Happy New Year!

Well, you can probably guess that one resolution this year is to keep up with my posts here on the SLP.  I've dusted off the cobwebs today from Brew Urban Cafe, one of the only places in Ft. Lauderdale worth paying quality time in front of my computer nowadays.  I've been searching for the  kind of coffee shop that I remember from my northern roots-- you know, the coffee shops brimming with personality and buzzing with the sounds of busy espresso machines?  The cafe where you can stare out the window when you're tired of looking at your computer screen and get lost in a great round of People Watching.  All I seemed to want to do when I come home from work these past few months was disappear into that buzz.  It's not easy to find it in SoFlo.  That's why I appreciate Brew so much.  

{Images via Brew Urban Cafe on Facebook}

I'll be honest, 2011 wasn't my favorite year.  Not in the slightest.  It's been the kind of year that made me feel like I wanted to crawl under a rock and hide for most of it, actually.  So that's why I am grateful for places that make me feel like I can disappear into a familiar buzz.  Brew has been my sanctuary, the only place in Florida that even remotely comes close to mimicking the cozy corner cafes that I'm used to from Boston and Ann Arbor.  It's fitting that I make my New Year's resolutions for 2012 here, and that I share it with you today.

I resolve this year to be better than all the rest.  I resolve to stop feeling like I'm constantly behind on work, to view the challenges I face this year as motivation to keep working for what I want.  I resolve to take better care of myself, and to revel in the small moments.

I hope you have a wonderful New Year. 

xoxo,
A

Cafe Style

I love this look for a coffee barmaid.

Coffee Time

The Loft Coffee House and Espresso Bar... new concept...  The inspiration?   One Shot Coffee in Philadelphia:

{All photos via google/1shotcoffee}

Long Time Gone

Been away a long time, not quite ready to come back.  Have new ideas flowing but just can't seem to get the courage to sit down and get them all down...

Bobbette and Belle

I came across a beautiful storefront in Leslieville, Ontario, a neighborhood just outside of Toronto.  What a lovely pastry boutique-- truly charming and a place I'd love to see!  I love the decor, the "open" and bright feel to the store, and the look of their delicious confections, of course.  Follow their blog here.

{images via Bobbette and Belle}

The Healing Power of Spices

There is no doubt that ancient cultures and civilizations in the East have appreciated the healing power of spices for centuries, but now we Westerns are coming around to unlocking all the health benefits of spices, too.  You may remember reading about my Saigon Cinnamon post {here}, and all the health benefits that it holds for you in just 1/2 teaspoon a day.  And that's just one spice!  The benefits of adding full-flavored, organic spices to your dishes instead of butter not only cuts down on fat, but can actually help cure you certain diseases, help give you more energy, and help you look and feel healthier.

With that said, you can imagine how ecstatic I was to walk through Barnes & Noble the other day to see this lovely libro lighting up the book table:

{via}

Dr. Aggarwal does an excellent job documenting and explaining the benefits of fifty different culinary spices ("culinary" meaning "everyday" spices that are not so esoteric that you'll be making a pilgrimage to remote villages in India for a one-of-a-kind species of red curry).  It's amazing to know that such a simple addition of flavor can undoubtedly bring peace and health to your mind, body and spirit.  I hope you consider purchasing a copy-- the information is priceless!


Book Description:

Breakthrough scientific research is finding that spices-even more than herbs, fruits, and vegetables-are loaded with antioxidants and other unique health-enhancing compounds. Studies of dietary patterns around the world confirm that spice-consuming populations have the lowest incidence of such life-threatening illnesses as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer's. Bharat B. Aggarwal, the world's foremost expert on the therapeutic use of culinary spices, takes an in-depth look at 50 different spices and their curative qualities, and offers spice “prescriptions”-categorized by health condition-to match the right spice to a specific ailment.  {via}

Buy it here!

San Francisco Inspiration

Some San Francisco inspiration for the SLP: the beautiful (no pun intended) CocoaBella chocolate boutique.  Just what part of the boutique was the most beautiful?  All of it.  No joke.  Every part of their design, straight down to the furniture legs at the bottom of their cash wrap had me swooning.

Don't let these pieces of art fool you, they're just as delicious as they are gorgeous.  My favorite?  The Venezuelan Spice by Christopher Elbow Artisanal Chocolates-- definitely the perfect balance of chili pepper, cinnamon and vanilla. I ate ummmm... about ten more than one :-)

{via}

{via}

Sabon Sabon Sabon!

The last few months have been such a whirlwind of once in a lifetime opportunities, some of which have taken me to my favorite cities.  I've had a blast visiting new storefronts and shops, gleaming as much inspiration as I can for the Spice Loft.

One of the biggest sources of inspiration for my storefront is Sabon, one of the best soap and bath product retailers in the world.  The pictures below are from storefronts in Rome, Tokyo, Chicago and New York.


What intrigues me about this shop is how they've managed to blend "old world" with "new and modern."  I find their displays breathtaking and neat, always impressive, and truly appealing enough to have someone just walking by take a long detour into their store.  That's the whole point on business interior design with commodity retailers, and Sabon writes the book!


Love these cabinets and the chandelier!

And what better way to try bath products than an old stone fountain sink in the middle of the store:

 {photos via coloribus.com and sabonlover}

A new week and new look!

 I'm back, renewed and refreshed!  I have a lot of new things happening in my life, and I can't wait to share them with you!

 
The most obvious change is happening here on this very blog... this beau-ti-ful facelift is courtesy of the very talented, patient, and hardworking Alaina Kaczmarki of Live Creating Yourself and LCY Graphics.  Alaina was able to take all the jumbled thoughts and inspiration pictures I sent her, and create exactly what I was envisioning for my blog and logo.  She's equal parts amazing blogger, talented designer, and patient mind-reader/magicianista extraordinaire!

I'm clicking my heels with the new look and logo design.  More exciting things to come!

Taking the Long Way, Taking the Long Way Around...

The crickets have been a'churping on the SLP for the past few weeks.  Just takin' the long way around...  coming back in the next few days, recharged and revived.

Loft Lovely

I don't know where I found this picture, but I love this cafe..  The vibe is totally low key, creative, with just a hint of the industrial loft feel.  Love it!

Happy Friday

Just an interesting perspective to think about over the weekend.  Happy Friday!
 

What I Want Wednesday: A Summer in Paris

Dreaming of a summer in Paris...

where I would eat these...

while drinking this...

after admiring this...

 

and waking up here...

 I can't wait!