The Beach Bash

This week, I received my save the date for the 2011 Red Cross Beach Bash, a fixture on any young Palm Beacher's social calendar and a great way to celebrate the end of one year and the start of the next. Sponsored by Lilly Pulitzer, the fete draws about 400 guests clad in company's bold prints. Last year, I used the opportunity to break out one of my favorite vintage Lilly pieces, a pristine 1960s Lilly Men's Stuff blazer which featured a vibrant zoo scene. Check out the blazer and more pics from last year's Bash below. 

Red Cross Beach Bash, December 29, 2011, tickets ($125) available here. 

Ice Gold

Excellent five song E.P. to keep cool through the dog days of August. Check it out.

A Weekend In... Watch Hill, R.I.

WATCH HILL, R.I.: Newport's quieter sister, Watch Hill abounds with rambling manses and old-school charm. Pick up sandwiches on the way in at The Cooked Goose in Westerly (try the "C.M.R." or the "Aphrodite") before hanging your hat at the Ocean House, a beautiful seaside resort that was recently restored to its former grandeur. (Bring dress whites for the regulation croquet court!) Après beach, take a spin on the Flying Horse Carousel and check out the gorgeous yachts docked at the Watch Hill Yacht Club. After washing the sand off, grab dinner and drinks alfresco at the Olympia Tea Room. When you're ready to go, head out by way of rail, air, or sea.

Clockwise from top left: Canvas coal bag by ACL & Co., $68, here; J.Crew plaid shirt, $68, in stores; Cartier Tank Solo watch, $2,300, in stores; Asprey propeller keyring, $270, here; Sperry Top-Sider boat shoe, $75, here; Hermès "Yachting" beach towel in horizon blue, $180, here; Wölffer Estate 2010 Rose, $16, here.

The Afternoon Tea

Last Saturday afternoon, I threw an afternoon party for about forty guests, which it seems is now becoming an annual event. It was a nice way to celebrate the end of my second year of law school (and a good excuse to polish my silver collection). For beverages, there were Pimm's cups with strawberry and cucumber slices as well as "Logan Circle Iced Tea," which was sweet tea vodka and mint lemonade (the only actual "tea" in sight). As seen above, the table featured pink peonies, bright green tennis balls, and pink & green penny candy. For food, I served smoked salmon tea sandwiches ...

Ina's roasted chicken salad on crackers ... (probably the biggest hit of the party -- and remarkably simple to make!)

Palmiers (store bought) and homemade lemon bars ...

Crudité and green herb dip ...

More peonies ...

And simple pink roses. All in all, it was a smashing party, and I had just as much fun planning as I did celebrating.

Thrift Find | Pink Blazer

Found this today at a vintage store in Bridgehampton. Raw silk summer blazer from Ralph Lauren. Probably at least twenty (or thirty?) years old, judging by the tag and the fact that it was made in the USA. Looks very similar to the wide-lapelled Garrison style that RL has been hawking of late. Fit like a glove -- and considering it's in mint condition, pretty fairly priced at $85.

Simply Van

An American Wedding

Call me crazy, but I prefer the way America does royal weddings.

A Weekend In... Montauk, N.Y.

The first in a new series of posts taking a look at the basics for a weekend away.

MONTAUK, N.Y.: Sunny brights and lifeguard style typify the once-sleepy (and now trendy) beach town at the easternmost point of Long Island. While you're there, g

rab a sandwich from Ditch Witch and watch the surfers at Ditch Plains Beach. P

op into Tauk, a chic clothing and home design boutique. Have a cocktail at Navy Beach before family-style dinner at Harvest; then take in a Sunday night concert on the deck at The Surf Lodge. Hop on the LIRR or the Jitney and head back to the City.

...'til next weekend.

Clockwise from top left: Persol 649S sunglasses (custom blue lenses), $389, here; Saturdays Surf for J.Crew flag tee, $40, here; Jack Spade nylon canvas gym bag, $275, here; Ocean Potion SPF 15 sunscreen, $9.89, here; Miansai hook bracelet, $55, here, Vilebrequin Moorea "Tribal" swim trunk, $230, here.

Spring Switch | Fragrance: Part II

...and when it gets REALLY hot (hello, DC summers), I don't wear any cologne at all. That's where a good body wash or deodorant comes in--an easy way to smell nice and not have that heavy fragrance feeling. I've been using this Energising Seamoss Bath & Shower Gel from Molton Brown all spring -- definitely helps wake me up on a bleary-eyed morning.

Molton Brown Energising Seamoss Bath & Shower Gel, $28 for 10 oz., available here

Friends of mine recently turned me on to this Malin+Goetz Eucalyptus Deodorant, and I absolutely love it. Alcohol and aluminum free, this stuff uses nature to keep you smelling fab all summer long, with no dyes or chemicals.

Malin+Goetz Eucalyptus Deodorant, $18, available here

Spring Switch | Fragrance: Part I

When the mercury rises, my desire to smell like Tom Ford's chest hair drops significantly. With that visual in mind, here are my picks for switching it up with a lighter spring/summer scent.

Erolfa is a nautical scent created by Olivier Creed to evoke family memories of Mediterranean sailing excursions. Fresh and citrusy, with one spritz you can almost smell the salty air catching your sails off Capri.

Creed Erolfa, $225 for 2.5 oz, available here

Another perennial summer fave is Hermès' Eau d'Orange, a unisex scent that has the aroma of a fresh orange peel. I don't usually wear cologne during the day in the summer, but when I do, this is the one.

Hermès Eau d'Orange Verte, $75 for 1.6 oz, available here

Cheaper than a vacay in the Tuscan countryside, Acqua di Parma's Cipresso di Toscana is my favorite fragrance from their summery "Blu Mediterraneo" unisex series. An herbaceous blend of sage, lavender, and basil, the cologne evokes Italian cypress trees.

Acqua di Parma Blu Mediterraneo: Cipresso di Toscana, $73 for 2 oz, available here

Chasing the Night

A night out on the town in the U Street corridor, Washington, D.C.

The Upgrade | Grown-Up Ketchup

I'll say it. I'm not a ketchup fan. Probably because the watery, high fructose corn syrup-infused crap that comes out of a Heinz bottle just isn't doing it for me. When your "hamburger" is grass-fed beef on a toasted brioche bun, you need a condiment worthy of your organic ingredients. I have thus been converted after tasting the gourmet "scooping" variety from mustachioed ketchup mascot Sir Kensington. The ingredients are delicious--real brown sugar! pear tomatoes! chipotle peppers!--and it has less sodium and sugar than Heinz. With grilling season right around the corner, pick up some for your next backyard BBQ and impress the madras pants off your guests.

Sir Kensington's Gourmet Scooping Ketchup, $9 a jar, $25 for a four-pack, available here and at Williams-Sonoma, Dean & Deluca, and Whole Foods

Loafing Around

First 80+ degree day in DC called for brown linen pants from Polo by Ralph Lauren and Hermès slip-ons. Photographed in McPherson Square.

Wardrobe Staple | The Khaki Trench

Tried this Black Fleece mac on at Brooks, and it's easily my favorite piece I've seen this spring. Fabric is spot on, the color is gorgeous (more of a British khaki than the photo suggests). Yes, it's a little pricey, but it's a steal considering a similar Burberry number would run you at least twice that. What's best is it's got that perfect fit without the extra helping of Thom Browne ... weird.

Black Fleece by Brooks Brothers Military Trench, $700, available here

Lord Lillypants

Picked these bad boys up a while ago at my favorite Palm Beach thrift store. Circa 1970s Lilly Pulitzer "Men's Stuff," they needed a few trips to the tailor before they fit correctly (bye bye, bellbottoms), but it was well worth it for the print. Toned down (a bit) with navy velvet Stubbs and a white Lacoste.

Photo Op | Palm Beach Punch

Stubbs and a rum punch, poolside, at the Breakers in Palm Beach.

FTP

Put this in your ears and enjoy.

Strong Island

With the mercury today reaching near-tropical heights (compared to the past few weeks), it's become clear that summer is around the corner. That means it's time to make sure you've got all the essentials for a beach trip, whether it be to the Eastern Shore or East Hampton. This (obviously) includes swimwear. If you're still sporting some baggy, cargo pocket-ed trunk, ditch 'em for a suit from Strong Boalt, by Palm Beach native (and Ralph Lauren alum) Amanda Boalt. Now in her second season, the suits are well cut and sport some gorgeous prints inspired by South Florida and the Bahamas. (And they look adorable on girls, too!) Throw on a white linen shirt and you're set for an après-beach cocktail.

Flying Fish Swim Trunks (Papaya), $145, Strong Boalt

Spectator Chic

Can't get over this inimitably chic photo of Jorie Butler Kent (of Abercrombie & Kent fame) and her son, shot by legendary society photographer Slim Aarons. You've probably seen it before. It's notable/beautiful/inspiring for any number of reasons, and has spawned a few similar shots.

Oddly enough, it got me thinking specifically about the director's chair as a spectator seat. I kind of despise those plastic and nylon camp chairs, and I think a folding director's chair provides a stylish solution for a spring/summer/fall outdoor sporting event. Sure, they might take a little more work, but I can't see Slim snapping a pic of anyone in one of these contraptions.

Instead, I'm picking up a pair of these to throw in the back of the car.

Screening Room | The Windmill Movie

The Windmill Movie, a beautiful and haunting autobiography of the late documentary filmmaker Richard P. Rogers was not put together by Rogers himself, but was assembled by his former film student (and tiemaker) Alexander Olch from 25 years of footage Rogers had never released.

Though shown in select theaters starting in 2008, the film was only released on DVD yesterday.

The film explores Rogers' life through self-reflexive footage of his plum upbringing on the East End of Long Island, his difficulties with his family and intimate relationships, and his ongoing struggle with his self-worth and desire to document his life. Toward the end of his battle with brain cancer, when footage becomes more sparse, Rogers' close friend, actor Wallace Shawn steps in as Olch narrates.

The Windmill Movie, $20.99, available here

Spring Awakening

Because even after hibernating all winter, I'm still a little sleepy. The fix, clockwise from left:

Clarins Men Undereye Serum

This gel goes on quickly and works fast to soothe puffiness. About $20, Amazon.com

Kiehl's Facial Fuel Eye De-Puffer

The simplest in the bunch to apply, the roll-on stick contains cooling hibiscus extract. $18.50, Kiehl's

Lab Series Age Rescue Eye Therapy

The little tube packs a serious punch. Hypoallergenic and fragrance free for sensitive skin. $26, Lab Series

Nickel Silicon Valley Dark Circles Corrector

Has a slight green tint to visibly brighten your undereye area and neutralize dark circles. $50, Nickel stores (N.B. pronounced nick-ELLE, not like the coin)