Layla Grayce

(more…)

Perfectly located steps off the sand in Santa Monica lies Shutters on the Beach, a posh boutique seaside resort known for its luxurious guest rooms and 1920′s Cape Cod inspired d?©cor. Beach Cottage style furnishings and a gracious staff make this quaint hotel feel more like a warm, inviting upscale home rather than a stuffy hotel. If you are in the area, stop in for a farmers’ market-fresh casual fare in one of the two restaurants on the property. Superb ocean views and breezes create a delightful dining experience. We have selected a simple Mediterranean salad that takes advantage of the fresh ingredients available during the warm summer months from Shutters The Summertime Anytime Cookbook. The addition of a little protein (Shutters uses lamb loin, but grilled steak or fish would also marry well) makes this colorful salad hearty enough for a meal. Add a little crusty bread and enjoy an evening dining outside.

Sliced Mediterranean Lamb Loin Salad

Serves 4
Submitted by Tiffany Harris

• 2 teaspoons grapeseed oil
• 1 pound boneless lamb loin
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 4 cups mixed baby greens
• 1 English cucumber, peeled and diced
• 3 medium heirloom tomatoes, cut into wedges
• 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup pitted kalamata or nicoise olives, halved
• Red Wine Vinaigrette (below)
• 8 ounces feta cheese, crumbled

1. Heat a medium skillet over high heat until very hot. Add the grapeseed oil and swirl to coat bottom. Season the lamb loin generously with salt and pepper and add it to the pan. Sear the lamb until well browned on all sides and medium rare inside, about 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board, cover loosely with foil, and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing thinly.

2. In a large bowl, toss the greens, cucumber, tomato wedges, onion, and olives with about 1/3 cup of the vinaigrette (or more to taste). Arrange a mound of salad on each serving plate and top with slices of lamb. Sprinkle with feta cheese.

Red Wine Vinaigrette

• 1 medium shallot, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 3/4 cup grapeseed oil

In a medium bowl, whisk together the shallot, red wine and sherry vinegars, mustard, salt, and pepper. Whisk in the oil in a slow stream to emulsify. Adjust the seasoning to taste. Store refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Ah, summer weddings. What a joy they can be to observe and partake in. In these summer months often times a beach or coastal theme is featured, and part of the fun comes in seeing how each bride and groom interpret it and make it their own. Our hosts and dear friends carefully selected Marconi State Park in Northern California as their wedding venue due to its beauty and seclusion. The grounds are pristine and from almost every angle visitors have a view of the forest flowing into the bay. Our travels up the California Coast to the Park were littered with hawk, horse, cow and wildflower sightings. A perfect road trip for kids and families. Although the highlight of our wildlife encounters came on the grounds of the Park when we spotted two fellow early risers ?Äì wild jackrabbits.

Having the artistic flair that our bride and groom do, the peaceful setting was jazzed up with beachy vintage inspired touches. All boutonnieres and corsages were handmade by the bride herself with feathers and bits of lace straight from France. The ring bearer carried a large conch shell stuffed with rose petals and adorned with silk and antique brass baubles. And ?ÄúThe Dress?Äù was a sight to behold with its handmade corset top and layers of gathered silk in the skirt. Natural elements such as shells, sea glass, paper lanterns, and even driftwood were incorporated at every turn, yet each event space felt fresh and uncluttered. And as the bride and groom exchanged their vows amongst the enormous redwoods, a soft breeze brought the peace of the sea gently washing over us. It was a memory to treasure and a beautiful way to start a union.

Marconi State Park lies just 7 miles north of Point Reyes Station in the quiet city of Marshall, California on the east side of Tomales Bay. The rural countryside of West Marin County is adorned with colorful wild flowers, fragrant forests and sunny beaches.

There seems to be nothing more fitting as we enjoy the month of June than to share an amazing beach-ridden experience in the Gold Coast of Australia. Original and notable design is always worth sharing, and with pleasure I bring you an Aussie gem. In the midst of our travels we stumbled upon a darling café along the Harbor for breakfast, or “brekkie” as it is affectionately called in Australia. Not only was the brekkie poignantly noteworthy, but so was the café décor.

Brumbles is full of charm and inexpensive ideas to create your own beach inspired haven. In keeping with the roots of this converted cottage the personal touches are endless ?Äì tea lights, fresh flowers, French music, and even a reading room for guests that wish to linger. Outdoor and indoor tables were covered with random cut mosaic tiles with simple Bumble Bees inlayed for their branding. Each room had its own sense of personality, one striking memory being a wall with hand drawn geometric squares reminiscent of picture frames, and simple snapshots of frequent guests appliquéd like wallpaper. Imagine my surprise and delight when I noticed some all too familiar decorative white wall plates hanging in a private back room… they enchanted the space. Inexpensive crisp white paper mache?Äô lights hung from the ceiling and streamlined Danish style furniture filled the room. And amongst all these creative decorating elements ?Äì let us not forget that shells were in abundance!

If you are ever in the breathtaking Gold Coast of Australia, be sure to make your way over to Brumbles for an enhanced coastal experience. Relaxing ambiance, great service, fresh and healthy food, and genuine design vibe that will warm your soul… music to any traveler?Äôs ears.

~ Tiffany Harris
co-owner