Birthday Wishes

Today is my friend Heidi's birthday...

I wish we could celebrate in Paris like we did a few years ago. A visit to the flea market, a little shopping, a nice long lunch...

Vogue IT

Huffinington Post 

 T Magazine

Where do you dream of celebrating your next birthday?

Charmed By: Asta the Wire Hair Fox Terrier

Mr. H. and I don't have any "fur children" yet -- although we talk incessantly about taking the plunge. I grew up with wire haired fox terriers, and these photos of Asta (or Skippy), the stylish little sidekick, of Nick and Nora in The Thin Man movies make my heart melt.

Sure, Myna Lloyd and William Powell were elegant and witty in the films, but Asta stole the show.

 

 

 

 

Asta also took a star turn along side Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn in Bringing Up Baby,  and again matched wits with Grant in The Awful Truth.

 

 

Lassie may have had better manners, Toto was pretty darn cute, but Asta had all the charm--not to mention comedic timing!

My Illustration

What do you think, should we hide the shoes and find our Asta?

Who's your favorite furry film star?

Better Late Than Never

Happy Monday, all. How was the weekend? We got a little worn out from all the celebrating -- our bash turned out to be quite a swell time. A sunny Sunday meant staying late in our PJs, lingering in the Adirondack chairs with coffee and a good read. A long walk. Rehashing the party over gin and tonics and leftover nibbles on a sunny patio. And catching up on long overdue projects.

Hope I Hit The Right Note-My Illustration

I'm a firm believer in the importance of a handwritten thank you note -- and I like mine to be hand-painted, too.  The girls celebrated my birthday weeks ago, but "Project Thank You" got placed on the back burner during "Project Invitation." Getting them out the door felt pretty darn good, and hopefully they're better late than never!

Did you get anything crossed off your to-do list over the weekend?

Decisions, Decisions

The invitations have been sent. Mr. H's dinner jacket has been steamed. But I still can't decide what to wear to our bash this weekend. I'd love your opinion....

...should it be graphic black and white?

Benthiem Co. Interiors

House Beautiful

Canadian House and Home 

 

British Homes and Gardens

Vogue

Style.com

My Coveteur-ish Attempt!

...or romantic floral?

 Decor Pad

 Country Homes and Interiors

Terry's Fabrics

 British Homes and Gardens
 

 AMC

I can't decide which of these lovelies should come to the party! Which one do you think?

Cheers, all! Thanks for your help. Hope you have a lovely weekend. XO

White Night

While my attire for Saturday's bash is still up in the air (you all may have to help me out with that tomorrow), Mr. H's has been sorted for weeks. I lobbied hard for a white dinner jacket, and he's game.

Mr. H is always a good sport about tuxedo-ing up for an event, but in all the years we've been together, I've never seem him sporting the white jacket. I suspect he'll look pretty swell.

 

 

 

It'll be like being out on a date with James Bond. 

Which do you prefer, dressed up or dressed down? Tux and tie or T-shirt and jeans? 

Hats and Horses

I'm not sure if it was nostalgia for my Grandmother Zaza, who bred horses, or too much Julian Fellowes on my DVR and my Kindle--not to mention a memoir from the Duchess of Devonshire. Or maybe simply a case of Royal Wedding hangover, but I got a little obsessed with Royal Ascot this year...

...checking the British press every day of it's five-day run last week for updates on the horses....

 

 

...and the hats.

 

Clearly, it's not a party until someone wears a Flamingo on her head... 

 

 

 

 Pretty much since Queen Anne started the Royal Ascot tradition in 1711, horses, pageantry and the desire to see and be seen have contributed to the popularity of the races. Whether the event has retained it's cachet over the past 300 years is subject to debate: "Royal Ascot is Back" The Telegraph proclaimed this year, while Vanity Fair said, "Ascot is not what it used to be."

 

No matter. Whatever your opinion-- of if you have no opinion at all -- it is fun to watch the parade of fashion that is Royal Ascot unfold through the years, don't you think?

 

1920s

 

1930s

 

 1950s

 1969

 1980s

And while hemlines have climbed and fallen, the Dress Code for Royal Ascot remians pretty ridgid, and really hasn't budged much for the boys in the past 100 years or so:

"Only formal day dress with a hat or substantial fascinator will be acceptable. Off the shoulder, halter neck, spaghetti straps and dresses with a strap of less than one inch and miniskirts are considered unsuitable. Midriffs must be covered and trouser suits must be full length and of matching material and color. Gentlemen are required to wear either black or grey morning dress, including a waistcoat, with a top hat. A gentleman may remove his top hat within a restaurant, a private box, a private club or that facility’s terrace, balcony or garden."

Some say the strict Dress Code preserves the event's old world charm:

Perhaps not. Some stick to tradition a bit more than others:

Here's the Honorable Deborah Mitford, circa 1936, looking chic by today's standards in her leopard print:

 

And the current Duchess of Devonshire on Day 5, 2011 -- clearly, matching the Queen's attire does not fall outside of the Dress Code:

 Personally, I'm all for any excuse to wear a garden on my head:

 

 Images from The Daily Mail, Telegraph UK and New York Magazine

I'm now rethinking my work attire for the day. Maybe instead of a floral print on my dress, I should choose a flower for my head.

Hope your Wednesday is as pleasant as just another day at the races!