Henri's Tribute to Grace Kelly's Elegance

I came across this perfume last week at our local pharmacy and was curious as to it's origin.  I love a perfume with a history, don't you? And with a name like Gin Fizz, there had to be a fun story behind it.  This particular fragrance was first created in 1955 by celebrated perfumer Henri Giboulet as a tribute to Grace Kelly in the year she won an Oscar for her role in The Country Girl. The name is inspired by a cocktail that was in fashion at the time in the American bars of Paris, and was synonymous with joie de vivre and a fashionably festive lifestyle. It has a citrus and floral scent with a light, fresh smell. It's made by the House of Lubin, which has been around since 1798 making frangrances for Empress Josephine and various other royals; and the first French perfumer ever to export to the U.S. in 1828. Another fun note; Prince Rainier commissioned Fleurissimo from Creed as a wedding fragrance for Grace in 1956. Fleurissimo was made to complement the royal bouquet she carried down the aisle. Wouldn't you love to have a fragrance commissed for you as a present? Enjoy!

Grace Kelly as Georgie Elgin in a PR still for The Country Girl

...and accepting her Best Actress Oscar for her role in The Country Girl

Gin Fizz by House of Lubin

Fleurissimo by Creed

Grace's Lily-of-the-Valley Bouquet for her second, religious church ceremony.

Spring Risotto Love

I love risotto, and when I saw this recipe for Chicken Risotto with Spring Vegetables; made with asparagus and zucchini, I knew it would be perfect for a mid-week meal. Doesn't it sound fabulous? Enjoy!

Chicken Risotto with Spring Vegetables

Makes 6-8 Servings

Ingredients:

• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 pound fresh asparagus spears
• 3/4 pound skinned and boned chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch strips
• 1/2 teaspoon herbes de Provence
• 1 1/4 teaspoons salt, divided
• 3 tablespoons butter, divided
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 2 medium zucchini, thinly sliced into half moons
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 1/2 cups uncooked Arborio rice (short-grain)
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup freshly grated fontina cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• Garnish: Parmesan cheese

Preparation

1. Bring chicken broth and 4 cups water to a simmer in a large saucepan over low heat. Snap off and discard tough ends of asparagus. Cut into 2-inch pieces.
2. Sprinkle chicken with herbes de Provence and 3/4 tsp. salt.
3. Melt 2 Tbsp. butter with 1 Tbsp. olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat; add chicken, and sauté 5 to 6 minutes or until done. Remove chicken; cover and keep warm.
4. Melt remaining 1 Tbsp. butter in Dutch oven; add zucchini, onion, and asparagus, and sauté 3 minutes or until tender. Remove vegetables; cover and keep warm.
5. Sauté rice in remaining 1 Tbsp. hot oil in Dutch oven over medium-high heat 1 minute. Reduce heat to medium. Add wine and remaining 1/2 tsp. salt, and cook, stirring often, until liquid is absorbed. Add 1 cup hot broth mixture; cook, stirring often, until liquid is absorbed. Repeat procedure with remaining broth mixture, 1 cup at a time. (Total cooking time is about 30 minutes.)
6. Stir in grated cheeses, chicken, and vegetables until creamy. Stir in parsley and pepper. Serve immediately.

Recipe from Southern Living March 2012

'Brea' for Summer

Thinking more and more of the impending sunny days of summer, and loving these Brea sunglasses by Lilly Pulitzer.  Brings to mind Grace Kelly, Liz Taylor, and Katherine Hepburn.  Great for boating days on the sound. Enjoy!

Matching My Monogram

Spending some time this morning enjoying the March 2012 Southern Living!  From the beautiful opening note from editor Lindsay Bierman (while he studied architecture at UVA, he should definitely consider writing short stories), to the fantastic articles on adding curb appeal, inspiring southern gardens, and recipes for cheddar biscuits and banana pudding (of course); it is an amazing edition of the magazine and a keeper for sure!  But, this one piece was made for me and I had to share! Find this month's Southern Living and enjoy!

all images courtesy of Southern Living

Wire Brushed Oak

Enjoying a look I've seen more and more lately.  While I've seen wire brushed oak flooring around for awhile, I see the finish being used more and more on furnishings. Wire brushed oak finishes are oak treated with ammonia and wire-brushed to pull out the grain.  I've seen Phoebe Howard use this on several kitchens, including her own Hamptons kitchen and the Coastal Living kitchen and loved it. Phoebe referred to the finish that Andrew Howard used in the Coastal Living Idea House kitchen as fumed oak cabinets.  I've also been seeing this used on entertainment cabinets and loved the light, airy look.    Enjoy!

Designed by Ray Booth

Color Really Does Change Everything

I'm loving Target's new commercial; "Color Changes Everything."  Such a happy advertisement and cute music to boot! Happy almost TGIF ;)  Enjoy!

Summer Breeze Makes Me Feel

Mr. American Classic has done it again.  Ralph Lauren and his team never dissapoint, whether in fashion or home design.  Their newest Spring 2012 home collection, Rosecliff Collection, is a beautiful homage to all that is a "turn-of-the-century seaside manor."  Inspired by the Rosecliff Mansion in Newport, RI and many more, I'm sure; it evokes all that makes the perfect summer retreat.  Rosecliff is the Stanford White mansion modeled after the Grand Trianon, the garden retreat of French kings at Versailles and completed in 1902.  It was the setting for many of Newport's most lavish parties and has been used in several films, including The  Great Gatsby, True Lies, Amistad, and 27 Dresses. If I had a seaside retreat, it would surely include Ralph Lauren's Rosecliff Collection.  Enjoy!

All Images Courtesy of

 http://www.ralphlaurenhome.com/collection/2012_Spring/Rosecliff/

http://www.ralphlaurenhome.com/collection/2012_Spring/Rosecliff/