Memorial Day

Sex and the City 2

The latest installment in the adventures of Carrie, Charlotte, Samantha and Miranda opens tonight.  Though the early reviews have been less than stellar, fans of the show will be flocking to the theatre to hang with their favorite babes from the city.

Click HERE to see where Sex and the City 2 is playing near you.

Roasted Chicken Apple Salad

We must have food on the brain but when we received our weekly email from Stonewall Kitchen we were inspired.

We love chicken salad and this recipe hits all the high notes.

Savory chicken combined with toasted pecans, granny smith apple, blue cheese, dried cranberries served on a fresh croissant. We say "bring it on".

Click HERE for the recipe.

The Mango

With summer fast approaching, we have been dreaming about one of our favorite warm weather treats.  The Mango.

This sweet and succulent fruit has a wonderful flavor combination of peach and pineapple and adds a fresh tropical twist to cooking.  Here are some mango recipes we cannot resist.

Mango Salsa
2 cups mango, diced
1/2 cup pineapple, diced
1 cup red pepper, diced
1/2 cup red onion, diced
1/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
3 tbsp fresh lime juice
Combine all ingredients and mix well.  Cover and chill.  Serve with grilled chicken or fish.  Serves 6.

Prosciutto-wrapped Mango
Simple.  Simple.  Just peel and slice one mango.  Wrap each slice with prosciutto. Sweet, salty and elegant.

Mango Smoothie
1 mango, peeled and diced
1 small banana
1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
1 cup orange juice
6-8 ice cubes
Blend until smooth and serve chilled.

Ogunquit Beach

Last week, Ogunquit Beach was voted "Best Beach" in New England by NECN viewers.

Click HERE to read all about it.

Weekend Wish List

SEA BREEZES
Have our first sea breeze cocktail for the season on the deck at the Arundel Wharf restaurant in Kennebunkport. What a great tradition.

SET SAIL
Free sailboat rides in Portland Harbor as SailMaine hosts its annual open house on Sunday from 10 AM to 3 PM.

GET LOST
The mind-bending phenomenal television show will come to it's final conclusion.  The Lost Series Finale event airs on ABC this Sunday at 7:00 PM ET.

What to Wear: The Essentials, Part Three

These are the final classic pieces to complete the look and you will be reaching for them time and time again.

The Classic Black Pump
Mary Jane Pumps
(Anne Klein, $60)

The Classic Eyewear
Metal Aviator Sunglasses
(Armani Exchange, $60)

The Classic Timepiece
Square Dial Watch
(Anne Klein, $55)

What to Wear: The Essentials, Part Two

More essentials for a classic style, courtesy of our fashion contributor Kate Torrey.

The Classic Leather Handbag
Iris Shopper
(The Sak, $89)

The Classic Overcoat
Belted Trench Coat
(Calvin Klein, $128)


Check back tomorrow for some great must-have pieces to complete the look.

What to Wear: The Essentials, Part One

With our busy lifestyles, the question "what to wear" can be an exasperating one.  But if we take our cues from fashion icons like Audrey Hepburn and Jackie Kennedy Onassis, simple is best.  In fashion there are the classics and the trends and those lovely ladies always built their wardrobes around the classics.

Our fashion contributor Kate Torrey will join us this week with her picks for the "essential elements" that never go out of style.

The Classic White Shirt
Platinum French Cuff Shirt
(Jones New York, $69)

The Classic Black Pant
Boot Leg Pant
(Anne Klein, $79)


Check back tomorrow for two more essential picks from Kate.

Down East Books

Most Mainers are familiar with Down East, Maine's premier monthly magazine but what some people may not know is Down East Enterprises has been in the book publishing business since 1977.  And they are apparently very good at it having been awarded "Publisher of the Year" by the New England Independent Booksellers Association in 2008.

A diverse collection of books published to date include; biographies, art and photography, travel, Maine fiction, Maine history and children's books.  Here are a few titles that caught our eye:

Click HERE to learn more about Down East Books and browse some of their other titles.

Weekend Wish List

SWEET TREATS
Indulge in a hot fudge sundae at Village Scoop Ice Cream in York Village.

BETTING TIME
Watch the Preakness Stakes horse race. Will Super Saver follow his Kentucky Derby win with another in Baltimore?  The race airs this Saturday on NBC.  Post time is 6:05 PM ET.

LIVE FROM NEW YORK
Alec Baldwin hosts the season finale of Saturday Night Live with musical guest Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.  Betty White is going to be a hard act to follow.  SNL airs on NBC at 11:30 PM ET.

BEACH DAY
The weather looks good for Sunday.  Sunny and 70s.  Shake out the beach blanket, lay back and grab a seaside snooze.

Amore Breakfast

We have decided to start a new tradition, or continue an old tradition, Saturday morning breakfast.

The fresh brewed coffee, the eggs benedict, the crispy bacon, the french toast with real maple syrup.  We need our AM fix and we know exactly where to get it.

Amore Breakfast in Ogunquit is the place. Located on Shore Road, this cozy breakfast spot is run with impeccable charm by owner Leanne Cusimano.  She has perfected the art of serving a great breakfast.  The fresh ingredients, the savory combination of flavors, generous portions and a friendly staff make for an outstanding dining experience.

Amore Breakfast
309 Shore Road
Ogunquit, Maine
(207) 646-6661

Cannes Film Festival

The Cannes International Film Festival opens today, May 12th, on the picturesque southern coast of France.

The visionary filmmaker Tim Burton will serve as President of the Jury this year, fresh off his box office success with Alice in Wonderland. The opening film for 2010 is Ridley Scott's Robin Hood starring Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett.

The grand prize of the festival is the Palme d'Or (Golden Palm) and this year nineteen films will be screened and considered for this prestigious honor. The festival runs from May 12th - 23rd and here are some previous winners of the Palme d'Or:



The Pianist, Secrets and Lies, Pulp Fiction, Sex, Lies, and Videotape,  La Dolce Vita, and The Lost Weekend are all available at Amazon.com.

Cape Pier Chowder House

Can it be possible we have not uttered the word "lobster" on this blog yet?  Well that is about to change.

In our great state, it seems everyone has an opinion on the subject "where to get the best lobster roll".  We figure it is our turn to weigh in on the debate.

Mainers are traditionalists when it comes to their lobster rolls.  We take a minimalist approach to preparing one and the star is always the lobster.  Only large, chilled chunks of the freshest meat combined with a small amount of mayonnaise will do.  Never dice the meat and easy on the mayo.  And the bun, yes the bun, must be top loading, buttered and grilled to a golden brown.  The lobster meat should be piled high and generously with perhaps a few delicate morsels spilling out onto the plate, maybe a squeeze of lemon and utter perfection.

Now that we have established what is best, we need to know where is best.  For us it is the Cape Pier Chowder House in Cape Porpoise.  We must admit we have been long time fans and derive much comfort from stepping up and placing our order, grabbing a cold beer and waiting outside on the deck overlooking Cape Porpoise Harbor, gazing over at the Goat Island Lighthouse.  It is simple, familiar and always outstanding.  And it is the simple pleasures, after all, that Mainers never take for granted.

Cape Pier Chowder House
79 Pier Road
Cape Porpoise Harbor, ME
(207) 967-0123

The Wedding Cake House

The Wedding Cake House
Kennebunk, Maine

Click HERE to learn more about this charming Maine landmark.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day, Mom.

We love you.

Author Peter Mayle

For pure escapism, time and time again, we turn to Peter Mayle's books chronicling his life as an expatriate living in Provence, France.  The British author is a gifted travel writer and a lover of fine food and wine.  

As the reader, we live vicariously through Mayle as he befriends the local truffle hunters, prowls the Sunday-morning markets and feasts on mouth-watering french cuisine.  The four book series is a trip well taken.

A Year in Provence, Toujours Provence, Encore Provence, and French Lessons are all available at Amazon.com