Posts from December 2017

Viva Maroc

December 30, 2017

Well, here’s a heavenly location for a party, under the shade of a big, beautiful tree, boujad rugs all over the ground. There’s a lamb stew on the way, and live music in the way of Berber, Gnawa, Hip Hop and Blues. Lanterns will be lit after dark, and guests (in colourful djellabas) will dance under the light of the silvery moon.

panettone

December 28, 2017

I remember eating panettone for breakfast, lunch and dinner in the days between Christmas and New Year. These days, I don’t eat it at all, which is a bore, but I do love the smell of fresh panettone in our kitchen. We’ve gone through two this week alone. For those of you daring enough to make your own, here’s a great recipe from top pastry chef, Matt Tinder. Buon apetito.

 

Breakfast at Tiffany’s

December 27, 2017

Iole and I watched Breakfast at Tiffany’s this week –– a rite of passage for mothers and daughters. Well, it was a rite of passage for this mother and her daughter. Iole loved it, thank goodness. So now that I’ve introduced her to Audrey’s most recognized film, we’ll make our way through them all. Sabrina is next, and Roman Holiday, will come after that. We’ve been humming Moon River for days and talking about our favourite outfits (the pink rhinestone Givenchy, of course).

all dressed

December 26, 2017

Yes, to velvet and pompoms, and walking to parties barelegged in December! I like everything about this look, down to her short nude nails and chic knot ring. Who knows where this gal’s going, but she’s turning heads before she’s even reached the fête.

 

put a bow on it

December 22, 2017

If you’re off to any parties this weekend, please be sure to wear a ribbon or two. Nothing says festive like a red velvet bow. Macarons are lovely, but the very best hostess gift is a witty and stylish guest.

bauble

December 21, 2017

I rarely wear big baubles on my ears, but these mobile danglers designed by Jessica Winzelberg are just my style. I love the wonderfully unexpected mix of gemstones, such as tiger’s eye, jade and aventurine or sodalite, jasper and lapis. I like these malachite beauties, too. There’s something very retro and chic about them. Yes, Santa –– I’ll take a pair in any colour you choose for me.

wrap

December 20, 2017

I’m a sloppy wrapper. And as much as I appreciate beautiful papers and ribbons, I rarely have them on hand. Instead, my gifts are often packaged in newsprint, tissue, or a child’s painting –– and the ribbon always has creases from its last effort. I’d like to have a ribbon tying lesson with a salesperson at Smythson one day, and my friend Bianca needs to show me how she pulls off those perfect folds. It’s what’s on the inside that counts, yes, but who doesn’t love a beautifully wrapped gift?

in the throw

December 20, 2017

My friend Olivia gives such original gifts. There was the hand-painted skittle set from Mumbai, and the papier-mâché masks from Conran’s in London. For our wedding gift, Olivia wrote us a piece of music, and when we christened Luma, she sent us a Russian olive tree. True to style, I received a beautiful set of miniature ceramic vases from the amazingly talented Yutu Segawa last week. They are so tiny, that I can fit all five on a small silver plate. “There’s a mysterious charm about making miniature pots,” says Segawa. “You don’t need a large scale to express the beauty of clay, glazes and shapes.” Segawa throws each miniature by hand, but also pushes the limits of his medium by throwing with his feet, abdomen and tongue, too. It’s utterly unique and brilliant. Rather like Olivia.

snowed inn

December 18, 2017

This summer we stayed at a charming (if not a little run down) country inn in Upstate New York. It wasn’t pink like this grand dame, but it was similar in spirit. There was a croquet lawn and a games room, and we enjoyed evening cocktails in wicker rocking chairs on a big white porch. I imagine that the inn is covered in snow now, and that maybe its guests are sitting on the porch with tumblers full of Scotch and blankets on their laps.

cucina direct

December 16, 2017

If there’s a kitchen I’d like to whip up a penne all’arrabbiata in, it would be this one. In fact, I’d cook anything in this kitchen. With it’s mismatched tiles, marble counters and Cycladic blue cupboards, it’s kind of my perfect kitchen. I need a big glass of wine, white apron and an Hermes head scarf and I’m ready to cook.

All rights reserved © La Parachute · Theme by Blogmilk + Coded by Brandi Bernoskie