my momma's potato dauphinoise

While i can't believe i'm about to give out my mom's recipe, i also feel like humanity needs more of this stuff… consider it a holiday "good deed".

What you need (depending on amount of servings):

*potatoes  *whole milk  *sour cream  *swiss cheese

*parmesan cheese  *pepper  *salt

Normally, I calculate one medium potato per person (trust me, you'll want leftovers). Give them a good wash and peel.

While Grate the cheeses and slice peeled potatoes into 1/4 inch slices.

Now drumroll for the secret reveal... boil milk like you would water for pasta(yes, whole milk). Salt it, pepper it to taste and then put the potato slices in for about 45 min. Use a fork to see if they're ready (tender but still firm to handle).

 Layer the potato slices, add a layer of sour cream, salt pepper, swiss cheese & parmesan cheese. Repeat until you're at the top of the dish. Remember to add extra cheeses to the top layer for an amazing crust.

 Pop it in the oven at 350°F for about 15 minutes (or until cheese melts through). I precooked for a potluck party but you can leave it in until golden brown. Remember, everything in there is cooked so no need to worry.

Bottom line: You can't get this wrong!!!

*Happy Holidays*

printed comeback

Beloved food

My love for food runs in my blood (when in doubt, always blame your predecessors) and I've never been one to try and hide it–or not photograph it for that matter... so food + photo + (ok, i admit it) a little insta magic and voila!

Bottom line. this: 

"People who love to eat are always the BEST people" -Julia Child

des classiques

There are some movies that we've all seen, how could we not? they're classics, right? Crossed them off the list and feel we've earned ourselves the right to use that "you really haven't seen so and so!?" we hate to hear.

One day, in class, I realized I could barley remember most of the must-see movies. I knew I had to watch them again to form a real opinion... so I did.

I started off with three very different ones (two of them in New York, by no means a coincidence)...

Casablanca-

No matter how you feel about the French, If you don't at least get teary eyed with a lump in your throat when they play the Marseilles, you might want to check your pulse.

What I loved most: Ingrid Bergman's beauty, the Moroccan scenery, one of my all time favorite songs "As time goes by", Humphrey Bogart–all of HB and of course, one of my all time favorite lines "here's lookin' at you kid".

Breakfast at Tiffany's-
Anyone who's anyone in NY, loves a damsel in distress story with a happy ending... or just a love story in Manhattan with the chicest woman that's ever set foot on this earth.

What I loved most: Audrey's effortless chicness, independence, beauty and strength. spotting certain places in the city that remain untouched, the music (especially the "South American" music at the party), George Peppard–all of him... ohhh the 60s

Manhattan-
Woody Allen says "he romanticized NY out of proportion" about his character. Don't we all. I guess it's this city's gift, a way of survival. It has strange ways of making us feel obsessive teenage love for it even when it treats us like shit.

What I loved most: Have George Gershwin tunes playing with infinite, black & white takes of Manhattan and not much else matters. Diane Keaton being a hot mess (just wanting the married guy she can't have), people in NY having the exact same apt problems in the late 70s as we do today and just the relatable feel of the character's stories.

I (instagram) you, NY

my love for this city, instagrammed one shot at a time...

all in the details

These shoes–belle by Sigerson Morrison–were the highlight of my summer… neon wise, of course. People stopped me in the street to ask where they're from (never a crappy feeling).

My sister came to visit and brought me so much stuff! (yes, we love her.) Vintage sunglasses that match my hair! she bought them here (Happening Store in Mexico City).

My deep love of lists and questionnaires is fed for 5 years with this quirky book. Q&A from Anthropologie.

Another kind offering from my sister (yes, we love her): Bunny pillow from Rosie Music (artist from Mexico City too).

And last but not least. You know the schpeel: i love em. Bow bracelet from Kate Spade.

Moonrise Kingdom

If there were warning signs for this movie they'd read: Exquisite candy for the eye. Might want to adopt every single character (this includes Bruce Willis, yes). Can provoke impulse to go looking for this place. Possible post depression/failed intents to redecorate home.

This lovable movie takes place in a minuscule New England island with a population just as small. It's the summer of 1965 and there's an important storm coming.

Two misunderstood kids, Sam (Jared Gilman) and Suzy Bishop (Kara Hyaward) pen pals then lovers, make a pact to run away into the wilderness. This requires leaving scout camp for him and home for her.

When they go missing, the girl's parents (Frances McDormand & Bill Murray) and the boy's Scout Master (Edward Norton) have a local search party fan out to find them. As the adventure unfolds for the rest of the characters, Wes Anderson manages to show a different, more endearing side to each person and place. As previously mentioned, it might make you want to go looking for this wonderful place called "Moonrise Kingdom".

Bottom Line:

*Do or Don't: Absolute DO!

*With: Anyone who appreciates Wes Anderson movies (sense of humor is mandatory)

*Where: Any movie theatre, the smaller the town, the better.

playing dress up

I love my sister's style and I know I've said it a million times BUT I recently went home and (as usual) she surprised me with super cute outfits. Two stood out the most.

She wore this to go on a culinary tour downtown. Neon maxi skirt + super light beige knit + vintage cross body.

What I love about this outfit is the balance. A maxi skirt with a short, light knit. She let the skirt be the star of the show and used neutrals to compliment.

Second one is what she wore to a wedding. Just when I thought a world without mix&match outfits was utopic, she comes to the rescue.

Notice how nothing's the same tone (or style) yet it's it makes sense. Beige chunky sandals with lavender toe nails go perfectly well with a pale yellow lace dress. Add an envelope clutch and vintage ray bans to complete the look.

An updated Betty Draper meets… well, my sister! So chic!

What Cannes I say?

Ok, here it goes. Before I started taking a closer look at film festivals, I thought I knew what I needed to know about the ones I need to know.

Cannes = France, hipster actors, european indie films, big european celebs support the arts.

Toronto = No clue, really

Sundance = Indie films with big celebs in remote parts of America

Tribeca = Robert de Niro, indie films that will become big thanks to rich exec producers who live in tribeca.

We could do this forever. Fact is there's millions of festivals each year, important ones too. But not exactly my point.

Cannes resulted to be a place where movies as deep and dark as Baad el Mawkeaa (After the battle) debut alongside Madagascar 3 (Yes, as in Chris Rock, Jada Pinket, Ben Stiller, etc) so this made me think it really is all about movies. No matter who you are, what your movie's about or how much it cost, it will be there if it has a place.

A particular one that caught my eye (and everyone's, i guess) was of course, Wes Anderson's Moonrise Kingdom (see in one of my next posts).

From the glamour of the stars to the interviews for the Today show and all my favorite magazines, I've changed my mind completely about film festivals in less than 6 months. Check them out! and don't be surprised when you see me covering one in the near future :)