L. Becker Florist

I’ve been using the same florist for way too long. L. Becker has the types of arrangements I love—the containers are great, too.

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Long Shorts

I’m a shorts fan and love the idea of a pair that could be the base of a polished day look in lieu of a skirt. These look promising.

Tee, necklace, slides, watch, handbag, shorts.

Welcome to the ’90s

There are a lot of great pieces in the Prada 2019 Resort collection that was shown in NYC last Friday. The coats and jackets, especially, caught my eye and transported me back to ’90s minimalism, which I would welcome with open arms.

Images © Vogue

May To-Do List

May always zips by in the race to summer. My younger daughter is graduating from high school and there’s just a lot going on. Her class had hoped to have Ruth Bader Ginsberg as the keynote speaker but RBG is very busy promoting her documentary, which I hear is terrific. Artist Marko Remec was commissioned to create a number of sculptures for NaCMA and I was lucky to be there when he sited them—the exhibition opens May 6. JJ Martin of La DoubleJ will be at Bergdorf Goodman later this month and I look forward to seeing her. Even though Louisa May Alcott’s beloved 1868 classic Little Women has had five film adaptations already, this two-part PBS series looks fantastic—the first episode airs May 13. I’m not sure if I will get much reading done this month, but I’ll try to start  Julian Barnes’ latest novel The Only Story.

Ticked Off

I know that it’s tick season, but they seem extra plentiful this spring—the dogs and horses are covered. This is not solely a rural problem, Central Park has loads of them too. Just this week the C.D.C. announced that the number of people contracting diseases from ticks and mosquitoes is alarmingly on the rise. So I’m starting to think that, like using sunscreen daily, we should be putting on repellent as well. However, the thought of spraying myself with DEET each morning is not appealing. Many swear by rose-geranium oil as a natural alternative and I’m going to give it a whirl.

DIY Blends:

Rose-Geranium Oil. This essential oil was shown to be highly effective at deterring ticks in a study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. Combine equal parts rose-geranium oil and coconut oil, and apply it regularly to your arms, neck, waist, and ankles.

Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus. Some research suggests that a 30% lemon eucalyptus oil preparation can be as effective as DEET in preventing both mosquito and tick bites. To make your own, mix together 30 drops of oil of lemon eucalyptus with 4 ounces of witch hazel (you can also use apple cider vinegar or vodka). Some people also add a teaspoon of vanilla, which may further repel ticks.

Citronella and Eucalyptus. These oils, along with lavender, juniper, oregano, and clove, compare favorably with DEET, but they must be reapplied more frequently than chemical tick repellants. Combine them with equal parts water or alcohol, shake, and apply

© RAWLSMD

Phoebe Philo’s Final Céline Collection

Well, this is it folks– Phoebe’s final hurrah for Céline. It’s Pre-Fall (my favorite season) and this collection does not disappoint. If you want the perfect tuxedo suit, cozy sweater, divine grey coat, oversized tote, fab earrings, etc, it’s now or never.

Photography by Juegen Teller

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Smile, Spring is Here!

This picture, from the May 2013 issue of Vogue Paris still makes me smile. Five years later and Geraldine Saglio’s styling is still spot-on. Happy is always chic.

Criss-Cross

One of my favorite spring purchases is a pair of Saint Laurent criss-cross sandals (second from the top) and I cannot wait to wear them. Flat or with a heel, this is a popular style this season.

Top: Chloé, Saint Laurent, Vince, Sam Edelman.

Bottom: Mansur Gavriel, Manolo Blahnik, Ancient Greek Sandals, Tabitha Simmons, Chloé (also in dark brown), Bottega Veneta, and a satin pair by Rosetta Getty

‘Wild Wild West’ Hair Envy

These Vogue Paris pictures of Anna Ewers give me serious hair envy—hair stylist James Pecis is just so good.

Photography by Mikael Jansson   Styling by Emmanuelle Alt

Chic & Cheap

Well, since Belgian Shoes didn’t do it, J. Crew did. The perfect weekend, wear-with-jeans loafer mule. They are on sale and come in white, too.