Modern Pineapple - Celebrating, Entertaining and Living Well

July 16, 2016

Caffeinating at Kensington Coffee

Hello! I’ve missed you so and promise the absence over the past several months has been because work has needed my fullest attention, to the point of being all-consuming. It’s been exciting though and I’ve launched big campaigns for social change with my incredible teams. Ben and I have also been traveling whenever we can with little weekends away, and took a very big trip in May that I’ll be sharing more about in an upcoming post or two.

Amidst it all, I’ve been trying to answer some very big questions I have of myself. They’re not ones that have just any one answer, but I’m hoping to narrow it down. Where do I think I’ll make the biggest difference in both my world and the bigger world? How do I want to grow professionally while nurturing my personal interests? Where do I see my family in five years from now? I’ve just recently turned 29 and feel like these questions need answering immediately. Does anyone else have this crazy sense of urgency? I’ve always been impatient, but this has gone to a new level. Of course, I’m proud of the choices I’ve made so far in life, but believe in the power of continued self-examination to make the best ones for my family now. Though that job is probably never done, I’m working through it to get the answers I need right now!

I’ve also been spending down time in our neighborhood. Especially Kensington Coffee, the sweet little shop that opened towards the end of the winter much to my delight. Now, the hours I’ve logged in coffee shops is obscene, starting with a little Starbucks where I used to spend weekend afternoons writing articles for the local newspaper while at Virginia Tech (hi, Roanoke Times!). I love the entire experience. Cozying up with the newspaper, a book, my macbook, or just my own thoughts with my hands wrapped around a hot ceramic mug with others around me is just sublime.

The lattes there are delicious and a great alternative to the chains we had prior to its arrival. The ambience is light and airy, and the staff are incredibly friendly. Their food is all organic, gluten-free and refined sugar free, but I’d skip it altogether and only pick up a cake (carrot is my favorite) if you’re in the mood for something sweet.

Kensington Coffee is located at 43 Kensington Church Street, W8.

April 9, 2016

The Golden City

Between Ben’s long hours and my incessant work schedule over the past few months, all we’ve wanted to do on the weekends is be in our neighborhood (and I have mostly refused to go anywhere if it requires taking the tube!). Finally though with spring hanging somewhere in the air, we dashed out of the city for a new one over the long Easter weekend. Our destination: Prague, a place that had been on my list for ages for its gothic architecture, ode to classical music, and ties to the Czech Republic through my maternal grandmother.

Praha is magical. We spent the weekend walking through the cobblestone streets, subsisted on klobasas, and listened to classical music at every chance we had. The city put on its Easter best, with festive osterbaums greeting us in little pockets of the city. Sunday was spent in Old Town Square, walking along the cobblestone streets, visiting with newborn lambs (really) and drinking underneath the Astronomical Clock. For dinner, we went to a sweet little restaurant called The Blue Duckling, which we started to laugh at because it seemed EVERYONE in our hotel had gone or was going, but it turned out to be a lovely time. Last year we spent Easter in Florence with my parents and I’ve decided it’s one of my very favorite times to travel in Europe. The cities are always in celebration mode for not only the religious holiday but also the signs of spring after the harsh winters.

Other highlights: dashing out of the rain into a cathedral for an evening quartet playing Vivaldi on our first afternoon and staying in a 14th century monastery-turned-Mandarin Oriental — though our room was “authentic” with wooden beams that we hit our heads on, twice. We went to the theatre for an evening ballet performance of Romeo and Juliet, visited Prague Castle and spent an afternoon at the Jewish Quarter. I mean, what a whirlwind. Aside from a slight bump on the head we couldn’t have had a better time.

It’s been awhile since we’d taken a selfie – us at the foot of the Charles River Bridge.

Ps – After seeing what felt like hundreds of people on the streets eating what looked like the most deluxe ice cream cone we’d ever laid eyes on, we hopped in line at Good Food Bakery near the Charles Bridge. We opted for the Chimney Blizzard: the iconic Czech trdelnik with bits of chocolate and served with a lemony-vanilla soft serve. Only afterwards when I was trying to remember the name of the traditional pastry did we learn it had already taken the internet by storm! x

February 27, 2016

Baking Banana Bread

Each week, I secretly hope we’ll have enough bananas left over to make one of my favorite foods: banana bread. And each week Ben eats them, taking one with him to work each morning. Finally after far too many weekends of being disappointed, I’ve altered my strategy. I bought a larger bunch than usual last weekend, knowing full well we couldn’t consume them all before browning. Yesterday, I walked in the door from running errands to Ben calling out from the kitchen, “Hey, welcome home. How is it outside? Oh, I’m going to toss these bananas.” I screeched and ran into the kitchen, bags in hand, to check they hadn’t already met their demise. Relieved they were still in the bowl, I looked at a bewildered Ben and said: “Don’t touch. I’m making banana bread tomorrow.”

Fast forward 24 hours later and we have the loveliest loaf of bread. The entire flat smells heavenly, like I baked for hours but really only spent 20 minutes putting together the batter. The recipe I use is from The Joy of Cooking, which has been in the book since 1946:

Preheat the oven to 176C/350F. Whisk together a cup and a half of flour, a teaspoon and a half of baking powder and a pinch of salt. In the mixer combine two-thirds cup of sugar, five tablespoons of butter and a dash of lemon zest. Add in two beaten medium eggs and three mashed bananas, mix well. Add in the dry ingredients and pour into a greased loaf pan. Bake for about an hour to 90 minutes, whenever the testing fork comes out clean.

Serve warm and with blood red oranges. x

January 1, 2016

And A Happy New Year!

Welcome to 2016! The holiday festivities have been plentiful and I am feeling renewed to start another year. Ben and I have been in the States with family since the week of Christmas, which has been delightful, and tomorrow start our return journey to London from Raleigh, with a quick stop in New York.

Today though, we celebrated the new year as it should be: with each other, with family and with delicious home cooked meals. My father-in-law put the Rose Bowl on the television, Ben drank whisky and we wrote down our resolutions — just one each, on cream Crane & Co. stationery and sealed to be opened on December 31. We started working on dinner together and opening bottles of wine once the sun had set. My family always served a traditional meal on New Year’s Day, including Hoppin’ John. A blend of slow cooked black-eyed peas and rice, the very Southern dish is meant to bring prosperity for all who eat it in the year ahead. There are a variety of ways it can be made, but here’s how I prepare it without bacon (which is more common), and adapted from a favorite Food52 recipe:

Kristen’s Hoppin’ John
2 cups black-eyed peas, soaked overnight
1 yellow onion, diced
1 green pepper, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
Olive oil
Thyme
Paprika
Chicken stock (or vegetable — really whatever you have on-hand)#
Cayenne
Salt and pepper to taste

Saute the onion in olive oil on medium heat until soft — about five minutes — and then add the celery and green pepper for another five minutes. Toss in a teaspoon of thyme and two dashes of paprika. Add the black-eyed peas and then chicken stock (I used two cups stock, two cups water), leaving to simmer for 30-40 minutes until black-eyed peas are cooked. Drain any excess liquid. Add tomatoes. Add dash of cayenne, and salt and pepper to taste. Serve with rice, piping hot!

Hoppin’ John (which my husband calls Jumpin’ Jack) in the making.

May your bellies be full of delicious food, and your new year filled with happiness. I, for one, am excited to see where this next year takes us. x

December 18, 2015

Wild at Heart

Wild at Heart blooms for a winter white wedding

So it’s nearly Christmas and soon the house will be filled with guests. I love a home with fresh things in it — and I don’t just mean you and your spouse! I’m talking plants, flowers, herbs and small trees. Anything that lives. Did you know just how many health benefits fresh flowers and plants can bring? Not only do they increase your happiness by seeing beauty around your home, but indoor plants are linked to boosts in creativity, better memory, reduced stress and bettering air quality. Not to mention if you have herbs on the kitchen counter (rosemary and basil pots sit next to our sink) you always have the freshest ingredients to add to your weeknight recipes.

I usually pick up flowers each weekend at farmers markets or Whole Foods to make my own arrangements, but if I’m looking for something extra special for the table I turn to Wild at Heart. Their arrangements are stunning and highly coveted around these parts. Nikki Tibbles is truly gifted, making stunning displays for society weddings, fashion label parties, and brand launches at Harrods. Their flagship is in Pimlico, but they have a little outpost on Westbourne Grove right across from Daylesford that I visit. (She’s also stationed at Liberty on Regent Street if you’re finishing your shopping this weekend.) I also follow along on her blog — and there are some excellent tips for holiday decorating if you have spent too much time partying this season and not enough getting ready for Christmas!

Wild at Heart
222 Westbourne Grove
W11 2RH
020 7727 3095

November 28, 2015

Thanksgiving for Two

It was around mid-July when we realised even with our European vacation scheme there weren’t enough days to take off work for my brother’s wedding, Thanksgiving, and Christmas back on the East Coast this year. Something had to go. And with that – our plans became permanent we would be in London for Thanksgiving. I may have cried a small river over the thought. It was my first time celebrating one of my very favorite holidays without my parents in 28 years. But I’m an adult, and as adults we would make mature decisions.

So with that, I got to planning. In October we put a hold on a turkey from Daylesford Organic in Gloucestershire (call 01608 731700 or thefarm@daylesford.com to place your order four weeks in advance of the day when in season) and my mom sent over traditional family recipes. There were two Ocado deliveries and a trip to Whole Foods. On Thanksgiving Eve I was so busy that when Ben walked in the door and asked what was for dinner, I exclaimed with my most exasperated tone how could he expect dinner tonight when I was making Thanksgiving tomorrow! (We made pesto over pasta. Light, easy and everything was already in our kitchen.)

There are so many ways to prepare a turkey but I’m partial to brining. It sat in the fridge overnight and was ready to go the next morning. By mid morning the cranberries were popping, the bird was just about to go in the oven, sweet potatoes were baking and the dressing was nearly prepped. The flat smelled like heaven. I kept pulling Ben in the kitchen saying Do you SMELL this? It smells like Thanksgiving! The holidays are here! (I have a very patient husband.) A couple hours later Ben carefully removed the turkey from the oven and I’ve never seen him prouder.

The beginnings of fresh cranberry sauce

By early afternoon we were sitting down to our first cooked-by-us Thanksgiving meal, saying what we were grateful for and toasting with Beaujolais. I’m partial and I think the hard work makes you love everything, but it was downright delicious. My favorite part always is and was the sweet potatoes with a crunchy pecan topping. To make them wash four good sized sweet potatoes and stick them in the oven to bake for 90 minutes (it makes them easier to pull the jackets off). Scoop out the flesh and put into the mixer with a quarter cup of heavy cream, quarter cup of orange juice, six tablespoons of brown sugar, dash of vanilla and a small hunk of butter. There’s a reason this is only made once a year! Mix together and spread contents into a baking dish. Then make the pecan topping with a cup of chopped pecans, brown sugar and slightly melted butter; mix together and spread on top. Bake for 30 minutes at 350/176 and serve piping hot.

The rest of the afternoon we called family wishing them a happy day and then spent the evening with a large group of American friends having a second, quite impressive feast complete with a maple bourbon pecan pie of which dreams are made. The only downside to all the fun was having to return to work on Friday! But then again, it was a Friday (and Black Friday sales have become popular here despite retailers feeling the day is officially ‘over’) so here we are at the weekend. It’s a beauty and we’re in the festive spirit. x

November 7, 2015

Personal Prezzies

So here we are: hello month eleven! This is the time I start thinking about holiday presents, though admittedly much doesn’t get actioned until several weeks from now. I’m mad about giving personal gifts – ones speaking to my mom’s love for entertaining or Ben’s running. It takes such thought and gives such a thrill when I see someone’s eyes light up with excitement as they unwrap something so them.

Enter Snapfish. My husband’s family has been using Snapfish for years to share pictures from holidays, weddings and various vacations with each other and extended family. He first introduced me to them after our very first holiday together: a three-day road trip through Scotland. We started in Edinburgh at The Balmoral and ending happily with long country walks and afternoon tea in front of a roaring fireplace in Isle of Skye.

As you might imagine, Snapfish offers a host of products to personalize with photos, from albums to calendars to ornaments. I partnered with Snapfish UK to create this sweet personalized coaster set of our travels together, featuring an iconic image from countries we’ve visited. Ben was surprised with them when they arrived, and we had fun matching memories of our trips to the pictures. It’s a thoughtful gift idea – simple to create and arrived within a week of order. Bonus: they’re offering readers 40% off the coasters through 23 November (use the code SFUK436). Wrap the stacked coasters in cellophane so the images are visible, tie with a velvet crimson ribbon and give as an extra gift this year, whether for a holiday party or to add under the tree.

November 1, 2015

A Happy Halloween

With our happy Jack!

One of the best pleasures of the weekend is Ben and I can be home as much as we want. I think I’m a bit more of a homebody than he is, and many weekends we do choose to visit with friends or travel, but some of our very favorite ones are when we spend the weekend around our home. Yesterday being Halloween, we woke up lazily, reading the paper and sharing a pot of piping hot coffee talking over our plan for trick-or-treaters in the evening.

In London, Halloween is a very civilised experience. Kids can only knock on doors and ask for candy from decorated homes, so Ben got out the ladder and I started orchestrating. Hang higher here! A little more tape there! The only snafu was when I tried to plug in our orange string of lights I had ambitiously and incorrectly packed in our shipping container last year, and realized it was an American plug. Ben has promised new lights for our next year’s setup. Our flat smelled of cinnamon and pumpkin all afternoon as I baked a loaf of pumpkin bread, and then started slow roasting lamb shoulder in red wine (a Daylesford recipe and one to keep!).

We got to carving, which really means Ben assumed his power stance and pulled out his favorite kitchen knife. I drew the lines for him to follow – a top with a long panel down the back for easy scraping and lighting of the candle and a goofy Jack o’Lantern face. We’ll never be the scary house people because well frankly it frightened me as a kid! We were some children’s very first homes yesterday their parents told us teary eyed taking their pictures and videos as their little dragons and princesses gingerly put their hands into the bowl to take out a Mars bar.

After sitting outside on our front stoop sipping on glasses of pinot noir, listening to Halloween orchestra music (yes there is such a thing! YouTube for hour long playlists), munching on roasted pumpkin seeds sprinkled with Old Bay and handing out candy that went in less than 90 minutes, we came inside for the melt off the bone lamb and more wine. It’s hard to believe, but we doubled our candy from last year. There are so many families that come to Palace Gardens Terrace it’s hard to draw the line on how much to spend as it can cost a pretty penny around here for Halloween candy. I think next year we’ll import from the States.

We’re seeing Spectre today. Has anyone else already caught how dashing Daniel Craig looks in this one? (A controversial topic, but I think he may be my favorite Bond. The gorgeous Tom Ford suits help.) I can’t wait to see the intriguing Monica Bellucci either. Though secretly I’m just dying for a big bag of popcorn and to sit in the cold theatre. This evening we’ll head to the Mall Tavern for a last warming meal of the weekend before it’s back to work on Monday! UPDATE: The new Bond was spectacular. It got two thumbs way up from us – and I now have a girl crush on Lea Seydoux. I’m also on the hunt for that gorgeous silk number from arguably one of the best scenes (I want to dish but won’t spoil any of the film for you!).

Ps – I’m feeling more like myself than I have in ages. I’ve settled into my job and run into friends around the neighborhood. I can competently give directions around the city to understandably confused tourists (it’s the little things! and I’ve been there – it’s hard) and feel like Ben and I have really come into our own being here. We have traditions now and are feeling quite like the little family we are.

Halloween with my guy, who kept replenishing the candy bowl (and the wine) from inside all night.

October 5, 2015

Nailed It

October! You are here and I’m grateful. This month brings much excitement (Paris! Frieze! Supper club!) it’s leaving me exhilarated. Not to mention, it finally means I’m switching into reds for nails and am just tickled to see the color returning to my fingertips.

Nails are such a personal reflection on your style, non? In my more neo-traditionalist ways, I follow trends while staying true to my more classic tastes. You won’t find blue on these fingers again — I made that mistake years ago, wearing a bright aqua (anyone remember Essie’s Turquoise and Caicos?? It was SO COOL back then) to my brother’s graduation from college. Naturally, I chose a monumental family occasion. I wound up hating it – with photo evidence – and my mother was horrified. I think about it every time I think about purchasing the latest too vibrant hue and it stays on the shelf.

My toes remain a consistent red throughout the year, though the shades may vary. For my hands, I gravitate towards darks in the winter, a neutral palette in the spring, and summer I go au naturale, keeping them shiny and buffed (they need to breathe! give them the summer off). But this — this is my favorite time. Everyone is back from chasing the summer sun and you can paint your nails (and the town!) red. A devout NARS supporter, I tend to go for Jungle Red, Torre del Oro or Chinatown, shown above. Jin Soon also makes a gorgeous version called Coquette, and at holiday time, I love Butter London’s vibrant Come to Bed Red (and the name! cheeky).

Now how to make the most of your mani? Buy your own bottles for easy touch ups at home. Keyboards make it terribly challenging to make the manicure last these days and ask for three coats at the salon. Yes, three! I read it somewhere a few years ago and thought it was just brilliant. Be patient. That extra coat seals the deal, and with your own polish you won’t need to worry about any dilution in the paint itself. And did you know that it actually takes 12 hours for your nails to set? Then you should run your fingers under cool water as the last coat of armor. I usually go to the salon in the afternoons, so when I wake up the next morning it’s one of the first things I do. There you have it!

Ps – I’m utterly addicted to Cherry Bombe and have been pouring over the pages since picking up this issue at McNally Jackson last month in New York. I’ve loved Christina Tosi since the start of cereal milk ice cream at Momofuku, and as you may suspect, the mag supports strong, real women. This edition is all about pet projects, and chasing that side hustle really does make you feel more fulfilled (and reading the stories have reinvigorated me with mine). x

September 13, 2015

Brilliant Balloons

Good morning! It’s a beautiful Sunday here in London, and I’m home with a cold. It was one of those that came overnight, aggressively and without reason. It’s given me the chance to make homemade ginger tea with honey, read a number of articles I’ve had saved, and get used to my new hair length (two inches shorter that looks like four and feels like a world of difference).

Yesterday afternoon we went to Covent Garden, where 100,000 white balloons have filled the high ceilings of the market’s south hall. Designed by Charles Pétillon, the balloons en masse are a striking site, with white lights pulsating behind the giant balloon cloud to resemble a heartbeat. He agreed to do this as Covent Garden, when it opened in 1552, changed the landscape of the area and was really the heart of the town, much as urban markets still are today. It’s his first installation outside of France, and he is known for using white balloons to add playfulness and bring a different perspective to otherwise mundane structures. We learned this in a nearby small pop-up gallery with photographs of his other works. (“Cloud Computing” was my favorite.)

The installation is only on for four weeks, and ends September 27, so make haste! Make an evening of it by going around the corner to the London outpost of New York institution Balthazar for champagne and plateaux de fruits de mer afterwards. Fines de Claire oysters are sublime! x

With shorter hair and selfies galore.

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