Gasp.

Yesterday my friend Karen came over to share two of her latest purchases; the newly released limited-edition books, “De Vera Objects” and “De Vera Jewelry,” by Federico de Vera. Needless to say, they are filled with the most beautiful eye-candy I've ever seen!

De Vera, a merchant, collector, and jewelry designer, had shops in San Francisco for over two decades, and has now moved to a two-level cabinet of curiosities on Crosby Street in New York City. He also has a second location on East 81st Street. His work is nothing less than exquisite.

De Vera's jewelry is museum-like in nature. He transforms antique elements (irregular fragments of gemstones, rose-cut diamonds, baroque pearls, coral branches, intaglios, amulets, Georgian shoe buckles and more) into marvelous new adornments that he likes best “when you almost cannot wear them."

Federico de Vera at home in Manhattan with his portrait collection {via NY Times, Tina Tyrell}

Each volume of de Vera's new books include some of the best objects and jewelry he has designed, collected and sold over the years. The photography and styling is staggering.

A single book is $165. A boxed set of both volumes, including one original artwork by de Vera, costs $500. Limited edition of 2,500. Prices may be a little steep, but well worth the amazing "oohs & aahs" that you will experience while flipping through them.

To purchase, click here.

I am just about to press the purchase button...I just can't help myself!

images: Anita Calero for de Vera

Goodbye Tavern on the Green.

Tavern on the Green will have its last seating tomorrow night. The legendary restaurant located at New York City's Central Park and West 67th Street, has been in operation since 1934 and is closing due to bankruptcy. So sad.

Many memories for so many of us. My first trip to New York in 1981 included a dinner there. I'll always remember the massive twinkling lights outside with topiary plants. Breathtaking Baccarat and Waterford chandeliers in all colors filled the ceiling of the Crystal Room. Very over-the-top!


My last visit was with Janet and Larry in 2002. We had tea and chatted. The room was kind of empty, but ethereal nonetheless. It was a great memory.

Guernsey's Auction House will be auctioning off the restaurant's interiors, which include decorative items from the 25,000-square-foot restaurant. Previews take place Wednesday, Jan. 6 through Tuesday, Jan. 12, noon to 8 p.m. each day. The public auction is Jan. 13-14 with 1 p.m. afternoon sessions and 6 p.m. evening sessions each day. The auction will take place in the Tavern's Crystal Room at 67th Street and Central Park West.

Some of the items being auctioned include:

• Antique Tiffany stained-glass lamp shades
• large, art nouveau mirrors, etched glass and Venetian glass
• Baccarat crystal chandeliers
• Japanese lanterns
• china place settings, silverware, glassware and linens
• canvas murals from the walls
• outdoor topiaries

So, Goodbye Tavern on the Green. We'll miss you!

Take me Back to 1939!

The Depression was still underway, Germany had just invaded Poland, but there were some amazing things happening in the US in 1939. Something I wish I could have experienced.

The New York's World Fair ran from 1939-40, and was the largest world fairs of all time. It allowed all visitors to take a look at "the world of tomorrow."

A special version of the Kodak Baby Brownie, made with a special faceplate in 1939 and 1940 for the New York World's Fair. They were sold at the fair and through dealers.

Then there was the San Francisco World's Fair, (The Golden Gate International Exposition) that ran between 1939-40. My grandmother is 99 years old and still reminisces about how magical the fair was. Imagine... she was 30 at the time.

The fair celebrated the opening of two bridges, the Golden Gate and the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. I wish I was one of the people in this photo! Doesn't it look fun?

map of the Golden Gate Expo

Treasure Island, a completely flat, artificial island attached to Yerba Buena Island, was built specifically for the Exposition near where the Oakland span and the San Francisco span of the Bay Bridge join.

Tower of the Sun, Golden Gate Exposition, Treasure Island 1939
photo from Lynn Goldfinger collection

These are some "never seen" color photos of the fair that my grandfather had from his days of photography. Pretty amazing as I haven't been able to locate any colored photos of the fair online.

photo from Lynn Goldfinger collection

Throughout the run of the Fair, multi-colored searchlights shot up for one mile in the nighttime sky, and were visible for 100 miles around. The official program described the lighting effects as “chromotherapy.”

photo from Lynn Goldfinger collection

The Golden Gate Exposition captured Art Deco with its spectacular exhibits and pavillions.

The pavillions of 26 nations welcomed visitors from around the world.

Court of Reflections, Golden Gate Exposition
postcard courtesy of postcard.org

I was so fascinated by the design of the Art Deco period that I was determined to purchase a Deco house in San Francisco. Yes, this is our 1939 Deco house below. Now I can at least feel a part of that time!

my house built in 1939

Sweet Tooth Anyone?

I was reading this month's Vogue magazine and stumbled upon this eye-catching article. This month Sweetiepie opens in New York's Greenwich Village. The owner's Julie and Luke Janklow wanted to open a restaurant for kids to take their parents to reminiscent of the festive places she enjoyed going to while growing up in Los Angeles, such as Chasen's, or a fancy coffee shop like Leo's on Madison Avenue where you'd see Mrs. Astor eating a club sandwich.

Julie describes the restaurant as "bake sale meets Marie Antoinette." There are peppermint and almond meringues, Victorian rose pudding made with organic strawberries and a light biscuit and towering ice-cream sundaes!

The decor sounds amazing with a pink marble floor, pink banquettes, and ice-cream parlor-type chairs, antique Jansen tea cart AND vintage silver pieces! The restaurant's china is special ordered from Pickard, American plate makers for Air Force One.

I can't wait to go back to New York and check it out!!

Photos from Vogue Magazine, September 2008

A Little Piece of NYC

Just returned from New York City where my friend Janet and I celebrated her 50th birthday. Six great days filled with lots of laughter, eating, and of course, shopping. New York never disappoints with its unbelievable store windows and outstanding merchandising.



Some of my favorite stops were John Derian in the East Village, Obscura (unique antique curiosities), Ankasa (the pillows are out of this world), Charlotte Moss, ABC Carpet & Home, Bergdorf Goodman and so much more!

There was some great “eye candy” at the Waldorf Astoria. Right up my alley. These lobby windows (below) have gorgeous displays of vintage Waldorf memorabilia. Don’t think we weren’t lurking around the ballrooms looking for hotel silver!

Vintage Key Rack in the Waldorf Astoria Lobby



Vintage Waldorf Hotel Silver & China Place Setting



The windows at Bergdorf’s (below) had backdrops of sepia-toned vintage photos. Gorgeous in person. Bergdorf's window

Bergdorf's window

Whimsical zebra display in Bergdorf's window

I bought a couple of vintage-style postcards from Katz’s Deli (the oldest Deli in NYC) in the Lower East Side. {And the salami & eggs were wonderful}.

Postcards (above) from Katz's Deli



Some cute vintage-style postcards (above) I purchased at John Derian.

Ankasa is one of the most beautiful shops. Gorgeous pillows and linens with the most amazing displays.





I want this pillow from Ankasa!

We were walking by the old Hotel Pierre and found out that they were renovating. Where is all the old hotel stuff?



Janet searching for old hotel relics that they were tossing away!



Elaine's has the best veal in the City! Of course, us middle-aged women had to go to the opening of Sex & the City when we were in NYC!