Sunday, May 27, 2012

Get out of Town


Add a youthful twist to your Hermes Scarf

Turkish towels from AshBlue (as mentioned on Goop)

Brigitte Bardot


Grace Kelly in Jamaica


Apps and Margs at Barrio Chino in NYC

The LSD in a Pucci Maxi 
Still searching for a mint midi

La pequeña sirena

Pull out your caftans 
Elizabeth Taylor soaking up the sun on the set of "Giant"
Penelope and Javier.  

Not just a summertime essential.  I slather this on my face and neck every morning and its the only product that doesn't irritate my sensitive skin. 

Happy Summer!  

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Summertime Haze

The unofficial start of summer has arrived.  It is humid and hazy today and I'm feeling restless.  With my birthday a few weeks ago, I've been looking inwardly a lot more.  I've been reading more and more about letting go of the past, letting go of what I want, and purging the things and thoughts that are holding me back.  The notion of letting go to get what you want is very much appealing to me right now.  You still want it with all your heart, you just put it out there and then move on with your life.  I came across this quote and I think it perfectly sums up the power of letting go. I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe long weekend.



"Last night I lost the world, and gained the universe.

― C. JoyBell C.

Saturday, December 31, 2011

This Year's Toast


Wishing everyone one of you a happy and safe new year with at least a touch of romance.  

Monday, October 31, 2011

All Hallow's Eve



Coasters from Soho's Evolution


Cupcakes & Cashmere's Emily as Tippi Hendren from The Birds


Skulls in Lauren Santo Domingo's Apartment


Photographs by Tim Walker



Saturday, September 17, 2011

Celebrate.



I've mentioned here before how champagne is my drink of choice for any occasion.  I always keep a few bottles in the fridge and especially love to serve it in a chilled champagne flute.  I came across the recipe from one of my favorite bloggers (and fellow Washingtonian) Apollinas for Pink Champagne Cake.  Swoon.  I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!



The Cake
2 1/2 cups sifted cake flour
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. table salt
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
2 cups granulated sugar
3/4 cup brut sparkling wine
1/4 cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
6 drops red food coloring
6 egg whites

The Frosting
1/2 cup shortening
1/3 cup brut sparkling wine
5 cups sifted powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. unflavored gelatin
1 Tbsp. cold water
3/4 cup heavy cream

Apollina's cake.  Gorge.  She imported the gold glitter from London.





Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper and coat with nonstick spray. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.

Cream butter and granulated sugar in a stand mixer until mixture is light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Combine 3/4 cup sparkling wine, milk, and vanilla.

Add flour and wine mixtures alternately to butter mixture, combining well after each addition. Tint batter with red food coloring.

Beat egg whites in a separate bowl with clean beaters until soft peaks form, about 2 minutes. Fold egg whites into cake batter in thirds, stopping as soon as whites are incorporated. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans.

Bake cakes until a toothpick inserted in the center has only or or two crumbs on it, about 30 minutes. Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then turn cakes out onto a rack to cool completely.
Beat together shortening, 1/3 cup sparkling wine, and powdered sugar for frosting in a bowl until smooth. Spread 1 cup frosting on top of one cooled cake round. Place second cake round on top of the frosted round.

Sprinkle gelatin into water in a small saucepan. Let mixture sit for 5 minutes, then gently warm over low heat until gelatin dissolves. Cool to room temperature.

Beat heavy cream until soft peaks form, about 3 minutes. Add gelatin mixture to cream; continue to beat until stiff peaks form. Working in batches, gently fold whipped cream into remaining frosting.

Spread frosting onto top and sides of cake, being careful not to overwork. Refrigerate cake 1 hour with a large bowl over the top to
protect frosting. Use a spatula to gently swirl frosting before serving.





Wednesday, August 31, 2011

I Adore a Great Button-Down....





Sienna circa 2005

Erika Bearman, aka OscarPRGirl.

Charlotte Casarahi

Lauren Santo Domingo