Field Notes
A binnacle of Mariana's tasteful footsteps
Salamina, The city of Light
April 24, 2020
The town of Salamina, Colombia is a small colonial town, surrounded by coffee plantations and perched on the Andes mountains.
My great great grandfather was a medical Doctor right there in Salamina. The town’s main square has a plaque in his honor. My family is proud of our provenance in that little town that the locals also refer to as the “City of Light”, for the many poets, musicians, writers and artists born in that mystical place.
On my last trip to Colombia’s coffee growing region I researched the cuisine of these small towns for my upcoming cookbook, so I had the pleasure of rediscovering this place through its details, flavors, colors and feel.
A place where history is mirrored by the colorful balconies, the terracotta roofs and the ornate wood work that decorates windows and doors.
Central patios filled with red, pink and yellow flowers are the foyer that welcome you; along with the infallible offer of a “tinto”, a black coffee served in tiny porcelain cups, with or without sugar on the side.
All Field Notes
Summer movies to travel the world...
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I arrived at 4am, long before dawn to see the the arrival of milk coming from the near by farms. Dressed in full gear, at a nippy 43 F, I entered the space where blue cheese is made by hand by a man in his late 60's who has had the job for more than two decades. As we stepped into the space she murmured- no bad thoughts, words, or insults- cheese is very sensitive.
Ever since I saw Luca Guadagnino’s In the Mood For Love Milan became an aesthetic obsession for me. Not only is it a city that hosts one of the most influential shows in the World Il Salone del Mobile, but it is also one of the chickest and sophisticated places… all behind closed doors…
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Recent Field Notes
Summer movies to travel the world...
Above: Camu Camu, amazonian fruit. I find myself standing in front of a long table of treasures. 115 tropical fruits, vegetables, seeds, spices, nuts, flowers, vines and roots.I take a deep breath and say-- let’s organize these by color.
Right downstairs on 28th street at the NYC flower market is my favorite shop Dutch Flower Line. Spring in full force. Peas, tulips, Japanese Ranunculus, poppies...
Nature vibrates around us and yet we tend to miss its magic by being distracted in our digital lives. The wisdom and utter perfection of nature show us patience, balance, faith. It was not a coincidence to meet these people when in search for an object to give to our wedding guests. We wanted something that represented the lush tropics of Colombia and for this to be a present to always remember.
I arrived at 4am, long before dawn to see the the arrival of milk coming from the near by farms. Dressed in full gear, at a nippy 43 F, I entered the space where blue cheese is made by hand by a man in his late 60's who has had the job for more than two decades. As we stepped into the space she murmured- no bad thoughts, words, or insults- cheese is very sensitive.
Ever since I saw Luca Guadagnino’s In the Mood For Love Milan became an aesthetic obsession for me. Not only is it a city that hosts one of the most influential shows in the World Il Salone del Mobile, but it is also one of the chickest and sophisticated places… all behind closed doors…
Words cannot describe the scents of the city’s waving streets, the beauty of the night market, the purples, lavenders and greens of the Atlas mountains. Here is a photo essay of a trip I made to Marrakech a few years back to shoot and style the James Beard Award Winning cookbook The Food of Morocco by Paula Wolfert. I traveled across the Atlantic with the brilliant Australian Photographer Quentin Bacon and with my dear friend Natalia to photograph the recipes for Wolfert’s book. Natalia and I shopped at the traditional markets inside the Medina, Schlepped baskets of eggplants, tomatoes and spices. We looked for props at the flea markets and antique shops.
Markets reveal a city’s heart and soul. On my last visit to Mexico City I was searching for flowers for a new fragrance campaign shoot. We started our visit in the rose section and as we walked about calla lilies, carnations, foliage and kitschy arrangements I understood a little bit more about this city’s passion for color and vibrancy
Before dawn, thick fog rolls over the Andes mountains in Bogota. A city perched at 9000 ft above the sea is cool and crisp, with swaying eucalyptus and pine trees framing her. The Paloquemao flower market opens when it is still dark and vendors unpack their treasures using flashlights and now, more and more, cell phone lights.
