Festive Tablesetting...

While the holidays near and guests are days away from arriving there is much to do! Well, I'm not hosting - but I can imagine. I collected a few beautiful images for entertaining with style. Cut some greens, light a few candles and don't forget the sparkle. {images via pinterest} x

Summer Picnic...

Had a wonderfully spontaneous adventure to Millennium Park for their Monday night free concert series. Danielle from Breakfast at Toast posted pics from our evening and put together perfect items for your own summer picnic. 

Thinking of Rome...

I have always wanted to visit Italy. I saw Eat, Pray, Love this weekend with girlfriends and can't stop thinking about eating, cooking and traveling in Rome. Let's go!

Stay:

St Regis Grand

New York Times Restaurant Recommendations:

Antica Pesa, Via Garibaldi, 18. A combination of traditional and more modern food. Supposedly a celebrity haunt, but it seemed pretty down-to-earth.
Giolitti, Via Uffici del Vicario, 40. An old classic for gelato. Try the rice and chocolate flavors.
Le Mani in Pasta, Via dei Genovesi, 37. Off the beaten track in Trastevere, but worth the trip. Mostly locals, and excellent food.
Pierluigi, Piazza dé Ricci, 144. Really popular and good for people watching.
Roscioli, Via dei Giubbonari, 21. Really fabulous bakery and restaurant for lunch or dinner. If you go at lunch, they will bring out a big thing of risotto — and within minutes it’s gone.
San Crispino, Via della Panetteria, 42. For inventive, modern gelato.
Sangallo ai Coronari, Via dei Coronari, 180. More creative cuisine combined with traditional. Nice patio.


Scoot Around on a Vespa: Barberini Scooters, Via della Purificazione, 84

Walking Tour of the Eternal City: I Love Rome

Cooking Classes: Italian Gourmet

Wine Tasting: Vino Roma

Outdoor Market: Campo dei Fiore

{images via j.crew catalogue via escapade, flickr, just food now}

French Party Kit...

PetitMoulin's Etsy shop has a 24-piece French themed party kit that is precious!

Boyfriend/Girlfriend Collection...

LA Designer Rachel Pally teamed up with boyfriend Kevin Circota to create a menswear-inspired-womenswear line that "defines the new urban hippie, where the city meets the beach." The Boyfriend/Girlfriend line launching this fall 2010, was inspired by "Love, fun and the pursuit of the perfect shirt," which comes across in their casual lookbook and the Sunny Sundays video of the couple cruising on bikes in Venice Beach. The collection will be available on Shopbop and Singer22 in coming months and I can't wait to channel my inner hippie when it does. Check out their interview on d~luxelist.

Splendid + Kimmel Kids in So Cal...

Kimmel Kids is hosting a fantastic new event with Splendid this weekend! I will have to live vicariously through those who get to enjoy on the west coast.

The event will be held on June 5th from 11AM to 2PM at Splendid Boutique in Los Angeles. All families and friends are invited to celebrate summertime with cool crafts workshops where you can create original art and unique accessories, while cooling off with tasty Ciao Bella Gelato.

RSVP: splendid@tractenberg.com

NYC: Hot Summer in the City Guides...

On the stands right now are great summer guides for all kinds of city fun. Time Out New York created a list of staycations, and Yelp, a summery guide of outdoor escapes that will entertain while your friends are off at their summer shares. If you find yourself in a panic with open weekends on the calendar in the hot months ahead - fear not, there's so much to do! My favorite is Vanity Fair's Summer Guide.

DIY: Mason Jar Lanterns...

I love backyard entertaining, barn weddings and all of the DIY decor that goes along with these rustic scenes. I found this DIY for mason jar lanterns and had to share. {image via sunset}

Sia at Terminal 5...

Last night I saw Sia on stage at Terminal 5 in NYC. It was amazing, and I highly recommend getting tickets to see her 'We Meaning You Tour' in a city near you - she has such powerful voice and fun cheeky personality:) I love this MTV live version of her doing 'Clap Your Hands'.

Apricot...

I love short films. APRICOT - Short Film by Ben Briand (sponsored by his incredible actors and crew) from Moonwalk Films on Vimeo. {via stephanie says}

New York City Concerts...

I'm getting that desire to run around the city - music venue hopping. Here are a few upcoming concerts this spring/summer that you can't miss!

The Whitest Boy Alive 4/21 at the Music Hall of Williamsburg
The Morning Benders 4/24 at the Music Hall of Williamsburg
Shout out Louds 5/5 at Webster Hall
Sia 5/6 at Terminal 5
Mumford and Sons 5/18 at Webster Hall
Pearl Jam 5/20-5/21 at Madison Square Garden
LCD Soundsystem 5/22 at Terminal 5
Broken Bells 6/5 at The Fillmore NYC
The National 6/16 at Radio City Music Hall
Passion Pit 6/29 at Prospect Park in Brooklyn
Jack Johnson 7/14 at Madison Square Garden
Seu Jorge 7/30 at Terminal 5
Cat Power 7/31 PNC Bank Arts Center

Banner Banter...

I just love these banners! Fun signage for random occassions.

25 Best Films about New York...

A couple years back Vanity Fair editors made a grand list of their favorite films about my favorite city—I posted in 2008, but am revisting. Here are VF's 25 best films about New York again;)

Executive Suite (1954), directed by Robert Wise

Lover Come Back (1961), directed by Delbert Mann

Working Girl (1988), directed by Mike Nichols

Annie Hall (1971), directed by Woody Allen

Manhattan (1979), directed by Woody Allen

The Warriors (1979), directed by Walter Hill

King Kong (1933), directed by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack

Raging Bull (1980), directed by Martin Scorsese

Saturday Night Fever (1977), directed by John Badham

The Best of Everything (1959,) directed by Jean Negulesco

Wall Street (1987), directed by Oliver Stone

The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974), directed by Joseph Sargent

Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961), directed by Blake Edwards

Angels in America (2003), directed by Mike Nichols

Mean Streets (1973), directed by Martin Scorsese

Ghostbusters (1984), directed by Ivan Reitman

Dog Day Afternoon (1975), directed by Sidney Lumet

The Apartment (1960), directed by Billy Wilder

All About Eve (1950,) directed by Joseph Mankiewicz

West Side Story (1961), directed by Jerome Robbins and Robert Wise

Speedy (1928), directed by Ted Wilde

Taxi Driver (1976), directed by Martin Scorsese

Midnight Cowboy (1969), directed by John Schlesinger

The Sweet Smell of Success (1957), directed by Alexander Mackendrick

Goodfellas (1990), directed by Martin Scorsese

Guest Blogger: Keely from Luxe & Lillies...

Hello! I'm Keely from luxe + lillies! On my blog I enjoy sharing things that I love, come across along the way, and other fabulous interior design, fashion, and food musings. Today I am sharing what is possibly my favorite post ever. On my mind since the depths of winter is always the coming of spring and being able to eat and entertain outside! This garden party is the perfect way to bring your friends and family together and get them excited about the sunny blue skies, and warmer temperatures (and not to mention, impress them with your extraordinary hostess skills!) Hopefully you will find some inspiring ideas, and fall in love with some of the creations (like Paper Anniversary's paper cards and invitations)that I have come to love. And of course, a big thanks to Sarah!

{click images to enlarge}

{images via bakerella, weeping cherries, martha stewart living, beloblog, haute design, this is glamorous, totally tabletops, hostess with the mostess, zinke design, target, pottery barn, concrete and honey}

Crosby Street Hotel Sunday Movies...

The Crosby Street Hotel in Soho launched Sunday Night Film Club! It’s open to guests and public – dinner and a movie for $50 per person or cocktail, bar plate and movie for $25 per person. Dinner & cocktails are served in the Crosby bar and the movie is viewed in their 100 seat cinema at 8pm. I can't wait;)


March 28th The Hurt Locker
April 4th Up
April 11th Crazy Heart
April 18th Avatar (3D)

Sunday Special: Oscar's Best Dressed...

My picks for who was best dressed on the red carpet tonight. Demi in Atelier Versace, Rachel in Elie Saab Haute couture, Julianne in custom Calvin Klein and Elizabeth in Versace. {images via People Style Watch}

Oscar Party...

I love the Academy Awards and thought I'd share a few simple recipes for a last minute Oscar Party. Roll out the red carpet!

My theme for Sunday, is everything with cheese!

Burrata & Heirloom Tomato Salad
Asparagus, Goat Cheese and Lemon Pasta
Oreo Cream Cheese Dessert
Popcorn with butter and shaved Parmesan Cheese

Ballot for Oscar Party!

Rosé + Mediterranean Sunset...

I'm dreaming of all shades of pink and drinking crisp rosé on the veranda of a Mediterranean Island at Sunset.

1. Tibi Dress 2. Charm & Chain Necklace 3. Chewing Gum 4. Fresh Lipgloss 5. Riedel Wine Glass 6. Chanel Perfume 7. Vintage Scarf 8. Chairs

Hermes Men's Store Opening in NYC...

There may have been a few cancelled parties this week due to weather, but the highlight of my week was attending the Hermes Men's Store opening. Escalades drove guests from the store to the Armory on the Upper East Side to a party that was complete with 5 themed rooms. Game room, with ping pong, pool tables, shuffle board, sliders and fries. A library styled wine tasting room with lobster tails and glorious cheeses! A jazz club inspired room with dark leather tufted booths where we drank champagne and ate oysters and listened to live bands. A waterfront dock themed room with dumplings and crepes and finally at 10pm the center room became a club with a dj spinning everything from Gaga to JZ.

10 Things I Loved This Week...

click image to enlarge

Stories from India on Daydream Lily
Bar carts at Plush Palate
List of songs on Hula Seventy

Cheese buffet at Sunday Suppers

Quiet weekend pics in San Diego on Fern and Feather

80s Family Feud party at You are my Fave

Falling Garden on This is for you

Vintage tins at Café Cartolina

This week's what to wear series on the Feather Report

This eclectic entryway on greige

Spring & Stripes on Coco & Kelley