Good-Bye Oscar

I was sorry to hear about the death of Oscar de la Renta.  One of my all time favourite designers and from all appearances a genuinely talented, sophisticated gentlemen.  I like this style.  Without going overly flamboyant and over the top, his style always maintained a sense of dignity and that is something that I not only admire but must admit is very hard to maintain. My heart goes out to his widow and to those who knew him so well.  The lovely hand written letter on the home of page   http://www.oscardelarenta.com/ says it all.

Profile - Irene Suchocki

Such beautiful shots.  I would love to take such amazing images.  Capturing such raw power is a talent I seem to lack.

 

 

Check out her portfolio online.  It's amazing. 

Profile - Karen Knorr

This women has incredible talent, not to mention patience.  You know what they saying about working with animals - can you image birds too?

 

 

Photography by Karen Knorr of London

 

This is just a small sample of her work.  Check out her site online - you won't be disappointed.

 

Profile - Jan McGill

One of the nice things about blogging is the connections you make with interesting people you would never meet otherwise. 

Jan McGill

Case in point - Jan McGill - she is a costume designer and stylist living in the bright lights of LA. She has worked for Vogue, Cosmopolitan and many top photographers, directors, and actors all over the world.  Her life is fascinating and the life she has led is beyond anything I could image.  A former model who was the face of Revlon, Clairol, and Max Factor, she has turned her amazing sense of style into a successful career as a stylist working with many of the celebrities of the day.  Seriously who wouldn't love to know a style expert.  She's created a blog to express herself, her thoughts and opinions.  Got to admire someone who does that right?  I've read some articles that brought tears to my eyes, laughed out loud and simply found myself nodding in agreement or shaking my head at the absurdities of others.  Either way it's a good read.  Enjoy.

Profile – Lee Radziwill

A very stylish woman in her own right...

A lot has been written about her famous older sister.  And through that relationship, a lot has been written about Lee Radziwill.  It must have been hard to feel so over shadowed all the time.  But while Jackie definately had a sense of style, looking back at images of Lee I was struck by how much style Lee had as well and in fact still has.  I actually love the style she has involved into and despite the many things said about her (good and bad), I think it would be nice to know her for herself and not as the other sister.

Lee Radziwill in the Living room of her Paris apartment

The Living room of her NYC apartment

Images from Cote de Texas

Profile Baked Bree

Every once in awhile I stumble across something so great that it becomes a classic for me.  This chicken recipe is one such recipe.  My son advised me (and I quote here) "I'll disown you mom if you don't make this dish again.  It's that good."  So on that note I made it for my father last night when he stayed and he is in full agreement with my son.  If that isn't a good enough endorsement for you, take a look at the recipe for Honey Garlic Balsamic Chicken on the Baked Bree blog. 

Images - Baked Bree

Honey Garlic Balsamic Chicken

If you really want some great family meals, I highly recommend this site.  The name of her blog is quite catchy and invokes one of my favourite - Brie, however, in this case it stands for Bree the author and great home cook who prepares all these wonderful meals for her family of five.  Enjoy.

Also, for those looking for Super Bowl recipes (of which I am one) these are two that I fully intend to indulge in this weekend.

Sweet & Sticky Chicken Wings

Chili

Victoria Beckham

Another stylish woman...

Again, you either like her or you hate her, and some of her outfits scare me, but the woman definitely has style.

Photo credit David Dyson

Photo credit unknown

Photo credit – Birkin Watcher

She’s known for her extensive Birkin collection

Victoria Beckham – I love this wide leather belt – photo credit unknown

Image source WireImage

She is really pretty when she smiles, but she always looks so fierce in her photos.  Not sure why.

Profile: Olivia Palermo

I hardly ever watch TV so I really didn’t know who she was...

No matter what you think of her, she definitely has style.  Actually they both do.

Olivia Palomero – photo sources are too varied to credit

In October she started up her own blog, so if you're a fan check it out.

Profile: My Paradissi

Ahhhh Greece.  There are stylish people all over the world and Eleni Psyllaki of My Paradissi, an architect in Greece, is one such person.  With beautiful images of Greece and wonderful hotels and homes in the area, she also showcases many gorgeous homes from all over the world and a number of lovely shopping items as well.  So while I currently live in frigid temperatures and snow, I'll dream of Greece tonight with it's incredible scenery, food and architecture. 

My Paradissi - well said.

Profile: For the Love of a House

I stumbled across this blog purely by accident.  I can't even remember what I was looking for but the image caught my eye (I think it was the kitchen) and I was hooked.  I've been following it ever since.

If you've ever wondered what it would be like to remodel a classic farmhouse in the country, here is your chance.  I just love this place.  After moving from Dallas to New England, this couple has been on a remodelling mission.  And, they're doing it right.  With impeccable taste and style they have put together a home where I feel I could simply move in tomorrow. 

I'm going to include a few images here, but if you really want to see this place take a look at their blog - For the Love of a House.  It will knock your socks off... where you can put your feet up in front of a cozy fireplace and relax while snow falls all around you in the quiet countryside. Believe me, you won't be disappointed.

Entryway

Livingroom

Kitchen

Dining Room

Reading Room

Master Bedroom

Master Bathroom

Guest Bath

Barn Half Bath

There are still more rooms to come - the Barn itself which they've converted into a family room I believe.  Stay tuned for more images from For the Love of a House.

Elizabeth's Bling

Time for an update:

Elizabeth Taylor's jewels went on the block this week and earned an estimated $115 million dollars.  That's a lot of moolah for bling. 

The La Peregrina pearl necklace set a record of $11.84 million

Sold for $8.8 million



Profile: 2 Stews

This is a very unique blog experience I'd like to share with you if you love to travel.  Diane of 2 stews is a stewardess, or air hostess I think is the new jargon.  At any rate, she travels extensively for her job naturally and posts plenty of great images from her travels.  They say that pilots and stewardesses know the best places to stay, eat and visit while traveling and after viewing her site I can believe it.  She is currently community from Boston to New York and from there to international destinations so please forgive her lack of current posts.  The woman is exceptionally busy.  However, that doesn't take away from the incredible places she's seen and the great food she cooks.  I've learned a lot of travel tips and suggestions from this site.  If you love to travel, you'll love this blog.

Diane of 2 Stews

"I started blogging a few years without any idea where I was headed. When people asked me what my goal was, I replied that it would tell me the direction it wanted to go in. I wanted it to shape me and what I expressed, so as to keep things fresh. I really didn't know too much what a blog was before I started one. Another flight attendant friend and I decided to chronicle and talk about our passions of food and travel. Shortly afterward 2 became 1, but I stayed with the name. My camera came with me on all of my trips and I found I loved sharing my experiences. Paris and all things French have always been a driving force for me. My fellow "stews" enjoyed being part of the moment. Often when served our food at a restaurant they'd ask, like a proud parent, if I wanted to take a picture first. Everyone was always patient with me as I dawdled behind to catch just the right photo. After transferring to New York from Boston, I had so many more destinations and travel inspired recipes to share. Paris still remains my favorite destination, with Italy right there beside it. What's not to love?!  And I'm still wide-eyed and waiting to see what comes around the next corner."

Profile: Alisa of 33 Shades of Green

This is one talented woman.  She seems to do it all.  Cook, decorate (she has the nicest little condo), sews like a professional, takes lovely pictures and is a loving daughter, sister and friend.  She has her own garden plot and regularly showcases the produce in healthy recipes.  Don't worry there are a few decadent ones thrown in as well.  I admire anyone who can cook something amazing and photograph the end results and process and still make everything look mouthwatering.  Lighting seems to be my issue whenever I try this so I don't bother - not to mention that I'm still mastering this fine art and trying to get the timing down is tricky for me.  How does she keep her kitchen looking so spotless?  When I cook ... well let's just say that the kitchen could be a declared a disaster area when I'm done.  My sewing results aren't worth mentioning ... oh yeah, this isn't about me.

Tasty Tuesdays showcases so many great recipes that I never know where to begin.  It's an opportunity for everyone to submit recipes and her following is so big that I could spend hours clicking on all the links.  Check out her blog I'm sure you'll find something there that really appeals to your appetite.