RIP Charismatic

It's always sad when a great champion passes away and the Derby and Preakness winner, Charismatic died unexpectedly in Kentucky over the weekend.  He won the 1999 Derby, the Preakness and was saved by his heroic jockey, Chris Antley, in the Belmont where he finished second. Antley pulled him up immediately at the race, and held his fractured ankle, saving him, many said from a life threatening injury. Lucky for him it was only career-ending.

Charismatic was owned by the late Robert Lewis and his wife, Beverly Lewis, who bought the horse for $200,000.  In less than four months in 1999, he went from a claimer at Santa Anita to the Kentucky Derby. 


Charismatic retired with a record of 5 wins in 17 starts and earnings of $2,038,064. In addition to the title of Horse of the Year, Charismatic was honored as the outstanding 3-year-old male of 1999.
Charismatic began his stud career at co-breeder William S. Farish’s Lane’s End in 2000. He moved to Japan beginning with the 2003 breeding season, after being purchased by the Japan Racing Association.

From 426 foals of racing age, Charismatic is the sire of 374 starters and 265 winners for progeny earnings of more than $44.5 million. His runners in the United States were led by Sun King, who won four graded stakes, including the 2005 Pennsylvania Derby, and earned more than $2.2 million. He placed in eight Grade 1 events. Charismatic also is the sire of Grade 3 winner Gouldings Green and Wonder Acute, a multiple group stakes winner in Japan.


Charismatic was pensioned at the end of last year in order to move to Old Friends, a retirement home for race horses, which had publicly said several times in the past that it stood ready to accept him upon the end of his stud career. His return journey was sponsored in large part by a gift from his former owners via their Robert and Beverly Lewis Foundation. The Lewises’ other Derby and Preakness winner, Silver Charm (1997), also calls Old Friends home. Tito’s Handmade Vodka, another supporter of Old Friends, also made a donation in support of Charismatic.

“The sad part is that he was doing so well,” Lukas said. “They made such an effort to get him home. And when I went out and looked at him I couldn’t believe the condition of him. He was in beautiful shape. We spent the day out there with him and took pictures and everything and it looked like it was going to be forever. But you never can predict these things, and they don't know, I think, really what happened yet.

Charismatic is now with his former jockey, Chris Antley who died at age 34, after battling depression and drugs much of his life.  It's sad that he wasn't able to enjoy his retirement.  May he rest in peace.

Mules are In

The new "Backless Loafer" (or mules as we've always called them) is all the rage this season. For us "hard to fit" ladies, with narrow heels, we've been wearing these for years. These cute suede mules are at Nordstrom.  See them here.

These will go with jeans nicely.  See them here.

These will make great summer staples. See them here.

  These come in several colors. See them here.

These will spruce up your spring wardrobe for sure. See them here.

And I love these!  These will go with everything!  See them here.

Another great pair for spring and summer.  These also come in black and beige. See them here.

 These will go with everything!  See them here.

And since we all know that leopard is a neutral, these too will go with everything. See them here.

If the shoe fits, wear it!

Chronicle of the Horse Exhibit at the National Sporting Library

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of attending a private showing at the National Sporting Life Library in Middleburg, VA.  If you've never been add it to your list.  The Museum is one of a kind and it sits next door to the Chronicle of the Horse offices. The library has a collection of sporting life books that is next to none and they routinely house art exhibitions. The current exhibition showcases art from the covers of the Chronicle, going back to the mid 1940's.

The buildings are lovely.

If you are not familiar with the Chronicle, it's a bi-weekly magazine that covers the horse world - hunter/jumpers, dressage, driving, fox hunting, endurance (a bit). It's been in print since the 1940's and it's the "Bible" for these sports. On the cover of each issue is artwork. The paintings and sculptures in this exhibit were featured on one of the covers.

 This sculpture is huge!

Here is an early COTH cover.  This painting was in the exhibit. If you have not been to this lovely museum please put it on your list. You won't be disappointed!

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

The Good
I am loving this cute spring jacket from J McLaughlin. This will go with everything. It was on the cover of their new resort catalog.

The Bad
Amal Clooney has to be one of the stylish women in the world and her great figure allows her to look fantastic in anything she wears. But every now and then she misses major league.  And this dress costs a mere $1800.  Wow!

The Ugly
Is there anyone on the planet other than Karli Kloss who could pull this off? Anyone?

(J Crew)

 

Chanelesque Jacket

A Chanel jacket is something I always wished I had purchased many years ago, as I'm certain I would have gotten my money out of it by now.  It's a huge investment, one I doubt I'd have the nerve to make today, but there are alternatives out there and this new arrival from J Crew is pretty close.  I'm not a clothes hound, but some pieces are worth the investment.  My Max Mara camel coat, an old Armani suit, a very Jackie O suit that I bought at Barneys 20 years ago (and still wear) are some good examples. See this lovely jacket here.  I think this one would be worth the investment, don't you?

Salad Plate Bonanza

Mixing and matching plates is a great way to add fun and flair to your table, not to mention, that setting a nice table is a great way to add spice to a dinner party, make dining fun again.  There is nothing nicer than a lovely table setting.  I love to buy salad plates, so that I am able to mix and match. Buy a set of white plates from T J Maxx, some chargers, and then go for it.  I also keep a stash of plates in my gift cubbard. They make great hostess gifts.

These cute bunny plates are very reasonably priced at Pier One.  See them here.

 

 (Pottery Barn)

(Pottery Barn - on sale)

I love these Gien salad plates, great for a country house.  See them here.

These plates from Scully & Scully will also look great on a tabletop in a country house. See them here.

These topiary plates scream Tory Burch house in the Hamptons. See them here.

And of course, there are the equestrian plates.  I have a set of the show jumping plates.  I use them with white china and black or red napkins.  See them here.

Love is in the Air

I love the story of Tory Burch's parents (we know where the glamour came from)..............

“I can’t think of a more romantic — or glamorous — couple than my parents, Buddy and Reva. Before they met each other, they had each had colorful love lives (Mom dated Steve McQueen; Dad stepped out once or twice with Grace Kelly). But when they met, they had instant chemistry — and they were everything to each other for the next 50 years.

“In 1961, they jumped in my father’s convertible BMW and eloped to Old Sturbridge Village, Massachusetts. They spent their honeymoon with champagne and sandwiches in a small New England hotel. They were never apart afterward.

“They traveled — every summer, for six weeks, taking a big steamer ship to Italy, France, Greece and Morocco. They celebrated an official honeymoon at La Mamounia in Marrakech, and kept going back every few years. And every single day they were, in my mother’s words, ‘mad for each other.'” — Tory 

True romantic love does exist. I also love her new fragrance, Love Relentlessly, which would make a great Valentine's Day present for us girls and it smells divine.  You can see it here.

Bunny Fever

Pottery Barn has gone "bunny wild" this year it seems and just in time to set a cute new spring table.  This stuff is just too cute.

(Pottery Barn)

This is so adorable. See them here.

I love these with the white plates and the dark rattan chargers.  A great look for sure.

 (Pottery Barn)

And then there are napkins, and runners, and tablecloths......

(Pottery Barn)

(Pottery Barn)

(Outdoor Bunny)

Bunny Heaven!