Never underestimate the power of a Grandmother!

They survived child birth before c-sections, marriage before divorce, cancer before Susan G., and came out smiling with cookies, gifts, and unforgettable amounts of love. While we're certain to inherit aspects of our DNA and personalities from our grandmothers, the influence of their legacies is just as far reaching.

With the passing of my third grandmother last week (I was lucky enough to have 3!), I'm remembering the conversations, trips we took, and style queues I got from each of them. Since this blog is titled after my 1st grandmother's sofa, I thought it was time to post a photo of the infamous Red Davenport:

It could be said I learned more sitting on this red davenport than I learned in math class:

The red bench at the foot of my bed belonged to my other grandmother, Francis, who had a similar taste for red furniture:

I can only imagine my three grandmothers in heaven laughing till their stomachs hurt, partying like they did as teenagers, and having the time of their lives!

These boots are made for walking - in style!

I've quickly learned that NYC Winter style is all about the boots! Style aside, there is a safety element involved as well, as I learned after taking a bruising sidewalk dive in my 4 inch stiletto'd Escada's after the recent blizzard. (Ouch!) The search for the perfect boot is not an easy one as there are so many looks, and many are limiting when it comes to style versatility. As a budget style seeker, I found the perfect solution with my Calvin Klein Mayson boots:

They're made of a soft napa leather and are really two boots in one! (Which is great for my budget and my closet - both small!!) You can wear them over-the-knee or fold the top half down for a more traditional everyday boot. I happen to love them over-the-knee with black skinny jeans and my vintage fox fur coat, finished with a matte red lip and simple black knitted hat. They can look Ralph Lauren cool with my indian poncho and black leggings or with black tights and a silky mini dress for going out. Did I mention they have a rubber sole and are uber-comfortable? This NY newbie will not be sidewalk diving anymore!

Wanted: the perfect desk.

How is it that I am a writer with no desk? The idea seems so wrong in many ways! But of course, my lack of a work space has not, nor ever will, stop me from creating. Never fear though, as I have learned in my life that as soon as I identify what it is I need, the process of finding it becomes much easier. (...deep thought, I know!) The hard part? The largest my desk can be is 2 feet deep by 80 inches long. (Did I mention my apartment is small?) Here are some cool desks I found on my search:

WANTED: the perfect desk.

I've never had an upright desk, but when closed up, the LeCourte Upright from Williams Sonoma Home, would fit nicely in my space (but not in my budget!). I imagine a 1960's Upper East Side social butterfly writing her thank you's on personalized Mrs. John L. Strong stationary ( a tragedy that they closed after 80 years!!).

I've had a glass desk before, and I went through Windex like it was going out of style. The Mason Glasstop Desk from Williams Sonoma Home would be worth the cleaning battle. (Dream room!)

A little too industrial for my current apartment, but the Quivos desk from Design Within Reach would be my top pick if I had my own office in a cool SoHo loft!

My friend in LA has a leaning bookshelf like this but I never knew they made them with a little desk connected! Perfect for my laptop! Crate and Barrel does the Sloane Leaning Desk with shelf options. This could be a great place to store my thesaurus, favorite books, and inspiring photos close at hand.

The best part? This one fits perfectly in my space with a little room to spare and is a reasonable price! It's time to bundle up Maggie and go for a quick walk to the Crate and Barrel on Houston - this one is worth checking out!

Ciao!

Chocolate Brown Bedroom

I just finished painting one of the walls in my NY bedroom chocolate brown!

It was fun at first; I felt like I was painting with a big, melted Hershey bar. Halfway through, my friend Gregg stopped over to "help" and upon seeing it through his eyes, I felt my Hershey bar wall was an absolute disaster. (Straight guys just don't get it.) Like any artist vision, it must play out completely as we envision it in our minds, before others may understand, if they ever do. Well, the end result is I love the warmth and character it adds to my room. And as you can see, Maggie likes it, too.

Albert Einstein

"Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving."

Happy 2010!!

Elaine was in town from Newport Beach for the week, and as we were getting ready to meet friends out on NYE, I remembered the little wooden box that was once my grandmother's:

Her third husband made it for her and I cherish its contents:

Lots of happy photos, like these:

My Grandmother and her friends doing God only knows what. (But they're having fun!)

Looking French chic with a cute beau:

Wishing you a successful 2010 filled with lots of happy picture ops!

Vespa Love

One of the greatest benefits of moving from Los Angeles to Manhattan is the required scaling down of all the "stuff" I had acquired over the last 10 years of living single. Sure, it was painful selling two closets worth of clothes, my car, a kitchen full of handy gadgets, and furniture with happy memories attached. The reality is my little NY apartment is just that; little. So, the things I didn't absolutely love didn't make the cut. It's refreshing to be in NY only surrounded by the things that truly mean something to me.

The only possession that, like a dying person seeing the white light, is stuck in the limbo of two worlds is my beloved Vespa.

A friend in LA was kind enough to store it for me while I figure out if it will make the trip to NY.

In Italy, I developed a true Vespa Love and purchased my LX150 within days of returning home. I became captivated by the freedom it provides in the open air, the wind blowing against my body, the thrill it gives around each corner. Yet, it's one thing to ride around my sleepy LA beachside town, and another to ride the fast paced streets of Manhattan. (...and another to ride on the back of one through the hills of Prato, but that's another story!) Do I have the courage to navigate the concrete jungle on 2 wheels? Is the possibility of crashing (with a cab, probably) a greater pain than letting go of something so dear to me? To be continued....

I ran across this article published in the Seattle Times in 1995!

Teen Wins Fashion-Design Competition

By Mary Elizabeth Cronin

Grunge may have put Seattle style on the map, but the designers at the Local Brilliance apparel design contest in the Pike Place Market Cinema last night showed Seattle has a full design repertoire.

The winning ensemble was a black wool gabardine criss-cross back knee-length dress and waist-length '60s-style cape, lined with silver. The outfit was selected from 36 entries submitted by 20 designers.

"I'm so impressed with the level of quality and just the love that went into all the designs," said Renata Tatman, who owns Local Brilliance. The contest celebrated the shop's 10th anniversary as an outlet for locally designed apparel.

Even more impressive was the winning designer. Christine Lindebak is a self-taught 17-year-old Auburn High School student. She plans to enroll in an apparel-design program after she graduates next year.

The five judges scored the clothes based on four criteria: fit; choice of materials; construction quality; and creativity and originality.

Second place went to Tseza Matsiyevskaya for a classic floor-length satiny purple gown with a plunging V-neck, tiny beading across the shoulders and cap sleeves, and a shoulder-to-waist back cutout. Valentina Vasilevskaya took third place for a bridal gown with a sweetheart neckline, beaded mutton sleeves and a ruffled skirt and full train.

Jeannette Sellers' clingy knit ankle-length dress, flared at the knee in large blocks of gold, purple and a colorful floral print with matching cropped jacket, drew a loud "oooh," from some of the 40 or so people who attended the judging. But it didn't win the People's Choice award, which was a tie between Lydia Voiland's brown satin sheath with sheer waist inset, and Angela Hocking's creative beige lace halter dress with a asymmetrical hem, described as "constructed from Grandmother's doilies."

A beige sleeveless jumpsuit and matching cropped jacket by Gwendolyn Jackson was eye-catching because of the simple yet flattering fit.

Also attractive were a pair of pantsuits, one for men, one for women, both designed by Makini Howell. The man's suit was maroon three-button double-breasted with wide lapels and a nubby texture. The women's suit was hunter green with a four-button double-breasted jacket and contrasting maroon square-neck collar framing the collar bones.

The winning entries will be displayed at Local Brilliance, 1535 First Ave. Call 343-5864 for information about buying any of the outfits.

Copyright (c) 1995 Seattle Times Company, All Rights Reserved.

John Galliano

John Galliano has claimed his place as one of the most influential designers of our time as he carries the essence of Christian Dior forward.

As with many of the people I admire greatly, it is not always their current success that draws me in, but instead, it is their journey that captivates me most. John Galliano is no exception. His early years in Gibraltar and Spain exposed him to a world of Mediterranean color and textures and upon moving to South London he sometimes felt out of sorts. It was London, where he discovered the arts and true kinship.

Upon graduating from St. Martin's School of Arts in 1984, his first collection, Les Incroyables, was bought and sold in entirety in Browns. Based in London he began his own collection, and in 1988, among fledgling financial backing, moved his operations to Paris.

By 1993, with the help of Anna Wintour and Andre Leon Talley, Galliano developed partnerships that helped him gain strong financial backing and credibility among the social elite. Much like Christian Dior in 1947, Galliano brought life to Paris and had what some describe as a "fashion moment". In 1995, he became the first British designer to head the LVMH fashion house, Givenchy.

Less than two years later, Galliano was appointed as the designer for Christian Dior, and his first haute couture show coincided with the label's 50th anniversary.

Through the years, Galliano has stayed true to his wild child passions, and similar to Christian Dior, never feels the need to apologize for his big dreams. In 2000, he became inspired on his morning jog along the Seine River. The ensuing collection, inspired by the homeless people along the river, created the largest stir. He remarked to WWD about the uproar, "better to be talked about than not."

Galliano loves theater and femininity and feels it is his job to seduce. And seduce he does...Each and every look from the Christian Dior Fall 2009 Haute Couture show takes my breath away.

Vive, John Galliano!

Style Icon: Kate Lanphear

As US Style Director at Elle, Kate Lanphear is poised to lead the fashion troops with her distinct, edgy, feminine style. Her look inspired my latest hairstyle, which has been very fun to wear in New York!

Photos from Vogue and StyleSpot.

This is such a classic!

Phoenix Sun

When a desert escape is on your agenda, skip the sin and head to the Phoenix sun!

The great American Architect Frank Lloyd Wright once said, “Give me the luxuries of life and I will willingly do without the necessities.” A weekend in Phoenix evokes that very sentiment. Check in at the Arizona Biltmore, otherwise known as The Grande Dame of Phoenix. Built in 1929 it is the only existing hotel in the world to benefit from the influence of Frank Lloyd Wright. If the walls could talk there would be plenty of stories, as the hotel has been graced by US Presidents, celebrities, and world travelers alike.

In celebration of their 80 years, the Biltmore is making history again - in perfect Frank Lloyd Wright style- with the Ocatilla retreat and private sanctuary. Forget about the necessities and let a “Fonsworth Bentley” style concierge attend to your every need in a well-appointed, relaxed lounge environment. Your morning espresso made just how you love it, your golf shirt perfectly pressed, and car service to wisk you away on any whim. With nearly 40 acres of plush grounds, glistening pools, shops, and golf in the heart of Phoenix, consider it your desert playground.

It would be scandalous to leave Phoenix without at least one trip to the spa and spa addicts seeking a greater level of bliss will find their sanctuary at the Hyatt’s Spa Avania.

Tapping in to your body’s internal clock, every detail within the indoor-outdoor oasis works to balance all five senses so perfectly that you experience a state of “avania.” Everything from streaming natural light, synchronized music styling, to the personalized treatments (mineral Thai massage, anyone?) assist your body in mastering its own internal clock. With a summer of jet setting, this is a sure cure for any lingering jet lag.

When you find your expertly tuned body telling you it is time for some nightlife, cruise to neighboring Scottsdale’s Mastro’s Ocean Club. The parking lot may look like an exotic car show, but once inside, it’s all local color.

Their lobster bisque is the best ever, especially against the backdrop of the live piano and cacti. Whether it’s a girls trip, romantic weekend, or solo getaway, the luxuries under the Phoenix sun never disappoint.

Wallace Neff

I admire Wallace Neff's self described "Californian" style of architecture that is a blend of Spanish, Tuscan, and Mediterranean elements popular during California's Golden Age. His historical homes were once rare listings, but thanks to the market slide, a few are on the market!

My favorite, 1083 N Hillcrest, originally designed by Neff for Groucho Marx in 1956 is up for sale now for just under 13 million:

Pickfair, built in 1920 for Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford, is one of the most famous estates in Beverly Hills. The latest news is that The Michael Jackson Museum Foundation is forming to purchase the estate (in 2008, was listed for 60 million) and turn it in to a permanent MJ museum:

Neff lived in San Marino and developed many of the historical homes that line the streets in Pasadena:

Although Neff is most known for his elaborate homes designed for the Southern California elite, he was also interested in solutions for the housing shortage in the 20's and 30's. He created the Bubble House, utilizing an inflated Goodyear balloon covered with mesh and fixed with concrete as an inexpensive mass housing solution. Although they were extremely cost effective, the idea never caught on in the US: