Lavender Design + Cuisine

Wednesday, January 1, 2020

Meet Ellie Lavender

From 20 Years in High-Tech Strategy to Avant-Garde Gastronomy & Design

For two decades, my world was defined by the fast-paced matrix of high-tech strategy. I managed complex systems, cultivated executive relationships, and translated abstract corporate visions into operational realities.

Today, I channel that exact precise acumen into a completely different kind of architecture.

In 2011, I founded Lavender Design + Cuisine to live at the intersection of a plant-based soul and a spirit rooted in rebellion. I took the system-thinking skills from my tech career and applied them to sensory design—crafting harmonious, sustainable environments and curated, immersive culinary experiences. Grounded in the principles of Feng Shui and inspired by the rich culinary heritages of France, Italy, Spain, and Morocco, my mission is to elevate everyday life.

Spatial Curation
Designing high-end, sustainable, and biophilic spaces that optimize wellness, functionality, and aesthetic balance.

Immersive Dining
Hosting highly personalized, multi-course plant-based dining events for exclusive groups of up to ten guests.

The Next Chapter
Wrapping up my upcoming cookbook, "Lemon, Love and Lavender," arriving late this year to bring this sensory philosophy directly to your kitchen.

To my tech network, colleagues, and friends here: thank you for being part of my journey.

Let's co-create a more beautiful reality.

Inquiries for private curation, bespoke dining events, or creative collaborations are welcome via email.

Ellie Lavender
Space Curator & Avant Garde Chef
Lavender Design + Cuisine

Let's connect: Instagram | Facebook

Plant-Based Recipe: Rainbow Carrots Lyonnaise

Indulge in this vibrant Rainbow Carrots Lyonnaise: tender, roasted carrots glazed with olive oil, seasoned with herbes de Provence and topped with crunchy toasted almonds and pistachios, tart freeze-dried raspberries and delicate fleur de sel. This dish reimagines the classic 1846 Lyonnaise recipe from Lyon, France's culinary capital.

Perfectly healthy and delicious as a stand-alone snack, this versatile dish can also serve as an elegant appetizer or side. Try it over crisp arugula or mixed greens, or pair it with herbed-millet pilaf for a fulfilling meal. For a delightful bite, top toasted bread or baguette with pesto and plant-based melted cheese. To truly enhance the flavors, sip a glass of fruity Pinot Noir alongside your meal.

So, let’s get started with the recipe!

Ingredients (serving size 4):

1 Bunch rainbow carrots

1/3 Cup olive oil

1/5 Tsp. sea salt

1 Tsp. herbes de Provence

1/3 Cup toasted slivered almonds

1/3 Cup toasted chopped pistachios

1 Tsp. crumbled freeze dried raspberries

Instruction:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

2. Peel carrots, wash and damp dry to remove moisture.

3. Cut into 2 inch strips.

4. In a bowl mix carrots, a pinch of sea salt, hebes de Provence and olive oil and toss them well with your hands or a spatula.

5. Spread the carrots evenly on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and roast for about 20 minutes.

6. Remove from the oven and let it cool for 20 minutes before sprinkling the crushed almond, pistachios and freeze dried raspberries.

A basic carrot dish becomes extraordinary when you infuse it with wild culinary imagination. You can use this recipe for other root veggies such as beets, celery root, fennel, parsnips and much more!

Enjoy & Happy New Year!

Ellie Lavender
Space Curator & Avant Garde Chef
Lavender Design + Cuisine

Let's connect: Instagram | Facebook

Tuesday, March 26, 2019

The Power Position: Curation for a Prosperous Workspace

The path to a successful, prosperous career starts with a mindfully designed workspace. When your office is free from physical distractions, you are fully present to draw the right people and opportunities to your business.

Here is your high-velocity, clutter-free office curation game plan:

Step 1: The Threshold Audit

Stand at your office doorway and assess your current real estate using these metrics:

The Four Questions: Pick up an item and ask: Do I use it? Does it inspire me? Does it enhance my productivity? Does it contribute to my prosperity? If it fails, let it go.
The One-Year Rule: Classify items into Keep, Discard, Donate, or Sell. If you haven't touched it in a year, toss it.
The Power Position: Reposition your desk against a solid wall so you can see the entire room and the entrance. Never sit with your back to the door.
Clear the Under-Desk: Keep the floor beneath your desk entirely empty. Storing items under your feet physically blocks your focus and stagnates your career energy.
Digital Purge: Delete useless apps, old emails, voicemails, and excessive desktop icons that cause mental fatigue.

Step 2: Add Wealth & Life Vibrancy

Once the space is clear, inject elements that visually anchor your goals:

Live Energy: Bring in real plants and fresh flowers to invite vibrant energy. Immediately discard synthetic or artificial plants.
Abundance Anchors: Hang high-quality images that represent wealth and prosperity, such as a thriving, colorful garden.
Remove Sentimentality: Clear out old gifts, photos, or corporate mementos from past colleagues or clients that actively distract you from your current objectives.

Step 3: Systems for Sustainable Flow

Prevent the clutter from returning by implementing three simple, non-negotiable daily habits:

The 5-Minute Rule: Stop procrastinating with "I'll get to it later." If an administrative task or filing takes less than five minutes, execute it immediately.
Go Paperless: Attack existing paper piles by scanning them into a clean, electronic storage system.
The Daily 15: Set aside 10 to 30 minutes at the end of each workday to clear your desk and floor. Keeping your surfaces empty tonight guarantees a fast, clear focus tomorrow morning.

Your office is the prime real estate of your business. Keep it clean, curated, and beautiful, and watch your productivity amplify!

Happy Organizing!

Ellie Lavender
Space Curator & Avant Garde Chef
Lavender Design + Cuisine

Let's connect: Instagram | Facebook