Lady Lattimer

An Obvious Distinction

Monthly Archives: December 2010

You are browsing the site archives by month.

A Room with a Bloom

December 30, 2010 12:18 pm / 1 Comment /

Hope everyone had a great holiday!  Christmas wore me out, as it usually does every year, but it was great to be surrounded by family and friends.  The husband and I got back to our NYC apartment just about an hour before the massive snowstorm that hit the East coast.  Upon walking into our apartment, the smell of our Christmas tree permeated throughout the room and much to my surprise, my lovely holiday rose flower arrangement had dried to a beautiful scarlet red that gave the apartment even more Christmas charm.

For me, there is nothing greater than a room with a bloom.  I’m a huge flower addict and can think of no greater accent piece than a beautiful floral arrangement.  Here in NYC there are floral design stores, studios, ateliers (whatever you wish to call them) everywhere, showcasing some of the most beautiful arrangements you could ever imagine.  But they don’t come cheap, and since I would go flat broke getting an arrangement every week due to my obsession, I make my own.  Much to my husbands chagrin, I have a wonderful assortment of vases that I have bought over the course of a few years at a wonderful flower supply shop, Jamali Garden, on 28th street right in the NYC Flower district.  They have everything you could ever want or need to make beautiful floral designs.  If you wake up and get to the flower district really early (we’re talking 6am people) you can get some amazing blooms at discounted prices.  I can never manage to get out of the apartment that early, so I usually settle for the leftovers in that district, or opt for the flowers at the corner deli which are actually really nice.

The darling husband bought me 2 dozen gorgeous red roses from the corner deli  (for the low, low price of $10) and since I prefer a modern, minimalist design, I chose a simple cylinder metal vase to really let the flowers shine. Luckily, the red roses fit the Christmas theme and were a nice change from the Poinsetta or Amaryllis that is typical this time of year.  I gathered them nicely in the vase and voila!  for about $15, I had a beautiful arrangement that lasted me about a month.  (Please forgive the finger smudges on the vase.)

Your home should be your sanctuary and flowers are an inexpensive way of bringing a touch of nature and beauty indoors.  I’ll be posting some more flower arrangements in the coming months to help give you tips and ideas to brighten your room without spending a fortune!  Happy New Year Everyone!

Posted in: Art/Media, Food/Gifts, Home / Tagged: , , , , , , , , ,

Chick Lit

December 8, 2010 2:55 pm / Leave a Comment /

I just finished reading Jill Kargman’s “The Ex-Mrs. Hedgefund”, a delightful read about, you guessed it, a divorcee who is no longer a hedgefund wife.  The title says it all but that doesn’t mean the book is without emotion, suspense and drama.  Upon reading the last page and dropping the book by my nightstand, I came to the realization that I like Chick Lit.  I actually LOVE Chick Lit—and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that! So I’m owning it.

"The Ex Mrs. Hedgefund" by Jill Kargman

I’m owning this as a just for fun, I want to sit and relax with a glass of wine and a humorous good book.  Who says I have to wait until I can get my butt to a beach vacation in order to partake in chick lit?  I want to read it NOW, in NEW YORK, during the cold days of December, and eff those who think they are just dumb books.  Sure, I can appreciate the classics just like the rest of them, but I get really tired of people frowning upon Chick lit as some sort of lowbrow reading.  There is an audience for this genre ,for people who love to escape the seriousness of daily life and delve into something that deals with contemporary life and love, with a soap opera-esque quality.  It is in fact this very reason that TV Soap Operas have been so successful for so long. These types of books are written in a way that transports us to a type of life we may not know or to a place of  empathy–an “I’ve been there and I understand your pain”  feeling everytime you turn the page.  They are written as though you have a good girlfriend on the phone telling you about her problems, or helping you with yours.

For those of you closeted Chick Lit readers, I encourage you to embrace your tastes in public.  Ride that subway with your chick lit book in tow!  I guarantee you will get some good looks of approval.  And for those of you who want to add some more Chick Lit to your collection, or give as gifts, or just start reading this genre, here’s a good site that offers up some great options http://www.candycoveredbooks.com/ 

Happy reading!

Posted in: Art/Media, Fashion, Food/Gifts / Tagged: , , , , , ,

The Mad Hatter

December 6, 2010 10:21 pm / Leave a Comment /

Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the fashions are so delightful! With the weather now getting colder, everyone is bundling up and wearing their winter hats in order to keep warm. But hats are now becoming more about making a fashion statement then preventing a head cold. Hats and headwear are currently very de rigueur and the current amazing styles out there are providing another great way to accessorize and maximize any look.

I’m really loving the Russian Ushanka type fur hats this season. While some come with ear flaps that you can tie up, (the name of this Russian Hat actually translates to ear hat), I’m actually liking the ones that have no flaps. If you’re living in really cold temperatures, or simply planning a trip somewhere cold, this hat is sure to impress. Here’s a pic of Angelina Jolie wearing one on the set of her movie “Salt.” WARNING: Thes are major statement pieces and very “all eyes on you” types of hats. Not recommended for those who are bashful.

Here’s another style similar to the Ushanka. This one is by Adrienne Landau and is available at Bergdorf Goodman. In the current fashionable cheetah print, this hat will make any outfit or coat pop and is sure to give any girl her Julie Christie Dr. Zhivago moment! 

Russian Fur hat by Adrienne Landau

An alternative to wearing a hat is the very of-the-moment turban. For years, turbans have been worn by Hollywood stars.  A great fashion headpiece, the turban has recentlymade a comeback and has been seen on the runways and on celebrities like Salma Hayek, Kate Moss, and Ashley Olsen. The modernized turban is a really bold look and for those who don’t shun the spotlight.   I’m still on the fence on whether I can pull this look off (I think I’ll look more Jambi the Genie then Greta Garbo)  but I give a lot of credit to all those who do…fearless!

Leading Ladies wearing Turbans

There is something about hats that just screams old hollywood glamour and I love the fact that people are embracing headwear again as statement pieces and not just for warmnth.  I’m going to keep looking out for amazing headpieces throughout the season here in NYC and will post fabulous pics here as I see them.  I encourage you to do the same.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Posted in: Beauty, Fashion / Tagged: , , , , , , ,