Stolen Moments

While I was having brunch at RL with a friend last weekend we decided peruse the store. We just wanted to look around to see all new winter merchandise and the beautiful displays which are designed impeccably as always. However, my favorite part of the five-floor shop is the books they have dispersed around the store encompassing every imaginable genre, and of course one caught my eye. Stolen Moments, The Photographs of Ronny Joques by Pamela Firori is a great collection of mid-century photos taken by Mr. Joques who unfortunately passed away in 2008. He shot for Harper's Bazaar, Town & Country, and Holiday magazines, along with countless celebrities and film starts of his time.

I swear that I am the only person who can walk away from brunch, with a new book. I have a huge collection of books, but I cannot seem to buy enough! And this book is the perfect addition to my collection photography books, because I don't have the mid-century genres covered.

Ralph Lauren's Luxe Holiday Gifts

As the holiday season is approaching, Ralph Lauren has decided to offer some ultra-luxe gifts to give your best friends and loved ones. The gifts include skull cufflink in a top hat motif, in white gold with diamond eyes. The other gifts include iconic tartans, a big selection of cashmere cable-knits and velvets on some pretty luxurious (and corky) slippers.

The skull crest also appears on a velvet throw pillow. Other items of note include tartan leather bags and accessories for both men and women, including a men's Cooper Bag; a women's Tiffin Bag in black alligator; retro style sunglasses finished in red tartan; and exclusive timepieces. Not only did these pieces get added to my Christmas list, but they also went on the list of some of my friends who may be getting something special this year.

Images courtesy of Luxist

Abercrombie & Kent Travel Agency

Geoffrey Kent and his parents, founded Abercrombie & Kent in 1962 with modest beginnings, but Geoffrey soon transformed the boutique travel consulting company into a major tour de force in the private travel industry. In 1971, he met Jorie Ford Butler, who became a partner in the business and together they expanded A&K into a worldwide company, with offices all around the world. A&K is best known for their safari excursions, which incorporate the rugged outdoor wildlife experience, and then the transition to luxurious accommodations right in the middle of the wildlife reserve. The company has planned vacations to all seven continents, including excursions to the Arctic and as tropical as the South Pacific, and are capable of reserving the chicest and luxurious accommodations, including private villas, finest hotels, private tour guides, and the best transportation, whether it be by plane, train, or even chopper.

There is nothing I love more than traveling, leaving home for a few weeks is the best way to rejuvenate yourself and forget all your worries at home. I have been to a lot of different places, but there is nothing I love more than Europe. The history, the architecture, the food, and culture is impeccable and so different than America. It's just fresh.

Carrier and Company

 Vogue Lobby

The husband and wife team of Jesse Carrier and Mara Miller make up Carrier and Company, an interior design firm that quickly becoming one of the most well-known firms in New York City. Their design aesthetic is derived from the client's own aesthetic, making the space personal, yet polished. Their design objective states that they connect people to a place, which is the key to developing a successful interior that is beautiful and a deep personal reflection of the clients themselves. Their work has has been published in The World of Interiors, Vogue, and Elle Decor, along with being listed in the Top 20 Young Designers by Traditional Home. And their list of clients is just as luxe as their work, including, Anna Wintour, Vogue, Bob Pittman, Jane Rosenthal, and Jason Wu, among many others.

 Editor's Office

 Editor's Office

 New York Apartment

 Forge River

Forge River

 Forge River Guest House

Forge River 

Jason Wu's Office Lobby 

Jason Wu's Office

Stairway to Style

One of my favorite things about homes are the stairways that connect the different floors. Some people like to dress them up, others pretend like they're not there; there is so much that someone can do with the stairway that can compliment the space surrounding the steps. I am absolutely drawn oddly-shaped staircase (below), because they add so much interest to the space, but there is nothing I love more than a classic staircase with pictures on the walls ascending up. Hanging pictures, or any kind of art along the stairs is great, because it gives the space a personal feel, but with a sense of design and a collective atmosphere. Apartment living isn't really conducive for a stairway, unless you're sharing it with the whole building, but either way, I love taking the stairs.

 New York City Townhouse

Aimee de Heeren's Townhouse 

Brooke Astor's Country Home 

New York City Apartment 

Ralph Lauren Store, New York City

Kips Bay Decorator Show House

Connecticut Home

Top photo: Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn's Townhouse

Fight For Luxury

Taking into account that I have a background in business, and a passion for lifestyle, it is no wonder that the statement, "If you are friendly, you will withdraw Mr. Arnault" caught my attention. Bernard Arnault is the CEO of LVMH, Moët Hennessy - Louis Vuitton, and has just bought seventeen percent of Hermes' shares, which is one of the last remaining family-owned luxury brands. As much as I like Louis Vuitton, I would hate to see Hermes go corporate and lose some of its most valued reputation as a leader in quality and craftsmanship.
One of the books on my most recent summer's reading list was Deluxe, How Luxury Lost Its Luster, by Dana Thomas, and it took me through how each of Hermes' famous Birkin Bags were made, and why they deserved such the reputation they have (and mighty high price tag).  Each bag is hand-sewn, buff, painted, and polished, and take several days to make; the average bag is created after forty-eight hours. Hermes actually started out by making saddles for horses, and then transitioned into leather goods to accompany the saddle. Shockingly enough, Hermes was the inventor of the metal zipper also.
Side note, the first three images below of an official Louis Vuitton ad campaign, features Dree Hemingway, daughter of Ernest Hemingway.

Louis Vuitton Ad Campaign 

Louis Vuitton Ad Campaign  

Louis Vuitton Ad Campaign 

Kelly Ripa in New York City

Olivia Palermo from The Sartorialist 

Top photo: Tilda Swinton in "I Am Love"

Murakami at Versailles

I cannot say that I am the biggest fan of contemporary art, but I can appreciate it, and I definitely think that the Japanese artist, Takashi Murakami's exhibit of different sculptures on display at The Palace of Versailles. Mr. Murakami is an internationally known artist, who's work can be recognized on a number of lines for Louis Vuitton. His cartoon/anime pieces are popping up all around the world, and getting quite the notoriety. Versailles is one of my favorite palace (yes, I have a few) and is rich with French architecture, which serves as an over-the-top contrast for Mr. Murakami's work. The exhibit is open through December, so if you find yourself in Paris and are in need of some colorful creatures filling The Hall of Mirrors, take the train to Versailles and stroll around the palace.

Select images from Luxist