What a Week!

It's Thanksgiving Week! A short work week for many... A stressful travel week for some... A frantic cooking week for others. No matter how your week is planned, try to take a minute and enjoy yourself amidst the chaos. Treat yourself to this scrumptious cocktail creation from the stylish brilliance of Leaf:


The Tipsy Turkey Thanksgiving Cocktail

Cheers! Whitney

Hunting for Vintage

Been having a great time in Lexington, shopping the amazing vintage stores in town, and finding some amazing antique resources off the beaten path, too.

I've been redecorating a Guest Bedroom on a slim budget and blink-and-its-here deadline, so thrift stores have been my No. 1 source for unique furnishings and accessories for this room.  I've had a blast meeting many of the shop owners and salespeople at Lexington's thrift and secondhand shops, among them are the staff at Uncle Ray Jay's Furniture ReSellers, Room Service, Scout, Feather My Nest, Another Man's Treasure, and about 5 different Goodwill shops. 

But my absolute favorite shop discovery has been Street Scene, a fabulously put-together vintage boutique.  I walked in the store (which is so unassuming from the exterior), and nearly fainted at the girlie retro wonder of it all.  The store is arranged in half a dozen themed vignettes, with clothing, fashion accessories, furniture and home accessories staged to retro perfection.  It was as if Etsy morphed into a storefront and enveloped me into its well-curated quirkiness.  I whipped out my iPhone and used my favorite app, Camera+, to capture some of the goodness and share here.



Cute little kitchenette vignette!
And, are you kidding me with that chair? It was meticulously recovered in soft red gingham. YES!

A Halloween-themed vignette with 70s furniture and tons of gilded frames on the wall.



Another Halloween-y vignette near the men's clothing section.  Lots of vintage cool men's hats, btw.



The back of the shop, which is huge and so pristine, you'd think all the items were brand spanking new. 



You know I almost convulsed at the sight of all this glassware. 
Too bad I didn't bring an extra suitcase on my trip to fill with these goodies..  I love cocktail glassware!!!



A dressmaker's form was recovered in peacock blue satin and is used to display an insane amount of brooches and pins.  Steal this idea for your boudoir!

  

I really, REALLY loved this campaign-style bamboo tray table.  Wouldn't it make a fabulous nightstand?  And how rad are those plaid pillows?!




This table lamp is so haute. 



Bins filled with decorative handles, pulls, knobs and finials. 
And with prices much cheaper than that store that rhymes with Quanthropologie.



I die.  This patio furniture set would be so cute in a kitchen. 
And all those tabletop goodies are totally Mrs. Roper cool.



If you're in the Lexington area, you must check out Street Scene.  There's a treasure at every step in this shop, and the ladies on staff were so sweet and super stylish.  They recommended some of the other vintage shops that I visited this week (and mentioned above), and were so gracious while I gushed about their fab shop.  I didn't buy anything for the Guest Room makeover, but I managed to buy a purse for myself.  How does that always seem to happen?!? I was there with only 20 minutes before I had a meeting, so I couldn't shop for too long, but I'm going back before I leave town! 

Cheers,
Whitney

Feeling Hamish

Hamish Bowles' New York and Paris apartments have been gushed over for quite some time on the blogsphere, and for good reason!  These images of his homes in NYC and Paris provide loads of inspiration.  The free use of colorful fabrics, antique artwork, unusual lighting pieces, tailored furniture and well-curated accessories is wonderfully stimulating.  Recently, I've been freelancing with an architecture firm whose work is deliberately restrained with very quiet décor.  Revelling in these images of Bowles' homes today feels like a happy punch in the face to quiet décor!

via Vogue

via Vogue

via World of Interiors

via World of Interiors

via World of Interiors

via World of Interiors

via World of Interiors

Hamish Bowles, European Editor at Large for Vogue.  Isn't he dapper?

Happy Friday!
Cheers,
Whitney

Proud Mary

Did you have too much fun last night?  Are you hosting brunch this morning but you hate champagne?  Do you just love tomato juice?  Then order up a savory and spicy Bloody Mary, often called the "world's most complex cocktail."  

There shouldn't be anything so complex about vodka and tomato juice, but elaborated recipes have been challenging bartenders to create opulent and wild versions for decades.  Common ingredients include Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce, beef consomme or bouillon, horseradish, celery, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, lemon juice, and celery salt, all served in a tall glass, often over ice.  Garnishes include celery stalks, limes, lemons, carrot sticks, huge jumbo shrimp, basil, crabmeat, parsely, cherry tomatoes, green beans, olives, hot peppers and even scotch eggs. 

A classic Bloody Mary (also known as a Red Snapper) at the King Cole Bar, NYC

via MetroWize

via Top Dekk

via All Things Edible

via Epicurious

The Bloody Mary was invented by a French bartender named Fernand Petiotin in Paris in the early 1930s.  He came to New York and brought the recipe to the King Cole Bar where it became an instant cocktail star.  A visit to the King Cole Bar (in the equally-elegant St. Regis Hotel) will grant you the pleasure to see the famous three-paneled  “Old King Cole” mural by Maxfield Parrish.  If you're in New York City this summer, treat yourself to a Bloody Mary and a huge basket of sugared almonds at the King Cole.

image via Yelp

If you're looking for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink to serve at a party -- especially a daytime event -- consider the wonderfully fun and complex Bloody Mary.

Awesome graphic recipe via Mrs. Lilien

Bottoms up!
Whitney

Cute Fruit

I'm working out a plan for a late springtime party.  I like to do highly seasonal menus at my parties, so I'm thinking that we'll celebrate the onslaught of summer's bounty by doing a lot of fruit dishes.  Desserts, if you will.  Okay, I guess I'm really planning a big ol' dessert party.  With libations, of course!

Stawberry Peach Sangria

White Sangria



all fruit images from Pinterest

Of course I think about décor when I see all these vivid fruit colors.  Rainbow hues can be easily overdone in an interior, but when the balance of bright color and neutrals is done right, it's awesome. 

via Elle Decor

via Elle Decor

via Elle Decor

via House Beautiful

DVF Home

via House Beautiful

via Vogue Living

Once I get a better plan for the party, I'll share my planned recipes and decorations.  You're all invited!
Whitney

Derby Days

I love horseracing.  I love the horses, the pageantry and I julep money gained from the occasional win on a Quinella box.  The days leading up to the Kentucky Derby are filled with parties and luncheons and meetings and races.  I've long been mad about equestrian style, and the specific look of the racing set gets me itching for a huge hat and a mint julep.  This weekend, be sure to watch the 137th running of the Kentucky Derby. 

In order to get here...

You have to start here. image Elle Decor

Get an expensive one of these.

Tack him up image via Elle Decor

and get a tiny, tough jockey

Mint juleps will be poured. Excellent recipe here. image via SouthernLiving

And sweet victory is only a mile and a quarter away!

Go Baby Go!  Enjoy the race!
Whitney