For Our Mothers
May 05, 2016
I love Mother's Day, and not solely because I feel entitled to commandeer the day to spend it with my most beloved, but also because I am blessed with the most extraordinary mother. Truly, I could not be more fortunate. My mother is loving, supportive, nurturing, brilliant, beautiful, funny, quirky, talented, gentle, kind, tough-as-nails, independent, understanding...I could go on and on. We have had our differences, of course, as all mothers and daughters understandably do. Ninety-nine percent of the time, however, it really is a mutual admiration society. I am just as proud of her as she is of me, and I hope that when I'm nearly 87 as she is, that my children will feel the same deep love and respect for me that I have for my wonderful mother. So, with that in mind, I've chosen a few things to suggest as a gift for the mamas in your life. 
A stacking ring in a diamond or colored stone to represent a birthstone is always a lovely idea. 
Every mother I know is always thrilled by a new pair of earrings. 
These necklaces are simple and easy, designed to layer and enjoy. 
We have three lengths of 100% silk dressing gowns for you to choose from in Double Georgette or Liberty Print. The Aurora can be worn over a camisole and looks quite chic. Selene is perfect if you're after something luxurious, but not quite as dramatic as the full length Asteria. 
Organic, biodynamic chocolates and 100% beeswax and essential oil candles are always a special treat. 
The Spanish painter Joaquin Sorolla is one of my favorite painters. He often captured images of a mother and child, and I love this one. Painted in 1895, it commemorated the birth of the artist's younger daughter, Elena. I saw it a few years ago in the Museo Sorolla in Madrid, and it has stayed with me ever since. 
My gorgeous mother... Now that Axe is gone, going out to brunch for Mother's Day doesn't quite have the same appeal. For years we went to brunch at Axe on Abbot Kinney Boulevard, which was such a treat. I will miss sitting in the garden this Sunday with a steaming cup of ginger tea, surrounded by family and friends. I think this year I'll see if my children will make a family favorite, Salade Nicoise. It's something that my mother taught me to make when I was a teenager, and has evolved over the years into quite it's own thing when I make it myself. When I'm longing for the taste of my childhood, however, I make it this way. It's really more assembling rather than cooking, and you can substitute with whatever is on hand or inspiring, so let them surprise you! 
SALADE NICOISE
A stacking ring in a diamond or colored stone to represent a birthstone is always a lovely idea. Every mother I know is always thrilled by a new pair of earrings. These necklaces are simple and easy, designed to layer and enjoy. We have three lengths of 100% silk dressing gowns for you to choose from in Double Georgette or Liberty Print. The Aurora can be worn over a camisole and looks quite chic. Selene is perfect if you're after something luxurious, but not quite as dramatic as the full length Asteria. Organic, biodynamic chocolates and 100% beeswax and essential oil candles are always a special treat. The Spanish painter Joaquin Sorolla is one of my favorite painters. He often captured images of a mother and child, and I love this one. Painted in 1895, it commemorated the birth of the artist's younger daughter, Elena. I saw it a few years ago in the Museo Sorolla in Madrid, and it has stayed with me ever since. My gorgeous mother... Now that Axe is gone, going out to brunch for Mother's Day doesn't quite have the same appeal. For years we went to brunch at Axe on Abbot Kinney Boulevard, which was such a treat. I will miss sitting in the garden this Sunday with a steaming cup of ginger tea, surrounded by family and friends. I think this year I'll see if my children will make a family favorite, Salade Nicoise. It's something that my mother taught me to make when I was a teenager, and has evolved over the years into quite it's own thing when I make it myself. When I'm longing for the taste of my childhood, however, I make it this way. It's really more assembling rather than cooking, and you can substitute with whatever is on hand or inspiring, so let them surprise you! SALADE NICOISE
- Ortiz tuna packed in a jar of olive oil
- Pitted Kalamata Olives
- Chopped scallions, white and green parts
- Cherry tomatoes
- Haricot Vert, blanched and plunged into an ice bath
- Steamed or roasted baby red potatoes (or fingerlings)
- Hard boiled eggs (slightly underdone to keep the yolks bright orange)
- Mixed Spring lettuces or Bibb lettuce
- Lemon Vinaigrette: Juice of two lemons, splash of balsamic vinegar, freshly ground black pepper, pink salt + extra virgin olive oil