Click the link above to check out our Block Party slideshow.
What a great success!
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
Mama in Manhattan!
This is a bit overdue but I have been way too busy for my own good.
Mama came into town a couple of weeks ago and boy did we do it it.
Thursday night we hit the Standard for dinner with Fay, Justin and Olivia then Justin dragged us to 'some random Michael Jackson tribute party' that ended up being Philip Lim's party and it was hysterical! All the gang was there and mom met many cohorts of mine in various forms of inebriation. Then we hit the dane floor in honor of MJ before heading home at 1:30 am.
Friday we checked out the Jewish Museum on 5th Avenue and then the roof garden at the Met before lunch in the Trustees dining room (Thank Rod & PHJ!). That night we ate at home (love that doggy bag from the Standard!) and went to 9-5 on Broadway. I must admit I was going to support Dolly more than having an interest in the musical but we were both blown away. Well done Dolly! And it was a packed house.
Saturday we took the train to the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx. The train was a bad idea but the gardens and hot house were pretty extraordinary. We came home for a quick change and headed down to the Standard again (home away from home!) for drinks. I sent out a mass invite and people just dropped by for two hours at the bar and said hi. Then we toured the Highline before dinner in Meat Packing and then off to Marie's Crisis Cafe for a night of songs and small drinks!
We got way too tiddly and found our way home around midnight.
Sunday was brunch at Chez Lucienne and then off the the airport for mom.
What a trip! As always, an amazing one.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
My Paris Vintage Finds
Check out my blog post today on The Moment of my fave new vintage places I found in Paris.
(Click the title to go to post)
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Glass House
Today Rod, Mary and I played hooky and took a day trip to New Canaan CT to tour Philip Johnson's Glass House.
What a treat!
We jumped in the Zip Car at 830 am and just made it to the visitors center by 945 (who knew there was traffic in Larchmont?).
Our guide was a dotty old bat who was giving us a Comme de Garcon's looking skirt with a Laura Ashley bonnet. Just what we were hoping for in Connecticut! She was a great guide and brought the house to life with her own quirky stories.
The house has only been open to the public for two years. Mr. Johnson died in 2005 (the same year his partner, David Whitney died) and it took two years to get the house ready for tours. The groups are very small, only 10 people, and it is closed in the winter.
I have to admit, I’m not a fan of mid-century modern
1. Because the term is way overused
2. I like my houses and my interiors vivid, Victorian and fun!
But I totally fell in love with Glass House. I love the idea of two people living in this box, sharing the world with their home. I love that Andy Warhol used to spend loads of time out there and that Merce Cunningham had a performance out near the heart shaped pond and afterwards all the guests watoosied on the patio. I love the Venetian looking folly where Philip would pile silk pillows on the floor and have friends come down and lounge. I love the spiral staircase sculpture in the woods that, if you climb it, there is a quote from Philip on the top that you have to swear not to repeat! I love the tiny circle pool that reminds me of jumping into a martini and I love the leather squares Johnson used as ceiling tiles in his bathroom that have aged to perfection.
It is more than just a home but a world, which he created and lived in with his partner for 60 years.
The art gallery was quite fun too. Our guide explained it as a rolodex turned on its side. She also described it like a carpet store when rugs are hung on huge panels and you push them left or right to see the next piece of art. His sculptural gallery was a bit too 70's for me- glass ceilings, brown brick floors and white painted brick walls. But it was interesting to see how he evolved as a designer.
Sorry my pictures aren’t up to par but the tour didn't let us take photos so when Batty Brook turned her head I snapped what I could.
ADDED BONUS- Annie Liebowitz was at the house during our tour shooting Phoebe Philo for Vogue. The Executive Director of Glass House enthusiastically told us that Annie was shooting the designer of C-Line. We couldn't figure out what she meant until we realized she meant Celine.
Well, you can't be schooled in everything I guess.
Enjoy!
Monday, July 06, 2009
Rod's Birthday Back in the Hamptons
Its been a couple of years since I have been at Jamie's for Rod's annual birthday blowout. Last year we were all in Jersey for Rod's 40th and the year before I was cruising the coast of Spain with mama. So it was nice to get back to tradition and saddle up to the Jitney last Friday and head out early to beat the traffic (although as most people can notice, traffic has chilled since the financial world has slowed).
This year though I thought we got a little ripped off! July 4th has landed mid week for so long that usually our 'weekends' at Jamie's would be 4-5 day long affairs! This year we were in on Friday and out on Sunday- but hey, I will take what I can get of the paradise that is the Drake Estate.
Guest that weekend included:
PHJ in town from Jersey for Rod
Jamie and his darlin' man Shawn
Handsome Roman, friend of Shawn's
Tom Yurken from Texas, Moi
Jonathan and his new man Lawrence (who I adore!)
After a week in Paris I needed some major downtime so no wilding for me. I was in bed both nights at 11pm and up at 9. Thousands of praises are sent to Mother Nature for the glorious weather all weekend. We all got in much pool time and some lovely strolls through East Hampton. Marika and Yitka outdid themselves on dinner both nights- Steak on Friday and short ribs (for 25 people!) on Saturday. HIGHLIGHT- The massive stars and stripes cake that Marika made for the 4th!
Saturday evening we had an amusing adventure out to a home on the bay where the hosts were having a fundraiser for The Ronald McDonald House. You can see their view, which used to be of the ocean but is now of Christie Brinkley's new home. How rude!
Besides the food and of course the booze, there really isnt much more to report. We all just chilled out. Well, except for Ferris. He had a blast! Exploring the house, climbing his first trees and even taking his first dip! Wow, what chlorine does to the coat. Divine.....
Thanks again Mr. Drake for another splendid weekend in Concordia.
Saturday, July 04, 2009
The Debut of Finders Keepers!
I was really honored when Michael asked me to write the first piece for his new section on 1stdibs.com
And here it is! The woman who owns 15,000 pieces of couture!
Click the title to go to the article
Paris Daily Diary
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