Mixed Bag Review

I thought I'd check in with a few of the past month's finds, disappointments, recommendations and good reads. Or, as they are fond of saying in the company my husband consults for, "FEEDBACK FOR YOU!"...

Any RH of NYC fans fortunate enough to be in the city tomorrow night should not pass up the opportunity to meet zeee "Countess de Lesseps" at the Lilly Pulitzer Shop in Bloomies. I have a previous commitment but, I have Emma and Hilary waiting in the wings and a room at The St. Regis on standby in case I'm clever/devious enough to wriggle my way out of it.

Early this morning, the FedEx man rapped on my door with a surprise package from Lisa Fine of Irving and Fine. Pour moi? I practically ripped it open with my teeth when I spied the return label. Inside? A pink and green (natch!) caftan in appreciation for last weeks write up. But, then a devastating turn of events; I turn my back for one eensie second, and in true Olivia Palermo fashion, my assistant not only takes full credit BUT possession as well. Btw, WILL WORK FOR CHIC CLOTHING...

On the chopping block? The J. Crew cover up I ordered in my pain pill induced spree following my root canal. Somehow, in my hydrocodone haze, this piece slipped through my otherwise stringent test all potential pieces must endure. No biggie, for there's always something on deck at Crew...

It was immediately traded in for the Linen Beach Pant in flax...

And, the Cotton Eliza Skirt in weathered stone. Both, perfect transitional pieces (code for "feeling fat days").

Two other good finds I mentioned, but never included a picture of, are my Polo Outlet jammie pants and pink seersucker shorts. I live in Polo and Lilly jammie bottoms either paired with J. Crew wife beaters or Petite Bateau chemises. Once four o'clock hits 'round these parts, the lounge wear goes on.



Also, I insist everyone see The Hangover. Wet your pants funny. I could have turned around and watched the whole movie over again once it ended. And, Bradley Cooper? Let's just say I'm making Babe grow his hair out now and invest in some Kiehl's gel.

My most exciting recent find is the best Brazilian waxer outside of the J. Sister's Salon in NYC. Hallelujah!!! This will only benefit my DC readers but, I just can not keep this discovery to myself. Her name is Karina Gutierrez and she's building her cult following (heavy with NYC G'town University girls who know a proper Brazilian when they get one) at Georgetown Aveda on Wisconsin. You can thank me later.

I have been slowly making my way through this summer's book pile and so far there has been one outstanding read. I read "Happens Every Day" by Isabel Gillies (of "Metropolitan" fame) in one public pool outing. So, basically four PTH's plus an additional 20 minutes to polish it off in the tub that evening.

Annnd...still no movement on the Hermes beach towel front. Sigh...

Mummy's Rx

Although Babe M.D., Sassie and 'lil Pilge took amazing care of me yesterday, I still was not feeling completely up to par this morning. It was time to pull out the big guns and fill my own script for the blues.

First, some fresh peonies for the nightstand (which were immediately pillaged by a certain someone who left his calling card of teeth punctures and shredded leaves). Then, a surprise gift from Gwyneth in my inbox! Katie Lee Joel's recipe for Dark Chocolate Chunk and Dried Cherry Cookies. Sooo what the doctor ordered...

YIELD: about 4 dozen cookies

2 1/4 cups unbleached, all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2/3 cup dark brown sugar, firmly packed
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
8 ounces dark chocolate, coarsely chopped (be sure to use a high-quality chocolate with more than 60% cacao)
1 cup dried cherries (about 6 ounces), coarsely chopped
1 cup pecans, coarsely chopped (optional)

Preheat the oven to 375ºF.
Sift the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt together into a bowl.
In the bowl of an electric mixer (or in a bowl using a hand mixer), beat the butter with the sugars until light and fluffy, about three minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating until incorporated. Beat in the vanilla. On low speed, add the flour mixture. With a wooden spoon, fold in the chocolate, cherries and pecans (if you’re using them).
Scoop by the heaping tablespoonful onto two nonstick or greased cookie sheets. Bake until golden and chewy, about 12 minutes, rotating the sheets after six minutes. Transfer the cookies to a rack to cool and repeat the process with the remaining dough.

Heavenly....


All followed up with a quickie pooh trip to the Van Cleef and Arpel's store in Bethesda to try on the bracelet and earrings they are "holding" for me. Indefinitely...

Ahhh....the Alhambra Vintage bracelet in yellow gold and white mother of pearl...throw in the matching earrings and I'd be solid for, ohhh, at least a week...

Thank you, everyone, for all of the kind thoughts and words. They were truely appreciated. As I said yesterday, everyone going though IVF should be so lucky. XXOO

Our Mummy Dearest

That's right, I'm guarding the velvet rope today and there will be no access because our mummy is not feeling well. She received some disheartening news yesterday so daddy, Tat's and I are watching over her and making sure she knows how much we love her.

We have her tucked into bed watching "He's Just Not That Into You" and are periodically showering her with kisses and snuggles. Just between you and me, Tat's and I are a little nervous that her energies are shifting and we are about to be dressed in Lilly Pulitzer's Mommy and Minnie looks. Keep an eye out for embedded distress signals in upcoming posts. TTFN....

Shameless Babe Promotion

Today is Babe's birthday!

I thought I would surprise him with a brief post (cuz I'm sure that is all he can stomach) bragging about the book he wrote and had published while still in undergrad at the University of South Florida.

And, it's not just because he's my husband and I love him...OR that I'm proud of him...OR that he's gorgeous...OR that I want everything on the Calypso website right now...but, because it's a good book for students, that has even become part of the curriculum at some not so shabby private schools. No, it's a great book...

Written by a great guy. Who, I may add, would buy me the moon and endless Calypso if he could.

Happy Birthday Babe!!! XXOO Moi, Sassle and Plige-a-Roy

Pretty Ballerinas Collection 2009

My international scout has just reported in from London with a drool worthy shoe find!

Amy is the most traveled, fashionable friend I have and her conversations are often peppered with statements such as, "Have you ever had the mint tea in Belgium?", or "When I was living in Vietnam..."

So, when I received an email from her saying she had scored another great find abroad, and would be arriving stateside with a catalogue for moi and hard evidence to boot, I began champing at the bit.

Sunday morning I arrived at Amy's new G'town digs for bagels and Pretty Ballerinas. She served up brunch, I tried on flats.

After some serious perusing of her Pretty Ballerinas purchase, I started some virtual shopping of my own while rudely devouring cinnamon bagel poppers and my new catalogue.

I mean if they are good enough for Kate, Claudia, Amy and the rest of the international crowd...

Although, I tend to wear mostly sandals, sandals and the requisite Rainbows all summer, there is nothing wrong with getting a jump start on my fall shoe wardrobe.

It may just take me that long to narrow down my choices...

Or, decide to go for broke and get them all. Sorry Babe, c'est la mode...

Kindness of the internationally chic Amy Fahrenkopf...

My Morning Addiction

While I was living in granola-esque Charlottesville, my employer, Cricket, peer pressured me into trying her Netti Pot. It was an "Erika Christensen in the movie Traffic" moment, I was hooked after my first "hit" with a lone euphoric tear sliding down my cheek.

For someone totally handicapped with allergies, like moi, what could be more satisfying than pumping warm water through one's clogged sinus pipes?



This how the scene should play out, with the exception of the cheezy background music, unless of course ya need the crutch...

But, around these parts, the post teeth brushing morning ritual is more often than not a "tandem" event with le commandant overseeing the activity and generally getting under foot/nasal stream.

And, here's a smidge more realistic version of what you should expect during your inaugural attempt. It may be messy...wierd...scene making...and a little like someone making you laugh right in the middle of swallowing a drink and having it come out your nose. But, trust me, the relief will have you coming back for more.

*Add cat sidekick at own discretion*

PS...I, true to form, had to get the Cadillac of all porcelain Netti Pots. But, my recommendation for all would be for a more pedestrian plastic version that can travel easily and not be knocked over and broken by certain acrobatically challenged pusses.

Loud Shirt Revival

A few years ago, I temporarily confiscated my friend Joanie's shirt and wore it for a good solid week I loved it so much. Here's were Babe groans audibly when he's sees the pic I have uploaded of said shirt during one the week's many wearings. He does not like any reminders of the time I was sporting braces for the second go round. This was at the tail end of the summer we first met, and come to find out he thought I was "icky" cuz of the brace thing. And here I had been prancing around thinking I was all perty with my pink and green rubber bands.

Regardless , I thought the shirt looked fabulous, especially when paired with white pants (and my black lab Tucket).

Eventually, Joanie repossessed her item which left me down one loud shirt. But after years of emptiness I think I have found something to fill the fashion void...

CK Bradley's Tenley Shirt in Piccadilly Clover will look lovely with my all important summer collection of white bottoms. And, Babe will approve because this time there are no braces in the picture.

Kindness of Joanie for allowing me to temporarily steal her Pucci shirt. And, a special XXOO to Babe for ultimately seeing through my grill.