Shopping For A Cause

You either love 'em or hate 'em but the Magnolia Bakery always seems to elicit some kind of reaction.  They're growing strong, with their newest outpost at the NYC Bloomingdales.  For each Pink Ribbon Cupcake sold, they are donating 50 cents to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.  Eat up!

I love to buy things that I actually use AND I know a percentage of the profit is going to a good cause.  Every year so much merchandise comes out in pink.  My picks this year (besides the cupcakes) are:

Pink Lip Color and Bellini Shimmer Gloss by Bobbi Brown.  $10.00 from each purchase go to the Foundation.

There's always room in my closet for another pair of Tory Burch Reva flats.  This time in limited edition hot pink.  Tory is donating 15% of the cost of the shoe to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.  You could walk the 3 day in these shoes they're so comfortable!

See last year's pick, here

To learn more; The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and Susan G. Komen for the Cure

A Bloggers Tale OR The Fate of La Rhonda

"You must look back to look forward "

Wrapping up the Tale of La Rhonda makes perfect sense on my 1 year blogging anniversary.  My blog came out of a newsletter I had been writing for a year prior.  In an effort to gain a wider audience and network with kindred spirits, I shuttered the newsletter and began the blog.

My first story (in the newsletter) was the possible destruction of the magnificent Spanish Colonial Revival home by noted architect Addison Mizner in Bryn Mawr, PA.  It was a huge story in the Philly area that became national news.  It became a symbol for the importance of the preservation of history and historic places.

I'll spare you the gory details here but The Hysterical Preservationist posted a great summary of the sad demise of this historic gem by Mizner, the only home he designed north of the Mason Dixon line.

Everything beautiful was stripped away and carted off as interested parties fought over salvage rights. Greed seemed to be the only motivating factor.  The cries of the people fell on deaf ears.

We watched with a heavy heart as the hand painted picky cypress ceiling was dismantled, the stained glass windows removed, bath fixtures torn out of the wall ~ then, the wreaking ball did it's dirty work.

And more than a year later, the pain of the loss of La Rhonda is still being felt.  Today, there stands a more than 10,000 sq. ft. generic Mcmansion with its indoor skating rink, pool, basketball court, theatre, etc., etc.  An opportunity to preserve a local treasure was lost.  Hopefully a lesson was learned (but I doubt it)

Blogging is a process.  Like building a home or raising a child, it takes patience, nurturing, the ability to listen to others.  Learn from mistakes made and take a few risks along the way.  I've learned I love to tell stories and I try to do it in an authentic way.  I have enjoyed the challenges and benefits that have come my way.  I have tried to evaluate constructive criticism and accept compliments graciously.  That's how we grow.  I look forward to another year of unexpected surprises.  I am glad you are on this journey with me.  Thank you!  Oh, and I love and appreciate comments.



ph: Palm Beach Daily, Clem/Murry,Carla J. Zambelli, Paul Austin Orleman, CLI

Hermes Crosses The Seine

Ahh, Hermes,  a venerable icon of luxury and craftsmanship, opened a second store in Paris.  This time over the Seine and thru the streets of Rue de Sevres to an iconic Art Deco building we go.

Renovated most recently by architect Denis Montel of the Rena Dumas firm, the 1935 historic building was originally home to a swim club in the Hotel Lutetia.  The goal was to preserve the architecture of the original pool while incorporating a modern, Hermes worthy aesthetic.  From the moment you walk into the store, see the mosaic emblem inlaid on the floor, and are greeted by the gorgeous floral artistry of Baptiste Pitou, you know you're in for a treat.

Rising up from the pool floor as if trying to reach the sun are ash huts or pavilions.  They are light and airy and suggest a home within a home; maybe because they house the Le Maison collection.  The reissued Jean Michael Frank furniture as well as the Hermes brand furniture, tabletop, bedding, etc., suggest a burgeoning lifestyle brand.  In a post here, I mentioned one of Jean Michael's sheepskin chairs.  I had the opportunity to sit in it, and it's yummy!  (Interesting fact- JMF was Ann Frank's cousin).

The mosaic tiles glistening from the pool floor, the movement of the huts, the wrought iron railings, and the harmony that exists between them tells a compelling story.

I didn't even realize Hermes offered wallpaper and fabrics, but it was displayed casually among their fashions.

source

Stay for a cup of tea in the cafe, appropriately called Le Plongeoir or The Diving Board (because that's where it used to be located), or browse in the bookstore ~ you could spend all day.

~ une belle aventure ~


photos by CLI, unless otherwise noted