It's A Dark Day For Blonds

I have an Elaine "sponge" situation on my hands. Kiehl's has discontinued one of my summer staples; my never blond enough Chamomile shampoo!


I became hooked on Chamomile shampoo after reading that Christie Brinkley swore by the stuff for the blondest of locks, even washing her hair in the salty ocean water for maximum blondness. Of course, she being the pied piper of blondness, I became an immediate acolyte and followed her right into the sea...

So, what's a gal to do??? I'm taking a cue from Elaine and buying up every bottle on the NW side of DC during my 48 hour window back into town! Lookout Kiehl's of G'town and Blue Mercury, I'll be there first thing Friday morn, forklift in tow...

The Lilly Love Continues

Summer is already halfway over and I still have a Lilly wish list a mile long with no end in sight.

The pièce de résistance of Lilly's Jubilee Collection is hands down the Saemus Dress and this was solidified (in my mind at least) once I saw a pic of Brooke Sheilds sporting it while hosting an event in NYC.

I've been stalking this Pucci-esque dress since I fist spied it at the Lilly Pulitzer flagship store on Madison Avenue waaay back in December.

All that's needed with this beauty is a tan and a certain pair of gold Manola Blankchecks that have been gathering dust and are ready for a comeback.

Also sighted during the Christmas outing in NYC, the Elias Dress in yellow silk dupioni. The beading is so heavy you could take out an eye pulling on over your head.

The Fiesta Dress in Lilly's Pink Tiger Lilly fits like a glove and looked puuurfect with my hot pink Ferragamo Varinas that I just happened to have on during our most recent rendezvous in the Tickled Pink dressing room.

Ditto for the Bowen Dress in Lilly's Pink Seeing Double. It's low dress on the totem pole but just too darn cute with the Varinas to pass up.

Finally, I told Babe I would definitely play his beloved Monopoly with him if we can get this edition. His golf version just isn't much of a lure for moi.

Thank you to ADG for the Manola Blankcheck quote that I will take to my grave. Still makes me laugh every time I use it...

What Money Can't Buy

It's easy to dress the part, but significantly more impressive to act it. Let's start this week off on the proper foot...

Thank you to LPC at Privilege and Bitsy at Bitsy and Olive for the kind awards they bestowed upon me. I truly, truly appreciate the thoughtful sentiments. Especially so when they arrive via two true blue preps! XXOO

Happy Birthday Teague and Charlotte

This weekend my family will converge at my sister Mandy's house where she and her husband, Scott, host an annual birthday extravaganza for my niece and nephew.

Teague and Charlotte are true Irish twins, born less than a year apart, with only a couple of days between their birthdays in July.



This year Aunt Alice and Uncle Babe are gifting Charlotte with one of my all time fav movies, Born Free. You know that universal question, "If you could invite five people living or dead to dinner who would they be"? Well, although not technically a "person", Elsa would be at the top of my list. I'd seat her right next to Seabiscuit.

British children of a "certain class" are brought up on Kipling and I still remember begging my mom to read "just one more chapter" before bed when I was very young. Although, I am of English decent, I don't think I fall quite into the aforementioned category but, one can reach. So, in passing on the tradition of Gunga Din and Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, it's The Jungle Book for Tiggie. Aunt Allie will either be remembered for introducing a love of classics ooooorrrr....for horrible nightmares involving Shere Khan and big, mean man eating lions. It could go either way and I'm sure Mandy will keep me posted especially, if any loss of sleep is involved...

Margaret Elizabeth Designs

Private jet? Anyone? Anyone? I've got my thumb out trying to hitch a ride to Newport, RI in time for Margaret Elizabeth's Trunk Show at CK Bradley this Friday and Saturday.

I've got my T. Anthony duffel packed...

...and, I'm traveling light.

I figure all I need are a pair of white jeans...

A couple of Ralph Lauren cable knit cashmere sweaters...

A white tee or two...

...and, the Canfora's on my pretty little feet.

That's all I need to provide the perfect palette for all the lovely Margaret Elizabeth baubles I plan to scoop up.

I'll be the Beyonce of Newport swapping out my jewels like outfits as the weekend progresses.

With each stone, pearl and embellishment handpicked by Meg's expert eye, whichever lovely piece I happen to be sporting at the moment will hopefully deflect from the fact that I've forgotten to pack my underthings.

Pshaw! I needed room in the duffel for my new mini Margaret Elizabeth wardrobe that I will inevitably be bringing back with me! Considering Meg is offering 10% off to all Summer is a Verb groupies who show up, it's only natural to assume in multiples.

I'm thinking we should leave Thursday evening to ensure being fashionably early for the trunk show??? Call me...

See you at CK Bradley, July 10th and 11th, 28 Bellevue Ave in Newport, RI. Call CKB at 401.847.9777 with any questions such as, "are there any pieces left after Allie at Summer is a Verb came thru?". And, I suggest checking out Meg's blog to get you in the mood and limbered up for the big event.

Doctor Fancy Pants

A couple of years ago Santa left Babe a pair of Birds of Sausilito boxers in his stocking.

I had read about the family owned company in one of my Daily Candies while still living in Charlottesville. I bought them sight unseen mostly because Megan, of the husband and wife team, had graduated from UVA.

Luxurious custom tailored boxers AND a fellow Wahoo? It was a no brainer.

Doctor Babe was getting some literal fancy pants to match his figurative ones.

The Birds boxers come in a custom fit...

And, a classic fit...

I've been eyeing up the 448 thread count, custom made Pima cotton, single needle constructed, mother-of-pearl pajamas for Santa to bring moi. Puhleeze...I'd be hard pressed to wait til 4pm to don my daily lounge wear. And, I'd most definitely be showing up at Whole Foods in my pj's more than the usual no shame amount.

And now, Birds of Sausalito has co-branded with San Fransisco's "iconic" Mulholland Brothers to offer a handpicked selection of leather goods.

Babe may be graduating from fancy pants to fancy bags.

How I Wiled Away the Holiday

Dropping my camera, lense opened, with my butter fingers and breaking it...

Eying CKB's Calidora Top...

Appreciating a history making Wimbledon match...

Sampling selections of Bon Appetit's Around the World in 80 Hot Dogs at Chez Mom and Dad...

Doing a whole lot of this...

Seeing this three thumbs up (Hilary's, Emma's and mine), don't forget your linen hankie movie.

Annnd...still pursuing my pink Varina Boston lead.

PS...the five selections of hot dogs my parents made included the North Africa, the England, the India, the Spain and the Germany. England was by far my fav with the delcious roasted leeks and North Africa was pretty darn bitter and yucky. So, if we're rating on a 1-3 hot dog scale, England gets "3 Hot Dogs" while North Africa gets "1 Hot Dog...in the trash can".