Take A Break

Well friends, I'm going to have to say goodbye for a while. I am overwhelmed at work and will be for many months to come. I haven't been donating enough time to Poised Perfection and often feel guilty for neglecting my little blog. If my schedule returns back to normal (probably around December), I'll see if I can resume a regular blogging schedule then. I am deeply grateful for the patronage of my readers and hope you will check back in a few months. Thank you so very, very much!

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Books, Books Everywhere

Seriously, my book situation is getting to this point.

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Thursday Night, 10 PM

Finally got my copy of Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M. today. God bless Amazon.com. Will report back with opinion.

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Now That's Couture

Givenchy had a really nice couture collection for F10. I see that metallics are back in.

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Fireworks, Shmireworks

Forget the crowds and humidity. I'll take these fireworks any day.

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Icy Blonde

I always thought Kim Novak was her most chic in the movie Vertigo. Not only did you get Jimmy Stewart, you got killer panoramic shots of San Francisco.

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Hot

Seriously, polo uniforms make anyone hot. Not that Prince Harry really needs help in that department. He's with Nacho Figueras at the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic this past weekend.

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No Good Day

I had a rotten day. Therefore I will follow the ritual that always lifts my spirits no matter what: listen to Christmas music. Yes, I know it's June and 100 degrees outside. I'm fine with that. I'm thinking Ella Fitzgerald will do just fine. Plus, it's less than six months until Christmas.

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Amazon

I saw this book at Borders today. Frankly, I can't stand paying full price for books when I know I can get it cheaper on Amazon. It's all a waiting game, my friends. Thankfully, I did pick up some really lovely books on India and China. And, finally, purchased Catcher in the Rye (which I'm ashamed to admit I have never read).

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Here's a shot of a cozy-looking room. I like to lust after other people's bedrooms since I hardly get to spend any time in mine.

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PS- Do read the article with the photo source's link. It's highly entertaining.

Pony Up

Ralph Lauren's bags always make me want to throw on some brown riding boots and learn how to ride a horse. Undoubtedly the master of American preppy chic.

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The Greatest Compliment I've Ever Received

Last week, some of my coworkers told me I look like Jackie O. I think mainly it was because I was wearing an abundance of pearls and huge sunglasses. I told them that my hair and eyes were the wrong color (light blonde and gray) but that I sincerely appreciated the compliment. Now if only someone will tell me I look like Grace Kelly...

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San Francisco

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Celine

Celine had a really strong showing for Resort year. Solid colors, good fabrics, and fabulous clutches.



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Fire Engine

'54 Jaguar XK 120...who needs a man when you could have a date with that?

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Ad Fab

Am I the only one who usually finds more inspiration in ads than in the features? This ad is definitely a different take on the overtly sexy Valentino campaigns that are used.

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Manhattan

I love old-fashioned, glamorous drinks. I really, really think more people should have cocktail parties. Personally, those types of get-togethers are my favorite solely for the opportunity to wear gorgeous frocks. Anywho, here's a recipe for an oldie but a goody.

Ingredients:
•2 oz rye whiskey
•1/2 oz sweet vermouth
•2-3 dashes Angostura bitters
•maraschino cherry for garnish
Preparation:
1.Pour the ingredients into a mixing glass with ice cubes.
2.Stir well.
3.Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
4.Garnish with the cherry.


Recipe source: here
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You Smell So Appetizing

First of all Philosophy makes the best shower gels ever. Secondly, they have a creme brulee scented wash...I can't type my credit card numbers fast enough.

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Avenge This

Lily Cole as Emma Peel for Hermes. Genius.

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Barefoot Inspiration

It's a common fact that I love Barefoot Contessa. It's not so much the food Ina Garten makes on her show, but her house and the decorating tips her friends supply. Here are a few shots of her Hamptons home I've found while surfing the web.



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What A Slouch

I was reading the June issue of Harper's Bazaar today. They had a small snippet on classic handbags and how various designers were updating them so that they appeared more modern. Hermes has now come out with a "slouchy" Kelly. Apparently, this version is made of a much more relaxed material and doesn't stand up on it's own. I'm sorry, this idea may appeal to some individuals but I don't like it. The whole reason I would buy a bag like a Kelly is the structural quality to the craftsmanship. I like a nice sturdy purse and a non-structured bag just doesn't have the same kind of shelf life. Still, if someone gave me one as a gift I wouldn't turn it down. I'm not sure if Grace Kelly would approve, however.

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I Must Be Dreaming

Goldfinger = Best. Bond. Movie. Ever.

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No, I Didn't Drop Off The Face Of The Planet

Whew! I didn't realize that I had not posted since Saturday. I apologize profusely! I have been extremely busy at work and time has flown by. To try and make up for it here are some pictures of three of my most favorite things:

London:

Cary Grant:

Chanel:


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Saturday Night At The Movies

I had a busy day. I ran errands, ate lunch with my family, and did a little antiquing (spent way too much money, as usual). It looks like it might rain so a quiet night in with a cocktail and a good movie sounds like a perfect plan. I'm thinking Gosford Park.

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Sweet Coco

Oh Chanel, you've ensnared me once again in your sweet smelling web. I caved and ordered Coco Mademoiselle from Sephora (a dangerous, dangerous site). I don't know why I purchase new scents. I have an exorbitant amount of perfumes yet I always seem to gravitate to the same one (Allure). It's funny though how certain scents always seem to remind of you of specific times or events in your life. Hopefully = I'll be wearing Coco Mademoiselle when some dashing, young European nobleman whisks me away.

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Salzburg

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Not So Lively

A rant and an embarrassing confession...

First the rant: Once again American Vogue has let me down. Blake Lively is not talented enough to be featured on the premier fashion magazine of the US. Her shoot is boring and lacks imagination.

Second the embarrassing confession: I make these statements as an avid Gossip Girl fan (I know I'm too old- but great clothes and interiors). Blake Lively is in my top three least favorite things about GG. Perhaps I should be more open-minded about the actual actress but I still don't think she's talented enough to cover Vogue. It's always Serena Serena Serena! Poor Blair.

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Ah, Maurice Chevalier. Not desirable in the young Louis Jourdan way, but definitely in the dashing older gentleman way. Plus, who doesn't love Gigi?

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A-Ma-Zing

Dave Brubeck = Epic

Seriously, Take Five is probably the most played song in my entire Itunes library.

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Chic Shot

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Feeling A Little Dramatic

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I Am In Love With This Movie

I've been reading a lot about the movie I Am Love (both American and British Vogue have short snippets on it). With stills like these (complete with Jil Sander wardrobe), you know I'm seeing this. I believe it will be released next month but I'm sure I'll have to wait for it to be released on DVD. One of the Vogue articles mentioned that Last Year at Marienbad is the go to chic wardrobe movie. I'll tide myself over with that in the meantime.



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Shut Up

I would never tell someone that (outside of close friends and my sister). But I often want to. Our society is severely lacking in manners. So, in an effort to boost social awareness of etiquette, I am going to start posting simple tips. The first:

It is not okay to gab away on your cell phone in public. Let me clarify what public constitutes: restaurants, public transportation, supermarkets, the gym, retail stores, your office.

I only use my cell phone away from the table and never in a store (unless it's for work and then I go outside). Besides who are all these people talking to all the time?

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The May Issue

I'm not a huge SJP fan. I like what she wears most of the time. She always has great shots in Vogue however. These shots are in the May issue. I don't know what there is, but every time a new Sex and The City movie comes out, the team at Vogue always kicks it up a notch.



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Hehe

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Plum Perfect

Yes, I am obsessed with Plum Sykes. Indeed, I have read her books about fifty million times. Of course, I always read her articles in Vogue first. So what?

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Mad Men

I've decided to give Mad Men a whirl. I knew I couldn't resist the siren song of retro interiors, sharply dressed men, and fabulous frocks. I hope it lives up to all the hype.

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The Sartorialist

I really like The Sartorialist. Normal (well, quasi-normal) people who happen to have great personal style. I remember when this picture was posted. This fashionable young lady certainly made the blog rounds. Is it sad that I'm not sure which I lust after more- the bag or her well-hemmed trousers?

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PS- The Sartorialist book is definitely worth a look.

The 5th of May

I know it's Cinco de Mayo. Alas, I have no great urge to drink margaritas or eat Latin food. I can, however, tell you about a great Mexican movie. La Mujer de mi Hermano is a very stylish pelicula. It's definitely in my top five for best interiors. Mostly glass (people in glass houses...), the house and sets the film crew used are very modern and sleek with minimal decorative elements. The clothes the leading lady wears follow the same neutral-based color scheme as the interiors. Though lacking in vibrancy, the monochromatic themes allow the quality of the materials used to shine through. I think that by using mostly blacks and beige, the director allowed the viewer to focus on the characters and not so much the setting.



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PS- Watch the movie alone for the very handsome Manolo Cardona and Christian Meier.