Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar

A bookstore that serves wine - genius!

Plenty of places to crawl up and read for a bit.

The Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar

Asheville, NC

http://www.batteryparkbookexchange.com/

Christmas at the Biltmore Estate

Tucked away in Asheville, NC is one of the grandest homes in America...the Biltmore Estate, and there is not a better time than Christmas to see it decorated in all it's splendor.  Enjoy and a very merry Christmas to all of you!

Stay:
Grand Bohemian
Grove Park Inn - ask about their Buy 1 Night, Get 1 Free special {going on for a limited time}
The Inn on Biltmore Estate

Eat & Drink:
Sunny Point Cafe - go for breakfast and order the Huevos Rancheros
Bouchon - French comfort food...need I say more?
Zambra Wine & Tapas
Cucina 24
Market Place
The Lobster Trap
Tupelo Honey Cafe

Shop:
Asheville has tons of adorable, quirky shops in the downtown area. If you are looking for Christmas ornaments, definitely take a peek in the gift shops located on the Biltmore Estate.  They are reasonably priced and lovely!

Scaasi: American Couturier

 

 

See these gems for yourself at Boston's MFA now through June 19th, 2011.

From MFA.org:

"Scaasi's work...is a thrilling look into a universe of wealth, charm, and celebrity."

This exhibition celebrates the designer Arnold Scaasi and the MFA’s recent acquisition of his archive and more than 100 of his designs. Arnold Scaasi, who began his business in New York in the mid-1950s was one of the few New York designers to concentrate on custom-made clothing rather than ready-to-wear. He has designed for the 20th century’s most celebrated artists and most fashionable socialites, including Broadway, TV, and movie stars, such as Arlene Francis, Mitzi Gaynor, Barbra Streisand, Diahann Carroll, Mary Tyler Moore, and Elizabeth Taylor; Palm Beach and New York socialites including Mary Sanford, Ivana Trump, Joetta Norban, Gayfryd Steinberg, and Edna Morris; and First Ladies Mamie Eisenhower and Barbara and Laura Bush. His work has always been synonymous with luxurious materials, exuberant color, and refined silhouettes.

I heart Avedon

Model Jean Shrimpton

Richard Avedon. Photographer. Icon. Creator of strikingly beautiful images. As I mentioned in my previous post, the master photographer's work is currently on exhibition at Boston's Museum of Fine Arts until January 17th, and it is a decadent viewing treat.  Feast your eyes on these....

 

Dorian Leigh - Revlon's original "Fire and Ice" model

  

 

 

 

From MFA.org:  Richard Avedon was one of the greatest image-makers of the twentieth century. He revolutionized fashion photography with his imaginative, spirited portrayals of the "good life” showing beautiful women wearing extraordinary clothes in irresistible settings, as well as memorable portrayals that are both elegant and reserved. The upbeat spirit and innovative design of his compositions caught the eye of editors and art directors at Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue—the primary magazines for which he worked—while his vision of the modern American woman, one of wit, individuality, and fast-lane glamour, captivated the public. His enormous success defined the role of the high-profile fashion photographer that we know today, and many of his images have become icons of photographic history.
Avedon’s career as a fashion photographer is displayed decade by decade in this exceptional traveling exhibition from the International Center of Photography in New York, the first comprehensive survey of Avedon’s fashion photography since 1978.

Weekend Trip to Boston

Ahh, Boston.  One of my favorite cities...especially this time of year.  The other week, we journeyed up for the Harvard-Yale game (Harvard beat Yale 28-21) and to get some shopping done.  A visit to Boston's MFA, which is currently showcasing an amazing Avedon exhibit (post for that coming soon), and the recently opened Art of the Americas wing, was worth the trip alone.  That, and running into Bill Frist on Newbury Street, who, for the record, was very friendly!

 

 

A very well-fed Boston squirrel

Bartley's "Tom Brady" burger with sweet potato fries

Eat & Drink:
DeLuca's Market
Mike's Pastry - ah-mazing cannolis (and they ship if you're out of state)
Cheers- yes, it's a tourist trap, but go if only to get your picture in front of that famous sign and stairway
Mr. Bartley's - a Harvard landmark with burgers that are worth the wait
Mistral
Sonsie
Top of the Hub
Shays Pub & Wine Bar
Locke-Ober


Stay:
Taj Hotel
Hotel Veritas
Fairmont Copley Plaza 

Bottega Louie

For many LA locals, downtown is an area that is not ventured very often...which is kind of a shame since it is home to a fabulous gourmet market/patisserie/restaurant/café/bar...all in one. Bottega Louie offers European charm and elegance without trying too hard or feeling stuffy.
Make sure to check out the colorful macaroons, specialty food items like the canned octopus (which my husband says is the best he’s ever had) and an array of gourmet pasta sauces.

700 South Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90017
(213) 802-1470
http://www.bottegalouie.com

photos courtesy of the Bottega Louie blog:

Pearl River Market

While in New York's SoHo neighborhood last week, I took a stroll into Pearl River Market.  I had heard about it, and seen it (it's across from the only U.S. Top Shop store - a personal fave) but never made it inside until now.  From Mandarin dresses and beaded velvet slippers to Chinese teapots, Asian candy and offbeat knick knacks, Pearl River boasts a hefty size lot with lots of...STUFF.

Having an obsession with cupcakes, this fun little gadget caught my eye.  A silicone bake and serve cupcake mold set that comes with 4 cups and 4 saucers for around $17.  The best part was the website it lead me to - Fred & Friends.  Similar to the site Uncommon Goods, they have all sorts of eclectic and novelty gifts.

Fred & Friends website doesn't appear to let you order online, so if you can't make it to NY's Pearl River, you can find these cupcake holders on Amazon.