Wrapping this year UP

On with it! I think it is fair to say many of us are looking forward to a new year. With the huge changes in our government, financial and environmental situations this past year, we are all looking for leadership, change and a new start.

Detox those bad habits, anything with the thought of excess, is what I'm going to plan on. And, wearing my Chanel shoes on a regular basis. Hey, I have them, have paid for them in the '08 of excess and need to express my thanks for a lovely j.o.b. in these tough times.

Hear ye' hear ye.
Loves
Greta en vogue

Michelle is so lucky!

Look what she gets to choose from. Lucky gal. This one with the girls is very Camelot'esque.

The green is a bit sexy for the next Mrs. President but I love it.

The Obama Ball

In searching out photos to post of the NYC Bergdorf holiday windows, I stumbled, luckily, upon these.

Designer insights - what President elect Obama should wear to the Inaugural Ball. Great images no matter what you feel about the tuxes.

One in a million

They don't make them like this anymore. . .

Red Dress

Can you believe it? Well yes, of course, you can. A gorgeous film about a gorgeous designer. I still cannot believe how lucky I was to see the exhibit at the Louvre of his works. If anyone has a chance to fly to Paris and see the show, it is worth the flight. Honestly, it is.

Valentino, the Last Emporer

Why I want to wear Dresses

Pick just about any dress from the Spring Diane von Furstenberg collection and you'll be happy. Some of the hair pieces made them teeter over to dare I say a bridesmaid collection, even kinda milkmaid? Anyhow, her prints rock (duh) and the designs are incredible. I cannot wait to buy, buy buy.

Donna!

"a custom DKNY and Chandon Twenty Year Cuvée awaited each showgoer" so stuck between New York and Chicago what's a Pittsburgh fashionista to do. Show students the shows in class, rock on!

This is cute, reminds me of the Parisian designer Isabel Marant. Oh just take a jaunt to the french retailer Franck et Fils for a look at their collections.









Back to New York.
Cannot deny the power of the jumpsuit.


















Does this look a bit Project Runway to anyone?


















I normally love DKNY but this is not doing anything for me. Sorry miss, you missed the mark for your 20th.

Fashion week bits

Sophia reminds me of Michele Courtois. Love you both!





I surely have no time but at seeing a few photos from the Marc Jacobs after party, I was compelled to start blogging.

Seeing the tents setup in Bryant Park last week set off a little quiver in my stomach. And I'm sure it was not the guy drinking double jack and cokes on the 7am flight that lingered.

How the HELL did these guys get into the Marc Jacobs after party? Look at the nice ta-ta's on his tat. and the great 70's hair. I love they are being who they are. I probably would have ended up talking to them all night long.


















Is Winona eating macaroni and cheese? She needs to rub some on her neck.


















Kelly Klein looks absolutely glamorous here. She is the classiest lady at the party!

Stones

It was built in stages, over years and years BC. Huge undertaking and NO ONE can answer questions about it. Summer solstice, dancing, some type of partying to relish in the sun. The Druids were not devil worshipers. Just early precursors to Jesus worship, I imagine. Stonehedge. I'd rather spend my pm in a pub. 

La Vie

Whoever wants to realize or  comprehend what it is to live in Paris, run don't walk to your nearest bookstore, well after or before living in France, and purchase "La Vie Parisienne" by Janelle McCulloch. This text along with a few days on your own walking the streets will give you a good impression of the single girls' life in Paris. Within 3 days I had 3 offers for coffee literally walking down the street. Makes a lady feel like a lady. I did NOT want to leave!

and for 2 days, they rested

Why French women are not fat?
Because instead of eating an entire row of Oreo/Girl Scout/Nutter Butter cookies, they simply eat one genuine article. Why take the forest when you can admire, appreciate and savor one perfect tree?

Read it and *a - b - s - o - r - b* the culture, history and then you might start to get it. I know I am . . .
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These small, round cakes, crisp on the outside, smooth and soft in the middle, are the most famous creation of Ladurée.

The story of the Ladurée macaroon starts with Pierre Desfontaines, distant cousin of Louis Ernest Ladurée, who in 1864 first thought of taking two macaroon shells and joining them with a delicious ganache filling. The way of making them has never changed since that time.

These small, round cakes, crisp on the outside, smooth and soft in the middle, are made every morning in Ladurée’s "laboratory".

Once cooked and filled, the macaroons are put to one side for 2 days before going on sale, the time it takes to achieve a perfect balance between texture and flavour.

But it's not coconut!

Don't you fret over the fact that it is a macaroon but contains no coconut. You will never, ever, look at a macaroon the same way again. How did it get it's name? Not sure. Don't care!

Waited in a 40 person queue to purchase these little devils, violet, cherry, rose and creme orangerie. Like the juiciest, most succulent rich fruity flowering flavor in your mouth melting on your tongue. And that is with just one taste of the violet.

When in Paris, be like a tourist, and like a local and the best hostess gift you can every bring would be a box from Laduree. {Click there} I think it would go nicely with a glass of bubbly. Oh yes it would . . .

Very Versailles

Let's set up a painting studio here why don't we spend the day . . .

















And while we're at it, let's feed the animals and play village in our English countryside we've built. So, so lovely. . .











I know she gets a bad rap, but Marie Antoinette knew a few things about esthetics. Looking forward to seeing an entire exhibit on her tomorrow at the the Galleries Nationale with a few students.

Who doesn't fall in love?

Passion, Fire, Beauty. These things have been the foundation for Paris for centuries.
To have so much in your heart, to realize you must cover yourself in the glory of such beauty. . . that is what it means to be in Paris.

Moment of silence

We must never confuse elegance with snobbery.
-Yves Saint Laurent

French Lace

A lady never tells, however the two following links will provide you with endless fun and shopping pleasure.


Fifi Chachnil designs for the theatrical, numerous fashion shows on ice, others at the Eiffel Tower. The students preferred her boudoir themed boutique and beautifully designed fragrance bottle. Think of Fifi as your show girl.

Chantal Thomass has a long history of lingerie design. Look for her collections in Victoria's Secrets near you! Black and pink themed boutique, she's got show stopping shoes and gloves to coordinate with your sexy underpinnings. This gal's been designing since 1975 and the french adore her.

Champagne factoids

Did you know that Champagne is a blend of 3 grapes?
Did you know the pressure in one bottle is equal to the pressure in a tire? That is reason why the bottle glass is so thick and heavy.
Did you know that extra sugar is added to make the bubbles at the end of the process?
And did you know that Napoleon would march his troops to Moet & Chandon cellars before fighting. Seriously! Records exist of his visits to stock up! Love that factoid.

Diamonds and Champagne weekend

I promise never to say I was stressed in Paris.
I promise never to say I was stressed in Paris.
I promise never to say I was stressed in Paris.

I spent Friday at a Diamond Divas exhibit in Antwerp, Belgium and Monday tasting Mumms and Moet & Chandon at their champagne cellars in Champagne, France. I promise. Everyone I really do.

I LOVE DIAMOND TIARAS! Where else could you see this crown from Princess Marie Bonaparte, where the olive branches symbolize peace and prosperity . . .

And also see Doris Duke's Cartier head crown. Who knew Doris had this much style?

Also on view was the 24 carat yellow Moon of Baroda that Marilyn Monroe wore to the premier of "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" and Jackie O's brooches, a gorgeous Chanel pendant and a serpent collar which took 2 years to make.

In addition to the glamourous Princess Grace Kelly's engagement rock, er ring and her tiara with jumbo tear drop pearls dangling in betwen the diamonds. It literally made me weak in the knees.

Having to check your bags at the door in a locker, not allowed to bring in a camera, purse, passport, wallet or anything but the locker key and THEN walking through airport security and being wanded kind of freaked me out. But spending over 2 hours at this 3 floor exhibit was such a visual treat and an educational one as well, I cannot imagine a better way to brighten up anyone's life.

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Just a few tips when purchasing true champagne:

1. Grand Cru is the way to go.

2. Look for a"vintage" as a label. It's the unique variety selected from a handful of years, and is a different "blend" of the grapes never to be replicated again. A vintage '99 Mumms or 2000 Moet. Try them both!

3. And if you are so lucky to find a family house champage (look for Reims or Epernay, France) I mean no need to pad the LVMH or Pernod-Ricard stock if you don't have to, pick one up for 1/3 the price. It is just wine you know so all should be tasted and not wasted!

Tournesol

Relaxing at my new favorite hipster hangout for after work cocktails, loads of frenchies in black and great music. Tournesol = Sunflower!

Lins et petits points

Rachel, Lucy and Gretchen all learning the fine art of silk embroidery from Caroline Lebaz at her atelier, Lins et petits points. We needed much help from the expert, trained at Ecole Lesage and it was well worth it!




Here are Rachel's beautiful colors:










And Lucy so proud:

May he live in infamy

I know he was just a cat but he was the best lover cat ever! Just look at how crazy he is . . . I don't know what I'm going to do when I walk back into my house in a few months, and he will not greet me running down the stairs. . . schneedo-nardo on attack . . .

Flip Book

Lenny in cat-action! He was absolutely the best cat anyone could want to have. Who had a preference for belgian beer caps, mid-night biting and hide and seek, in addition to loud renditions of "momma" and the abilityt to literally do the catwalk down Professor Avenue in Tremont after the Douglass Street fashion show. Who knew a pound kitty could be so hip. No wonder we called him "Fresh Prince" he definitely was brought from the ghetto to the high life.

Lenny's residences include:
1. 3 story loft in Lemko Hall, Tremont, Ohio
2. 21st floor, 2-story penthouse on the Lake in Lakewood, Ohio where he climbed 2 balconies over to watch an old lady undress herself (naughty boy!)
3. 14th floor Carlyle apartment - a downgrade from the penthouse but he didn't complain
4. Douglass Street boutique where he could be found curled up on Ben Sherman sweaters (sorry guys) or hanging ten on the spiral staircase
5. Grannys! He made the BEST swooshy sound on the tall shag rug with his paws.
6. Pittsburgh, taking the turnpike and the turnpike lady said "tell you kitty Welcome to Pittsburgh!" He also loved chilling in the backyard in the sun with his mommy.
LOVE YOU LEONARDO.

Leonardo di Catrio

Photos!

Finally purchased an all-in-one to upload photos. Wow I have old photos on this camera. Here we go for some fun recent and enjoy . .

Cappucino changed my life

I'm in Milan and had a cappucino this morning that CHANGED MY LIFE.

I'm so glad I don't live here for the quarter because I would be two things:
1. Fat
2. Broke

Homemade pasta and the world's best coffee, I have never had so much espresso! Standing up, in front of the duomo shopping area.
And the cutest, most beautiful shops too.

Went to Lake Como today and bought a Christian Lacroix silk scarve/foulard. YUMMY delicious. I hope that scarf changes my life too. =-)

Why I'm here

To teach! To learn! To share and explore!

Enrolling the kiddies in a needlepoint, embroidery course in a week. The woman is herself writing a book, her shop is beautiful. Learning the technique dating from Louis XIV of hand embroidery. Her shop website, Lin et Petits Points Paris explains a bit and showcases the library she has.

Took a tour at Parsons, Paris today. WOW is all I can say. I'm afraid all the girls want to transfer. It was so creative, unreal labyrinth space with loads of light and creative textile design, felting, fabric painting, etc. Thank you to my new contact here, Kim, with her loads of experience and kind ways to introduce me to them, and arrange for such a quick visit.

Too Lose?

My new obsession with Toulouse Lautrec may take me to the mountains after all. . . how could he possibly hang in the Musee D'Orsay with Cezanne, and Van Gogh? I think of his dalliances with the drink and the ladies. . . but am impressed with the work. . . so rough and raw.

At least I have Paris

When I know it's too cold here to be spring, when it rains or hails or sleets, when I am getting sick of my one pair of jeans and two black cashmere sweaters . . .

. . . at least I have Paris.

These are a few of my favorite things
-cafe creme
-croissants
-yogurt that tastes like gelato
-the sound of the ambulances
-unexpectedly sneaking a peak at the Eiffel Tower around buildings, above trees
-Market of the Fleas, the original garbage pickers turned merchants dating back to the 1800's still hard at work.

Project Runway SNL Spoof

How could I have forgotten to post this spoof?
Now. . . carry on!

http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/video/#mea=227155

Music

How great are these guys? Caught a pretty good SNL last night. . . . oh . . . oh. . . . oh . . . . oh, oh, oh . . . .

http://www.vampireweekend.com/

Re-Invent AiP Fashion Show

SAG Awards

1. America Ferrera
2. Michelle Pfeiffer
3. Marcia Cross
4. Angelina is so preggers!
5. and my new ridiculous crush is on. . . Javier Bardem.
I can't even put his picture in here because I'll never get any work done...

Gentlemen prefer blondes

Thank you to Patrick and Alyce for a wonderful New Years Eve wedding at the Ritz Carlton. Wow! And thank you to all the lovely ladies for lending your husbands/boyfriends in this photo.

Grand Cayman

What can I say? A few days in the HEAT of the islands makes an overworked girl very happy.