Nicole Garton

Seeds and Greens and Other Good Things

Nicole — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 17:20:11 +0000

A few months back I had the pleasure of attending Expo West (an eco convention in Anaheim), and scouted out all the coolest, tastiest, healthiest foods. Rather than doing a long list of products and companies here (which is forthcoming on a different outlet), I am going to start sharing my discoveries in a sort of anecdotal form, with my reviews, and in some cases, giveaways.

So, yesterday, as it happens, one of my colleagues was snacking on granola and offered some to the rest of us. Another colleague declined, regrettably, stating that, even though she loved granola with yogurt, she was staying away from gluten, which oat-based granola is typically chock full of. We all kind of sighed, lamenting the sad states of everyone’s seemingly new allergies, and got back to work.

Only when I got home later – ! – I remembered I had picked out a few types of granola at Expo West, and decided that it would make for a nice early evening snack.

I reached into my bounteous sack of samples, and pulled out a simply-labeled pouch of “Purely Elizabeth” Pumpkin Fig Ancient Grain Granola. I read the label as I am wont to do as I eat, and was really (re)impressed by all the great ingredients. First of all, and quite serendipitously, I read that the first ingredient is certified gluten-free oats! As I kept reading I saw how much thought and care was put into the creation of this little tasty mélange.

Here’s the full list of ingredients: certified gluten-free oats, organic coconut palm sugar, organic raw virgin coconut oil, organic raw pumpkin seeds, dried figs, organic puffed amaranth, organic quinoa flakes, organic sunflower seeds, organic chia seeds, organic cinnamon, and sea salt. That’s it! (And aren’t they just ideal?)

Anyway, talk about rich in nutrients… and flavor! It tastes a little nuttier and grittier than boring old granola (the kind that has the text-book definition taste of “granola” that automatically equates with sugar). It’s not super sweet, but I liked it plain, and really liked the bits of fig that added a nice chewy component. I bet it would be amazing with fresh fruit!

If you’re looking for a new flavor in your life, especially if you have gluten sensitivities, taste this granola! You can find it and other Purely Elizabeth products at select stores across the U.S., but you can also order it directly from their website.

What I’m Doing This Weekend

Nicole — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 02:10:01 +0000

At Almine Rech Gallery, Paris

There’s always a lot going on in Los Angeles, so here’s what I’ve got in mind for the weekend.

Friday

7-9PM Opening for Ball-Nogues‘ Yevrus installation at SCI-Arc

My friend Allison and I helped Ball-Nogues prep the inside of an empty Silver Lake kidney-shaped swimming pool for this project. I’ve got the Turtle Wax stains to prove it, too.

Saturday

7AM Morning swim

11AM-5PM Opening day of Made in L.A. 2012, the first Los Angeles biennial.

This exhibition is the joint effort of UCLA’s Hammer Museum, LA>

4-7PM Opening at TENOVERSIX of Alika Cooper’s WOMEN/works ON PAPER, curated by Yaoska Davila.

Sunday

10AM Picking out fresh produce at the Malibu Farmer’s Market

2PM- Bridal shower for my cousin’s fiancée in Orange County. I’m in charge of games!

Thinking of giving her these from Faire Frou Frou.

Monday

7:30PM Whit Stillman’s Damsels in Distress at Cinefamily

Limited run, starting 6/1 (with in-person appearance by the director himself!)

Spontaneous fling

Blind Barber

What’s on your list?

First-Ever Listening Gallery Opens in Los Angeles

Nicole — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 19:58:17 +0000

Richard Avedon

I had the opportunity to check out Sonos Studio before its grand opening, and I have been telling everyone I meet about it since.

It’s basically a gallery custom-built for music listening, enhanced with acoustic design and pretty much all the amenities a music-lover could want: comfy couches, excellent speakers, video screens, a coffee bar, and get this – even a skateboard lending library… customized by Natas Kaupas, no less.

Anyway, they are open and free to the public, but have RSVP-only events from time to time.

Read my article about it (with pictures!) in the Huff Post Arts secion here. What do you think — is it time we give our headphones a rest?

**Featured image is in honor of Marilyn Monroe’s birthday today.**

Local’s Tip to Malibu: How to Deal with Wildlife

Nicole — Thu, 17 May 2012 15:33:07 +0000

Space Invader, 13th arrondissement, Paris

So, yesterday I arrived for work at Brown + Dutch and was greeted by the sight of Rigi standing next to a bucket holding a large wooden stick. A tree branch, really.

I got out of my car and laughed, “What are you doing – hunting snakes?”

“Yup,” he replied. “There’s a baby rattlesnake.”

Now, for all the snake sightings he’s had recently while taking the dogs out, I had never actually seen one myself. Brown + Dutch is located way up Las Flores Canyon, and the property abuts an old hillside vineyard, as well as a forested creek bed, desirable stomping grounds for any manner of wildlife.

Since working there, I had come across hawks, bluejays, hummingbirds, deer, squirrels, and lizards – all spied from the office window – and that was only during daylight hours. By night, misfortune left evidence of coyotes stalking neighborhood cats and rats infesting garages with abandon.

Even a few weeks ago, while the weather was still somewhat chilly, Rigi had seen what he had thought was a dead rattlesnake lying in the middle of the path along the avocado orchard. Bob, the dog, hadn’t even noticed it, but when Rigi and Alyson took the dogs out again later, the snake was gone.

I walked over to where Rigi was standing and peered down at the ground where the snake was huddled next to the main house. It was maybe only 8 inches long and no more than the width of my finger. It had curled up on itself and wasn’t moving.

Rigi told me that if we didn’t move, it wouldn’t see us, so we just stood there for a bit.

Baby rattlesnakes, in case you didn’t know, are actually more dangerous than adults. Apparently they don’t know when to release their hold after they bite, and so the venom continues to flow into the victim’s bloodstream. Or something like that.

Of course rattlesnakes are always a threat to hikers who tramp through the local hills, but dogs are especially vulnerable to attack, since they often don’t even realize the danger. Local veterinarians can administer rattlesnake vaccines, but I think it’s generally best not to get bitten in the first place.

Anyway, it was obvious that Rigi wasn’t going to be very effective with his branch, and there was no shovel to be found. Personally, we were all against outright killing the snake, as it could go on its little snake-y life somewhere else and not bother anybody. But with three dogs who would need to go for a walk eventually, something needed to be done.

So, I dialed 9-1-1.

It might seem dramatic, but actually the fire department is fully equipped to handle these situations, and their services (free!) come a lot cheaper than those of some special rent-a-wrangler.

When a firefighter eventually arrived, he seemed somewhat amused and yet sagacious in sharing his breadth of experience. Armed with a pincher-pole (the technical term) and a professional grade snake shovel, he confidently strode onto the scene.

I was somewhat disheartened by the sight of the shovel, and said, “We don’t really want to kill it – just have it taken somewhere else.”

To which he replied, “Well, that ‘somewhere else’ is going to be Heaven.”

And with that, he carefully extricated the snake from its resting place, and Hali and I turned away while Rigi watched the proceedings.

Then, it was all over.

So that’s one way to deal with intrusive wildlife.

___

Post-script: Waiting in my inbox at work this morning was an advisory regarding this year’s unseasonably high “bumper crop” of rattlesnakes. Yikes! Check here and here for how to spot and deal with these babies.

Introducing: “…A Joy Forever”

Nicole — Tue, 15 May 2012 21:13:48 +0000

Today I’m introducing my new column, “…A Joy Forever.” It’s a guide to indulging in the cultural zeitgeist, and hopefully it will help you add some more whimsy to your life.

Currently it’s available to read on Saatchi Online Magazine. The most recent post is called, “Shocking Pink… A Joy Forever: Incorporate Elsa Schiaparelli’s Signature Color into Your Life.” Saatchi Online curated a collection of artwork to illustrate the piece, and I’ve put together one of my own, available here.

Please let me know your thoughts… and if you agree with my art selections!

Los Anxious

Nicole — Mon, 14 May 2012 03:49:13 +0000

I’m finding it terribly difficult to write generally in Los Angeles. Perhaps because it is home, and because I am comfortable, all of my writing to this point has been for work or for direct correspondence. I drive a lot here. I barely walk anywhere. I’ve tried driving in silence and also with songs on repeat. I think better in voids, rhythmic voids. There is a lot of anxiety-inducing stimuli in Los Angeles, and I’m trying to break down their effect on me. The prospect of being late because of traffic. The prospect of getting pulled over for a speeding ticket. The prospect of getting stuck behind a slow driver, or run off the road by a maniac. The prospect of getting a ticket for talking on the phone when I am really scratching my face. Not finding parking. Not having money for the meter. Not having cash for valet. Not having a debit card on me for gas. Running out of gas without enough cash. Being late because I had to stop for gas. Parking illegally because there is no where else to park. The prospect of getting towed because I parked illegally. I am forever plagued by getting somewhere and all the barriers to arriving in a state of serenity. All the hoping and stressing leave little room for calm and reflection. I just want to walk and ride the metro and the bus. But then I’ll really be late because to take the bus from Malibu to the gallery where I work – it would take at least 2 hours to get there. In which I might actually be productive. Which makes the prospect both intriguing and appealing. However, unfortunately I never have 2 hours to spare because I am forever running late. I don’t have time to take my time. I think I should make time to take my time. Perhaps that time might give way to writing.

My Interview with VINGT Paris Magazine

Nicole — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 00:29:15 +0000

Back in August, the editor of VINGT Paris contacted me about participating in the magazine’s ongoing 20 Questions series. Though the interview did not post until after I had left Paris, my fondness for the city remains deep and earnest.

The complete interview appears below.

1. What initially inspired you to move here or visit?

I moved to Paris in order to immerse myself in its rich history, its cultural splendor, and its artisanal approach to life.

2. Earliest Paris memory?

Before moving to Paris, I had joined a friend and her family for a week’s visit over New Year’s. I remember emerging from the George V metro station alone with my suitcase, rising up the escalator onto the Champs Elysees, and taking in my first breath of fresh, French air. The grey dusk light gave way to the glowing pinks, reds, and incandescent whites of the Christmas decorations lining the boulevard, and I paused to marvel at it all, hardly believing I was really there.

3. Best neighbourhood you’ve ever lived in?

That remains to be seen, as so far I’ve lived in the 17^th, across from Parc Monceau; in Neuilly-sur-Seine, near the Jardin d’Acclimatation; and very soon I’ll be moving to the Haut Marais – all lovely places to live! I appreciate the proximity to the beauty and recreational aspects of the parks, as well as the safe, quiet evening atmospheres of both the 17^th and Neuilly, but I tend to spend most of my waking hours further afield, in the cinemas of St-Germain, the galleries of the Marais, and the cafés of Montmartre.

4. What’s the best meal you’ve eaten in Paris?

I have to mention two meals, one for its pure decadence and the other for its uniquely Parisian charm. For New Year’s Eve my best friend, her parents and I had a reservation for a very swanky rooftop restaurant with a view of the Eiffel Tower. There was a strange mix-up that resulted in our leaving the restaurant without dining and returning to the George V, where we were staying. As the hotel had played a part in the mix-up, they graciously offered us a reservation for that evening at Le Cinq, the hotel’s 3-star restaurant. What followed was about 9 courses of gastronomic heaven, complete with champagne, roses, gold leaf and a break between courses 7 and 8 to enjoy the firework display from the rooftop honeymoon suite. It was outrageously luxurious, utterly delicious, and the closest I’ve ever felt to being Queen.

The other occasion involved a barbecue that my artist friend hosted at the apartment she shares with her boyfriend. They have a cool set-up just off Boulevard Beaumarchais in which their apartment spills out onto a patio in the interior courtyard. I had no idea what to expect going to a Parisian barbecue, as little of what I’d experienced so far suggested it would be anything like an American one. Unsure of whether or not beer would be an appropriate addition, I decided to bring a bottle of champagne, figuring it could do no harm. By instinct or chance, champagne turned out to be the way to go, and in fact, I was not the only guest to have bought some. What I was not wholly prepared for was the appearance of an actual barbecue, on which my friend’s boyfriend began to grill steak and vegetables. When it came time to eat, he passed around alternating plates of meat and veggies, with guests taking individual morsels with their fingers and washing them down with champagne! No plates, no cutlery, just friends chatting and eating communally under the midnight moon. It was quite the mix of hi and low-brow, and in the end, no less delicious a meal than at Le Cinq.

5. Sexiest moment you’ve had in Paris?

An evening stroll on the arm of a certain gentleman through the streets of St-Germain.

6. What do you hate most about living in Paris?

Paying €20 for contact solution!

7. Who’s your favourite Parisian — be they living or dead, real or fictional?

Raymond, the charming lady-killer father in Françoise Sagan’s 1954 novel Bonjour Tristesse. His joviality, youthfulness, and unconventional lifestyle recall the enduring spirit of the Parisian avant-garde, disguised as handsome, bourgeois frivolity.

8. Favourite cinema?

I love the Action Christine cinema in the 6^thfor its fantastic classic film screenings, which appear in weekly dedications to a particular director’s œuvre or a theme that spans diverse genres. For contemporary arthouse releases, nothing tops La Pagode in the 7^thwith its gorgeous Salle Japonaise, a converted Belle Epoque ballroom.

9. Right bank or left bank? And why?

I’ve often pondered this question, and it seems to me that the clear-cut division between the Right and Left Banks, as the domains of royalty and bohemian intellectualism respectively, no longer persists. I think the balance is now more divided between the tony western half and the more experimental eastern half. This generalization applies to the art scene, as well: the west is home to the consumers of art, while its creators typically hang out in the east. In these loose geographic terms, I identify more with the east. Perhaps if I were born in Paris, I would have a better grasp of the two banks’ subtleties.

10. Favourite Caviste?

For his knowledge, enthusiasm and tasting events, I adore Nicolas Julhès. His eponymous cave and fromagerie are in the 10^th. There is also a great, well-priced wine bar in the 1^st, just steps from the Louvre-Rivoli metro station, called le Garde Robe that stocks an excellent selection of natural wines. I also must mention the fun-loving Olivier Magny, who created the hilarious Wine Rendez-Vous video tutorials and keeps a blog, Stuff Parisians Like. His wine bar, Ô-Château, just opened in the 1^st.

11. Where do you go to escape the city?

Actually, to escape I usually go to the American Library in the 7^th or the movies (hello, V.O.!) or I take a long walk in an unfamiliar neighborhood. I do love the countryside, though, and have been lucky to have been a guest at friends’ country homes. There are endless lanes for bike-riding, plenty of space for breakfasting alfresco, and no neighbors to bother with nostalgic campfire songs.

12. Where are the best looking girls or boys in Paris and why?

All the terraces of Paris at the hour of the apéro. French people have the most beautiful skin and it dazzles in the early evening night. Also, I fall in love every time I share the Metro with a young man in a well-cut suit on his commute home from work.

13. Where do you get your news?

I read the news daily on various newspaper websites, but I keep up with Paris happenings through Twitter and two great cultural resources: Go Go Paris and the Art for Breakfast newsletter from the Royal Monceau’s art concierge.

14. Favourite museum?

Gosh, I’ve been to so many great exhibitions, it would be impossible to pick a favorite museum. So, here is my pick based on its precious, ephemeral collection, as well as its relative obscurity: Le Musée des Lettres et Manuscrits on Boulvevard St-Germain in the 7^th.

15. Favourite shop?

I’m a fan of mixed-use spaces, so I would have to say la Belle Hortense, a tiny bookstore/bar in the Marais that is open until 2am. I found an English copy of À rebors there.

16. Who’s the most stylish Paris personality?

Strangely, the first people that come to mind all live or have lived in Paris, and yet none of them were even born in France…So, as I would like to credit the home-grown, I’ll say: all Parisian women over the age of 60. I have never met a one who was not a striking vision of chic!

17. What is your favourite film that is set in Paris?

The Red Balloon.

18. What about Paris most inspires you?

Its profound tolerance for whimsy.

19. What makes someone a Parisian?

A dedication to imperturbability, and by extension, an unabashed assertiveness when faced with the prospect of love.

20. What’s your favourite French word? (Swear words allowed!)

Magnifique!

Back in Los Angeles!

Nicole — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 18:04:07 +0000

I’ll be overhauling the site a bit in the next few weeks to reflect my change in location, but coming attractions include:

updated and complete Paris recommendations
lots more photos!
French-oriented places in Los Angeles
more stories!

Would you like Himalayan pink salt with that?

Nicole — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 18:32:19 +0000

Today I had the most amazing breakfast at Rose Bakery with my friends Megan and Nick who are in town this week. We stopped on rue des Martyrs before heading up to the Marché aux Puces St.-Ouen, and I finally made it to this famed English landmark!

While we waited for our food, the waitress brought us a wooden slab of whole grain bread with a tab of butter and a shaker of pink Himalayan salt. Truly! It was like stepping out of France into a whole new world of wonders! Though Paris has many delights of its own, things like soy milk, pink salt, heck – even Mexican food – are hard to come by, so many things I took for granted in California!

But, it seems the English are a little more clued-in to trendy health foods, and as a result many of these foreign imports are fast becoming hot destinations for both Parisians and ex-pats alike.

For breakfast I ordered an amazingly delicious muesli topped with orange juice-soaked shredded apples. I also had a blueberry scone and some English Breakfast tea. Megan had a yummy-looking fruit salad and Nick had the oatmeal.

Such a fun little stretch of cafés and restaurants near rue des Martys… I definitely will be back soon!

5 dozen eggs

Nicole — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 15:06:04 +0000

That is what Gaston, the fictional thwarted suitor-turned villain from the Disney version of Beauty & the Beast ate every morning. Raw eggs. Apparently, doing so kept him ‘the size of a barge’.

And today, I had my first raw egg. I don’t think it’s at all due to a seemingly-French influence, even though as I gulped it down with some pomegranate juice I thought of the offensive lothario. Mind you, I made sure it was a “bio” egg which means it was organic, and very unlikely to contain any harmful salmonella. It wasn’t so bad, and as I’ve read, it’s quite good for the health. I crunched away the egg-y taste with some bio coconut chunks. Overall a really weird breakfast, even by my standards, but it has served me well!

Anyway, I just wanted to make note of that. I’ve lived to tell the tale.

(Wait a second…. I’ve had raw eggs before! I love egg nog! That stuff’s loaded! And cocktails, too! Okay, never mind. But still, this seemed worse.)

Other amusements of late…

In a largely Wifi-absent state, I’ve had to resort to other means of last-minute diversions. This, when paired with a dying cell phone, makes planning an evening truly interesting!

These circumstances led to my recent visit to La Fidélité, which is a restaurant with an underground dance club on weekends. It’s in the 10th near Gare de l’Est, which is not really all that nice of an area. Which is not to say that it isn’t safe per se, but more like one can’t walk along Magenta very far without eliciting strange, undecipherable sounds from passersby. Regardless, the restaurant is really quite elegant, which doesn’t match the neon pink vertical sign out front, which I had somehow missed the first time I walked by. Classic French with high ceilings. Down below the Dj was playing fun dance music, mostly American standards from the ’80s, but the stuff adults were listening to, like Phil Collins in his angry years. (Which is an assumption, because I’m sure it was from before I was born). That and some “Frenchie” songs that everyone knows the words to.

I was meeting my friend Segolene there whose friend was Djing that night. At least that’s what I took “ma copine mixe ce soir” to mean. Due to my phone failure, I never ended up finding Segolene and the mixing mistress didn’t seem to know her. But, no matter.

Anyway, the crowd was an interesting mix of guys with Mr. T mohawks, girls with short hair and lots of eyeliner, and older men with aging women. (That is a strange statement: why are men ‘older’ and women are ‘aging’? I don’t know, but that’s the best way of describing them. How about, wizened old men and their gal pals?)

These danced and sipped their demi-litres of beer and I made a new friend who spoke not only French and perfect English, but also Italian, Spanish and (I’ll take his word for it) Japanese and Chinese. (Perhaps more, but I wasn’t taking inventory). He confirmed that most of the best Japanese restaurants in Paris are near the rue Ste. Anne and that even there one has to watch out for inauthentic fare prepared by enterprising Chinese. He said a simple “konnichiwa” upon entry is usually sufficient to ascertain the type of establishment one is dealing with. If looks of confusion (who doesn’t know “konnichiwa”?) answer your greeting, it’s best to move along!

From there I took to the streets (taxis having gone on strike) toward that very street (rue Ste. Anne) to join a birthday celebration held at a converted art gallery. I was surprised to find so many people I knew and to be greeted in such a genial fashion – kiss kiss, Salut, Ça va?

Later, outside on the curb waiting for a taxi I met a young man with a propensity for cheeky winks who reports the tennis news on channel 17 or 18 (depending on your TV, I guess). He definitely looked like a TV presenter with his olive skin and nice white teeth, though I think when he put on his glasses he looked like Clark Kent. He was such a comic-book character that I couldn’t take him seriously at all. Actually, he could have been Gaston on a pared-down 2 dozen diet, but pre-angry mob-leading days.

Anyway, later, after having left the birthday party for a more subdued affair, I met the TV reporter/James France-lookalike again just as the party was being overwhelmed with unwelcome crashers. As part of the crashing rabble, he decided to leave and joined me in search of taxis. The Marais after certain hours can be quite deserted, but thankfully, after 3 unavailable taxis passed (He said we were “hoping for a taxing, not waiting. Did [I] see the difference?”) my optimism came true and an illuminated chariot arrived!

*By the way, this fabulous Alain Delon mirror is in the toilette at Merce & the Muse, just above the sink. It’s a great little café and the bathroom was quite the fascination!

**There is absolutely no point to this post, but some of you have asked for updates, and so this is what I can offer without revealing too much of the innocent nameless.