Babe's Gonna Kill Me

Much against Babe's out of town wishes, I went on an eight mile run (really only qualifying as a jog) after convalescing a flared up Achilles tendon for the past couple weeks. I knew it was too much too soon but, I could just feel the fat creeping on throughout the holiday. Sooo, now I can add a flared up Iliotibia band to my list of injuries...

Back to convalescing on the sofa which gave me the perfect excuse to finally watch Valentino's The Last Emperor sans subtitles with Hilbils...

I think I'm going to ride this wave of an excuse right into bed with my new needlepoint belt kit and a hot cup of green tea...

And, lest I forget my new Ralph Lauren candle bought last weekend in an attempt to give a scent makeover to an otherwise musty hotel suite. Now...how to dodge the looming lecture headed my way once Babe finds a moment to call...

Kindness of Babe who hopefully got all his lecturing out in his bbm missives sent earlier today??? XXOO

Galleria Of Christmas Cards

Thought I'd share some Christmas cards from a few recognizable faces round these parts including, my own Paperless Post easy way out version...

If I hadn't been so overwhelmed with the recent move, and an ohhhsoooclose to a move abroad, I would have most definitely commissioned the illustrious PVE to illustrate us a Christmas card. Once again, the card she created for Mel was hands down one of my absolute favs...

The blue ribbon for creativity went to my Loyola gal pal Ellen Ciciotte in Naples who sent her holiday wishes out via picture text...

Then there was thee infamous Uncle David of much fame pictured with my Aunt Carol and their grand babies...

The bff...

Aide-de-camp Lizzie and her Tracy Anderson guns...

Carol of Canfora sandal fame...

Joanie of Belgian Shoe fame...

Now qualifying as an old friend, the ever popular (although, I suspect not merely for his writing) Maxminimus and his partner in crime LFG...

And, new friend, the beautiful and talented Jules Reid and family. Okay, I now have 350 plus days to get it together and put in my order for a PVE pièce de résistance for next Christmas. I'm officially reserving a paintbrush in the name of the Richardson family...
Kindness of everyone included above for humoring me while I trot out your card for one last hoorah...XXOO

Soft Start

We have had a good two weeks of pure Christmas gluttony...

And, some of us our not quite ready to face the end of the face stuffing, gift receiving, shop til ya drop, movie going, gym skipping holiday train...

Annnd...some of us are going to be at a loss once the girls head south mid week and we can no longer bed hop to our heart's content...

I suspect Meile, my in-laws baby, has utilized the twilight bark, aka the all-dog-alert, to communicate to Templeton and Pilgie that the gluttonous times are about to come to a screeching halt and the tree skirt fort is soon to be dismantled and packed up til next year...

Kindness of Meile for including me in any future bark chains that have anything whatsoever to do with warm weather and white bikinis...XXOO

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

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

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

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