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Category: General

Smoked Salmon Dip

Now that summer is behind us (unfortunately), fall has officially begun and the holidays are just around the corner, I saw this appetizer recipe on Gwyneth’s Goop and thought it was just the perfect thing to bring to a fall dinner party or upcoming holiday party.  And, who can resist a new delicious treat for cocktail hour!!!  Enjoy!!

image Goop.com
Recipe adapted from Goop.com
Ingredients:

8 ounces cream cheese (at room temperature)
1/2 cup Creme Fraiche
1 Tb lemon zest (finely grated)
juice of 1/2  lemon
2 scallions very finely chopped
4 ounces smoked salmon finely chopped
cracked black pepper

Using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese until it is fluffy

Fold in remaining ingredients and season with black pepper

Garnish with any leftover scallions (see photo)




Wish List Wednesday

One of my wish list items has always been to bring the indoors out and make my patio an extension of our living space.  I love the work of Interior Designer Rosemary Thomas.  Recently she has focused her projects on outdoor entertaining.  She really knows how to create beautiful, comfortable spaces that turn an ordinary spot into an extraordinary outdoor entertainment center.  Now is the perfect time to start planning for next summer,  for more information, please contact Rosemary HERE

Girlfriend Tip

When I interviewed my girlfriend, Clare Butler of Claire Rooney Butler Interiors, she recommended that we add new decorative pillows to our rooms to spruce them up!  Now that tomorrow is the first official day of Fall, here are some fun ideas for a quick fix around the house.

Girl Friend Tip

Book Club Monday


Today’s Book Club Monday is a wonderful book, Modern Mix, written by Uber Stylist Eddie Ross.  I first met Eddie years ago when he worked for another talented friend Sue Scully of Watsons Catering (but that’s for another post!!)  I have followed his career, from attending the Culinary Institute of America, stints at House Beautiful, Martha Stewart Living and Food Network, to being a contestant on Top Design to his current position as East Coast Editor of Better Homes and Garden and finally to a published author!!  I have attended numerous lectures where Eddie has highlighted some of the most beautiful table settings, that he created.  I have used his fabulous entertaining and decorating tips, year after year.  I have shopped his private sales and made some of my most cherish purchases.  I have followed Eddie around New York City flea markets, searching for treasures under his expert eyes and I have emailed him from time to time with technical questions, like how to salvage an antique wooden salad bowl that had been accidentally put in the dishwasher, after the most fun dinner party.  Needless to say, my admiration of Eddie’s and his partner, Jaithan’s, talents only has increased with each project they tackle.  I am so excited to share this book with you.  You are going to love Eddie’s style as much as I have, over all these past years.   To purchase Modern Mix, click HERE.

images Eddie Ross



And, if you are in the Westchester area, Elizabeth Moyer of the beautiful Pretty Pink Tulips blog is hosting this wonderful luncheon:




Weekend Real Estate Stalking

Our obsession with the Hamptons and Grey Gardens, in particular, continues.  I read just last week that Grey Gardens is available for rental during the summer months.  It was purchased from the Beales, in 1979, when it was in the worst possible condition.  The house was overrun with cats and racoons,  the ceilings were caving in, as well as the roof.  The new owner wanted to restore the grand home to all of its original blue blood royalty, even keeping with the original colors and prints of the home.  The rumor is that the ghost Big Eadie still visits the house from time to time.  How I would love to just spend one summer in Grey Gardens channeling all the splendor of fabulous Big and Little Edie!










Box of Style


One of the best parts of fashion week was having my Rachel Zoe Box of Style arrive in the mail.  The Box of Style is Ms. Zoe’s own subscription surprise box that arrives at the beginning of each season.  Since the summer box sold out within hours, I had to wait for the fall box.  The items in each box are chosen by Rachel herself.  She promises to include fashion, beauty, and lifestyle items that you will be “OBSESSED” with.  For more information on this subscription click HERE.  Let’s see what was in the box that arrived….I CANNOT WAIT!!!!!

image bits and boxes