BEST IN SHOW

 After a quick trip to Florida last week, I arrived home on Sunday to a chilly 43 degree spring afternoon. I reluctantly put away my sandals, and hoping to extend that wonderful tropical vibe I headed over to Macy's for a little floral therapy. It's Macy's 37th annual flower show, a fantastic, over the top storewide display of lush gardens featuring mountains of exotic flowers and plants. Just what I needed to get rid of the NYC chill! Looking for a little spring inspiration? Head over to a Macy's near you-the show runs until April 10th.

CHECK IT OUT

An American classic, gingham looks so fresh this spring.  

 The perfect spring top-gingham seersucker blouse from J.Crew

So cute-Christian Louboutin's gingham ballet flats 

Scalamandre's retro gingham check looks modern when paired with contemporary shapes 

One of my favorite rooms-Jeffery Billhuber's New York apartment features a fantastic beige gingham on the walls, windows and table. The pattern is sophisticated and bold; very cosmopolitan.

Will you be wearing gingham this spring?

LOST AND FOUND

Had I know I wouldn't see you again, I probably wouldn't have packed you to the gills with my favorite summer shoes and sweaters.  But when I left you at the JetBlue counter I though you would be there with the rest of the bags at the baggage terminal ready for a little fun in the sun.  But you didn't show up-not on that flight or for the next four days.  And so I began to think about you my new red  T. Anthony bag--and everything you were carrying for my two week vacation.  I usually travel light, packing as much as possible in a small bag that can be carried on the plane but were we traveling for two weeks which required a bigger bag (more shoes!)

I didn't panic-everyone else had their bag and I figured a quick trip to J.Crew would keep me for a day.  Surely they would have the bag tomorrow!  But they didn't--and I started to miss my favorite sandals, perfectly broken in for long walks and damn, that new swimsuit that took endless hours to find.  I was the grumpy girl sharing my teen daughters shoes and hounding the airline with calls about the whereabouts of my lost bag.  By the third day I went on a full buying spree-the airlines had said the chances of finding my bag were slim and I was desperate for clothes. I thought of that Bravo show where they give someone two days to by an entire new wardrobe. There I was, running frantically through stores looking for the perfect white pants and platform espadrilles- it was stressful. Today was day five of my lost bag saga and first thing this morning we got a call from JFK saying that they had located my bag. We are reuniting this afternoon--hope there's room for all my new stuff!

JACK POT!

Located dangerously close to my apartment, the oh so chic Jack Roger's, creator of the classic Navajo sandal, opened its first flagship store earlier this week on the Upper East Side. The Jack Roger's sandal was designed in the 1950's as a casual resort wear shoe. Hand-crafted with whimsical whip stitching, the Navajo sandal became an instant classic in 1961 when Jackie Onassis was photographed in Palm Beach wearing a pair of "Jacks." 

  The shoe became an instant summer staple for the preppy set and over the years has gained a cult-like status as the essential summer shoe.

 Creative Director Lauren Dupont wearing a jacket from the new line.

Opening night fete was filled with fans of the preppy line, many snatching the glam beaded clutches and chic long jackets which are part of a stylish new collection. The line has expanded over the past few years with the addition of stylish platforms, ballet flats and handbags.

While I will always be loyal to my Navajo's, my newest crush is the Marabelle platform.  With it's familiar Navajo "face" and 4" platform heel, the sandal is the perfect summer shoe.

Look for "Jack" in a town near you. Word is the brand will be opening stores in Bal Harbour, Nantucket, Palm Beach and the Hamptons.

photos-WWD, Curbed,

SPRING GREEN

I'm trying hard to ignore the rain falling outside my window this morning and decided to focus my attention on an optimistic dose of spring green.  The designer Amanda Nisbet is known for her masterful mix of colors and textures. I've always admired her ability to add bold strokes of color to a room with stylish results. Just look at the chic sitting room with walls painted a playful chartreuse and luxurious gold and grey accents. I've been hanging on to the tear sheet for months and recently decided to dip my foot into the color pool and bought a delicious Lee Jofa apple velvet for our master bedroom headboard.  My husband was a little skeptical, and honestly so was I.  I'm not sure I'm a candy apple girl-but its off to the upholsterer, so we shall see. How do you feel about a little spring green?

BROADWAY BLOOMS

Looking for a little spring inspiration, I headed off to the New York Botanical Garden yesterday to view the ninth annual Orchid Show.  This year the NYBG  turned to Broadway for inspiration, creating fanciful arrangements that show off more than 300 types of the flower.  Two theater insiders — Scott Pask, a Tony Award-winning set designer, and Drew Hodges, chief executive of the Broadway advertising agency SpotCo — collaborated on the design.

The show was filled with high-drama with the glamorous orchid cast as the diva starlet. Highlights included the proscenium arch, delicately draped with red garden hoses to represent a curtain and a giant chandelier hung with a multitude of moth and cane orchids. The show is definitely worth a visit; it runs until April 25th.

LOVE THE BANGLES

 

Earlier this week I was invited to the preview Frey Wille, a Viennese fine jeweler that specializes in gorgeous enamel jewelery. Their new Madison Avenue shop takes over space from Furla, and I must say it's so good to see a pretty new store opening after so many closings.  The shop's sleek, contemporary interiors highlight the jeweler's fanciful patterns and bold styles which are inspired by historical periods of art, from ancient Greece to Egypt.  Many of the designs have a distinctly modern 60"s vibe, very Pucci, while others are take on a decidedly vintage feel. I had fun trying on the bangles (skinny, thick, both?) and tasting the yummy Viennesse hors d’oeuvres. Stacked or single these enamel bangles are gorgeous works of art-the perfect spring accessory.

SPRING FLOWERS

Where have all the flowers gone? As we drove down East 28th Street on Sunday morning I was anticipating a fun morning shopping for a spring bouquet for my husband's 90 year old aunt. I looked for the telltale burst of color from buckets of fresh flowers that line the sidewalks and announce the wholesale floral district. Half way down the street and I still didn't see any flowers.  A new boutique hotel and a sign announcing the Grand Opening of a Ramen Noodle shop had replaced two of my favorite wholesale floral shops. My favorite wholesale floral shop Fischer and Page was closed, the victim of rising rents. I was incredibly sad. 

I found one of my old favorite shops still in business-the owner's were busy laying out wooden crates filled with tulips and spring crocus on the street corner. I entered the shop, warm and intoxicating with the scent of gardenias.  Rows of French tulips and roses in dozens of colors lined the walls. The owner filled a wooden crate with red French tulips, budding crocus and purple hyacinths, a gorgeous breath of spring. It was a lovely Sunday morning in the city. I hope the remaining shops survive.

GUEST BLOGGING ON DOMESTIC EASE

I was so excited to be asked to guest blog for the stylish Domestic Ease about one of my favorite subjects-Hamptons Chic. Yes, we are still in the throws of winter, but who can resist pining for warmer days, ocean breezes and perhaps a weekend trip to the Hamptons?  Hope you can join me today and see my favorite new day and evening looks and the most adorable finds for the kiddies.

THERE'S ALWAYS ROOM FOR BLUE

I'm always delighted to see new installations at my favorite shops in the D & D. Designer staged rooms provide great inspiration and I always seem to find a fabric or trim that would be perfect for a new project. My trip to Lee Jofa yesterday did not disappoint. Kelly Wearstler's edgy Hollywood glam was tuned down a bit with a chic homage to the color blue. Her rich Bengal Bazaar fabric is the backdrop for an elegant pairing of deep teal and stark white. I love the larger than life white busts that flank the fireplace-great conversation pieces! The room is masterful mix of cool Hollywood Regency pieces and my favorite color blue-when can I move in?

 Chaise covered in Sora velvet in blue

Side chair covered in Fuji Modern in teal

Walls covered in Bengal Bazaar in teal