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.

arts and letters

{all images via tom gabor }

Thursday, February 18, 2010

arts and letters

~

Above, hilarious. Below, sensational. What more can I say. . . I love a serif related pun!

{image via typornography}

dylan on canvas

{images via here}

Wednesday, February 18, 2010

dylan on canvas

~

Bob Dylan finally got around to painting his masterpiece - or a least putting brush to canvas. On February 13 London's prestigious Halcyon Gallery debuted a small collection of the musicians work creatively titled"Bob Dylan On Canvas". Want one for yourself? Hurry. The show is only on display until April 10.

ny fashion week: carolina herrera

{all images via style}

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

ny fashion week: carolina herrera

~

Everyone is talking about Marc Jacobs amazing 'back to basics' fashion debut yesterday. I must say I too was impressed...but what really excited me (and didn't get the same press) was the return of classic Herrera. The beauty of her  clothes just knocks me over. 

Everyone knows Ms. Herrera caters to the 'beau monde' set but what I loved about this collection is that I could see it on *mothers and *daughters alike.

*wealthy ones, of course

i love you without knowing how

{image via here}

Sunday, February 14, 2010

i love you without knowing how

~

"I love you without knowing how,
                                                          or when, 

or from where. 

I love you   s t r a i g h t f o r w a r d l y, 

without complexities or pride;

 so I love you because 

I know no other way." 

— Pablo Neruda

~happy valentine's day~

50 stylish men

{all sexy images via GQ}

Saturday, February 13, 2010

50 stylish men

~

In honor of the impending holiday, I thought I would pull one of my favorite GQ articles from the vault. Who doesn't enjoy spending some quality time with a group of stylish men? Check out the article here.