things i heart

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

things i heart

~

can we all agree that flash mobs are over

{image via Time}

Monday, April 5, 2010

can we all agree that flash mobs are over

~

Flash Mobs are ridiculous and seem pretty pointless to me. . . I don't know, I'm cynical and enjoy when my activities have a purpose. The Flash Mob phenomenon never really affected me and my life - until last weekend.

While in NYC over the weekend on a lovely stroll around the city we decided to walk to Union Square. Unbeknownst to me there was a [stupid ]Flash Mob pillow fight(FMPF) that encompassed the once tranquil square. The FMPF enveloped me and left my hair and lungs riddled with feathers and nasty old pillow particles.

Now, some who read this post may believe I'm being silly. But I must explain that these pillows were disgusting. I understand that you would not want destroy a brand new pillow for an impromptu FMPF, but these pillows were just unsanitary. People should have been embarrassed by the stains and filth on their pillows. If you don't believe me check out this Time Magazine article here.

MY IDEA OF A PILLOW FIGHT

REALITY

bon week-end

{image via here}

Saturday, April 4, 2010

bon week-end

~

I'm off to NYC for the weekend. I'll be spending most of my time in Brooklyn visiting my husband's sister.It's going to be a beautiful weekend all around.

i'm still not over . . .olsen style

{all images via here}

Friday, April 2, 2010

i'm still not over. . . olsen style

~ 

Say what you must about "boho-chic"/"dumpster chic" style of the Olsen Twins of yesteryear. I too am over it. What I'm not over is the individual styles of  Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen.  They both have come so far with their fashion. Yes, they have had their ups (see below and more here and here) and downs (fuzzy headband à la the Quacker Factory lady, really Mary-Kate?). But really, if you're not taking risks you're not a fashion icon. . . and I think Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen are definitely icons. I adore them for their individuality and passion for clothes, and that is why, I'm still not over Olsen style.

MARY-KATE

ASHLEY

jury duty

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

jury duty

~

I spent today at the DC Federal Court House performing my civic duty- a little bit annoyed for the disruption, a little bit excited about the prospect of being selected. Most of my day was spend watching the Pelican Brief which played continuously on a tv in the Juror's Lounge (not as glamorous as it sounds). I was not selected, but I had time to select my top five law movies of all time.

5. A CIVIL ACTION

4. TWELVE ANGRY MEN

3. PEOPLE v. LARRY FLINT

2. INHERIT THE WIND

1. TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

A few good movies I should have seen by now:

THE VERDICT 

{5 Oscar nominations, one sexy lawyer via here}

MY COUSIN VINNY

{entertaining and oscar worthy via here}

ANATOMY OF A MURDER

{classic court drama at its finest via here}

KRAMER v. KRAMER

{Dustin Hoffman, Meryl Streep. There's nothing more to say}
A FEW GOOD MEN

{An angry Jack Nicholson? I can handle that!}

fine and dandy

Monday, March 29, 2010

fine and dandy

~

I was looking through some of my old favorite New York Times articles. There is something about this apartment that I just love. It's classic, refined and still youthful. It feels like a man's apartment- just a really really stylish one.

I was inspired to do a little riff on this home. . .

{1. Horchow,Obelisk 2. Dressing the Man 3. Assouline, Vintage Cocktails 4. Jonathan Adler, Square Table Lamp 5. Home Depot, Greek Key Rug 6. Root 7. Archie Grand Notebook 8. Sheafer, Roaring Twenties pen 9. Don Carney Pillow}

record revival

Sunday, March 28, 2010

record revival

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My husband recently purchased a record player on a whim. On our trip home this weekend we went through our parents dusty record collections in hopes of building our own collection. Bringing out the old LPs turned out to be an entertaining trip down memory lane for our parents and an interesting peek into their young lives (spoken word poetry set to the sounds of the ocean - really mom?).  

{image via esquire}

As it turns out record sales are on the rise. Apparently we are not the only ones trekking to the local record shops flipping through LPs and 45s (here's proof:  NYT  and LA Times articles). Even Best Buy is getting in the record selling business. It seems vinyl is here to stay.


Here is a fun article on the most expensive records of all times- It could pay to be informed when going to the record store.

spring is here

Friday, March 26, 2010

spring is here
~

Spring has officially reached DC. This weekend is the National Cherry Blossom Festival which means millions of tourists will flood the city. I'm fleeing the city to go to my home town for another bridal shower. Hopefully the blossoms will still be here when I get back!

going green

Saturday, March 17, 2010

going green
~

Happy St. Patrick's Day. I thought I would create a green inspired post with some of my favorite things((click to enlarge)).

nota bene

Saturday, March 13, 2010

nota bene
~

N.B.: don't forget to change your clock tonight. Daylight-Saving Time begins at 2am on Sunday. Clocks go forward one hour.

secret weapon

{images via here}

Saturday, March 13, 2010

secret weapon

~

I've been feeling a little bland lately. I have been looking for the perfect pick-me-up. I saw this post on Cupcakes and Cashmere recommending Bare Essentials Warmth All Over Face Cover and  thought I might as well give it a try. At only $18.00 it's totally a steal. I can't rave enough about this product. It's made my week! No one has told me I look tired and I even got a free coffee at Starbucks (If I keep it up the bronzer will pay for itself!)

tyed up in knots

{photograph by Christian Chaize}

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

tyed up in knots

~

It's getting warm(er) outside and that makes me dream of summers in St. Tropez...what better way to celebrate the excesses of the cote d'azur than to take a trip throught the eyes of chic scarf wearing women.

{Babe Paley in stripes from here | Jackie on a boat via here |Grace and the Prince via here |  Babe Paley by her pool via here | Grace Kelly via here}

If the inspiration moves you to try a scarf on for size then review this great 'how to' guide from the company who made scarf tying chic...Hermes.

bon voyage!

best of the oscars

Sunday, February 7, 2010

best of the oscars

~

I do not get very excited by award show season but I would be crazy not to enjoy the Academy Awards. We're celebrating in style with some champagne and snack food...but for those of you who have not selected your meal (it's getting late!) then might I suggest heading over to Epicurious to see their Oscar-inspired movie menus. . . yum. While i'm waiting for the show to start I thought I would review some of my favorite Oscar fashion moment from the past.

{cate blanchett at the 77th academy awards via here}

{lovely drew at the 2009 oscars via here}

{gwyneth paltrow with her mom Blythe Danner via here}

{sharon stone in a gap button down via here}

{julia roberts in vintage valentino via here}

{Audrey in Edith Head via here}

{marisa tomei in versace via here}

{michelle williams in vera wang image via here}

I'm off to watch the awards- enjoy!

on hosting: a bridal tea

{images via me}

Thursday, February 4, 2010

oh hosting: a bridal tea

~

I'm hosting a bridal shower for my dear friend in a couple of weeks. I thought I would share some of my inspiration - and the digital invitation (above). There is nothing better than champagne and an excuse to wear a frilly dress! 

{images left to right: teacups: martha stewart, heels: karen miller,  party dress: kate spade, champagne: veuve clicquot, monogrammed cups: williams-sonoman, royal stationary: crane, gorgeous macaroons: laudree}

UPDATE: Here are some photos from the shower...It was a lovely affair and a lot of fun. . .

My co-host made fun pom poms (à la Martha Stewart) to add some fun pops of color to the party.

The arrangements were from Ultra Violet Flowers in DC. The bride to be loves lavender and birds so the florist incorporated branches and purple flowers.

We got mini citrus bundt cakes and carrot cake cupcakes- the brides favorite. To keep things healthy we added fruit (no one touched it but it looked pretty)

My fellow hostess made an angel food cake from scratch and covered it with fresh whip cream and strawberries. We also had a citrus frisée salad and two kinds of quiche. 

mystery solved?

{images via here}

Saturday, February 27, 2010

mystery solved?

~

It has gone unanswered for 38 years- longer than I have been alive. My original intention for this post was to reveal that David Geffen was the  superficial man in the now infamous Carly Simon song "Your So Vein"... but now Vanity Fair is making me think otherwise - implying that the "David" in her new cd is simply a promotional push. An unending mystery from an illusive songstress. . . so we continue to guess: Warren Beatty,  Mick Jagger,  Kris Kristofferson, David Cassidy, James Taylor, Cat Stevens, David Crosby? We may never know- and I kind of like it that way.

on hosting: the pineapple

{images via here}

Monday, February 2, 2010

oh hosting: the pineapple

~

Throughout America's history, the pineapple has been synonymous with hospitality. In colonial America a proper hostess showed esteem for her guests by including the fruit in the dining experience. Sweets were an extreme delicacy and any hostess who could procure the exotic fruit was considered both resourceful and thoughtful.

I saw this stationary on Jack and Lulu's website today and thought how perfect it would be as an invitation to a dinner party. It comes with gold foil lined envelopes for an extra festive touch. Since I'm creating an imaginary party. . .

. . .I have had my eye on this Kate Spade dress for some time now- a cocktail party would be the perfect excuse to break out the credit card for this little number. And while it's out, perhaps I can pick up this Verdura pineapple pendant watch (a steal at $15,000) and whimsical apron from etsy.

{image via here  }

{image via here a}

I'm a terrible chef with an even more terrible sweet tooth, so I'm going to ignore dinner and jump right into one of my favorite summer desserts via (the now defunct) Gourmet Magazine. This recipe for grilled pineapple circa 1990 is simple and slightly retro. 

GRILLED PINEAPPLE

SERVES:8

• START TO FINISH:45 MIN OR LESS

1 pineapple

ACCOMPANIMENTS:superpremium vanilla ice cream rum dulce de leche

• 
  

  
  

  Prepare grill. 

  Cut pineapple lengthwise through leaves, 

  keeping leaves attached, into 8 wedges. 

  Grill pineapple wedges, a cut side down, on a lightly oiled rack

  set 5 to 6 inches over glowing coals until just charred, 

  about 2 minutes on each cut side.

  Serve pineapple with ice cream and dulce de leche.