The Summer we Read Gatsby

I read this book this weekend - it was great. It is about two half sisters Peck & Cassie who come to the Hampton's after their Aunt dies and leaves them her house (Fools House). But Cassie and Peck can't afford the house, and they can't agree on anything, muchless what to do with the place. Along with the house, they've inherited an artist-in residence named Biggsy who seems to bring suspiciously bad luck wherever he goes. As these two likable sisters try to understand their aunt's puzzling instructions to "seek a thing of utmost value" from within the house, they're both distracted by romantic entanglements with men from their pasts. I would definitely give it two thumbs up.

Harry Potter

We watched the first and second Harry Potter films this weekend - it was so weird seeing them so young!! They were great movies - I really enjoyed them - have the next two coming from the library - can't wait. I am getting ready for the new one that is out.

Taylor & Jake

What do you think about Taylor Swift & Jake Gyllenhaal? They have been dating since mid October - actually spent Thanksgiving together and then jetted off to Nashville!! Do you think Jake is too old for Taylor? They do make a cute couple.

Thanksgiving Weekend

Hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving weekend - I ate too much - dinner was great with lots of pies!! Did a little shopping this weekend, went for breakfast and coffee, and read a book - mostly just relaxed.

The Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest - Stieg Larsson

As you can tell by the books by the bed this is what I am now reading. It is the third book in the trilogy by Stieg Larsson. It is such a great book - I can't put it down. It is about Lisbeth Salander who recovering in a hospital and awaiting trial for three murders when she is released. Mikael Blomkvist must prove her innocence, but Lisbeth must be willing to share the details of her sordid experiences with the court. I would definitely recommend the series.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1

Have you gone to see Harry Potter yet this weekend. They made 65 million dollars on its first opening day - sweet. Can you believe that they have been filming those movies for the past 10 years - the three stars, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint started when they were 12,11 and 13 - they grew up right before our eyes - I will probably wait for the DVD.

Eva Longoria & Tony Parker

Hell hath no fury like a women scorned!! Eva Longoria filed for divorce after her husband was caught sending hundreds of texts on his phone to another NBA player's wife. Boy I wouldn't want to be Tony Parker right now. Let the firework's begin.

Congratulations Prince William & Kate!

Prince William and Kate Middleton announced their engagement today. He gave her his mother's engagement ring, the sapphire and diamond ring that Princess Diana had over 30 years ago. I am so excited for another wedding in England. Where were you 30 years ago next summer? I was anxiously awaiting the wedding of Princess Diana & Prince Charles. My dad got up really early and taped the whole ceremony for me. It was truly a fairytale wedding.

Heidi Klum-Mondo Guerra

She said she would wear the black and white polka dot dress and she did!! Heidi ended up wearing a modified version of the polka-dot evening dress (sleeves were cut off) designed by Project Runway season 8 runner-up Mondo Guerra to the Los Angeles premiere of Black Swan. What do you think - do you like it better with sleeves or without?

Lachey vs. Simpson - Battle of the Engagement

First Nick Lachey got engaged to Vanessa Minnillo last week then this week Jessica Simpson got engaged to her boyfriend Eric Johnson - coincidental or just plan wacky!!
What's next them getting married within a week of each other. Here is a picture of the ring that Jessica received - very different, don't' know if I like the gold with the ruby and diamond.

Halloween

I am a little late for this picture but thought you might want to see my pumpkin. We got together for our yearly pumpkin carving with my favorite people. We usually eat lunch, carve our pumpkins and then have our dessert - pumpkin patch (pudding with oreo cookies and pumpkins-delicious!!)Here it is !! If you can't guess what it is - it is a witch stirring her cauldron with the smoke and the moon!

Congratulatons Taylor Swift!!

Taylor Swift‘s amazing week just keeps getting better. The latest edition of Billboard‘s Hot 100 chart features an incredible 11 appearances from Swift, all songs from her new album, Speak Now. This is a record on three counts.

First: Swift is the only female artist to have that many songs on the Hot 100 at once.

Second, this makes Swift the first artist ever to have this many simultaneously charting singles all drawn from a single album.

Third, Swift famously wrote all the songs on Speak Now by herself. So she’s also the only artist to have this many Hot 100 appearances all of which were written by the artist in question.

I love her music and think she is a genuinely nice person. She gives a lot of time to her fans and really appreciates them.

Bella's Wedding Dress?

Is This Bella’s Zac Posen-Designed Twilight Wedding Dress?


Twilight fans are buzzing about recent reports that Zac Posen will design Bella’s wedding dress for her fairytale wedding to Edward in Breaking Dawn! In the book, Bella’s dress is described as an early 1900s design that “stepped out of an Austen movie,” and Zac previously sketched for us the turn-of-the-century dress he would like to design for Bella, complete with corset, fishnets and lace-up boots. We can’t wait to see the dress, no matter who ends up designing it!

Designing Women - Elle Decor V

For another client in the Hamptons, Hagan created a relaxed dining area using natural textures, crisp shades of white, and tranquil black-and-white photographs. The dining table was designed by Hagan and the rattan chairs are from Homer. This dining room is so simple but yet classy too.

Designing Women - Elle Decor IV

Moss was inspired by one of history’s legendary female style icons when creating the master bedroom of her Aspen, Colorado, home. The branchlike iron canopy bed was based on one designed by Pauline de Rothschild, an idol of hers. The muted fabrics on the canopy and walls are by Chelsea Editions and Travers respectively. This bedroom is so calming - and I love the bed.

Designing Women - Elle Decor III

Charlotte Moss, recipient of ELLE DECOR’s 2009 Vision Award, is known for her timeless and elegant interiors. In her East Hampton living room, the designer created a comfortable haven with floor-to-ceiling bookcases for her library of design books, plenty of plush seating, and a grand custom-made mirror by John Rosselli. I love the pictures over the mantel - she has them arranged so perfect.

Designing Women - Elle Decor II

Architect Annabelle Selldorf, one of our 2008 honorees, showcased her minimal and restrained aesthetic in the Sag Harbor home of hairstylist Kevin Mancuso. The modern kitchen features Miele appliances and Corian countertops, while the wood-topped island designed by Selldorf adds a dose of natural warmth. I like the sleek look to the kitchen.

Designing Women - Elle Decor

Victoria Hagan, a 2010 honoree, is known for her simple yet eye-catching interiors, and this East Hampton children’s room is no exception. Hagan used a beachy blue-and-white color palette, including China Seas’ Seya linen for the curtains and bedding, navy director’s chairs, and a sleek white desk. I especially love this room and the blue and white palette.

Jill Clayburgh- RIP

Jill Clayburgh, who played hopeful and determined women in such '70s and '80s movies as An Unmarried Woman, Starting Over and It's My Turn, died at her Connecticut home on Friday from chronic leukemia, a disease she had quietly for 21 years. She was married to playwright David Rabe. She was 66.

In the winter of 1980 my brother and I went to NYC for president's weekend (at that time it was a four day holiday) Friday & Monday off. We stayed with my cousin - well that weekend was the Night of 100 Stars being held in NYC. We were walking down the street at night and Jill Clayburgh walked right past me - I remember it was her quite distinctly because she had sunglasses on a night. We also saw Richard Dreyfuss - he sat next to us at a play and we saw Ginger Rogers on a corner with fans around her. It was quite a memorable weekend.

Dark Shadows

Johnny Depp and Tim Burton are finally set to start production next April on their big-screen remake of the cult vampire TV series Dark Shadows. The daytime soap, which ran from 1966 to 1971, starred Jonathan Frid as the vampire Barnabas Collins and worked werewolves, ghosts, witches, zombies, and other gothic things into its storylines. This television show was actually a precursor for all the vampire and werewolf series that are on today. They started it all.

Some rather interesting tidbits - one of my good friends loves Dark Shadows and actually met Jonathan Frid. My best friend's father was a director and actually took the whole family to New York to the studio and watched one of the shows being taped. Mr. Frid was not there at that time but David Selby was there.

I only remember catching glimpses of the show. We were not allowed to watch it.

let's hope they make a great remake!!

Project Runway

Sorry it has taken me a whole week to write about this last show. I am in complete denial that Gretchen Jones has won. I cannot believe it. What were those judges thinking? Her clothes were awful - Nina said they were ready to wear, what was current now. They were granny dresses, drab, dull and boring. Mondo's clothes were upbeat, colorful, and so full of life. Heidi & Jessica Simpson (guest judge) went to bat for him but not enough. Personally - I think the public should have some say in who wins. I don't want to see something that I can buy at Walmart or Sears - I watch Project Runway to see fashion, couture, out of the ordinary. Mondo was all that and more - I am definitely not watching next season. Maybe if they change the judges - get rid of Nina and Michael Kors - get some new young blood in!! The only person I really like in the show was Tim Gunn. He is such a class act and always was nice and kind but also forceful and letting people know (especially Gretchen and her cronies from the team challenge) that what they did to Michael C was awful and was bullying. He should be the host. I think Heidi's time is over. Lets get a campaign going for Tim Gunn. I said my peace - I know Mondo will do well. Gretchen on the other hand - who knows. Here are my two favorite outfits - one is from his runway collection and the other is the Jackie Kennedy win.

The Cassidy Brothers

Shaun and David Cassidy were in the news this week. David, 60 years old, was pulled over for a DUI in Florida this past Wednesday. Shaun, 52 years old, was on Oprah this week for a special about teen heart throbs. David may have been a little upset that his younger brother was on a show about heart throbs considering he was one of the most biggest heart throb of them all.

I loved David Cassidy when I was younger. I had over 1000 pictures of him, posters on the wall, you name it. I also have an autograph of his that my god daughter got for me when she met him at a race track. She also got a two pictures with him at two different times(can't find it).

Diane Ladd, Laura Dern and Bruce Dern

Diane Ladd, Laura Dern and Bruce Dern got a constellation's worth of stars Monday on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, marking the first time three family members received stars side by side on Hollywood Boulevard. Ladd was married to Dern from 1960 to 1969, and Laura was born in 1967. Mother and daughter appeared together in "Rambling Rose" as well as "Wild at Heart," directed by David Lynch, who with actor Mark Ruffalo did the honors during the star ceremony. Ladd's 42-year film and TV career has included roles in "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore" and "Chinatown," and she has had three supporting actress Oscar nominations, for "Rambling Rose," "Wild at Heart" and "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore." Laura Dern was Oscar-nominated for lead actress in "Rambling Rose," and starred in "Jurassic Park" and Lynch's "Blue Velvet." Bruce Dern, 74, was nominated for an Academy Award and Golden Globe for his supporting performance in the Oscar-winning 1978 film "Coming Home."