Anticipation...

Hi, friends! Did you have a wonderful weekend? I'm not quite finished with London posts yet, but wanted to share a few other things that I can't wait to dive into in the weeks ahead. This season is full of anticipation of good things to come--it's such an intoxicating balance between living in the moment and excitement for what's next!

My next book club recommendation

First off--books! Much time went into debating what to read during our trip--when I travel, I always want something relevant to the place. I so wanted to bring the memoirs of Deborah Mitford, The Dowager Duchess of Devonshire, along to London. Sadly, they were released the day we returned, so I had to make due with knowing the book would be waiting when I got home.

Young Deborah Mitford or "Debo"

And so it was, the real book, not the Kindle edition. As addicted as I am to my Kindle, this book begged to be ordered in hardcover. With that delicious book jacket, I think it will find a permanent home on the bedside table in our guest room. Plus, it's filled with photos, which the Kindle doesn't do justice to.

 

The Mitford children (from left): Unity, Tom, Deborah, Diana, Jessica, Nancy and Pamela in 1935.

Although I couldn't bring the book, the Duchess traveled with me, anyway. Articles in the November Vogue and the New York Times read over coffee in the hotel garden made me even more eager to dive into the book!

The Duchess at 90, from the New York Times Sunday Profile

I'm in the middle of, and loving Wolf Hall, which was my pick for the trip. As engrossing as it is, I can't wait to pick up Wait for Me. As the youngest of the famous Mitford sisters, she would be interesting enough. But her story in her own right--how she managed to transform Chatsworth into a thriving business and pay the 80% (!) tax owed when her husband Andrew Cavendish inherited family estate, and how she is as engaging at 90 as she was at 20--is one I can't wait to learn more about.

In Oscar de la Renta 

She's still in fashion. In her latest photo shoot, shot by Bruce Weber, the Duchess wore Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquirè, as did her granddaughter, model Stella Tennant. "Her at 90 and me nearly 40," says Stella in Vogue article. "My grandmother can carry off anything." Now that's how I aspire to be at 90! (I think some of my fashion DNA comes from my own very British grandmother, Rose, who could rock a lady-like suit into her 90s.) There's a lovely Q&A with the Duchess at the end of this Sunday Times article here.

Treats from the Ticking

Thanks to Pam Robinson at Red Ticking, I'm also eagerly anticipating the Christmas season! Can't wait to get our tree (after Thanksgiving!). As always, the Ticking looks amazing all done up for the holidays. It's all aglow with white lights and candles and ornaments that sparkle. I've already scooped up a few ornaments and know I will be back for more. Can't wait to get these guys on the tree, and for some holiday entertaining (there are some fabulous Libeco linens that may just inspire a Spontaneous Sunday Soup Night at ours in December).

How darling is Alber Elbaz? (Image WWD)

Speaking of decorating for Christmas, I read on the Style File blog that this week, Lanvin's Alber Elbaz unveiled the Christmas windows he designed for Printemps in Paris! Oh, how I wish I could get to Paris to see them--I'll just have to hope that I can talk my dear friend Liane into taking some photos for me when she is there with her Mum next month! Please? Or better yet, maybe I can sneak into her suitcase!

What are you anticipating as the season approaches?