EDWARD HOPPER: NEW YORK + PARIS

"New York Interior" c.1921

Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney (1875-1942), was a great patron of Edward Hopper (1882-1967).

Her museum is dedicated to Modern American Art + houses the largest collection of his work. This year, the artist's birthplace in Nyack, "The Hopper House",  is celebrating it's 40th anniversary with a host of special events.

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ROCK + ROLL 4 EVER

Fabric is a tapestry material with the image of the Beatles.  Rockin Fabulousity.

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THE BOUTIQUES OF TORY BURCH

Blurring the line between the retail store + the living room are lessons exemplified by the master,
Ralph Lauren.

Opulent materials, interesting shapes + over-sized scale... exude quality, style + wealth. Here we see excellence executed with a confident audacity. Unmistakable signature Tory Burch, these over-the-top yummy colors + dizzying mod patterns complement each other beautifully, due to the large scale of the space. Frankly actually living in a normal sized room with glossy orange, chartreuse + purple walls, is way too much. 

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THE RIGHT WHITE?

In retail, the concept of  the January White Sale started in 1878, when Philadelphia's John Wanamaker wanted to create excitement in-store during a traditionally slow retail period.  Bed linens + towels were  only available in the color white - thus the name.

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THE PLATE MAKES THE DISH

With so much talk about New Year's Diets, 

my plan is to use fancier plates.

The only tip I have gained from watching countless  hours of  Top Chef, other than the realization that it wouldn't be a good idea for me to enroll at  The French Culinary Institute,  is that the plating of the food - makes the dish.  I admit I can't  pronounce the techniques the chefs use to prepare the food I can't recognize, but I did figure out that the final creations  presented to the judges are either stacked on a nice plate, or in a cool bowl.   It makes sense because one of the many criteria the judges use to pick a winner, is the presentation.

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BLACK/WHITE SWAN

Any movie with scenes of NYC gets my vote.

Taking place in Lincoln Center, even better.

If you like any of the reality shows like Project Runway, Top Chef or American Idol, chances are you like a peak at the behind-the- scenes competition + pressures in a creative environment.

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TOUR HISTORIC HOMES OF THE 1800'S

One of my most favorite events of the holiday 

season is a visit to the Candlelight Evenings at:

Old Bethpage Village Restoration

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MASTERFUL MOSAICS: THE PROCESS

Nelson Londono is having a love affair with stone, and his passion is contagious. From humble beginnings in 1998, he has created magnificent works of art that can be seen in The Mark Hotel, Sebonack Golf Club in Southhampton, West Hampton Golf Club, numerous private estates + the most famous house of all,  The White House.

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FAMILY STATE OF MIND

Food finished, catching-up all caught-up + check-lists made, it might now be time to head back home. If not physically, then mentally. Holidays are special times to do things that are out-of-the-ordinary, like R + R.

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