My Villa Bisono French Toast

It's been a while...I know!   I couldn't help and come back and share my version of Alton Brown's amazing french toast I made for my sister Lyzbeth who just started her blog and my friend Yen.  We were not in the mood of going out for brunch, so I decided to treat them to my first attempt on creating french toast...and boy was it good!  For those of you that know me pretty well, I am a lover of french toast and I try to scout every NYC restaurant to try the best in the market.  I can't wait to invite more friends over and have them try this delectable french toast! 

Ingredients

• 1 cup half-and-half
• 3 large brown eggs
• 2 tablespoons honey, warmed in microwave for 20 seconds
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 8 (cut them 1/2-inch) slices day-old or stale country loaf, brioche or challah bread
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 tablespoon of cinnamon
• 1/2 tablespoon of ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla
• 3 tablespoons of Powder Sugar to sprinkle at the end
• Strawberries or any kind of fruits for topping

Directions

In medium size mixing bowl, whisk together the half-and-half, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, eggs, honey,  and salt. You may do this the night before but I did it an hour before starting. When ready to cook, pour custard mixture into a pie pan and set aside.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Dip bread into mixture, allow to soak for 30 seconds on each side, and then remove to a cooling rack that is sitting in a sheet pan, and allow to sit for 1 to 2 minutes.

Over medium-low heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a 10-inch nonstick saute pan. Place 2 slices of bread at a time into the pan and cook until golden brown, approximately 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove from pan and place on rack in oven for 5 minutes. Repeat with all 8 slices. Serve immediately with maple syrup, or fruit.

Hope you try it too and enjoy!  

Maurenice

A piece of Morocco

Dear readers, 

I don't even know where to begin and express how sorry I am for neglecting my blog.  I have been meaning to post every day in these past 4 months but kept making up 101 excuses to NOT share a piece of me. Luckily, some of you have been following me on twitter and on Instagram which have been the only social media outlets I have used to express anything going on in my life.  I have been working on numerous projects and my lifestyle transformation which I briefly had shared at one point on the blog.  I could probably write a novel on all the things that has happened to me on these past 4 months. I want to thank those readers that have personally written to me or left me comments on their concerns with my blog...I really appreciate all the love and attention I have received from you all! Well Now I am back and I am here to stay and rebuild what I had started!  I hope you are still interested in my blog and continue to follow me...I sure have tons to catch up with you all and can't wait to continue sharing the Villa Bisono world!  

Thank YOU!!!!!!!!!

Warm hugs,

Maurenice

Picture taken on my last trip to Morocco at YSL's  Jardin Majorelle in Marrakech...great posting next week on this! 

{THE HERMES TRAY}- MY DIY PART 1

I know a lot of us have been obessed with the Hermes tray and I have always wanted to get my own...maybe one day.  Until now, I am going to have to work some DIY magic and try to do my own little knockoff.   I had written a blog entry in the past about these trays being real or replicas...and to my understanding its hard to really find a true authentic one. I think my blog will soon be shapping into a more DIY blog with tons of inspirations and cool projects I have been working on.

I found this cheap round tray at Goodwill that has a similar shape to the one above for $5. I know it looks like crap and layered with years of dirt and mildew. I didnt care as the dirt could come off and there is no nothing a paint job cant fix. 

Next up- find my Hermes box and go to the Benjamin Store and find all the shades of orange.  I wanted something that was bright and not as muted as I sure wan this tray to pop in my living room. Here are the colors I was looking that have potential.  

Stay tune for second part as I show you which color I chose! 

xoxo

Maurenice

Give up or Push Forward?

Today is the ING NYC Marathon and a couple of my friends are running in it. I am so inspired by them and can only imagine the feeling as they cross the finish line. I wanted to share this video that completely inspire me on this special day.  

Derek Redmond who everyone though would win the Olympics.  Sometimes things don't go as expected or planned so you have two choices- Give up or Push Forward...watch what he did!  

One of my goals is to run this marathon perhaps this upcoming year, so we shall see!  Have a wonderful and blessed Sunday!

xoxo

Maurenice

A Quickie

I was on my way to the supermarket and took this quick pic.  Thinking about you guys, hope you are all having an spectacular day! 

xoxo

Maurenice

Follow my Instagram

I am kind of old school when it comes to technology and I am never the first one sleeping outside the APPLE store or lining outside of BestBuy to get the latest gadget.  I still love handwriting Thank You notes, sketching in my 1001 different notepads, sketchbooks and drooling all over napkins in restaurants whenever I think of any kind of ideas, and collecting books, instead of buying a kindle.  I was still stuck in the ice age with my IPhone 3G that I got over 4 years ago so I've been a patient child and decided to finally upgrade my life and my little gadget.  I pre-ordered my phone 2 weeks ago and got it this last Friday.  I hardly got much accomplished this weekend as downloading Apps became my new vice.   Here are some pics I took with my old 3G phone and can't wait to continue sharing with you my new ones with the 4Gs! 

 So did any of you get the new IPhone 4Gs?  If so, do you love it?  and how is Siri working out for you?  I am trying to teach her some Spanish, jajaja.  

Don't forget to follow my Instagram @ VillaBisono

xoxo

Maurenice

Designer Series {Smith Boyd}

I am in love with the luxurious designs of Michel Boyd of Smith Boyd Interiors. His high end designs feature rich and elegant spaces with fresh tones of colors.  I love how he combines different textures of brass, gold and silvers with different kinds of woods. It's noticeable that Boyd is very much inspired by my idol Kelly Wearstler with his use of rich and eclectic pieces that offer a unique and fresh combination. It's evident that Boyd is also passionate and inspired by fashion, architecture, textiles and furniture.  I also love all the Fornasetti plates he used in a few of his dining areas...I would love to start my Fornasetti collection one day. 

  Oh, and to top it off he was just named of one of the top 20 African American Interiors Designers to watch...way to go Michel!  So what do you think about his spaces...do u like them?

Thinking of new header...

I've been having a busy busy week with tons of projects flowing around which I will soon start documenting on my blog.  I want to spice this site and revamp the layout and the header.  I was sketching some quick ideas while watching football today. Nothing is concrete yet, but I will come up with more ideas and share them with you guys. Hope you all had a great weekend:)

Hat Exhibition {Hats: An Anthology by Stephen Jones}

  Attending the Anthology of Hats by Stephen Jones at Bard college just gave me so much inspiration and brought back many memories. As a little girl, I remember the only time we would wear hats would be for Easter. I've always had a passion for hats and would include them in my design collections in HS and college.  Personally, I have always wanted to be that person that could walk into a room with a great hat and have everyone turn their heads and stare at me, but I am so shy that it doesn't really fit my personality.  I wish It did and maybe one day I would be able to do it, but as of now I am ok with my curly crazy afro hair...lol.  Well, here is part one of all the Iphone blurry pics I took of the exhibition...sorry for the bad quality as I was trying to be very discrete taking these pics.  Hope you enjoy...and please come back for the second part which will include the Atelier part. 

Isn't that French provincial chair gorgeous and the antique mirrored vanity?  Oh my, I absolutely love love Schiaparelli pink boxes and I am soooo excited I will get one soon...can't wait to share.  

Love black and white stripes and have you every thought about wearing a chandelier over your head?  Anything goes!

"Sex on the head" hat...how clever, isn't it? I am sure if I was wearing that for fashion week I will be in every magazine...LOL.  Maybe, that won't be a bad idea after all?

Feathers, feathers and more feathers. There is never enough feathers to make a girl happy.  I have a closet full of boxes with feathers that I have collected over the years...girl is obsessed.  

Straw, plaids, felt, flowers, furs...etc. The Butterfly Philip Tracy hat is the one Sarah Jessica Parker wore for the premiere of Sex and the City. 

Take glass and plastic and mold yourself a hat! There are no materials that should be left out into creating a couture hat. 

 The original Darth Vader was here as well...how cool is that?

Do you remember this Dior hat on the lower left?  It's so gorgeous up close!

 I love the tiara collection..it was so glamorous and delicate. 

 Andy Warhol's wig made it to the exhibition too...how can anyone think about leaving Andy out?  It was the one thing that truly defined his persona.  

Again, Schiaparelli was the first designer to make a hat with a surreal shoe.  Other designers continued her legacy and gave us their own version, I don't think it can ever top the original.  

Guys, please go out and see this exhibition.  My pictures do not give the real thing any justice. 

Have a great weekend.

xoxo

Maurenice

Hats: An Anthology by Stephen Jones

I had the pleasure of attending the Stephen Jones exhibition at the Graduate Center in Bard College.  It's a MUST SEE exhibition and I hope you guys that live in NYC take a little time of your busy schedules to go see it.  Here is a sneak peak of my next posting.  

Location

The Main Gallery and Focus Gallery are both located at 18 West 86th Street, between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue, in New York City.

Telephone: 212 501 3023

E-mail:  gallery@bgc.bard.edu

Hours

Tuesday - Sunday: 11 am to 5 pm

Thursday: 11 am to 8 pm

Cost

$7 General admission 

$5 Seniors (65 and older) and students (with valid ID) 

Free admission Thursday evenings, 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

xoxo

Maurenice

Fall is in the air

Fall is here....yeaaaah!  I just love the Fall and seriously have been counting the days till it's arrival.  It's time to clean out the closets and put all the Summer clothes away and bring out all your best Fall accessories and jackets.  I love Roberto Cavalli's Fall campaign shot by Mert & Marcus in an autumn setting of foliage and glamour.  I am lusting over the fuchsia flowers, the beautiful horse (I wish I owned one), the metallic laces, animal printed garments, the sultry red lips, the sexy wavy hair in MariaCarla Boscono, Karen Elson, and Natasha Poly. Aren't these shots beautiful?

I welcome change...let's see what this Fall brings for us.  What are you most looking forward to this new season?

The Little Apple

This past weekend, I celebrated my birthday in an intimate setting with my close friends in my apartment. Thanks to all of you that made it and those that came up with last minute excuse to miss Soirée...you owe me big time. I am very grateful for welcoming this new year healthy, full of energy and with the drive to succeed more than ever.   

One of the gifts I received this year came from none other but my dearest friend Lorena from Travel Designery.  She got me the cutest gold ring with the M initial that I absolutely love! She paired it with a gold bracelet that would look gorgeous high on my arm if I could just lose 5 inches of fat...we are working on that, LOL.  I had to blog about it as I felt in love with the packaging of The Little Apple which I hope I can get the chance to visit one day.  Isn't my gift absolutely adorable?  I know you are jealous and want your own...jejeje.  

Once again, Lorena thanks a million for such a beautiful gift! Besos

You can shop at The Little Apple Store online or go to PA and see the store for yourself!

Is our summer over?

Seems like the summer is almost over, I am personally happy about it as Fall is my favorite season and it welcomes change!  I have been thinking about taking a little weekend getaway sometime this month and head somewhere where I can wear a tiny bikini to start showing off my body from all these workouts I have been doing, LOL.  I am nowhere near being close to my goal, but I think by the end of this month, I can deserve a little break.

Here is my Dominican girl- Arlenis Sosa showing off her rocking body in the May issue of Yo Dona photographed by Miguel Reveriego and styled by Amparo Utrilla. Makes me want to pack some bags now and head down to the nearest island and wear a turban, a tropical color bikini and eat lobster and drink on some mango margaritas all day. How blissful would that be?

Also,  thanks so much for all the lovely comments and wishes on yesterday's posting! I really appreciate it...smooches to all!

xoxo

Maurenice

A new take in life...

Oh guys, how much I've miss you all! I am so sorry for this hiatus as I have been revamping my lifestyle and building new habits. I guess sometimes you need to step back and re access your life and your priorities.  My birthday is coming up this Saturday and I have been working on some things to help me make this new year count for me. 

First- joined a new gym- Hello Equinox Fitness!!  I am in love with this gym and have been going almost everyday. So far I have been doing a lot of cardio and I have been taking some classes like Pilates and Powerstrike with one of the hottest trainers I have ever seen- Omar Sandovar (YOU ROCK)!   I am beyond excited of my new commitment and hope to see results in the next couple of months.

Second-I have also been changing my eating habits which is the hardest thing for me to do since I love going to trendy restaurants and trying new foods.  Two of my friends are trying to convert me to being Vegan...are any of you guys Vegan? If so please give me your insight. I love meat but I have been cutting back big time on it. 

Third- I am in the search of changing industries again and leaving the Finance sector and going back to what I really love- fashion and interiors.  So I am working on my new business and perhaps getting back into designing for a top fashion designer.  I will keep you all posted!  

Fourth- I've been having this travel bug forever and I really want to take a year off or more to explore the world...so I am in the saving mode to make this happen. I am so addicted to all these traveling blogs that document people's one year off journeys, it's so inspirational.  I have a couple friends that have done it and I can't wait till I embark and experience the world!

 I am very excited for the things that I am finally taking seriously and feeling committed to building new habits that will make my life richer! 

I have a lot of yummy postings for you guys coming up...stay tuned! 

I leave you with this quote that I love.

It is time for us to stand and cheer for the doer, the achiever, the one who recognizes the challenge and does something about it.
Vince Lombardi

xoxo

Maurenice

Paris in NYC (Pierre Harve's NYC Apartment)

I remember the first time I went to the Carolina Herrera headquarters to help my best friend pull some garments for a photo shoot we were doing for Carolina Herrera Jr...it was love at first site with Carolina's  studio.  It was an open space elegantly designed in mostly brown and white stripes, I kept telling myself "I must apply to work here and work under Pierre Harve- Carolina Herrera's right hand man.  He is French, fabulous and has one of the coolest apartments in NYC.  When I first saw his apartment featured in The Selby I was enamored by the hundreds of blue and white checkered fabric draped over the windows and bed. His canopy beds are like draped as they were couture gowns...love, love, love!

I look at his apartment and I feel like I was literally transported to a very chic apartment in Paris. Some of my favorite vignettes are the ones where he groups collections of things he loves...like the books setup, the hundreds of vintage perfume bottles, the Hermes boxes piled together and his collection of vintage designer hat boxes from couture houses....If I get invited to his house, those are the first things I am walking out with...lol.   

I also love his blush pink silk taffeta curtain with the stripe velvet trim...ahhh the details are killing me. And lets not even talk about the lilac settee and the vintage booth in the corner, I have been eyeing these for years!   

I bet he got most of his perfume bottles from scouting the best flea markets in Paris...Pierre, please take me next time.  I feel like I need a ginormous Chanel N'5 perfume sitting on top of my toilet...haha.  Don't you?

What is your favorite part of his home? 

pictures via The Selby

Romantic and Chic House Tour of {Erin Fetherston}

Happy Monday everyone,

I love this NYC apartment featured on Vogue.com that belongs to designer Erin Fetherston. I remember falling in love with her first apartment in Paris and this one doesn't fail to impress me.  Love the romantic and timeless clean feel of it. 

Isn't it lovely?  

A Sexy & Sensual Summer

Thank God is Friday and I am up for a long weekend of staying home and working on projects and an impending oral surgery on Monday which I am NOT looking forward to. That doesn't mean you guys should stay in, I suggest you go out on a last minute weekend getaway and enjoy the very last weeks of summer.  In this editorial, Jessica Miller looks super sexy for the June issue of Harpers Bazaar UK photographed by Camilla Akrans and styled by Franck Benhamou.  It's very rare for me to like the heavy eyeliner and red lipstick together, but I feel like it works great on Jessica Miller for this shoot, don't you agree?  

 Have a great and chilled weekend,

xoxo

Maurenice