Eataly - Oil Tasting

On Saturday evening I was invited to Eataly for an "Olive Oil Uncovered" class with Nicholas Coleman. In the class Nicholas taught us how to taste oil and the Executive Chef Alex Pilas made us dishes that the oil complimented. Olive Oil tasting is so similar to wine tasting. Nicholas goes to Tuscany every year for the "harvest" at a small villa and helps pick and clean and then take to the mill to press the oil. The best olive oil that you should be looking for has a D.O.P label on the bottle (Italian: Denominazione di Origine Protetta English:Protected Destination of Origin). DOP is a guarantee for you, the consumer and you can be assured that the whole product process, from the rough material to the final bottle, has been executed within the specified area which is known to provide quality olive oil.

How to taste Olive Oil: The oil usually is placed in a blue small rounded cup, placed and cuped in your palm with both hands and swirl for 40 seconds. This will warm the oil. Then basically you slurp and swallow slowly.

As the oil slid down the throat the peppery taste made some cough.



Place setting in the classroom (La Scuola)


In between tastings you take a sip of sparkling water and a slice of apple to clense the palate


Wild King Salmon and Spanish Makeral (Raw)

Oil Used: ROI: Cru Riva Gianca - from the comune of Poggi, a province of Imperia, in Liguria. This oil was very light and sweet. Not sugar sweet but a delicate balance of taste and a very slight taste of pepper. This oil is wonderful for fish and vegetables where you do not want the flavor of the oil to dominate the dish.
$39.80 at Eataly

bruschetta with tomatoe

Oil Used: Frantoio Franci: I.G.P Toscano- from the regionMontenero d'Orcia in Tuscany. This oil was "grassy" and distinctive peppery notes. This was the first of the robust oils which are wonderful for bread dipping (my favorite) and salads, as well as cutting through rich sauces, meats and soups. $24.80 at Eataly

Chef Alex Pilas preparing the soup


Tomatoe Soup thickened with Tuscan Bread

Oil Used: Frantoi Cutrera: Primo D.O.P. Monti Iblei - from the region of Chiramonte, Sicily. This was the strongest very peppery as it slid down the throat. I found is so facinating that as you taste it on bread or on the food it does not taste like pepper. Eataly and Mario Battali's Restaraunt Otto use this oil the most. The olives for this oil are harvested really early and picked green. It is known for its robust, green tomatoe and peppery profile. This oil is great with seafood, vegetables,pizza and pasta.
$34.80 at Eataly

Gelato With Oil - 4 milks from local farms

Oil Used: La Mola: D.O.P. Sabina - from the region of Sabina Rieti, Lazio. This is a round, mid bodied oil with soft buttery undertones or grass and a slow building peppery finish. This oil has a balanced structure so this oil pairs well with both meats and soups, yet remains light enough for grilled fish and fresh vegetables.
$17.80 at Eataly

some products made from olive tree's


container to store olive oil


Nicholas Coleman (Oil Expert, Me and Executive Chef Alex Pilas


Just a few of the 70 different varieties of Olive Oil Eataly sells


This was the goodie bag that had some great gifts and 3 olive oils

Pink Saturday Angel Love

Happy Pink Saturday dear Angels, Male and Female! I recently received the above "Angels" as gifts and had to share them with all of you! Please hop on over to Beverly for "How Sweet the Sound's" blog for more Pink Saturday fun!

This was one of the many gifts that my awesome friend Cheryl sent me for Valentine's Day. She found her at Home Goods and painted her pink added a pink glittered collar and a glittered hear as wings....and look at the GORGEOUS crown she made for her! Stop by Chery'ls Blog (Nouveaux Portmanteau) She is having a BIG giveaway. I promise it will be great. If you follow you will get an extra chance to win. No worries I am not entering..lol



Natalea from (Kandeland)sent me this handmade by her, pretty necklace as a "thank you" for Valentine gifties. She is such a dear,thoughtful,talemted,friend.



**I am sorry I did not get to post on anyone's Pink Saturday posts last week. I do not like to post tradgedy and sadness or too personal things on the blog. I feel that the blog is all of our escapes and I hope you forgive me! Will Visit you all, Happy Pink Saturday**

Pink Saturday - Pink Window Eye Candy

Happy Pink Saturday! I hope you all had a Fabulous Valentine's Day! I received some fabulous gifts and also the prettiest Pink necklace as a Thank You gift but did not have time to take pictures and post so I hope you will come back again to visit...I promise it is worth the visit back. They are awesome friends with wonderful huge hearts! I am busy purging and cleaning and do not have time to post and give it the proper shout out they deserve but wanted to participate in Beverly's Pink Saturday so I posted this adorable window design in Henri Bendel. Henri Bendel is directly down stairs from my job and it is so beautiful in there and always have the best displays. I love visiting. They sell make-up and fabulous accessories. (sorry for the glare and bad photo - there is light out when I leave work now..ugh!)

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentines Day! Here are a few things I made for friends.
I hope you have a fun filled day filled with Pink, lots of Love and surrounded by Friends and Family! xoox









These were gifts I bought from Vintage by Crystal

Park Avenue Roses - Pink Valentine Saturday

Happy Pink Saturday Valentine Weekend! Is it Winter in NYC or is it Spring? I was frozen as the wind burnt my face walking along Park Avenue, but the gorgeous Rose display from 57th Street to 67th Street just melted my heart. The Pinks and Reds were so bright the ladybug's were so darling perched on the stem. The Rose Display is going to be on display until May 31, so if you get a chance please visit. I know that the snow will be back and I will be on Park Avenue to take pictures of the snow filled roses! I think I need to have a Pink Saturday photo shoot on May 6 to celebrate my birthday! Oh I need to go shopping to buy some pink! The Artist that designed this display is Will Ryman. So my Pink Saturday Valentine gift to all who visit are these beautiful roses...I hope you enjoy them! Please visit Beverly from How Sweet the Sound and read all the Pink Saturday posts! Kisses xxxx









This is in front of a very expensive flower shop on Park Avenue!

Pink Saturday - Godiva Fifth Avenue Style

Happy Pink Saturday to all! Godiva Chocolates opened a fabulous store on Fifth Avenue. As you step on the sidewalk on Fifth Avenue you are welcomed and lead by a plush red carpet to a gorgeous window display of a chocolate desk, chocolate chandeliers and flowers. Once you open the doors and go through the rich red drapes you are welcomed by a man or woman holding a silver try serving beautiful samples. The store is decorated with red drapes and chocolate chandeliers and rows of pretty boxes with gorgeous flowers and a cute teddy bear ready to go home with you. I was so enamoured with the most beautiful Godiva chocolate mail box decorated with hearts and love! They explained that not all the stores are decorated this way. I hope you enjoy the eye candy my sweets!

Please head on over to Beverly's blog "How Sweet the Sound" for more LOVE and visit all the Pink Saturday sweets blogs! xoox

window display chocolate desk and sign














chocolate chandeliers


chocolate covered strawberries

Hello Kitty at Sephora

I love Sephora and I love Hello Kitty and I "LOVE" that the two teamed up for a limited edition make-up, perfume, mirrors, nail polish and nail art exclusive event! I wanted the hand held mirror, compact mirror and a necklace with perfume inside, but they were sold out at one location. I was like a little girl in a PINK candy shop. Click on SEPHORA and look at the other goodies. Do you like? I LOVE! xoox
This is a Hello Kitty face with cool eyeshadows and lip glosses.



A fun Pink Hello Kitty shower cap.





Nail gems, Pink nail polish and a small hello kitty perfume bottle. The perfume I used 100 points for and it is well worth it.