Off to the Nether-regions

Ill be away from my blog from March 26-April 2nd exploring Amsterdam and Antwerp.
Im looking forward to reporting back on all the interesting people, places and pleasures I find.
Stay tuned!
Kisses and Misses-
Cator

Wonderfully Whimsical Waris

Anyone who knows me in the slightest is aware of my massive crush on Waris Ahluwalia. Now don’t worry. He is well aware. Well, I think he is. He is so handsome, so chic and so damned funny. Waris, where is your twin? Do I need to start spending evenings at Desilicious?

I have known of Waris for years (who hasn’t in NYC?) but our paths never crossed until two years ago during a very drunken night at Bowlmor Lanes.
I was in drag (don't ask, please) and Paper Magazine was hosting some bash. Clicking and clomping around in my heels I spy Waris calmly bowling by himself away from the hullabaloo.
What a perfect time for an introduction I thought!
"Warissssss! Hey! Oh wow. I have wanted to say hi for so long. Looook, I am a writer for loads of publications and I hear you have some dazzling jewlr'y that I would love to see. Oh wait, I'm in drag! I don’t usually look like this. Wait? Do you like the way I look? So, anyways here is my card. Lets meet so I can do some writing on whatever you do. Nice to meet you! Hey did I give you a card? Oh no, I just ran out! Do you have a card?"

Waris just stared at me enchantingly as I had diarrhea of the mouth and dropped a card in my handbag and I teetered off to God knows where. I wake up the next morning and email him apologizing for my messy moment and ask when he is available to meet.
Two days later I am buzzing his door in Soho and he makes tea and like a prince guarding his treasure, he slowly opens numerous boxes of enamel, gold, diamonds with careful explanations of each piece. This must be what it was like back in Vreeland's day of editorial appointments. Elegant, peaceful and most of all, stimulating. Waris has such a effervescent way of doing everything! Did I mention he is drop dead funny? That is how we bonded. For some reason I turn into a total giggle box around him. He cracks me up to no end.

Two years on and many giggles later I have been lucky enough to cover him for several publications and he has floated to the top of the jewelry ranks with Bergdorf Goodman taking his latest collection. To celebrate such an occasion last Tuesday Bergdorf hosted a cocktail party for Waris, showing his jewelry to many friends and family. It was a packed house but nice to see so many people supporting Waris. The collection? Well, what I could see from ladies circling like vultures around the displays, it is dazzling. His semi precious stones wrapped in matte gold, resembling a Victorian woman's miniscule glittering handbag are so chic. His enamel cufflinks are always lush to me as are the APC diamond teardrops sported on a blazer to give the appearance of a fresh shorn tear...

The cocktails were fun but what I was most excited about was his small dinner held at the Consul General of India. A short walk from Bergdorf’s, I arrive to find a tent erected at the front entrance of the Beaux-Arts building with two Indian guards welcoming guests. Inside, lotus blossoms bloom amidst candles floating in a central fountain and a floralific iron staircase transports me to the cocktail bar and to dinner.

I would say there were around 100 people invited. Editors (Anne-Christiansen brought her adorable tot), Socialites (Fabiola looked like the chicest 60’s vinyl flapper in her shiny black Fendi!) and Artists (The Posen’s, Clemente's naturalment) all poured in for a drink and then massive curtains opened to reveal the dinning room. The massive room with 30-foot ceilings had been completely swathed in white silk to resemble a tent, thanks to Jacques Carcanagues.

Most of my friends, Sophie from Elle Decor, Spencer from the Observer and Alix from T, all sat at table 4. Who was at table 12? I was curious to find out. Luckily I sat next to a very cozy looking man who said, "Oh you may know my son Zac."
Bingo! I have always heard the Posen parents are a fun batch so I was thrilled to get to know them. If you ever sit next to them, pray Mrs. Posen is wearing her Victorian snake that wraps around her wrist. It is amazing and I of course had to try it on for size.

During dinner Suphala, a divine tabla artist pitter patted while we sipped white wine and began nibbling on Indian treats from Floyd Cardoz of Tabla on Madison Square Park. For a moment I was transported back to Agra where tabla artists drummed me to sleep on the grounds of my hotel as I gazed at the serene Taj Mahal.

The rest of the night becomes a blur, Mr. Posen and I had loads to talk about and at dessert everyone played musical chairs and I landed next to Dennis Freeman from W, who I interviewed 3 years ago for Fantastic Man. He was chatting with Waris' girlfriend Chiara who I ADORE. She is always such a ray of sunshine and they complement each other perfectly.

I know, I know. I haven't mentioned a word about Waris. It was his big night. He had to entertain hundreds for hours and I let him do his thing. At nights end we had a quick moment when he invited me to the Beatrice for the after party. You know me. Someone says 'Beatrice' and I am on 12th Street and 8th Avenue before they can say 'Inn'. But not tonight. I was uptown, near home and wanted to end the night on my sari silk cloud before falling into the pile of Jaipurian elephant dung that I usually end up in after a night at the Bea.

I descended that grand staircase with another new friend, Marissa Anshutz, and we hailed cabs and I headed to my nirvana in Harlem.

Wednesday morning I woke up with a smile on my face. I had dreamt that Waris had invited the entire dinner party to Samode Palace in Rajasthan where we celebrated his jewelry and each other over a long weekend.

Waris, please make this dream come true! Besides, I need to find my gay Waris (would his name be Gwaris?) I promise, you can make the wedding rings.
Promise!

Im so proud of my boys!

Monday night at the CFDA nominations four of my favorite boys were nominated for awards.
Tim Hamilton- Swarovski newcomer in menswear
Duckie Brown (Steven and Daniel)- Menswear
Subversive Jewelry- Justin Giunta-Swarovski newcomer in accessories.
I am so proud of them all.
The Duck's were nominated with Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein. How major.

Crossing my fingers for them all on the awards night of Monday June 4th.

The event itself was lovely. Held on the rooftop of Rockefeller center. The garden reminded me of Philips garden in Jersey with a reflecting pond at the end (minus the Pagoda). Sweet Nadja Swarovski donated mounds of crystals to fill up the pool which dazzled at sunset.

Everyone was there and cocktails were imbibed. Once the event was over Justin, Anna (WGSN), Lee (Hintmag.com) and Jean Yu (lingere) all feasted at Ruhlmans downstairs then headed home.
Perfect evening!

Tim Hamilton image courtesy of thesartorialist.com

Divine Dinner Party

And speaking of growing up- Last Saturday I hosted a small dinner party for 10. It was Alexis' birthday and hell, any excuse to throw a fete. I consulted the cookbooks and decided to do all Greek.
Everything turned out delightfully and thank God everyone enjoyed every last bite.
There were not even left overs!
The menu consisted of:
Feta Cheese Dip- you should of seen my blender after this one. Not pretty.
Psari Plaki- Baked Flounder a la Tassie
Anginares me Koukia- Artichokes with Lima Beans

Since we all basically live at the Beatrice Inn every weekend I thought I would add a touch of the ole Bea to the cocktail hour.
I made my rendition of "Jack's Juice". Jack is one of the bartenders there and brother to co-owner Matt.
He makes the most divine cocktail:
Muddled Cucumbers
Lemon Juice
Lime Juice
2 tsp Sugar
Splash of soda
Vodka
mint garnish.

The drink is so clean and goes down like nectar of the Gods.
I knew I wasn't about to muddle cucumbers for 10 guests so I put them in the blender with some mint and vodka and then let them soak overnight.
But then I realized I would have to strain all the mix or people would need spoons to drink this stuff. Argh.

Guests included the usual suspects and some new ones.
Justin and Paul
Fay and Deepak
Frankie
Rod
Alexis
Susan Joy
Alex de Looz

Susan and I have been friends for years since we did yoga at Crunch in Soho with Brian Crumley but we have never had chill out one on one time. Damn that girl is smart! And hot! But I already knew that. And Funny! I sat her next to me and we chatted about Count D'Orsay and Jesus (!).

Alex de Looz is new too. He is co owner of Pin Up Magazine and lives one block away. He is terribly good to look at and quite an amusing creature. He fit right in with the rest of us.

After dinner everyone lit up, some cigarettes, some joints and then it was dessert time. Since I was not about to master a Greek pastry I called my girl Melba and she hooked me up with two sweet potato pies. Damn they were good!

By now every one had played musical chairs and wine bottles were taking over the table.
Alexis disappeared and came back in 10 minutes to invite us all into my office.
Perplexed we entered to find he had set up a vintage camera to take pictures of the crowd as a souvenir.
Sweet!

We all posed with my favorite golden piggy bank and ended it with a massive group shot.
The images turned out amazing, except for the group shot. After so much wine Alexis forgot to focus the camera when he moved it back. Oops!

We then proceeded to my room, reasons are unclear to me. At this time the clock struck 12 and Fay and I brought up a cake for Alexis and sang happy birthday.

Lucy came over with a glass in hand and we all retreated to the living room for dancing to Elton John, Eartha Kitt and Nina Simone.

As is standard for all events, Lucy and I sang Marvelous Party in a drunken stupor and then everyone fell into cabs.
I walked Alex home and then passed out, after one more nibble of sweet potato pie that is....