Dreaming in Green

Central Park Spring 2010

Spring is taunting us here. One day it's 11 degrees celsius, the next it plummets back to minus 1.  The birds sing one morning then bury their head under their wing the second morning. The snow has melted in the parks but still lingers around the fountains and ponds. I feel like the back of winter has broken, but spring is far from rearing its colorful head.

And so it is that I dream of lush green in all its form; deep green grass weighed down with dew drops, the high definition green of new sprouting leaves and every shade in between. It is a color that we aussies yearn for because it is is so rare these days unless you live in the tropics. And yet it is such a part of the East Coast landscape. Which brings me to some great garden books about this area.

The first is the magnificent Gardens of the Hudson Valley. Its pages are filled with the grandiose formal gardens of the area as well as smaller, less constrained creations. Collectively they convey "the grace and grandeur of the Hudson River landscape".

Next up is the Hamptons. There are a few that take you behind the manicured hedges to swoon over the lush lawns, seaside vistas and pool perfection.

And while we are in the Hamptons, one of my favorite ever garden designers here has to be Miranda Brooks. There is a softness and a femininity to her landscaping while still being ordered. Her use of grasses is perfect for a beach setting and sometimes her design hand is so 'light' it looks like there has been no design at all. Here are some examples of her gardens in the Hamptons.

And believe it or not, this wonderful concrete metropolis called Manhattan does sprout green in summer. From rooftop gardens to back yard gardens, from Central Park to the Botanical Gardens, there is an endless display of lushness and fertility. Bring on spring!

images: (1) mine, (2) luxist, (3-8) gross and daley garden photo, (9-10) amazon, (11) vogue) (12-17) miranda brooks (18) new york times, (19) new york daily photo (20-22) mine

Mile High Shopping

My plane was delayed on the tarmac in Palm Beach the other day, so I decided to pass the time by flipping through the In Flight shopping catalogue, Sky Mall.

Now, for all of you who have flown anywhere in the world, you would know that most in flight catalogues are full of the standard duty free items such as fragrances, makeup and alcohol. But not in America. This catalogue was full of the most fabulous, ludicrous and extraordinary things you could possibly imagine! Americans are renowned for being the most voracious consumers on this planet and now I can understand why. Here were things I never knew I needed!  A computer mouse in the shape of your favorite racing car, a dog genealogy kit, a Nano-UV disinfection scanner to rid your house of e-coli and dust mites, floor mats to encourage leg circulation, temperature regulating sheets, shower heads that you can travel with, a pop-up photo studio and a pet ramp-cum-staircase.

I have become obsessed with the late night TV infomercials since living here, but this catalogue is now my new best friend. Here are some of my favorite offerings:

An ottoman that easily folds into a bed. 

No more hauling a bulky inflatable mattress out of the basement. This handy piece of furniture can rest your legs in the living room during the day and your house guests at night. Comes in four fashionable microsuede colors with a comfy polyfoam mattress.

Faux Ivy Trellis.

This 6 foot long faux trellis may help bring out the Romeo in your Stan. No growing time needed. He can zip up that trellis to your bedroom the same day you install it.

"The Zombie of Montclaire Moors" Statue.

Want to scare your neighbors? Why not install this zombie in your front yard. Apparently his finish is so realistic, "You'll swear you'll hear him groaning"!

iRestore Hair Laser

Do you wish you looked like this man? Now you can, with the world's first hands-free home use laser hair therapy. Use it when watching the footy, checking emails or even brushing your teeth. It comes with an adjustable laser dome for full scalp coverage and will ensure you never look like the bald headed eagle again.

SkyRest

Why bother traveling with a neck pillow when you can face plant onto a wedge shaped pillow! Sitting snugly on your tray table when inflated, it folds into an easy to pack size when defalted.

Hidden Litter Box

For those of you with cats, throw out that ugly litter tray and install a faux terracotta pot that houses a concealed litter box. Complete with artificial decorator plant.

Really, those budding inventors have been having a field day. Offering shopping like you've never seen before, the range of choices is extraordinary. Apparently this in flight catalogue has a cult following. Now wonder. I'm now a convert. I implore you to discover the endless treasures inside Sky Mall. It's worth getting delayed just to have the time to browse and have a laugh.

Images: courtesy of sky mall.

Traveling

PB Here I come!

OK. I am so excited. I never travel in the US and this weekend, I am going to Palm Beach! I am going to live the Slim Aarons lifestyle and dream for 4 days, staying here,

watching some of the best polo in the world,

shopping the famous Worth Avenue strip,

having a history lesson about America's gilded age at the terribly elaborate Flagler museum

recovering from the gilt overkill amongst the calm greenery of the Cluett Memorial Garden,

having a sundowner at the fabulous Breakers Hotel,

eating Americana at the notoriously-difficlt-to-get-into Palm Beach Grill,

fossicking through the 60's treasures along Antique Row,

visiting Palm Beach's oldest house house, Sea Gull Cottage,

then comparing to the insanely huge modern compounds,

and feeling nostalgic for the real Palm Beach glamour of the 50's and 60's, 

before hopefully skipping along these golden sands at sunset.

Phew! I'm exhausted already and I haven't even worked out my wardrobe!

images in order of appearance: current vintage; william waldron, elle decor; guardian, travel pod, miami unlike, the cr online, the breakers, real recommendations, new york mag, flickr,  michael emilio, vogue, destination 360

NYFW

Fashion Week has started here, showcasing next fall, which frankly, makes much more sense than seeing the spring fashion in stores at the moment. It is still so cold that the snow hasn't melted yet from all the snowstorms, so all the streets are lined with disgusting greyish ice and the dreaded "black ice". Apparently there are still Christmas trees and December rubbish hidden under these snowy piles. ughhh!

Anyway, onto all things fashion - of course. The buzz here at the moment is surrounding the French Vogue 'scandale'.  For the first time in a long time, the magzine is attending the NY shows. BUT. They are being represented by the new EIC, Emmanuelle Alt, who in my mind, is a super stylish, very chic, rock chick.

Unfortunately all anyone can talk about is her friendship split from Carine Roitfeld during the top seat transition. And whether Emmannuelle really has what it takes to be a magazine head. Here they are together in happier days.

Carine is in New York this week as well, but not for the shows. There's a great interview with her here that was done at the Carlyle hotel this week. It puts to bed the Newhouse firing rumors and her possibly working with Tom Ford again.

Anyway, I'm off to the Derek Lam show tomorrow morning. Fingers crossed Emmanuelle will be in the front row!  But that means spending all tonight deciding on my outfit! What does a 40 something wear to a morning show in the middle of winter? Bare legs? If you have your own driver like most of the 'It' girls and fashion darlings, that makes total sense. Spring colors or winter darks? I guess it depends on what color the sky is and how big a statement you want to make. While I mull over my wardrobe choices, here is a round up of who I think has done it cool over the last few days of fashion frivolity.

images; fashion windows, garance dore, i want to be an alt,  bullett magazine, beautiful streets bullett magazine, phil oh, nymag, refinery29,