Tuesday project...

 Last week, I began on a closet clean-out/organizing project.  I'll admit, I didn't get that far.  My shoes are ready for Spring though!

Today, my project is my bathroom - remove products that are expired, empty, and no longer used. 

My love for Violet Grey is not a secret (I placed an insomnia order over the weekend).  Violet is the expert in my book.

I'm going to follow their advice, put everything on a tray, bring to the kitchen, and assess everything.  Wish me luck! 

Quarantine kaftan...

How is everyone doing?
It is funny what you realize during quarantine:  I wish that I could grow my own food (broccoli and kale at my fingertips); I dream of walking on the beach; even though I'm home all day, I still want to wear a dress.
Pippa Holt's heavy cotton are the perfect piece - dressed for all of these video calls, but comfy for a movie marathon on the couch.

The White Chair...

Being home all of the time now, I have explored every inch of my apartment. 

I've had a white chair in my living room for a few years now.  It was always look, but don't sit.  Occasionally if company was over, I would sit in the chair, briefly, but never for long.  

Now that everything is video chat, I have my computer set up on the console, and I sit in the white chair.  Never have I sat in this chair so much, and I must say, it is pretty comfortable.  I wonder if I need the ottoman!

*Please ignore the computer cords and rumpled cushions, these are trying times

Saturday routine...

Until recently, I had a very regimented Saturday routine.  

8:30am Soul Cycle class, visit to the farmers market in Union Square, and if it is nice out, walk back uptown.  I've had this Saturday morning schedule for years - very few things would make me cancel.  

I miss it.  Among the many things I miss right now, I miss Soul Cycle.  When Covid-19 was in early stages here I drove from the Upper East Side to Tribeca to Soul Cycle class.  At the time I thought I was being extreme, but better safe than sorry on the subway.  Little did I know that three weeks later, all studios would be closed and a 'Safer at Home' mandate would be in effect.  

I know it seems silly to miss a workout class, but it was/is more than that. 

I keep thinking that when this pandemic is over The Barn in Bridgehampton will be open and Soul Cycle at the beach will be in full effect. 

I had always thought that an at home virtual bike was silly, you would never get the same workout that you would in the studio.   Now, that I am stuck at home, I have never been more jealous of someone with one. 

Soul Cycle is laughing their version this Spring, I have a feeling they will get a lot of orders.  

Spring ahead...

In hopes for a brighter future, I'm sharing an item from my spring/summer wishlist.  I went to the Rosie Assoulin SS20 presentation last September and fell in love with her tote-basked hybrid bags.  A L.L. Bean-esque tote and a basket - these are two of my favorite things! 

I snapped pictures of every iteration of the bag shown.   This mini is the most useful with the longer strap and tote large enough for everyday.  

I refresh her website daily, in anticipation of a markdown!

The new normal?

Current events have made me re-think things.  Items I once saw as silly and unnecessary, now, I find brilliant.

One such item, Apple AirPods. I thought people seemed absurd walking the streets with these q-tips in their ears. I get it now. 

With polarizing fears of touching anything, literally anything, I no longer put my iPhone to my face, and use my headphones exclusively.  Detangling these is a newfound everyday annoyance, and disinfect them just as often as my iPhone. I now think about AirPods, and how things would be easier, no detangling, no touching anything, less to disinfect later.

Admittedly, I knew our iPhones had to be hotbeds for germs.  Think about it, they are the first things we go for in the morning, and the last at night.  They come on the subway with us, the gym, and every in-between.  I Lysol wipe my phone so often now, I fear I am drowning it.   Who knew that iPhone sanitizers existed?! I certainly did not.  

Experts say this pandemic will be with us for a while, suddenly these things seem like essentials.

What to make...

  I've been spending most of my time in my kitchen, both cooking and eating!

Whipping up my some of my favorites, chocolate chip cookies, chickpea stew with orzo and mustard greens (or any green you have),  and simple lemon roasted shrimp (that's exactly the recipe right there).  

And, trying out some new ones.  

These scones were delicious, and so easy to make, especially when paired with this strawberry compote.  

While some are hoarding toilet paper, I am obsessively buying bread.  I will not admit how many times I visited my local bread shop this week!  Most has been stored in the freezer, but in attempt to have a no waste kitchen right now, I made Mark Bittman's croutons out of few days old bread.  They are so addictive, they don't even need soup.  

There is much more on my list of things to make, this egg dish would make a great weekday breakfast, this chocolate cake just because, and a farro salad.

my cute scones!

top image of Christy Turlington via vogue.co.uk, bottom photo by EJT

Setting the table...

Last week I pulled out all of the stops, for my kitchen table.  My India Armory table cloth was paired with monogrammed linen napkins, and my Grandmothers silver and Waterford.  I'll say it again, pull out all of the things that make you happy right now, it really helps. 

Setting the table breaks up the day.  My Serena & Lily rattan placemats came out for breakfast, and Roberta Roller Rabbit napkin and placemat (which don't seem to exist online anymore) for lunch at my counter.  

I've been using all of my plates - my melamine John Derian, scalloped Aerin dessert plates, and bee tumblers.

Moda Operandi is offerng 20% off everything with the code STAYHOME.  They have a gorgeous selection of tabletop items, sure to be put to use immediately.   La DoubleJ's assorted prints have been on my wishlist for a while now, and these linen napkins would look gorgeous on my table.  

image by EJT

What to watch...

I highly recommend turning off the news.  We all know what we should be doing, staying at home, washing our hands, not touching our faces.

With streaming services, on demand, et cetera, thankfully there are a few things to watch to keep us all entertained.

Hulu's release of Little Fires Everywhere could not have come out at a better time.  They are releasing three episodes per week.  I am going to wait a bit to save up a bunch of episodes at once. 

Netflix has a few gems up its sleeve with Jon Favreau's The Chef Show, The Stranger, and all seasons of The Crown.

If you have not watched The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel on Amazon, you are missing out.  Just the kind of feel good, funny entertainment we all need right now.

Personally, I have been watching the Ocean's trilogy when needing  a break from the real world.  Nothing better than George Clooney, Brad Pitt and company saving the world thru robbery.

When in doubt, a Nancy Meyers marathon is always a good idea.

image via Vogue, 1972

Ways to help...

One of my first thoughts after this pandemic reared its ugly head on all of us was 'how can I help'?  I slipped a note under my older neighbors door, saying that if they need anything to please call; I checked in with my doorman on elderly persons, offering my assistance. As this virus is so contagious, there is little we can physically do.  

Some smaller businesses are donating a portion of proceeds to causes related to Covid-19.  

Hill House Home: offering 10% of sales to Gods Love We Deliver in NYC and RoomtoGrow.org; 10% discount on bedding and bath items.

Khaite: 10% of all sales will go to Baby2Baby over the next month.

Aerin: 20% of sales from Home Decor and Tabletop will go to Gods Love We Deliver thru April 15th.

While shopping is not at the top of everyone's to-do list, there is something to be said about having your purchase help in some way.

Goop provided a great round-up of links to aid organizations.

Honorable mention goes out to AllBirds, they are offering a free pair of shoes to any healthcare worker that reaches out to them.  They received so many emails that their server crashed.  Not to worry, they are working on ways to make more shoes available.

image via thisisglamorous.com

Saturday reading...

Shoeday Saturday isn't gone, but this week I am changing it up a little.

I've bookmarked a few things that are worth a re-read/visit...

Nancy Meyers wrote a Modern Love piece for the New York Times recently.  Eagerly waiting for this to be made into a film.  

J'adore JJ Martin's La DoubleJ brand.  The vibrant prints are the epitome of gioia di vivere (joie de vivre in Italian).  Ms. Martin wrote a beautiful essay for Vogue on what life is like now in Italy, and how she is coping. 

Not getting to Washington D.C. to see the Cherry Blossoms this year?  Well, the National Mall introduced BloomCam this week, to watch from your very own home. 

While I am not the biggest Mid-Century Modern fan, this video of Dakota Johnson's home is entertaining. If only for the game of 'spot the Gucci loafers' in each room. wink

Cleaning make-up brushes 101.  Worth a try. 

A little escapism, courtesy of the one and only Mr. Miles Redd and Mr. David Kaihoi.

image above by the chic CeCe Barfield Thompson, from her project in Locust Valley, NY

At home...

Hi Friends,

To say we are living in strange, scary, overwhelming times, is an understatement.  It seems tone deaf to discuss material things I am eyeing for Spring, shoes, sales, art exhibits, et cetera.  So what do I do?

In the coming days/weeks I'll share some of my coping mechanisms: how I'm distracting myself, what I'm cooking/baking, and what I am reading.   Please share yours too! We are in this together.

The image above is of my bedroom, in my apartment, in NYC.

Earlier this week when I couldn't bear another news conference, I turned the television off and decided to make my bed.  I make my bed every day, but this was different.  After stripping everything off, I rotated my mattress, admittedly with a lot of breaks.  Once fully rotated, out came my favorite set of sheets from Serena & Lily (sadly the scallop edge set are no longer on the site); and duvet cover (similar).  Lastly, I topped it all off with my Hill House Home monogrammed shams, bringing back fond memories of Summer, Sag Harbor and Goop.   If now isn't a time to pull out all of your favorites and use them, than I do not know when is.

I cleared off my bedside table, putting the remotes and thermometer away (obsessed!), 

and moved books to the forefront. 

I can happily say that this took up a large amount of time, and felt an immense sense of accomplishment afterwards.  

I'm a firm believer in the importance surrounding yourself with things that make you happy.  Pull out the fancy glasses, put on your favorite sweater, call your best friend.  We all need it!

image by me, EJT

Shoeday Saturday...

Contained at home edition!

Gucci fleece-lined slippers, at home luxury.

image via MATCHESFASHION

Dream Decorator Showhouse... Day 5

The room where I wouldn't change a thing... the kitchen!

I would add a bookshelf somewhere for cookbooks, but truly that is the only change I would make.

I love it, and would do the space the exact same way again today!

Favorite pieces in my kitchen:

Stripe runner, very Mark D. Sikes,

Staub tea kettle, yes, I have the Goop one!

Murchison-Hume dish soap, very Nancy Meyers inspired,

Pendant lights, I put clear bulbs in them and they are perfectly bright,

Tulip table, mine is from Amazon, but this is a good one,

Serena & Lily Riviera counter stool,

I did very well at Madeline Weinrib sample sales, from rugs to fabric.  My entire banquette is MW, a closeup photo below.

Dream Decorator Showhouse... Day 4

The Bedroom, I have one name - Aerin Lauder.

Do you follow her on instagram?  If not, you should.   Everything she touches turns to chic.  Her New York City bedroom might be my all time favorite space, and given the chance, I would copy it to a T.

Serene, warm, cozy, exactly what you want in a bedroom.  There is some debate as to whether the walls are suede or velvet. I believe they are velvet, with ivory painted trim.  Naturally, the space is accented with Aerin lighting and fresh flowers.   More often than not, the bed is adorned with a silk bedspread from E. Braun & Co., and she is a known fan of D. Porthault linens. 

I would cover my walls in greige velvet, as Aerin did, while keeping my Osborne & Little Selati shades (sadly, the print has been discontinued) and Serena & Lily bed (pattern also discontinued).  I would add a set of custom grasscloth nightstands from CEH and naturally, lighting from Aerin - task and floor.

Add a soft ivory carpet and it is the best room in the house!

all images via instagram.com/aerinlauder

Dream Decorator Showhouse... Day 3

The Entry.  
I live in New York City apartment, it's not small, but not large. The entry is your first impression on a space, not just for you, but for your guests.  Have fun with this.
It goes against the norm, but if I could do things over, I would paint this space a navy lacquer/high gloss.  Now, hear me out...  it is a small, windowless space, the glossy walls will bounce light from the kitchen and living room, not to mention highlight my gorgeous Juliska pendant (I have a similar version).  Paired with a simple oversized mirror, the space will be warm and inviting.  

I had an upholstered bench made a few years ago, similar to the Serena & Lily bench above, and I absolutely love it.  Light grey linen fabric with grosgrain trim, it is too pretty to sit on. Add in an area rug in an unexpected pattern, the Stark Antelocarpa rug has been a long time favorite.  

Last but not least, don't forget your front door.  I wish I had known about this years ago.  Miles Redd is the king of upholstering doors, and I am a huge fan.  The one shown is a bit bright for me, I'd pick an all over navy fabric with nickel nailheads.  

Dream Decorator Showhouse... Day 2

The living room, another way.
This layout is fairly close to what is currently in my living room.   Benjamin Moore's Bunny Grey is a perfect pale grey, just enough color while remaining neutral.  I would paint the room in this shade again, though this time I would put a high gloss finish.

My most favorite floor lamp ever, I would have this style in every room if I could. Ralph Lauren Anette floor lamp.

Purchasing a couch without sitting on it first is not ideal, but this Miles Talbott piece from One Kings Lane checks off a lot of boxes, skirted, trim, classic style.

Oomph makes the most charming accent chairs.  A scalloped slipper chair makes my heart smile, and covered in Quadrille in Arbre de Matisse reverse is pure euphoria. 

Confession, I own this rug. And, I would buy it again, and again, and again.

Serena & Lily blake raffia coffee table.  A piece that has been on my wishlist for years. 

In a dream world, I would have a collection of Kate Schelter watercolors adorning my wall.  I love the whimsey and familiarity of her pieces.

Dream Decorator Showhouse... Day 1

Anyone else dream of furniture plans?  Get really excited by lighting? Salivate at beautiful wallpaper?  I certainly do.  

As someone who appreciates a beautiful and thought-out space, it is fun to reimagine spaces and see different personalities come thru.

When I think of designing a space, I tend to think of my own apartment space, if I could change the space in any way, what would I do?

I would add a fireplace bench in a heartbeat, and lighting all over because the space is dark.  

I like the mix of traditional and modern: a jute rug and modern textured sofa; a wicker floor lamp and clustered marble scones.  To me, it is a testament to good design, if something is made well, it doesn't matter what era it is from.

This week will feature furniture plans filled with pieces that I love.

First up, a neutral modern take on my living room. 

L'aviva home Piedra lighting, inspired by carved masks in Mexico, the scones are carved out of onyx and marble.  Imagine a cluster of lights in various materials on the wall. 

Polar sofa by Jean Royère, this is a reissue from the 1940s.  An investment for sure, and a statement piece you will have forever.

Paavo Tyneli 9602 floor lamp with wicker shade.  The piece was designed for the Hotel Aulanko in 1935.

Serena & Lily blake raffia coffee table.   This table is one of my favorite all time pieces.  Durable, timeless, and works in nearly any space.

Delbarton jute rug, a little texture, a little warmth, only gets better with age.

Serena & Lily piccadilly chair, upholstered in Schumacher gainsborough velvet delft fabric.  A little pop of blue that ties into the ceiling wallpaper...

Ed note: I struggle with furniture legs, I would add a  box-skirt to cover them

Celerie Kemble for feather bloom wallpaper in dove. My ceiling is pretty evenly divided by beams, I've always envisioned wallpapering between the beams.  A bold print in subtle colors.  (If the ceiling doesn't work, I dream of covering an entire space in this pattern, walls and ceiling) 

High gloss everything!  A little sheen adds such elegance to the room.  Farrow & Ball in Blackened on the walls, baseboards, trim, everywhere!

Shoeday Saturday...

Tights edition!

For Fall 2020 the brilliant Virginie Viard created a line of modern wearable pieces.  But the piece de resistance, double C sheer tights.  On quick glance they look like sheer swiss dot tights, a personal favorite.  If you look closely you see the iconic double C Chanel logo.  Where can I pre-order a pair?!

image via vogue.com Chanel FW 2020

What's your sign...

The rarest of the rare, the Van Cleef & Arpels zodiac pendant.  Debuting in the 1960s-1970s, and not continued, the pendants are extremely difficult to find and highly in demand.  
Start saving those pennies...  

Back in Black...

Confession: I love black nail polish.  So much so, that this winter I purchased a bottle of Chanel black polish, I cannot recall the last bottle of nail polish I owned.

Leslie Fremar has styled Charlize Theron for years, and often suggests a black manicure.  

Most recently, Valentino featured short black painted nails on the runway.  Always elegant, always chic.

Pardon me while I book a manicure.

image via vogue.com - Valentino F/W 2020

Spring flowers...

A sure sign of Spring... flowers popping up everywhere!

How darling are these wallets from Prada.

All available at Saks.com

Denim dress...

Years ago I purchased a denim dress from Isabel Marant Etoile.  A denim dress isn't something that I really thought I would wear, but it turned out to be a piece that I constantly gravitate towards. So much so that I also own the dress in white denim.   

Fast forward to today, I spied this version from See by Chloe.  I like the scallop detail and appears would transition from lunches in the city picnics at the beach with ease.