Newport Lovn'

I am back from a lovely week in Newport Rhode Island and although it was tough to leave the land of sailboats, mansions and beach clubs, I was happy to return to my little urban home (4 story walk up excluded). Baby Sailor was a dream and we loved snapping a million photos of her... I WILL resist the temptation to post them. I do however want to share with you a few things I fell in love with...

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There was a distinct uniform worn amongst the Newport preppy bunch and I came equipped. I wore these pieces out!!

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I have found the world's best hamburger and GQ Magazine agrees (it's their #3, it's my #1). The "GQ" Burger at The Spiced Pear is meat perfected...

hand pulled kobe beef brisket mixed with ½ pound fresh ground kobe beef, caramelized red onion tomato jam, vermont white cheddar cheese, topped with crisp coleslaw


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I want to live here!! This understated (by Newport standards) home completely intrigued me. We were verging on trespassing as we snapped these photos, and I never got a full shot of the main house, but the front wall and carriage house were enough to make me giddy...





So long Newport, it was great seeing you.

Newport, RI

Headed to Newport Rhode Island this morning for a weeks vacation. It will be nice to get out of the city (which has been registering triple digit temperatures!) and feel the ocean breeze. Newport's main attraction is mansion row, some of these estates are still privately owned but many are now open to the public as museums. If you're a real estate junkie like me you'll love checking these out.

If you go, be sure to either stay at, or visit, The Chanler Hotel, it's gorgeous. I'll post some pics of our trip when I return but here are a few to peak your interest...

The Chanler Hotel

A Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That

It's been a busy few weeks full of inspiration and my desk is cluttered with tear sheets, photos and post-it notes with 'must do/see/buy' items. Here's a little sampling of some recent obsessions.

Incredible Weekend Getaway

Mark and I got away this past weekend for mini vacation in Los Cabos. We were there to celebrate our friends' wedding (one of the most beautiful I've been to) and took the chance to revisit one of our favorite places, The One&Only Palmilla. I love this property with all my heart because of it's gorgeous aesthetic, attention to detail and charm. They are offering some amazing summer deals right now so if you're in the market for a quick vacation, look no further! Here are some favorite moments from the weekend.

The Palmilla Gardens

Happy Place

The Perfect Cafe Au Lait

Ocean Play

Hammock+Book+Margarita = Perfect Afternoon

Best Online Sale

My favorite online retailer, Net-A-Porter, is having their infamous end of season sale. You've never seen such crazy discounts...designer pieces at up to 70% of original prices. Here are a few gems I found while perusing the thousands of items on sale.

Sass & Bide Jacket 50% Off - Now $232.50

Alexander Wang Cutout Jersey Dress 50% Off - Now $310

Stella McCartney Cork Wedges 30% Off - Now $598

*Keep an eye on these as they will probably be reduced further!

Loving Jenna

So I've never been a big fan of J. Crew but lately I've been crushing on the impeccable style of their creative lead, Jenna Lyons. So before the Cabo trip, I picked up a few pieces from jcrew.com that ended up being perfect vacation staples.

Silk Romper (I went with the black version)

Panama Hat

Can't Wait to See...

The art-house drama I Am Love, opening this Friday. The reviews had me with 'epic love story set in Milan in the 1930s'. Hoping my husband will cooperate!

Mad For The Parker

I just returned from a weekend escape to the Parker Hotel in Palm Springs. I mentioned the Parker in my Palm Springs Weekend post earlier this month but I was so enamored with the aesthetics of this amazing property that I just had to share!

This property is clearly Adler's fantasy playground come to life. It's mid-century meets Mideastern bazaar meets 60s decor. Adler's signature maximalism at it's finest. Bright colors (reds, oranges, hot pinks), lacquered doors, lush landscaping, hammocks, stacks of design books strewn about, sheepskins by all the beds, needlepoint pillows galore, statuary, croquet, Hermes and Molton Brown toiletries, room service by bicycle, caviar offered at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the most gorgeous Moroccan inspired spa and muddled lemonades served poolside all day long. I could go on and on. No detail is overlooked at the Parker and the result is total sensory bliss.

Palm Springs Weekend

March is by far the best time of year in the desert. Sunshine, warm evenings, blooming flowers and shoulder season, which means amazing deals at the best resorts, spas, and restaurants the Coachella Valley has to offer. Here’s my recipe for the perfect Palm Springs weekend.


Stay

You can’t visit Palm Springs without indulging in its country club culture. It’s a rite of passage and no one channels that experience better than The Parker Palm Springs.

Designed by Jonathan Adler, the resort’s cheeky manifesto calls for ‘mixed doubles, a long steam, and a stiff cocktail’. The Parker’s spa, Palm Springs Yacht Club, just unveiled it’s new 18,000 sq foot space which features an indoor pool, an open-air yoga studio, complimentary foot scrubs with every treatment and a lounge that features homemade pastries and shots of whiskey, bourbon, or rum in lieu of the standard hot tea and bowl of apples. Amen.





Dine

A meal at Citron at The Viceroy is a must. As soon as you step into the hotel’s glam foyer you are immediately transported to a chic take on Hollywood’s rat-pack era. Menu favorites include the calamari croquettes and the carbonara mac-n-cheese.





Cocktail

Head over to the new-ish Ace Hotel for a liquor-infused romp at their poolside lounge, aptly named Short Bus (it’s housed in a converted ice-cream truck). With treats like the booze sno cone, plenty of comfy hammocks and live music you are guaranteed a good time.




See

The Palm Springs Art Museum is featuring the exhibit, Between Earth and Heaven: The Architecture of John Lautner now through the end of May. Co-curated by Frank Escher, the exhibition includes original drawings, sketches and architectural models from one of America’s most significant Modernist architects.




Shop

Palm Springs is the epicenter of mid-century modern design and home to an amazing collection of shops featuring furniture, artwork and accessories from the 50s, 60s, and 70s. If vintage shopping is on your itinerary, these are the shops to hit:

Palm Springs Galleria - A collection of vintage stores including Bon Vivant, a haven for twentieth century accessories including Blenko glassware and Bauer pottery.



Trina Turk Residential – This mid-century modern oasis designed by Kelly Wearstler offers all the essentials for Palm Springs living. Pillows in Turk’s signature vintage inspired prints, modernist-inspired furniture (I especially love her patio collection), Missoni towels, candles, books, and an assortment of antiques and pottery.