One Sexy Mother....

I admit it.  I need the twelve step Tom Ford program for my obsession. There isn't much more to it than that.  I shiver when I see his face.  How many of you agree.  This man just oozes sexiness.  I don't care what team you're on.  He just brings it!  How many of you agree? What's not to love? Fiercely handsome with a gentle spirit, designer of cosmetics, sexy as hell apparel, eyewear  and then some.  I really, really want to see a Tom Ford Hotel.  Please Tom, don't make we wait.

When he walks in the room, I bet you can smell him.  And it's all 'Black Orchid'.  Head to toe, and back again.  Mr. Ford, if I ever see you across a crowded room, I have but two words... 

'Save Yourself'

Images courtesy of W Magazine, HauteLiving and Bazaar

Perfect Perrins...

Don't hate them cause they're beautiful.  Hate them because they have the world at their fingertips!  And they're dressed in Perrin 'Spider Gloves'.

Before I say anything more, let me just say I want to walk away from the laptop, don a beautiful evening dress by Louis Vuitton like Sally Perrin here, and stand on the darn table smiling from ear-to-ear.  Then I want to purchase a gorrrrrrrrgeous Perrin purse and paint the town red --- darling! 

God Bless you Derek Blasberg for getting this assignment.  Note to Santa: (In my Eartha Kitt voice) "I want to go to Paris".  Back to Paris! Three times wasn't enough.  And I want to work on amazing assignments like this one.  Derek, you devil you!  Okay, back to the heart of the piece.  

These images are poached (yes poached and picked),  from the January 2011 issue of Bazaar.  I didn't know anything about the individual Perrin family (whose been manufacturing leather goods since 1893), but I know their purses!  Particularly, their leather stripped purse 'Riva Ball' bag, architecturally shaped like a bowling ball.  Love it!  They opened a ship in Beverly Hills last year.  Part "museum, part I'll take two please".  Their purses have extremely discrete logos which is quite nice.

So back at the ranch... Their Paris residence is one I would expect.  The palatte is soothing variations of hues of blues, water colors.  The furnishings are rather traditional with their Venetian glass sconces, and hand-tooled wallcoverings.  Interior designer Chahan Minassian also assisted them on their California home.   I can imagine daughters Emma,16 and Chloe 19, having a lovely time joining their parents entertaining amidst the finery.

Paris and the perfect purse... A perfect pair.

P.S. Dear Santa, I also love those 'Spider' gloves...

Photography by Ditte Isager

Per Se... Delicious Inspiration

 Chef Thomas Keller the most fastidious chef on the planet and an absolute gentleman.  So blessed to have such amazing clients.

So last Friday evening, the hubby was dining at Per Se restaurant and I was home jealous looking for something to cook myself for dinner.   Wrought as no ideas would come, I decided to consult a cook book for inspiration.  The absolute first book I put my hands on was Thomas Kellers 'The French Laundry Cookbook', from the infamous  Napa,  California restaurant bearing the name. Once  hit  with inspiration by the images, I picked up my watercolors, not the skillet.  I thought I would share with you two images I was inspired to recreate from the book.  These are two treats I have also been lucky enough to taste as well.  They forever left a mark on my palate.

Several dishes from 'The French Laundry' are also served at Per Se.  We dined there last year on our anniversary.  It was insanely pleasurable.  Everything from decor, service, wine pairings, lighting and yes - the food was the most exhilarating dining experience I have ever had.  It also houses the 'cleanest kitchen in New York City'. 

 White Truffle Oil Infused Custard with Black Truffle Ragout 

My watercolor version below...

 

My watercolor version of Salmon Tartare  

with Sweet Red Onion Creme Fraiche

   

The real thing being served


By the way... my dinner Friday evening was pizza!

www.perseny.com 

 10 Columbus Circle, New York N.Y.  10019

212 823 9335

www.frenchlaundry.com

6640 Washington Street, Yountville CA 

707 944 2380

David Garrett - 'Rock Symphonies'

David Garrett is a world renowned classical violist who is enjoying major crossover appeal. Perhaps you saw him on Oprah playing "Flight of the bumblebee" in a record 1 minute - 6.56 seconds. That's 13 notes per second! His latest CD is aptly titled 'Rock Symphonies'. On it, David certainly expresses his rock side with the classics. This is the second CD, with his doing so. His first was released in 2009 titled Classic Romance'.

David started playing at the age of four. At the young age of ten, he played at the Hamburg Philharmonic. At the current age of twenty-nine he is a seasoned professional. David studied with with Itzhak Perlmann early on, and later won the 2003 Composition Competition at Julliard, playing music composed in the style of Johann Sebastian Bach.

David's music and playing ability is intense. As a friend, I can add I am amazed at his ability to remember details and conversations had, more than a year ago. Enhanced no doubt by his studied ability to recall notes and movements. And even without the violin, I always know I am in the presence of someone special.

More than anything, his love of music and the violin is innate. When he picks his violin up, they are one. The instrument becomes not just something he holds, but his very being. He is in his element. Beginning in February David will begin a US tour. I have listed a partial view of the dates. This is rare because he's generally playing throughout Europe. So don't miss him when he rock stars his way into your town!

Plus, he isn't too bad to look at either!

Partial Upcoming US Tour Dates:

02/01/11 7:30 p.m.
Paramount Theater - Seattle, WA

02/02/11 8:00 p.m.
Aladdin Theater - Portland, OR

02/02/11 7:30 p.m.
Crest Theatre - Sacramento, CA

02/05/11 7:00 p.m.
Wilshire Ebell Theater - Los Angeles, CA

02/06/11 7:30 p.m.
Balboa Theatre - San Diego

Silver and Gold, Silver and Gold...

"Silver and Gold, Silver and Gold"...

Sometime soon, the time will come to once again climb the ladder to remove all the decorative Christmas elements we hoisted up from the basement, or down from the attic. Yet you may find yourself pining for something golden or silverly to take you through the cold dreary months ahead . There are other means of maintaining that shiny lustre in your home after the holidays.

Why not do it with hardware? And if that hardware is from P.E. Guerrin or Nanz, it will surely take things to notches unknown.

These are two of my go to metalmongers for door and cabinet hardware. Nanz is more contemporary. P.E. Guerrin is much more traditional and ornate. But there is something for everyone.

And when its time to say goodbye to Christmas - Remember, when one door closes. Another one opens.

www.Nanz.com
20 Van Dam Street, New York, N.Y. 10013
212 367 7000


www.PEGuerin.com

21-23 & 25 Jane Street, New York, NY 212 243 5270

Scott Schuman... The Sartorialist, In Front of the camera

Scott Schuman is 'The Sartorialist'. He is a street photographer with an amazing radar for all things chic! A modern-day Bill Cunningham, man on the street, and about town. Famous for capturing 'everyday street style icons' of this day. And he does it in Paris, Rome, Milan, New York, Los Angeles wherever his camera bag will travel.

Scott developed a keen eye for fashion as a sales marketing executive for Valentino, Jean Paul Gaultier and Helmut Lang. She started his blog to integrate his love for photography and fashion.

Some months ago, I was lucky enough to find Scott shooting in New York's Soho on Greene Street. Luckily and most graciously he allowed me to photograph him! As an avid fan of his site 'The Sartorialist', I was honored.

The thing I really love about Scott and his work is he captures everyone... Uptown socialistas, Downdown fashionistas, bike messengers, girls in the midst of a strong political debate, tudents, artists, folks just on their way to work or running errands. Anyone and everyone uber chic in their own right, may soon find themselves on his pages.

Who will be next? Could it be you?


Images by Scott Schuman, via The Sartorialist

June Ambrose...Haute Flavor Styling at VH1

Let the rumors be true... Hautehunting stylist to the stars Antiguan born June Ambrose founder of Mod Squad, has inked a 'pilot' deal with VH1 for her very own styling show. This one has been a long time coming. For those unfamiliar with June's work, she is stylist to Jay Z, Kanye West, Diddy and Chrisette Michelle to name a few.

She is also the author of 'Effortless Style' available via Amazon.com. I anxiously await seeing June unleash her skills on the likes of Olivia Palermo, Emily Blunt and Marion Cotillard. Those young darlings are the purrrrrfect canvas. Their publicists need to connect with June asap to ramp up their style savvy to guarantee extra red carpet time!

June has been tagged for television for awhile now. She is a 'bonifide stylemaster'. Many of her YouTube videos are mini-series in their own right. Some of you may be familiar with her infamous 'Stiletto Workouts', where she covers quite a bit of treadmill territory and free weights while donning 6 inch heels! Go June, show them how it's done! It appears her masterly attired offspring Summer and Chance will be part of the 'fashion epic' as well as her business partner/husband Marc.

One thing for sure, this is going to be a fun experience. One which I have been campaigning for myself. Will her skills and famous friends dropping by, VH1 is well aware and well poised to capture plenty of entertaining footage. This is serious fashion folks. Serious fashion! Also, expect Jay Manuel of 'ANTM" Americas Next Top Model who is one of Junes' besties to drop in for frequent visits.

In short, currently pregnant stylist Rachel Zoe was the warm up. June will bring it! I know it's Winter so bring a second coat. I don't care if its Alexander McQueen, Lanvin, YSL or Kohls' ...June Ambrose on VH1 is going to be Hauter than July! I just hope we don't have to wait that long to see it!

Once more with flavor baby! Once more with flavor! Six inch heels and all.

Follow June on Twitter or added entertainment and great fashion tips
twitter.com/juneambrose

Images courtesy of Concreteloop.com,Stylehousefiles.com,FrenesieFashionesque.com

Say it with flowers... from the Shawshank Priestess!

There are two extra special hobbies of mine right now, which keep my nose to the grind. The first one is my ipad. The second is the new Martha Stewart ipad app for the Special Issue 'Boundless Beauty'. There are videos, extended resources, toggles that allow you to view multiple images and OMG! in a BIG way... Holy interactive craziness Batman!

The time time lapsed peony, which involved 180 images. It's gorgeous. Watching it makes me so anxious for the arrival of Spring. I want to find a peony farm, and just lose my mind! It cheered me up on an otherwise gray, cold day here in New York.

The issue is so interactive, you can explore 'Boundless Beauty 'for hours, constantly discovering something new. Martha brought on-board two 'bow-tie-wearing brothers' as she calls them from RISD (Rhode Island School of Design), who master all things digital. She absolutely must hire these guys full time. They are extraordinary.

There are so many DIY projects and recipes I am anxious to try. Phyllo pastry, has long been a favorite of mine. There are several savory and sweets to try. What elevates a simple dish to knockout faster than phyllo? Nor, can I wait to make a bubble chandelier. For a mere $3.99, it's better than some of the so 'called 'hot ticket' movies out right now.

The images are some of the clearest quality I have seen. This truly should be the bar setting for all digital publications. One thing I really admire about Martha Stewart, she always remains relevant and isn't afraid to try something new. Also known as growth. Go Martha!

She is one 'Shawshank' priestess that has been redeemed! (I say that lovingly).

He's baaaaaaack... Tom Ford

He's baaaaaack.... Tom Ford. First glimpse of new collection courtesy of Harpers Bazaar UK.

What says fashion or runway show better than Beyonce, strutting her fishnets down the catwalk! Hail to King Ford. The Emperor strikes again... I cannot wait to see, what he's got up his well embellished and french cuffed sleeves.

January 2011 issue... and I am counting down till New Years Eve!

images courtesy of People Magazine

Valentino ... God is in the details

Valentino Garavani "I always wanted to make women beautiful"...

Mr. Garavani, you certainly have succeeded!

One afternoon I was walking down Madison Avenue. As I approached VBH near 74th. Street, I noticed a very familiar face. Well tanned, well toned body impeccably tailored. It was Valentino! As I grew closer we held a gaze. His eyes slowly moved from mine to the top of my head, slowly reaching my feet before once again meeting my eyes.

At roughly eighteen inches away, he moved closer touching my arm. Of course I stopped. He whispered "very niiiiiiiiice", in a slow voice only familiar to me via endless episodes of "Style with Elsa Klench' and the like.

I said "Thank you Sir Valentino". He responded "No, not, Sir Valentino... Mister Valentino". I wished someone were around to take our picture together. I skipped all the way home!

God is in the details, and one his disciples is standing guard on Madison Avenue. Very niiiiiiiiiice!

All images courtesy of 'A Grand Italian Epic' Valentino Garavani by Taschen

MIKIMOTO... I Kissed a Pearl and I liked it!

Mikimoto Pearls have been a family favorite for years for many reasons. My sister Stephanie's middle name is Pearl. She was named after my grandmother. Pearl was her first name.

As a child my sister cringed at her middle name. She found it old, perhaps even matronly. That was until the first day she walked into Mikimoto alongside my dad, somewhere around her twelfth birthday. It was then, her love of 'Black Pearls' and all things pearl was born.

Mikimoto pearls are some of the very best in the world. Only 5% of all cultured pearls in the world reach the Mikimoto standard of quality. Their designs are both traditional and contemporary. I adore the many combination's of diamonds, white gold and platinum. Strand lengths vary from Choker size (16 inches) to Opera lendth (32 inches). I find the clasps to be just as divine as the strands themselves. Their details are extraordinary. They too are often handed down amongst family and friends and continue to adorn.

To my sister Stephanie and all of us in love of pearls... I kissed a Pearl and I liked it!!!