beans, charred tomato, and a crispy squash blossom).   there's nothing better (well, unless you're A and just experienced the real deal).  ;)

rn74.  301 mission street, sf.  www.michaelmina.net.