Just have to have it…Paris style

October 5th, 2008
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Being in Paris always makes me want a whole new wardrobe..but given the exchange rate it’s safer for my bank statment if I wait until I get home.  So, here are a few essentials that are similar to my Paris cravings.  Above are a pair of Fornarina boots from Urban Outfitters.
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Lacey tights.
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A longchamp bag, in black.
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Anything by Princess Tam Tam.
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They use the best colors and best fabrics.
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And the fit is so cute and so much smaller cut than American styles.
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And the prints and trims are just adorable.
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Last dinner in Paris…Liza

September 28th, 2008
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We went out to Liza (14 rue de la Banque, Paris) for dinner our last night in Paris.  It was so beautiful in their interior and the food was wonderful.  The food is Lebanese with a French influence, I had the lamb comfit.
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Window boxes, in the Marais…

September 28th, 2008
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In Paris not everyone has an outside space to garden in, so I love seeing the quirky arrangements the French make in their windows.
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Making every last inch of space count.
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Study in scale and space…
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Still in Paris…Sunday in the Marais

September 21st, 2008
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I love these gardens we came across in the Marais today.
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And more…
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And more…I love the fluffy grass
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Loving the mix of color and texture.
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Off to Paris…

September 17th, 2008

I’ll be in Paris for a week at Premier Vision, I’ll be back next week with lots of great pictures.

XOXO

New scent…

September 17th, 2008
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I used to always be an Anna Sui sort of girl when it came to perfumes…but I’ve made a big switch lately.  I’m in love with the new john varvatos scent.  It’s a nice strong floral/fruity smell in a beautifully shaped bottle inspired by Italian grappa bottles.  I’ve always been drawn to that shape, I remember on my first trip to Italy, bringing back a bottle of grappa for my family, just because the bottle was such a nice shape.

Our ‘real wedding’ in Martha Stewart…

September 15th, 2008
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Here is our spread in Martha Stewart Weddings!
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The ceremony in front of the horse barn.
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The bouquet.
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Leo and I after the ceremony.
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Thank you cards (with amazing typography by Bird and Banner, thank you!).  And two of my childhood friends/bridesmaids with a single peony each.
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The flower girls and ring bearer.
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My father and I dancing.
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The place setting.
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Lavender sachets we filled with dried lavender and hand stamped for guests to throw at the end of the ceremony.
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Table place cards and apple butter gifts featuring Bird and Banner’s typography.

In the market for a new bike…

September 8th, 2008
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At some point in the last couple days, my bike was stolen.  It was a lovely old red bicycle with great baskets on the back, ideal for carying anything one could imagine.  So, I’m on the hunt for a new bike.  I’ve been lusting after the Amsterdam Original.

More Wedding Present Ideas…for the chef

September 8th, 2008

Over the weekend lots of people were asking me what to give as a wedding present….a belated wedding present.  So, since some time has passed for this gift, cash in my mind would be tasteless…so it’s going to take a more sentimental or thoughtful gift.  My immediate reaction was, do something to allow the couple to go on a date.  If they have kids, volunteer to babysit and get them a gift certificate to a cute local restaurant.  If budget is an issue, splurge on fun food prep items in a theme of a certain type of cooking you know the couple enjoys.

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While making dinner tonight, I was thinking about how much I love my antique juicer and my fancy zester (from Williams-Sonoma).  A cute antique juicer is easy to find on ebay or at almost any antique mall.  I personally love the jadite style or, like mine a depression era green glass style.

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Grilling is always a great theme.  I’ve been lusting after this burger press for a while. These cute seasonings and a electronic meat thermometer can make excellent add-ons.  I also recently purchased a spatula from this set at Williams-Sonoma which I love, as well as this amazing Grill Wizard from Amazon.

Currently Listening to…

August 31st, 2008
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I’ve been on an L.A. kick, and I’m loving Dengue Fever, a L.A. based band with an awesome Cambodian lead singer.

Gary Graham…

August 10th, 2008
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I’ve always been a huge fan of Gary Graham.  Here are some of my favorite shapes and looks from his fall collection.  He’s just about to open a boutique at ABC Carpet & Home, on August 11th.  It’s on the main floor at 19th and Broadway in NYC.

Latest Obsession…Current/Elliot

August 3rd, 2008
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I’m loving the new denim line called Current/Elliot. It’s a relief after all this time of tight denim to see a more loose and relaxed look.
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I particularly love this boyfriend jean.

Bow ring…

August 3rd, 2008
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I love this maison martin margiela ring.

gifts for guys…summer edition

July 25th, 2008
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A skinny black tie to make it through wedding season…

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Fun shirts for work (add a monogram to personalize it)…
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Anything cashmere (JCREW cardigan shown above)…

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Cute preppy shoes for the weekend…

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Cute board shorts are always great too. It’s the kind of thing that a guy would never get for themselves, but chances are they are in dire need of a non-ugly pair. A nice print or stripe can make your summer beach and poolside adventures much more pleasurable. And, you can find a board short that’s friendly to any budget (and if you typically don’t shop for your guy, the sizing is pretty easy to figure out as they often run in letter sizes). The above are from Barney’s Co-Op, but you can even get super cute ones at Target. On the same note, a nice pair of flip-flops or sandals can also be a great gift.

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Belts, black or brown…

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A murse (man purse), shown above by John Varvatos. I suggest this bag for very committed relationships only (given the price tag). Diesel also makes nice man bags, and if you have time to scour ebay or fleamarkets old leather mail bags are great too.

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Here’s another man bag from JCREW, that I couldn’t help but add to the list. It’s a bit more rugged looking, if your man is more on the casual side.

And finally, if you’ve only got $20 bucks to spend, look on Zagats for the most over the top bar in town (rooftop garden preferred) and get yourself and your man a ridiculous cocktail. If you’re in Philly, try Apothecary Lounge.

Wedding Season…what to give? part 1

July 20th, 2008
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Here’s an idea if the couple loves to cook.  These grilling pans are beautiful objects and look like so much fun.  I’ve never seen anything like them before, but apparently they are inspired by the chefs of Spain’s Basque country and are made for cooking shrimp,sliced veggies, and all those other things that always fall through the grill rack.