kline of blue

{image s via the hirshhorn}

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

kline of blue

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One of the very best things about living in DC is the multitude of wonderful FREE museums. One of the very best things about working down town is that I can take my lunch break exploring all the new exhibits. Recently I had lunch at th Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden to view Yves Klein: With the Void, Full Powers. Rarely does an exhibition move me as much as the Kline show has. The visceral effect of the International Kline Blue (invented by Yves Klein) was really indescribable. I highly recommend a visit to the Hirshhorn if you are visiting (or live in) DC. If you can't make it to the retrospective you can view the extensive digital collection here.

{image s via here}

grasp – grab – seize – c l u t c h

{image s via the kate spade}

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

grasp – grab – seize – c l u t c h

~

Oh Kate Spade... just when I think my closet is bursting at the seams, you come up with something that I can't live without. This skinny clutch with its exaggerated proportions would work for any weekend function. I envision it jazzing up my most mundane cocktail dresses or pairing it (as pictured below) with jeans and a billowy top for an casual evening out.

a new wave for dior

{dress image s via here | Parisian images via here }

Monday, June 7, 2010

a new wave for dior

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The Dior 2011 Ready to Wear show was a true work of art. The collection was inspired by the enduring style of the French New Wave. The moment I set eyes on this collection I was instantly reminded of some amazing photos I saw taken by Tom Palumbo. The photos, like Galliano's most recent collection, seem classic and decidedly French. I was intrigued to find out that the photos were taken in 1962 during the week that Yves Saint Laurent debuted his own fashion line - dispelling any concerns left over from his 5 year stint at Christian Dior. 

 

picnic in the park

{image via here}

Tuesday, May 28, 2010

picnic in the park

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It's the start of Memorial Day weekend, the official kick off to summer. I plan to enjoy the lovely weather and eat some fantastic food. The long weekend give me enough time to plan the perfect picnic. Here's hoping that it's not too hot to enjoy it! 

prettiest in pink

{image via here and here}

Thursday, May 27, 2010

prettiest in pink

~ 

Gwyneth Paltrow really knocked my stilettos off with the bubble gum pink Prada number she wore to this year's National Movie Awards in London.  I usually enjoy Ms. Paltrow's style but this is out of her comfort zone - and I for one appreciate it. So retro! So bright!

{images clockwise: via here,  here, and here}

chicago is my kind of town

  

{image via here}

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

chicago is my kind of town

~ 

Michelle Obama - deep dish pizza - Ferris Bueller's Day Off. All great things from Chicago. A few weeks ago a catalog from Jayson Home & Garden appeared in my mailbox with the usual bills and restaurant menus. Jayson Home & Garden has an amazing collection of vintage and unique finds both in their catalog and on their website.  I have not purchase anything yet but I have made a rather large wish list. Here are some of my favorites:

inspired by viceroy, palm springs

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

inspired by viceroy, palm springs

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{images of the viceroy via here | marni tote via net-a-porter | kenneth jay lane crystal drop earrings via here | kate moss for topshop maxi dress| zimmerman swim suite}

cannes candids

{image via here}

Monday, May 17, 2010

cannes candids

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The Cannes Film Festival is well underway. All the beautiful people, perfect weather and sandy beaches are enough to make a gal jealous. I stumbled upon this cute retrospective from Life about the festival through the years. 

{sun kissed Natalie Wood | 1962}

{French actress Philomene Toulouse - with a fox!- | 1962}

{Michael Caine on his promotional tour of Alfie|1966}

{The scene | 1955}

{It wouldn't feel like classic Hollywood...err...Cannes without Hitchcock- here with his wife and Tippi Hedren} 

{Jane Birkin looking effortlessly beautiful | 1975}

{Actress Bella Darvi outside of the Carlton Hotel- site of to catch a thief}

{Grace | 1955}

{the leisure-class enjoying Cannes photographed by Slim Keith |1958}

{Kirk Douglas - I'll let his shoes do the talking}

mango mojitos

Sunday, May 6, 2010

mango mojitos

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My urban gardening efforts have really paid off. This weekend I found myself with a plethora of mint and a lot of free time. Obviously that meant my husband had to work overtime perfecting one of my all time favorite cocktails... the mango mojito.  Here's what we came up with.

MANGO MOJITO

Place a generous portion of mint (approximately 12 leaves+stems) at the bottom of a rock glass or tumbler.

Put in 2 quartered lime wedges with a sizable slice of mango.

Muddle.

Add 1 ½ oz rum.

A splash of simple syrup.

Stir.

Add 4 ice cubes and top off with sparking water.

Serve. 

getting in the spirit

Thursday, May 13, 2010

getting in the spirit

~

I've always enjoyed a fine cocktail while watching a movie. I read a recent New York Times article by Wendell Jamieson highlighting the impact a good cocktail can have on a movie. It got me thinking about the perfect pairings . . .

 SUNSET BOULEVARD | VODKA GIMLET

Norma Desmond's favorite cocktail. I don't see why you would need any other reason to drink one too. 

LOVE ACTUALLY | MULLED WINE

Two perfect holiday traditions combined. Love Actually warms the heart and mulled wine warms the soul.

SEVEN YEAR ITCH | WHISKY SOUR

Main character and 'faithful husband' Richard Sherman drinks them for breakfast. I suggest you join him for the movie - it will certainly cool you off while watching that iconic Monroe v. subway grate scene.

SMALL TIME CROOKS | MANHATTAN

Woody Allen. Hugh Grant. Cookies.

All things that go perfectly with a manhattan cocktail. Besides, you can't think of Woody Allen without thinking of Manhattan and I can't think of anything but manhattans.

THE BIG LEBOWSKI | WHITE RUSSIAN

Need I say more than "The Dude Abides"

MISS PETTIGREW LIVES FOR A DAY|CHAMPAGNE COCKTAIL

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day is one of my favorite feel good movies. It's bright and girly- just like a champagne cocktail

DIAL M FOR MURDER | MARTINI

a classic drink for a classic movie. There's nothing like clutching a cool drink while watching a great thriller.

((check out another cute movie/drink post here))

getaway

{all images via Luxury Link}

Tuesday, May11, 2010

getaway

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It is almost summer which means it is almost time to plan a vacation. Every summer I take a vacation that leaves me more exhausted then when I left, so this year I'm thinking about the ultimate idle holiday.

A friend sent me to Luxury Link where you can get discounts on lavish vacation destinations. I already feel more relaxed just looking at the photos of Hotel Christopher in St. Barth, French West Indies. . . perhaps I won't need to break out the credit card!

a case of the mondays

Monday, May10, 2010

a case of the mondays

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I've heard about enough of the work related 'buzzwords' lately. I swear if someone says 'let's circle back' one more time I'm going to scream.Through out the last couple weeks I jotted down everything that I've heard that I consider to be too buzzy and I created my 'wall of buzzword shame'. Please refrain from using any of the phrases above all week.

. . . Happy Monday everyone. 

cartier in the usa

{all images via here}

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

cartier in the usa

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Last year Cartier celebrated its 100th anniversary in the good ol' United States. In celebration the classic jewelry house created an exhibition highlighting their rich heritage.  The exhibition is still on display (until May 9) at the Fine Arts Museum of  San Francisco...hurry! Here are my favorite pieces from the Cartier vaults for your lusting pleasure.

summer plans

{click to enlarge}

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

summer plans

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It's 90 degrees outside. So whether I'm ready for it or not- it's almost summertime. For me summer is about lazy afternoons in the park, grilling with friends and boundless efforts -in vain- trying to keep my hair frizz free in the DC humidity. I made a list of other things I would like to accomplish this summer. I'm looking forward to watching Twin Peaks with my mint tea in my Top-Siders!