24 December, 2009

Merry Christmas And A Très Happy New Year

Taking a Christmas break and will return bright eyed, bushy tailed and ready to begin the count down til summer on January 4th. Big plans to spend time with Babe during his vacation, take long runs with Emma, compare Santa loot piles with the bff during her visit, bowl with the family, finally catch up on blog reads and, lotsa and losta of good movies...

Kindness of family and all the new friends I have met through blogging this year. I am so grateful for the kind words and support and wish everyone the Merriest of Christmases and the Happiest of New Years...XXOO

23 December, 2009

Coquito Take Me Away

It's been a few weeks full of out of town soirées, planes, trains and white knuckle driving through a blizzard, yet unfinished Christmas shopping, and hundreds of Paperless Post cards still waiting to be, well, posted. I'll have a Coquito with a cinnamon stick garnish please Mr. Belvedere...

Coquito
(Serves 10)

2 egg yolks
1 (12 fluid oz) can evaporated milk
1 (14 oz) cream of coconut
1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup white rum
1/2 cup water
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In the top of a double boiler, combine egg yolks and evaporated milk. Stirring constantly, cook over lightly simmering water until mixture reaches a temperature of 160 degrees F (71 degrees C). The mixture should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.

Transfer the mixture to a blender, and add cream of coconut, sweetened condensed milk, rum, water, cloves, cinnamon and vanilla. Blend for about 30 seconds. Chill overnight. Or not, if you're desperate like I...




Perfect when paired with Nothing Like the Holidays and a turned off computer...

Kindness of Babe who has been très patient while I have periodically unraveled...XXOO

22 December, 2009

Lizzie And Lauren Guest Christmas Wish List Wrap Up

Aide-de-camp Lizzie and Lauren are key fashion figures in my set of young friends who help to keep my signet wearing finger on the pulse of hipness. The three of us happen to be cut from the same preppy, with just a smidge of Pam Anderson, cloth...

Thanks to Lizzie I can now speak Balenciaga bags, Longchamp and John Robshaw with the best of em all while prancing around in a Melissa Odabash teenie bikini. Albeit, more than likely paired with a Petit Bateau tee...

"West Elm Parsons Desk in white..."

"Belstaff leather bomber jacket from J. Crew..."

"Calypso Nuna Shirt in pink..."

"Links of London bracelet..."

"CB2 Halogen Credenza in white. Not a too extravagant list but, hopefully entertaining nonetheless..."

Oh Lauren, let me just say upfront, hair extensions...sparkly gold shoes...count me in! I too was reared by Karen Moore and her leopard print self. And, lest ye forget our first taste of faux locks with the Hecht Company pony tail special ohhh so many years ago...

"Number 1 on my list, which I will not be receiving this Christmas, is the Chanel Baroque Inspired Ring. I received a Chanel turquoise ring from Alex as a 'just because' gift (I know...I die) but, I lost it (he still doesn't know). This one would be a great replacement!"

"Number 2 on my list, thanks to the fabulous Ms. Rachel Zoe, is the Prada book. I can't have a Christmas without adding to my amazing collection of fashion coffee table books. I would challenge most to try and outdo my collection. The Prada book is a 708-page fusion of fashion, art and film with postage stamp-sized pictures of each runway look since 1987."

Now, I know this one may seem a bit ironic, considering how technologically savvy I am, but I know you, of all people, can appreciate my compulsive list making and the feeling of never being organized enough (yes, I think I can thank YOU for this trait, since my whole family thinks I'm insane). Number 3 on my list is the Large Lilly Pulitzer Agenda, filled with prints, die-cut designs, colorful tabs, and so many more fun organizational tools!"

You may cringe at number 4, but you know I'm a sucker for animal prints (it's the Karen Moore in me) and I've been eyeing these since they came out. I will not mention a certain mother who took it upon herself to buy these shoes for HERSELF rather than her poor daughter. Thus, the Snake Print Reva ballerina flat in gold..."

"You are going to laugh so hard when you hear my next request but, my friend Whitney and I SWEAR by Jessica Simpson hair extensions. Notice the above pony tail? It's fake!"

"Anyways, I'm dying for the 22 inch clip in extension..."

I tried to limit it to five but, I have to ask for my face wash products (especially when they are this pricey). Although, many have tried to convert me to Kiehls, I swear by my Chanel Balance products..."

Kindness of aide-de-camp Lizzie and Lauren for occasionally holding my hand while I step out of my preppy comfort zone. I'm like the proud parent who now needs the apartment over the garage...XXOO

21 December, 2009

Fancy Duo Christmas Wish List Guest Post

Today's wish list comes from two of my fancy shmantzy friends, Meg Carter and Amy Fahrenkopf. One is on intimate terms with Lilly Pulitzer and the other has been known to have "Oval Office" as her Facebook status. I thrive in being in the shadows of such fabulousity...

It comes as no surprise to me that I should want everything on Meg Carter's wish list. Not only have we both worn the same perfumes since high school (Lauren and Cristalle) but, also have the same taste in Belgians, fuzzy leopards please! You know what they say...Keep your friends close, and your friends that hobnob with Lilly Pulitzer closer...

"This Glamourpuss NYC grey fur funnel was too good to pass up - it's already sitting under the tree, wrapped and labeled To Meg, From Meg"...

"Sea World bag by Mary Frances..."

"Grey Roger Vivier pumps (although I may wait for the mid-heel). Have you watched the video on the Roger Vivier website? Candy for the eyes..."

"And, of course I am eagerly awaiting my new Jo Malone winter scent on your recommendation. My brother thanks you for letting him cross me off his list without ever leaving his desk."

"Christmas isn't complete without a new stack of books. I am hoping for the new Kelly Wearstler book..."

"...and I have given Christmas at the New Yorker many times and still enjoy pulling it out every year. Also in our Christmas stack are Truman Capote's A Christmas Memory, Watch For the Light: Readings For Advent and Christmas, and an early copy of Anne Morrow Lingbergh's Christmas in Mexico (from the period when her father was the ambassador)."

"Can't reveal what I am getting my friends, except I know I am safe from discovery from my father-in-law who has never touched a computer in his life. He's getting a wool Christmas waistcoat from J. McLaughlin. I debated between blue with reindeer and wreaths, or the green with Christmas trees. I liked the blue better, but decided the green was the safer bet..."

"Merry Christmas to one and all! I am so grateful for all the new friends 2009 has brought into my life..."

I live, travel and shop vicariously through my friend Amy. Just receiving an email that reads, "You would have died at this royal club last night. Beautiful place, beautiful people, a handful of dukes and earls" is proximity enough to give me a thrill...

"The Louis Vuitton Mahina Lunar PM bag in saddle. The dream gift..."

"Chanel pearl necklace with interlocking C's..."

"Mad Men Seasons One and Two. Already a classic..."

"Ippolita Rock Candy mini-lollipop mother of pearl earrings..."

"J. Crew Gypsy Rose metallic cami..."

"Lululemon Groove Pant because you can never have too many..."

"Hanky Pankys. Again, because you can never have too many...

"Tumi International carry-on. Unfortunately a necessity but, the red makes packing more fun and the expansion makes room for purchases!"

"Louis Vuitton Monogram Shawl in Pomme d'amour or casis...

"Wolf Hall, the latest Booker Prize winner..."

Kindness of Meg Carter and Amy Fahrenkopf for allowing me to name drop so shamelessly. My scent twin Meg, your generosity seems endless. And Amy, I will forever be enrolled in your Finishing School of Fashion, Politics and Travel...XXOO

17 December, 2009

Julie's Christmas Wish List Guest Post

Getting Julie's list out of her was like pulling teeth. She only had one item that she was really lusting over and, beyond that, was mostly focused on gifts for the girls. Like a quick draw artist, I'm the best in the west when it comes to reeling off my own wish list and it took all of my list slinging abilities to pry these items out of my sister...



Extracted at the eleventh hour of wish list wrestling was a trip to NYC with Emma and Hilary and tickets to see Jersey Boys...

And here are the lusted after Frye Harness boots that have already been lifted from under the tree and packed for a weekend in Baltimore...

The North Face Metropolis coat for cold recess duty days...

A cult fav in the beach house, Kiehl's Creme de Corps...

And, my sister's crack, Kérastase Mousse Nutri-Sculpt, which she stocks up on like canned goods in a bomb shelter...

The Louis Vuitton Alexandra wallet...

Apparently, one can never have enough Under Armour skorts...

A wheeled one suiter from T. Anthony in blue...

And, the requisite earmarked for Mexico item, Calypso's seersucker Antoine jumpsuit. One for me too please...

Kindness of Julie for allowing me exercise my wish list whisperer abilities...XXOO

Emma And Hilbil's Christmas Wish List Guest Post

Emma and Hilary are double teaming this next post in the Christmas Wish List series. Since Emma is in the vicinity of my size, I have a special interest vested in her loot pile. Looks like I better plan on embracing Furman purple...

The Hangover DVD...

Burberry's Longmere Quilted Funnel-Neck Jacket in purple...

Hunter Originals in iris...

A personally engraved iPOD Nano in, what else, purple...

And, rounding out the hue du jour is a Longchamp large tote to add to the ever expanding collection...

Her last item may snake it's on to my wish list. The Tory Burch Distressed Metallic Leather Continental Wallet in navy. Ohhh Santaaaa....

Now, Hilbils is a girl after my own sun chasing heart. Top on her list is a spring break trip to my parents home in Ixtapa Mexico....

And the perfect bikini for packing...

A certain dorm room is in need of the Keurig Mini Brewing System...

Love for the J. Crew Pixie pant is obviously an inherited trait cuz, I lived in mine last year...

Even I'm pulling for Santa to bring Hilly this Owl Ring from Urban Outfitters. I may actually be able to fit into something of hers for once...

And, taking a cue from the Kimba school of "dreaming big" Hilly is wrapping things up with a wish for an inaugural piece of her dream luggage from Louis Vuitton. Are they taking applications at this school cuz I think I'd like to apply...

Kindness of Emma and Hilary for finding the time to make their lists in the midst of exams. Better keep those studies up girlies with those taste levels that rival Auntie Allie and Auntie Kimba's...XXOO