Kitchen ~ Before & Middle

About 2 months ago, I found a wonderful house painter through a friend. He's much in demand {the good ones always are} so I quickly got myself on his list. I'm very happy to report his team started yesterday morning and they've already made significant progress on the 1st floor. Here's one view of the kitchen + mudroom before, and in progress. All very exciting.

Folly Beach

Labor Day weekend was crazy, but Folly -- The Edge of America -- has settled back to its normal, laid-back self. Walks on the near-empty beach are breezy & cool (relatively), outdoor tables are easier to come by @ Taco Boy, and watermelon is back in stock at The Pig. One of the most dog-friendly beach towns anywhere, well-behaved, leashed-up pups are welcome on the beach before 10/after 6, and on the patios of most restaurants anytime (4 paws up from India).

This time of year the waves are surf-perfect and the humidity is low. If you do leave the beach, please don't miss the blackened tuna nachos at Rita's, the blueberry pancakes at the Lost Dog, or the Spiked Lemonade at Blu.

Book It

Fall always marks the arrival of fabulous new releases -- the impending holiday season seems to get everyone refocused on upping the lifestyle ante & making sure their own homes are looking amazing. Here are a few I'm currently reading or impatiently awaiting...

What about you?

Wimbledon

Amazing day @ Wimbledon yesterday with London rain stopping long enough to keep the roof open the entire day. Drank Pimm's {on tap, fabulous} both in the garden and in the stadium under sunny skies while watching Wozniacki (1), Federer (3) and Djokovic (2) all move through to the 4th. Saw many carrying camping kit throughout {tents, etc.} -- evidence of a long day and an early queue. That's dedication to sport. Not me. I was in good seats just outside the reach of the blazing sun right next to the Royal Box. Where there were no sightings of a Duchess. Damn.

Hint #2

What's New?

I'm returning to the U.S. on 4th of July week-end with something new. Here's a little hint.

Can you possibly guess?

Selfridges & Anya Hindmarch Bespoke

While I love things, I'm not partial to shopping. But there is one retail establishment where I've been known to spend an entire Sunday afternoon. And I think a few others must too, since it's impossible to shake a stick in London without hitting one of its carrier bags...

Selfridges is famous for many things, but what I love most are its incredible pop-up shops -- like the current installation of Anya Hindmarch Bespoke. The tiny space reminds me of a posh 1940's cobbler dropped smack in the midst of Balenciaga & Prada. The staff {shout out to Karen, you will be missed!} is amazing and -- if you love the classics -- the selection is heavenly. Anya's archetypical styles are custom crafted of fine skins {lizard, box calf, croc} in beautiful colors, with endless options for personalization in block type or your own handwriting.

Although we agonized over size & color & style for ages {taking a break in the middle of the decision-making process for a pomegranate bellini @ Hix}, my cousin and I finally settled on twin Ebury handbags -- hers in a rich tan French box calf, mine in deep chocolate -- with a handwritten inscription embossed within to memorialize our time together in London. 

While Anya's Selfridges pop-up won't last forever, her Bespoke Shop in Pont Street, Belgravia will {I hope} remain for the ages.

Harry's Bar

Last night I arrived in Venice and my first stop was Harry's Bar, for a Bellini + ham & cheese (fried in olive oil). Fabulous.

Ciao

I'm off to Italy for a bit -- enjoy your holidays!

Sunday Lunch @ The Wolseley

The Wolseley is clearly inspired by the great French brasseries, but there are few in Paris that can match its decadent excess. Originally a car showroom back in the '20's, the Grade II listed building was created on such an extravagant scale that it bankrupted Wolseley Motors. Discreet black-clad waiters glide across a black & white herringbone marble floor carrying silver platters of good English food within the cavernous foyer of the dining room. Good for spotting celebries at all times of day, make sure you pre-book to get a table in the centre parlour {unless you happen to be Kate Moss}. Yesterday I was in the side parlour, pictured above {no reservations} and enjoyed a long, late lunch of eggs benedict & house champagne while reading The Sunday Times first to last.

William who?

la dolce vita

To avoid Royal Wedding madness & take full advantage of a fortuitous succession of London bank holidays, I'm escaping to Italy for 2 weeks at the end of April. If you have the time & inclination, please share your best places in Venice, Rome &/or the isle of Capri. Accommodations are settled (Casa Howard, AD Place & Punta Tragara), but I'd love to hear about all of the shops, museums, restaurants, walks, gondoliers, gelato, glass blowers and sandal makers that made your trip fabulous. 

3 Views from Les Deux Magots

Petit dejeuner in St. Germain des Pres, Paris Fashion Week 2011. Cafe au lait + warm goat cheese on a slice of Poilane.  3 days of without-a-cloud-in-the-sky sun and some of the best people watching in Europe. Tents going up down the Champs Elysees & along the perimeter of the Tuileries Garden, leaving little doubt which Marie-Claire hearts which Karl on the sidewalks in front of the Grand Palais.

Although I've found Paris at its most enlightening, fabulous best in {what are to me} the wee morning hours {half-eight-ish}, some bits seem to require a crowd for fullest enjoyment {including the ever-present Laduree macaron line}.

C'est bon.