More Marimekko

Marimekko fashions available from the Marimekko Concept Store in the Upper East Side in NYC

Mad for Marimekko

Marimekko paper napkins and colorful bag available from Always Mod

Designer, Maija Louekari, for Marimekko

Vintage Marimekko from Design Research

Tablecloth designed by Maija Louekari for Marimekko, available from Always Mod

It's Margarita Time!

On these hot, languid late afternoons nothing tastes better than a Margarita made with fresh fruit juice and Patron tequila. This recipe calls for guava juice, but we've been making ours with fresh passion fruit juice and a bit of ginger for some added zing. Our latest evening ritual--chilling on the patio, a cool drink in hand, watching the sun go down-- Cheers!

Night Sailing--Another Recent Illustration

Night Sailing

Illustration by Barbara Perrine Chu

Moon Dancers

Moon Dancers

Barbara Perrine Chu

Hang On for Dear Life

Balloon Lady

Illustration--Barbara Perrine Chu

Venus--Another One of my Illustrations

Venus

Illustration by Barbara Perrine Chu

Lucile's Kitchen--Charming Illustrations from Lucile Prache

Charming watercolors from French illustrator, Lucile Prache and her Etsy shop, Lucile's Kitchen

This and That--Some of my Illustrations

Blue Lobster

Illustration by Barbara Perrine Chu

Cool Drinks

Barbara Perrine Chu

Poppies

Barbara Perrine Chu

Yellow Hibiscus

Barbara Perrine Chu

Dragonwell Tea

Barbara Perrine Chu

Geraniums

Barbara Perrine Chu

Golden Birds

Barbara Perrine Chu

Sea Garden

Barbara Perrine Chu

Dancing Fish Soup

Barbara Perrine Chu

White Birds

Barbara Perrine Chu

Lady in Blue

Barbara Perrine Chu

Lady and the Sea Horse

Barbara Perrine Chu

Iris

Barbara Perrine Chu

Illustration for a wedding

 invitation

Barbara Perrine Chu

Three Birds

Illustration by Barbara Perrine Chu

Dreaming of Italy

The amazingly beautiful colors of the buildings in Tuscany

The view from my cousin's kitchen in San Casciano, Tuscany

Dinner in the courtyard at Cigliano, my cousin's villa in San Casciano, Tuscany

Our bedroom when we stay at Cigliano

Harvest at Cigliano. We just happened to visiting when it was grape-picking time

My husband, Glenn, in the walled garden of Cigliano

Edible flowers from the garden

My husband, the chef, making salad dressing in Anna's kitchen

Lunch under the big cypress tree at Cigliano

My cousin's wine, Chianti Classico, from the estate

Glenn in the cantina, the villa's wine cellar

Roberto pouring olive oil

Cigliano in April--Glenn preparing the hearth

Lunch for Anna's friends.

I love Italy. I'm ready to start planning another trip.