Dreaming of...A Happy New Year

Cheers, everyone! Wishing you the very happiest! No matter how you spend it, I hope you have a wonderful night. Looking forward to sharing a joyful 2011 with you all. 

 

Party Pretty

Friends, what are you doing New Year's Eve? Cozy gathering or big bash?

More important question: What are you wearing? Black Tie or black pajamas? We're keeping it small--dinner with a few close friends in the neighborhood--but glamming it up in our favorite party clothes. To help get us all in the mood, here are a few of my favorite party frocks of the year...

Image from Vogue.com

Anne Hathaway in Oscar de la Renta 

 Image from Style.com

Camilla Belle in Yves St. Laurent

Image from Style.com

Amanda Brooks in Thakoon

Image from Style.com

Tory Burch in her own design

Image from Vogue.com

Gwyneth Paltrow in Michael Kors 

Image from Style.com

Laura Remington Platt in Alexis Mabille Haute Couture

Image from Vogue.com

Leigh Lezark in Chanel 

 Image from Vogue.com

Alexa Chung in Jason Wu 

 

Image from Huffington Post

Veronica Webb in Irina Shabayeva

 Image from Style.com

Julie Macklowe in Jason Wu

Image from Vogue.com

Karla Harwich in Oscar de la Renta

Image from ANNADELLORUSSO.com

And, of course, Anna dello Russo in Peter Dundas for Emilio Pucci at French Vogue's 90th Anniversary Masquerade Ball.

Party on!

Dreaming Of...Zermatt

About this time every year, I think about Zermatt.

 

My girlfriends, Megan and Brenda, and I had some crazy-fun adventures there on a New Year's girls trip. It was years before husbands and babies...no boyfriends, no serious responsibilities. Silly times. 

Image from the Hotel Monte Rosa

And even though I slipped on some ice our first morning there, broke my elbow and never skied a run, spent the week in a cast and couldn't even tie my own shoes...

...Best New Year's Eve Ever. By far. We gorged on fondue. Gathered with what seemed like the entire town in the village square at Midnight and got baptized with champagne. Then celebrated the new year with new (very cute) friends at an all night party at the Hotel Post. 

Image from the Hotel Post

I've always wanted to go back and actually ski that run that takes you across the border into Italy for lunch.

Image from the Hotel Monte Rosa

Image from the New York Times

I'm sure the next time I go, things will be a bit more tame. Just relaxing in the sweet, car-free village. 

Image from the Omnia Hotel

Warming up by the fire.

Image from the New York Times

A little aprés ski at the Igloo bar.

 Image from the Omnia Hotel

Who wants to go skiing?

Loving this...The Parisian Guide To Style

Boy, I could have used this book 20-something years ago when I was trading Levis, Izods and Sperry Top-siders for Madonna-inspired lace gloves and my boyfriend's motorcycle jacket...before deciding that maybe style was anything with a Polo logo.

I remember Inès de la Fressange in those years when she was the face of Chanel. Her brand of chic seemed unreachable and inimitable. Had she published her style secrets then, it may have saved me years of unfortunate outfits and the photos to prove it (Tolo 1988 comes to mind).

Image from Huffington Post

The book looks fantastic and has me feeling inspired already! 

 

  

Her personal tips for living with style and charm. Thoughts on how to dress like a Parisian... her favorite addresses for design and style. How clever. 

Image from RDuJour

 Image from RDuJour

Image from RDuJour

Who couldn't use a little fashion advice from a woman who has been in the industry's spotlight for 25 years?!

 With Karl Lagerfeld in 1987 (Image from Huffington Post)

And in 2010 (Image from Huffington Post)

The book also includes tips on how to inject style into any space--at home or at the office. Some pretty pink walls like her's at Roger Vivier would make me feel happy and chic at work. 

Image from The Selby

Image from The Selby

Image from The Selby

"My office is like a flea market!" Inès told Domino in their final issue. That's some chic flea market, don't you think? 

 

Orange You Glad?

My friend Amy loves orange and wears it fabulously. I thought of her when I saw these looks from Phillip Lim's Pre-Fall 2011 collection.

A little pop of orange is always so happy and cheerful, don't you think? Perfect for an after Christmas Monday, in case anyone has a case of the post-holiday blues.

 Image from House Beautiful

Image from Mary McDonald
 

Image from House Beautiful

Image from Massucco Warner Miller 

Image from Massucco Warner Miller

Image from Celerie Kemble

Image from House Beautiful

Makes me want to make a New Year's resolution to add a cheerful pop of orange to my closet or our  home. How about you?

Merry Christmas To All

Hello my friends, and merry wishes for a beautiful and blessed Christmas for you and your families. Thanks so much for taking the time to read my musings on dreams, art, and inspiration. I hope that your holiday brings so much cheer and that Santa is good to you.

 Our 2010 London-inspired Christmas Card

From our house to yours: Merry Christmas to all, and to all a jolly good night!

A Long Winter's Nap

Hi everyone! Last night's revelry went into the wee hours and I'm free from work for a couple days, so I enjoyed a lazy morning lingering in bed!

 Image from Country Living

 Image from Country Living

 

Image from Canadian House and Home

Image from Coastal Living

What a luxury! Just finished a lazy breakfast and cup of tea, listening to Christmas music and gazing at the tree. So nice. Now I'm off to wrap and deliver presents, enjoy a girl's lunch and make a fondue dinner for Will and I (we celebrate Christmas with just the two of us tonight, followed by Christmas with my family).

How about you? What are your plans? A little relaxation, or are you still in the Christmas rush? No matter what you're up to, I hope you can stop for a moment and enjoy the beauty and blessings of the season!