VT (for all of my design-obsessed peeps)

imagecourtesydubaicity.olx.ae Peeps, Without leaving home, Washingtonians have had the luxury of Parisian shopping without subjecting themselves to random searches, having precious liquids confiscated, or the indignity of flying coach.  Shining like a beacon across a vast landscape or wasteland (more accurately, innumerable establishments offering watered-down renditions of the WASP-y look/overworked bridal creations/the worst of vintage finds), An American In Paris is truly a find, one of the little treasurers in life that is carefully shared with like-minded friends and other fashionistas.  Madame Joelle, the owner of  An American In Paris , was formerly a professional stylist in Europe, as well as an international buyer with billions of miles logged all across the world.  She has a truly unique gift for being able to see the beauty in every type of body -- and then suggesting looks to enhance the wearer.  Her clientele vouch for her ability to make e...

(VISUAL TREATS) For All of My Design-Obsessed Peeps: THE PEEP SHOW presents DESTINATION: PLEASURE / Da... : photocourtesyiwanbaan/nytimes Peeps, I am still basking in the after-glow of a visit to sunny South Beach where it seemed that Man a...

photocourtesyiwanbaan/nytimes Peeps, I am still basking in the after-glow of a visit to sunny South Beach where it seemed that Man and Nature had wordlessly collaborated to produce a memorable love-fest (of sorts).  Whatever criticisms of Florida that I had harbored were carefully folded away with linen trousers and cotton sweaters into my valise as I prepared for my long-anticipated vacation.  Honestly, beforehand I had shopped for a new wardrobe, knowing that bronzed and muscled perfection was de rigueur; as well as flash/bling/bucks/booze/and all those C's.  Stacy and Clint always stress ' play up your strengths,' and this I did, quieting the inner critic responsible for generating expectations/judgements/demands and everything thing else that spoils enjoyment of the here and now.  And thus the charms of Miami/Fort Lauderdale enfolded:  Wynwood/Midtown where industrial-style galleries showcased cutting-edge practitioners and blue-chippers; countl...

imagesourceunknown Peeps, This charming old kitchen reminds me of my childhood home.  In my mind's eye, I can still clearly see the yellow-painted walls of my mother's kitchen which had two windows--one with a long wooden counter beneath it on which all the rolling of pastry dough was done, and the other under which was the double sink, drain-board, and a white rubber-coated rack for holding glasses, plates, silverware and such.  If the person who had wash-up duty that evening could, the frying pan and a dark skillet of some sort were carefully stacked on top of all of the clean dishes and cups and saucers to avoid having to dry by hand with a cotton towel.  This was a special place to grow up; it was light years before the avalanche of product catalogues, life-style magazines and HGTV shows later convinced some of my siblings and a lot of my friends that heaven on earth entailed a Viking 60-inch custom sealed burner range, French doors on a smudge-proof Energy-Star...

imagecourtesyhousebeautiful librarybyanthonybarattadesign “A book, too, can be a star, a living fire to lighten the darkness, leading out into the expanding universe.” — Madeleine L’Engle

photocourtesyzeospotcom “Good friends, good books and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life.” — Mark Twain

imagecourtesyjjjjound “We read to know that we are not alone.” — C.S. Lewis