Favorite Thing: Coral

Not only is coral amazing as a diver, it is such a beautiful organic shape and is so inspirational for artists and designers, making its way onto prints and pendants and more. 

My new favorite website: Vivre.com highlights several fab coral pieces both for you and your home. Here is an photo assemblage of what can be found. 

Now all I need is an occasion! And some sun.... 

Summer Soles

While jack rogers are more than my summer staple... wearing them alllll the time makes my wardrobe seem tired. Here are some summer shoes that I want, I need, and I must have. 

Kate Spade : The Felice 

Christian Louboutin Espadrilles 

Choos

For easy finds, go to ShopStyle.com. This site even offers the service of emailing you the moment your fav style goes on sale. How delightful dangerous! 

Go See: Avedon Fashion

Now at the International Center of Photography in NYC, Avedon Fashion - going on now through September 15. Here is what the ICP says about the revolutionary photographer Richard Avedon: 

Richard Avedon (1923–2004) revolutionized fashion photography starting in the post-World War II era and redefined the role of the fashion photographer. Anticipating many of the cultural cross-fertilizations that have occurred between high art, commercial art, fashion, advertising, and pop culture in the last twenty years, he created spirited, imaginative photographs that showed fashion and the modern woman in a new light. He shook up the chilly, static formulas of the fashion photograph and by 1950 was the most imitated American editorial photographer. Injecting a forthright, American energy into a business that had been dominated by Europeans, Avedon's stylistic innovations continue to influence photographers around the world.

and about the exhibition: 

This exhibition will be the most comprehensive exploration to date of Avedon's fashion photography during his long career at Harper's Bazaar, Vogue, The New Yorker, and beyond. Working closely with The Richard Avedon Foundation, ICP curator Carol Squiers and guest curator Vince Aletti will present new scholarship on the evolution and extraordinary, ongoing impact of his work. The exhibition will feature more than 200 works by Richard Avedon, spanning his entire career, and will include vintage prints, contact sheets, magazine layouts, and archival material.

Jessica Cushman

I ran into the owner of Nantucket boutique Current Vintage the other night, and she was wearing two of these fabulous bracelets by Jessica Kegan Cushman stacked. Bracelet envy ensued and I had to find out where she got them. Answer = Erica Wilson on Nantucket. However, J.K.C.'s website  is fabulous because you can have your pick of bracelets.... This is the one I am currently lusting: 

Mind Your Manners

Not that I have been watching re-runs of The Real Housewives of NYC or anything.... but recently I was thinking about etiquette and manners. 

Table Manners for Teenagers was written by the former chairman of Tiffany's, and "teaches anyone, even adults, how to be graceful and sociable when dining out and at home. Its honest, humorous, and to the point." 

Aside from table manners, I believe that part of proper etiquette includes writing thank-you notes. After visiting Parchment on Nantucket, I started lusting after new stationary. Kate Spade makes great options that are quirky and different, such as this. 

Sharing: Kate Spade sample sale

Shop Shop Shop 

Mission: Buy Local

I am trying to make more of an effort to buy produce locally. This is my new favorite spot in Nantucket - Bartlett's Farm. 

Click here for 10 reasons why you should buy local. 

My next mission is to make an herb garden so I don't have to constantly buy chives, mint, parsley, basil, and dill from the grocery store.  

Who What Wear Brilliance

While some Who What Wear's are neglected on my blackberry, sometimes they have a hit worthy of revisiting. I especially like #6 - the Bow Dress from Foley + Corinna. This is what WWW.com has to say about it. 

6. Foley + Corinna Bow Dress ($297) 
Surely you've got loads of weddings or cocktail parties to attend this summer, so why not show up in a stunner of a frock? The strapless sateen Bow Dress from Foley + Corinna is the perfect option, as its chic enough to be a prêt-a-porter piece, but is available at an attainable price. Plus it has that Elbaz elegance—always a desirable thing. 

Another great WWW flashback. 

Why don't I buy more RL? Clearly this was the inspiration for my jodhpur lust, and I really feel like a lot of the pieces from the summer collection are not only perfect for nantucket, but good closet investments that would easily incorporate into my daily wardrobe. 

Jodhpurs

I am contemplating the purchase of white jodhpurs as an alternative summer pant style to standard white denim. I love how they are fitted and might just take the plunge! I do wish that I could try them on, instead of risking the online purchase. 

I Love: Sienna Miller

I am so excited for Sienna Miller's new play that is set to come out in the fall anddd to see The Edge of Love that came out already, but only in a very limited amount of theaters. The July issue of Vogue features S.M. as their cover girl and I will be checking the Hub every day until the issue can be mine.

Cousteau: the next generation

No doubt I am obsessed with all things marine... and when I re-read the May issue of Vogue featuring Drew Barrymore, I was very, very envious of the awesome adventures of Alexandra Cousteau and her siblings Philipe and Jean-Michel (in case you didn't know - their grandfather was Jacques Cousteau, who pioneered scuba diving with his invention of the Aqua Lung, and made a huge impression in the field of marine biology through his dynamic persona and the explorations on his famous boat called Calypso. 

Perhaps my most perfectly fitting career would be to work for the non-profit organization Oceana. Oceana works on several campaigns that focus exclusively on the health of the world's oceans, including protecting coral reefs, fighting shark finning, keeping fisheries sustainable and safe, putting a halt to the illegal dumping of oil, and a plethora of other issues that are threatening our most vital resource on earth: the ocean. 

Jacques pronounced that "mankind has probably done more damage to the earth in the twentieth century than in all of previous human history." Today this statement is truer than ever, and as stated in the Elle reader profile highlighting the Jacques' grandchildren, "What better time could there be for a new generation of Cousteaus, all adventurous, enterprising, and ocean-going, to dive into the void and save the seas!" Oceana - count me in. 

Obsession: Smoothies

Not only are smoothies extra good for you, but they make the perfect summer snack (and sooth a morning hangover!) 

This Whole Living site gives some great recipes for super sipping. 

    

You Should Be Reading

Elle magazine seems to have the best booklist around. Take a look at what they have recommended for June.... the July list is also out. 

Currently Lusting: Lena Bernard Seashell Ring

Designer Profile: Stockholm-born Lena Bernard was raised in Malibu, studied in Florence and lives in Bali, inspired by the tropical flowers, rice paddies, temples, volcanoes and beautiful black sand beaches that surround her. With its variegated patterns and gleaming silver accents, this exquisite ring, crafted from an authentic Cone seashell, is a joyous reflection of its designer's multicultural influences. 

Found on Vivre.com, this seems to be the perfect addition to every summer outfit. I am ordering today! It is also less of an investment than the other fabulon ring I found on the same website by an Italian Designer Mesi Jilly (this was also featured in Elle a few months ago).... Maybe after a few paychecks. 

Get it: Toy Watch

Sadly, my very favorite wrist accessory (THE scubapro xtender dive computer) was lost during one chaotic night in Montreal with some fellow Lawrencians for a Girl Talk concert. I mourned the loss as I no longer sit on train en route to NYC and look at my total bottom team of my deepest dive in the Seychelles. Whoever thought cocktail rings were conversation starters clearly never wore a dive computer to a bar.... 

Anyway, I have come to terms with the fact that I now need a new watch, and although I am definitely going to replace the XTENDER, a neon toy watch is giving my oversized dive computer a run for its money. 

The Plasteramic is my fav. I am thinking I am going to go for the orange. 

Jeep Striping

I am on a mission to stripe my 1997 navy jeep wrangler. Pictures to come soon! 

vinylstriping.com = genius 

Inspired By

INA. 

Garten that is. This Barefoot Contessa is really (to quote my sister Shannon -) a domestic goddess. I kow tow to everything that this food network maven whips up in her East Hampton kitchen. For the perfect main course at a summer soiree, try to following - (Ina's husband Jeffrey says its the best he's EVER had). 

Lobster Cobb Salad 

Serves 6-8

For the vinaigrette: 

1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)

5 tablespoons good olive oil

3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For the salad: 

2 ripe Hass avocados

Juice of 1 lemon

1 1/2 pounds cooked lobster meat, cut in 3/4-inch dice

1 pint cherry tomatoes, cut in half or quarters

1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 pound lean bacon, fried and crumbled

3/4 cup crumbled English Stilton, or other crumbly blue cheese

1 bunch arugula, washed and spun dry

1. For the vinaigrette, whisk together the mustard, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
2. For the salad, cut the avocados in half, remove the seed, and peel. Cut into 3/4-inch dice and toss with the lemon juice. If the arugula leaves are large, cut them in half crosswise.
3. Put the lobster and tomatoes in a bowl. Sprinkle with the salt and pepper and toss with enough vinaigrette to moisten. Add the diced avocados, crumbled bacon, blue cheese, and arugula and toss again. Serve at room temperature.

Currently Lusting: C.K. Bradley

So we all know that I am a CK Bradley superfan... (see picture below of last years CK Bradley party and Dorrians).... 

But my enthusiasm aside, the spring/summer line for 2009 is fantastic. I have been stalking the website and calling my two favorite CKB girls in Newport constantly to see when I can get my hands on some gear to outfit my summer adventures to take me from my outpost on federal as hostess to a night at the box.

Tipsy In

Ok so clearly, clearrlyyy we are not living under a rock, and I fully admit how the title of this blog was completely stolen from the fantastic book TIPSY IN MADRAS. Tipsy in Madras is an unofficial spin-off of The Official Preppy Handbook. Why is it that the people that buy this book, are the subjects of the book..... while the people that should really be utilizing such "handbook" have no idea of its existence and are utterly confused by the contents, not knowing whether to take such book as literal guide for preps or not - as was demonstrated in my dear friend Samantha Levitan's summer class at NYU. When my favorite upper east-side blonde referenced the book in her fashion class, the entire room of hipster and trendster wannabes looked at her as though she was out of her mind. 

My words to Samantha: don't worry... its not their fault they can't open up a used O.P.H. to find a handwritten note from St. Lawrence student to another, read by yet another 20 years later. Love you! 

Not only does Tipsy in Madras offer the perfectly mixed guide to cocktails for all appropriate occasions.... there is also some sweet playlists to accompany said occasion. For this mermaid in madras (you know im kidding when i say mermaid rightttt???? ok not really... lets be honest) ... these are my current summer songs for the beirut table building, salmon grilling, and backyard beer drinking that is going on at Polliwog Pond. 

Part Time Lover - Stevie Wonder 

Golden Brown - The Stranglers

Glass of Water - Coldplay 

Bette Davis Eyes - Kim Carnes

Tempted - The Squeeze

Age of Consent - New Order 

Love You Madly - Cake 

Super Stylin' - Groove Armada 

Invisible Touch - Phil Collins 

Kelly - Van She 

Knocked Up - Kings of Leon 

Why Not...

After realizing that several of my friends broke the mold of what I thought typified the "blogger," I found my own little blogspot. I figure it will be a good way to organize my own thoughts, in a way that wont get lost amongst the zillions of post it notes my compulsive list-making self makes everyday. 

What my blog shall be.... my adventures this summer on nantucket, icons and inspirations, my latest obsessions andddddddd whatever else it turns into. 

Ta for now.

AEB