Fall Harvest, Martha-style

Back to Basics

This may be your last opportunity to turn to the pages of Gourmet for assistance in achieving turkey perfection. Be sure to take advantage while you can...

Busy Busy Busy

After months scouring the Northeast & Southeast for great pieces (and taking a break from blogging), I've finally moved into my new space. Be sure to stop by Sleepy Poet Antiques the next time you're in Charlotte to see 55,000 square feet of fabulous finds from hundreds of dealers + me!

Better Late Than Never

It took more than a hot second to acknowledge itself, but Fall has finally arrived in the Carolinas and Charlotte is quickly emerging from its air-conditioned slumber to celebrate. Bales of hay are piled with pumpkins at the King Street Farmers Market, diners are filling the patio at Big Daddy's Burgers, and dogs are hanging out of car windows all over town.

Bananas

My latest addiction is Bravo's 'The Rachel Zoe Project'

For those of you frittering your life away researching stem cells or promoting world peace, tune in to see a real breakthrough -- Zoe & team getting Anne Hathaway through 2 flawless wardrobe changes at last year's Academy Awards while simutaneously styling Jennifer Garner's May 2009 In Style photo shoot.

Gritty, gritty stuff.

Not Far From Fall

SATC the Sequel

Filming in NYC has begun, and look who's back.

Brimfield Antiques Show

The extraordinary outdoor market known simply as 'Brimfield' - one of the largest and best known in the country - has been held in this small Massachusetts town for 50 years.

The final show of 2009 begins today, and whether you favor traditional or modern, you'll find much to love.

And after Brimfield, there's no place better than the bake shop @ Old Sturbridge Village for warm cookies and lemonade to go.

Happy Labor Day

Enjoy the last light of Summer

The Litchfield Hills

FOR SALE: The 1786 Moore Gibbs House, just off the Green in Historic Milton and completely renovated by a renowned designer. Amazing, with charm and sophistication, on 200 feet of the Marshapaug River.

And published in American Farmhouses.

I think I'm in love.

Mini*Break

Located in the idyllic town of Washington, Connecticut, The Mayflower Inn is less than 2 hours north of Manhattan. Set amidst the abundant and breathtaking beauty of century-old rhododendron, endless trees, and luxuriant grounds, seasonal outdoor activities and challenges abound (private fly-fishing lesson, anyone?).

At the heart of Mayflower’s 58 acre estate lies Spa House, a luminous 20,000 square foot relaxation resource that provides a serene haven for your mani-pedi.

So get thee to Washington (& don't forget the black AmEx)

The 'New' American Wing

This past Spring, after more than 2 years of construction and renovation, the Metropolitan Museum of Art's unparalleled collections of American furniture, sculpture, stained glass, architectural elements, ceramics, glass, silver, pewter, and jewelry were once again made accessible to the public.

As part of this restoration, 12 of the Met's historic interiors were renovated and reinterpreted, with stunning results. Here are 4 of my favorites...

Restoration Hardware. Really.

Change is Good

Every 5 years or so, I become restless, anxious, unsettled. I start to re-examine my life, my goals, my work, my locale. It's happening again, and I have the strong sense a fork in the road is just around the corner.

"They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself." {Andy Warhol}

The September Issue

To see it is to love it...

Edward Moore Kennedy, 1932 - 2009

The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives,
and the dream shall never die

Roger Vivier

champagne & shoes. be happy...

Remembering JFK Jr. & CBK

Hello Summer

bicycles strapped to back of the Ford

Brant Point leaving from the pier in the Sound

shingled cottage with a sea-blue door

lobster rolls on the deck at the dock

braided rope bracelets from the shop on the wharf

Hello Summer, we're ready

Pouf-Crazy

Do you love poufs as much as the next person (and by 'next person,' I mean Candace Bushnell, Kelly Wearstler or Ali Wentworth)?

{Candace Bushnell's Village apartment}

{Ali Wentworth and George Stephanopoulos' living room}

{Kelly Wearstler's son's bedroom}

I do. And I think I like them best in silver. Like a pair of Jack Rogers sandals for the living room.

Happy Returns

Yesterday, for the first time since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Americans were allowed to clamber up the steep steps and enter Lady Liberty's crown.

You go girl.

Happy 4th

Go out there and have some fun

Calypso St. Barth

This gauzy wrap from Calypso is perfect Summer party-wear... and check out Calypso Home in East Hampton for beachy-fun home furnishings.

The Charlie

Having spent 4 months of my dot-com work-life living out of a so-so hotel on the Beverly Hills / West Hollywood border, I get very excited when I learn of an amazing new place to stay on the Left Coast. West Hollywood's The Charlie is getting loads of attention right now, and with good reason.  Check out the living space of the bungalow named, appropriately, Charlie...

I could be particularly partial because I've got the same Mitchell Gold sofa, but I think the kitchen spaces are what really won me over.

By the month ($7,500).

Swap-tastic

And now for something completely fabulous...

all of the wonderful things in my Kitchen Swap 2009 package from Robin. I'm completely overwhelmed by her talent and thoughtfulness! Really perfect... the colors are fantastic and everything is so practical & useful. I especially love my squirrel cosy -- can't believe she found the link on my blog and made it for me... so nice!

This was my first swap and I joined primarily because I love pulling things together for others, and didn't have many expectations about what I might receive in return. Thanks to Robin, I'm totally hooked!

Almost forgot -- here's what I sent Robin.  I think she liked it, which makes me happy too.

sneak peek: Kitchen Swap 2009

Here's a peek at the Kitchen Swap 2009 package (hostess = Sew Fantastic) I'm sending to my swap partner, Robin.  After she receives the post I'll reveal the goodies inside...

The Little Garden

The stories in this sweet series of books -- The Little Garden collection -- originally appeared in House Beautiful and McCall's in the early 1920's. While each is wonderful, I especially love Peonies in The Little Garden. 

Sloane in Bloom

It's that time of year again, and Sloane Street is in full bloom in honor of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.  Some of my favorite London shops go all out to win the coveted Sloane in Bloom prize with their completely inspired floral displays.  Jo Malone has won for 2 years running and this year's large & lovely rose-covered bottles are likely to garner the shop its 3rd grand prize.

a whole lotta happy

Southern Living voted North Carolina's State Fair second only to that of the great state of Texas. Come check it out this October, y'hear?