I was born in the spring of the late 1950's.  Ventura was a quiet southern California beach town then and our lifestyle was a modest one. I grew up feeling that I had everything I needed-- especially so on Sunday nights-- deemed pie night,  in our home.  The anticipation of knowing what pies my mother Dorothy and family friend, Marion would make was my favorite guessing game. Life was simpler then!  

My mom made everything from scratch; her pies, our meals and our clothes.... it seemed effortless! I know now that it wasn't but it certainly gave me a sense that everthing was possible if I applied myself. To this day, I get a thrill when I make something from nothing. Whether it be a necklace made from unlikely combinations of found parts or a recipe recreated with whatever is leftover in the refrigerator, a bit of imagination and time can produce something special.  I find there to be a bit of magic in all of this! 
 

CAMILLE K is most definitely a jewelry brand so why a post about food?  If you follow us on Instagram, you will see frequent photos of food and the #cookingwithcarla hashtag.  Some of you have asked for the recipes and we have listened!

Cooking is a creative process -- especially so when you are willing to NOT follow the recipe and trust your instincts.  In the same vein of knowing what gem colors go together when I'm designing a new piece of jewelry, deciding what spices will complement a recipe I'm working on requires a similar sensibility.  And of course, there is the visual aspect of designing and cooking that is so appealing to me.  Jewelry tries to capture the wearer's interest with both beauty and comfort. Food attracts the eye of the diner and delights his/her palate.  Both should make every effort to stir  one's heart! 
   
I hope you will enjoy preparing and sampling some of my personal favorite recipes both sweet and savory!  If you know me, you know I love a good story. Here are Kate's three rules to live by for you to ponder as you bite into your first brownie: