fabulous finds

in no particular order, here are some people and things that I cannot simply get enough of:

Glamourous, gorgeous gray of all hues and all sort. In my bumble opinion, gray is the most versatile colour, from casual t's to formal tuxedos and gowns, to paint and jewelry, gray is always en vogue. It's the perfect canvas for every occasion.

I love denim that's not overly worked. Leave those super whiskered, beyond destroyed, hanging-by-a-thread jeans for yardwork and camping.

Dior Homme jeans - classic fabrics, modern silhouettes, streamline, not-so-tight-we-can-tell-your-religion, not-so-baggy that you lose shape, these jeans are casual, comfortable, and certifiably cool.

The Fiat 500 is finally available in the US, and I think I must. have. now! And speaking of things available for the first time in the US, MAGNUM ICE CREAM BARS are here, too! Happiness. Pure happiness.

Two kitchen ranges you should know, own, and use frequently: Staub and Shun. Staub, makers of enamel coated cast iron cookery from France, and Shun, makers of my favourite Edo collection of knives, are masters of their craft. Classic, time-tested kitchen traditions with modern, marvelous flair. Well done doesn't begin to describe the technique and end result. Cooking and chopping has never been the same.

Kate Middleton, or Princess Catherine as she's now known, in her incredible Sarah Burton dress for Alexander McQueen. The neckline. The silhouette. The modernity to the top, with the classic inspiration for the bottom, that quietly elegant lace, the flawless makeup, the vintage Cartier tiara. I could go on and on. (And dear, God, I think I might be in love with her sister Pippa!)

Beyonce + Lady Gaga

love it or hate it, I can't get enough of Beyonce's new single and Lady Gaga's new single. Above is Gaga, below is Beyonce.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syCPQH4UQRY

loving luxury

Elegant gentlemen seem to have a well traveled, obvious spirit of adventure, a little playfulness, a dash of formality without being stuffy, and an obvious masculinity without being forced or fussed.

I'm still, as always, loving Belstaff jackets, travel cases by Goyard, Hermes, and Tom Ford, and beautiful pops of colour like Marc Jacobs, Jil Sander, and Michael Bastian.

And speaking of colour, I'm loving ink and paint splattered fabrics. Especially with denim or anything Dries Van Noten. Just keep your splattering to a minimum.



I love the texture we're seeing in Louis Vuitton, Diesel Black Gold, Lanvin, and Bottega Veneta.

I love classic accessories with a purpose - like the writing notebooks from Smythson, good cedar shoe trees, or a heritage collection catchall tray for your cufflinks and daily accoutrements.

I read a recipe in the GQ Style magazine from the UK and I'm absolutely loving this cocktail called "Before breakfast martini" - 50 mL gin, 20 mL cointreau, 20 mL lemon juice, 2-3 thin slices fresh Ginger, 1.5 tsp orange marmalade, splash cranberry. Muddle, shake, pour.

Tom Ford's neroli portofino parfum. Absurdly intoxicating.

still in luxe

sorry for my brief hiatus from posting - this is the fourth anniversary of my Mother's death, so I've been focused on other items of importance, as you can imagine.

Today I woke up early, went to the cemetery, daily mass, and had breakfast at one of Her favourite places. Whilst there, I was flipping through a few magazines, and here's what I'm really loving now:

Glam in green - especially celery, grass, sage, olive, and lime.

Worn and woven bracelets - nylon and cotton sailor versions or effort leather wraps.

Fresh flowers - just because. Hands down, B.Brooks still has the best flowers.

Seersucker blazers with jeans and Tshirts.

Vintage inspired luggage - especially from Filson, Globe Trotter, and Goyard.

Ivy league prep + Naval utilitarianism and classicism.

Gant, and everything else Michael Bastian dreams up. It's like Montauk + Edgartown + St Barths all wrapped in one preppy package and tied with sailing line.

Gingham - of all shapes and sizes.