Here's to 2010 ............

Yipee !!

Oh to look this glamorous and so utterly bored !

While my New Years Eve party days are behind me, I could have a lot of fun lounging about on the sofa on the BIG night in this most gorgeous deep chocolate brown ball gown.

Let's see, we'll be sipping champagne (ok, prosecco) served with some delicious canapes, perhaps with some oysters (actually, no oysters - not a fave thing I'm afraid) and followed by scrumptious macaroons, ideally from Laduree, but realistically from Patachou (a great French patisserie here in Toronto).

We'll likely have some music playing softly in the background -- a little of everything; lounge, Cole Porter, Vivaldi, Brazilian bossa nova and a little pop and indie stuff just to stop things from feeling too highbrow. Depending on our mood, a film from The Film Buff might be in order (something cheery I hope) and if time allows and I can hang in there, a late game of Scrabble.

Throughout the evening we'll chat about our resolutions and aspirations for 2010......the goals, the dreams and the bets on how long it will take to break them !

Last year I followed a set of resolutions offered up on Vivre.com (of all places --my goodness) and found them to be spot on. They were all doable, achievable and I pretty much kept these in check for 2009. I think I'll build on these for 2010:

Well ok, I still have to work on the black clothes thing and planning in advance, but four out of six isn't too bad.

And.... I think I'd like to take up dance lessons.......

We'll see.

I wish all of you a most festive New Years Eve and a fabulous 2010 filled with good health, great joy and love.

Image 1: Anna Williams (photographer); Image 2: Vivre.com; Image 3: Toast

Intoxicating scents......

I've just purchased my very first Diptyque candle and... I AM IN LOVE !

POMANDER ......bitter orange peel, spicy cloves and fresh cinnamon - the quintessential ambrosia for the holiday season.

Mind you, it was a toss up between this and the new limited edition TOASTED CHESTNUTS with aromas of roasted chestnuts, juniper and birch which I also found rather delicious. However, being a visual person, I wasn't so keen on the limited edition patterned glass that it came in. Plus, I felt if this was going to be my first Diptyque, I really wanted the classic label. It's sooo elegant and handsome.

All Diptyque candles are made from 100% natural ingredients and fragrances. I believe that POMANDER is one of the original scents.

Yes, I know what you're thinking, and you're right. It wasn't cheap. At $70.00 Canadian, plus taxes (13%), that's a lot of dosh on a little candle.

But as the lovely salesperson pointed out, "it's all natural essential oils and parrafin wax". And she promised "you'll get 60 hours worth of burning". I'm such a sucker for a good sales pitch !

So, according to my calculations that would work out to either one candle infusion per hour per day for 60 days (two months) or, at $70.00 divided by 60 hours, that's about $1.15 per hour of blissful aromatic heaven !

That's not so bad, is it ?

Soft, billowy clouds of white....

also known as....Baby's Breath

Whilst I can't say that it's one of my favourite flowers, I somehow feel obliged to come to its' defense.

Gypsophila, commonly known as "baby's breath" is typically used as a "filler" in most corner store flower shops. It's the cloud of white that surrounds the red roses or peach carnations to help "fill out" the bouquet. And to add insult to injury, it's usually wrapped in some mass produced cellophane envelope that quite frankly, depresses the hell out of me.

Shame really. As on it's own and used in great abundance, baby's breath can be quite chic and dare I say it, elegant.

A modern young bride with an ethereal mass of gypsophila. I do think you have to be of a certain age to carry this off. The flower itself feels youthful and delicate. And she looks so chic, contemporary and very stylish.

Marcel Wolterinck, the master of modern Dutch flowers. This is a florist at the top of his game using baby's breath in a fresh, modern yet classical manner. Simply beautiful.

Nikki Tibbles, Wild at Heart. Spare loft living is given a jolt of Constance Spry garden flowers meets London cool via organic hand blown glass.

The American in Paris.

Jeff Leatham gives baby's breath his trademark "tilt". Indeed gypsophila is one of his favourite flowers for those on a limited budget.

This is a very pretty use of the flower for a country wedding, especially with the birch bark wrap.

And as always, nature leads the way. Not a rose or carnation in sight.

Veuve Clicquot, La Grande Dame

Looking for an inspirational book to read ? 

May I suggest a visit to Jacqueline's notes on a vine blog. The post "Champagne.....An Entrepreneur's Story" (Nov.5.09), was a most delightful find.

As a woman running my own business, I am always fascinated and inspired by other women who have built successful businesses. And in this instance a woman of the 18th century ! I can't wait to get my copy ! 

Thanks Jacqueline for the recommendation and for sharing your enthusiasm and admiration for a woman of substance. Salut!!!!

Tufting and buttons............

I desperately want to re-upholster our sofa. To say it's fairly bland and tired looking, is quite honestly, an understatement. I was going to take a picture for this post, but just looking at it left me uninspired to do so. However, I can tell you that it has good bones and shows lots of potential.

Now, I've always considered myself a bit of a modern gal. In the past I've dreamt of replacing my rolled arm sofa (with overstuffed cushions) with something cool and contemporary, perhaps in french grey or a deep charcoal. Something with clean lines and low to the ground. You know what I mean, one of those slick Italian pieces that can seat entire families (or parties for that matter) and completely take over a room.

But.... I've changed. Or at the very least my taste has evolved to a level where I now appreciate many styles. But I'm particularly drawn to the tufted, buttoned looks seen here.

Gorgeous sofa from Fromental website. This is so terribly chic.

Love the dark, sexy vibe here designed by Ilse Crawford.

Kettners Brasserie in London again designed by the amazing Ilse Crawford.

Very pretty dove grey velvet.

The fringe and the sumptuous silk curtains add such glamour. Champers and oysters anyone ?

Well I've spoken to the upholsterers next door to my studio and they're ready anytime to work their tuft and button magic. 

Now all I have to do is convince David. Sigh......he's not exactly the tufting and buttoning type. Any suggestions as to how I could persuade him ?

A Memoir....Gore Vidal

Gore Vidal, 83, author, raconteur, man of letters, outspoken American, friend (and foe) to political elites, celebrities (mostly from the 50's, 60's 70's) and an infamous correspondent with one of America's most despised men. Though very often at odds with his fellow Americans, he was and is no less concerned about its' future and place in the world.

Mr. Vidal is never dull, always provocative and someone I genuinely admire. 

A new book published this fall reveals the life of Gore Vidal through photographs, his perspective and memories. 

Gore Vidal: Snapshots in History's Glare

What a life !

I'd like to introduce you to.........Paula Pryke

A modern day Constance Spry.

Her book, The New Floral Artist (published 1993) was the first flower book I ever bought (1997). And I never looked back. I fell in love...fully and completely.

What fabulous textures and colours -- all of autumn in one wreath !

You see, prior to flowers, I had worked in the really rough world of politics. I had studied Political Science at university. And as you might well imagine, I wanted to see change in the world. So with the arrogance of youth on my side I embarked on a career in the political realm. Ohhhh, how naive I was. Without going into any great detail, suffice it to say, politics was not my calling.

This epitomises summer and romance for me.

Soooo,  in 1997 I was living in London (working for a politician) and one day I found myself in Paula Pryke's flower shop in Islington. I don't know why I walked in as I had never been in a flower shop before. Flowers didn't interest me. I thought it was a trivial waste of time and felt there were more important things to do. 

But somehow I was drawn in. Maybe it was the glorious window display. But I suspect it was more likely my stressed out state of mind. I needed to relax and not think about work. It was Christmas and the shop was so incredibly beautiful, overflowing with flowers, exquisite bouquets, breathtaking wreaths and sumptuous garlands. The florists in their black aprons were wrapping flowers in the most elegant manner with the prettiest tissue papers and ribbons. My head literally spinned in this grotto of beauty.

On one of the consoles was the book, the one that would change the direction of my life. I purchased it, went home and read it, studied it and then reread it hundreds of times over the next few months. I memorized the ingredients to all of the arrangements, the flower names and the histories Ms. Pryke told of this wonderful world of flowers. The styling, the colour combinations, the containers.

Detailed description of how to create a painterly floral still life.

Isn't this exquisite ?

A fantastic bouquet of delphiniums in an antique pot !

 

Paula Pryke has written many books since, but this was my bible. I literally learned all about flowers and flower arranging from this modern day Constance Spry and The New Floral Artist. She has certainly influenced a generation of florists.