Weekend Happenings

Since it's the last day of the month, I'm really learning the non-glamorous side of interior design: invoicing clients and paying vendors!  But a couple of memories from the weekend are still keeping me smiling...

Pretty pastel macarons from Macaron Cafe on 59th between Park and Madison.  I brought these as the hostess gift for a dinner party on Thursday, and they were so good, I brought them to another dinner on Friday.  This is definitely my new source for macarons in the city, better than Bouchon and dare I say it, maybe even Laduree!  The best part is picking out the flavors.  

We looked at more homes in Connecticut on Sunday, this time in New Canaan.  I was excited that the one above had a Louise Brooks renovation, because I am a big fan of hers.  The areas of the home that she had her hand in definitely stood out.  We had another really lovely day in Connecticut and visited some friends who recently moved to New Canaan to see their new baby.

When we got back to the city, we had dinner at Izakaya Ten, a Japanese gastropub if that even exists.  It was delicious, highly recommend!  

Got my highlights done on Saturday and learned about some fellow clients of my colorist that will inspire a post later this week.  I always feel better with fresh highlights... if it doesn't make you blonder or thinner, what's the point?!  

Glow-in-the-Dark Countertops

Twice in the past week I've encountered glowing stone surfaces...

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And I mean glowing literally, as in back-lit onyx and other natural materials...

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First the countertop on an island in the kitchen at a house we looked at in Connecticut.  Not the photo above, obviously that's a bar, but you get the idea.  Then again on a cocktail table at a client's apartment.

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I think a bar is the perfect place to apply this trend.  Above is the W Hollywood, looks like a swanky place to grab a cocktail...

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I do remember going to the home of a classmate in high school whose mother is an interior designer, and they had back-lit onyx in their powder room, similar to above.  It definitely made a statement, in a good way.  In a home, I think that might be the only place I could handle it.  Or if we had a lounge with a bar.  But in my kitchen?  I'm having a hard time imagining myself baking cookies in a space that looks like James Bond could waltz into at any moment.  The details in the rest of this particular Connecticut home are amazing, down to the Calcutta Gold marble countertops in the rest of the kitchen, so obviously the current homeowners have good taste.  What do you think, am I being a prude, or would a back-lit island just be too much?  

Skinny Snack

Skinny Cow Dreamy Clusters have become my new favorite 4 o'clock snack... right when I need a sweet pick-me-up.  They are delicious, and unlike other 120 calorie packs, the amount is more than satisfying.  Yum!

Yes, There is Pancetta in Connecticut

We spent Sunday in one of my favorite Connecticut towns, Westport.  It's where Martha Stewart started her empire, but that's not the only reason I love it.  It's a happy, charming place right on the water, full of beautiful properties...

We're trying to make the staying in the city/decamping for the suburbs decision now, and it became harder with some of the homes we saw.  There are pros and cons either way...

With plenty of ex-New Yorkers, many of the interiors had traditional style with modern flair... right up our alley.

After some house hunting, we toured around town a bit.  My husband's biggest concern was with the quality of the grocery stores, being the food snob he is.  Informed that they have a Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, and a Fresh Market right in Westport, among others, that wasn't enough for him.  He actually had us go into Fresh Market to examine the produce, and he made me ask if they carry pancetta, because he couldn't imagine life without pancetta if we moved there.  It's Connecticut, not Siberia.  

This is what I live with ;)  

An Inspiring Week!

I've been a bad blogger this week!  Here's what I've been up to...

Checking in on the progress of some beautiful hand-painted walls at an even more beautiful apartment overlooking Central Park...

Up to my elbows in Manuel Canovas fabric sample heaven...

Enjoying sit-down lunches at cute cafes with my iPad as my date...

The past year has been one of professional soul-searching for me.  I was in a really intense corporate career for nearly a decade that became more and more stressful and less and less rewarding.  And as my new husband and I started talking about our dreams together, it became clear that lifestyle wasn't part of them.  Frankly, I knew that before I'd even met him and had gone to design school at Parsons because that's where my passion lies.  But that Parsons degree was getting dusty!

I left the intense firm a little over a year ago, and in the meantime had been consulting with other clients and less intense firms while I took on design projects for friends and family to build a portfolio (oh, and planning a wedding!).  Then, recently, a friend from Parsons recommended me for a position working for a designer she used to work with.  It happened fast, and I could't be more thrilled.  I can't believe I get to spend my days designing beautiful interiors for some of the most amazing properties I've ever visted... and I get to call it work!  I'm learning so much and am so much happier.

My only regret... not doing this years ago!

Charleston Wrap-up

I had the best few days in Charleston, I am almost sad to be back in NYC, except that I missed my husb so much, and it is supposed to reach 80 degrees here this weekend :)
A few college friends and I did a girls' night with the Calypso store opening (very fun) and dinner at a new restaurant off Upper King called The  Grocery...

Here we are starting off with their signature Green Tomato Martinis... amazing!  Spicy and salty.  We had a delicious dinner, I started with "lam-ham" and then had soft shell crab, and we shared a smore dessert.  I think The Grocery is a great addition to the Charleston dining scene, and I love seeing the development of Upper King Street.  When I was in college, it was pretty gangster! 

I also had delicious lunches at Husk and Caviar & Bananas while I was in town, and an entertaining dinner at the bar at Amen Street, watching the Charleston singles scene was amusing... sadly, bad pickup lines don't sound any better with a Southern drawl. 

My trip to Charleston was quite productive on the business side, and I'll soon have some exciting partnerships to share when we announce our launch :) 

Have a great weekend!

Calypso St. Barth

I am having a lovely time in Charleston between the beekeeping business and visiting with old college friends.  Tonight we're going to the opening of the new Calypso St. Barth store on King Street... I might be their best customer at the boutiques in NYC...

Seriously, half my weekend wardrobe is from Calypso... easy breezy!

I'm planning to wear some recent Calypso acquisitions, pictured above.  That Malene Birger necklace has rarely left my body since I bought it!  

Designer Spotlight: Angie Hranowsky

Since I'm in Charleston this week, who better to spotlight than local designer Angie Hranowsky?  I seriously visit her portfolio often for inspiration... she does a wonderful job of using inherited pieces and incorporating modern touches for a polished, eclectic look.

I had to feature this home she designed on Tradd Street in Charleston's South of Broad neighborhood.  I lived on that street in college, and just the mention of Tradd Street brings back fond memories...

Such a cute nursery!  I'm working on a few of these right now... 2012 is the year of the baby!

This isn't the last time you'll be seeing Angie's work on this blog, I promise you that!

Beekeeping is Chic

I am buzzing down to Charleston for the rest of the week on business.  Beekeeping business, that is...

More details to come, but my friend The Count and I started a small venture about six months ago producing artisanal honey, and I must go check on our bees.  Our first harvest is coming soon!

Beekeeping seems to be all the rage these days... Gywneth is gushing about it, and if Oscar and Louis are doing it, why can't I?

Beekeeping is chic...

I Can Eat Potatoes Again

I hope everyone had a nice Easter weekend!  I had a wonderful trip to see my parents in Palm Desert.  Lots of great cooking from my mom, shopping on El Paseo (which included inducting my mom into the Lululemon club), and Easter mass at their gorgeous church-- underwritten by none other than Frank Sinatra!  As my dad says... he needed to score a few points upstairs ;)

I gave up potatoes for Lent this year.  That may sound silly, but it's a sincere sacrifice for me.  They might be my favorite food.  So tonight I'll be cooking potatoes, and my husband has begged for this recipe from Ina Garten (apparently it's been a long 40 days for him too):

From Back to Basics 

Oven-roasted vegetables 

2 small fennel bulbs, tops removed
1 pound fingerling or small potatoes
1/3 cup good olive oil
Kosher salt (Maldon for me) and freshly ground black pepper
1 pound French string beans (haricots verts), trimmed
1 bunch thin asparagus, ends removed, cut diagonally into 3-inch pieces (I leave this out)
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

Cut the fennel bulbs into 6 wedges each, cutting through the core to keep the wedges intact. Place on a sheet pan. Cut the potatoes in half lengthwise and place them on the pan with the fennel. Drizzle the olive oil on the vegetables, then sprinkle with 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Toss with your hands.

Roast the vegetables for 25 to 30 minutes, until the potatoes are tender, tossing once while cooking. Toss the string beans and asparagus with the roasted vegetables and roast for another 10 to 15 minutes, until the green vegetables are tender. Sprinkle on the Parmesan cheese and roast for another minute or two until the cheese melts.

Sprinkle with salt and pepper and serve hot.

Good Friday Humor

Palm Springs Posh

We're flying out west today to spend Easter with my parents at their home in La Quinta, a desert city outside Palm Springs.  As soon as we land, we're making a few stops to tour the grounds of some iconic hotels.  First up, the Parker Palm Springs...

Next, afternoon cocktails at the Wearstler-designed Viceroy!  I am so excited...

On my husband's last visit to La Quinta, he asked for my hand in marriage!  I hope my parents aren't expecting any eventful announcements on this trip ;)