Hamptons Dreaming

Since moving to NYC, I've spent every July 4th weekend either in Nantucket or the Hamptons.  We have some trips to Nantucket planned later in July, so we were planning on heading to the Prince's friend's home in East Hampton this weekend.  But after the great golf cart fiasco of 2011, I am not yet up for a road trip, so we'll be staying put.  Whenever I dream about the Hamptons, I think of husband-wife design team Mabley Handler Interiors.  Their work is regularly featured in East End magazines-- always light, refreshing and relaxing... just want you'd want in a weekend home...

Wedding Wednesday

I'm heading to Charleston in about a month for my final wedding planning weekend before the big day in October.  It will be a busy weekend, and one item on the agenda is the wedding cake. I have the baker lined up, but I haven't put too much thought into the design yet. I know some brides are all about the cake, but I rarely remember the cake at anyone's wedding, so it hasn't been a priority for me.  I found the above images on Martha Stewart... all very pretty, but none are exactly singing to me, so the hunt for inspiration rolls on...

Recovery Rooms

I've got cabin fever in this recovery stage, but I think I could stay cooped up in one of these bedrooms for a while!

P.S. Thanks to all for the get-well wishes!!!

Countess Down

It's been ten days since I've updated the blog, and what a trying ten days it's been.  Two weeekends ago we were down in Florida for a very good friend's wedding, which was lovely.  It was held at my friend's parents' club, where they spend the winters.  We were staying with other friends at their house within the club, so we loaded into golf carts to go to and from the wedding.  As we left the reception, we turned a tight corner, and I slipped right out of the golf cart, falling on the ground directly on my head.  I was air-lifted to the hospital and spent three nights in intensive care before they discharged me and another few days in Florida before it was safe to head home to NYC last Thursday.  My mom flew out from California on Friday to nurse me back to health, and she and the Prince have been the best caretakers I could ask for. 

I still have two black eyes, bad headaches due to minor fractures in my skull, and very little energy.  I can't wait to feel better, but I'm not sure how long that will take.  I am heading back into the blogoshere today for some eye candy to cheer me up.

Cautionary tale: golf carts are dangerous and should have seatbelts!

The Queen of Spain's Haute Cuisine

The Prince tried in vain to get us into Il Bulli over the past few years, and with the famous restaurant set to close in July, our dreams of dining there are drying up.  Famed chef Ferran Adria's influence has been extensive, and Spain's position as trailblazer in the "molecular gastronomy" movement is unlikely to be disturbed, even with his absence.  This week, the New York Times profiled the contenders to take the crown from Adria, and I was thrilled to see Carme Ruscalleda included among them. 

On a recent trip to Barcelona, the Prince and I took a scenic 45 minute train ride along the Mediterranean outside the city to a seaside village to dine at Ruscalleda's restaurant, Sant Pau.  It was everything you could expect from a woman with six Michelin stars and more!  

This was the view from our table... hard to tell from this picture, but beyond the gates was the sea!

The food was so artistic...

This mondrian is one of her signature dishes... listed on the menu as fish with peppers, olives and almonds, would you guess?  The above pic is from the NYT, below is from my camera...

The desserts are absolutely amazing... and were accompanied by water-colored renderings by the chef explaining what everything was!

At the end of the meal, Ruscalleda greeted all the guests and took pictures with us.  Lovely woman. 

Spain should be happy to let her carry the torch.  If you are in Barcelona, it is definitely worth the trip!

Pretty Palm Beach Party

Packing up for a weekend of wedding festivities in Florida has me thinking about House of Lavande founder Tracy Smith's fabulous Palm Beach birthday bash, featured on Vogue.com earlier this year...

A lovely lavender good time...

Tracy is uber-chic...

with her fashionista friends...

That's Lucy Sykes... she was at my bridal shower too!  Ok she was really in the next room having breakfast with her boys, but I'm a fan so we can just pretend...

and uber-designer Celerie Kemble!?  this was quite a party...

House of Lavande is THE source for vintage baubles, in Palm Beach and beyond.

Enough dreaming, back to packing...