all the best

Domestic Art

2008-07-23T14:13:00.007+02:00

One publication that I greatly miss living in the UK is PaperCity—the style and social magazine for Dallas and Houston. The fashion is always fantastic, the photos are sublime and the homes are simply stunning. Plainly put PaperCity is in a league of its own. And so it comes as no surprise that they have teamed with the incomparable Assouline to produce a jaw dropping new book Domestic Art. I am thrilled to be among the first to have a glimpse of the photos and to share a few of them with all of you.

The glamorous Editor-in-Chief Holly Moore, along with the design-obsessed editors Rob Brinkley and Laurann Claridge, have curated 37 fabulous projects, from follies to disciplined mansions, to the oh-so-fashionable home of Ken Downing and Sam Saladino. Other notable interiors include Dominque and John de Menil's international-style house, with its interior by the great couturier Charles James, and Eric Pokesh's glorious color-filled Dallas abode.

Mark your calendars for October 1, you will want this book in your collection! Many thanks to the lovely Laurann Claridge for thinking of me and providing me with an early preview. I can't wait to own this one.

Style File: Amy Lagae

2008-07-21T15:03:00.006+02:00

Serendipity is a wonderful thing. In recent months I have given much consideration as to how best I should move forward with my blog and pending book. Several ideas have consumed my thoughts and then, by a stroke of good fortune, I met the talented Amy Lagae.

I have often thought about the possible benefits of using a PR firm but the idea of actually making contact was just too daunting. Fortunately, despite her impressive career, Amy dispels any preconceived notions. She is one of the most gracious and unintimidating people I have come across in recent years. Not only is she gracious, she is gorgeous and was named one of the 10 most stylish women in Palm Beach—not a bad title.

Building on a fifteen-year career in public relations and special events, Amy established Avenue Public Relations, a boutique agency specializing in product placement, branding, media consultation and special events. Amy's impressive resume includes positions with Vogue Magazine, House of Lavande, The Orlando Shakespeare Festival, The Henry B. Plant Museum and The University of Florida.

Avenue Public Relations is based in Palm Beach, with plans to open offices in New York and Paris.

What is your favorite fantasy luxury?
A suite at the Georges V in Paris for a month.

What is your favorite reality luxury?
An afternoon by the pool (without cellphones ) with my husband and son.

What is your favorite Handbag?
My Orange Birkin. It's over the top luxury, but I love it.

What is your most prized possession?
Photos of my son taken by Lena Hyde. She's been photographing him since he was 4 days old.

What are your favorite indulgences?
Veuve Cliquot, a nice Bordeaux, Best & Co. clothes for my son, new white t-shirts, late breakfasts at a local diner and French magazines.

What are your all time favorite handbag?
I love the Hermes Kelly. Especially when I see old photographs of Grace Kelly carrying hers. So classic. I'd love to get a Maison Martin Margiela "satin sac" soon. I think they are really modren and fun. I'm also loving the new Fall Valentino collection.

How would you describe your personal Style?
Simple, chic. Michael Kors meets Lanvin with a little DVF thrown in for good measure (and sex appeal).

What is your morning routine?
Kiss my baby, kiss my husband, make coffee, check my emails.

What shoes do you wear most often?
I always wear heels. Always! I love my brown Very Prive pumps by CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN. But my "mom" shoes are Havianas Flips!

What are your must have accessories?
Hermes scarves, jewelry by House of Lavande and carrying my son!!!

What are your must haves for air travel?
Louis Vuitton wraps, Lap top, protein bar and iPod.

Who are your style icons?
Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Natalie Portman, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy and Catherine Denueve.

Profile by Ronda Carman

Shopping on Saturday

2008-07-19T15:14:00.007+02:00

I love amassing tabletop accessories and setting a pretty table. I particularly have a weakness for glassware and decorative items. And when the price is right...well, I can't seem to help myself! Just ask my husband. I already have more steamware than we have cabinet space. But with items as gorgeous and affordable as these two beauties, who wouldn't be tempted?

Horn Cup from Carolyne Roehm
Water buffalo horn is polished and heated, then molded into organically shaped cups. The cup will require a plastic liner if used for a floral arrangement. $15.00

Dot Tumbler from Michael Devine
This 13th century reproduction glass is a fun an elegant addition to any table. $14.00

Dining Al Fresco

2008-07-18T15:14:00.004+02:00

I love eating outdoors in the summer, yes even in Texas. Perhaps because it has been so chilly in Scotland for the past few months, I have relished every opportunity to soak in the warmth of the sun. During the late afternoon hours I have taken to eating dinner on my parent's patio. Yesterday I picked up a beautiful bottle of Pouilly Fumé (I love it's dryness and mineral flavour) and I made a delicious chilled cucumber soup. It was too yummy not to share with all of you...enjoy!

4 cucumbers peeled, seeded, and chopped
2 cups plain yogurt
3/4 cup sour cream
1/2 cup chopped green onions (white and pale green parts only)
1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper

In a blender or food processor, in batches if necessary, puree cucumbers, yogurt, sour cream, green onions, dill, olive oil, lemon juice, and mustard until smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste. Transfer to a bowl, cover, and chill until cold, at least 2 hours and up to 6 hours.

It would have been really good topped with crab, maybe next time.

Flickr photo

Style File: Tracy Smith

2008-07-15T04:14:00.009+02:00

Look up the word style and you are certain to find a photo of jewelry connoisseur Tracy Smith. Tracy, founder of House of Lavande, established her one of a kind jewelry business in 2006. Based in Palm Beach she has traveled the world over combing flea markets from Paris to London, amassing a stunning collection of costume jewelry.

Tracy approaches her search for jewelry with the same historical rigor as collectors of vintage fashion. The expertly curated collection, which has been featured in Town & Country, Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, contains over 5,000 pieces by such important designers Elsa Schiaparelli, Kenneth Jay Lane, Juliana, Miriam Haskell, Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel, and Christian Dior. Without question, Tracy has established a premiere name in vintage collectible costume jewelry.

In November House of Lavande will open their flagship boutique in Palm Beach. Tracy, alongside friend and interior designer Celerie Kemble, are designing an amazing space to showcase House of Lavande’s astonishing jewelry. I for one want to make the trip to Palm Beach for the occasion!

What is your favorite indulgence?
Flying up to New York for the day to get my hair cut and colored at Rita Hazan. I see Adrian Wallace and Juan Carlos.

What items are a must for air travel?
iPod, computer and gummy bears

What accessories can you not live without?
Vintage jewelry of course......and my Tom Ford sunglasses

Which pair of shoes do you wear most?
YSL sandal strap raffia wedges—in them I am the height I’ve always wanted to be 5'10"…without them…well I’m not 5'10"

How would you describe your morning routine?
Coffee, more coffee, then a little more coffee

How would you describe your own personal style?
Romantic and feminine

What is your all time favorite handbag?
A vintage needlepoint bag given to me by my mother-in-law (it was her mother's).

What handbag do you carry most frequently?
My huge Louis Vuitton Olympe Nimbus bag

What is your favorite luxury in life?
Favorite "fantasy" luxury: An afternoon nap which is impossible with 2 kids and a business!! Favorite reality luxury: A long, unhurried al-fresco lunch complete with good friends and champagne.

What is your most prized possession?
My husband and kids; they are my reality check of what is most important in life.

Who are your style icons?
Rachel Bilson, Sienna Miller and Ali McGraw

Profile by Ronda Carman

Profile: Tom Cannavan

2008-07-14T15:42:00.009+02:00

When we first moved to the West End of Glasgow I used to joke that I felt compelled to be an interesting person in order to live in our neighborhood. I was struck by the number of fascinating and gifted people concentrated in such a small area. Wine expert Tom Cannavan is certainly one of those people who fits in well in the West End. Tom is the founder of the online site Wine-Pages, which features over 25,000 wine tastings notes, hundreds of in-depth features, comprehensive guides and resources covering all manner of food and travel and, of course, wine.

In addition to this Tom is also an experienced international wine judge who has participated in some of the word's most prestigious wine competitions across three continents, including competitions in Australia, Chile, Argentina, France, Germany and the UK.

How did you get your start in wine?
Wine has been a passion for just about as long as I can remember. I am a graduate of Glasgow School of Art, and whilst my student days of the late 1970s and early 80s saw their fare share of inebriated nights watching bands play at the Student Union, once a month a group of us would gather in each other’s houses on a Saturday evening to explore food and wine – cooking experimental stuff and clubbing together to buy the best bottles of wine we could afford.

The passion stayed with me, and in the early 1990s whilst teaching computing at the University of Glasgow, I got my first professional break into writing about wine, with a column in a now defunct lifestyle magazine. Within a few years I had started www.wine-pages.com, one of the world’s pioneering wine web sites, and was picking up a lot of work writing for books, magazines and newspapers.

By the end of the decade I was being stretched more and more between my day-job and wine and food writing, and so I bit the bullet, jacked-in the University career and became a full-time writer. It’s a decision I’ve never regretted!

Do you have a favorite varietal?
I’m often asked for my favourite wine country, region, variety or producer, but it is a question that is genuinely impossible to answer. I’m lucky enough to taste an enormous variety of wines in my job, of all styles and quality levels, maybe tasting 5,000 to 6,000 wines per year. I’ve also travelled the world tasting wine and visiting the wine regions. The subject never ceases to fascinate and challenge me; there are always new things to learn and new wine experiences to enjoy.

It also matters so much on the context of where and when you are drinking a wine: with a fantastic gourmet dinner; in the garden with a barbecue; on its own in a bar with friends. If I’m really pressed, then Pinot Noir is endlessly fascinating for reds, and I love the Semillon grape for both dry and sweet whites.

What do you love most about your work?
The fact that the subject never stands still – new regions open up, new vintages come along, new winemakers burst onto the scene – which keeps this job always interesting. I guess the thing I love most must be the opportunities I have to travel to some of the world’s most interesting and beautiful countries and regions, either on press trips to get to know the winemakers, or to judge at wine competitions.

I don’t suppose there are many people who have the opportunities I do to travel regularly all over the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, all the time accompanied by tasting the finest wines they can produce, usually in the best restaurants and most beautiful places!

What is your favorite luxury in life?
The real answer is time I guess. I’m self-employed and work extremely hard, putting in very long days and huge amounts of work. To have a month without travel, or a few days off with no deadlines to meet, is truly luxurious for me.

What is your most prized possession?
Wine-wise probably a few cases of wine that I own from the famous Burgundy estate of Romanée-Conti. In terms of possessions, I have a beautiful pottery horse from the Han dynasty in China, which has been tested and certified as coming from around 200 BC. It’s not incredibly valuable, but it is a beautiful piece of sculpture that I fell in love when I bought it, and seeing it still gives me enormous pleasure and a sense of wonder every day.

Photo Jim Budd. All rights reserved.

What is your idea of earthly happiness?
I lead a very hectic professional life that necessitates a lot of travel and a lot of meeting people in social situations, so my happiest moments tend to be very quiet ones: dinners with close friends and family over some great food and a few nice bottles. That makes me sound severely middle-aged, but of course I refuse to admit that!

What in your opinion is the perfect food and wine pairing?
Something like a slow-braised dish of beef en daube or venison casserole, with a really fine red Burgundy or Rhone wine is heaven. Then again, some crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Albariño with a big plate of garlicky sautéed king prawns is hard to beat.

What is the only other occupation you would consider?
In the real world, I don’t suppose there’s anything I’d rather be doing than this. I know that for someone with my passion for the subject of wine and food I’m extremely lucky to make a living writing about it, and I am genuinely grateful for that. In a fantasy world where I had different skills or talents, I’d be a professional musician of some sort I think. Definitely something in the creative side, as after a voyage of discovery though short periods as a Civil Servant and computer programmer, I realise that’s where I’m happiest.

Profile by Ronda Carman

Shopping on Saturday

2008-07-12T17:32:00.012+02:00

I am simply crazy for anything designed by the fabulous Kara Ross! Her jewelry and handbags are modern, elegant and always unique. Here are just a few of my many favorites. The Dea handbags are just the best!

Flair Addiction

2008-07-11T17:14:00.007+02:00

It's not so much Facebook that I find addicting, but rather Pieces of Flair! Who would have thought that describing yourself with buttons could be so much fun? This morning my sweet and clever husband made me a Piece of Flair using my beautiful blog logo designed by Patricia van Essche.

It has been registered and will soon be available. You can get your own by typing in 'Blog' on Pieces of Flair. He also made one for our friend Michael Devine. You can see Michael’s Gramercy fabric on my board too.

Thanks sweetheart!

Malcolm Baroway

2008-07-10T18:31:00.009+02:00

A Night at Home
Oil on canvas, 24x24

Lobster Boats
Oil on Canvas, 8x10

The Blue Chair
Oil on Canvas

Gourmet Dinnr
Oil on canvas 18 x 24

I love the work of artist Malcolm Baroway. Malcolm's paintings are energetic, refreshingly imaginative and often playful. I particularly love his use of muted tones, whilst still using plenty of color. Certainly he is not a minimalist, yet his renderings can be quietly sparse. My idea of perfection.

ALL ART/PHOTOS ARE COPYRIGHT OF THE ARTIST

Bargain Book

2008-07-09T15:23:00.006+02:00

How about $6.99 for a book bargain! The trench coat has become a cornerstone of the twenty-first century wardrobe and The Trench Book explores the stylish evolution of this outerwear icon. As you would expect from Assouline, this fun little book is filled with great photos. Not to mention that it’s hard to resist at this price!

Facebook

2008-07-07T16:18:00.007+02:00

Update: Thanks to everyone who has added me as a friend. It's so much fun to see the faces of All the Best readers.
Best,
Ronda
Well it's official, I've joined the world of social networking! Now the question is what in the world do I do with Facebook? All of my sisters use myspace, but for me it held no appeal. However, yesterday I found myself signing up for Facebook. Perhaps it seemed more subdued compared to myspace or maybe it's the fact that most everyone I profile is on Facebook. Whatever the reason, curiosity got the best of me.

Within a few hours I had 7 friends! It's now so exciting each time I get an email confirming a new friend, OMG it's almost like high school again. Is this a good thing? So tell me, savvy readers, what do you like or dislike about Facebook? How do you use it and how do you "collect" friends? And most importantly, is it really addictive?

Shopping on Saturday

2008-07-05T17:09:00.009+02:00

I recently discovered the most wonderful website. Roost Living is an online boutique showcasing emerging talent from around the UK.

Roost Living was created in 2007 by founder Laura Binns. Keen to start her own business, Laura decided to marry her greatest interests - craft and shopping. Laura runs her business from her home in North London.

I just adore all of Laura's finds, but I especially love the stunning gold lariat and quartz necklace!

Tangled Web Bowl by Timea Sido
£28.00 (small)£54.00 (large)

Cut Crystal Lariat Necklace
£70.50

Leather Clutch Bag by Nadia Minkoff
£97.00

Happy 4th of July

2008-07-04T15:54:00.004+02:00

Happy 4th! It's great to be back in the States and to celebrate our country’s independence with family and friends! Enjoy the day.

House of Lavande

2008-07-03T17:59:00.006+02:00

If you have yet to visit the House of Lavande website, then pop over for a visual treat. Each piece of jewelry is unique and lust-worthy. The stylish Kate Schelter named House of Lavande jewelry as one of the accessories she can't live without. House of Lavande also has a great blog and was kind enough to name All the Best as one of their new favorite blogs. What an honor - thank you!

Beautiful Bedding

2008-07-02T19:02:00.006+02:00

A few months back I did a blog post on sheets and thread count that sparked much conversation and comments. Who knew sheets were such a hot topic. Just a few days ago I acquired a beautiful set of SFERRA sheets. The sheets came wrapped in a ton tissue paper tucked inside a beautiful gray and red box. I have opted not to use the sheets until I get back home to Scotland. I’m afraid that I won’t be able to fold them back neatly enough to fit into my luggage. But I did slip the pillow cases on last night before bed. So soft and luxuiroius. Thus far I am impressed…I’ll keep you posted.

Style File - Kate Schelter

2008-06-30T16:22:00.006+02:00

Style is a magic wand, and turns everything to gold that it touches - Logan Pearsall Smith

I am starting a new weekly series called Style File. One book I love is The Power of Style by Annette Tapert and Diana Edkins. I read it all the time. The thing that strikes me most is that many of the women in the book, whom I adore, were propelled into the public eye not because they were great beauties, though many were, but rather they possessed an intrinsic uniqueness. I am wildly fascinated by people who follow their own style compass, and as a result, stand head and shoulders about the rest of the world.

One person who has amazing style, and is beauty too, is Kate Schelter. Kate is one of those special people who immediately captures my attention when I see her in photos. I am always fascinated by her exceptional and incomparable style, so it seemed only fitting to feature Kate for the first Style File profile.

Creative Director and founder of Kate Schelter LLC, a full-service agency based in New York City, Kate specializes in branding and image consulting for a very elite clientele. Clients include Zac Posen, Lucy Sykes, Hollywould, The Daily and the Council of Fashion Designers of America. Kate's work has been featured in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, Oprah, E, Vogue and Elle.

How would you describe your own personal style?
I love to mix it up and I love dresses. I accessorize with unexpected pieces, the non "match-y" shoe, a great mixture of jewelry; all to tell my own story. I always start with one piece that inspires me (anything from a silk flower, a new heel, to a color in a dress) and I build upon that one element.

What are your favorite luxuries in life?
Down time with my family, snow days (really!), a house cleaner, eating at great restaurants, travel, watching Saturday Night Live with a great group of friends, fresh flowers...

What items are a must for air travel?
First class (if I'm lucky!!!), my inflatable neck pillow from Flight 001, ear plugs, eye mask and melatonin. I have a little kit I keep in my suitcase ready for last minute travel. I spend a lot of time on planes!

What accessories can you not live without?
High heels, vintage jewelry from House of Lavande, Ray Ban aviators, my perfume.

Which pair of shoes do you wear most?
Night: Manolo, Louboutin, Hollywould (the MOST comfortable shoes); Day - Converse all stars, Toms Shoes (in the summer)

How would you describe your morning routine?
Get out of bed and go! Wake up, walk my dog, Bear, breakfast, wash face with water, get dressed, work. (I shower at night.)

What are your must have beauty products?
Cetaphil face wash and body lotion, Bumble + Bumble gentle shampoo, YSL Touch Eclat, Darphin Baume Purifiant, Shu Uemura eye lash curler, Chanel red lipstick in Saturn, Bobbie Brown bronzer, and Kiehl's lip balm.

What is your all time favorite handbag?
My vintage Chanel pocket book, and my vintage Hermes briefcase. For summer: John Derian or LL Bean canvas tote.

What are your favorite indulgences?
Dining at my favorite restaurants with friends. Taxis when I wear heels.

What is your most prized possession?
My family, my dog, my wardrobe, my art collection (Damian Hirst + Hugo Guiness)

Who are your style icons?
Kate Moss, Yves Saint Laurent (RIP), Mariel Hemmingway (from "Manhattan"), Lisa Eisner, stylish NYC girls, my mom, the women in Slim Aarons's photos.

Decorati Interview - Ernest de la Torre

2008-06-26T20:51:00.006+02:00

I arrived in the States on Tuesday and have been enjoying the warm weather and time with my family. I recently completed my second interview for Decorati. I hope you enjoy learning a little more about the incredibly talented Ernest de la Torre. He is truly a man of many talents. Visit the Decorati website for more photos of his work. Once I have fully recovered from jet lag I will post again, and please forgive any typos.

Elvis Costello + Royal Scottish National Orchestra

2008-06-22T10:16:00.008+02:00

Just one more post before leaving...

Last night was one of the most enjoyable evenings in recent memory. Music legend Elvis Costello joined the Royal Scottish National Orchestra for a unique evening of orchestral music, including extracts from his first full scale classical work, Il Sogno. I’m certain that for most rational people, crossbreeding rock with classical music must seem like the ultimate bastardization, but then few artists have Costello's artistic intelligence and uncanny ability to create music that sounds exciting and new.

After intermission the crowd's excitement grew as Costello and long-time keyboardist Steve Nieve performed a few favorites from a long and illustrious repertoire. I especially liked his jazzy rendition of Watching the Detectives, definitely one of the highlights. Other favorties included—Veronica, Allison, Accidents Will Happen, Shipbuilding, She and God Give Me Strength. If you get the chance to see Costello perform his first full scale classical piece, book yourself a ticket. It really is a concert not to be missed.

Shopping on Saturday

2008-06-21T10:46:00.011+02:00

I know that yesterday was to be my last post until next week, but I thought that I would do one more Shopping on Saturday before leaving town. I received an email yesterday from one of my wonderful contacts at VIVRE telling me more about their recent partnership with Decorati. Two of my favorite companies coming together is just too good not to mention.

VIVRE, the uber stylish mail-order magazine and online boutique, has recently announced an exciting affiliation with Decorati, the leading online resource for high-end furnishings. The collaboration aims to provide designers and design enthusiasts with greater access to luxury accessories, textiles, lighting, and furnishings all in one place. Simply divine!

Coral Trim Trinket Tray (Kenneth Jay Lane Home)
A little tray with a lot of style. A gold lined ‘catch-all’ inspired by the sea. $150.00

Almidi End Table (Casamidy)
A Vivre exclusive. Hand-cut glass and hand-hammered iron. The legs are modeled after eastern architecture including doorways and arches. $625.00

Wreath Candlestick Holder (Allegra Hicks)
A beautiful painted red bronze coral that casts an alluring shadow when lit. $385.00

Signing Off

2008-06-20T12:03:00.003+02:00

This will be my last post until next Wednesday. We are co hosting a going away party for our neighbors tonight and celebrating our wedding anniversary this weekend. We are going to see Elvis Costello play with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, should be fun. I am still not packed for our trip to the States on Tuesday. So much to do, so little time.

Be certain to check back next week for a few fantastic profiles and my interview with Ernest de la Torre for Decorati. Safe travels to everyone getting ready to go on holiday.

All the best,
Ronda

Book Bargain

2008-06-18T12:03:00.007+02:00

UPDATE - as of June 21 this book is now $50.00 - even better!

If you consider $75.00 a bargain, then Dior is the book to own. It normally retails for $250.00 so $175.00 off the list price seems like a pretty good deal to me. I drooled over this book at the V&A gift shop in March and vowed to add it to my collection.

The book itself is huge (nearly 400 pages) and the photos are extraordinary. The massive volume features Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Boehm, Gianfranco Ferre and John Galliano. It carries a hefty price tag, but it truly is a fitting tribute to one of Europe's great fashion houses.

Profile: Me

2008-06-17T09:24:00.016+02:00

I was asked by the lovely Katie, who writes Katiedid, to participate in a game of tag. I must say that it is far easier asking the questions of others!

1. What were you doing 10 years ago? Trying to juggle way too much. Thank God for Zoloft! I was living in Houston, where I was born and raised, working as the Associate Director of Development for the Episcopal Diocese of Texas and volunteering for everyone and anyone who asked for my help. My husband was still in graduate school finishing his Ph.D. and we had a toddler running about.

2. Five items on your to-do list today.
• Start packing for Texas
• Send follow up emails for upcoming profiles
• Finish writing my article for Decorati
• Confirm seats for our flight
• Call the vet

3. Snacks I enjoy:
• Cashews
• Olives
• Hot Peppers
• Wasabi Peas
• Black Sesame Rice Crackers
• Does wine qualify?

4. What would you do if you were a billionaire? This is always a fun question.

• Travel would be high on the agenda, first class of course. Too bad the Concorde is only an icon of aviation history.
• Set up a family foundation and make large donations to my favourite charities, including autism and cancer research.
• Shop and design a dressing room to rival Aerin Lauder’s amazing closet. Gracie wallpaper is a must!
• Set up a trust fund for our son.
• Buy summer homes for my three sisters and my mom and dad.
• Hire a wine consultant to help me design and stock an amazing wine cellar that would include bottles of:

1982 Chateau Lafite Rothschild Pauillac
1945 Chateau Lafite Rothschild Pauillac (for good measure)
1990 Chateau Petrus Pomerol
2001 Chateau d'Yquem Sauternes
2002 Sloan Proprietary Red
2000 Chateau Cheval Blanc St. Emilion Grand Cru
2003 Sine Qua Non Syrah - The Inaugural
1994 Colgin Cabernet
2002 Comtes Lafon Montrachet
2002 & 2004 Swanson Alexis

5. Places I would live? Mallorca, Napa, Manhattan and France.

6. I am passing the challenge onto to anyone who has not been tagged. I love learning more about fellow bloggers.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

2008-06-16T12:40:00.011+02:00

Over the weekend we had a celebratory dinner in honor of Father’s Day, a fantastic report card and our up coming 15th wedding anniversary. Dinner was filet mignon, asparagus and creamed potatoes followed by crème brûlée. It was so delicious, but without question the highlight of the dinner was the 2004 Alexis Estate Red. It is a big wine with tons of yummy dark berry flavors and an excellent structure. Alexis, from Swanson Vineyards, was exceptionally luscious and fitting for the occasion.

The wine got me to thinking about our very memorable honeymoon spent touring Napa and Sonoma during the summer of 1993. A few favorites included Oakville Grocery, Ravenswood, Domaine Chandon and The Hess Collection.

Napa Valley is unquestionably America's reigning region for Cabernet Sauvignon. In terms of quality, production and reputation, this is California's world-class wine. Over the years I have been fortunate enough to enjoy some incredible California wines, including a 1999 Opus One, Spottswoode Estate and Stag's Leap Cask 23.

In my opinion, Swanson’s Alexis wine is a wonderful example of a great California Cabernet Sauvignon and easily ranks up there with some of the very best I have had the pleasure of enjoying. It is also an Oakville Cab—ground zero for Napa Cabernet. Year after year Oakville produces some of the most incredible wines in the valley. One wine I am still waiting to taste is Caymus Special Selection.

If you are looking for a great summertime read, pick up a copy of Judgment of Paris: California vs. France and the Historic 1976 Paris Tasting That Revolutionized Wine, a great retelling of the 1976 Paris Tasting. Another book that I still love and adore is my well-worn copy of Lee Bailey's California Country Wine Cooking. It’s a great book and it can be purchased for as little as five cents on Amazon.

I do wish it were easier to get California wines in Scotland. Any personal favorites? Do tell!

Happy Father's Day

2008-06-15T12:33:00.004+02:00

Florida 1973. My father holding my sister as I prepare to jump.

Happy Father's Day to all fathers, especially my own. I am blessed to have a wonderful, caring and generous father. Likewise, I think our son has a pretty incredible dad as well. Love to both of you.

Shopping on Saturday

2008-06-14T09:57:00.011+02:00

Isn't great when you find lovely antiques sold by people who are equally lovely. This is certainly the case with Adams and Comer Ltd, a fantastic online shop owned by Isibelle Comer and Audrey Adams. Not only do they carry beautiful lamps, chandeliers and tables, but their prices are very reasonable. Their first famous client was none other than the distinguished Mr. Albert Hadley. From there, their clientele list has grown to include Martha Stewart, Jeffrey Bilhuber, Eric Cohler, Robert Stern, Marietta Gomez and President and Senator Clinton. Very impressive.

A pair of wonderful handmade seashell lamps. Loaded with shells and personality. These would look so great in a beach house or a cottage by the shore. Price $1,250

1800s Red Chinese bench. Straight, architectural lines and beautiful red lacquer. Price $1,375

Stunning pale amber 1960s Italian Murano chandelier. Price
$2,400