My sister is really good at creating cozy little “vignettes” in her apartment. I loved spending time there this past weekend.

Buttermilk pancakes at Joan’s on Third. Chicken apple sausage and spinach egg white omelette at the Chateau Marmont. Yogurt with blueberries, strawberries and cereal at home.

We opened presents and ate banana cake at my house after dinner at Grace.

I really luxuriated in the baking of the above cake for my mom’s birthday. From Martha Stewart’s Baking Handbook, this two layer banana cake was wonderfully easy and very soothing to put together. Two layers of banana cake, separated by … Read More

Enjoyed some delicious sushi and a dirty martini at Gonpachi this week. Along with the authentic Japanese food, the setting is gorgeous and I love the peaceful garden out front.