Top Ten with Irena Stein
The owner of Alma Cocina Latina shares her favorite things.
By Rachel Hinch | September 2019
Found Objects: Most are rusted pieces with interesting shapes, and they live on the windowsills of our house like little sculptures.
Wines: Wines are an essential and delightful companion to dinner every day. This summer I am seriously reading about them, traveling through Burgundy, France, and Willamette Valley, Oregon, all from the comfort of my bed, for now.
Herencia Divina Chocolate: Born in the land of fine cacao, I admire, savor, and respect this amazing gift of the gods.
Flowers: I stare at them for hours! I’m teaching
my grandchildren to look
at them as they walk by gardens and to make little bouquets for their mother.
Natural Textiles: I like dressing with natural materials, soft and cozy wools in the winter, linen and cotton for the warm days.
Found Objects: Most are rusted pieces with interesting shapes, and they live on the windowsills of our house like little sculptures.
Ceramic Dinnerware: At home I surround myself with ceramic pieces from many countries. Each piece has a story, like all the things I own. They have beauty and nobility and enhance everything I put in them.
Canon Camera: I have owned a camera since I was 24. [My pictures] are visual witnesses to my experiences. My grandchildren will always be able to know what I have been up to and how I became who I am.
Coffee: I grind, brew, and drink great coffee in the early morning when most of the world is still asleep.
Foreign Cinema: My father was a film distributor, so I grew up in the world of cinema. I still watch films several times a week, they disconnect me beautifully from the excess of work.
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