Omg-It’s April Already!

Posted on 04/06/2013 by Slim Paley

Did you think I’d run off with the Moroccan Circus?!

I do still have one or two Moroccan tidbits I’d love to share, but today’s post hails from NY where I had a lovely visit this week with Older Son,

enjoyed a little theatre (or perhaps I should say big theatre)

and well, you know the rest…

there was some food involved…

but first, the play

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Directed by two-time Tony winner George C. Wolfe and starring the boundlessly talented Tom Hanks, “Lucky Guy” is the hottest ticket on Broadway.

We were lucky enough to attend the opening night on Monday and it was truly electrifying.

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The last work of the brilliant Nora Ephron;

“LUCKY GUY marks a return to Ephron’s journalistic roots in a new play about the scandal- and graffiti-ridden New York of the 1980s, as told through the story of the charismatic and controversial tabloid columnist Mike McAlary, who won the Pulitzer Prize shortly before his untimely death on Christmas Day, 1998.” (via Luckyguy.com)

Screen Shot 2013-04-06 at 12.52.01 PM It’s great fun to experience Tom Hank’s first time on the Broadway stage, in fact the entire cast is stellar

so if your plans include a trip to NY between now and June, I highly recommend it.

And what’s a trip to NYC without a little window shopping?!

My Instagram pic (following yet?) of the Celine shoes that are starting to grow on me

(no pun intended)

Screen Shot 2013-04-06 at 10.59.51 AM Especially the “Birkenstock” version which FYI is already sold out in the black on black style.

I just asked.

L1150148 Then there’s this casual little Walter Steiger heel for all you ~~Crowns of Thorns~~, ~~Thrones of Corns~~, Game of Thrones fans

(which I’ve yet to watch because I still haven’t started “Homeland” yet. You see the sacrifices I make for this blog?!)

I snapped the pic in Barney’s, slightly more civilized than the Bergdorf’s shoe department was on Friday

Where it’s every woman for herself (more crown-thorny shoes there too-not in my size )

And now’s the time for Vegetarians to shield their eyes

We enjoyed a hearty brunch at Il Buco Alementaria & Vineria

beginning with a most civilized selection of their house-cured meats.

menu board at il Buco

Then Son of Slim threw down with a short rib sandwich that quite frankly did his Momma proud.

Despite its girth, it absolutely melted in your mouth. Like buttah.

er, I mean his mouth.

I’m far too much of a Laaydy to be seen eating such a beast (at least in public-would that they have private booths)

This is definitely not a First Date Sandwich.

Il Buco is very buzzy and for the most part, dining is shared at communal tables.

8-14_085 via Il Buco website

I will mention that the acoustics aren’t the greatest (upstairs seems slightly louder than down) We moved downstairs because I swear a woman at our table was talking to someone in another restaurant-and not on her phone. I felt like we were in a Woody Allen film, but let’s not be ‘Slim Cranky’. The food’s delicious and service is great.

This was my second visit to Il Buco and I’d definitely go again.

The salted caramel gelato at Il Buco.

Yes, I did say brunch

And in the blink of an eye another NY week is over and it’s April already.

Wishing everyone a great weekend and a sweet & happy new(ish) month!

Spring is upon us and I hope to be posting with a little more frequency from now on. Really.

’tis the season of growth and renewal after all, right?

XX SP

**The lemon meringue cake is at “E.A.T.” on upper Madison Ave.!

Both “Lucky Guy” play photos via Bloombergbusiness.com

In The Trenches

Posted on 02/27/2013 by Slim Paley

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Carolyn Murphy

So, I’m in London and it’s lovely to be back

but it’s cold. I mean rhilly, rhilly cold.

Like there’s no chance in hell of me trotting out my new “Joseph” trench coat COLD

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or asking my husband to take a photo of me for a blog post I’m writing about “cute trenches”

However…

with Spring around the corner, it was now or never for this baby.

234468724319519004_40Q19iQY_c photo by Signe Vilstrup

Besides, what city in the entire world is more famous for trench coats than London?!

And I just love a good T.C., don’t you?

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So does Lady Mary.

sniffle. I miss Downton already.

breakfast-at-tiffanys

Breakfast at Tiffany’s” double sniffle

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Burberry Prorsum

Oh oh. lost credit.

Karlie Kloss in the trench I was really coveting this year.

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Oh lovely leather & khaki trench, spectral sylph of my rain-lashed dreams, where art thou?!

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I kind of really want these shoes too, but we won’t get off topic will we.

Super Styling the trench

Do you think her husband/boyfriend took the photo? Me too.

Do you think she has those leopard flats in the pic above? Me too.

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Constance Jablonski

Studdy Trench

Kate. Trench. Done.

Model of the moment Cara Delevigne in Burberry

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Two Classics of Fashion & Film in one photo

The Not Trying But Really Trying Trench

Jean-Paul Gaultier Spring/Summer 2013

Rosie Huntington-Whatever, I mean Whiteley in the gorgeous Burberry lace trench

Fierce Trench

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Frothy Trench

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Chicest Trench

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Bureaucratic Trench Warfare

(Prada)

Pop Goes the Trench

Cheeky Trench

(Both Burberry)

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and the darling teeny weeny trench I bought for my adorable God-daughter at Phillip Lim.

(A little worried Suri ??)

Tinier still, there’s even one for your iPhone by Moschino

I know. Shut The Door!

I think we’re all kind of hoping for just a little rain now, aren’t we??

( Vancouverites don’t all answer at once )

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Just not in…

Humphrey Bogart

CASABLANCA

My next stop!

Alright, Marrakech, but so close. Who knows, we could end up in Casablanca-

“What in Heaven’s name brought you to Casablanca?”

“My health. I came to Casablanca for the waters.”

“The waters?? What waters? We’re in the desert!”

Ciao for now

xoxo

PS. Don’t forget to follow @Slimpaley on Instagram where I’ll hopefully be gramming daily from all the gin joints in Morocco

and a few gardens too

(uncredited photos via Pinterest or Tumblr)

Jean Genie

Posted on 02/22/2013 by Slim Paley

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I‘m packing again.

Hey, Life is short.

Last time I checked, I wasn’t getting any younger and there’s a great big world out there.

Given the disparate nature of my two destinations; London and Morocco, packing has been a week long Herculean task.

First of all, London in late February… Dude, definitely not Santa Barbara weather. But with boots, coats, sweaters…Mon Dieu! How to save luggage space for all the souk spoils of Marrakesh?!

And then the wardrobe to indulge my Talitha Getty/Marisa Berenson Moment?

STYLE_Inspiration_Morocco_Post Photo of Marissa Berenson by Henry Clarke

tumblr_m2wu7jPHGu1qkzwano1_500 Talitha Getty in Marrakesh circa 1960′s

I am NOT coming back from Morocco without sandals, spearmint tea & spices, black soap and my Riad rooftop photo. Stay tuned.

Meanwhile, as I receive multiple last minute warnings from friends (I guess I should’ve enquired sooner) that Morocco gets COLD the moment the sun sets and rain is likely this time of year, I’ve repacked my bags more times than the guy in ‘Midnight Express’

And of course, the eternal question of JEANS

How many is too many?

890A0259 Perhaps there are some I can take and leave there, thus freeing up room in my homeward-bound bags?

Uhh, NO.

Because as you can see, I really like my jeans.

Call me crazy, but I actually become quite attached, despite the fact I now split them into the following categories:

“REEEELY ???”

“OK, No Wine for a Week”

“Who Cares? They’re So Comfy”

“@#^& it. Pass the Wine”

“I Still Love You After all These Years”

“Sexier Than Sweatpants”

“Still Good From the Side”

“Was I Drinking When I Bought These?”

and, my newest category;

“Muffin Top Madness”

890A1806 Jean shopping Paris

la-modella-mafia-The-little-black-jacket-from-Chanel-Sophie-Hulme-x-STYLEBY-photographed-by-Oliver-Stalmans-styled-by-Colombine-Smille-11 2 Photo Oliver Stalmans, Stylist Columbine Smille

In a Perfect World we’d just cut out the bits that don’t fit

a few more fav’s

20120922-063239 Jeans, heels & false eyelashes-Done!

22711Flare_0314Web Add a Birkin? Even better

20130110-063919 Adorable

25121710392599284_IfWgk6JH_c I have this jacket! Alas, this isn’t me.

20121011-073047 Elle McPherson

Daria Werbowy

If you could have just ONE constant in your wardrobe what would you choose??

It would be jeans for me, no question.

(& Uggs)

OK, so I better go finish packing. I might be pulling an All-Nighter.

Have a great weekend and let’s chat after the Oscars!

Heads Up

Posted on 02/17/2013 by Slim Paley

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Cameos are cool again.

Just thought I’d mention it, in case you hadn’t noticed.

262756959478882278_n29eMAmB_c Then…

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Amedeo

…and Now

150659550005429546_eW6SAjFL_c Cameos & tats, who’da thunk it?!

890A4843 Italian Vogue

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Victoria Hardstone via Fourtane

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muse-china-12-e1335986433479 Arizona Muse via Vogue China

Old photo cameo

Amedeo on Lexington Ave. in NYC is the place to buy cool cameos.

Screen Shot 2013-02-17 at 9.46.04 PM They even customize. A loved one, or perhaps a favourite pet, or just beautiful initials.

Screen Shot 2013-02-17 at 9.46.45 PM Both images via Amedeo

Screen Shot 2013-02-17 at 9.42.34 PM These are not your Grannie’s cameos

618_uktv_downton_abbey_s02e05_7 BTW, shouldn’t the Dowager have a cameo on her collar?!

890A1716 A most beautiful head in the Palace of Versailles

marlon-brando-julius-caesar and the most beautiful head in movies. No contest.

Marlon-marlon-brando-30617224-1259-1107 right??

Heads are in-house too.

383208-Stile_BK

383210-Stile_BK Rugs by Stiles BK

the-libertine-magazine-campaign-january-2013-yatzer-patrick-gilles-and-dorothc3a9e-boissier-at-home-in-thier-flat-in-paris-3 via The Libertine magazine

The trick is to keep a cool head.

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and don’t let it get all stuffy.

Axel Vervoordt

Lanvin

Go big or go home.

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Ozymandias

I met a traveller from an antique land
Who said: `Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert. Near them, on the sand,
Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown,
And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,
The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed….

Percy Bysshe Shelley

Lanvin

credit unknown

Just don’t lose your head (Sorry)

L1080258 and make sure to have fun with it.

Hey-How about that last episode tonight?

What the… :(

Still, we must soldier on. We’re British after all (caught up in the show much??)

Try to have a good week all the same.

(Buttons top photo, my own. Green desk photo via Pinterest)

Whimsical Gardens (Part I)

Posted on 02/10/2013 by Slim Paley

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OK, first things first.

I’ve made it into The Finals of “The Homies”! (YAY!!) Thanks to you!

Now I need your help just once more to win.

I’ve already fallen behind (BOO) but voting is even simpler this time.

Just click HERE

and you’ll see this:

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Easy peasy.

omg-can you tell I never got picked for any sports teams??

And now, without further pestering, the post;

editorials-garden-of-delights-caroline Tim Walker

I don’t know about yours, but my garden looks like a dog’s breakfast right now.

Other than a few wildly optimistic blossoms on my pear tree that never grow pears (the eager date who shows up way too early-sweet, but it’s like never going to happen)

I’ve got nada. Zilch. Strike out.

Not only that…but more of this happened …

My last big willow bit the dust.

@$^&*(*%$#

Willow trees in Southern California are undoubtedly beautiful but let me tell you-they need a lot of supervision and attention.

They grow super fast, uproot easily, turn your back and they attract pests, and don’t look so great for a few months every year.

Basically, they’re the teen-age boys of the tree world.

So now I have about 10 of these wonderful stumps sitting around and I’m trying to decide what to do with them.

The Silver Lining is a dead tree turns into a beautiful ______ (Fill in the blank-don’t worry, this isn’t another contest )

I’ll put a few back in the garden as stools but I’d love to hear your suggestions on what to do with the rest.

I love pretty much everything with a touch of whimsy, but particularly in the garden.

Nothing more boring than spaces that take themselves too seriously. Life’s too short.

Screen Shot 2012-11-04 at 10.03.20 AM Anna Williams

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Screen shot 2011-06-24 at 12.54.17 PM both images via Pinterest

One of the reasons why I love gardens that incorporate “rooms”, no matter how small, is that they allow you to come upon hidden surprises, which is often the best way to add a sense of whimsy to your outdoor spaces.

l1090996 One magnificent example of this is the incomparable Ninfa Gardens in Italy, which contains several ‘rooms’ as well as the pristine Ninfa river running through it.

l1090989 Ninfa

L1040414 Another is the garden created by Japanese silent film star Denjiro Okochi, located in the Sagano district of Kyoto, open to the public yet not wildly busy.