Summer is a Verb

Pirate's Booty

2012-03-08T00:01:00.000-05:00

Since this is my last post before I head to Mexico for two weeks, I thought I'd leave y'all with my looting booty from recent raids around the blogging hood. Hopefully, it's enough to keep you and your wallet occupied til I return on the 26th...

The Darlings: A Novel courtesy of Keep it Chic...

This gooorgeous Helga Wagner of Palm Beach necklace, not to mention several other baubles, trounced upon at Necessary & Proper...

I need another iPhone cover like I need a whole in the head but, when The Enchanted Home posted these beauts by The Pink Pagoda I thought, eh, what's one more?

And, as luck would have it, Mel recently gave Ghost Armor her much revered nod of approval completing my mobile makeover...

There's thee lone David Webbesque Rachel Leigh enamel link bracelet for the fastest girl on her Shopafrolic toes..

And, lastly, it was pay dirt time when I swung by Tickled Pink and Green for some laughs and found preppy novel du jour, The Starboard Sea...

ANNND...the trailer for Whit Stillman's new movie Damsels in Distress. Perfectly timed to open upon my return. Can not WAIT to be the tannest one in the theater!

Kindness of everyone I robbed around the hood for helping me to go out with a bang. And, Babe, for holding down the fort, fur ball throw up and all, while I bask on la playa drinking my Coke Lite con tres limones y una popote...XXOO

Noble House Designs

2012-03-07T00:01:00.000-05:00

Looks like I'm not the only one with an inner Mrs. Roper...

Seems Kelly of KELLY MARKET...

BLC of The Company She Keeps...

And, Melanie Parker of Ivy & Piper, have all let Mrs. Roper out of the closet by revealing their love for Noble House Designs necklaces...

I'm just trying to decide which of designer Sara Lowery Ng's lovely pieces; the Nautical Vintage...

the Red & Pink Vintage...

the Neon Vintage III...

the CB Pink Vintage...

the Arlington...

the Color Stripes..

or, the Red & Pink Vintage II, do I want to wear when I meet Jack and Chrissy at the Regal Beagle for drinks and, more importantly, HOW ever am I going to hide my purchase from Mr. Roper?

Drool over more NHD eye candy here, here and here...

Kindness of all the fashionable ladies listed above for pointing me in the direction of Noble House Designs. Now, if y'all wouldn't mind doing me another favor and distracting Stanley when the UPS man arrives I'd be forever indebted...XXOO

Cue The White Bikini

2012-03-06T00:01:00.000-05:00

It's heeere...

That harbinger of summer...

The swallows of Capistrano are making their way to San Juan which is my cue to lock down the white bikini contenders for Summer '12...

This year I had a bit o' help from the ultimate bellwether, bikini Goddess Elle...

Sooo, queue up the Melissa Odabash Elba...

As well as the smidge more preppy Los Angeles. And, fingers crossed that Elle is also saying that we're trending towards skinny...

Kindness of Kate and Pippa for also placing my beloved white bikini in a good light. Let's just hope that light is a little more forgiving to us ~~older~~ lesser mortals...XXOO

Francesca Joy Of Palm Beach

2012-03-05T00:01:00.000-05:00

Waaay back, during the era of wide whale OP's, Lacoste when it was Izod, Docksiders, and Lilly shorts with the elastic waist, my small clique had a friend custom paint designs on our Bean totes and sweatshirts to further distinguish our self proclaimed superiority. Yup, I was one of those girls...

And, apparently, I still am cuz I am all OVER the Francesca Joy custom painted totes. But, which is thee coolest? My heart may belong to Southampton...

And Palm Beach buuut...

Massachusetts...

Cape Cod...

Aspen...

Nantucket...

And, Newport have resurrected that mine mine ALL MINE! 17 year old self...

Maybe I can distract her with a wristlet or two while I narrow my tote choice to one and leave some for the rest of the class...

Kindness of any dear friends feeling obliged to leave comments verifying my old mean girl ways ooor thee failed to mention gag me with a spoon matching Lacoste socks for, just not. Some things are just better left in the 80's...XXOO

World's Shortest Workout

2012-03-01T00:01:00.000-05:00

Dr. Smartypants has thrown a flag on the field with a Japanese scientist's claim that this 4 minute workout video is the equivalent of a 40-60 minute run, increasing aerobic capacity and metabolism for the following 36 hours but, I say, yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Clause bearing thin...

Considering I recognize the moves from my Insanity workouts, and I KNOW those work, I'm willing to take the gamble and have added it as a bonus fat burner to my daily routine. Besides, I figure if my heart and head believe, I have a pretty good chance of my rumpus following suit...

Btw, I don't even bother changing for this and have done it the past several nights in my street clothes and slippers right before sitting down to dinz...

Kindness of the Suburban Princess whose Pinterest board I looted this video from. T minus 9 days and counting til it's bikini go time and I appreciate any and all help towards becoming remotely presentable...XXOO

Squinty's New Whip

2012-02-29T00:01:00.000-05:00

When we returned from Breckenridge we were greeted with Lolls giving us the ole squint eye...

I didn't know whether to chalk it up to a lot of I miss my Mommy crying, too long without my thorough bi-daily face washing or her eensie (whispers) birth defect starting to cause problems but, whatever it was earned Cupcake a round trip ticket to the vet in the new Sleepypod whip...

And, if Lolly and I had known our arrival at Just Cats was going to be greeted by a waiting room full of adoring Sleepypod fans, we would have at least taken a moment on the elevator to button our cuffs, put on a bit o' lip gloss and slap a patch on that squint...

"Omg, what a nice carrier, who makes that?" But, before I could respond, around the corner came a tech who pointed and said, "Sleepypod, awesome! We carry those downstairs now." And, as if on cue, a lady exiting an exam room with her kitties gasped, "That is the nicest carrier. What brand is that? I HAAAVE to have one"

Naturally, I was basking in the glow of all the attention but, the Princess in her carriage was starting to feel like a lone banker walking through the middle of an Occupy Wall Street hacky sack game...

Sooo, out of the frying pan and into the fire we went...

As it turned out, le squint was due to a eye full of itty bitty hairs resulting from a combination of my suspicions and was easily remedied with an eye flush. We topped that off with a manicure and called our girl's day out a success...

In the meantime, someone has gotten wind of Mommy's upcoming trip to Mexico and launched her own Occupy Sleepypod AIR campaign. Ohhh Squinty...

Click here to read "Tips on Choosing a Carrier for Your Pet" written by Lolly's wonderful vet, Dr. Sasha Gibbons...

Kindness of Babe and Pilgie who will take care of my baby's eye and heart while I'm gone or else Mam's gonna need a patch from all her crying...XXOO

Palm Beach Dreamin' In Devon Baer

2012-02-28T00:01:00.000-05:00

I'm trying to work out a quick trip to Palm Beach in April with a couple of friends so, as soon as Devon Baer posted new Worth Avenue worthy frocks on her FB page, I stalked her website like it was my job just a waitin' for those pics to be uploaded so I could get pinning...

Although, I'll have to put the Color Block Ruffle dress into a holding pattern til after Memorial Day, I can already picture it en route to a post beach sizzling, tan peaking, June dinz...

But, with a li'l TLC, tender love and cream, my looming Mexico bronzing should easily help me carry off this number in time...

The Quinn and I will squeeze in a Cobb salad at Hamburger Heaven...

A quick dart into my favorite resale shop, the Church Mouse, in my McLain before heading back the Brazilian Court to unload my shopping bags...

And, change into my Club jacket before meeting the girls for cocktails and Worth Avenue booty smuggling scheming at the Breakers...

Kindness of Babe who will help me figure out logistics and book my flight with his blessing tonight prior to reading this post in the morn and realizing the price tag of this trip could dangerously exceed just airfare and board...XXOO

KP MacLane's Dawn Of The Dress Polo

2012-02-27T00:01:00.000-05:00

Talk about a union cut from the coveted real estate of Town & Country's wedding page. Katherine and Jared, the design duo behind the KP MacLane label, met while working in Paris. At Hermès. I'd say that's what ya'd call an announcement shoo-in but, in their case, I'll opt for the more apropos collars up...

Their debut, signature woman's polo is also a match made in heaven combining their Hermès trained eyes for Euro detailing married with good old fashioned made in America craftsmanship...

And, speaking of town and country, this polo will surely garner fans with it's ability to pair as easily with a suit as with sportswear...

Babe will cheer for the fact that my chest won't be emblazoned with some critter...

And, others are going to swoon over such deets as the modal's unbelievable softness and perfectly proportioned for necklace sporting placket...

Of course, ya already know, they had me at Hermès...

Kindness of my buddy and, copy editor about the Capital, Daniel Lippman for consistently sending me prep worthy links, such as his recent KP MacLane FYI, with nary a mention of any editing sins. Between my mom, the bff and Anonymous, I've pretty much got that base covered. One of these days, they're gonna awake to an inbox message of me saying, that shirt doesn't go with those pants and ya forgot to snip the thread tacking your jacket pleat..XXOO

Pink Swap, a la Hollywood...

2012-02-23T00:01:00.000-05:00

Hopsy over at Monograms and Manicures was kind enough to orchestrate another one of her famous Pink Swaps and this year the Ti-Babes and I were paired with One Fabulous Mom...

Lolly and I had a heck of a time figuring out what to get a Hollywood gal while staying within the pink and $30 parameters. So, we didn't...

I mean, what's pink without green anyway?

And, since we knew the Mrs had some Missies and a Master at home, we included some Sweet Lulu stripey straws and cupcake liners...

In keeping with the Hollywood theme, we decided to go off script just a smidge with thee Martha Stewart blessed LePen Markers in a variety of colors. To keep the pink one company, natch...

Lolly thought taking the vintage route would showcase us East Coast ladies in a hip light sooo into the box went The Original Preppy Cookbook and The Original Preppy Joke Book followed by a difficult to part with Karen Callan pretty moc croc mirror compact thingy...

Some pink taffy...a bundle of pink and white striped grosgrain ribbon...and our Swap box was LA ready...

Make that, some pink taffy...a bundle of pink and white striped grosgrain ribbon...and a weensie deduction of pink confetti...

Being big girl generous can be hard when you're still so little...

Kindness of Monograms and Manicures for being big girl generous with her time and patience putting this whole shebang together. I tell ya Hopsy, Martha's got nuthin on your skills, time management, thick lustrous hair and talent...XXOO

Hunting Hoodlums

2012-02-22T00:01:00.000-05:00

A good scout never rests...

So, even whilst being hustled through the fast moving lift line, I quickly and efficiently extracted the intel for the lift police guy's Electric Visual sunglasses, expertly planted my poles, whipped off my mitten, and secured several quick, glove liner shots before ~~thee other lift line police~~ Babe could have a conniption...

Further research has unveiled that these uber 80's, red, white and blue mirrored beauties are a sold-out, special White|Skied edition of the Hoodlum style from last year but, where there's a will, there's a pair or two...

Just trying to decide if the Blue | Skied pair go with blond and tan as well as the white...

*I know from experience these linked pairs will sell out lickity split but, if you're determined enough, you can still find some floating around the country at retailers carrying Electric. I know this to be true cuz I have a secret pair of the Blue|Skied somewhere in the Rockies awaiting my decision...

Kindness of Babe, who is certain to take umbrage at his lift policing portrayal. Jeesh, ya miss the seat one weensie time cuz you're brain's oxygen starved, it hits you mid back but, instead of just safely crumpling to the ground, you wind up dangling from the upwardly mobile chair cuz your husband has you by one arm and your mother-in-law the other, surely dragging you to the gnarly death scene running through your head, as you scream LET ME GOOOOOOOO!!! and, THAT's just cause for loosing lift line independence for the duration of the trip? I prefer the constructive advice of your mother to just retire that day's ski outfit over the lift line babysitting thankyouverymuch BAAABE...XXOO

Found Thee Buckle

2012-02-21T00:01:00.000-05:00

I have renewed desire, again, to complete the ski scene needlepoint belt that I've been threatening to finish going on two years...

And, it's all thanks to the antique sterling and turquoise Navajo buckle purchase I eeked out before youknowwho's plane landed in Denver mid-week...

This time next year, I'll be trotting down Main Street Breckenridge sportin' my needlepoint Western ski scene belt looking a smidge more cowgirl, and a smidge less victim of mad cow disease. I do not wear altitude sickness well...

And, thanks to EAS's recent find, I also hope to come bearing the perf hostess gift for my in-laws ski house key. Better get stitching!

Kindness of my in-laws for being such generous hosts. Babe and I had such a blast and can not wait til the next visit. Next year I'm packing a T. Anthony stowaway duffel to haul back all the Navajo loot I plan on buying...XXOO

A Broken Heart And Blood Doping

2012-02-20T00:01:00.000-05:00

Just returned from Breckenridge grungy, still on Mountain time, surely 10lbs heavier, shins bruised, laundry up to here, one hurt Lollycakes heart in need of mending, one broken lamp courtesy of the cleaning lady and, finally, ohhh finally, after a week of altitude sickness, enough hemoglobin to actually function. Be back tomorrow after I tend to Lolly and replacing said lamp without raising any Mint.com flags...

Kindness of that extra hemoglobin that's gonna give me morning workout oomph. Nuthin' like a li'l blood doping to get ya back on the Insanity wagon in style...XXOO

Checking Out

2012-02-09T00:01:00.000-05:00

I'm supposed to be packing for my ski trip out west but, my J. Crew rewards card arrived today and it's burning a hole in my summer's just on the horizon pocket...

Natch I headed straight to my Crew obsession du jour, the Thomas Mason shirts...

And, right off the ole gingham bat I carted up one in pink and orange...

Annnd, lavender...

Once I was figuratively checked out, I tossed in the TM tuxedo shirt in pink wide stripe before deciding I best do so literally too, if I knew what was good for me...

God forbid I put any looming romantic holiday ~~Hermès~~ gift giving in jeopardy with the Mr...

Kindness of everyone for allowing me this coming week off for my jaunt to Breckenridge, aka, winter's last hurrah. Be back on the 20th ready to ~~bathing~~ suit up! XXOO

The Color Run

2012-02-08T00:01:00.000-05:00

Just...

how...

A W E S O M E

does...

this...

look?

The bff and I are in gleeful anticipation of October's Color Run in Charlotte. I can barely walk up and down the stairs without huffing and puffing and haven't been out of my sweats in a week but, the thought of this has my tie-dyed spirit soaring...

Kindness of a sure to be groaning Babe and Bryan who will forget they ever heard mention of our colorful plan til they are being forced into their running whites 9 months from now. That's right boys, it was all juuuust a bad dream. In technicolor, natch...XXOO

Nada, Nil, Zilch...

2012-02-07T00:01:00.000-05:00

Welp. We've got nuthin'...

Not a cotton pickin' thing...

Just a whole lotta whining, coughing and laying around with juuust enough energy for Pinteresting. Pretty soon we'll be pinning our cocktail du jour, Tylenol Severe Cold Formula on the rocks, in a Simon Pearce glass, rimmed in pink pop rocks and served up with a green and white swizzle straw...

Kindness of Babe for agreeing to an early lights out tonight. Between our shared flu and our pre-dawn smoke detector wake up alarm, we're plum tuckered out. Apparently, EVACUATE! EVACUATE! SMOKE AND OR GAS DETECTED IN THE GUEST ROOM! can also mean, Oh hey, btw, the battery in the guest room may need changing...XXOO

Grade School Flu

2012-02-06T00:01:00.000-05:00

I haven't suffered from a 5 day long flu since grade school and, in fact, had started to wonder if I was remembering incorrectly and they had just seemed like they lasted forever. Turns out, I had not manufactured some urban flu myth as I've just spent the last 5 days dying...

And, since I spent most of my sick bed time lurking 'round Pinterest, I'd thought I'd share some of my fav pic finds like these nifty Valentine bacon hearts...

What I'd rather be doing...

Loving all the classic beauty...

And, classic duds finds...

Just a waitin' for an excuse to make these hydrangea cupcakes...

Still lusting after Ali's perfect camel pea coat...

Annnd, the Hermès perf riding boot...

Merci to Steven Stoleman for adding a Queen of Cashmere monogram sweater to my wish list queue...

And, to Lauren for reminding me to make a laser tooth whitening appointment...

Now, it's back to bed,stalking and nursing a now in the throws of day 2 sick Babe while he tries to convince me he has it worse than I did insert heavy eye rolling...

Kindness of everyone I lifted these pics from including Pinterest buds, Facebook friends and, I Love Your Style blog. Truth be told, I'm too weak to figure out how to pin pics from FB and flash players so, I figured if I posted them here theeeen I could lift them from myself. That's called pinning two birds with one grade school flu...XXOO

5 Things

2012-02-02T00:01:00.000-05:00

Here are this week's 5 things catching my attention...

Ahhhmazing Vail Resorts sweepstakes for four nights at the posh Beaver Creek luxury Trappers Cabin for the winner and 7 of her nearest and dearest. The grand prize also includes, long deep breath...private snowcat, cabin keeper, 8 round-trip airline tickets, lift tickets, shuttle to and from the airport, $1000 towards dining, $1000 to blow at Beaver Creek Sports, a private chef for one night, fireplaceoutdoorjacuzziandunbelievableviews...BIG guuulp of air. "Not exactly roughing it" is right!

Nifty cards from the Rifle Paper Company...

Making framed collages like Amanda Brooks instead of hiding your pics in albums. So Kennedyesque...

I've been eyeballing Quinton Middleton's custom made knives since first reading of them in Garden & Gun. Now I quietly stalk them on FB...

The complete set of The Art of Sewing I found on Etsy arrived and it is so cool. I have a feeling I'm gonna have to resurrect the book check-out card system I had in place for my Nancy Drews cuz I foresee a lot of sisterly requests to borrow...

Kindness of anyone who wins the Beaver Creek Sweepstakes for including me in their 7. Dibs on driving the snowcat...XXOO

Mimi di N Designs

2012-02-01T00:01:00.000-05:00

I was hunting the web for a pink belt strap to go with the Christopher Ross bunny buckle I had delusions of winning on eBay when I happened upon Mimi di N...

Forget trying to keep up with the big bidding ~~dogs~~ bunnies on eBay! I found beautiful buckles that would not set off those cursed Mint.com large purchase alarms...

I immediately dispatched one off to my Basset loving friend, who was still deep in the Chris Ross eBay trenches herself...

And, sent Mel notice of her signature bees...

Then set about filling my own virtual cart with the walking a fine Mrs. Roper line with white AG Stilts and tan ankles flamingos...

And, the Meg Carterish sea shells...

Danced a jig when I saw the duck head...

And, emptied the whole cart and started anew when I saw this li'l enamel feller...

Turns out they did have the pink belt strap for the bunny I left behind ...

Along with plenty of additional colors for all of my new woodland friends...

Kindness of the Ti-Babes for realizing they would have to order and give Mummy her Mother's Day present a smidge early this year if ~~she~~ they wanted the pleasure of seeing her don it come Derby Day...XXOO

More Of A Good Thing

2012-01-31T00:01:00.000-05:00

Yesterday's comments ended up being a quite a treasure trove...

First, Anonymous sent me in the direction of The Debutante Hunters, a Sundance 2012 Audience Award winner for best short...

Then, Whitney at Pink and Green Pup deposited this gift on the doorstep of last week's Foxy Girls post. Swooon....

Which led to the unearthing this li'l vixen...

And, a tip o' the cap in the direction of this Wimberly custom order beauty came by way of Miss Fox who is batting a 1000 with the finds. If you keep this up Hilary, I may start grooming you for a SIAV summer internship! You can work on the finds, I'll work on my tan...

Kindness of Anonymous, Whitney and Hilary for making my post writing easy thus, freeing up my Monday night for quality time with Babe. Who am I kidding, I'll be glued to Pinterest like a gamer and his bad habit...XXOO

girl HUNTER

2012-01-30T00:01:00.000-05:00

If Babe's looking for someone to blame for his having been blindsided with, I just wanna take a peek at pricey shotguns this past weekend, he need look no further than GP...

Not, GP as in Gwynnie GP. But, GP as in Georgia Pellegrini GP...

Between stumbling across GP's girl HUNTER book mention in my finally got around to cracking December issue of Town & Country, and Saturday's marathon of Alaska: The Last Frontier, Babe's been bracing himself as the Eastern Sho' in me rears it's prepneck head...

A prepneck with top shelf taste no less...

Fortunately for Babe, I've been distracted by a more affordable set of firearms. Between this Wimberly Inc *cuff and my girl Hunter purchase, his wallet's getting a temporary stay of sticker shock execution...

*The shotgun custom cuff find is sooo HOT I barely have all the ordering intel myself. Word from Wimberly rep, and Pinterest curator extraordinaire, Hilary Fox is that I can order through my old haunt Sherman Pickey, or my new haunt Abigail DeG Fox Designs...

Kindness of Babe who knows how to make the best of my prepneckness. Instead of haughtily correcting me earlier when I shamefully pronounced Petit Trianon, Petit Tree-annon, he just slipped on his Vince McMahon announcers voice and launched into, Treeeee-annonnnn (rhymes with Shannon) puuuhleeze leave the champagne room, you're on staaage next...Tree-annon will be daaancing the pole to Girls Girls Girls by Moootleyyy Crueee...leeet's give it up for the little Hoosier from Indiannaaaa...Treeee-annonnnnn! He was promptly rewarded with Diet Coke through the nose...XXOO

And The Late Nominees Are...

2012-01-26T00:01:00.000-05:00

Announcing a couple late additions to the Academy's list of nominees for this year...

For Best Actor in a Leading Role...Pilgie, for his brilliant performance giving the cold shoulder...

For Best Actress in a Supporting Role...Lolly, for her star making turn as the betrayed ingénue...

Overlooked by the Academy but, recognized as being largely responsible for pulling the award winning performances out of his co-stars, was Monty Morris...

His portrayal as the other man Mummy spent her afternoon with was so raw, that his scent lingered on her hands and cashmere sweater for hours after their scene. Unfortunately, the Academy rarely acknowledges method actors like Monty but, the Screen Actor's Guild loves them, so don't be surprised if he ends up walking home with a SAG award this weekend...

Kindness of Monty Morris for his method acting French kiss hello. Forget the Oscars hardware, I think someone may be angling for People's Sexiest Man Alive cover...XXOO

Health And Beauty Finds

2012-01-25T00:01:00.000-05:00

Health and beauty; there are two words that don't oft get bandied about 'round here. Wealth and booty, yes. Health and beauty, notsomuch...

Measure Up Bowls for all us OCD types that measure out our cereal and yogurt portions in the morn totally omitting the need to dirty a measuring cup...

Babe will be thrilled that I've just added 5 minutes to my bathroom hogging, ritualistic cleaning routine...

Apparently, coating your eyelashes in Vaseline before bed helps them grow and, since I maybe wear mascara once per month, I'll take all the organic help I can get. But, puhleeeze be careful not to get in your eyes. I'd prefer to not become notorious as the Blinding Blogger...

Laugh all you want but, Brook Burke ssswears her Baboosh Body Exercise Wrap worn during workouts will whittle your waist. And, my due diligence has uncovered an US Mag pic of her putting her belly wrap where her pilates is. I'll be laughing all the way to my Brook Burke mid-section...

Kindness of Babe who will start to work on his eyelashes coated in Vaseline skit pronto. Thus far I get the mock blasting of buckshot when I emerge, face all dotted in pink zit drying lotion and Dog the Bounty Hunter impressions, with Pilge playing the part of Leland, after I brush my hair back into a post face washing mullet. I can haaardly wait to see what Dr. Funnyman comes up with for my goopy eyes...XXOO

Speaking Of Copycat...

2012-01-24T00:01:00.000-05:00

I'm totally stealing a page out of the EAS/QBS/Hopsy playbooks and doing a post on 5 Things I'm digging at the moment...

Starting with my iomoi iPhone case which just arrived. I looove it so much, I shamefully want another. Like the good Mr. Burns said, Ah, yes, but I'd give it all up for just a little bit more...

The BBC's hysterical Uptown Downstairs Abbey spoofs to tide me over between Downton Sundays...

Like the site itself, my interest in Pinterest has experienced a bit of a hockey stick effect. After initially posting about it, my visits slightly waned til last week when my obsession turned the corner, took off, and I watched 2 whole whatsaweekends disappear. I place the majority of blame on the boards of one Hilary Fox. I could spend hoursss raiding and looting her pins, like the one pic'd above, which I'm officially requesting to have as my epitaph...

Sally, all poised, professional and conservatively pretty in peach, making her national debut with an out of camera shot Emma offering moral support in her sweaty gym clothes. It was really exciting to see all of Sally's sacrifices, hard work annnd prowess with a straightening iron begin paying out...

Can I tell you how much use the Ti-Babe's have gotten from their 3-in-1 Yummy Bowl during our recent travels? Not even the roads around the GW Bridge were a match for the no-spill water bowl and I knooow my Dad appreciates no longer having to share his cereal bowls with four legged guests. Whoever designed this bowl is a genius. Geeeniuuus!

Kindness of Lisa Musgrave for sending along the Downton Abbey spoof and Sleepypod who will please put their engineering genius to work on a travel litter box. Also, anyone who thinks the above video is an invitation for dialogue on political views for understanding that, 'tis not. I won't bore you with my opinion of whether Mrs. Danvers was rightly or wrongly cast, and I beg of you not to bore me with yours, she said with a mischievous twinkle in her eye...XXOO

Needlepoint Project Du Jour

2012-01-23T00:01:00.000-05:00

I had my needlepoint scissors confiscated by the TSA, again, last year and finally got around to replacing them...

And, I can not tell you how happy I am with my new Sajou Petits Monstres, little monsters, after a year of having to rely on my ginormous kitchen shears and fingernail clippers to snip thread...

Noooow...on to which needlepoint glass case pattern I'd like to christen with my swanky new scissors...favorite couple, the fox and hound...

Or, the Gucciesque red and green bits...

I have sentimental attachment to the horses with blankets, being my first ever pattern but, been there, done that...

The fluer de lis are such a classic but, boooring to stitch...

And, my summer's 'round the bend heartstrings are being tugged on by the tennis theme but, then again, how will I feel come fall? Hmmm...okay, so which TWO needlepoint glass case patterns would I like to go with my new swanky scissors???

Kindness of Patsy Wiswell for sending me the link to the fox and hound pattern. I hate to be a copycat Patsy buuut, my love of that duo just may override any semblance of graciousness I can muster. Promise to only use the other pattern I settle on if ever in your neck o' the woods regardless of the season...XXOO

Foxy Gals

2012-01-19T00:01:00.000-05:00

When I emailed KELLY MARKET a pic of the swanky fox buttons I found for our shared Schoolboy Blazer habit her response was, Stop it!! I am obsessed...OBSESSED!!! My grandmother's maiden name is Fox and we all love anything with a fox on it!

Well, my fellow lover of all things vulpine, then you're really gonna love these...

And, this. OMG...stop it!!! Dying over the necklace!

I guess it's a good thing Top Shop's sold out of this painted fox jumper cuz it doesn't sound like your rapidly beating heart could take anymore...

Personally, my heart's still aflutter for the Christopher Ross...

And, sterling Chuck Pinnell fox buckles. Babe's is aflutter over the looming dent they'll put in his wallet. In fact, I'm expecting a third stop it!!! email, and not with Kelly's IP address this time either, annnny minute now...

Kindness of Aly Sanderford, my fellow C'villian and lover of all things Hermès, for if I had not been stalking her great taste on Pinterest, I'd have never spied and repined her horseshoe bracelet which circuitously led me to the Fox & Thistle gems. Poor Babe. With this caliper of cyber intel, he may as well throw in the ~~Hermès beach~~ towel now...XXOO

Funnies

2012-01-18T00:01:00.000-05:00

My sister Mandy turned me on to the the Talking Animals videos and they kept us entertained all weekend...

I'm still laughing...

In fact, when it took us 2 hours to move just a measly two miles in GW Bridge traffic en route home from the beach, and our, let's make the most of it and enjoy this time together attitude slowly shifted to, I told you we should have left earlier! and, why didn't you take the truck route! I whipped out my iPhone, queued 'em up again, and all looming thoughts of mariticide and uxoricide magically disappeared...

Kindness of Pilgie and Lolly who I hope were taking copious notes from the backseat cuz this stage Mummy needs some good footage for submission...XXOO

The Price Of Salt Air

2012-01-17T00:01:00.000-05:00

We left the beach at noon yesterday and didn't roll into G'wich til well after 7pm. And, lemme tell ya, it was a looooong car ride that was particularly hard on Lolly...

Our li'l Leels prefers not to stray too far from her creature comforts like her shared arugula salad with Mummy every night...

Mobile litter facilities and a sloshing water bowl don't quite cut the mustard with her Highness. But, we made it home safe, even if a smidge less sound, and more importantly, we have arugula...

Kindness of Pilgie and Lolly for being brave li'l troopers under such duress. Ahhh, the price we're willing to pay just for a whiff of that salt air, right Ti-Babes? XXOO

All-Points Fashion Bulletin

2012-01-16T00:01:00.000-05:00

An all-points fashion bulletin is in effect for the navy Moncler puffer spied on Princess Caroline of Monaco...

Be on the look-out for this elusive Connecticut winter worthy down jacket...

Last not seen in NYC, Greenwich, Darien or anywhere online...

Considered armed for warmth and dangerous to Babe's wallet...

Kindness of anyone who knows the whereabouts of this navy Moncler puffer annnd the bff who will not call to scold me when she realizes this search means I did not end up getting the navy down Gimo's coat she approved for moi at Richards. I saaahwear I went back all
well-spending-intentioned til the salesgirl let me know I would be in need of something a wee bit heftier for weathering a G'wich winter. Ahhh, heftier as in, a scale tipping suitcase full o' Mel O bikinis and a one way ticket to Mexico if I don't find my Moncler? Yeah, pretty sure that's what she meant...XXOO

The Turning Of The Corner

2012-01-12T00:01:00.000-05:00

Outside of thee, couldn't pass on a 50% off sale Elizabeth McKay Scotland dress purchase and, my under frigid Northern duress search for just the right Moncler puffer, I have ceased all winter clothes shopping and informally begun creating my summer '12 wish list...

And, in keeping with tradition, I've got my eye on a couple pair of Canfora sandals right out o' the gate...

The Megan in gold...

Annnd, the Jenna in gold...

Sighhhh...flight's booked for 12 glorious days of sun worship on la playa and two pair of Canforas battling it out for the pole position. Things are looking up...

Kindness of everyone for, in my fantasy, being completely understanding yet, utterly heartbroken that I'm no longer going to post on Fridays. Per my attempt at resolutions, I need to spend a li'l less time in front of the computer and bit more time being active. As a creature of habit myself, I know this will disrupt a few routines soooo, may I suggest still stopping by per usual those days and perusing my blog roll? Outside of the usually mentioned suspects, my recent fav discoveries include the smart and witty Bourbon & Pearls, a much younger and prettier version of moi, Particularity, the swanky Firestone Sisters and my secret find, Keep It Chic. Just don't forget about li'l ole moi sniffle sniffle...XXOO

New Year's Resolutions

2012-01-11T00:01:00.000-05:00

Jenny B from Boston generously offered to host a giveaway for this pretty in pink 2012 Sarah Pinto Weekly Planner to whom ever I deem worthy...

I thought it très apropos considering it's that New Year's Resolution time o' year when every one's trying to organize their thoughts and goals...

For as long as I've known him, in the days leading up to New Years Eve, Babe starts working on his resolutions. He takes it all vuuury seriously...creating yearly themes...subsections to the theme...oodles of fancy bullet points...and lofty, yet obtainable goals. Meanwhile, I devote about two minutes during my shower to run through a few thisyearI'mgonna!'s in my head which all pretty much circle back around to me being thin, tan and rich...

Probably explains why eeevery December, Babe can whip out the previous year's goals and reflect back on how he hit every stinkin' mark and I STILL don't have long hair or teeter on the verge of anorexia garnering concern from all my ~~jealous~~ well meaning friends...

Okay, thiiis yeeeaaar...I resolve to be more like Babe. I'm going to time box my work, I'm going prioritize even if it means a few things fall by the wayside, I'm going to be, gulp, nicer, annnnd I'm going to spend more conservatively GASP! Well, let's try and take this one month at a time shall we...

Now this is a random tuffie buuut...this first person to correctly guess the writer/actor/funnyman Babe and I sighted walking in the Village last weekend, which, btw, I did not tweet, will walk away with this Sarah Pinto Weekly Planner. I'll give you a hint; he's rolling in it :)

*Every one, including family and bff's, is eligible to play with the exception of Alexandra, who was with us, and Amy, whom I ~~bragged to~~ told...

Kindness of Jenny B from the Bean for hosting this giveaway out of the goodness of her li'l ole preppy heart. Wishing you the very best 2012! XXOO

Fire Safety

2012-01-10T00:01:00.001-05:00

Over Christmas I was, and still am, very haunted by the tragic fire that happened in the next town over. At first I wouldn't allow Babe to relay the unfolding details and, eventually, he wouldn't allow me to read them myself. But, it wasn't long before the ex Volunteer Firefighter in me went into prevention mode. That is correct, chances are I owned one of thee only pair of Gucci loafers ever to reside part-time in a Firehouse locker...

Sadly, claustrophobia put an end to my active duty but, I can still dole out some learned wisdom like a gal who can rock Hermès just as easily as she can an oxygen tank...

Have your fireplace or wood stove cleaned professionally each year
Rule of thumb is 2-3 days before ashes can be safely removed and NEVER put them in plastic trashcans or bags. Metal bins ONLY and those are to be kept at a safe distance from anything combustible
Have working Fire/Carbon Monoxide detectors throughout the home and test them monthly

We had Child Locater stickers on all the kid's room windows growing up and I highly suggest getting some from your local Fire Dept and doing the same because every second counts. Ask one of the guys, or Gucci clad girls, on duty for their optimum placement recs
Of course, lest we forget the Pet Finder stickers found at your local ASPCA that alerts rescue that there are precious Ti-Babes in the home

Keep a fire extinguisher accessible and know ahead of need how to use it. If there's one thing I want to get across more than anything, it's that time is of the utmost essence cuz you won't have any!
Practice, practice, practice. Practice your escape, practice putting out a small kitchen fire, practice every one's roll in the event of an emergency. Practice til you feel like you can do it in your sleep cuz there's a possibility you will be doing it in your sleep

And, even this old dog is adding some new tricks to her fire safety routine. The Kidde Three-Story Fire Escape Ladder I ordered from G'wich Hardware should be in tomorrow. My plan was to outfit every room with one til I saw the $100 price tag. Pilgie and Lolly are just gonna have to be stuffed into their Sleepypod and travel in steerage; on Mama and Daddy's backs. Once they prove they're responsible enough use one on their own I'll consider forking over the dough for another...

I also bought a couple of the Nebo Redline Tactical Flashlights to keep on our nightstands. What most people don't realize, is that quite unlike the movies, smoke is black. Not white, BLACK. Black like you can't see your hand in front of your face. The best visibility, along with the best oxygen, is as close to the floor as possible. I'll be crawling with the US's most powerful flashlight clenched b/t my teeth. Annnd, the Ti-Babes on my back...

ps...Also got one of those snazzy flashlights for the whip's glove box cuz next on the escape/rescue planning docket is a whooole plethora of paranoia including what to do if driving in the Lincoln tunnel and it implodes and driving off a bridge. Ya can never be too prepared in my book...

Kindness of Babe for indulging my hyper anxiety and at least doing a bang up job of pretending to defer to my expertise. He did not, however, go for my "in case we're attacked by an intruder while sleeping" plan. I explained to him how, just like with fire drills, each person was to have a role and stick with it. One of us, moi, would have the job of keeping and handling the firearm while the other person, him, would have have the role of calling 911 or getting help even if it meant leaving me alone in our home with the intruder to do so. After I had laid out 'the plan' in bed one night he said, "Nooow let me get this straight. pause pause pause I leave you here wrestling a rapist with your gun while I run out in the street squealing, HEEELLLP...??? IDON'TTHINKSO! I tell ya Babe, YOOOUUU are SUMPTHIN else". Tee hee...XXOO

Tender Button

2012-01-09T00:01:00.000-05:00

Babe and I pursued several guilty pleasures in NYC along with Amy over the Christmas holiday. His being long, late dinners at 21, Gramercy Tavern and The Spotted Pig and mine, of course, being shopping. And, of all the places I went during our three days there, whether under my Hermès steam or Amy's Prada, Tender Button was hands down my favorite stop...

My mission was to find replacement buttons for my J. Crew black watch Schoolboy blazer and, mission accomplished...

I knew I wanted something with a fox and it took Babe all of 30 seconds to ferret out these navy enamel beauties once we were pointed in the right direction...

I kid you not when I say I jumped up and down with glee and skipped all the way back to Madison Avenue. Which actually served me well cuz Babe just let me in on a li'l secret, which he can't stop me from sharing seeing as he's out of pocket on a plane at the moment but, on the whole, men are happy and utterly content as long as their wife and family are...

Well, my happiness performance landed me another set of swanky buttons which I earmarked to replace the antique English fox hunt buttons on my navy Schoolboy since I can wear that well into spring...

Wonder how many cartwheels I'll need to turn for thee additional flannel Schoolboy blazer where I've decided my discarded fox hunt buttons really belong?

ps...the J. Crew black watch Schoolboy blazer appears to be sold out online so if anyone's interested I suggest calling 800.586.5819 and asking them to do a store search. Also, those gorgeous fox buttons also came in red or black enamel. TDF...

Kindness of PVE for directing me towards Tender Button and truly one of my best ever NYC finds. Merci beaucoup my friend! I was more excited carting home that mini brown bag of buttons than the big orange bag with the tell-tale ponies. Thank you for both bags Babe. cartwheel cartwheel cartwheel land in a split...XXOO

A Christmas Break Break

2012-01-03T00:01:00.000-05:00

Well my li'l chickadees, I've decided to extend my vacation through this week. Christmas was an absolute blur of packing, unpacking, repacking, going, coming, going again; G'wich to the beach to Baltimore to NYC baaack to the beach to Salisbury to the beach again annnd final stop G'wich. I over ate, over drank and over packed. I did not send out Christmas cards, workout, get a full night's sleep, crack any one of the 15 magazines I packed or watch a single Christmas movie. I need this time to recalibrate...

Buuut...since my largest concentration of readers happens to be in Manhattan, I would feel remiss if I didn't mention the Daphne Guinness exhibit at the Museum at FIT which ends this coming Saturday. Def a must see...

Brief pit stop at Amazon pour moi to load this into my cart and then I'm off to plot my week of long runs in my new tights, a massage appointment, The Family Stone on Demand, needlepointing, a hot chocolate date with May December, PVE and The Zhush, a marathon of Downton Abbey, strolling 'round the blogging hood, hunting down the sold out navy and gold Hermès click clack and that stinking nightstand, finding a church, a dermatologist and proper winter jackets, not having salad for dinz, sleeping in, switching from this lousy cable to FIOS annnd booking a flight to Mexico. Cue the sweatpants!

Kindness of Babe for encouraging this small break and everyone else for indulging it...XXOO

Christmas Brunch

2011-12-22T00:01:00.000-05:00

Even though we'll be guests of my parents at the beach this year I'm still planning to carry on the tradition of hosting my Christmas morning brunch...

Babe is gonna be thrilled to find out that I'm planning on carting a few extra holiday accoutremonts and a cooler full of specialty food items in an already sure to be packed to the hilt whip...

Williams-Sonoma's scrumptious Mini Croissants have been shipped ahead...

And, the Easy Sticky Buns I could make in my sleep...

But, just in case, I've got my Barefoot Contessa's FAMILY STYLE, at home and back to basics cookbooks with the Slow-Cooked Scrambled Eggs, Maple-Roasted Bacon annnd Sticky Buns recipes ready to travel...

What I dooon't have, is a solid plan for bribing Emma, Hilbils and Genevieve into peeling a couple dozen oranges for juicing and cracking and hand whipping several dozen large eggs on Christmas Eve like they did for me last year. Hmmmm she said, rubbing her hands together like Dick Dastardly....

Looks like I may have to don my Christmas morn fox buckle on the Eve of too since a li'l outfoxing will be called for with a certain trio that surely banded together with their citrusy paws on their way out last year to never EVER get roped into doing that again...

Babe, Pligie, Lolly and I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah and a joyous New Year! Please be safe in all your holiday travels and we look forward to seeing y'all in 2012...XXOO

Christmas Groove On

2011-12-21T00:01:00.000-05:00

Time for a little down shifting...

Oh, there's still a never ending to-do list hanging over me but, I'm going to adjust my focus so that I may start enjoying the true meaning of Christmas with my loved ones...

Lolly and I have the Christmas playlist queued up on the iPod and are about to get our Pomander making on with some clementines and cloves...

I've a brand new needlepoint ornament just begging for a pot of tea, a millionth viewing and dissecting of The Family Stone, trying to see what makes my family say Meredith is ME, and some stitchin'...

There are some senses that need stimulating...

And, a kumquat and bay leaf garland in need of finishing...

Yeeeaaah that one maaay turn out to be a solo project...

Kindness of Lolly for being my beeest girlfriend who's always game for my whims. Sorry Kimba, but I don't think you'd be nearly as pleasant if it were you I woke from a toasty, deep slumber to string fruit...XXOO

Naughty AND Nice: Ti-Babes

2011-12-20T00:01:00.000-05:00

The Ti-Babes are gonna have more under the tree this year than their Mama...

At the tipee top of their joint Christmas list were lotsa Sleepypod products...

As soon as they read that the Sleepypod earned LIFE + DOG Best in Show Product, and heard Mummy refer to it as the Cadillac of pet carriers, they just had to have one. White to match the whip please Santa...

And, since Mummy and Daddy are nutz if they think they're jetting off to Breckenridge without them in February, the Sleepypod Air better be on that sleigh too. Black would coordinate best with both Mummy's red and and Daddy's black T. Anthonys...

Might as well round out the collection with the Sleepypod Atom since our peeps over at Cat Fancy gave it the Editor's Choice Award. We're choosing to ignore the fact that Dog Fancy bestowed it with the same honor...

The Yummy Bowl really should count as one as Mama's gifts since it will allow her to store, transport and serve our food and water simultaneously without mixing or spillage in the whip. Frankly, we're just trying not to toss our cookies on these road trips...

We just KNOW Mummy's hiding something special for our stocking behind that attic door cuz we caught a whiff of catnip as she hustled the bag in there. Oh puhleeeze let it be the fox, pink flamingo, mallard, squirrel and mouse Skinneeez we asked for...

Now, we heard the vet tell her that t/d Dental Health were the best treats for our teeth but, we'll be the judge of that. Santa better be prepared with some soft Pounce backups...

Mummy gave us one of our Christmas presents early and we looove it! Now, instead of the three of us sharing her glass of water through the night we have our very own C. Wonder red enamel lined heart shaped dish that sits right next to her Simon Pearce glass. We sure hope Santa brings her that matching nightstand so we can all stop slummin' it on the floor...

*Unfortunately, C. Wonder doesn't show this cool bowl on their website but, you could call the NYC store at 202.219.3500 and inquire about charge sending. I think it was a steal somewhere in the neighborhood of $20...

But, more than anything Santa could bring us, we wish everyone would visit Freekibble and play the pet related trivia question to earn free kibble for Animal Shelters. It would mean the world to us if you helped our less fortunate friends. We want everyone to feel as blessed and loved as we do everyday..

Kindness of the Ti-Babes for taking time out of their très busy day of napping, Cyclamen destroying, shedding and more napping to help me with a post. Santa will reward you handsomely...XXOO

All In The Name Of Skinny

2011-12-19T00:01:00.000-05:00

Added a couple new items to the lineup this weekend...

First was an expedited pair of the Under Armour ColdGear Frost Compression Tights...

Sorry Santa but, I didn't think I could tolerate one more early morning, long run with that bitter wind whipping off the Sound while I waited on your chance delivery...

And, the second was the insert angels breaking out in glorious song Run Tracker -GPS app...

After recently selling the unused Garmin I strong armed Babe into giving me several Christmases ago at a $300 loss on eBay, I was on the verge of losing all credibility AND purchasing privileges by buying another one...

This li'l $1.99 app saved me TWO decimal points in cost compared to the new watch I was eying, was sooo simple to use and, no deAmExing by Babe...

Kindness of the bff's husband Bryan for the heads up on the Run Tracker - GPS app. Can I just tell you how mentally skinnier I felt on Saturday once I discovered that our Tod's Point running route was actually 8.6 and not just 8 miles? We're talking a Versailles croissant. A Starbucks Mint Mocha with whip. And, if it's not, don't tell me cuz Idon'twannaknow. That's my story and I'm running with it...XXOO

Naughty AND Nice:The Minnies

2011-12-16T00:01:00.000-05:00

As of this morn, ole Maxminimus has two new monikers pour moi; AllieVonAintNevahSeenaBudget and AllieVonChaChinger. Let's just say, that if I had minnies of my own, it'd be more like AllieVonPostinBail and AllieVonDivorcée cuz I'd have less than zero discipline and less than zero husband. But, for y'alls sake, I'll show a little restraint and keep it a smidge more in the cerebral, less in the dressed to kill, vein...

I'm going to have insist upon the bff getting the Mysterious Benedict Society Collection for Will and Ella so that I may borrow them as beach reads when they're through...

I coulda used the imaginative Rory's Story "generator" Cubes growing up. Wherewereyou whowereyouwith and whatwereyoudoing last night Missy?! Just a sec Daddy, shake shake shake...

Perf for adding to their future bag o' Irish party pieces. But, may I suggest swapping out the Dollar Origami practice currency with the real stuff. THAT would be family lore worthy...

Jason Lee retro Stereo Vinyl Cruiser...

You just have to trust me with this one. Or is Babe gonna have to play cameraman again while I dust off my frontside 180?

Another book I would have totally gotten lost in...

Annnd, one that may have instilled good habits at the onset and kept me on the right side of the ~~law~~ Butt Police...

This is the second post from the Lego Architect Series this week but, they are just that fab. My nephew Teague is gonna faaahLIP when he opens this on Christmas Eve. Per usual, favorite Uncle Babe will get all the credit queue the confetti and trumpets while poor Aunt Allie does cartwheels trying to redirect the credit where credit's due queue the golf claps...

Babe can take credit for the Math Dice Jr. Nerd...

Kindness of Emma, Hilbils and Rob, who I KNOW are gonna read this then lie in wait for my arrival to the beach next week, for giving me a good 24 hours of practice before being expected to ante up on my rusty skateboarding prowess for their entertainment...XXOO

Naughty AND Nice: A Girl And Her Horse

2011-12-15T00:01:00.000-05:00

The path to a guy's heart is through his stomach. And, although the path to a girl's heart may blocked by her horse, it sure makes them easy to buy for...

Whether they're grownup...

Or little...

Girlie girls...

Or sporty girls...

Fashionable...

Fun...

Orrr, all the above...

They usually have BIG hearts. And, I've just made some room in mine...

Kindness of Babe who will take note that I consider myself girlie and sporty with a BIG heart. Hint hint...XXOO

Naughty AND Nice: Renaissance Man

2011-12-14T00:01:00.000-05:00

Just a few li'l gift suggestions for the...

Thank you note writing...

Cashmere wearin'...

Polo playin'...

Renaissance guy on your Christmas list...

Kindness of Ali Culver for placing the engraved, hunting motif note cards in my crosshairs. Guys, shmuys, I want them in MY stocking! And, Babe, for exponentially increasing his brainpower with excessive Lego building as a child. The view from the first class seat of your smartypants coattails has been better than anything Santa could possibly bring...XXOO

Entrance Table Christmas Face Lift

2011-12-13T00:01:00.000-05:00

Before Kimba left she made me promise to post about the face lift I gave the front table for Christmas...

Ya mean the the face lift Greenwich Orchids gave the front table? All I did was fund the container and amaryllis pairing...

And, dump the cranberries into my Nantucket Hurricanes...

Thank goodness at least one of my holiday tablescapes required minimal execution cuz the round the clock guarding and maintenance of my cyclamen and paperwhites has become a bit much...

Yup. Nothing like rounding the corner after sweeping, swiffering and steam vac'n the joint to see this mess...

I'm like Buford Pusser patrolling the place with a dust pan and broom holstered around my waist...

Looking to catch and break up the criminal element responsible for these heinous acts of destructions...

Mmmmhmmmm...

Kindness of one Miss Lollycakes who will please allow the cyclamen and paperwhites to at least make it through the 25th. Lest she find some coal in that li'l stocking of hers...XXOO

Drive-by Holiday

2011-12-12T00:01:00.000-05:00

The bff is in town for a long weekend and we're ~~2 glasses of savie deep~~ heading out to dinner so, briefly checking in with some holiday eye candy...

We've packed as much as possible into the past couple of days including torturing our husbands by holding them hostage in MacKenzie Childs...

Kimba and I could, and have, spent countless hours in MacK, especially when it's all decked for Christmas...

Babe's threshold began and ended with helping to choose this year's Little Stinker Woodland Ornament...

I saw his and Bryan's eyes start to glaze over right around the time Kimba and I sat for our Victorian silhouette portraits...

They unglazed long enough to roll when I pointed out the Piccadilly Chicken Casserole I'd like Santa to bring me...

But, I knew better then to give him a heads up on the pair of Stocking Hooks I've decided we need...

Pshaw, Bryan only wishes he was getting off so easily. Guess that wemadeitpastVanCleefandArpelswithoutgoingin sigh of relief was a bit premature...

Kindness of Kimba and Bryan for making the trip up to visit us during this very busy Christmas holiday. I hope the Ina Garten and Kathie Lee Gifford sightings made up for the fact that we're sending you home sleep deprived and just a few lbs heavier. Allow me introduce you to detox Monday...XXOO

2 Candles For Ledbury And 20% For You

2011-12-09T00:01:00.000-05:00

I've mentioned on multiple occasions just how much Babe and I love his Ledbury shirts. Every single time I lay one out for him in the morning he says, man this is a nice shirt as he's buttoning up. They truly are one of thee best finds in my three years of blogging...

So, if y'all are contemplating drinking some of the Ledbury kool aid, now's the time to do so...

By the by, Ledbury partnered with the Wiley Brothers to craft the Free Union belt which was also a Garden and Gun Made in the South contest award winner...

Yup, the iiinfamous Wiley Brothers of hoof pick belt fame. It's a requisite accessory when living in C'ville...

And, I've got my fingers crossed they'll be rolling one out in black...

Kindness of Maxminimus who is fooorever singing the youonlypostgirliestuff blues for taking note that I had not one but, TWO posts dedicated to guy loot this week. Two AND a half if ya count the Whiskey Rocks and oyster knife from yesterday. I'll be taking my thank you in Butt Police holiday credits s'il vous plait...XXOO

Naughty AND Nice: In The Kitchen

2011-12-08T00:01:00.000-05:00

Time to start rolling out some gift lists and I'm beginning in the kitchen. Here's where Babe scoffs cuz every night when he calls from his office to ask what's for dinner he hears, salad. Hey, a girl could get fat around here if the kitchen didn't shut down during the week. But, all bets are off come the (what's a???) weekend...

No kidding Williams Knife Co won Garden and Gun's "Made in the South" contest. Take a gander at the Edisto Oyster. I'm hoping Babe and I each find one in our stocking. At the very least, I better...

Lots of hoopla surrounding the new, très preppy C. Wonder store in SoHo and with good reason. Only 24 smackerals for this tortie nut bowl that arrived the next day and was surprisingly more substantial in weight and size than I had expected. Fooor only 24 smackeraaals. Wonders never cease...

Santa just has to bring the Momofuku Milk Bar cookbook to my friend Ellen. Every September when we meet at the St. Regis before heading out to Montauk she loooaaads up on Milk Bar goodies, such as their infamous compost cookies (gurgle), for the road trip and makes me hate myself come Monday...

Ingenious. I'll have a bourbon and ginger on the Whiskey Rocks please...

Just discovered Edward S. Wohl bird's-eye maple boards and beat Santa to the punch with the 10" x 23" bread board to use for cheese and charcuterie. Sorry Santa Baby, we're entertaining again this weekend...

Only caught the words liquid gold on NPR this evening so the intel's too fresh to have any firsthand experience but, I will be hunting down a bottle of the Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay for ~~moi~~ my parents come sun up...

Kindness of Santa for taking note of how baaadly I want that oyster knife for myself AND Babe. Don't want to find myself backed into some forcedtoshare corner at an oyster roast cuz I'm all biz when it comes to shucking and I don't slow down for no one, no how...XXOO

Nancy Drew And The Ivy Mystery

2011-12-07T00:01:00.000-05:00

Last weekend, Babe was on the verge of self combustion as he tried in vain to corral Amy and me in the Yale bookstore for we were well behind schedule leaving New Haven and, had a dinner to host. As Amy went in one direction in search of a book, I went in another on the hunt for the perfect sweat pant leg opening...

So, when I spied this jacket from the checkout line I'd been escorted to there was nooo WAY ~~the border collie~~ Babe was gonna allow me to break free from the herd to inquire...

The best I could do was furiously snap pics and hope I could find it online for Babe. It had to be Barbour, right?

Wrong. Nary a Barbour with that shoulder stitching...

'Twas time to launch a full Nancy Drew and the Ivy Mystery investigation. Yeeeaaars of being obsessed with the girl detective has paid off in spades. I am a sleuthing wonder. A ferreter extraordinaire. A dog with a bone...

Et voilà! It was Ralph Lauren...

In the Yale bookstore...

With the side tabs and back vents. Case solved...

*Ralph Lauren is having another 40% off Fall sale that started yesterday. The case on the docket for tomorrow: does it include my jacket find?

Kindness of everyone for understanding that I have finally reached a point where I can no longer respond to most of the emails I receive. I can promise you that they will all still get read and, that I am extremely appreciative for and love receiving every single one. But, alas, I have discovered that I can not do it all and, with the help of my dedicated team of therapists, Dr. Fancypants, Pilgie and Lolly, I'm learning that the world will not end if I don't cross every "t" and dot every "i". So, please, keep writing, tweeting, sending messages and Words With Friends requests but, forgive me if you don't hear back. I've got some past neglects that need tending...XXOO

Richard Glässer Pyramids

2011-12-06T00:01:00.000-05:00

Last month I skipped all the way home when I struck Homegoods pay dirt with my Richard Glässer nativity pyramid find only to be greeted with, maaaan Babe, you usually have great taste but, that is uuuhhhgly. How many minutes did I work today to pay for that junk?

Deflated, yet resolute in my infatuation, I returned my hand carved pyramid but, only cuz I finally figured out "as is" referred to the missing fan part...

Latter than night over dinner with my cousin Melissa, she mentioned a multi-level wooden tier thingy her grandparents had out every Christmas that spun on a carousel as the heat of the candles fed the fan. Did anyone know what that was and where, oh where, could she find one?

Oh yeah, said her husband Chris, our family had one too...

Well...well...well...BABE. Happen to know what that "really cool" thing was?

Not only are we getting another one to replace the broken one I returned but, it ain't gonna have a Homegoods price tag mister...

At least you can thank your lucky stars even I have limits...

For a laugh swing by here for the worst nativity sets ever. And, in fitting with the spirit, the first person to correctly guess mine and Meg Cater's vote for the absolute worst AND the one I find thee most clever will be rewarded with a pair of Alice's Holiday dangles...

Congratulations to winner Amber S! Be sure to email me at pinkandgreen@gmail.com with your address and Alice's Holiday color preference Amber. And, merci beaucoup to everyone for playing!

Kindness of Meg Carter for the funny link AND the generous giveaway. Also, for allaying my fears of pitch fork wielding Scrooges by assuring me that even her minister found the awful nativities hilarious. Ahhh, good to know that at least the loosey goosey Episcopalians won't be after me...XXOO

Downton Fever

2011-12-05T00:01:00.000-05:00

Christmas tree shhhmistmas tree, it's t-minus 34 days til season 2 of Downton Abbey starts on PBS and I have yet to finish Season 1...

And, I'd say the tree will have to wait til the weekend while I catch up on my remaining episodes but, the Dowager Countess may give me a withering, What is a weekend?

Kindness of the Dowager Countess for her endless pearls of wisdom. Which reminds me, I'll have to let Emma and Hilbils know for future reference that "only parlor maids have long engagements. Ladies say yes and get on with it." Got that girlies? XXOO

*Speaking of wisdom, swing by QBS's for some shared by this soon to be Dowager if I keep Counting Hermès scarves...

Birthday Boy

2011-12-02T00:01:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday li'l Prince...

It's been 4 years of putting your family above all else...

Of endless entertainment...

And, a whooole lotta tolerance...

We Love You

Mommy, Daddy and Lolly

Kindness of my sister Genevieve who will not call me immediately upon reading this to ask if she is included in the "family he puts above all else". Yesssss, Genny, Pilgie loves you too. Yessssss, he misses you. And, yesssss, I think he was sad to leave you when we left the beach. Said the first chair to the second fiddle...XXOO

Queue The First Stocking Suggestion...

2011-12-01T00:01:00.000-05:00

I have searched high and low for my CKB credit card wallet to organize my *B list (not wallet worthy) cards housed in the whip console but, it appears to have vaporized. And by vaporized I mean, more than likely sitting at the bottom of either Emma or Hilbilly's purse...

I lost interest in that li'l Nancy Drew project the minute I spied Smathers and Branson's needlepoint credit card wallets and redirected all energies into choosing which one was most whip worthy. My initial instinct was for my fav, the red fox...

But, the lobster would be in keeping with the whip's red, white and blue colors...

While the crab would cover both it's colors and watershed theme. This is where Babe says, are you sure you want people to know you're crazy? Because, you knooow assigning 'colors' and 'themes' to cars isn't normal...

Pshaw! I don't care. Why do you think I wanted the Goyard tote in white and why I'm holding out for the vintage blue and white Connecticut plates? Which leads me to the center monogram option in these custom colors, natch...

Maybe, I should default to good ole camo and, you wouldn't even know it was there breaking color rank...

*Blockbuster, car wash, gym, Staples/CVS/Dick's Rewards cards, coupons, ect. Although, the thought of having a stable of credit cards like one reader assumed does make me feel kinda warm and fuzzy all over...

Kindness of everyone for not judging my obsessive compulsive, color themed self. Also, whichever blog I originally spied the Smathers and Branson credit card wallets on. That memory ran off with my CKB wallet but, I'm gonna guess it was either here, here or here. Let's see how those odds pay out...XXOO

*Welp, they didn't. Merci beaucoup Sweet Southern Prep for the reminder and idea ♥

Unleashed

2011-11-30T00:01:00.000-05:00

One Christmas mood, cooomin' right up...

Hmmm...wonder which department Pilgie and Lolls would head to if unleashed in Bergdorf to Christmas shop pour moi? I'm putting my microchips down on Goyard. They know their très devoted Mummy needs a tote...

*Why, lookie here, Bergdorf has a blog...

Kindness of my friend and fellow doggie lover Joanie DiNardo for directing me toward this heartwarming flick co-staring her sister's black and white, MarieBelle buying, English Cocker Spaniel. As for the stand alone star, Salty, word on the street is he may still be available for adoption from the Humane Society of New York. Wonder what'll happen first? Will my inquiry call be returned...will my readers beat me to the punch like they did with the sold out Devon Baer plaid ruffle top...or will Babe read this post and throw the brakes on my doggie fantasy train. Whaaat shall I put my chips oooon this time??? XXOO

Still Carrying The Fiorentini + Baker Torch

2011-11-29T00:01:00.000-05:00

It looks as though Babe's schedule is putting a damper on our Christmas in Rome plans sniffle sniffle soooob and, while I hate to burst his good intentions balloon as he covertly (he thinks) considers consolations jaunts to Palm Beach or the Greenbrier, a swing by the Fiorentini + Baker store in Soho would do the trick...

I had grandi plans to snag a pair in Italy but, since there'll be no when in Roma per me, may I finally extinguish my Emma torch in NYC per favore?

A torch which was recently given this healthy dose of oxygen...

Althooo...the Epi have started tugging at my reminiscent of Laura Ashley heart strings...

As have the li'l less Laura Ashley, li'l more Laura Ingalls Eta. I know, I know...crazy to think I could pull these off...

Until youknowwho rocked her F + B shorties...

Kindness of Amy for getting the ball rolling on the NEXT Christmas in Venice trip NOW. Late in the game planning 'twas a hard lesson for us to learn and I couldn't agree more that a li'l trinket from VC&A should help to soften your no Rome for Christmas blow. THAAAT'S RIGHT AMYYY, A VC&A TRINKET WOULD MOOOST DEFINITELY HELP TO SOFTEN THE BLOWWW...XXOO

Sunday Stacks

2011-11-28T00:01:00.000-05:00

I had hoped to spend my Sunday leisurely perusing stacks like this...

And, this...

But, after a long weekend of holiday travel, the only stacks on my immediate horizon seem to be of the ironing...

And, to-do list nature. Looks like I may have to call for reinforcements...

Anyone? Pilgie? Lolly? chirp chirp chirp...

Kindness of any other gluttons for Beachbody's Insanity torture in the G'wich area who'd like some early morn company for their workout misery. Seems I've also got a li'l stack of unwanted pounds accumulating that needs immediate attention. Anyone? Anyone? XXOO

GobbleGobble!

2011-11-23T00:01:00.000-05:00

I've got my li'l cooler of Chincoteague oysters packed and we're beach bound for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend...

Besides a trip to Sea Shell City, to replace a $200 piece of coral that Lolly decided looked better in 50¢ piec-es, the only Black Friday action I plan on seeing is the running of many a Coastal Highway mile in an attempt to combat the the previous night's feasting...

I may, however, reward my long run, or drown my caloric sorrows, in a Black Friday traipse around the ole cyber hood...

An 8 miler combined with the 20% discount just may earn me the KEP green agate earrings...

An 8 miler would also give me plenty o' think time for narrowing down my Devon Baer choices cuz right now I'm torn between the Charlotte Tunic Dress...

The Plaid Ruffle Blouse...

And, the Caroline Ruffle Dress in navy. Hmmm...wonder what a 9 miler would get me?

*Enter "Friday" at checkout on Devon Baer Designs and receive 20% off your order. This bit of Black Friday intel courtesy of TCSK...

Kindness of all my faithful readers. Babe, Pilge, Lolly and I are extremely thankful for all y'all. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving and we'll see you back here on Penance Monday...XXOO

Annual Oyster Dressing Roll Out

2011-11-22T00:01:00.000-05:00

My parents are just now making their way home from Mexico so yet again it became my job to track down the holiday supply of Chincoteague oysters. Handicap being, I ain't near Chincateague no more. Fortunately, the nice man at Bon Ton Fish Market here in Greenwich had some shipped in just pour moi...

Like I said last year, and the year before that, if I were on death row, and requesting my last meal, at theee very top on the menu would be my family's oyster dressing. And, since we're mere days away from Thanksgiving, I thought I'd reshare the recipe in hopes of giving ya'll enough time to develop a game plan for acquiring your own top notch oysters...

*1 pint Chincoteague oysters, drained and chopped

3/4 cup finely chopped onion

1 1/2 cup chopped celery with leaves

1 cup butter

8-9 cups hand cubed soft bread crumbs (cheap loaves white bread works best)

2 teaspoons salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 1/2 teaspoons dried sage leaves (I am very generous with the sage)

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves (and, equally as generous with the thyme)

In a large stock pot, cook and stir onion and celery in butter until onion is translucent and tender.

Turn off heat and stir in about half the amount of hand cubed bread crumbs. Turn into a deep bowl. Add remaining ingredients and toss.

Amount of bread cubes used will depend on how moist the oysters are so, add in stages.

Cook in a covered dish At 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

*Be sure to use quality, salty oysters (preferably Chincoteague) otherwise it's just not as delish.

Kindness of Lolly, my forever helper, for never thinking any job, including stray celery catcher, too lowly for her...XXOO

Why Oh Why Did I Fire The Maid?

2011-11-21T00:01:00.000-05:00

A long week of late night tapings and a jam packed weekend of fun with overnight guests, and we're pooped...

I'm actually feigning complete exhaustion cuz Mummy's looking for volunteers since the cleaning lady cancelled at the eleventh hour...

Let Lolly do it since she enjoys cleaning so much. Besides, (whispers behind paw) maybe it'll help them work off all the pain au chocolat they inhaled this weekend...

Kindness of Lolly for not only always being Mama's helper but, for also suggesting it only fair that I get to put my unused cleaning lady money towards a massage. That's my li'l pain au chocolate sharing girlfriend...XXOO

Shark Scarf Week: Duh Duh DUH...The Hermès Shawl

2011-11-18T00:01:00.000-05:00

If ever a crime was worth the punishment, 'twas my ratted out by Amy covert Hermès shawl purchase of September...

I have hardly left the house without being draped in that thing. And, I'm pretty sure even the warden at the Big House has changed his tune after escorting it around NYC to many an admiring stare..
.
And, merci to all the readers, the first out of the gate being Meg of Pigtown Design, who sent me this great video with 25 ways to tie a scarf. Peeersonallyyy, I learned how badly I want that Louis Vuitton Stephen Sprouse leopard stole...

Kindness of an old friend who once told me, one should learn to live with beautiful things. Who cares if they get snagged, slightly torn, or even worse for the wear, for that is what gives them character and enjoying them brings such joy. It was my hope to encourage y'all to do the same with these vlogs and, from all the emails, tweets and messages I received, I think ~~Shark~~ Scarf Week managed to do just that. Merci beaucoup for all the feedback. And, maybe, juuust maybe, I'll be back with a few more next week. I said maaaybeee...XXOO

Shark Scarf Week: The Shawl Of Kings

2011-11-17T00:01:00.000-05:00

How lucky for me, unlucky for youknowwho, that our new neighbor and friend, Suzana, brought a suitcase full of pashtoosh and shahtoosh shawls with her from Turkey...

Shahtoosh, which literally means shawl of kings, were first hand woven for Shahs from the delicate hair of Tibetan antelope living 5000 meters up in the Himalayas. Their fur became in such high demand that the antelope are now stringently protected on the endangered species list and killing them for their wool, or buying a real pashtoosh, likened to the trafficking of drugs and highly illegal worldwide. Nevermind the criminal act, who would want to walk around draped in that karma?!

Thankfully, all of Suzana's shahtoosh and pashtoosh are made from very fine cashmere gathered from specially bred, still living to tell their tale, legal antelope. Read, all good karma. Look closely at the navy pashtoosh I started with and you can see the fine downy feathers woven throughout. Swoon...

Babe's still stuck on the started with portion of that last paragraph. Sooo many pretty colors to choose from and the truth is I WANT THEM ALL! Hmmm...maybe I should educate the Chilean born Suzana about the American lawaway plan...

Then after ~~Babe~~ I pay off my pashtoosh pile, I could start chipping away at thee slightly less expensive although, forgive me Ti-Babes, still softer than anything you've felt on this side of the world, shahtoosh pile...

Of course, I'll have to add a few new shawl tying tricks to my bag of for showcasing both sides of the reversible shahtoosh...

Til then, here are a couple to get you nimble...

*If anyone is seriously interested in buying a pashtoosh ($700) or shahtoosh ($500) from Suzana,, before they're gobbled up by the G'wich ladies in queue, please email me for deets at pinkandgreen@gmail.com

Kindness of Suzana for giving me first dibbies before she allowed anyone else to see them and the in depth education, which I hardly did justice. Also, my father-in-law, for not killing me when I introduce my mother-in-law to Suzana and her gorgeous wares this weekend when they visit. Between all all pashtoosh, shahtoosh and Stamford Antiquing I have planned, ya may need to pack a suitcase full of something other than clooothesss...XXOO

Shark Scarf Week: The Pochette Three Trick Pony

2011-11-16T00:01:00.000-05:00

Everyone should have at least one pochette in their Hermès scarf arsenal. The pochette may play JV to the 90cm's Varsity but, they are a smidge less threatening while still managing to peg you as stylish...

If you're really clever, you'll find a way to parlay all three moves into one outing. You're friends and admirers will be très impressed...

And, for those of you curious as to how I store my scarves, I don't. I keep mine folded and stacked, front and center, on a shelf in my closet cuz, out of sight leads to out of mind. Not just my mind but, also the mind of any potential gift giver who may be sharing the same closet...

Kindness of everyone for turning a blind eye and ear to my jammie bottoms and half asleep self . My cameraman didn't return home for taping til well past my bedtime. Seriously considering docking him a pochette scarf purchase...XXOO

Shark Scarf Week: The Hermès 90cm

2011-11-15T00:01:00.000-05:00

I know too many people with gorgeous Hermès scarves collecting dust in drawers and closets cuz they don't know how to wear them. Quelle horreur! No body puts ~~Baby~~ Hermès in the corner!

The trick for any scarf wielding neophyte, is to first get familiar with a basic knot or two, like these. Once you're comfortable tossing this look on with just about anything, button downs, dresses, sweaters, tees..., then you can worry about adding more knots to your arsenal. And, more Hermès scarves to your closet...

*Disclaimer: please excuse the quality of video as my cameraman didn't return from his day job til 10pm and musta left his A game at the office. As to the quality of my star power, this is post evening 5 miler, jammies on, jammies off, dirty clothes back on, let's make this fast cuz I'm missing Real Housewives annnd ACTION...

Kindness of my dear friend Joanie DiNardo who was thee very first person I knew to throw an Hermès scarf on as casually as she would a necklace. Introducer to Belgies AND effortless scarf wearing makes for one mighty impressive CV in my book Joanie Balonie...XXOO

Shark Scarf Week: Love Quote Knot

2011-11-14T00:01:00.000-05:00

Since I'm not currently cavorting in the shark infested warm Pacific water as planned, I'm redirecting my energies and declaring this ~~Shark~~ Scarf Week here in Summerland...

Five years ago, the manager of the East Hampton Calypso generously taught me how to tie this Love Quote scarf knot the way that Calvin Klein had taught her. It's a particularly good looking knot peeking out from your Barbour jacket or worn just with a big wrap sweater in the fall. Noooot so much with dirty, wrinkly khakis and one's competing popped collar...

Kindness of Babe, for manning the camera and wisely steering clear of any closeups of my makeup less face, Lolly, for always being a natural in the spotlight and, General Hahnahninnahnad Pilgie, for juggling the overseeing and underwriting of the whole production and being my lone studio audience...XXOO

Mohammad Had To Postpone Her Trip To The Mountain La Playa...

2011-11-11T00:01:00.000-05:00

By noon today, I was supposed to be lathered up and sipping on a Coke Lite con limons while baking in the Mexican sun. But, Babe ~~and I~~ decided that, if we're planning to head abroad for Christmas, it was probably best I postpone my trip for now. Sooo, let ~~the mountain~~ la playa come to Mohammad...

Via this gorgeous Melissa Odabash nautical Jamie dress...

And, Petit Bateau's marine blue and navy stripe tee. There. Now I feel better...

Kindness of Babe who will heed this warning from the Verbiage Police; it was, "looks like we're definitely going to try and do Europe for Christmas" pre canceling of trip and, "we're thinking of doing Europe for Christmas" post. You're thiiiiis close to being issued a MAJOR citation Sir...XXOO

Joy Joy Joy...

2011-11-10T00:01:00.000-05:00

I have been carrying around this US magazine tear out desperately looking for these J Brand Skinny cords to act as a methadone for my summer colored Haute Hues addiction...

I'd all but given them up for dead, finger poised to dial Dr. Drew, when, like ~~angels~~ dealers from on high, the Shopafrolic sisters delivered them to me on a ~~silver~~ Black Cherry platter...

And, in an instant, one addiction was swapped for another. The Black Cherries aren't even out of tracking limbo and I've already got my next fix cooling their Peridot Green heels on deck..

Just like a legit script, I've got Bright Royal refill...

After Aubergine refill and those days of loitering on the Saks denim department corner are over...

Kindness of the Shopafrolic sisters for finding me the much coveted Black Cherry J Brand Skinny cords. You guys don't happen to have any connections at HomeGoods do ya? See, there's this table...XXOO

No Shoe Horn Needed

2011-11-09T00:01:00.000-05:00

Well, last weekend's excursion to Barney's Denim Counter was a bust. Too many skin tight options and I just didn't even know where to begin. I defaulted to hanging close to my beloved J. Brand Haute Hues and queuing up which color to get next. Then I tortured Babe on the elevator ride back down with threats of bringing back the Levi 501. Now there's a jean ya don't need a shoe horn to get on...

And, just when I had started to embrace the whole 501 resurrection, a swing by Atlantic-Pacific's blog had me thrilled to find Bee still rockin' the Current/Elliot Boyfriend Jean...

You mean I can still wear this style even though it's several years old? Sold! Fat day, skinny day, who cares, those loosie goosies could hide a multitude of ~~chocolate~~ sins...

And, as it happens, I recently got my hot li'l mitts on last year's sold out J. Crew tartan shirt which will get me as close to Bee's pulled together look as I'll ever come...

I may even be able to fake her second boyfriend jeans ensemble a smidge...

Already have Crews black gingham shirt in the lineup so, all that's left to do is sweet talk Emma out of that charcoal rugby striped car coat of hers over Thanksgiving. Surely it's novelty has worn off after four years. Come on Em, throw a hard to find jeans that flatter an athletic badonkadunk gal a legs up to here bone...

Kindness of EAS for the head's up when J. Crew relaunched the tartan shirt that got away and Atlantic-Pacific for letting me know the boyfriend jeans wagon had circled back around. Lastly Amy, (hangs head in shame) for not being disappointed in me when Babe inevitably reports to her of my Barney's faux pas. After all her training I still asked the salesgirl if this was indeed the "jeans" bar. 'Twas NOT quite the Eliza Doolittle moment we had hoped for...XXOO

Clothes On Monkeys On Phones

2011-11-08T00:01:00.000-05:00

Loved waking to this bit of breaking news feed on my Facebook last week...

Iomoi rolled out a slew of swanky case opts for the 4S, 4, 3GS and 3G iPhones. Glory be!

So many tempting styles...

How ever will I narrow my choice to just one?

Do I picture myself bikini clad playing Words With Friends on my parrot cay clad mobile while baking on la playa in Mexico this winter?

Or dispatching tweets from abroad while, fingers crossed, celebrating Christmas in Rome?

I can't, however, picture having to hide this fun contender...

Orrr this one from the bff Kimba who has a fear of monkeys dressed in human clothing...

May have to go with these li'l fellas in the skinny...

And, double check that daper fox haven't made their way onto her willies list. Ya never know, the genus vulpes donning toile pants and crested slippers could quite possibly be terrorizing North Carolina like their brethren the ill dressed monkey...

Kindness of the bff for noting my generous consideration of her feelings however INSANE they may be. Sorry, sorry...guess there's a wee touch of residual bitterness left for having to edit my wardrobe of a beautiful yellow Steven Stolman skirt cuz it had MONKEYS WITH CLOTHES ON IT. Okay, okay I'm composed now. Anything for a bff she said definitely NOT rolling her eyes at yesterday's birthday girl...XXOO

Chicks With Guns

2011-11-07T00:01:00.000-05:00

This is the time of the year when I'm most nostalgic for the Eastern Shore...

That's why I will most definitely be adding Lindsay McCrum's Chicks With Guns to my Holiday wish list...

It may help fill the void left by the lack of gunshot ringing across the bay to wake me in the morn...

The lack of guys in head to toe camo grabbing sodas and Tastykakes in convenience stores...

And, where are all the pickup trucks with gun racks and Hitch-Hauls?

Yeppers. Shoulda known I was in trouble when the movers refused to load our shotgun shells and bullets on the truck...

I'll just have to fill my li'l Igloo with some Chincoteague oysters and venison next trip home...

And, curl up with Chicks With Guns whenever I'm feeling that ole familiar tug...

Cuz the only camo I'd likely get away with in the new hood is of the sequined variety...

*Last two pics are of yours truly, sadly, but understandably, not featured in the book...

Kindness of Keep it Chic for the heads up on Chicks With Guns book and Tomboy Style for the Alexis Bittar camo sequined clutch find. Those prepneck gods work in mysterious but, fashionable ways...XXOO

Quick Cheap Change Artist

2011-11-04T00:01:00.000-04:00

Since Halloween has come and gone, 'twas time to redress the entrance table's holiday decor...

True to my ~~laziness~~ word, I kept October's look and gave it a new face by adding some scented pine cones from Whole Foods and a few pheasant feathers...

Et, voilà! November...

The life expectancy of those pheasant feathers wholly dependent upon a couple of eyes; Babe's critical one...

And, the opening on you know who's other one post nap. Yup, that'd be the sound of a timer starting...

Kindness of Babe for taking note of my ability to recycle. Taking NOTE annnd possibly taking advantage of Ralph Lauren's current 40% off sale ooone last time. Nothing says positive reinforcement like fuschia pink or purple cashmere cable knit...XXOO

Ralph's Private Sale

2011-11-03T00:01:00.000-04:00

After a lovely Sunday brunch at Versailles with Babe and Amy we all popped into Ralph's on the Avenue for a peek at his private sale. Continuing in the tradition of what Babe refers to as our cashmere "Arms Race", Amy and I beelined it to the sweater nook...

I went into the dressing room with three, and came out with my allotted one. A Mitered V-Neck Cable Knit in navy made the difficult cut...

While I had to leave the Slim-Fit Cables in fuchsia...

And, royal lilac behind. But, not before whispering vows to be back...

While Babe footed the bill I searched furiously for the gorgeous Darwin Silk Top in navy I had whispered the same vow to several weeks ago...

And, that's when I heard it; the Hand-Knit Blanket Coat that was whispering to me...

Apparently Babe and Amy don't speak the secret language of Blanket Coat and deemed it, not my style. Well, not only do I speak Blanket Coat but, happens I'm also fluent in not my style. Translates to, GASP! I see four figures on that price tag and how would that affect my lead in the Arms Race? respectively...

*40% off at Ralph Lauren stores and ralphrauren.com now through Monday, November 7. Receive and additional 15% off upon checkout at ralphlauren.com with the code NOV0307. Not sure how you parlay that extra discount in the stores without the actual card I received in the mail but, it's certainly worth a sob story shot...

Kindness of Babe for buying my navy v-neck thus, allowing me to grow my cashmere army. Never mind that Amy left with grey, cabernet AND Range Rover green. She may be the cashmere military super power but, I believe I have the pole position when it comes to Ralph's silks...XXOO

The Awrets

2011-11-02T00:01:00.000-04:00

At the lunch following Grandpa Flynn's interment, I had the great fortune of being seated next to the Flynn's dear friend and artist, Irene Awret, after yearsss of trying to finagle an introduction...

Irene and her late husband Azriel, a sculptor, meet and fell in love while in a Nazi internment camp. Mrs. Awret told me, over a lunch I barely touched, when they moved to the states they were introduced to a small group including Mr. and Mrs. Flynn...

She fondly spoke of the Flynn's open mindedness and how, at her very first stateside show, Babe's grandfather was the only one out of that group to buy a piece of her work. Giggling she said, and it was a nude! I could tell, by the way she spoke, how much that support had meant to her and that it was more than likely the precise moment a lifelong friendship had been forged...

Babe and I drove Mrs. Awret home after lunch and were rewarded with a private tour of both her and Azriel's studios. I fell in love with this life size sculpture by Mr. Awret but, unfortunately I would have had to leave the whip in exchange...

After another 45 minutes of generous free reign in Mrs. Awret's studio I settled on this large oil painting. Once again, my talent for ferreting out something outta my financial league proved not be waning with age...

Naturally, Babe's gifted eye and sixth sense unearthed this watercolor in a giant file drawer. Turns out it's thee very same model used in Mr. Flynn's 40 year old purchase. How about them apples? And, a third generation patron of the Awrets was born...

While I save up my ~~pennies~~ Benjamins for the oil, or a more modest sculpture, I'll keep myself both distracted and focused by curling up with Mrs. Awret's book chronicling her time in a Nazi concentration camp and how her gift saved her life. Meanwhile, mine'll be the death of me...

Kindness of Mrs. Awret for inviting us into her home and her studio and Mr. Flynn for guiding Babe to the piece that was meant for him in so many ways. Also, LFF for the fantastic R. Van Loan Custom Framing rec where my saved up Benjamins will initially be funneled once the hand moon-gold leafed frame ransom note arrives in a month...XXOO

C'ville Haul

2011-11-01T00:01:00.000-04:00

We hit up all the usual suspects while in the old C'ville hood a couple of weekends ago and managed to haul back a few additional trinkets and lbs...

There was our traditional first night in town Christian's Pizza, were it was slim pickin's after the ice hockey kids beat us to all the avocado and feta slices...Bodo's on the Corner for a bacon (moi), sausage (Babe), egg and cheddar on sesame bagel breakfast...and my beloved Montpelier (extra rare on the roast beef s'il vous plait) to go from the Gourmet Exxon for the next leg in our journey...

We mostly shopped for antiques but, I managed to squeeze in just a few personal gits including the all important sweats of Winter '12...

And, disappointed to find And George wiped clean of any Chuck Pinnell key rings in navy, I consoled myself with a new desk calendar with easel for the coming year...

Found this cute lidded fish dish at Artifacts which is ideal for storing my stove side Kosher salt...

The lid is key for foiling Lolly's nightly urge to create her renowned salt works of art; her brushes being her paws, her medium, about a tablespoon worth of salt, and her canvas, kitchen counter top and floor...

Best find of all, was the mink bolero Babe bought me from the Vintage Vixen off the downtown mall...

Broke the seal on that puppy at our King Family Vineyard's wedding mere hours after the purchase...

It took every ounce of self control I had to reign in my greedy self from also tossing this vintage Hermès polo on the counter as Babe was generously paying for my mink. Just my size too, gosh darn it...

Kindness of Babe for buying everything my li'l heart desired during our day of Hooville shopping. Although, now you know my li'l heart was really a greedy wolf in grateful mink clothing. And, G'wich follower Kenny for the Vintage Vixen tweet alert. sighhh Poor Babe, he's now doing battle against a virtual team effort...XXOO

Hot Flicks

2011-10-31T00:01:00.000-04:00

Babe and I risked life and ~~limb~~ whip driving to White Plains, NY through Saturday's snow storm just to see the movie Margin Call. And, it waaas WORTH it...

The big disappointment ended up being my date who doesn't beeelieve in making a PEEP once the lights go down;
(in a very reasonable whisper) Haaave you ever been in board room situations as tense as thaaat? (in a whisper only audible to dogs) Yes, when we were working on a big deal shhhhh... Is he like the CEOhhh of ___? (very clipped) yes shhh... Whyyy are banker's suits always so shinyyy? No answer. Where dooo you get shiny suits like thaaat? Armani, Brioni shhhhh... Hooow much do thooose cost? (quite terse) thousands SHHH!

Good to know I can always turn to the Internet to fill in any lingering banking vs consulting questions I may have...

And, remind me to see the December release of Carnage with either Kimba or Amy. I can just tell from how funny the trailer was that it would not be in my best interest to be seated next to General Shhh for 90 minutes of suppressed cackling...

Kindness of Babe who does not put a crimp into my spending by insisting upon shiny Armani and Brioni suits for himself...XXOO

Eeny Meeny Minie Tunic...

2011-10-28T00:01:00.000-04:00

This year I'm not getting caught with my white AG jeans down again by arriving too late to the Sheridan French tunic party...

Nope. This time I've got the Adelaide Tunic in Turquoise all queued up for October's limited preorder...

Or, do I want the Petra Tunic in Raspberry to assuage the residual bitterness from missing out on any left in my size last May? Hmmm...think this is exactly how I got tripped up last year. Welp, I've got til Monday to decide before Sheridan's October pre-order/free shipping boat sails leaving me and my white jeans at the dock. Again...

Kindness of BLC for last month's heads up on the Sheridan French 2012 roll out. This time I'm prepared; I'm going in with my shesellsoutfast eyes wide open and I've broken the news to my swimmers shoulders that they can give up on the size small dream...XXOO

Grandpa Flynn's Day Of Honor

2011-10-27T00:01:00.000-04:00

On Monday, Babe and I attended his Grandfather Flynn's interment at Arlington National Cemetery...

A Naval Officer, and graduate of MIT, Mr. Flynn's early electrical engineering work helped to develop electronic countermeasure (a radar jammer for us laymen) thus, saving the lives of countless soldiers, seamen and airmen during World War II and beyond...

This honor is an incredibly moving ceremony to witness and I feel privileged to have to have been a part...

Maurice E. Flynn, Jr., LCDR

November 6, 1918 - May 10, 2011

Kindness of Grandpa Flynn for keeping us safe. Annnd, for passing along some of those brainiac genes to my commanding officer...XXOO

Back From The 'Ville

2011-10-26T00:01:00.000-04:00

Besides thee rather large speeding ticket, broken pearl bracelet and, courtesy of a George Washington Bridge pothole, misaligned whip casualties, our weekend in C'ville was glorious...

We joyfully watched as Babe's med school chum Liz Thompson added the initials Mrs. to the front end of her name, helping to balance out the hefty M.D., Ph.D. which will soon be weighing down the back end...

And, loved every minute of catching up with all our fancy surgical resident friends...

Yup. Faaancy lot they are...

Fancy pantsy...

Buttoned-up lot...

Even if I hadn't seen the smear of shaving cream on the left cheek of the esteemed Dr. Keller, I'd have pegged that heart detailing on Liz and John's car as the work of fancy surgically trained hands a mile away...

Kindness of Mr. and Mrs. John Beasley for including us in their happy day. It was so much fun to see everyone and we can't wait to do it again come April for the Dr.'s Rude and Bumpass nuptials. Til then, Babe'll be working on his worm dance moves and I'll be boning up on my old school raps...XXOO

Two Birds With One J. Crew Stone

2011-10-21T00:01:00.000-04:00

Since I no longer have my li'l sister in my employ for ironing duties, I cringe every time Babe pulls out a button-down to kick around in on the weekends; Ohhh. You're putting on khakis, Belgies AND A SOLID 15 MINUTES OF MY DAY ARE YA?! followed by a martyr sighhh...

So, riding piggy back on my J. Crew cashmere t-neck order will be a couple men's long sleeve Repp Pique Polos. I'm adding surf blue...

And, welsh purple into his already existing black and navy rotation. Those outta buy me back at least a half an hour per week...

Kindness of everyone for allowing me a few days off at the beginning of next week since we'll be on the road for a wedding and a funeral (with zero hope of even reeemotely looking like either Andie MacDowell or Kristin Scott Thomas). I'm planning on lugging my laptop along in hopes of getting a post up buuut, there's a good chance it'll see about as much daylight as all the workout clothes I'm dragging along will. Nil...XXOO

Dodging A Cashmere Bullet

2011-10-20T00:01:00.000-04:00

Since I'm in need a black cashmere turtleneck sweater, I broke the self imposed seal on the Avenue's Ralph Lauren...

Cut to me in a 400 sq ft gold gilded dressing room pulling Mr. Lauren's gorgeous black cashmere turtleneck sweater over my head as the kind sales lady says through the closed door, just to let you know dear, that sweater is over $900. Now, cut to me pulling said sweater back over my head before the flashback of solitary doghouse confinement sweat I broke out in sealed the $900 deal AND my fate...

My time in the clink over spreadsheetgate made for one long summer. And, even with early release for my Hermès wrap due to good behavior, the time inside was unbearable. J. Crew will do just fine thank you. And, who says rehabilitation doesn't work?

And is it considered quadruple jeopardy if I also get it in heather blush...

Navy...

And heather hyacinth? Yeah, pretty sure I can't be tried four times for the same sweater in multiple colors...

Kindness of Moi for remembering that second floor means "Collection" at the G'wich Ralph Lauren and written permission from my probation officer is required in order to leave the "Black Label" grounds...XXOO

A Collection Is Born

2011-10-19T00:01:00.000-04:00

Whenever I'm in a Williams-Sonoma with Babe, like clockwork I point to all the shiney copper pots lining the wall and whistfully say, some day I'm gettin' aaaaaall those...

Then I picture myself waltzing in, dripping in Alhambra and fur and saying, I'll take that whole wall please. My driver will pull around back for you to load thankyouverymuch...

Then I had an aha moment courtesy of a Christina Ferrare promo spot on OWN; After touting copper as theee BEST pots for conducting heat when cooking, she suggested growing your collection one pot at a time...

Now, why hadn't I thought of that? I can start with one weensie ole butter warmer...

And, pot by pot by fry pan...

I can grow my collection. Although, I think I'll don my Nana's mink stole and drive the whip around to the service entry every time I make a purchase just to keep the fantasy somewhat intact...

Kindness of Christina Ferrare for the epiphany juuust as the whatdoyouwantforChristmas season approaches...XXOO