Frequent Flyer - 2011 edition

Other than my two lovely hometowns -- New York, NY and New Canaan, CT -- here's my 2011 in cities:

-Paris, FRANCE*
-Punta De Mita, MEXICO
-Southampton, BERMUDA
-San Francisco, CA
-London, ENGLAND
-New Milton, ENGLAND
-Reykjavik, ICELAND
-Höfn, ICELAND
-Akureyri, ICELAND
-Nantucket, MA
-Wainscott, NY
-Chicago, IL
-Cape Elizabeth, ME
-Las Vegas, NV

One or more nights were spent at each location. Cities marked with * were visited multiple times on non-consecutive days.

I loved exploring more of the good old US of A this year. I hadn't been to Chicago or San Fran in decades; I thoroughly enjoyed the sights, culture, and food in both places. Nantucket was picture perfect; Vegas was wild and crazy. They were all very American experiences.

...And any year that I get to make multiple trips to Paris is an excellent one.

I feel so lucky and happy that I have this opportunity to see the world now. I can't wait to get back out on the road again in 2012. As Robert Louis Stevenson said, “For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go.”

Post-Game Party Report - December(ish) Edition

It's been like a million years -- or about six weeks -- since I did a post-game party recap, so here are some social highlights since my last report...

The Young New Yorkers for the Philharmonic had their annual winter benefit with cocktails at Armani Ristorante - its interior is so sleek and spaceship-esque:And dinner was held at Doubles in the Sherry Netherland - with Mark Gilbertson, Chappy, and the champagne flute I'm unsuccessfully trying to hide out of the frame:Those photos were taken by Linsley Lindekens for the NY Phil.

Two musicians, Michelle Kim & Joo Oh, played Bériot's Duo Concertante during dinner. World class musical performance, friends, and a kickin' new Kate Spade frock for the party -- what could be better than that?

A snap of me with my fellow Phil-loving girlfriends Barbara Regna and Valerie Lettan ended up in the Sunday Styles section of the NY Times:Photo by Bill Cunningham.

I especially love parties where doggies are invited...

The ASPCA had their Young Friends benefit, Paw Prints, at the IAC building downtown. ASPCA staff members bring dogs that are adoptable to mix and mingle with the crowd during cocktails. Here I am with a sweet little Chihuahua. Awwww:
As a proud member of the New York Committee of the American Humane Association, I happily attended their event where Sadie, a search and rescue dog demonstrated her considerable skills in finding explosives(!). Sadie is talented and adorable:Photo by Ann Watt.

And last but not least, I went to the The Horticultural Society of New York's Annual Fall Luncheon which was held in a glorious wood-paneled dining room of the Metropolitan Club. Here I am with my buddy Alison Minton:Photo by Ann Watt.

The Hort's mission is "to sustain the vital connection between people and plants". As a veteran of my high school's Horticulture Club (yeah, I was a plant geek) and an amateur gardener up in CT, I'm proud to be associated with this organization.

I'm forever going to museums, so I won't bore you with a laundry list of things I've done/seen, but I would highly recommend these two exhibits...

Maurizio Cattelan at the Guggenheim:Just wow. Just go see it.

And Carsten Höller at the New Museum:I went down that 3 story slide. Twice.

I'm looking forward to lots more fun in '12...

Morris Family Christmas Card - 2011

Here's our 2011 festive and fun holiday card:Click to enlarge.

Inside greeting:The illustration was done by talented local artist Patricia Van Essche, and the perfect printing was done by the boys at Rivertown Digital.

(And just to be 100% transparent since I've been asked about it numerous times in past years... we hired PVE and we hired the printing company -- no discounts, no freebies. I give them both credit/links/praise here because I'm very pleased with all of their hard work.)

Our card was one of many featured on an excellent NY Social Diary post last week. If you like peeking at family cards, have a look at the NYSD entry.

Happy Christmas friends!

Mrs. John L. Strong

There's fantastic news in the world of high-end stationery...

Mrs. John L. Strong is back!:I was thrilled to learn that this old school stationery company - founded in 1929 after the stock market crash - has just re-opened at 699 Madison Avenue.

I recently popped into their jewelbox of a boutique to check out their colorful printed cards, scores of notepads, and much more:Downstairs they've got packaged sets of stationery, and upstairs they've got a ton of festive holiday gifts that are part of their 'Ready to Write' line:I was especially fond of these Monty-esque traditional calling cards:(...if Monty could use a pen he'd totally be filling in those cards and handing them out to all the pretty Bichons at the dog park.)

I was extra keen on browsing all the custom cards, invitations, and announcements that Mrs. John L. Strong does:I'm thinking it's time I got some new 'calling cards' with my email and blog address on them -- perhaps with a honeybee or a beehive motif. I still haven't made a decision, but will keep you posted.

Since it's mid-December, this 2012 Calendar Set was a perfect pick for the season:It's a sweet little set with a brass easel and monthly calendar sheets.

Each month has a hand engraved design on it. Here are a few of my favorites:Doesn't my desk, avec small calendar, look well-dressed and ready for the new year now?:For more information on Mrs. John L. Strong products, please visit their UES boutique or see their website.

Monty - On Facebook

I'm not the only one in our household who likes to spend time on Facebook...

Everyone's favorite greyhound now has his very own profile on the site:Currently Monty's got 231 friends, but I suspect he's way more popular than that.

So, if you're on Facebook and you'd like a cuddly canine as your buddy, show him some love and friend him:Here's the tech-savvy pup hanging out in his home office. He can't wait to connect with everyone:Monty Morris on Facebook.

Wrist Wars - MCM edition

I loved Refinery29's blog post '200+ Bracelets: Who Has The Best-Dressed Wrists In NYC?'.

Their pics of fashion insider's fabulous wrists inspired my to share my densely decorated arms.

My wrists:Another shot:And the explanation behind them based on Refinery29's interview questions...

Where is each bracelet from? (from the hand upward)

Left arm:

-Cartier Panthere watch, gift for my college graduation
-Land-Ho Bracelet by Thom Dolan, purchased at Saturdays NYC
-BRACED-LETS x2, in purple and clear - free, given away at ACS's DreamBall
-Evil Eye bracelet, gift from my sister-in-law

Right Arm:

-Miansai fishing hook on red cord, purchased online
-Cartier Love bracelet, birthday gift fastened on lovingly by Chappy via screwdriver
-Uno de 50 leather and silver bracelet, purchased while traveling in Tarragona
-Estonian leather bracelet with pewter thread and horn button, gift from an Estonian friendAny great stories behind the arm candy?

My Cartier Love bracelet often sets off airport metal detectors. I have to tell the TSA that it's simply a 'permanently installed bracelet' causing the beeping -- I'm always assuring them that I'm not carrying a concealed weapon.

Have any tricks or tips for layering bracelets?

I love to mix materials (string, metal, leather) and colors (red, purple, white). The variety is fun, but I make sure everything is neat and tidy - no dangling strings or frayed edges.

Tell me what you think of bracelet look - love it/hate it/or have you got any other must have arm candy...?