Under my um-ber-ella, ella, ella

June 9, 2008 By Paola 3 Comments

Remember how last year I spent ages trying to find affordable brightly-coloured sun umbrellas and lounger cushions for the deck and then had to settle for white umbrellas and red cushions because everything else was SO boring?

Our deck in happier times

I was obviously a year ahead of my time, as these are some of the options now available from Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware. Grrrrrrr! I love those stripy brollies particularly, but can’t remotely justify replacing our boring old white ones.

I don’t actually know why I’m worrying about the deck, as we’re currently experiencing monsoon-type conditions here in Seattle and I am spending all my time under an umbrella of a very different kind.

The Two Pots

June 7, 2008 By Paola 2 Comments

I’ve been trying to do an update on the garden for ages, but have been somewhat hampered by it a) having turned into an Amazonian rainforest while we were in Mexico and b) having been cloudy and rainy and thoroughly miserable for the last two weeks.

We’d actually made a lot of progress tidying everything, planting some new plants and hacking down the mountain of weeds which had sprung up while we were away but I just haven’t been able to photograph it as I don’t much enjoy standing outside in MONSOON-like conditions. (The recent horrendous weather is all our fault for pressure-washing the deck obviously).

Anyway, here’s a small garden tidbit. I planted up a pair of Bill and Ben flowerpots a couple of weeks ago which have been relishing the thorough watering they’ve been receiving.

I tried to keep both of the them to a similar ‘theme’ but using different plants.

The central plant in the pot above is a heuchera ‘Obsidian’ which I think is one of the nicest plants out there. It’s a perennial, so I’ll try and keep it alive in the middle of the pot and plant different seasonal plants around.

Round the edges are several hot pink trailing verbenas (verbena magalena ultra Strawberries ‘n Cream) and nestling in between the leaves are a dark purple leaved begonia ‘Harmony Pink’ , a sutera Copia Dark Pink (confusingly the pale pink plant to the left) and a diascia ‘Flying Colors’ Red. The orange you can glimpse behind is a California poppy which has sprung up in the herb garden.

The central plant in this pot is a daphne Carol Mackie which I again hope not to kill and she is surrounded by some more begonias, diascias and suteras with a very beautiful dark-leaved clover Dark Dancer mixed in.

Here are the two pots at home with the three chairs

I’m sort of wondering whether these flowers are too ‘pretty, pretty’ and old-fashioned. I always think I’m going to get things which are a bit more edgy and structural, but then I end up being seduced by all that is pink and girly. Maybe next year…

Sex and the City – The Movie

June 4, 2008 By Paola 7 Comments

Things I Learned Last Night (Only Very Tiny Spoilers)

– The movie is like watching five previously undiscovered back-to-back episodes with a much bigger budget. No more. No less. Which is my idea of bliss. I note the reviewers who thought the movie was too long are mostly male.

– The plot is so creaky it should be in an old people’s home. I have no idea how they’re going to rehash things again to make a sequel. This doesn’t actually matter.

– Judging by the packed-out cinema and queue for tickets (in fabulous monsoon-like conditions – how I love Seattle in June), there will definitely be a sequel

– As we suspected from the photos which have been all over the Internet, green feathers and bright red lipstick (especially lipstick which is feathering round the edges – too much smoking Carrie!) does not work

– The blue Manolos in the lead role are totally upstaged by these fabulous Dior Extreme Gladiator Platforms, which I would buy tomorrow if they a) didn’t cost $770 b) wouldn’t cripple me in about 5 secs c) wouldn’t give me appalling cankles.

– J Hud is woefully underused

– As is Stanford. More Stanford please!

– Charlotte is fabulous when she’s angry

– The movie included a completely gratuitous trip to Mexico which suited me just fine

– I still think Miranda could do better than Steve

– However, Miranda and Steve made me cry

– As did Charlotte

– Carrie didn’t

– The interiors throughout the movie are fabbalicious. I may have to see the movie again to focus on them more closely 🙂

– Carrie’s iconic apartment gets a makeover. I’m not sure about it, but it deserves a post all of its own

– Samantha is a fool

– Cynthia Nixon is looking stunning

– Smash in Wallingford was a surprisingly great place for a pre-match cosmopolitan

– For all the critics bitching and moaning about the lack of reality in the film, this is PORN, girl porn, pure unadulterated fashion, accessories and interiors porn (and some lingering shots of hot Italian male totty which were not exactly unpleasant). And since when have porn films been realistic?

Evidence that movie moguls don’t read blogs…

June 2, 2008 By Paola 4 Comments

So SATC – The Movie generated opening weekend receipts of $55.7 million in the US alone and a further $39.2 million overseas, which has apparently shocked movie execs everywhere, who were predicting an opening more in line with The Devil Wears Prada’‘s $27 million.

Well, colour me surprised. OF COURSE it was going to do well. Anyone who even reads blogs just a little bit would have hooked into the palpable anticipation surrounding the film and noticed just how many people were planning to go and see it.

If you read the news articles today it seems that finally all the male (of course!) moguls are acknowledging that maybe there is a market for films for grown-up women which deal, even obliquely, with grown-up issues and which are genuinely witty and funny; instead of the usual dreadful slapstick Cinderella remake starring J-Lo or Kate Hudson. Or heaven forbid all the CGI-ed superhero claptrap aimed at teenage boys.

Which has to be a good, if somewhat belated, news to start the week.

What Posh Has For Lunch

May 31, 2008 By Paola 6 Comments

So, you’re Posh Spice and you’re off for lunch at New York’s latest powerhouse restaurant Lever House, where a whole brigade of chefs is ready to tantalize your tastebuds with exquisite morsels.

So apparently, according to fashion blog Fashion Addict Diary you order

– a mixed green salad with balsamic vinegar

– steamed veggies

– a fruit plate

– sparkling mineral water

Hotel Careyes

May 31, 2008 By Paola 3 Comments

The one problem with Mexico is that it’s BIG. And full of mountains. Which makes getting around pretty difficult.

When we first started researching our holiday, we fondly imagined that we’d be able to see a few different places in very different parts of the country, but we soon realised that we would be racking up many hours and many dollars in plane flights as it’s difficult to travel great distances in the car.

But we didn’t just want to say in a big impersonal resort and so when we found a really great deal on the boutique-y Hotel Careyes on Luxury Link (how I love this site) we jumped at the chance.

When we told people that we were driving 150 miles south of Puerto Vallarta, people looked at us as if we were crazy, but I think that’s because many American travellers are not very adventurous. True, the road through the Sierra Madre was a bit twisty and turny, but in pretty good condition and nothing like some of the truly terrifying roads we’ve driven on in Greece and Turkey.

We arrived at the hotel at midnight and were unable to ascertain whether it was ‘colourful’ (the Minx’s key criterion for a good hotel).

She really needn’t have worried.

We were also lucky enough (it was late in the season remember) to get an upgrade on the room, which was simply furnished, absolutely enormous and featured a large jacuzzi in the middle. The decor was a little tired, but the hotel is apparently due for renovation, so catch it while it’s still even vaguely affordable.

I swear the jacuzzi got more use than ever before, as the Minx LOVED it and would swim in it every morning while we lounged in bed.

El Careyes has an interesting history – an eccentric Italian built the resort and neighbouring villas and casitas in this remote enclave of the Costalegre coast back in the 50s, hoping to create a Mexican version of Portofino. There’s even a polo field nearby.

It’s nothing like as developed as Portofino (one of my favourite places in the world – do you have any idea how much I miss Italy?) is now, but apparently Careyes is quite the celeb hangout around Christmas.

In May though it’s almost too quiet and sleepy – we had fun escaping to the funky little town of Barra de Navidad which was very Mexican and reminded us a bit of cute Southern European resorts such as Kas in Turkey and Nafplio in Greece – that is, until Heidi Klum turned up.

The Lab – Chemistry

May 30, 2008 By Paola 9 Comments

From left to right along the couch: the back of John Tusher’s head, me, Elaine Decorno, Mary Shelterrific, Megan Not Martha (Photo courtesy of Eliza Truitt Photography)

So, guess who’s the Italian in this picture?

The Lab was fab. John and Ali from Velocity had done a spectacular job drumming up an even higher turnout than the first one (John’s going to have to get a bigger showroom) and everyone had come armed with loads of thought-provoking questions so it felt just like chatting with old friends. I hope I didn’t come across as too drunk.

My fellow panellists were all fascinating and have fabulous taste in shoes. John is the new Oprah.

Things I Learned:

– The way to drum up lots of comments on your blog is to write posts saying “xxxx – yes or no?” and/or write about bacon

– Pink hoses make people very excited (!)

– I MUST HAVE Elaine Decorno’s handbag

– People in Seattle are lovely and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

I didn’t even begin to chat to all the people I wanted to meet, but it was lovely to speak to Still Dottie (who rocks the platinum blonde crop I’ve always wanted but never dared to have); Kim who makes stunning handmade books; the fabulous-as-always Stanford Blatch-alike Uncle Beefy (we were wondering where all the male design bloggers are?), the very lovely Danielle from Apartment Therapy (an Apartment Therapy Seattleite, who knew?) and meet, albeit briefly, the very cute Tula from Whorange. I also talked to lots of other people who don’t have blogs and therefore can’t be linked to (how can this be? – get with the program!).

For more detailed notes on what we spoke about check out Megan’s and Mary’s posts.

June’s Lab will feature Kristen Rask of Schmancy and a couple of other crafters talking about crafting and plush toys. I have a horrible feeling though that I’m going to have to miss this as I’m due to be cruising to Alaska with my crazy Italian rellies. Though in typical badly organised Italian fashion the cruise has not yet been booked, so there is still hope of a reprieve.

Chocolate Brownies and Design Blogging

May 28, 2008 By Paola 1 Comment

We were invited to our first barbecue of the summer over the weekend and I decided to take some chocolate brownies, as it’s been far too long since I made them.

The best brownie recipe in the world is from Green & Blacks Chocolate Recipes.

The addition of dried cherries takes these into a different orbit of deliciousness. I sprinkled some chocolate chips onto the finished brownie when it had just come out of the oven and pressed them in with a spatula – er, just because they weren’t chocolate-y or fattening enough.

They turned out great, despite the Minx ‘helping’ out in her usual inimitable style.

I mention these because I was going to bring some to tonight’s Lab, but apparently can’t because of pesky health & safety regs. But do come along anyway and ponder what might have been…

I need to think of an acceptable giveaway. Megan Not Martha has set the bar horribly high and I hear that Mary T from Shelterriffic will be bringing along a new design classic. Also speaking is the delightfully scary Miz Decorno herself. All details here.

I. just. can. not. wait

May 24, 2008 By Paola 9 Comments

I know we’ve recently been very rude about US Vogue, but this month’s issue features one of the most gorgeous photoshoots I’ve ever seen in honour of the upcoming release of Sex and the City – The Movie. (All photos by Annie Liebowitz for US Vogue from Vogue.com).

Even though the cover is still pretty crap.

The gorgeous boys at Project Rungay (one of the all time great blogs) have done some great detective work tracking down the catwalk origins of most of the frocks. (They are so going to LOVE my Heidi Klum holiday goss).

I have just two questions. Why don’t we see epic dresses like these on the red carpet (including SJP to her own premieres) instead of all the boring fishtails we saw at the Oscars this year? (The green Nina Ricci is what I will wear when I win my Oscar and have extensive liposuction). And could Mr Big, whom I’ve always loved as a character, but who has never done it for me as a lustbunny, look any hotter?

Also check out this vid, via Perez Hilton, which conclusively proves that this is one of the biggest ever product placement opportunities for women (I’ve heard the movie called the ‘Superbowl for women’ in terms of its advertising potential). I just love how all the accessories are just piled up as if they were in the rummage bin at Primark.

The hot mamas of Seattle have booked out the evening of June 3rd to see the movie and drink too many cosmopolitans. Back with an actual film review then. (The only thing I don’t like is the fugly ass decor in that hotel bedroom).

The Lab – Design Blogging in Seattle

May 23, 2008 By Paola Leave a Comment

The next Lab is on Wednesday 28th May from 6-8pm (though the last one went on longer) at Velocity’s showroom at 251 Yale Avenue N (opposite REI) and is starring ME!!! Talking about design blogging.

Actually I’m feeling like a bit of a fraud, but fortunately there will also be Seattle bloggers on hand who actually know their stuff, namely Megan Not Martha; Elaine Decorno and Mary T from Shelterrific.

So come and have all your questions about the ins and outs of design blogging answered; find out if we’re really all rampant egomanics or just to sample some fab drinks from sponsors Dry Soda and have a nose around Velocity. Remember the Lab is open to men and women and everyone who has even the vaguest interest in design. And if you’re a Seattle blogger yourself we’d be hugely grateful if you could spread the word on your own blog.

If you do come, please be gentle with us.

I’m in a jolly mood today. Have just discovered some superfab ambient house music podcasts by a Swedish DJ – DJRiver (also available for download on iTunes), sort of high end Buddha Bar meets Hotel Costes. Not that this will be remotely of interest to anyone in Seattle, where hairy white rock music reigns supreme.

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