30 November, 2011

Unleashed

One Christmas mood, cooomin' right up...


Hmmm...wonder which department Pilgie and Lolls would head to if unleashed in Bergdorf to Christmas shop pour moi? I'm putting my microchips down on Goyard. They know their très devoted Mummy needs a tote...


*Why, lookie here, Bergdorf has a blog...


Kindness of my friend and fellow doggie lover Joanie DiNardo for directing me toward this heartwarming flick co-staring her sister's black and white, MarieBelle buying, English Cocker Spaniel. As for the stand alone star, Salty, word on the street is he may still be available for adoption from the Humane Society of New York. Wonder what'll happen first? Will my inquiry call be returned...will my readers beat me to the punch like they did with the sold out Devon Baer plaid ruffle top...or will Babe read this post and throw the brakes on my doggie fantasy train. Whaaat shall I put my chips oooon this time??? XXOO

29 November, 2011

Still Carrying The Fiorentini + Baker Torch

It looks as though Babe's schedule is putting a damper on our Christmas in Rome plans sniffle sniffle soooob and, while I hate to burst his good intentions balloon as he covertly (he thinks) considers consolations jaunts to Palm Beach or the Greenbrier, a swing by the Fiorentini + Baker store in Soho would do the trick... 

I had grandi plans to snag a pair in Italy but, since there'll be no when in Roma per me, may I finally extinguish my Emma torch in NYC per favore?

A torch which was recently given this healthy dose of oxygen...

Althooo...the Epi have started tugging at my reminiscent of Laura Ashley heart strings...

As have the li'l less Laura Ashley, li'l more Laura Ingalls Eta. I know, I know...crazy to think I could pull these off... 

Until youknowwho rocked her F + B shorties...

Kindness of Amy for getting the ball rolling on the NEXT Christmas in Venice trip NOW. Late in the game planning 'twas a hard lesson for us to learn and I couldn't agree more that a li'l trinket from VC&A should help to soften your no Rome for Christmas blow. THAAAT'S RIGHT AMYYY, A VC&A TRINKET WOULD MOOOST DEFINITELY HELP TO SOFTEN THE BLOWWW...XXOO

28 November, 2011

Sunday Stacks

I had hoped to spend my Sunday leisurely perusing stacks like this...

And, this...

But, after a long weekend of holiday travel, the only stacks on my immediate horizon seem to be of the ironing...

And, to-do list nature.  Looks like I may have to call for reinforcements...

Anyone? Pilgie? Lolly? chirp chirp chirp...


Kindness of any other gluttons for Beachbody's Insanity torture in the G'wich area who'd like some early morn company for their workout misery. Seems I've also got a li'l stack of unwanted pounds accumulating that needs immediate attention. Anyone? Anyone? XXOO

23 November, 2011

GobbleGobble!

I've got my li'l cooler of Chincoteague oysters packed and we're beach bound for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend...

Besides a trip to Sea Shell City, to replace a $200 piece of coral that Lolly decided looked better in 50¢ piec-es, the only Black Friday action I plan on seeing is the running of many a Coastal Highway mile in an attempt to combat the the previous night's feasting...

I may, however, reward my long run, or drown my caloric sorrows, in a Black Friday traipse around the ole cyber hood...

An 8 miler combined with the 20% discount just may earn me the KEP green agate earrings...

An 8 miler would also give me plenty o' think time for narrowing down my Devon Baer choices cuz right now I'm torn between the Charlotte Tunic Dress...


And, the Caroline Ruffle Dress in navy.  Hmmm...wonder what a 9 miler would get me?

*Enter "Friday" at checkout on Devon Baer Designs and receive 20% off your order. This bit of Black Friday intel courtesy of TCSK...

Kindness of all my faithful readers. Babe, Pilge, Lolly and I are extremely thankful for all y'all. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving and we'll see you back here on Penance Monday...XXOO

22 November, 2011

Annual Oyster Dressing Roll Out

My parents are just now making their way home from Mexico so yet again it became my job to track down the holiday supply of Chincoteague oysters. Handicap being, I ain't near Chincateague no more. Fortunately, the nice man at Bon Ton Fish Market here in Greenwich had some shipped in just pour moi...

Like I said last year, and the year before that, if I were on death row, and requesting my last meal, at theee very top on the menu would be my family's oyster dressing. And, since we're mere days away from Thanksgiving, I thought I'd reshare the recipe in hopes of giving ya'll enough time to develop a game plan for acquiring your own top notch oysters...




*1 pint Chincoteague oysters, drained and chopped
3/4 cup finely chopped onion
1 1/2 cup chopped celery with leaves
1 cup butter
8-9 cups hand cubed soft bread crumbs (cheap loaves white bread works best)
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons dried sage leaves (I am very generous with the sage)
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves (and, equally as generous with the thyme)

In a large stock pot, cook and stir onion and celery in butter until onion is translucent and tender.

Turn off heat and stir in about half the amount of hand cubed bread crumbs. Turn into a deep bowl. Add remaining ingredients and toss.

 Amount of bread cubes used will depend on how moist the oysters are so, add in stages.

Cook in a covered dish At 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

*Be sure to use quality, salty oysters (preferably Chincoteague) otherwise it's just not as delish.

Kindness of Lolly, my forever helper, for never thinking any job, including stray celery catcher, too lowly for her...XXOO

21 November, 2011

Why Oh Why Did I Fire The Maid?

A long week of late night tapings and a jam packed weekend of fun with overnight guests, and we're pooped...

I'm actually feigning complete exhaustion cuz Mummy's looking for volunteers since the cleaning lady cancelled at the eleventh hour...

Let Lolly do it since she enjoys cleaning so much. Besides, (whispers behind paw) maybe it'll help them work off all the pain au chocolat they inhaled this weekend...

Kindness of Lolly for not only always being Mama's helper but, for also suggesting it only fair that I get to put my unused cleaning lady money towards a massage. That's my li'l pain au chocolate sharing girlfriend...XXOO  

18 November, 2011

Shark Scarf Week: Duh Duh DUH...The Hermès Shawl

If ever a crime was worth the punishment, 'twas my ratted out by Amy covert Hermès shawl purchase of September...

I have hardly left the house without being draped in that thing. And, I'm pretty sure even the warden at the Big House has changed his tune after escorting it around NYC to many an admiring stare..
.
And, merci to all the readers, the first out of the gate being Meg of Pigtown Design, who sent me this great video with 25 ways to tie a scarf. Peeersonallyyy, I learned how badly I want that Louis Vuitton Stephen Sprouse leopard stole...

Kindness of an old friend who once told me, one should learn to live with beautiful things. Who cares if they get snagged, slightly torn, or even worse for the wear, for that is what gives them character and enjoying them brings such joy. It was my hope to encourage y'all to do the same with these vlogs and, from all the emails, tweets and messages I received, I think Shark Scarf Week managed to do just that. Merci beaucoup for all the feedback. And, maybe, juuust maybe, I'll be back with a few more next week. I said maaaybeee...XXOO

17 November, 2011

Shark Scarf Week: The Shawl Of Kings

How lucky for me, unlucky for youknowwho, that our new neighbor and friend, Suzana, brought a suitcase full of pashtoosh and shahtoosh shawls with her from Turkey...

Shahtoosh, which literally means shawl of kings, were first hand woven for Shahs from the delicate hair of Tibetan antelope living 5000 meters up in the Himalayas. Their fur became in such high demand that the antelope are now stringently protected on the endangered species list and killing them for their wool, or buying a real pashtoosh, likened to the trafficking of drugs and highly illegal worldwide. Nevermind the criminal act, who would want to walk around draped in that karma?!

Thankfully, all of Suzana's shahtoosh and pashtoosh are made from very fine cashmere gathered from specially bred, still living to tell their tale, legal antelope. Read, all good karma. Look closely at the navy pashtoosh I started with and you can see the fine downy feathers woven throughout. Swoon...

Babe's still stuck on the started with portion of that last paragraph. Sooo many pretty colors to choose from and the truth is I WANT THEM ALL! Hmmm...maybe I should educate the Chilean born Suzana about the American lawaway plan...

Then after Babe I pay off my pashtoosh pile, I could start chipping away at thee slightly less expensive although, forgive me Ti-Babes, still softer than anything you've felt on this side of the world, shahtoosh pile...

Of course, I'll have to add a few new shawl tying tricks to my bag of for showcasing both sides of the reversible shahtoosh...

Til then, here are a couple to get you nimble...

*If anyone is seriously interested in buying a pashtoosh ($700) or shahtoosh ($500) from Suzana,, before they're gobbled up by the G'wich ladies in queue, please email me for deets at pinkandgreen@gmail.com

Kindness of Suzana for giving me first dibbies before she allowed anyone else to see them and the in depth education, which I hardly did justice. Also, my father-in-law, for not killing me when I introduce my mother-in-law to Suzana and her gorgeous wares this weekend when they visit. Between all all pashtoosh, shahtoosh and Stamford Antiquing I have planned, ya may need to pack a suitcase full of something other than clooothesss...XXOO

16 November, 2011

Shark Scarf Week: The Pochette Three Trick Pony

Everyone should have at least one pochette in their Hermès scarf arsenal. The pochette may play JV to the 90cm's Varsity but, they are a smidge less threatening while still managing to peg you as stylish...


If you're really clever, you'll find a way to parlay all three moves into one outing. You're friends and admirers will be très impressed...

And, for those of you curious as to how I store my scarves, I don't. I keep mine folded and stacked, front and center, on a shelf in my closet cuz, out of sight leads to out of mind. Not just my mind but, also the mind of any potential gift giver who may be sharing the same closet... 

Kindness of everyone for turning a blind eye and ear to my jammie bottoms and half asleep self . My cameraman didn't return home for taping til well past my bedtime. Seriously considering docking him a pochette scarf purchase...XXOO 

15 November, 2011

Shark Scarf Week: The Hermès 90cm

I know too many people with gorgeous Hermès scarves collecting dust in drawers and closets cuz they don't know how to wear them. Quelle horreur! No body puts Baby Hermès in the corner!
 
The trick for any scarf wielding neophyte, is to first get familiar with a basic knot or two, like these. Once you're comfortable tossing this look on with just about anything, button downs, dresses, sweaters, tees..., then you can worry about adding more knots to your arsenal. And, more Hermès scarves to your closet...


*Disclaimer: please excuse the quality of video as my cameraman didn't return from his day job til 10pm and musta left his A game at the office. As to the quality of my star power, this is post evening 5 miler, jammies on, jammies off, dirty clothes back on, let's make this fast cuz I'm missing Real Housewives annnd ACTION... 


Kindness of my dear friend Joanie DiNardo who was thee very first person I knew to throw an Hermès scarf on as casually as she would a necklace. Introducer to Belgies AND effortless scarf wearing makes for one mighty impressive CV in my book Joanie Balonie...XXOO

14 November, 2011

Shark Scarf Week: Love Quote Knot

Since I'm not currently cavorting in the shark infested warm Pacific water as planned, I'm redirecting my energies and declaring this Shark Scarf Week here in Summerland...
 

Five years ago, the manager of the East Hampton Calypso generously taught me how to tie this Love Quote scarf knot the way that Calvin Klein had taught her. It's a particularly good looking knot peeking out from your Barbour jacket or worn just with a big wrap sweater in the fall. Noooot so much with dirty, wrinkly khakis and one's competing popped collar...

Kindness of Babe, for manning the camera and wisely steering clear of any closeups of my makeup less face, Lolly, for always being a natural in the spotlight and, General Hahnahninnahnad Pilgie, for juggling the overseeing and underwriting of the whole production and being my lone studio audience...XXOO

11 November, 2011

Mohammad Had To Postpone Her Trip To The Mountain La Playa...

By noon today, I was supposed to be lathered up and sipping on a Coke Lite con limons while baking in the Mexican sun. But, Babe and I decided that, if we're planning to head abroad for Christmas, it was probably best I postpone my trip for now. Sooo, let the mountain la playa come to Mohammad...

 Via this gorgeous Melissa Odabash nautical Jamie dress...

And, Petit Bateau's marine blue and navy stripe tee. There. Now I feel better...

Kindness of Babe who will heed this warning from the Verbiage Police; it was, "looks like we're definitely going to try and do Europe for Christmas" pre canceling of trip and, "we're thinking of doing Europe for Christmas" post. You're thiiiiis close to being issued a MAJOR citation Sir...XXOO

10 November, 2011

Joy Joy Joy...

I have been carrying around this US magazine tear out desperately looking for these J Brand Skinny cords to act as a methadone for my summer colored Haute Hues addiction...

I'd all but given them up for dead, finger poised to dial Dr. Drew, when, like angels dealers from on high, the Shopafrolic sisters delivered them to me on a silver Black Cherry platter...

And, in an instant, one addiction was swapped for another. The Black Cherries aren't even out of tracking limbo and I've already got my next fix cooling their Peridot Green heels on deck..

  
Just like a legit script, I've got Bright Royal refill...

After Aubergine refill and those days of loitering on the Saks denim department corner are over...

Kindness of the Shopafrolic sisters for finding me the much coveted Black Cherry J Brand Skinny cords. You guys don't happen to have any connections at HomeGoods do ya? See, there's this table...XXOO

09 November, 2011

No Shoe Horn Needed

Well, last weekend's excursion to Barney's Denim Counter was a bust. Too many skin tight options and I just didn't even know where to begin. I defaulted to hanging close to my beloved J. Brand Haute Hues and queuing up which color to get next. Then I tortured Babe on the elevator ride back down with threats of bringing back the Levi 501. Now there's a jean ya don't need a shoe horn to get on...

And, just when I had started to embrace the whole 501 resurrection, a swing by Atlantic-Pacific's blog had me thrilled to find Bee still rockin' the Current/Elliot Boyfriend Jean...

You mean I can still wear this style even though it's several years old? Sold! Fat day, skinny day, who cares, those loosie goosies could hide a multitude of chocolate sins...

And, as it happens, I recently got my hot li'l mitts on last year's sold out J. Crew tartan shirt which will get me as close to Bee's pulled together look as I'll ever come...

I may even be able to fake her second boyfriend jeans ensemble a smidge...

Already have Crews black gingham shirt in the lineup so, all that's left to do is sweet talk Emma out of that charcoal rugby striped car coat of hers over Thanksgiving. Surely it's novelty has worn off after four years. Come on Em, throw a hard to find jeans that flatter an athletic badonkadunk gal a legs up to here bone...


Kindness of EAS for the head's up when J. Crew relaunched the tartan shirt that got away and Atlantic-Pacific for letting me know the boyfriend jeans wagon had circled back around. Lastly Amy, (hangs head in shame) for not being disappointed in me when Babe inevitably reports to her of my Barney's faux pas. After all her training I still asked the salesgirl if this was indeed the "jeans" bar. 'Twas NOT quite the Eliza Doolittle moment we had hoped for...XXOO  

08 November, 2011

Clothes On Monkeys On Phones

Loved waking to this bit of breaking news feed on my Facebook last week...

Iomoi rolled out a slew of swanky case opts for the 4S, 4, 3GS and 3G iPhones. Glory be!

So many tempting styles...

How ever will I narrow my choice to just one?

Do I picture myself bikini clad playing Words With Friends on my parrot cay clad mobile while baking on la playa in Mexico this winter?

Or dispatching tweets from abroad while, fingers crossed, celebrating Christmas in Rome?

I can't, however, picture having to hide this fun contender...

Orrr this one from the bff Kimba who has a fear of monkeys dressed in human clothing...

May have to go with these li'l fellas in the skinny...

And, double check that daper fox haven't made their way onto her willies list. Ya never know, the genus vulpes donning toile pants and crested slippers could quite possibly be terrorizing North Carolina like their brethren the ill dressed monkey...

Kindness of the bff for noting my generous consideration of her feelings however INSANE they may be. Sorry, sorry...guess there's a wee touch of residual bitterness left for having to edit my wardrobe of a beautiful yellow Steven Stolman skirt cuz it had MONKEYS WITH CLOTHES ON IT. Okay, okay I'm composed now. Anything for a bff she said definitely NOT rolling her eyes at yesterday's birthday girl...XXOO