Dissection Of A Menu: Creperie Beau Monde, Philly Edition

photography by so does estella 

 

I've fallen off the raw foods wagon and I'm eating cooked foods again, but with good reason -- Creperie Beau Monde! Situated in the Bella Vista neighborhood of South Philadelphia is this gem of gems. For me, it doesn't feel reminiscent of the small crepe stops in Paris, rather my favorite Southern California haunt, Le Creperie. In both places you're eating crepes in a restaurant that is clearly American and not really authentic, but somehow you don't mind it a bit.

Fare: Savory & sweet crepes both do the trick...I can vouch. Wins.

Interior Design: Carefully thought interior and exterior down to every detail. Wins.

Branding: On point. Have a look at their website. Wins.

1. Custom metalwork signage to die for.

2. Chinoiserie style wallpapered panels & crushed velvet drapery.

3. Casual patio perfect for a warm day.

4. Those details that I mentioned!

5. Gorgeous built in's at the bar in a dark finish.

6. Lemon sorbet and nutella dessert crepe.

From top to bottom, Beau Monde wins! It's nice to drive out to Philadelphia from New York on a whim, especially when you know delicious crepes await you.

What creperies do you recommend? And for the entree, sweet or savory?

A Photo Series On Enjoying Life: Part I

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A photo series on enjoying life: Part I, The Catskill Mountains

While I'm good at a lot of different random things, I started to realize that I wasn't so good at slowing down to enjoy life. I'd go from design project to design project with virtually no time to reflect and just be. Work essentially made me. I (naively) felt that persevering through huge (stressful) projects and undertaking demanding jobs meant I was successful -- silly, I know.

But recently, I've found a great place...balance. I'm making some exciting moves with the expansion of Pip & Estella and most importantly, I'm having fun doing it -- not forgetting to soak up life's goodness (and life's good vintage) along the way. I have a card in my desk drawer that I pull out every now and then. It says "Love what you do, and it will love you back." Word. 

How are you with just "being"? Does it come easy? Has it been tough? I'd love to know!

xx

Dissection Of A Menu: Dough

If you haven't had lunch yet, you might want to come back later. Fortunately and unfortunately I've discovered a bakery named Dough not too far from my apartment. Judging by my Brooklyn guide to The Best French Toast on Scoop Street and all of the gushing about my Baked book, you'd never know that I am actually pretty careful with my sugar intake but these donuts are godly. Oh, and I'm doing the 6:30 spin class, so I'm not feeling that guilty.

photography by so does estella

On the menu: Donuts, fruit iced tea, coffee & a small selection of dry goods.

Fare: Excellent
Dough is serious. Not just because they're fresh and sweet or any other combination of characteristics donuts should have, but because they've got baking down to a science. The edible amazements come in a slew of unexpected flavors including:

Chocolate & Earl Grey
Hibiscus
Lemon Meringue
Lemon Poppy
Chai Cream
Chocolate Chipotle
Blood Orange

Branding: Wins. Amazing Type & Logo!

Interior Design (as shown above): Wins!! Dough manages to be industrial, yet warm and cozy with a schoolhouse vintage feel.

1. Ivory plaster with contrasting exposed beams and simple signage with brilliant type.
2. A Blood Orange Donut.
3. Fading Sidewalk Chalkboard (illustrates their use of simplicity throughout)
4. The variety.

So the big question--are we eating the brand or whats on the menu? Both!  Dough scores in both areas. Have you been? Let me know if you plan to visit.

Vintage Swim: Balconies of Old San Juan

During the few opportunities I've had to sign in on Twitter, you asked where was I. Summer stay-cation! It was definitely tough to stay away from the blog-o-sphere. Then again, on the island where I spent most of my time, there was only one cafe in town that had wifi, so I guess I wouldn't have had have much of a choice. Let me tell you, I missed you guys and I'm happy to be back.

I would say that it were by accident that I ended up in Old San Juan but nothing happens by accident, right? A big mishap when traveling from Isla de Vieques back home, lead to an extended stay in Old San Juan Puerto Rico...then I fell in love.

 photography  by so does estella

The colonial architecture of Old San Juan blew me away. And since you can't really call anything that is colonial, vintage, we're going with Antique on this post title. On the trip I met amazing people, I realized that my Spanish verb conjugations need some serious brushing up and I imagined having a cup of coffee with fresh bread on a village balcony every morning during New York's guaranteed-to-be-brutal-again Winter. It might happen.

You know where I'm going with this...if you had to choose just one, which would you go with? As I pose the question, I'm trying to guess which one's I think you all will pick based on what I know of your personalities. :) For me, it's a toss up between #1 and #2. You know the girl has a weakness for  the teal! (Oh and for a bonus #1 has a view of Castillo de San Cristóbal, the Spanish Fort.)

Vintage Swin: Reclaimed Materials (& Country Living)

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about country living, but don't mind me -- this happens every year! I start to daydream about how wonderful it would be like to slow things down a little bit. No, we're not buying a farm, but what's the harm in wanting? For now, let us just admire the simplicity of life in the country and charm of a tin roof, worn wood and beautifully rusted hardware!

photography by so does estella

A couple of years ago, I couldn't help myself so we up and bought a house down south. Huge yard, old barn, and tons of trees. While it was great and we made wonderful new friends, I missed the hustle and bustle of NYC and the beaches of California. Sure, we could have visited those places more, but this was the whole point of having a house away from the city. It was supposed to be our new destination! Today, I'm in Brooklyn -- but with a country state of mind. :)


Photos:
1. Serenbe Georgia, Guest House
2. Serenbe Georgia, Barn
3. Glen Mills Pennsylvania, Cafe
4. Glen Mills Pennsylvania, Potters Shed


Are you a city dweller, who fits right in with apartments, skyscrapers and hurried pedestrians? Or do you prefer the charm of modest country homes built to compliment their landscape and provide a simpler way of life?  Both? Somewhere in between?

Vintage Swim: My Baked Book

Baked Explorations has bumped my other coffee table books to the bottom of the stack. I went to their book signing and I have to say, they were ever so gracious. Nice people always win!

I frequent Baked on the mornings that I'm actually on schedule. While I love their muffins, scones, etc, I also have a weakness for their new book,  Baked Explorations. Gorgeous-ness jumps out between text and each desserts haunt you, even after you've turned the page and laid eyes on the next recipe.

photography by so does estella, book photography tina rupp

Now, to seal the deal, photographer, Tina Rupp captures the essence of some of the most delicious, vintage-infused food styling you've ever seen. Some of the shots were styled with decor I have in my home and in the Pip & Estella shop. Isn't it fun when you spot items you have?!  Above are a few snapshots documenting my love affair with this book. I hope you enjoyed.

Based on all of your comments on the Wednesday Dissection Of A Menu Series, I know you all love to eat! But do you have a cook book that you swear by? Or, how about one you just drool over?

Par For The Course: Meandering Through The Chelsea Flower Market

 photography by so does estella

I have always been fascinated with flower markets. You forget you are in the city when amongst bushels of tightly packed greenery. Branches dotted with blossoms the color of pink frosting and moss peeking through crates wired shut--I'm just where I want to be.

Unless you have reason to buy wholesale, trips to the flower market usually mark some sort of special occasion. But of course that's no reason to forgo bouquets.

If you're in town and looking for flowers on the go, visit Kat Flower on select weekends at the Brooklyn Flea this Summer. I promise gorgeousness.

When it comes to flower bouquets, do you DIY? Or go for no fuss with pre-arranged bouquets? Ever tackled flowers for a special occasion?

Station Wagon Conversation: Kathleen Shannon

photography by so does estella

So, as you may know, I didn't blog at all last week. And now, I'm feeling like a guilty parent who missed their child's dance recital. Shucks guys! My apologies. The other part of my life called. The season of the show I work for began last Monday and my schedule is a bit hectic. Thanks for hanging in there with me!) Now on to the good stuff.

The story in pictures
1. Historic Hanson subway sign.

2. The ever-stylish Kathleen in the lobby of the Williamsburgh Savings Building.

3. An outfit too cute to not show you the bottom of.

4. A decorative mailbox from 1875.

Why I love her

She rocks big curly hair like nobody's business.

She's brilliantly creative, confident and going places - my kind of girl.

So the story goes...

Conversing With: Texas born - Oklahoma City resident, Graphic Designer (she designed this blog!) and Blogger, Kathleen Shannon.
Years Acquainted: Less than one but we're still young so we have dozens of years ahead to be friends.
Parked In: Fort Greene, Brooklyn
Her Next Move: Brooklyn Public House around the corner.
 

Conversation on being a creative with creative siblings

Sana: What was it like growing up with all creative siblings? I'm a little envious... (Her sister Tara is a Creative Director and brother Donny, a Sideshow Performer with his own variety of beer.) 

Kathleen: It just turned out that way. We grew up in Norman, OK. As kids we'd watch musicals and movies together like Pink Floyd The Wall...

Sana: Oh, so there was time for your imaginations to run wild.

Kathleen: Yes.

[Brother interjects] Donny: One Summer we watched Dazed & Confused almost everyday.

Sana: [Laughs] Could there be better movie choices?!

For a look at more of Kathleen's work (and style), visit her here.

Par For The Course: Sunshine

photography by so does estella

This is a shot I snapped inside the Sunshine Cinemas, one of my favorite places to be on a Sunday. Sunshine, I'm still waiting...


I was over at Unstitched yesterday where I said home is where I like to spend my Sundays. When that isn't happening, I opt for a little sunshine indoors. There is rarely a movie at this independent theatre that I don't want to see. Other pluses include yummy vegan cookies at the snack bar and gaze-worthy architecture. (Exposed wood beams that will blow your mind!)


I want to know - what's your favorite way to spend a Sunday? A matinee? The park? Shopping? I know, I know, it's only Wednesday but there is nothing wrong with day dreaming about the weekend ahead. Right?


(Oh! And since today is the first "Par For The Course" post, you may be wondering how I choose my post topics. You can take a look at the schedule here.)

Vintage Swim, Go With The Old: Terrain

photography by so does estella

For some reason, Vintage just looks good in a garden. It feels as if it belongs, blending into nature with ease. Case and point: Terrain, Urban Outfitters fourth brand which makes the pre-gardening experience even more enjoyable.


1. Vintage crates and wood stakes.
2. Dried Lavender Banner
3. Vintage Ball Jars as Candleholders
4. Vintage Trough At The Outdoor Cafe


After seeing a post about Brooklyn Day on Design Sponge, on a whim, I decided to head out for the day and I'm glad I did. I recommend a day trip to Terrain for anyone in the tri-state area. For others, their website is a great place to shop too. While I only have free reign over the front stoop, there is a ton I can do to gussy up the place. And for the inside, I picked up an old glass terrarium for the current dining room table along with  Tillandsia (air plants) for my living room mantle.


So I'm curious... how have you incorporated vintage into your garden/home? Flowers in old bottles? Do you have a green thumb or do you prefer of-the-moment flowers?

Vintage Swim: ABC Carpet & Home

The Dining Room Dilemma

This past December, we hosted a dinner party for ten at our Brooklyn apartment. It  wasn't until then that I began re-thinking my round dining room table  purchase. Yes, its white cutout criss-cross legs look great against the unfinished oak bookshelf, but really, I can't say it's the best for parties.  On a recent trip to ABC Carpet & Home, I found inspiration and everything but the table...

photography by so does estella

Because we don't entertain here that often, purchasing a permanent large table might not be the best solution either. I must confess that I often steal my favorite tablecloths from Pip & Estella inventory, but still, I envision a well-designed folding table coming to my rescue because there will be occasions where I want the surface to show.

It must be light enough to carry up stairs and narrow enough (when folded) to be stored in the downstairs foyer.

Is your dining area small? Large? How do you accommodate guests for entertaining?

Dissection Of A Menu: Berkli Barc

Dissection Of A Menu

photography by so does estella

On the menu: Butcher Block and Seasonal Sandwiches

Fare: Excellent

Berkli Parc...man oh man. Thank them for the sandwiches made with sprouts and whole grain bread. California cuisine is hard to find on the streets of NYC when you're on the go!

I could live in this cute little eatery. No, really, I could. The interior design melds modern and natural elements you may not expect from a Lower East Side cafe. And really, I am not sure that it can be classified as a cafe because it's so much more.

Branding: Wins. Look at that facade!

Interior Design (as shown above): Wins!! The blend of wood finishes and butcher block style configurations tie into their menu in theme, while glass cake plates with handwritten labels bring on the character. (In case you hadn't made your mind up already.)

1. Delancey Store Front with a minimal lowercase type used for signage.
2. Various pendants adorn the counter while this amazing piece hands above a farm table.
3. Simple stark white branches sit in a tortoise shell vase. (Where can I get one of those?!)
4. Ginger Bread, Apricot Scones, Irish Potato and Brown Sugar Coffee Cake are displayed on the cake plates I went crazy over. I mean, sure, bakeries have them but it's very unexpected in this space which is why I love it.

So the big question. Are we eating the brand or whats on the menu? Both! Berkli Parc scores.