1+1 = Masterpiece

This is what happens when two perfect worlds collide ~ a mini-masterpiece!

McDreamy's incredible photography 

paired with 

karey's ingenious words of magic. 

{via the sweeterie}

{Georgia} Grande Dame

Oh Savannah, you are the beautiful Grande Dame, The Hostess City of the South.  Your perfect twenty-one squares provide lush green vignettes to stroll through while soaking in the gorgeous architecture and design that began to form in 1733.  Even General Sherman must have been a bit smitten by you, for he left his flaming fury on the back-burner as he made his way through your stunning streets.  The older gentlemen and refined ladies mesmerize with their drawls as soft as velvet. Your history is as thick as the sobering humidity that surrounds your magnificence, and I look forward to being your guest again one day soon.

[images by Reverie-Daydream ]

{Georgia} Farm

Just as we seek out the current museum exhibitions when traveling, we always make sure to frequent our favorite local, organic delectable restaurants.  Farm 255 in Athens never disappoints with their make-your-tummy-happy offerings, and as you must know by now, I strongly support any artisan, company, or restaurant with a philosophy for making/keeping our beloved Mother Earth a blissful place of existence.

[Reverie-Daydream Images]

{Georgia} On My Mind

As we walk around the squares of little ol' towns, I'm reminded of history, Georgia's past ~ the good and the bad.  Deserted cotton gins, abandoned pianos, and empty brick buildings are forlorn objects that tell their own piece of the story. My thoughts find solace from Her motto of : Wisdom, Justice, and Moderation; words held dear to my heart and forever keeping Georgia on My Mind.   

[Images by Reverie-Daydream]

{Georgia} High

No matter where we travel, McDreamy and I always check the local art museum schedules to see what exhibit is currently on display, so you can just paint your own image of how excited we both were when we discovered Salvador Dalí's late works would be on display at the High Museum of Art.  

It goes without question that this incredibly talented man was a pure genius!  My mind is still trying to process the surreal 'worlds' I gazed upon for as long as I possibly could, and actually, my brain hurts from just trying to fathom the overall brilliance of Dalí.  Yes, my friends, this 'brain pain' equates to a great exhibit of one of the world's brightest individuals.

Thank you High Museum for adding such a bonus to our Georgia visit ~

[image by Reverie-Daydream]

{Georgia} Mansion

Ol' Southern Mansions are scattered all around Georgia ~ some are deserted with silent history as the only inhabitant while others are maintained and loved for generations.  We took a little drive through some quaint towns in Northeast Georgia, and this one particular mansion still stands with pride amongst grand pecan trees and flowering magnolias.  She's still a beauty, and I can only imagine her splendor during her prime ~ oh, if only those walls could talk!

[Reverie-Daydream Images]

An Invocation

I'm sharing a bit of peace and harmony over here ~ 

[image: yoga in Paris at 28 weeks pregnant with the crumb]

{Georgia} Peach

Did I ever tell you I'm a Georgia Peach?  Yes ma'am, born and raised in the South ~ sweet tea, pecan pie, bless your hearts, and endless how-do-you-do's ~ I'm a Southern Belle through and through, and I need my juice-running-all-down-my-chin peach fix, so we are heading to my sweet home Atlanta for a dose of heat with a big dollop of humid on the side (a definite welcome after ten San Francisco Summers!).

The crumb will be spoiled by all her grandparents (and great-grandparents), play non-stop with her cousins, and learn to chase 'lightning bugs' like the best of them (her mama is a pro!).  I'm looking forward to the memories that will be made and re-living my favorite summer adventures with one cute little bumpkin by my side!

[Reverie-Daydream Images]

City of Light

Last week, we took an 'art break' and headed to the city for the Impressionist Paris: City of Light exhibit at the Legion of Honor which is concurrent with Birth of Impressionism at the de Young. 

Of the over 150 prints, drawings, photographs, paintings, and illustrations, this photograph above along with one of the most evocative passages in Emile Zola's novel L'oeuvre (The Masterpiece, 1886) really spoke to my heart the most ~

Claude was quivering with delight, "Ah! This Paris!" he cried.  It's ours!  All ours for the taking!  Each one of them was thrilled almost beyond words as they looked on the scene with eyes that shone with desire.  Did they not feel glory being wafted over the whole vast city from the top of that Avenue?  Paris was here, and they meant it to be theirs.

[photograph by Charles Marville]

SOL Food ~

Okay my lovely peeps, it's confession time ~ the Reverie trio is completely addicted to Sol Food!  I can't get enough of their lemon-garlic dressing and café helados, the crumb is all about the oregano and garlic marinated free range chicken, and McDreamy is head-over-heels for the atmosphere and its I-don't-feel-like-I'm-in-Northern California-vibe!  

Sol Hernandez began serving her delicious dishes at the local farmer's market, and she was an instant hit. After a few years, she opened up a cool little restaurant in San Rafael.  Sol has a very dedicated clientele thanks to her incredibly delectable cuisine (which also is sustainable, local, and organic), so it wasn't long before location numero dos opened its doors.  Both restaurants look and feel like Puerto Rico:  colorful shutters and chairs, green plantains holding down stacks of napkins, and lively Latin music adding a hint of happy energy in most everyone who enters through the doors.

If only I could box it up and send each of you a taste of this Puerto Rican perfection ~ it's that good!  

[Reverie-Daydream Images]

~ Simple Things ~

The Simple Things in life are the true beauty, hope, and love of our existence ~ the list can and will change daily, but what is important is the ability to appreciate and indulge in these moments.  The incredibly wonderful and beautiful Christina, of the magical and poetic Soul Aperture, is celebrating her birthday today, and in honor of all the glorious things which make her heart sing, I'm celebrating her with a few of the delightful moments which make my days brighter and my soul joyful ~ 

* laughs from the deepest depths of your belly

* sunshine warming your shoulders

* memorable moments made with friends

* a warm cup of smooth coffee

* the way your body absent-mindedly dances to the beat of your favorite song

* the gentle caress of your beloved's hand

* blue polish on my sweet crumb's toes

* the way a perfectly ripened peach drips down your chin

* the fresh scent of rain on a summer afternoon

* a breathtaking sunset while dining outdoors

*  closing your eyes and making a wish

*  warm sand between your toes

 [Gaia and Isa ~ Reverie-Daydream Images]

Blackberry Picking

"At first, just one, a glossy purple clot

among others, red, green, hard as a knot.

You ate that first one and its flesh was sweet

like thickened wine: summer's blood was in it

leaving stains upon the tongue and lust for picking."

~ Excerpt from "Blackberry Picking" by Seamus Heaney

[Reverie-Daydream Images]

A PUBLIC Wish ~

All it takes is a vision, a group of like-minded people who put their thoughts, ideas, and plans of change into action.  A movement has started in the U.S. ~ one that not only benefits the environment but also improves health and socialization.  Europeans have proven this brilliant concept equates to a more civilized society, and now we are finally taking note.  

PUBLIC bikes is Rob Forbes' (founder of Design Within Reach) newest venture, and this design based business is on "a mission to help us reduce our dependency on cars and think more intelligently and artfully about the way we get around and connect with our cities and communities". 

I don't know about you, but this is one bandwagon I'm going to jump on ~ and yes, I've already picked out my PUBLIC M8 beauty (in Cream, please) and have added it to the top of my wish list.  

[Reverie-Daydream Images]

Laissez Faire

It's captured, the moment in time when she had her mama's gaze through her papa's eyes.

A moment when it doesn't matter what size bikini you are wearing, but just the fact that you are wearing one.

She rocks our world.

Our Summer will be fabulous.

Here's to a lovely holiday weekend filled with blissful laissez faire!

[Image by Reverie-Daydream]

Lavender Farm

Last week, we enjoyed outdoor adventures in Northern California with Sean's parents.  They have been traveling across country in their beautiful new RV (an eco-friendly, green machine by EverGreen), so we couldn't wait to rendezvous in the foothills of Mt. Shasta. 

One of the many highlights of our camping adventure was the Mt. Shasta Lavender Farm.  It opened to the public on June 12th, and although the lavender blooms were not at their peak of prime loveliness, the beauty of this seasonal destination was magnificent.  Truly, a gorgeous thumbprint of Mother Nature's glory!

[Images by Reverie-Daydream]

A Magical Wedding ~

There are weddings, and then there ARE weddings ~ Beth and Bill's special day of love uniting seriously takes the prize for the most magical and memorable wedding I have ever had the pleasure of attending (and being a part of!). 

Truly filled with organic bliss from the moment the invitation arrived until the bride and groom pedaled off into happily-ever-after.  Nature provided the backdrop to this perfect wedding ~ the ceremony took place within the organic vegetable garden which is grown with love by the Bride's mother and father [one of my favorite people in the entire world], a cellist playing the most beautiful music amidst the green bounty, turkeys and chickens adding their cheerful songs in the distant background, organic | local | seasonal food served underneath a 300-year-old Oak tree, and a stunning bride and groom so perfectly made for one another that one begins to believe that fairy-tales do exist. 

I was honored to bake the wedding cakes [3 vanilla cakes layered with lemon curd, 1 coconut cake, 1 chocolate cake with mocha frosting, and carrot cake cupcakes with cream-cheese frosting], and to see them beautifully displayed upon the Jadeite cake stands was a total delight!  Among the many details that made this love affair so special was the fact that everything was so natural, so real, so made-with-love | decorated with love | organized with love by the blissful couple and those who love them [and you must take a peek at the behind-the-scenes here]. 

[Images by Reverie-Daydream]

Through My Papa's Eyes ~

Dearest Papa,

I was given the blessed gift of your eyes,

To see this world around me,

My hope is that I will learn through you

The appreciation of all there is to see.

Will you teach me to see all the colors

In the world from an artist’s point of view?

And when I travel the world with you,

Will we share the joy of everything so beautiful and new?

Will you help me to understand and

Appreciate the differences among human kind?

Most importantly, will you please

Teach me to have a very open-mind?

As I take my journey along life’s path,

I hope you are beside me each step of the way,

To show me how to love, listen,

Dance, paint, laugh, and appreciate every day.

I look forward to the many times you will

Take me by the hand,

And show me all there is to see

Of foreign cities, seas, and land.

Because looking at the world

Through my Papa's eyes,

Must be this little girl's

Greatest prize.

Je t'aime,

Gaia Miette

[Reverie-Daydream Image]

Nature's Peace

"Walk away quietly in any direction and taste the freedom of the mountaineer.

Camp out among the grasses and gentians of glacial meadows,

in craggy garden nooks full of nature's darlings.

Climb the mountains and get their good tidings,

Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.

The winds will blow their own freshness into you and the storms their energy,

while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.

As age comes on, one source of enjoyment after another is closed,

but nature's sources never fail."

~John Muir

[Mount Tallac, 1880 - Thomas Hill]

Tomato Tart

Summertime means delicious tomatoes in great abundance!  After a morning of being outdoors, I've always been a fan of a simple tomato sandwich for lunch.  Sprinkling sea salt upon the fresh slices of juicy redness, adding a bit of basil, and settling this fantastic grouping upon a chunky slab of olive oil drizzled wholegrain bread = the best! 

And now that the crumb has adopted her mama's love for tomatoes (especially the heirlooms), there is always a bowl of this hearty fruit on our kitchen counter.  The other evening, I prepared a delicious tart, and it was absolutely perfect paired with a side salad.  Easy, healthy, yummy and a big hit ~ my defining elements for a great recipe. 

Tomato Tart

One Organic Pie Shell

1 - 1 1/2 pounds of cherry tomatoes

6-8 oz. goat cheese (softened)

2 tbsp. olive oil

1-2 tsp. sea salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

2 tbsp. fresh basil (roll like a cigar and cut into strips)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Toss the tomatoes in a bowl with olive oil, salt and pepper.

Spread goat cheese inside pie shell.

Arrange tomatoes atop the goat cheese.

Bake for an hour until tomatoes are soft.

Remove and let cool for 10 mins.

Sprinkle basil over tart and indulge while still warm.

[Reverie-Daydream Images]

An Exhibition

With great enthusiasm (and a heart full of loving pride), I am extremely excited to share the news of our first official photography exhibit! 

A collection of his favorite Italian images are now on display at our favorite local cafe, CIBO. 

Limited Edition prints from the Daydreaming in Italy exhibit can be purchased here.