And Summer Comes

Wow! It has been a busy, exciting and hectic week; acting as NYC tour guides to relatives in from CA, getting forms and things ready for various camps and trips, meeting new and talented young people, working on some fun projects and just soaking it all in as we head into Summer 2011!

So, now, my plans for the first weekend of summer are to relax with my husband Bob, spend lazy time with my kids, walk barefoot in the grass with our dogs, practice cartwheels in the yard,

give lots of hugs (only to people I know!),
rest up in the hammock, put caperberries in my drink (not so easy to find all the time - but worth it)

and just be lazy... at least until Monday comes.

What's in store for you?

Because this is the mood I'm in - what about you?

Dhyāna

I took these photos recently while touring gardens in Bucks County, PA.

Weiner's a No Show at Nobu

Rear of a peacock in full strut at Paxon Hill Farm, Solebury, PA

Here's a thought for you:

Facebook, twitter, email.
Had Congressman Andrew Weiner used snail mail instead of any of these social media platforms (with fabulous personalized stationery created by Orrganics just for him of course - and yes, I could have come up a very manly motif), maybe he wouldn't be in this humiliating and viral mess.

And, "just to be clear," despite being seated with CW and Huma at a small dinner party a few years back (location and date: Nobu, Bahamas over New Year's Eve 2008), I can assure you that I have no photos of Mr. Weiner - in whole or in part - from that evening, nor any other moment in time or place.

What? I'm just saying...

Oh, and one last thought ... Arnold who?

In full plumage

Bond. James Bond. And who are you?

The white dinner jacket. "Did I have you at hello?"  

Need I say more to conjure up the picture of the debonair, well-dressed man? Thinking Sean Connery anyone? George Clooney, Daniel Craig...
Oh, I wandered a bit - yes, back to the story.

The white dinner jacket. Not even in the same category as the light blue tux by way of alternative to the traditional and elegant black tuxedo. So what is the history of this oh so fabulous look?

Well,  - in short - it is said to have come into fashion in America in the 1930s/40s via Humphrey Bogart - Casablanca anyone - along with the integration of the black dinner jacket as a de facto evening wear  alternative to the more formal coat and tails (the tailcoat).  It emerged in the 20s and 30s as a way for wealthy men vacationing in warmer climates to dress formally for dinner without feeling the heaviness of the dark color.

The white dinner jacket is traditionally never worn in England - except abroad - which by interpretation would mean - never worn in England. It is traditionally worn only after Memorial Day (Easter in the South) and not after Labor Day (except for Prom, in which case anytime is fine) unless you are schmoozing in the tropics.  Style wise; note that the labels on a white dinner jacket are of the same fabric as the jacket - differing from the black tuxedo jacket which has satin lapels or collar.

White or black, going for a classic and formal look, the results are  Über fabulous, just like this  timeless wedding invitation we created recently.

Yes, it was Prom.
And congrats to some of my favorite clients - Becky and Joey!

FYI:
The black tuxedo jacket as the replacement for the formal longer coat and tails has its own interesting history. It is reported to have been spotted for the first time in the US in - where else - Tuxedo Park, NY in 1886 after some say a guest reportedly cut off his "own tails";  others attribute the new style to Pierre Lorillard IV, in NYC, or the Prince of Wales who had one made for him by his own tailors in or around 1860. It was at first the informal alternative to the tailcoat worn by the upper classes to dinner, then it was viewed as semi formal attire until finally after World War II it became what is now the fashion for special occasion and formal attire.

How Easy is That?

As you already know, I love farmers' markets - fresh, organic and so much color!

Not to disappoint, we were at The New Hope Farmers' Market yesterday (every Thursday now thru November) at it's new location on Route 202 near The Giant. While we prefer last year's location at The High School, we are glad it is here.

One of the many veggies we bought was kale - at the request of my 11 year old (I kid you not). And, apparently I did not buy enough. Here is what we did to cook it up:  

Clean the kale well and then chop it up into pieces about 1/2 inch but not too small.

Cook it down in a skillet with some olive oil, garlic and a bit of sea salt.

All done.

How easy was that?

Think of it as an alternative to the typical Memorial Day sides.

We served it up with some steaks.

We loved the rainbow greens but bought the kale instead (pink arrow)

Enjoy!

The Paper Runway

Earlier this the week I was in NYC for the National Stationery Show. Picked up a new line, connected with some vendors & walked right into a paper fashion show. All the outfits were created by fashion and visual merchandising students out of paper. Here are some pics - really unbelievable work. The winner, "voted on by America," (well at least those that attended the Show) will receive cash and a window display at Kate's Paperie during Fashion Week. Really puts to shame the old version of paper dolls wouldn't ya say! Which one is your favorite?

Notice the handmade paper - just like the mulberry paper I made in Israel last summer.

A "leather" number

Serious 

Spring Luncheon Attire!

Love the scarf - reminds me of Ya Living's handmade scarves from India

I feel a little "Dickens" here

Even the dog is made from paper!

Have You Seen a Double?

Driving home from Somewhere last week, as I came Over the hill,  I was confronted head on, through my car window, with one of the prettiest and most magical sights -  The Rainbow. It took my breath away and put a smile on my face. And, adding to the splendor was the fact that it was a double. The lime green field is pretty impressive too!

Some of my favorite quotes from The Wizard of Oz:


"Are you a good witch or a bad witch?"


"...But, some people without brains do an awful lot of talking...don't they?"


"A heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others."

Do you have a favorite quote from this movie? Please share!