Celebrating, Entertaining and Living Well
The Big Event Shopbop sale is here offering up to 25% off, and I’m eyeing a few key pieces for our upcoming trips {hello Italy and Thailand!}. Moreover, it’s a great time to get a discount on vases, coffee table books and other smalls for the home. Code word: BigEvent15 at checkout now through Sunday.
Jonathan Adler {I sense a theme here!}
It’s a new month, and spring is finally just around the corner. It marks the start of many fun travel plans ahead, and flower growing season returns! I’m beyond excited to start seeing new buds and an abundance of blooms in the corner markets. I also have a few hosting duties coming up this month (!!), so I’ve gathered a few images from around the web of beautiful flowers you can find easily in the coming weeks. Tablescape photos to come with a variety of these seasonal blooms — and happy March, everyone!
Images: 1. Narcissus {The Martha Blog} 2. Viburnum {Southern Living} 3. Tulips {Decoist} 4. Iris {HGTV} 5. Delphinium {The Knot}
One of our wish list items for our first home together was having two bathrooms {in a city that isn’t always an easy feat!}. We knew we would have all kinds of visitors, and it would feel so much more comfortable if guests had their own space. I love ours with the standing shower, heated towel rack and most importantly, a medicine cabinet.
The medicine cabinet is fully stocked with basically anything I thought people might need, from shampoo and conditioner for overnighters to floss and mint gum for dinner guests {you never know!}. We didn’t go out and spend a fortune here, instead saving the toiletries we acquire from traveling or store gift sets. I can’t recommend this enough. They fit nicely inside, plus give a wide variety of options.
Start with the basics:
The trick to making it look clean is giving space between the toiletries, reducing clutter. I also like to collect one brand, like Asprey London Purple Water. A collection, or a number of items within the same brand, make it looks complete and stylish. If you’re not traveling all the time, it’s easy to pick up a few travel-sized items from a local drugstore that won’t break the bank. Stock up on brands your guests will know and love, like Origins for face wash and Jergens for hand lotion.
If you have more space, I also suggest adding:
The other reason I really value stocking these toiletries for guests is to give independence. When I’m a guest, I really hate to bother my host with extra requests. They’ve already gone out of their way to have me in their home, so the last thing I want is to go ask for something else. Plus, guests won’t have to tell you {their host} when they misplaced their nail file in their purse or overnight guests forgot their shampoo as they were running to catch their flight {anyone else? just me?}. I promise you your guests will be silently praising you for having these around during their stay.
These Matouk monogrammed linen hand towels are my favorite little accent {also love these}.
Like the rest of the world, my man and I basically declared it an international holiday on Friday when the Underwoods returned for the third season on Netflix {thank goodness they released it in the UK at the same time as the States — just, yes.}.
Besides geeking out over the new pieces added to Claire’s elegantly-styled minimalist wardrobe — I want every stitch of clothing in my closet like yesterday — I’ve been loving the updated traditional style in their current residence. The light kitchen with its white subway tiles and pendant lights above the island, gorgeous floor-to-ceiling windows in the sitting room between the his and hers bedrooms, and the large chandeliers reflecting the light from all the table lamps lining the halls.
I wish the shots weren’t so dark to show off the beauty of their White House interior, but alas it wouldn’t be House of Cards then would it? The Underwoods are back in all their machiavellian ways, and darker than ever.
Those chandeliers, giant crown molding and the grouping of the chairs to create little nooks, more interest and opportunities to use the room.
Everything about this kitchen, with the chrome fixtures and multiple windows, and the sitting area below.
Double couches and that window. Swoon.
Of course there’s a dry bar on the sideboard. Bonus points with all the fresh flowers {I would like this flower budget.}
Love the tall windows in Claire’s bedroom, and the striped couch at the foot of the bed. And that headboard!
{All photos included in this post are stills from House of Cards, Season 3, with Netflix.}
These days, the overwhelming sentiment from everyone I talk to is spring can’t come soon enough. I couldn’t agree more. I’ve been pouring over our summer plans and dreaming of the warmer weather that’s slowly approaching. I decided to give us a little preview of the fun to come, and take us to the Italian countryside for a recent date night.
I try to cook mostly in season, using local vegetables and decorating with regional flowers. But there does come a point where I break that, like a Saturday night when we need a dose of springtime. We picked up some cherry tomatoes and fresh basil, along with rocket greens and a giant ball of mozzarella for our dinner.
For the table, I used a bright white tablecloth and a peach-colored runner to add a light, fresh feeling {I got mine on sale at West Elm, but also like this one here}. Then I got to work on the center arrangement. I picked several leafy branches from our trees outside our building and inserted them into a wire frame. I used roses from another arrangement, cut them so there were just a few inches left on the stem to show off just the bloom, and added them in casually.
For the place settings, I paired our bright white plates with our rattan chargers {ours are from Caspari, similar here} to give it a relaxed rustic feel.
I was inspired for the pasta dish by the one Camille Styles shares in her book {she has great taste – I love the way she brings all the senses together with her entertaining}. It was a simple mix of olive oil with minced garlic, cooking down the halved cherry tomatoes, adding in the cooked pasta, creamy torn mozzarella and shredded fresh basil just picked off the plant. The entire kitchen smelled heavenly.
For the salad, I just drizzled from freshly squeezed lemon juice onto the rocket and parmesan, along with a little olive oil. It was light, fresh and a delicious accompaniment to the pasta.
My husband decanted a wonderfully aged bottle of red, and poured them into our crystal glasses {it’s okay to add a little glamour, it was a date after all!}.
We had such a good time laughing and dreaming about returning to Italy {the bottle of wine certainly helped!}. I know we’ll call on this combination again soon. Salute!
Chargers / Plates / Silverware / Napkins / Glassware / Decanter / Wine Coaster / Pitcher
1. Power through female partnerships. {Time}
2. Thinking of adding these breakfast sandwiches to the weekday rotation. {Glitter Guide}
3. The glamour of the match striker returns. {New York Times}
4. Top tips for lighting art. {Architectural Digest}
5. A big fan of these surprisingly useful skills to help you stand out at work. {Forbes}
There’s a trend I’ve been loving for awhile now — the contemporary needlepoint pillow. It combines the classic cross stitch with modish designs, and looks comfortable in a variety of interiors. I wanted one for our home to punch up our traditional furniture and feel more playful around our living room. Plus, when I found these black and white monogram pillows from Jonathan Adler, it was a done deal. {I love a little black in rooms, no matter how small — it adds some depth.}
We purchased an ‘M’ for our last name and it makes me so happy every time I look at it. I’ve also seen it done in bedrooms with first name pillows on the his & hers sides of the bed — love. {I think I would be exiled from our bedroom if I tried to add any more pillows though, so that’s out of the cards for us.} Here are a few others out from great designers that would be gorgeous additions — though sparingly — to any home.
Would be perfect in a guest room {Tory Burch}
Local pride {Jonathan Adler}
Designed by the founders of Current/Elliott {Emily + Meritt}
Really into this cool color mix {Trina Turk}
Cheeky and I like it {Tory Burch}
If you’re anything like me, by the time Wednesday rolls around my mind is on weekend plans {cue Hump Day Syndrome}. Those plans include what we’re going to do together around London, and of course, what we’re going to eat. I can’t help it!
Of course, as much as I enjoy entertaining at home, we love going out to dinner. Over the past several months we’ve gathered a few go-to spots for date night, though they’re perfect with friends and visitors too. Here are our top five:
E&O: This cool little spot is always buzzing when we walk in the door, and totally sets the tone for a fun night. E&O is a vibrant, contemporary pan-Asian restaurant that provides quick service {sometimes I’m shocked how fast the food comes out}, delicious cocktails and we’ve loved everything we have ever ordered. Don’t miss: the Chili Salt Squid to start and Black Miso Cod. I’m dreaming of this now…
Le Boudin Blanc: Everything about this rustic, elegant French bistro warms my heart with memories of romantic dinners and many hours spent across the table from my husband in the candlelight. It is one of my favorites in all of London, and still holds the #1 spot for French onion soup {really, it’s so good}. Don’t miss: the French onion soup and creme brûlée.
The fantastic French onion soup at LBB.
Osteria Basilico: Located on Kensington Park Road just across the street from E&O, this little Italian spot makes me feel like we’ve been transported to the Italian countryside with its scrubbed wooden tables and authentic food. It’s always bustling, happy and comforting. My favorite table is downstairs underneath the staircase. Don’t miss: the antipasti and any of the tasty thin crust pizzas.
The Shed: I have to include this place… we live literally a stone’s throw away from the front door! It’s not just the location but how fun it is. Created by three brothers who wanted an extension of their lifestyle in West Sussex, their menu is focused on “nose to tail” cooking and it changes daily. The eclectic farm-inspired interior is charming and quirky. Don’t miss: the Daily Loosener to start your night and anything under Slow Cooking.
West Thirty Six: We just went here last weekend for the first time, and it far exceeded our expectations. Located on Golbourne Road, it really brings that urban grit to its four-story grill house/cocktail joint. W36 just opened a few weeks ago from the team who own Beach Blanket Babylon in Notting Hill, but it won’t be long before it’s a local favorite. Don’t miss: the crab and avocado trifle, rotisserie chicken and the warm apple pie {they serve it straight out of the pie dish at your table!}.
W36’s chicken – it was beyond amazing {this is just the half, come hungry!} and was the first thing we smelled when we walked in the door.
For one of the dishes my husband and I made together last weekend, we needed fresh basil. When we were at Whole Foods, I saw a basil plant and immediately was drawn to it. Just a few pence more — truly, it was 50 pence more for a whole plant instead of picked basil in a bag — I knew it had to come home with us. I grew up with my mom growing herbs in the backyard, so she used to just send me outdoors to pick the rosemary, cilantro or any of the other ingredients she grew and needed that night.
Urban living has meant my green spaces have mostly been the likes of Hyde Park {and of course, Central and Washington Square when living in New York}. It does always seem like the grass is greener, as despite this incredible city I catch myself longing for a big open yard with much space to grow anything my heart desires and the climate allows. Luckily, we do have some small trees and bushes outside our building, and I sometimes use some of the leaves for centerpieces (!).
There are great options to bring these sweet herbs indoors {plus plants add so much life to any space}. I’m interested in projects like this and this, but for right now I have planted our sweet little plant in a terracotta pot fit for the countertop. With a little water based white paint, I wrote “basil” in script and it dried virtually clear. I went over it a few times and love the way you can read the name of the herb without it shouting at you in a bright paint. A little wrap of some raffia up top in a bow makes it a cute, simple addition to our kitchen.
All you need, plus some scissors to cut the raffia… and your herbs!
{We used a lot of basil this weekend, I need to prune the extra tall stems!}
It seems so much longer to me, but Valentine’s Day was just the Saturday before last. I’ve been enjoying the abundance of flowers around our flat and working my magic to make them last as long as possible. Here are the secrets I’ve picked up over the years:
Once the blooms are really on their last legs, I pull them out of the vase and put them in a floral arrangement on the table. By this point, the flowers have truly blossomed and are often very wide {especially roses}. I use a combination of bud vases and my husband’s old fashioned glasses to display anywhere from 1-3 blooms. Mixing it with tea lights lengthens it and makes a simple yet dramatic arrangement.
For an extra flair, tuck a bloom into the napkin with the stem hidden underneath the fabric folds. I love bringing nature to the table, and having individualized elements at each place setting. Whether it’s for a big group, the two of us or even just me, it’s so fun to play around with flowers. It elevates the experience {even if it’s just a weekday breakfast} and makes me feel like each moment is special.
Chargers / Plates / Silverware / Champagne / Wine / Tablecloth / Napkins
