Memorial Day at the Drake Estate

For some reason I can't recall, I was not in town last Memorial Day. Greek Easter perhaps? Regardless I missed my now annual trip to Jamie's East Hampton home. It's always the perfect kick off to the summer with much relaxing, constant amusement and endless champagne.

This year was no different. I brought Olivia with me (and we got one of the couple's rooms!) and we broke bread with Jamie, Larry, Theo, Rod and Chris, who drove up from Savannah for the weekend.
Friday evening was dinner en famille at home.

Saturday Olivia and I were up at 7:30 and in the pool at 8.
We then had a divine chicken curry lunch on the terrace followed by a visit from a golden horse!
Some of the boys went to the opening of the Hermes pop up shop and brought back amazing balloons we used for an impromptu photo shoot.
Later we gussied up for cocktails at a benefit in Bridgehampton for Miracle House. After cocktails we had an intimate dinner for 30 (!) at the house.
We all had a grand time meeting fun new people and boozing up entre nous. Rebecca Field was a guest and I told her I would never forget her feature in Popcorn Magazine in Atlanta with her platform sneakers that spelled "YO YO" on the soles. She was amazed I remembered that one. Can't get one past me!

Sunday morning Olivia and I slept in late, I got dolled up in a running outfit and then Chris and Rod took us in town for some shopping and to buy a NYT since I made the Style Section with Austin Scarlett. Hoorah!
Where does the running come in? They dropped me off a ways from the house and I ran back. I got something accomplished...
More pool side relaxing during the afternoon and then a low key dinner at a friends house that evening with 15 people.
We arrived home around 10:30 and all went to bed! Are we getting old? Olivia and I rented Auntie Mame on Netflix and watched it till we passed out. Divine.

Monday morning we woke at 10am and I was sick as a dog. Too much food/booze/entertainment? Not sure but I hardly slept. We finished Mame, packed our bags, had some down time at the pool and house, then packed up the car and tiddled back to town.

Thank you Mr. Drake for another swell weekend. Can't wait for 4th of July.

The Frick Spring Fling

Last Monday was my first trip to the Frick's members only black tie ball. What a blast! It was a beautiful spring evening and the garden was open complete with jazz singer installed under a tree and a bar on the terrace. Inside the Winter Garden was in it's usual splendor and a big band was swinging in the ballroom.
What a civil affair. I realized that this whole craze for DJ's at society events is really the pits!
We heard DJ's every night and do you really want to hear Snoop Dog in Mr. Frick's home? There were some incredible dancers and we all gave it a whirl on the dance floor with lots of dips, spins and sways.
When the party wound down Linnea, Megan, Shawn and I headed to the Carlyle for a nightcap. Like we really needed one but the chips and snacks were a life saver. The poor waiter brought three trays.
Thank you Mr. Frick for building such a lovely collection and home!

Oh and was that Dolly Parton and Blossom Dearie in attendance?

My Valet Mag Moment

Cory asked me to mention something that I am hot for at the moment.
Here it is!
http://www.valetmag.com/the-edit/coveted/2009/cator_sparks.php?rss
Click on the title to go directly to the link...

Mad for SCAD Part 3

Been so busy havent had much time to write.
But here are more pics. Similar to what was in NYT Blog.
Enjoy!

Mad for SCAD Part 2

My NYT Blog Post:

Mad For SCAD Part 1

Text coming soon! Just loading pics today.

Fay and Olivia's Second Annual Southern Excursion

Fay and Olivia made their second annual trip down to Hathaway for a weekend in the country. I picked them up Friday night and we headed back to Hathaway where they dropped their bags, hugged mama and promptly passed out. Saturday morning we were up early and headed out to the farm for a ride. The weather was hot and humid and the horses were not having it! We all had some issues with Zippy, Grulla, Skip and Guido but it ended up being a fun day. Our biggest mistake was taking them out in the hayfields which were three feet tall and thick with gorgeous hay. It was like asking me to walk down a street paved in fried chicken. Forget it. They were so busy eating, no matter how hard I kicked, yelled, prodded, Skip wasn’t moving and neither was Guido. We ended up having a nice time in the back fields and got some good canters in when back in the ring. But just like going out, getting the horses groomed, dressed and petted is usually more fun than the actual ride.

We dashed back home, did a costume change and headed over to Connie and Ben’s for James’ engagement party. I grew up with the Knight’s and when they moved up to the lake it gave us all a reason to get back in touch. Every Boxing Day the Knight's have a swinging party that I usually don’t remember. Kyle was highly amusing as always and she made the margarita’s waaay too strong so after two we were all a bit loopy. We chatted with the gang for a couple of hours and then headed back home for dinner and some down time.

Once home we opened a bottle of wine and had catch up time with mother in the living room while watching the sunset. It was so lovely. We then set the table for dinner, picked an arrangement for the table and opened another bottle and sat outside gossiping. We finally sat for dinner and dove into my favorite meal in the world- Cator Casserole- pasta, cream of mushroom, corn and ground beef baked to yummy goodness. After dinner we popped open the final bottle of wine, giggled around the table and passed out at 11pm. Full day and a perfect day!

On Mother’s Day we woke up late and presented mom with her gift- a phot album of our trip to the Cayman Islands. Her big present was her very own FaceBook page. I created it weeks ago, uploaded loads of photos, asked people to friend her and made status updates about the big surprise. But last week I had a comment on my wall from mom. Ends up she had created her own profile but the present was still a hit. She now uses the one I made for her and me and the girls showed her how to use it. Around 11am Pepe showed up with his two cute kids and we all took a cooler and headed to the boat. Marcus and Ellie were adorable, very well behaved and seemed to have a blast. By the end of the day Ellie wanted to spend the night. Dad let Marcus ‘drive’ the boat out to Cocktail Cove where we dropped anchor, popped open some beers and dove in the water. After talking about swimming the entire ride over, once Ellie stuck one toe in the water there was no way in hell she was getting in. Pepe and I took the plunge to show her it wasn’t that bad but she would have none of it. We all watched the rednecks come and go in their speed boats or broke down houseboats, ate a light and lovely meal made my the one and only Mama Sparks and soaked up some sun before having to head back to NYC. Once Marcus his nap time we headed home, packed everything up, lazily rolled into some civilian clothes and mother drove us to the airport. The girls have been wanting to try boiled peanuts since our last trip to Atlanta so mother swung into Pop’s where I ordered abag from a toothless, but angelic woman. As soon as the girls slurped one down they were over it and passed the bag back. Not their idea. An acquired salt taste I reckin! I ate half the bag on the way downtown and left the rest for dad to enjoy.

Check in was fine and all was calm until I attempted to sit with the girls and offer my seat to one helluva angry Asian chic. She about blew steam when I asked her to sit two seats behind us. It was so funny everyone turned around and looked at her. I asked loudly if she had her britches in a wad and the end of the world wasn’t upon us if she took the seat. So from three rows back she screamed that she did in fact want that seat so I kindly got up and moved and she crashed into her seat next to Fay and Olivia. Bad idea. They got up about 100 times during the flight to thoroughly piss her off and Fay wrestled her for the arm rest for two hours. Don’t mess with Tex!