Perfection

A Tad Cynical?

Perhaps, but I'm loving Kate Middleton For The Win and here's why

Happy Royal Wedding!

India, ironic

India Hicks is covering The Wedding for ITV & ABC (dressed in Posh), talking to Barbara & Oprah, and exec producing a show running all week on TLC about her experience as a Royal Bridesmaid in The Other Wedding. Reese Witherspoon went on Ellen DeGeneres and said she was more excited about this wedding than her own. The BBC is believed to have over 1,000 employees focused on its televised coverage.

What about you? Are you loving every minute of Will-Kat mania? Savoring paparazzi shots of the future queen in the Daily Mail, Hello! & People? Or are you going about your business, walking the dog or folding laundry, and thinking honestly, what's all the fuss about?

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.

The New Cinquecento

After seeing this little euro-chic thing all over London, Paris & Rome, I think I'm in love.

Roman Knockers

No knob, just multiple locks and 2 fabulous pulls {that work double-time as knockers} on each of the wooden double doors fronting apartment homes throughout the city.  And just inside?  Usually a large vestibule sharing a very worn marble staircase and a very old elevator.

My favorite, 3rd from the bottom, adorns the battered gray doors of Belstaff on the Via del Babuino.

Buona Pasqua

 ... from Ancient Rome.  And if you have any interest in seeing what this may have looked like in 320 A.D., check in on the digital modeling being done by Rome Reborn. Amazing!

Ciao

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

What's Happened to Gwyneth's Face?

before

after, puffy

after, gaunt

Not sure, but it's not good.

Kate, Styled By?

According to the Daily Mail, the sister of Samantha Cameron {Sam -- wife of David} is dressing Kate Middleton on her first official visit overseas after the big event. Word on the street has it that Emily Sheffield, deputy editor of British Vogue, has been asked to help Kate select 30 outfits for her 9-day trip to Canada at the end of June. But based on the shift in Kate's look between her first appearance in Anglesey at the end of February and subsequent visits to Belfast & Lancashire, the Sheffield-ing may have already begun.

Anglesey

Belfast

Lancashire

Hurrah!

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.

Spice Market & Sienna's Flare Path

In 1941, playwright Terrence Rattigan, a member of the RAF Coastal Command, was on a mission to West Africa when he started writing Flare Path, a play set in a hotel near an RAF Bomber Command during the Second World War. The story, a love triangle among a pilot, his actress wife and a famous film star, is based in part on Rattigan's own wartime experiences as a tail gunner in the RAF.

This year marks the centenary of Sir Rattigan's birth and theaters throughout the UK are celebrating. A bit less than a month ago, Trevor Nunn marked his debut as Artistic Director of the Theatre Royal, Haymarket with the opening of a revival of Flare Path starring Sienna Miller, James Purefoy and Sheridan Smith.  

I saw the play last night after a quick pre-theatre dinner at the recently opened W London Leicester Square. As expected, Sienna, the show & Spice Market {esp. the salmon tartare & Ginger Margaritas} were amazing!

Selling Like Hotcakes

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