Happy Memorial Day

{image via New England Home}

The Queen's Cup Steeplechase

The Queen’s Cup is like no other sporting event in or around Charlotte. Each year, on the last Saturday in April, thousands head down to Mineral Springs (45 minutes south of Uptown) to watch jockeys in bright silks & their sleek thoroughbreds clear 4+ foot jumps over a beautiful rolling course. And they come prepared -- with their big hats, loud prints, folding chairs, badminton sets, nerf footballs, and coolers packed with 6 hours worth of liquid sustenance. 

This is no place for amateurs.

Hey, Rain. Skedaddle.

It's raining here. Still.  It was supposed to be gone by now, but it's not. I have a zebra umbrella like Kelly Wearstler's. And I think it's really fun. But I like the sun more. So rain, get lost.

Are You Ready for the Derby?

{images via Garden & Gun}

Grenson Brogues

Grenson Shoes are quintessentially British -- the company was founded in Northamptonshire in the 1800's by William Green (originally "Green & Son"), and the Grenson factory remains there to this day. Mr. Green's was the first factory in the world to use the Goodyear welt construction method for manufacturing gentlemen‘s shoes. These supremely traditional shoemakers are as well known for their classic brogues as they are for their bespoke shoemaking services. Their painstaking process underscores over a century of amazing craftsmanship. A single pair, made from the finest leathers known to shoe making, can take up to 6 weeks to complete.

Recently, Grenson developed a women’s collection -- in large part based upon its traditional designs for men (we love the Rose, Martha & Grace.)  Although I found their stock situation in London wanting, most styles are readily available (if significantly more expensive) via Grenson's U.S. website.

Tom's Kitchen, SW3

 

A few blocks away from hoards of shoppers crowding the King's Road, and just a wee bit down from The Markham Inn, you'll find my favorite outpost of Tom's Kitchen.

Located in a townhouse on the site of a former pub, the bistro and a small bar are on the ground floor, a larger bar one floor up. The menus at Tom's -- chock full of amazing comfort foods crafted from local ingredients -- cover breakfast through dinner.  And everything is served in a deliciously relaxed, vintage environment. Perfect for one of those nights when it's all you can do to reapply the lipstick.

Hats Hats Hats

While living in London, I developed a huge millinery crush. And when I returned to the city a few weeks ago, I absolutely loved revisiting a few of my favorite hat haunts.

At the V&A, although most of its collection is currently in storage while Room 40 is under renovation, I managed to view a few pieces crafted by the incomparable Philip Treacy -- part of the much-lauded 2009 Hats exhibition (thankfully documented for posterity in this fabulous book)

The salon upstairs at Lock & Co. in St. James is a favorite with the Duchess of Cambridge.  While there, I was fitted by Sylvia Fletcher herself for one of her Hat-a-porter designs.

And Atelier Millinery is a wonderful little haven just off Carnaby Street, a stone's throw from Liberty. Though a tiny space, it is full of wonderful sinamays, embellishments, and other millinery supplies. But Atelier is also chock full of hats for immediate purchase. Tina Giuntini, one of Atelier's instructors, was helping a pair of costumers seeking the perfect period toppers for a movie currently shooting near London when I arrived. She's an absolute font of information. Whether you're looking for help finding the perfect feather or crafting an amazing pillbox, she's the girl!

Sailor Rose

Mom has a friend who creates magical scarves and sells them at the Brooklyn Women's Exchange, and it was there we discovered Sailor Rose - amazing blouses crafted in America from Liberty of London's iconic Tana Lawn fabrics.

As they describe it themselves... This collection (is) inspired by the tradition of improvising and by clothes that might have started as something else; dresses made of feed sacks, a parent’s shirt, pillowcases or bedspreads. Jumpers with rickrack and threadbare cotton shifts. Jeans with fabric added on the hem, and skirts made of pants. Clothes that are just as beautiful when worn by the third child as by the first. Beautiful dresses meant to be played in – that look as good freshly ironed as rumpled. My hope is that our grandchildren might come across these clothes in an attic or thrift store one day and be inspired to use them again, or turn them into something new.

They clean up beautifully in a front loader's hand wash cycle and to maintain the perfect bit of rumple, just hang dry & wear.  Take it from me, once you wear one you'll want to possess these sweet peasant blouses in every print available.

Happy Birthday, Kate

 

lock up your wellies - the little things love a good chew