Edith Bouvier Beale Book

I'm really surprised that in all the coverage of Grey Gardens recently, I don't remember hearing about Edith Bouvier Beale of Grey Gardens: A Life in Pictures. After Edie's death, her niece Eva Marie Beale compiled family photographs, poetry, letters, sketches and more for the only family sponsored book. It was "conceived a with a deep dedication, understanding, and personal connection" mostly in an attempt to introduce the world the beauty of Edie's early gilded life instead of just the later squalor. With a foreword by Peter Beard and beautiful photos, I too think I would rather remember Edith Bouvier Beale in this manner and look forward to ordering this loving tribute.

Bon Weekend!

It's the weekend and you know what that means...lots of fun summer activities. I'm not sure if it's going to be a good beach weekend but if you happen to be out in the Hamptons, you should definitely try to attend Matt Albiani's book signing event for Lifeguard on Duty at T.B.D., a fab new men's store in Southampton (67a Jobs Lane) on Saturday, July 25th from 5:00-8:00pm. They carry Unis and Save Khaki, lines so cool I've never even heard of them! If you're a guy, you can pick up some clothes and a buy book. If you are a girl, you can buy a book and pick up a guy! And you both can buy a photograph from the book since they will also be up for sale. I can't guarantee any lifeguards will be there but since it's on dry land there's no way you can fake drowning for the mouth to mouth anyway.

If you're planning a staycation in the city, I highly recommend the Frank Lloyd Wright exhibition From Within Outward at the Guggenheim Museum. It's the 50th anniversary of the Guggenheim and what better way to celebrate that with an exhibit dedicated to it's architect. I attended a preview before it opened and really enjoyed seeing all the beautiful hand renderings and newly created three dimensional models of his designs including some that were actually built and others that never saw the light of day. I grew up close to Fallingwater so when I think of Wright, I picture his more linear buildings but toward the end of his career, his designs became more cylindrical. One that was never built looked like a spaceship that had just landed a top a hill! I think kids would really enjoy this show too...just make sure they don't touch anything! They break it, you bought it!

After the museum, you can head down to 54th Street for drinks and dinner at the newly renovated Monkey Bar. Unlike Graydon Carter's uber-exclusive Waverly Inn, the Monkey Bar actually has a listed phone number. Whether they actually pick up is another story but you probably have a better chance of getting in while all the beautiful people are in the Hamptons. Of course, that means you might be there with all the un-beautiful people but it's worth it for the fries. Just hope they didn't change those!

What could be better than dinner and a movie?! I have been hearing good things about The Ugly Truth and might have to take in a showing this weekend. I could use a little help in the dating department and besides that, Gerard Butler's not too bad to look at either. Nuff said.

After you've gorged yourself on popcorn and Jujubes at the movies, you may be need of a workout and I am excited to announce that Physique 57 is now selling DVD versions of their famous workouts! Kelly Ripa is a devotee and you've seen her arms. They give Michelle Obama's a run for their money so you know it's gotta be good. After Physique 57, you'll be ready for the beach! Bon Weekend!

Off the Beaten Path in Paris

A few of you had some great shoe suggestions for Paris that I had never heard of so I thought I should ask if anyone has any off the beaten path restaurants or shops we should visit. Obviously we plan to visit all the sites and other usual suspects such as Deyrolle, Colette, R & Y Augustie, les puces, Laduree and Pierre Herme, etc. I keep joking with Stefan that I am going to have to taste test every macaroon in Paris. Good thing we'll be walking them off! But if anyone has any secret gems, we'd love to hear them!

We didn't announce it before but we will also be attending the Maison & Objet home show while in Paris. When I was talking to Monelle Totah from Williams-Sonoma Home and telling her our plan to visit Versailles, she was the one who suggested that we visit in September so we go to the show. I hear it's amazing so we are also very excited because it means that many of our friends will be there too such as, Mercedes and Alberto from Etos and George and Jon from Flair! I can't think of any more fabulous people to share our trip with and I know it will mean lots of fun stories to report later!

We are staying in the Saint Germain area a block away from the Seine and the Pont Neuf which couldn't be any better for walking to all the sites. Everyday I wish I was leaving tomorrow! But I'm sure you are sick of me talking about Paris everyday so I promise to post about some other topics...for a few days at least! A bientot!

Photo from GoosieGoose via Flickr

Chic and Comfortable

I want to thank everyone who emailed me and left comments today! I really appreciate your support! I've been running around all day and am too exhausted to write a big post tonight so check back tomorrow for our regularly scheduled programming!

On a side note, one of my readers was worried that I would wear white sneakers popular with American tourists while I was in Paris. Don't worry, HC will not embarrass you or herself while abroad. I already have all my chic shoes picked out for my trip including this fabulous pair of Hogan Interactive Sneakers that will only be worn to tour Versailles. And maybe if it rains or my feet really hurt but it would take a lot for me to give up wearing my Christian Louboutins in Paris. It's like they are going to the motherland!

House Beautiful Kitchen of the Year

House Beautiful was sweet enough to invite me to the launch party for their Kitchen of the Year with the Barefoot Contessa, Ina Garten, at Rockefeller Center Monday night. The kitchen was designed by Robert Stilin and will definitely be placed in my file for my future home design reference. It's the absolute perfect kitchen for cooking and gathering. It will be on display until Friday, July 24th and there will be lots of cooking demonstrations and tastings to attend if you are in town. (To see the schedule of events, click here.) If you're not in New York, you can see some of the photos here and also on the House Beautiful website.

Here is the Barefoot Contessa herself, Ina Garten, with the editor of House Beautiful Stephen Drucker. She was super busy but was gracious enough to pose for a few photos and chat with me for a second. Of course, I had to compliment her on her fabulous necklace which she said was an anniversary present from her husband, the famous Jeffrey. She also suggested that I read her book, Barefoot in Paris, before my trip for ideas on where to go while in Paris.

Ina and Jeffrey were just as sweet and adorable together as they are on her television show!

One of the best parts of the attending the event was picking up the gift bag on the way out. I mean if you're going to break your diet for anything, I mean it might as well be for the Barefoot Contessa sour cream coffee cake! I cannot wait to make it! And I will proudly wear my new apron and use my new spatula while doing so! A big thanks to everyone at House Beautiful for allowing me to be apart of their evening!

Photos by Heather Clawson and Julian Wass for House Beautiful

Plagarism is Not Chic

Much of the time, bloggers write about the same people, magazine articles or events. We often use the same photos and source materials. It's usually no big deal if someone writes a similar post about a similar topic. But when another blogger copies word for word what you have written, that steps over the line into plagiarism. I normally like to stay away from negativity on my blog but I was so shocked at what I found today that I feel I have to address it publicly.

This past March 16th, I spent hours working on a post about the Perfect Paris Penthouse of Giancarlo Giammetti. I looked everywhere for the right photos that would showcase the apartment. I knew I had seen it featured in an old Town & Country magazine and was able to find it on Peter Marino's website. I also pulled out my copy of the Vogue Living book. I knew the late Fernando Bengoechea took the photos so I pulled a few from his website. I spent hours writing the story and making sure that I properly credited Peter Marino for his quotes. And of course, I also added my two cents about how much I loved the apartment and it's design. I actually stayed up late that night to put it all together.

So when I noticed that another interior designer and blogger had also written about Giancarlo's apartment today, I took a look at her post. (She has since taken it down.) I was interested to read her take on it. What I wasn't prepared to find was that she had copied most of my text or changed it very little. At the end, she had credited seven sources, none of which were my blog. I understand the similarities where we have quoted Peter Marino but she has blatantly copied parts that I wrote such as "Giancarlo Giammetti is the business brains counterpart to Valentino's creative genius." Also, where I said that "evidence that no detail was overlooked or no expense was spared!" Those were my words not a phrase that came out of any of the articles or books. And "what I love about the apartment was even though it was completed in 1977, it doesn't look dated at all." She took all of these for her post and more.

I emailed this blogger earlier and copied a few other bloggers on it as witnesses. I told her that she could either change it, remove it or credit me. She took it down finally but I still have received no reply. I decided to post this also as a warning to other bloggers. People will notice if you copy someone else but not only that, it takes all the fun out of blogging. Everyone should have their own voice and opinion. It's part of the reason that I try to post original content or to make sure I credit my source of inspiration. I hope everyone will try to do the same going forward.

Merci beaucoup!

It's starting to feel a little like Christmas in July around here. Charlotte Moss really did inspire Stefan of Architect Design and me to book our trip to Versailles. Since she is traveling she hasn't heard yet that we are actually going so before she left she sent out a little package to further inspire us. It contained a set of postcards that she took at Versailles for each of us! That was beyond thoughtful of her and we will both treasure them!

As you can see, Ms. Moss could have a second career as a photographer! The photos are beautiful and make me even more excited to see Versailles for myself! Merci!

After my Bon Appetit post, I heard from one of my favorite people, Katie Levine. You might remember Katie from Domino but now she is the publicist for Bon Appetit magazine! Turns out that the August 2009 issue of Bon Appetit has a wonderful feature in honor of Julia Child! August 15th would have been her 97th birthday so they have published a party perfect menu that people all of the country will make that night in her honor! How sweet is that?! Katie was kind enough to send me a copy of the magazine along with the Mastering the Art of French Cooking! I am even more excited to get cooking and will have to plan a meal to celebrate all of these wonderfully influential and inspiring women! Merci beaucoup!