Party Pooper

One of the things I miss the most from all of this Covid nonsense is parties. Parties in all forms. Casual backyard rendezvous. Milestone celebrations. The kinds of parties that make your jaw drop. The homes where the hosts have clearly gone to such thoughtful great lengths to delight their guests in such an intimate way. The wedding that made your heart sing. The kind of bash you’d fly across country for because you know your dear friends will be there.

When this is finally under wraps (hurry up already!!) I know we will all come back with a much greater appreciation for the company we celebrate with and the measures taken to be joyful in those moments.

When I think about glamorous, whimsical, decadent parties that ooze with old-school hospitality, I think about Van Wyck & Van Wyck.

Enjoy a sampling of their work, here.

Hopefully we’ll get our party on again very soon…

A New Orleans wedding by Van Wyck & Van Wyck

A moment from a New Orleans wedding by Van Wyck & Van Wyck

A Weekend Well Spent

My husband and I had a lovely getaway in Litchfield County, Connecticut over the weekend. The past few weeks have been exhausting for wonderful reasons, but it was time to take a healthy pause.

The weekend was a little slice of happiness — and a welcomed distraction, as we were footloose without baby, exploring a few places we have had on our list for some time.

First, was New Preston to check out Plain Goods Shop, followed by a cozy and casual lunch at The Owl, a wonderful recommendation from Carol Vargo of Gray Antiques. My encounter with Plain Goods Shop was a lovely reminder of how a shopping experience should be, in my opinion. Every product was thoughtfully procured and presented whilst beautifully styled amongst juicy Autumn dahlias, resting on antique furniture pieces with a perfect patina — all ready to enchant the customer.

Just across the way, lunch at the The Owl was fantastic and with the raw New England air, it made for the perfect respite. The menu was simple — mostly pizzas and salads, all fashioned with seasonal ingredients, accompanied with fantastic wine and beer selections. The decor, matte black bistro tables and chairs adorned with local blooms, was uncontrived yet well considered.

Though there were other highlights of course, one of the main reasons we road tripped was to see The Mayflower Inn after its chic face lift by Kemble Interiors. Our experience did not disappoint. Dinner was prix fixe, and with all the hype about their new in-house chef April Bloomfield, I can genuinely say, it was impressive and delicious. As far as the interior, Kemble Interiors truly did a remarkable job with the project. My favorite room, the parlor, was adjacent to the chic gift shop (a fun collab with the ladies of The Huntress), playfully swathed in bold fabrics, Green Vase paper florals, abstract art (to include one of Gary Komarin’s iconic Cake Paintings), and trimmings for the perfect fireside cocktail experience. I highly recommend a visit, even if just for a drink!

Here’s to savoring new experiences and hoping 2021 will make way for more adventures…

A snap from our stay in Litchfield County.

Old World Italian

My copy of Mimi Thorisson’s new cookbook, Old World Italian, arrived yesterday and it has me excited for a cozy weekend of recipe reading and testing. We are headed up north to our tiny cabin this evening, a place where I love to cook, so the timing could not have been more perfect.

I’ve followed Mimi for years, since her idyllic days in Médoc living in her family’s farmhouse and now, I look forward to reading about their new adventure in Turin, Italy.

Admittedly, part of what first drew me into her work was the photography. Her husband, Oddur Thorisson has been capturing her culinary travels and recipes since the beginning. There is such depth to her work — her authenticity and passion comes alive in the imagery that feels so uncontrived yet seductive in color, texture and mood. And yes, there is indeed an element of “Old World” to her spirit and philosophy that I find incredibly alluring. She is perhaps one of the royal members of and advocates for the Slow Food movement that captivates many of us.

From foraging in the fields for mushrooms, to the best duck with green olives in Paris, to her favorite local markets in Bordeaux, Mimi has always been a go-to source of mine when I’m scheming up special meals, and even influenced our restaurant selections in Paris last fall and on our honeymoon in Italy.

I highly recommend following Mimi on Instagram, and welcoming her cookbook to your kitchen.

Now, I’m off to find some Oxtail Stock…

ABOVE & BELOW: Snippets from Mimi’s new cookbook, available for order on Amazon — or, better yet, call your local bookstore to see if they will order for you.

Perfectly Provocative in Nantucket

My work requires me to spend a bit of time connected to Instagram, which in large doses can feel a bit stifling these days. However, every once in a while, there are certain images that are literally jaw dropping and remind me how the platform can serve as an incredibly seductive escape. This recent post by Steven Gambrel was exactly the provocative visual I needed. How sensational is this Nantucket kitchen? His materials and finishes are always second to none, and I love how the french pastry shelves feels right at home. Intentional, of course.

All images are via Steven Gambrel’s Instagram, @stevengambrel