It's Finally Here...

Tomorrow's the big day...

DQ debuts the Girl Scout Thin Mint Blizzard as the Blizzard of the Month. It just so happens to fall on my cheat day sooo, see ya in line...

Best Blueberry Scones Ever

Since blueberry season is drawing to a close, I forced my sister Genevieve to make my mom's famous blueberry scones just so that i could take a picture and post about them. We are blessed with gourmet cooks for parents and, as witnessed by the July 4th entry, even hot dogs are an event in their home. They are always searching for the "best" recipes and, this one from Cook's Illustrated, definitely fits the bill. Do not be put off by the lengthy instructions, Cook's is nothing, if not thorough AND well researched...

Makes 8

It is important to work the dough as little as possible; work quickly and knead and fold the dough only the number of times called for. The butter should be frozen solid before grating. In hot or humid environments, chill the flour mixture and work bowls before use. While the recipe calls for 2 whole sticks of butter, only 10 tablespoons are actually used (see step 1). If fresh berries are unavailable, an equal amount of frozen berries (do not defrost) can be substituted. An equal amount of raspberries, blackberries, or strawberries can be used in place of the blueberries. Cut larger berries into 1/4 to 1/2 inch pieces before incorporating. Refrigerate or freeze leftover scones, wrapped in foil, in an airtight container. To serve, remove foil and place scones on a baking sheet in a 375 degree oven. Heat until warmed through and recrisped, 8 to 10 minutes if refrigerated, 16 to 20 minutes if frozen. See final step for information on making the scone dough in advance.

16 tablespoons unsalted butter (2 sticks), frozen whole
1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries (about 7 1/2 ounces), picked over
1/2 cup whole milk
1/2 cup sour cream
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (10 ounces), plus additional for work surfaces
1/2 cup sugar (3 1/2 ounces), plus 1 tablespoon for sprinkling
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon table salt
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 425 degrees. Score and remove half of wrapper from each stick of frozen butter. Grate unwrapped ends on large holes of box grater (you should grate total of 8 tablespoons). Place grated butter in freezer until needed. Melt 2 tablespoons of remaining ungrated butter and set aside. Save remaining 6 tablespoons butter for another use. Place blueberries in freezer until needed.

2. Whisk together milk and sour cream in medium bowl; refrigerate until needed. Whisk flour, 1/2 cup sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and lemon zest in medium bowl. Add frozen butter to flour mixture and toss with fingers until thoroughly coated.

3. Add milk mixture to flour mixture, fold with spatula until just combined. With rubber spatula, transfer dough to work surface. Dust surface of dough with flour; with floured hands, knead dough 6 to 8 times, until it just holds together in ragged ball, adding flour as needed to prevent sticking.

4. Roll dough into approximate 12 inch square. Fold dough into thirds like a business letter, using bench scraper or metal spatula to release dough if it sticks to counter top. Lift short ends of dough and fold into thirds again to form approximate 4 inch square. transfer dough to plate lightly dusted with flour and chill in freezer 5 minutes.

5. Transfer dough to floured work surface and roll into approximate 12 inch square again. Sprinkle blueberries evenly over surface of dough, then press down so they are slightly embedded in dough. Using bench scraper or thin metal spatula, loosen dough from work surface. Roll dough, pressing to form tight log. Lay seam-side down and press log into 12 by 4 inch rectangle. Using sharp, floured knife, cut rectangle crosswise into 4 equal rectangles. Cut each rectangle diagonally to form 2 triangles and transfer to parchment lined baking sheet.

6. Brush tops with melted butter and sprinkle with remaining tablespoon sugar. Bake until tops and bottoms are golden brown, 18 to 25 minutes. Transfer to wire rack and let cool 10 minutes before serving.

To Make Ahead:

After placing the scones on the baking sheet, either refrigerate them overnight or freeze. When ready to bake, for refrigerated scones, heat oven to 425 degrees and follow directions in step 6. For frozen scones, heat oven to 375 degrees, follow instructions in step 6, and extend cooking time to 25 to 30 minutes.

Kindness of Genevieve for making these on demand. Kimba, these have your name written all over them....

Reporting Remotely From the Beach

I'm back at the beach for the month and I couldn't be happier...

This love of the beach is in my DNA and traces back to my Nana and Papa...

Which was passed on through my mother...

And, instilled in me at birth.

Flash forward several decades and today that's still my sister Julie and me on any given summer day, side by side on the beach. Albeit, these days we don't need babysitting, prefer sitting on beach chairs, have a stack of magazines instead of shovels, and are usually flanked by her daughters and their friends.

Even the boys get into the swing of things at the beach house making sure to take advantage of the PTH's too...

My Elizabeth Turner Collection needlepoint belt says it all. Including...how I stitched myself in a white bikini, lying under one of my father's signature blue and silver umbrellas, AND a shade tanner than anyone else, natch...

And, seeing that the "beach gene" has been passed on to yet another generation, I made sure to include Emma and Hilary surfing in my little beach talisman. Stay tuned for what is sure to be a recurring theme through the next several weeks. Sorry, it's in my blood...

Kindness of my Aunt Mary Jo for all those years of beach babysitting. I suspect they weren't easy...

By Popular Request...

I finally got to debut my Lilly Regency Dress at Duke and Lucile's wedding this weekend and was fingered for it by another guest, faithful blog reader from Atlanta, Kirsten. So much for anonymity in recycled outfits!

During the second course, the girl that I had been stalking earlier in the evening for her gorgeous necklace, approached our table, introduced herself (explained recognizing me from my much talked about outfit) and bestowed so many compliments on my blog I could have gone without dessert. But didn't...

Since my camera is still on blocks in the back yard, I was taking liberties with the Polaroid camera provided for Guest Book purposes (sorry Lucile...) and accosting table mate Josh to capture me in my dress with Babe (who was dubbed the Governor General of Bermuda for his attire) on his iPhone to appease the masses. I also feel compelled to add that I wore those three inch Ferragamo's for six full hours before my feet even thought of hurting!

Before skipping home after a wonderful time at the G'town Four Seasons, I managed to strong arm "Kirsten from Atlanta" into allowing me to capture her pretty necklace that had my attention all evening. Bad news is, said necklace was purchased on sale sometime ago from Neiman's...

Good news is, J. Crew just debuted a similar one in pink and I am not afraid to do a little tinkering with the pliers for shortening purposes...

It is now at the top of my ever evolving J. Crew wish list...

And, even though I'm a little miffed that the Crew is starting to push the fall look when I'm not ready to let go of summer, I couldn't help but also dog ear the page with this...

And these...But for now, I have quite a few more miles to get out of my Regency Dress before it's retired for the season. Readers be warned...

Kindness of Kirsten for all of her kind words and for graciously allowing me to take her picture after hours of intense boogieing. Also, congratulations and best wishes to Duke and Lucile. Fabulous wedding and hands down the prettiest wedding gown ever! And lastly, a quick shout out to "funny" Ben for the "Governor General" comment. We are still chuckling over that one...

Love of Lucite Continued...

In the summer it's all about the wardrobe, beach and PTH's. I could care one lick about home decor issues. Once fall rolls around though...out come the sweats, Uggs and cashmere sweater uniform and the nesting mood sets in.

Buuut...Philippe Starck's Ghost Chair has given me cause to temporarily break out of my summer reverie.

I've become a smidge obsessed...

And, most especially for the sweet Lou Lou child's version.

And look...it's available in pink for petites filles to boot! Oui, oui talk about starting a gal off on the right preppy foot...

Help Make Summer A Verb For A Kid

I joke about toughing it out at a public pool but, in reality, I am extremely blessed to have unlimited access to my lovely G'town pool when not lounging at the beach. Please, read below, and join me in supporting Bruce Main and Urban Promise in sending an inner city child to the pool for a day. Your Starbucks drinky will still be there in the morning...

I was visiting Camp Grace (one of UrbanPromise’s seven-day camps) just the other day and was reminded of the harsh realities of life in the inner city when one of my camp directors, Tony, pulled me aside.
“Bruce, our camp attendance drops 50% on Fridays,” Tony whispered.

“Why?” I asked, as I looked around to see nothing but smiling faces—kids jumping ropes, drawing pictures, singing or just hanging out with counselors.

Tony paused, leaned closer to my ear and whispered, “Our kids can’t afford the money it costs to use the pool. We usually go swimming on Fridays but it costs $7 dollars,” he lamented.

“Can’t afford it!” I nearly shouted.

“No, Bruce. It’s because the State Parks keep increasing their fees,” continued Tony. “and there are no public pools left in the city. There are no other options.”
“We can’t let that happen," Tony, I said. “I made a promise to those kids. I’ll write some of our friends,” I assured him. “We’ll get the money!”

So, here I am writing to you, for I am certain that the last thing you and I want is for Tony’s campers and others to stay in our hot and crowded city…just because of a mere $7 pool fee.
Just think, for the cost of a latte or a bagel, you could delight a child with a whole day at a swimming pool this summer.

Please consider sending one, two, three--or even four--of our children to the pool this summer. I thank you in advance. I know you will want to help.

Dr. Bruce Main
President

P.S. Click here to send a camper to the pool!

Thanks for helping and have a great weekend pooling or beaching it knowing you've done the same for a child. Or more!!! XXOO Allie

Trade Secret on Loan

In the beginning of the decade, when my midsection looked more like Holly Hunter's and less like the Pillsbury Dough Boy's...

One of my signatures was wearing my Hermès and Gucci scarves as halters.

Much the way a Boy Scout practices tying knots, I've spent many an hour perfecting my scarf tying skills...

I started collecting Hermès 'How To Wear Your Scarf' books back in the early 90's and they would be high on my list of "things to grab in the event of a fire".

The above trick, pulled off with a beautiful Gucci scarf of multi hued blues, plus one killer tan, goes down in my Historical Outfit Registry for 'twas worn with white J. Crew shorts the night Babe professed his love pour moi. Whoever said food is the way to their hearts didn't know how to wield an Hermès scarf...

The secret to walking that fine line between amazing and tacky involves some dexterity and patience in making that little self knot in diagram 1 as teensie as humanly possible.

Alas, those abs have been in hibernation for sometime sooo, this summer I'm test driving another look...

Usually only for the benefit of the other Teeter customers, worn with my post beach Simba or Captain Crunch salt encrusted hairdo (comparisons lovingly coined by Babe).

And, the newest addition to my scarf tying bag of tricks, the carryall. The next time I run into Oceanside Pizza for my pre-beach Diet Coke it will be a Fenwick Island fashion event...

Kindness of Babe who still loves me regardless of the fact that it would require a full scale Indiana Jones style dig to uncover those abs these days...

Dress Debut Gone South

I was so excited to debut my Lilly Regency Strapless Bubble Dress this past weekend for Babe's grandparent's big 60th Wedding Anniversary shindig in Williamsburg.

I'd packed my Ferragamo Christmas purchase to prance the outfit around in...

And, my pale gold Lauren Merkin clutch to complete the look.

Then 95 South happened. Two and a half hours turned into seven, the inaugural donning of my beautiful cocktail dress was done in the front seat while Babe pumped gas, and my makeup applied in a rear view mirror. By the time we arrived, the party was long over with only immediate family and waitstaff around to witness planned prancing. Rats. Back to the Social "outfit planning" Calendar to reschedule debut...

Happy 60th Anniversary Gran and Granddaddy Richardson! Girlfriend and boyfriend from Louzzzianna since the second grade and counting...

That Wily CK Bradley

Last week I was perusing CK Bradley's blog looking for some Newport inspiration before writing my post about Margaret Elizabeth Designs when suddenly it hit me...I am the victim of subliminal messaging!

As I perused the pics, it dawned on me...I have purchased almost every item Camilla models in her posts!

Sure you do CKB girls...First she reeled me in with the now sold out Tenley shirt, which by the way Babe is going to start hiding from me I wear it so often...

Then it was the Calidora Top, that I think I actually rocked two days in a row last week but, that's okay cuz only family could divulge that secret...

Followed up by another seemingly innocuous thank you note...clever, clever Ms. Bradley...

She even ensnared Babe in her subliminal blog pics and he fell for AND bought me the Islesboro Dress and tries to put me in it at every turn! I didn't want to wear a dress to a fried chicken dinner, Baaabe, where everyone else had on jeans. Sooo, the Tenley top and white capris it was. Again.

And, now I realize why I've been harassing Emma to get the Logan Shorts!

Then there's the Bombardino Dress that's at the top of my realistic Bday wish list (unrealistic list includes the Hermes Beach Towel and Van Cleef and Arpels Alhambra loot)...Not to mention that I already own the other dress in the above picture! How long has this scheme been going on???

And, to add insult to injury I caught myself trying on the Calidora Dress (while wearing the Calidora top!) in Tickled Pink and mentally adding it to the bday request pile after leaving Blue Mercury right next door with my 8 bottles of Kiehl's Chamomile Shampoo! Uncle I say, UNCLE! That wily, wily CKB...Not only a design genius but a marketing magician as well. Well played Camilla, well played...

Laying Groundwork For Bday Gifts

Last week I was on Amazon trying to track Teague's Jungle Book when something caught my eye as I was screaming through pages. The foreman mouse in my head called for all of the other mice to come to a screaching halt running the wheel that turns the cogs and to throw it in reverse. So, a couple clicks back and there it was, listed under "Recommendations For Me", the sequel to one of Babe's and my favorite coffee table books, VOGUE LIVING Houses Gardens People by Hamish Bowles.

I can hardly wait til the mid November release date for THE WORLD IN VOGUE People Parties Places but, fortunately it's available for pre-order on Amazon. Just in time for a certain looming August birthday...

Fashionably Late Post

Rolled back into DC yesterday from the beach and only had a 24 hour window to unpack, launder, then repack before leaving town again. Just enough time to find the last 7 bottles of Kiehl's Chamomile Shampoo in the district and, fingers crossed, get my camera fixed. Writing posts remotely from the beach minus a camera and with four wireless scanners that refused to work has been like pulling a rabbit out of a hat on a daily basis. Although, my tan is killer which made it all worthwhile...

Also, i wanted to mention that Meg at Margaret Elizabeth Designs is offering 10% off your entire order when you put in the code "Summer10" at checkout. Happy shopping and toodles til Monday...XXOO

Cookies can be found at O'My Goodness and the find credited to Hopsey over at the infamous Kappa Prep.

Pamela vs C.Z.

One of my besties from back in the day fondly calls me C.Z. Anderson. Am I an aspiring Socialite or Baywatch babe??? Or, as another grade school chum eloquently put it many years ago, "you never could decide if it was going to be diamonds or pearls".

But, it's summer now so I'm a little more Anderson and a little less C.Z. and I grow nostalgic for my Beach Patrol days.

Fortunately, for me, my stint as a guard was post the Jack Tripper bathing trunks that bff Kimba's dad sported so well back in the day.

That's me, the seated blond doing my best Pam impression with the rest of the girls of OCBP.

Three of my siblings did Beach Patrol too starting with my brother Keith.

He was Crew Chief midtown back when my job was just full time tanning on his beach...

Eventually, he moved slightly north where you know who became his assistant and only chick on what was affectionately known as the "J. Crew". A bunch of preps in sheeps clothing...

Pretty soon I was a Crew Chief myself living la vita Pamela, or as Babe fondly refers to this picture, doing my best Dog the Bounty Hunter impression with my scraggly long blond locks.

Ahhh...the days when I just thought I was fat (second from right), as opposed to now, when I know I am and would give my eye teeth to be "that fat" again.

These days I just sit on the beach and watch Fenwick Island Junior Beach Patrol having fun and resist sharing "back when I was..." stories.

No longer the queen of the paddle board catching waves and riding them in on my knees...

I watch from my comfy beach chair and Lilly towel as the wee ones learn semaphore.

And, secretly practice reading so as not to loose the language...

As they are taught the starting position for beach flags competition I roll onto my stomach too to ensure even tanning...

The whistle blows and the race is on for the hoses. I reach for my whole wheat pretzels...

Maybe I'll just hold on to the semaphore reading and the tanning but bid adieu to the Baywatch dream. One more month and I'll be back on the Socialite wagon. Til next May...