Tastemaker > Aerin Lauder

Growing up within the influential shadow of her trend-setting grandmother, legendary cosmetics maker Estee Lauder, Aerin Lauder's discerning taste strikes a balance of classic style mixed with a 2010 sensibility of family, home, and health.  Working for the family business since 1992, Aerin is currently Estee Lauder's Senior Vice President and Creative Director. Personal (40 years old, married, mother of 2 sons) and professional life intersect quite nicely when determining and developing new health & beauty products for women.  Her overall style, for both fashion choices and her home's interiors, blend a polished sophistication with a sense of comfortable need.  Aerin's city & country homes were photographed for Elle Decor Magazine's July/August 2009 issue and she was featured on the cover.

Elle Decor July/August 2009

In 2007, Aerin launched a specialty fragrance line incorporating the scents and floral formulas that Estee had once developed and reserved for herself and close friends.  She is the face of the campaign.  Read more from Vanity Fair Magazine.

The New York Times Women's Fall Fashion 2010 includes Aerin Lauder as their subject for Profile In Style. 

Harper's Bazaar Magazine includes a question and answer article with Aerin on her fashion selections & style.

Family Vacation

Lake Wononskopomuc

Excuse my absence of posts in the coming week....  headed to NW Connecticut for a family vacation.  Looking forward to cooler temperatures and much needed relief from this HOT Atlanta weather.

Atlanta Friends > Folk Fest this Week-End 8|20 - 8|22

Make some time to stop by Folk Fest, happening Friday, 8|20 - Sunday, 8|22.  Be sure to check out our dear friend, artist Chris Beck, who will be exhibiting his current work....  We are head over heels for Chris' Clothing Series -  welded salvaged and reclaimed metal scrap into the life-size forms of dresses, shirts, jeans, jackets - skillfully adding the delicate details of belt buckles, ties, bows, buttons, and fold of the fabric, bringing to life this otherwise trashed material. Check out the details and see some images of Chris' work below:

"The world’s largest folk art show & sale hosting 100 galleries & dealers from around the nation specializing in Self-taught Art, Outsider Art, Folk Art and Southern Folk Pottery & Anonymous Antique Folk Art."

North Atlanta Trade Center
1700 Jeurgens Court
Norcross, Georgia 30093
I-85 and Indian Trail Rd., Exit 101

August 20-22, 2010
Friday, August 20 • 5pm-10pm • $15 (includes and readmission)
Meet-The-Artists Party & Show Opening
Saturday, August 21 • 10am-7pm • $7
Sunday, August 22• 10am-5pm • $7
Children 16 and under are FREE

Iveta Gourmet > A Taste of European Pastry Baked in Your Home Kitchen

I first discovered Iveta Gourmet at the Atlanta Food Show, back in January 2009.  As fate would have it, the booth where I was helping out a friend with her food product, was located next to the Iveta Gourmet booth.  Over the 5 days of the show, I got a chance to talk with owner and creator Yvette Bilanko and her daughter Lisa Bilanko.  Iveta Gourmet is a family owned and operated pastry recipe mix business based in Santa Cruz, CA. Their award winning combination of high end quality ingredients partnered with easy preparing directions has even caught the eye of "O" Magazine, including Iveta Gourmet on the magazine's very first "O" List in April 2000. Fortunately, our residences on opposite coasts haven't stopped me from keeping connected with Lisa Bilanko (through the magic of Facebook) and the continued success of Iveta Gourmet.

Iveta Gourmet's tasty success lies in the blend of ingredients.  Traditionally, most scones recipes require butter & eggs - Iveta substitutes the two with heavy whipping cream, creating a moist and light scone. These delectable and easy to prepare pastry mixes - scones, biscuits, and muffins - are a must try.   Voila! A taste of  European pastry baked in your kitchen oven.  Check out Iveta Gourmet's website for purchase options and more info.

Exciting recent news, Iveta Gourmet announces the opening of Iveta Cafe, in Santa Cruz.  Stop in for a visit and enjoy a just-out-of-the-oven Iveta Gourment Scone with a fresh prepared coffee or espresso.  Iveta Cafe also offers light food fare - a selection of pastries, egg frittatas, fresh soups and sandwiches.  Click here for the menu.

Iveta Cafe - Santa Cruz, CA

Iveta Cafe - Interior, Complete with Espresso Bar.

Photographed at Iveta Cafe - Founder, Creator, Owner, and Baker Yvette Bilanko.

Many Thanks to Lisa Bilanko for the Images of Iveta Cafe.

Two Buttons > Author Elizabeth Gilbert's Retail Warehouse Filled with her Acquired Global Treasures

Can't get enough of Elizabeth Gilbert and her globe trotting journey in her book - Eat, Pray, Love?  Yearning for a piece of Asian inspiration in the form of a Buddha Head, Altar Table, Prayer Beads, or Traditional Textiles?  Then a must shopping (and sight seeing) trip to Gilbert's shop - Two Buttons - is your next adventure.  Located in Frenchtown, NJ, the 8,000 square foot warehouse showcases the wares and finds picked up by Gilbert & husband Jose Nunes (know to the world as Felipe in her book), during their travels. With 2 shipping containers filled with their local market treasures, Gilbert acquired the former electronics factory to set up a retail storefront.  On your visit, be sure to set aside some time to linger down the shop pathways lined with global artifacts and let your eye wander over the hand selected hand crafted objects and accessories.  If nothing else, take away a taste of Gilbert's far reaching life inspiring voyage imported closer to home for all to experience and enjoy.  For more info, check out this link to an article in today's Style Section of the NY Times.  

Check out the video below for the Eat, Pray, Love movie trailer....  

Inca Kids > Supporting Peruvian Artisan Craft and Traditional Textiles

Inca Kids, A Fair Trade Store, highlights the traditional textiles and craftsmanship of Peruvian artisans.  Gigi Pedraza - owner, founder, and my former next door neighbor - takes inspiration from her native homeland's skilled weavers in producing clothing and home accessories for kids and adults.  The Fair Trade movement places an emphasis on supporting local artisan villages by providing poverty relief and education needs, while also drawing attention to the passed down hands on craft techniques of the community.  Inca Kids aims to showcase the Peruvian artisan expertise by offering handmade styles and designs in bright colors, bold patterns, and featuring native scenery, made from 100% natural materials.  Check out the photos below for a sampling of Inca Kids....  items are available through the website and retail stores.  Special Offering:  15% Off Your Purchase of $25 or More By Entering Code August15.

Summer Salad > Caprese

Salad making is at its best with the ripe fruits & veggies of the Summer growing season...  I particularly look forward to the varieties of heirloom tomatoes offered by my local farmers markets.  I select the my juicy jewels by sight - the crazier lookin' the better - zebra striped, lumpy & bumpy, in bright rainbow colors.  The perfect pairing and an easy appetizer or salad to prepare is a Caprese salad - bringing together 6 basic ingredients that sing in your mouth with every bite.  Check out my photos below of the Caprese salad I prepared last night and see how deliciously simple this salad is to create & enjoy.

1. Select your favorite tomatoes - leave out to room temperature.  Pull out a serving dish.  On a cutting board slice the tomato.  

2.  Mozzarella Cheese - select mozzarella in a ball shape, packaged in water.  On your cutting board, slice the ball either into wedges or slices.  

3.  Fresh Basil - this basil bunch is from our garden.  Try to find basil that is bright green & leafy.  Wash, and pull off leaves from stem.  Estimate at least 1 basil leaf per slice of tomato.  On your serving plate, fan out your tomato slices in a sort of half moon configuration.  Slide basil leaves between each tomato.  Mozzarella - either you can slide your mozzarella along with the basil & tomato, or choose to position your wedges on a remaining corner of your serving dish.

4.  Your Dressing - 3 parts - Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Fresh Cracked Pepper, & Coarse Kosher Salt.  Take your serving dish - with the arranged tomato, basil, and mozzarella - drizzle extra virgin olive oil over the top, leaving light droplets of oil, no need to coat ever item on the dish.  {Quick Tip:  To help control the flow of olive oil - when you're holding the bottle and just before you start to drizzle, place your thumb over the mouth opening, allowing small droplets to reach your dish.} Take your pepper mill and crack fresh pepper over top.  Final step, tomatoes love salt, so be a little liberal when sprinkling over top...  Let your salad sit for a couple of minutes allowing the salt to draw out the juices of the tomato & mozzarella, providing even more of a fresh & tasty marinade.

Voila!  Your Caprese Salad ~ Summer Entertaining at its Best.

Imogene + Willie > The 21st Century Mom & Pop Store

There's nothing wrong with modest beginnings...  Get yourself acquainted with Imogene + Willie, the Nashville, TN artisan denim clothing & accessories store.  A year ago, husband and wife owners Matt & Carrie Eddmenson started with a blog (its cheaper than a website), a Paypal account (a safe & secure form of accepting payments), and an email, sent out to their friends and family announcing their business intentions.  Within 30 days, the couple raised the $25,000 needed to kick start their formalized company - accountant & attorney included. 

Working with denim comes naturally for Carrie.  In her previous work experience with her family's denim business based in Kentucky, she specialized in the development of "washes" for jeans, taking on Ralph Lauren as client.  In 2003, Matt, who has known Carrie since she was 10, joined Carrie's family business, bringing with him his keen sense of style & design.  The couple recognized a need to tap into the emerging trend of handcrafted clothing rooted with Americana style, and seized the opportunity to showcase custom & artisan denim designs within their own Mom & Pop style store.  Matt and Carrie looked to family inspiration for their new company's name, choosing the first names of her maternal grandparents.  They decided to relocate to Nashville, acquired and renovated an old gas station as their new storefront, and enlisted the talented craftsmen services of 2 tailors, long time friends associated with Carrie's former family run business, responsible for the creation of their custom orders.  The storefront houses both retail and workshop space - with all custom denim designed and produced on site.  Loyal customers include rockers Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top and Kings of Leon, as well as the admiration from stylish celebrity Gwyneth Paltrow, whose discovery of I + W happened while filming a movie on location in Nashville. 

Keeping community at the forefront, Matt & Carrie use the I + W network of fans to help raise awareness and support causes close to their hearts.  During the epic Nashville floods back in May, I + W played host to neighborhood fundraisers for those in need.  Stop by Thursday nights for Supper and Song - a gathering in the backyard of the store featuring the culinary delights of Mas Tacos, a local food cart purveyor, and live musical acts highlighting the sounds of a local singer/songwriters.

Exciting recent news for Matt & Carrie and I + W include a partnership with J Crew - bringing handcrafted denim to a wider audience, and Garden & Gun Magazine including I + W as one of their top 21 "Southerners to Watch", featured in the August/September 2010 issue.

Matt and Carrie Eddmenson - Garden & Gun Magazine

Garden & Gun Magazine - August/September 2010

Check out the video below and listen to Matt & Carrie talk about I + W and see more details of the interior of their shop.

Much Obliged Apartment Therapy

Many thanks Apartment Therapy-DC for including in yesterday's post a set of my vintage ceramic lamps for sale available on Etsy.  Happy to learn from the new owner of these lamps that your feature led her to purchase the set.  The post was inspired by the interior style of DC apartment owner Alex.  The writer of the post, Kim Rinehimer, selected a photo taken in Alex's apartment and offers suggestions to readers of similar vintage objects and accessories for purchase on Etsy to achieve a complementary "look".  Kim included my white artichoke shaped ceramic lamps as a pairing to Alex's lamp pictured.  Click here for a link to my Etsy store to find interesting, hand selected items to round out the overall appeal of any room.

Apartment Therapy post writer Kim Rinehimer took inspiration from this photo of Alex's DC apartment as a jumping off point for recommending similar accessories to achieve the "look".

My Set of Vintage White Ceramic Artichoke Shaped Lamps, Recommended by Apartment Therapy.

The response & comments from Apartment Therapy readers to the decorating mix of high & low style that homeowner Alex infused in his space was overwhelmingly positive.  How fun to notice that featured in another photo taken from his apartment, a vintage bamboo detailed lamp with black shade, is an item I currently have available.  Check out the link for more details.  

Homeowner Alex's Vintage Yellow Bamboo Lamp with Black Shade.

My Set of Yellow Bamboo Detailed Lamps, Available on Etsy.

Noteworthy > Artisan Chocolatier Kristen Hard

Kristen Hard - friend, owner, and creator of Atlanta's boutique chocolate shop Cacao Atlanta, is featured in the September 2010 Food & Wine magazine.  Selected as a F&W Tastemaker, Kristen's artisan journey begins by cultivating personal relationships with the farmers that supply her ingredients - particularly seeking out delectable & interesting beans.  All of Kristen's offerings, including her chocolate truffles blended with herbs, home made marshmallows, and Cacao's Love Bar are on made on site. Her shop, a dreamy & cozy renovated loft space, houses both her kitchen and retail needs and is located in the Inman Park neighborhood of town. I recommended Cacao in a previous post as one of my Valentine's Day gift giving ideas and place it at the top of my "must-visit & sample" list of Atlanta's specialty food purveyors.

Lemons Into Lemonade > Savvy Residential Real Estate Maneuvers

Thom Smyth

Thom Smyth quickly realized that what was to be easy "flip" renovation, took a expensive turn, when his 175 year old newly purchased investment property was coming apart at the seems.  Once he completed the overhaul remodel, Smyth was left spending as much money on renovations as he had buying the home.  Rather than deal with any more loss and needing to replenish their bank accounts, Smyth and his partner decided to turn their idyllic & sparkling clean New Hope, PA home into a vacation rental.  New Hope's close proximity to NYC and Philadelphia, and its place in the heart of antiques country - Bucks County, has drawn renters in need of a tranquil getaway.  The charm of New Hope and the home's modern amenities has been a success among renters and a positive cash flow for Smyth. Check out the link to an article in today's NY Times and click here for more info on renting Thom Smyth's home.

2 Bedroom, 1 1/2 Bath Home - A/C, Washer & Dryer, and Pet Friendly.

Living Room

Kitchen

Bedroom with Queen Bed

Great friends of ours here in Atlanta just made a similar vacation rental decision with their own home.  Both love being near the water, the wife is originally from South Carolina and the husband from Maryland.  The couple realized that they could swing 2 months at a rental in Folly Beach, SC by listing their own home on an executive home rental website. This type of website feeds renters brought to a city for an extended work commitment with the desire to stay in a home rather than a hotel.  Our friends quickly found a renter who is part of a production crew, transplanted to Atlanta while filming a movie, and soon what seemed like an unattainable wish of beach living has become their reality. Brilliant!

Out with the Dogs at Dawn on Folly Beach, SC.