Legation Quarter

I'm heading to a wedding this weekend and the rehearsal dinner is tonight at Maison Boulud, yum! The food is excellent and the service is divine (as is the GM!). I've met chef Daniel Boulud a couple times in Beijing and New York; it's refreshing that he is a joyful, genuine guy. Image

Located in the Legation Quarter, the setting has a blemished history. Foreign legations fist located there in the 1860s, but after the Boxer Rebellion (1900) a wall was built around a cluster of structures and Chinese residents were forced out. For a period the American Embassy and diplomatic residences were located there, sealed off from the immediate environment--it became a city within the city exclusively for foreigners with many Chinese nationalists resenting the Quarter as a symbol of foreign aggression. During the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) looting and vandalism were rampant and only a few stately structures survived. One of those now ironically houses Maison Boulud, bon appétit. Image

Ink Blots

Seems like I have more art than walls to hang it on, but if I had room, I'd love to put these up and create an inviting niche space. Also liking artist Kaitlyn Sullivan's color palate.

B'berry

I generally hate sunglasses on me, which is very trying in the summer. But these look decent on and make me feel elegant so I went for them. Sorry wallet!

QB

Last night I met with an American fellow who had traveled to Beijing to visit his father and because of a slight temperature when he was tested at the airport, he was quarantined in a Chinese hospital for a week (mind you his temperature was normal and he never had any other symptoms the entire week). Not exactly a warm welcome, but he seemed to be in pretty good spirits, here's his story. In addition, pork is no longer being served at many restaurants and China has banned pork imports from 36 states. Man this nickname for the H1N1 virus is giving pigs a bad rep. Image

Puccini

Back from a glorious weekend out at the Great Wall. Apparently the Domino tag sale was well picked over in the first hour, so I'm feeling my weekend without the lines and the hassle was especially well spent. I love this illustration by Noumeda Carbone entitled the 'Passion of Puccini,' it feels feminine without being girly. He uses ink, pigment liner and photoshop to create little surprises.

Domino Tag Sale!

I nearly fell off my chair when I read this NYT piece. I'm feeling very very blue that I won't be in town to partake, but a bit proud that these splendid events go on in my fair city. Would be fun to have a relic from the Domino era....

Pool Party

I'm headed to a birthday party and weekend getaway at the Commune--a beautiful hotel out by the Great Wall of China. Should be fabulous, hope the weather cooperates with my plans to lounge at the pool.

To Watch

HBO's documentary about the earthquake of May 12, 2008 looks like a powerful piece. Not surprisingly it's not airing in China, but I will do my best to get a copy of it somewhere. Premieres on Thursday, May 7 at 8 p.m. ET/PT

Maine

Law passed today, the fifth state to approve same-sex marriage. Image from The Week.

Feathers

Sometimes wearing a handband makes me feel more put together, this is especially true with my new headband with feathers (on sale!). It's petite and subtle. My sister got the second one, which didn't look good with my curly hair, but looks very 1920s chic in her auburn locks.

Saks

I know she has been blogged about a million times, but Ann Saks' tiles are so beautiful I couldn't help but mention them here as an excuse to decorate the page.

New Hat

Hats are back. And thank goodness because I burn so easily. I just got this straw fedora which is perfect for summer; it shields me from sun as well as unwanted eye contact:) I wear the brim flipped down in the front--not as shown in the picture.

Mascots

Sometimes on my vacations an unplanned mascot emerges. Such was the case with 'Peggy Sue,' a blow up Penguin purchased at a dollar store in Beijing, who tagged along on our recent trip to the Philippines. I love the first picture of 'flat laura' created by my friend's niece and mailed to my friend in Beijing to take along with her during a trek through Nepal.

Pretty?

I am hoping to introduce a new color(s) in my predominantly beige and terracotta red living room, I thought these might do the trick. But I'm still deciding if they are ugly pretty or just ugly.

Sanborn Maps

Available at the the NY Public Library, these Sanborn fire insurance maps could look great framed. This one just happens to be a 1916 survey of the lot I grew up on and it's pink!

Another Use for the Icebox

My friend taught me a great trick to keep ballet flats and other potential potent shoes odor free even after a long hot summer...put them in the freezer! Apparently most odor causing bacteria are killed off by the low temp. Here's a full tutorial.

Under My...

I tend to loose umbrellas, but maybe I would manage to hang onto this classic beauty. Perfect for work and play.

Jordan's Queen

Ok, I'm a bad blogger. I left for vacation which included Easter, Passover and a wedding, 3 states in ten days not to mention a 14hr flight there and back and just didn't do any blogging. Anyway on NPR today, I came across this image of Queen Rania. I don't want to get into the Israel debate here, but in a style/fashion sense, she really puts the glamor back in royalty.

I Fly Into New York Today

YAY! Can't wait to see everyone and oh the shopping I will do. My arrival also beautifully coincides with a new soho store, well played Top Shop, well played. Image: "Fly" Lucky Blue Bird Art.

Peony Love

I first saw these dramatic beauts at city sage and followed the link to artist Kari Herer. These would be perfect hung in a set of three over a bed, so much so that I was finally motivated to sign up with etsy and paypal to complete the purchase. Hopefully the hubby agrees, otherwise they will be gifted to lucky friends and family:)