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.