Lola Update

Lovely little Lola was sent to school in mid-September.  She did not want to get on the trailer (thank goodness for Molly's help) and reluctantly left the life she loved on the farm.  But work ensued and no one retires here without at least one year end title but she's got plenty of time only being three years old.  I'm like a proud mother watching her kid at the first soccer training camp.  She's getting good reports and seems like being a "hunter" rather than a very slow race horse.  I'm going next week for a visit so until then here's her first photo from camp.

Super Sega's Perpetual Trophy

I wanted to do something in honor of "Super Sega" so we are donating a perpetual trophy in her honor at the year end final show of our circuit here in Virginia.  Can't wait to bring Sega out to present the award.  She'll be in horse show heaven all groomed, with a cooler on, under the lights. We may even braid her.  Here's the trophy.  We'll take some photos when we make the award in a few weeks.  You can't read the engraving but it has her name on it.  It will be here long after all of us are gone!

Phillip Jeffries Wallpaper

I'm in love with Phillip Jeffries' grasscloth.  If you've never heard of him let me enlighten you here.

His grasscloth comes in every color imaginable. I used a bright kelly green in my upstairs back hall, a wasted space, too big to be plain white and too small to do anything with.  I am filling the walls with old family photos and horse show photos.

Manila Hemp is the pattern I like the most and it comes in over 40 colors, many very bright and bold. Believe me, this is not your 1970's grandmother's grasscloth.  

My living room has been packed to the hilt with excess furniture and I am getting ready to clear it out and decorate.  I painted the walls yellow but it's so dated now.  The room is large, nine foot ceilings, four windows and a fireplace. It needs something to make it pop.  So Philip Jeffries here we come.  But I have to decide on a color.  That will be difficult.

I'm thinking aqua, greens, blues, maybe a beige with some other colors thrown in.  Nothing dull, it must pop out, add texture and depth to what could be a plain and boxy room.

He makes some interesting coverings.  See his web site for more detail. 

A Few of My Favorite Things

There are some things that you become accustomed to having in your life, your own essentials, so to speak. We all have them. These are the things that you use every day, or every season.  What are yours?  Here are some of mine:

1. Lafco Candles
I have several of these placed around the house and they are just the best candle.  They last forever and come in so many colors, fragrances, one for every room in the house.  It's hard to pick there are so many options.  See more here.

2. Christian Dior Mascara
I don't wear a lot of make-up but the one thing I use every day is this. I feel naked without my trusty Dior mascara.   See it here.

3. Dubarry Boots
In winter I wear these all the time.  I like the shorter model like the one shown below.  Some prefer the taller boots. They are warm, waterproof, stylish in a country sort of way.  See them here.

4. Belgian Loafers
These are the most comfortable shoes on the planet. I have a new pair for fall and cannot wait to wear them. And they last forever. See them here.

5. Monogrammed Stationary
People don't use snail mail anymore but I do.  I love personalized stationary, engraved is best.  There is something old fashioned about having your own monogrammed stationary.  I don't like stationary with your name on it, just the monogram. See it here.

6. Arcteryx Anything
After a few ski trips to the Canadian Rockies in January you learn what to wear.  Nothing is warmer than Arcteryx.  It beats Patagonia and Marmot hands down. North Face is not warm (ask me how I know).  I love this vest and wear it all winter.  It also comes in long sleeves which I also have and a hoody.  See it here.

7. A Good Handbag
Just like cheap shoes, a bad handbag cheapens everything else you wear.  Have at least one in brown and black. I have owned this Gucci model for 20 years and still going! See it here.

8. Linen Napkins
I rarely serve a meal without a cloth napkin.  There's something about having a linen napkin or a good quality cotton one when you dine. This is my favorite brand and they made tons of colors. See it here.

9. Erno Lazlo Normalizer
I use this as foundation and it's not heavy, greasy.  Jackie O used it, as did Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe. Hey, it worked for them.  No kidding, this stuff has a cult following and once you use it you'll definitely understand.  And it can be hard to come by.  Wonder if they are rationing it or it really is in that much demand.  See it here.

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10. Marmot Rain Jacket
In the country you spend a lot of time outdoors, regardless of weather.  And the golden rule of horse showing is that if it can rain, it will.  Never go to a show without rain gear.  I love this jacket and it hangs in my mudroom or it's with me when I am showing.  This is my favorite. See it here.

Enjoy your day!

The Age of the Cocktail Party

Why have we become so informal?  I miss the age of the Cocktail Party.  Growing up my parents went to cocktail parties routinely and one old family friend used to have this extravagant party every year on Christmas Eve. We'd get dressed up, the house was packed.  Waiters everywhere served drinks off real silver platters.  It was divine.  When the head of the household passed probably 7-8 years ago the parties declined, moved to the daughter's house which was smaller and could not accommodate us all, everyone showed up.  No one wanted to miss the coveted invitation.

Why have we gotten away from dressing up, having a nice cocktail party?  I would love to host a fabulous cocktail party, IF everyone would dress stylishly and come like we all used to do. Why don't we do this anymore?  Do we not appreciate a nice stylish function? 

There are some great clothes out there now just waiting for an invitation like this tunic from Tory Burch.  Tory probably goes to a lot of parties in New York and needs an entire cocktail wardrobe.  Many years ago when I lived in DC, I had a cocktail wardrobe although I didn't use it as much as I would have liked.

I despise the informality of our lives now.  Jeans to work, sweats to work, grunge everywhere. Just look at J Crew now, all sweats, sport shoes, nothing tailored and nice like they used to produce en mass.   I wore panty hose, dresses and heals when I worked in DC and never wore pants to work.  We just didn't do it and were expected to look nice. But I did work in a big law firm.  But still, why have we become so slovenly?

New resolution - party on the horizon, formal cocktails or bust.  Spread the trend, please!

My Secret Wish List

We all have a secret wish list, don't we?  Things we'd love to own one day, only if...........
When I was a little girl, the Talbots catalog would arrive and I'd thumb through it circling everything I'd love to own, one day: Herman Geist t-shirts in every color.....This was when Talbots and Carroll Reed were the places to shop.  I still have a list and unfortunately, my taste has skyrocketed in price...

1) Elizabeth Locke Anything
I don't covet jewelry like many do but one day I'd love to have a piece made by Elizabeth Locke.  Everything she produces is just divine.  

 2) A Chanel Jacket
I'm hoping I will find one of these one day second hand, maybe in Paris.  This would get worn every week.

 3) This Hermes Scarf
I'm not sure why I love this pattern so much. If I see one, I'll scoop it up for sure.

 4) Monogrammed Napkins from Madison in Dallas
I almost pulled the lever on these last year but not quite, in pink.

 5) County Estate China
Would just love to own a set of this in the beige color.

 6) Roger Vivier Shoes
I don't know if these would fit, but I adore them.  Any color will do.

 7) This Tory Burch Bag
This reminds me of a "ladies who lunch" bag but I love it.  Any color.

What's on your secret wish list? Santa? 

T is for Tartan

I am loving the tartan look this fall in tunics and dresses.  A Devon Baer tunic has been on my wish list for quite some time.  This will look great with jeans, wool pants, whatever!

This adorable wool dress is on sale at Brooks Brothers. Great dress for the holidays!

And this Marc Jacobs number is a must for spring or cruise if you are heading south later this winter, or if you live in a warm climate.

 

We survived the weather last night, howling winds, rain, rain and more needed rain.  Enjoy your Wednesday in style!