St. Germain

Recently, we brought home a bottle of St. Germain, (admittedly as much for the bottle as the contents), and I really enjoyed this artisnal liqueur. Trying it out has been hanging over for me months and I was finally spurred on by the recipe for a cocktail called Gemini published in the June, 2009 issue of Martha Stewart Living.

The Gemini, and the mixed St. Germain cocktail, are, in my book, an unnecessary but understandable guild on an already show-stopping lily. St. Germain is sweet, floral, citrusy, and even a little syrupy, depending on the palate. It is the syrup consideration which no doubt caused Living to create Gemini which is a prosecco/ grapefruit/ vodka cocktail (but, oh, stop already - that's enough stuff) and the kind of thing better dissected by true mixologists like Cocktail Hacker and Underhill-Lounge.

For me, St. Germain is perfect straight or up. Put it in a pretty glass and let me reflect on how lucky I am to have it my hand: It is a limited yearly run of liqueur made from hand picked elderflowers from the French Alps. Now that it is popular and trendy, we can count on there being ever so much less available. The booze guru here told me that it was a new customer-request item in his store and that most of his first shipment is gone. Get it while you can, ice it in a shaker, pour, consume, and if you don't love it, put the bottle center front on the bar or send to me.

And while you are at it, you might enjoy the story of the liqueur and the process found here.

Lovely invites

Sharing with you now a couple of the invites we received this season.



This pretty lazy daisy is so refreshing. I imagine a cheerful, bright, easy-to-adore wedding when holding this invitation. I absolutely want nothing more than to go and be among the unassuming but glorious daisies in North Carolina that weekend. I love invites that mix formality with ease and joy. My wedding invitations were so restrained; this one really made me think.



Same here. The undulating sand effect and starfish got me excited for a beach wedding again. this invite surely got guests up north dreaming of this Florida beach and the promise of a great party in the waning tropical sun.

Ah, how the Hostess loves a wedding.

Pattern Spotlight: Giraffe by Laurie Gates

More like a dessert set than place settings, this pattern is modern but whimsical for accent pieces on a neutral table. Giraffe, by Laurie Gates. Here.

My fickle friend, the summer wind

A perfect summertime Hostess gift or guest room touch: Voluspa, Limited Edition, Soliel. Like summer, gone before you know it.

Pattern Spotlight: Femme Fatale by Monique Lhuillier

Designer to the A-List, Monique Lhuillier's tabletop line for Bloomingdales, introduced in April of last year, continues at retail. Which is good news: Increasing the likelihood those who buy it will be able to get more of it if there is breakage. But, be sure to register for extra just in case if you choose this line, it never hurts to plan ahead, as I have mentioned before.

Moving on to the pattern, Femme Fatale, indeed. This pattern make my heart skip a beat. And I like the gardenia in the shot but I would love this arrangement more - as regular readers know, the Hostess is obsessed with that bowl of stems and petals.

If you are not familiar with her wedding gowns, which are her stock-in-trade, her are just two I love.

They are magnificent. As are her gowns for red carpet events and fashion iconography:


Hilary Swank. The gown is unbelievable, I sort of wish it were on Scarlett Johannsen instead.

Now you can have a bit of fashion history at home.

Bread and Butter Letters

The logic of “bread and butter letter,” a term first appearing in print in the US in the early 20th century... The writer is thanking his or her hosts for their hospitality (and food), but the letter is also a basic social formality, not likely to contain any exciting content. A “bread and butter” note may not be eagerly awaited, but it’s the sort of thing expected and probably noticed most in its absence.
- Word Detective

The "bread and butter letter," might be an old-fashioned term but it is one an important concept for a mannered life: Writing a thank you note for hospitality.
Except in the case of immediate family dinners and events, if one has had a meal, an overnight, a weekend, or any other form of generosity bestowed upon them in another's home, a bread and butter letter should always arrive to the host/ess promptly. There is an urban-hostess legend that circulates about one Type-A hostess who carries her thank you notes, with the envelope stamped, in her car. So that she does not forget the details of the evening or weekend, she writes her note immediately and drops it in her mailbox on the way into her house. This process appeals to me though I find it a dangerous step beyond my own compulsiveness.
If it works for you though, I admire your process.

Ultimately, you need to get the note out right away. Assuming you brought or bestowed a hostess gift, it should only be a note. If you went empty-handed, now is your chance to get something in the mail to redeem yourself (it need not be costly: An enlarged photo from your visit with us alone would be forever cherished in my realm as I would guess, in all.)

And you need to write the note, regardless of your penmanship, in your own hand, and put it in the mail. That is just as important because it indicates you went to some trouble. An email is not sufficient.

A few notes then on what this note should include:

1. Date. Salutation.

2. Initially, advise the address/addresses that your note is one of thanks for yourself and anyone else who attended with you from your household:

"Dear Marissa.
A note of many thanks for this past weekend in Malibu. The gift of your time and friendship is always precious to me. And your picturesque home the perfect antidote to my wintry, compressed New York. I am so glad to catch up and I feel like a new person. I am so very grateful..."

3. Always include details in thank-you notes:
"The views were amazing. I cannot believe I was lucky enough to awake in that setting. It was paradise..."

If there was additional generosities, remember to include those also:
"Dinner at Nobu was incredible. I am still star-struck from being seated next to Mena Suvari."

If she or he has paid attention to every detail on the guests behalf, do not allow their effort to go unmentioned:
"The sheets were cool and calming and smelled like jasmine, what a thoughtful touch."

4. Always remark on, and specifically use the word, "generosity."
"I was spoiled by your generosity."

5. Whatever you write, keep the tone light and pleasant.

Batik Asia

When I typed the word "batik" the other day I think I frightened some. There is a lot of Woodstock and fanny pack-esque bastardizations out there. Let's leave those go, forever. Promise me?

When I traveled in Indonesia, I bought piles of magnificent batiks which I have used for all manner of items since: Sarongs, pillows, table coverings, art. These unbelieveably gorgeous pieces could sparkle with golds and silvers or several tonalities of one color. They bear no resemblence to the so called "batik" prints at many crafty venues. The Hostess tries not to think of such things for fear someone will have to break out the smelling salts.

Long story short: I'm here now and I could not find anything stateside which compared to the pieces I love most from Indo. Recently I found Batik Asia while looking for a big batik to fill a huge gilt frame. They are a good deal closer than any place else I have found, I hope you enjoy this interlude.







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Just keep in mind: Batik print is generally not a treated fabric. It may not be colorfast, washable, or stable. Use it in places where it is regarded carefully because even hand washing may alter it for the worse.

Things of Beauty: Gianna Rose Diffusers

Gardenia and Jasmine ceramic floral diffuser

A few drops of the scented oil onto the porous ceramic flowers yields days of gardenia and jasmine. For the Hostess, or your self, no? Gianna Rose Atelier

Orchid and Honeysuckle

Spotted at the spa

Love these gorgeous spa stone-inspired soaps. Why should the bathroom, or any room, be a zen palace?



Here.

Pattern Spotlight: Amaryllis by Haviland

Someone expects you'll put food on top of these plates. What a nut. As if I could stop looking at these long enough to cook something and then somehow be willing to put food on top of it. Never. Amaryllis by Haviland Limoges, here.

Heartsick

I want to tell you about something cheerful below as it might help: My young dog is sick again and we spent last night in the ER together, lying on the floor as we do too often now. He is here at my feet again now, the place where he has gratefully chose to make his life. I ask you to think of him today and please send good things his way. I do not ask for much emotionally in this life of caring for a military family but that I have a trustworthy guardian for us when Josh is not here. I don't know what I would do without him. This is an agonizing time, please bring whatever form of mercy to which you subscribe to bear for him today.

Now, I have acquired one of these. Just one. It is also seated next to me as I write to you. A little joy in this frightening day.

This hybrid orchid is called phalaenopsis (fal-en-OPP-sis), the "moth orchid".


Citrine and heliotrope. It was impulsive, but I thought it would be lovely on the buffet. Impulsive, because they are notoriously fickle plants which bloom only for short periods through the year. I discovered this variety was a long bloomer after buying it: maybe it will have flowers for three months once a year. That is okay by me, no one can turn it on all the time.

Orchids seem to make a cult of their admirers and I am not into cults: Too time consuming and single-minded. I just wanted this one, maybe two, in the interest of symmetry. And I will learn something from a houseplant, which have long been flora non-grata here.

I have plans to read up. We'll see how it goes. All of it.


Understanding Orchids, William Cullina. Here.

Spa-tiquette

I was lucky to be loitering at the spa yesterday (as a gift for being a deployment widow and really cool/ exhausted sister with two infants), and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Did I feel like a new Hostess! If you happen to be in Ponte Vedra, be sure you get there. They run all kinds of deals year round to make this very upscale spa accessible a couple of days a week so you have no excuse. If you are coming this way, sign up for their emails. Anyway...

It seems a good idea to review just a couple of take-away's etiquette-wise which might improve the environment (so hard won, for some of us) for all resort spa guests. Just little things, easy enough to get away from, but why not take the opportunity to improve on a lovely experience?

Mr. On-The-Phone-At-the-Spa-Pool: Unless your last name is Obama, your call is not critical enough to take in the zen-sphere. I do not care that you shot 118 this morning, Shankopotomous. You are the reason there are those no-cell signs on every wall in the place.

Miss Spread-Eagled-in-a-Bathing-Suit-on-a-Spa Lounger: The only place for that anywhere, ever, is in an exercise room. Contrary to your best guess, this kind of thing does not improve your tan. Also, it is not the greatest when you get plowed drunk on pina's and howl in response to every verbal cue.

I found great things while there, but I will separate these posts in order that your mind forms no relationship between the two. You don't have to thank me.

Things of Beauty: Embroidered Florals

These two emborideries are far more beautiful in person than in photography but I want to share them with you regardless. The linen handtowels in both patterns are particularly glam.



Red orchid.



Cherry blossom.

Here.

Devon 2009

If you have a little time on your hands this week and you want to have a glass of champange while watching a historic and well attended Grand Prix, come on over to Devon.



One of the oldest hunt seat venues in the nation, Devon is still one of the greatest and most picturesque.



The best jumpers, hunters, and pony champions await. Devon Horse Show, Devon, PA. May 21st - 30 th. Grand Prix to be contested Thursday evening.

Blushing loves Camellia Montagne

My darling friend, Rebecca, just gave me some gorgeous birthday gifts. At the top of the stack was this beautiful pagoda toile box holding my dreamy new favorite candle, Seda France's, Camellia Montagne. A scent to live for.

Another thought: How many candle lines look this spectacular in their packaging? A great Hostess gift if ever there was one.

John Robshaw

For Barnes and Noble; A collection most inspired.

Impossibly chic design

In a lipstick tube. Yes, you just read that. You also missed my birthday. I'm just saying, is all. Coincidence? I think not.

Meet Rouge G de Guerlain Jewel Lipstick Compact designed by Lorenz Bäumer of the ultra exclusive Place de Vendome jewelry salon. The lipstick is a cool million less than it would cost to possess many of his other pieces.

Do you... tweet?

Okay. Let's give it a try in earnest.

I have been avoiding this Twitter thing - reinforced by rumors it can cause addiction a la John Mayer - for more than a year. But it is going to be a part of our lives for a time like Napster, RIP), Kids, so let's get cracking.

You can find me, and my witty, thoughtful, party-enducing updates here, follow me - now, ad nausea.

p.s.: And what is the past tense of our new verb, "twitter," anyhow? Is it, as they say, "to twote?"

Raspberry Limeade

Did you think I was going to give to a drink recipe? No, just daydreaming.

Almost Peony in the Morning Mist

I took these photos a few days ago at home in New York. I have since gone off to Florida and I am pining for these peonies. My Mom does not leave comments to tell us if they have bloomed, maybe nearby neighbor by town, the gracious and talented Patricia van Essche of PVE Design and the notable blog by the same name, will let me know if the peonies are yet open in Westchester...

Great and small

We made it back to Florida finally. After being gone forever, Josh's deployment finally ending in the meantime, giving birth to a baby, and my Mom and Dog (the latter causing The Hostess to miss the golf party, er, I mean, The Players Tournament at Sawgrass) having had major surgery, we are a family once again, for a moment, anyway.

Sacrifices are made to provide this great nation with military leadership. We make a few of them here. This moment is a priceless perk, not a sacrifice:



Realizing that is a six months of unread magazines behind your champagne glass is not so priceless, but also not a sacrifice.



Do great things with your freedom; there are a lot of families out there who will not have this luxury today and will be glad to know their lost moments have served you well. And keep in mind an older woman I met recently, probably one of the most magnificently beautiful women I have ever met in every sense of the word: She sent her thanks to my Husband and my family for their service and sacrifices. I could not believe she would thank us after she told me her Father did not return from World War II. "I am grateful for every sacrifice that keeps me free," she said, "great and lesser."

Fatherless Ridgefield, we thank you.

The No-Sew Bedskirt at Carolina Panache

This is a great and playful idea for an expensive bedskirt, or if you can only find the pattern you want in tea towels, via the ever-so-lovely blog, Carolina Panache.

Pattern Spotlight: Southampton by Charlotte Moss

An engaging charmer for summer: Southampton by Charlotte Moss, here.

Reed and Barton at One Kings Lane, Kate Spade/ Vineyard Vines at Rue La La

Kate Spade (including the above shoes which I blogged on earlier this season) and Vineyard Vines are on sale right now at Rue La La. Email me if you need an invite at cccoughlin@aol.com.

Ditto for this group...

The Reed and Barton online sale at One Kings Lane has begun.