Office Chair

Before.

Girl TV

I love a good, girly television show. I also enjoy reading the occasional in-depth analysis of my viewing choices in The New York Times...

“Gossip Girl” focuses on worldly little girls who join forces against one another. The series, along with such like-minded shows as the MTV semireality show “The Hills” and a cautionary senior edition, “The Real Housewives of New York City,” are focused on friends, and most of all on frenemies. They are so postfemininist that they circle back not just to “Mean Girls,” but to the pre-Friedan era of Clare Boothe Luce and Rona Jaffe.

Huh? I have obviously been watching too much television since I had to look up half of the references in that paragraph. I prefer the way Rolling Stone lays it out in chart form with pictures...


(Click image to enlarge). And yes, I so agree that L.C. is on her way to Anistonville.

Although I still don't understand the exact meaning of Post-Feminism, I did learn one important thing from the Times article, The Real Housewives of New York City will be returning with "The Lost Footage" on May 27th on Bravo. Woohoo!

Ortigia Sicilia

I have yet to try any of these Ortigia bath products, but am already seduced by the Sicilian package design.

The soaps, bath salts and fragrances look like something you might find in Isabella Rosellini's bathroom. (Photographed above from New York Interiors.

Outdoor Living, New York Style

As much as I heart NY, the lack of private green space was one of the issues that sent me packing for hometown Georgia. However, it looks like Charlotte Moss has the right idea for her own New York townhouse above.

(Photographs by Mark Heithoff).

I am especially digging the teal, chevron-slatted chairs. Now that I am back in the South, I can see Chinese fans from Pearl River Mart making useful dinner party favors on a hot summer night.

For more Moss musings on entertaining and the merits of the outdoor fireplace, see New York Magazine's "Hyper Design" Issue or her latest book, A Flair for Living.

Stylecourt

Courtney Barnes' stylish living room, featured on 1st Dibs. (Photograph by Steve Pomberg).

The talented and prolific Courtney Barnes of Stylecourt is one of my blogging heroes. Just when I think I am growing bored with the decorative arts, her impressive eye and knowledge of design history pulls me back in. (And she is just as lovely in person, as I found at last week's Lulu book signing).

Be sure to check out her profile and see more of her beautiful home and inspiration on 1st Dibs. Congratulations Courtney!

Super T

It's been a long time since my last visit to the frat house, but my memories of the spandex-clad Tyrone Smith Revue remain vivid. Therefore, I was fairly amused to learn that of all the bands in this great nation of ours, "Super T" had been chosen to play the Jenna Bush Wedding this weekend.

Smith and his band have played at fraternity parties, nightclubs and weddings across the South for more than 20 years. He plays an average of two weddings a month.

Jenna Bush saw him play in Texas a few years ago and invited him to perform at the White House Christmas party in 2003, when he led those attending in a conga line through the State Floor. The president had already gone to bed.

- The Associated Press

Nice work, Tyrone!

Whine

Anyone care for another glass? No thanks.


1) Yes, I bought a bottle of Martha Stewart Vintage.
2) No, it was not a good thing (unless you like your glass of chardonnay mixed with 4 packs of Equal. However, I usually take mine mixed with 2 parts Perrier if that gives you an indication as to my level of oenophilia).

So, I am a sucker for many things Martha. I am also one of those women who buys wine at the grocery store based on which bottle has the girliest label. In this case, the painterly monogram (the same "ms" initials of which I share) did me in. After one sip, I was ashamed of how much of a consumer cliché I had become...until I read this article in the New York Times. As it turns out, none of us are wine experts--except, of course, the experts.

(Top photo from Martha Stewart Living).

Camelot

In other Show House news...

The 38th Annual Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Associates 2008 Decorators' Show house and Gardens is in full swing. As one of the oldest show houses in the United States, this event is always a respected, Atlanta favorite. I have not yet taken the tour, so I have no idea how many rooms are inspiring and how many are flat-out atrocious, but either way it is always fun to see what the professionals are up to.

If you are in the neighborhood, please stop by this Thursday night for music, drinks and poking around prime Buckhead real estate during the Cocktails at Camelot event. I should also mention that the main purpose of all this martini-swilling frivolity is to support the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra. Check out the über talented kiddos in concert below.



Hope to see you Thursday night!

Closet Space

It's beginning to look a lot like Show House Season...

Yesterday, a friend and I took a rainy walk over to the Southern Accents Show House at Regents Park. The entire townhouse is decorated by Atlanta's famed Dan Carithers, and is photographed in the Southern Accents May issue (with 360 degree tours on the website). However, my favorite room, the dressing room (above), was even better seen in person.

While mirrored cabinetry seems to be making a comeback in dressing rooms, I found this layout to be particularly innovative when faced with a long and narrow space. By using the area between two closets, you are able to turn what would normally be a hallway into a dressing room with the essential element, a three-way mirror. There is even room left over for an antique dresser.

To take a video tour of the dressing room, narrated by Mr. Carithers, click here. All Hollywood actors should take note: this is what a Southern accent is supposed to sound like.

The Showhouse at Regents Park is open Wed-Sunday through June 1st. (Photography by Erica George Dines).

Baby Mama

I know that Baby Mama has gotten lukewarm reviews, but I still thought it was pretty funny. (Or maybe that's just my girl crush on Tina Fey talking).

Anyway, if you like to support movies outside the heavily dominated male, age 18-34 demographic, this is a cute one with which to do so. Plus, it's full of cool, pre-war Philadelphia apartments. I could not find a photo of the home in which Greg Kinnear's character lives, but let's just say it looks more like the dwelling of a hip, hedge-fund manager (I know that is an oxymoron) than a down-and-out juice shop owner.