So the story goes... I needed to go to IKEA. You must be wondering why, since I don’t need another napkin or tablecloth, dish or candle, or anything for that matter. But alas, we did need a new patio table. Pause a moment, to digest the thought that we are replacing our 17 year old IKEA teak table with the exact same table. Not only proving the enduring quality of some of IKEA’s items, but lo and behold, the table's solid quaility has kept it on their selling list after all these years. Since we loved it so much, why mess with a good thing. And that was what steered my vehicle to IKEA.
The brand, spanking new IKEA table. And it was the very last one standing in the aisle. I totally lucked out.
Now, I'm sure many of you have wandered through IKEA and know that there is only one route... the one they force you to take through the entire store. Naturally, on my search for the table, I picked up a few other items along the way. It’s one of those stores where you say, “oh, this is only $5, and that is only $3”. But by the time all your items roll down the conveyor belt into the big blue plastic IKEA bag you just purchased (again) to carry home your 'stuff', it is too late and the complete and utter sticker price shock of the final total hits, and hits hard. Every dollar truly does add up, my friends. It’s a brilliant tactic. Price a bunch of stuff low, creating a false 'inexpensive' buying experience and then when the customer hasn't realized it they just spent a fortune in your store. There is a sucker born every day, and I was born again on that day.
In filing up of my big blue bag, I happened upon blue and white dish towels. Why? you ask. Didn't I just say I don't need another thing? Well, because I am drawn to simple, pretty things. I can’t tell explain exactly why, but I absolutely adore the stark contrast of blue against white. Like a vision of some Greek village. It makes my knees buckle. So I bought two packs. I wasn’t sure if I would make pillows out of them. Use them as actual dish towels? Incorporate them into one of my apron designs? I just had to have them. It’s a sickness, I fully recognize that. Who gets swoony over dish towels? Apparently... ME.
I did none of the above with them. Instead they came to the rescue in another way. We were hosting a BBQ this past Sunday and since I was feeling quite under the weather I didn't have a tablecloth plan. Literally 1 hour before the guests arrived I still had decided what the table would look like. These dish towels would now become napkins that would grace my outdoor table-scape. I guess my hubby knew that blue and white swoons me because when I asked him to pick me up flowers in the city at Dahlia, what did he choose? Blue and Whites. It was fate.
3 arrangements lined the center table and created a harmony of blue.
As I unrolled the dish towels, I realized each one was a different graphic design, and if even possible, I loved them that much more. So my need for high contrast, plus my obsession with not being matchy-matchy was thoroughly satisfied. A cornflower blue tablecloth tossed down, white dishes stacked up in order of food served, topped with blue and white IKEA dishtowels twisted once pluse florals to repeat the theme... I’d say Sunday afternoon blues are feeling just fine.
A single, simple twist of the 'napkin' placed over the stack of dishes creates an laid back vibe.
LOVE LOVE LOVE the different graphic pattern and how easy and casual it makes it all feel.
Then for the menu, I pulled from some summertime favorites:
Appetizers
Zucchini Crudo with Shaved Parmigiano & Mint Oil
Tomato/Mozzarella Tarts
Cucumber topped with Smoked Trout & Sour Cream
Zucchini Crudo
Cucumber/Smoked Trout rounds are easy. Chop the trout into small pieces, mix with sour cream, using a scoop dollop onto a slice of cucumber and top with more sour cream.
Tomato & Mozzarella Tart
Cucumber topped with smoked trout & sour cream
InterMezzo
Steamed Mussels with ciabatta
Steamed mussels with herbs, garlic and wine.
First course
Pasta with fresh herbs & garlic, grated Parmigiano Reggiano & Roasted Tomatoes
Main Course
Grilled Iberíco Pork Shoulder & End Loin
Grilled Langostinos
Corn on the Cob
Nectarine/Corn Arugula Salad
Presa Iberíca and Pluma Iberíca are pork should and end loin cuts from Iberíco pigs. The pork is marbled with flavorful fat that melts in your melt like no other. You can buy them these frozen only at Despaña SoHo.
Large and juicy, langostinos on the grill are divine.
Nectarine and Raw Corn Salad over Arugula and Boston Lettuce with an orange/lime vinigiarette.
Dessert
Peach Cobbler
Honey Dew
Cheese/Fruit Plate
S'Mores
This is a recipe from Ina Garten
Creates a nice crust to crack into with warm peaches below, then served with whipped cream
It was a wonderful day filled with LOVE.
Food made with LOVE.
New friends and old friends full of LOVE.
And blues that make you the other 's' word - swoon.
The new white marble LOVE addition to my collection was gifted to me with love by Angelica. You can never have too much.
Love is is the air. Angelica and Marcos
JuanCarlos manning the grill, fortified with hydration. Photo credit: Angelica Intriago
Gathering around the grill with our friends from Bilboa, Spain: Ana, JuanFran, their daughters, and Cecila
Photo credit: Angelica Intriago
Who doesn't love the hammock. Also, in blue and white. Photo credit: Angelica Intriago
JuanFran, quite the chef himself, giving JC a hand. Photo credit: Angelica Intriago
We have the A-OK sign! Photo credit: Angelica Intriago
Amore!!! Photo credit: asithappens.format.com