Mlle. Cara's Profile

Display Name: Mlle. Cara
Personal URL: http://mlle.cara@gmail.com
Member Since: 11/30/07

Latest Comments...

Definitely cozy. My decorating style is more color with pops of neutral.


Minimal vs. Cozy: Which is More \"You\"?
4/7/13 9:32 AM

I love food and I love to cook. Last year, I dated a guy who was a supertaster. As he put it, most food just tasted wrong to him. While it wasn't the only issue in our relationship, it was certainly a factor on both sides. I will never forget the look of horror on his face when I drank a cup of black coffee--no cream, no sugar.

Now I'm with a guy who will happily eat whatever I cook and enjoys sharing food with me. It's so much better.


What Do You Do When the One You Love Doesn't Love Food?
2/14/13 12:28 PM

I was once at a wedding where I was seated with random friends of the bride and groom. Since very few people at the table knew each other, conversation was kind of stilted until the salads came. We were given two sauce boats of dressing--one was clearly ranch and the other was an odd pink color. After some discussion of what the pink dressing could be, one of the other girls at the table stuck her finger in it and proclaimed it to be raspberry vinaigrette. It may sound gross to people now, but at the time it was the perfect ice breaker. We were all much more comfortable with each other after that.


Dinner with Perfect Strangers: Topics and Techniques to Break the Ice
6/27/12 4:34 PM

Mel_Bell - Lipstick, lip gloss, and lip balm do not come off glasses in just hot water. No matter how hot the water is and no matter how long you soak, you still need some sort of detergent to completely remove all traces. I'm sure the soap does affect the taste of the wine but I assume that the traces of lipstick do, too. So I think that soap is the lesser of two evils.

Before anyone suggests it, I consider neither giving up lip goo nor giving up wine to be a tenable solution.


12 Things You Probably Own Too Many Of
6/6/12 3:42 PM

It's almost cruel to post a picture of such a lovely sofa when the company doesn't deliver to the US.


Fun and Fearless: Fuchsia for Interiors
3/12/12 4:05 PM

@Ben Win - It's from Sur La Table


Have A Snack, Boost Your Metabolism?
2/3/12 3:16 PM

@Tulpoeid - I love yellow and purple together! I'm sure it looks fabulous.


Little Changes That Make A Big Difference:
Living Room Update Ideas
1/30/12 2:17 PM

I always whip cream by hand because I think it turns out better. I also do small amounts of egg whites by hand because my electric hand mixer occasionally puts small dents in my copper bowl.


The How's and Why's of Whisking By Hand
1/26/12 3:53 PM

@Suzeh - Vernor's is good stuff.

I think I'm more brand particular than brand loyal since I tend to choose among a few tried-and-true options. I am partial to Hellman's Mayo (particularly the olive oil version), certain brands of Asian condiments, Method cleaning products, and Charlie's Soap.


No Substitute: Which Products Inspire Brand Loyalty?
1/26/12 3:43 PM

I'll second the Almond Roca--it's delicious. Also, Monin apricot syrup is surprisingly good in coffee, but it might not be the best choice for a large group.


What Are the Best Syrup Flavors for Mixing with Coffee?
Good Questions
1/11/12 4:20 PM

Segura Viudas Reserva Heredad is one of my favorite sparkling wines and it makes a great gift because it's so impressive looking.

Another great less-expensive option is Scharffenberger.


Bubbles Galore! Champagne & Sparkling Wines for Any Holiday Celebration
12/15/11 2:53 PM

My TV is out and all the seating in the living room faces it. However, even if I didn't have a TV, the seating in the living room would be in those exact same spots because that's what works best for the room.


Designing Your Space: TV, To Hide or Not to Hide
12/2/11 3:43 PM

Also, if your baking soda has lost its rising power, don't throw it out! It's still good for cleaning.


Holiday Cookie Baking: 5 Pantry Preperation Tips
12/1/11 3:37 PM

My mom and I split the baking. She makes almond crescents and her grandmother's recipe for butter cookies. I make apricot kolacky, cherry-walnut rugelach, orange lace cookies, and espresso meringues.


Holiday Cookie Platter: What Are Your Must-Have Cookies?
11/30/11 3:36 PM

I had the "Kids Are Natural Cooks" book! It has some pretty great recipes in it.

I also took a Pre-K class that was half art and half cooking. I still have a recipe for some no-bake cookies we made and it contains coffee. Not sure who thought giving caffeine to four-year-olds was a good idea, but they're kind of tasty nonetheless.


What Was Your First Cookbook?
11/17/11 3:13 PM

HCI - I too love jersey sheets. They're so cozy without being too hot.


Hot Sheet: Do You Flip for Flannel?
11/4/11 5:07 PM

I love green Chartreuse. And while I won't turn down a glass from an unopened bottle, the stuff that's been sitting around for decades really is better.


Cocktail University: Chartreuse
10/14/11 3:20 PM

I love everything about the first photo. I want to take that whole room and transplant it into my house.

Based on the flowers, though, it was taken in the spring.


Seasonal Color Inspiration: Orange Dining Chairs
10/13/11 2:57 PM

In addition to running cool water over the burn immediately, I also wash the affected area with mild soap. It's too easy to get an infection. Then if it still hurts, a little aloe usually helps.


Ouch! How Do You Treat a Kitchen Burn?
10/4/11 3:48 PM

It looks lovely, but I'm not sure about using art paint on a wall. I was gifted with a table my sister decorated with art paint (I think acrylic, but I'm not sure). After sanding it nearly to the wood, using two coats of primer and two coats of bright yellow paint, the outline of the decoration was still visible. Three years later, the very faint leftover color has leached through the paint and primer.


Mrs. Blandings' Hand Painted Chinoiserie Dining Room
9/16/11 3:51 PM