The Young Victoria

I wonder if you've seen The Young Victoria yet?  If not, you must!  This was a truly wonderful movie.  The costuming was marvelous and the cinematogrophy luminous.   Most of us hold that iconic vision of the stout old Queen, aging and beloved monarch, in our minds.

You will see a different Victoria in this movie.  This film shows Victoria and Albert as the passionate lovers that they were.  Despite the common understanding that Victoria was a prude, she was passionately in love with her husband until the day that he died.

Martin Scorsese and Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, produced this film.  Sarah has long been interested in Queen Victoria, the direct ancestor of her daughters Beatrice and Eugenie.  She also wrote a book about Victoria and Albert's life at Osborne.

Don't miss her splendid Cavalier King Charles, Dash!

Seeing this movie is another way to live life beautifully,

Elaine

Beauty is Eternity Gazing at Itself in a Mirror - Kahlil Gibran

My mother was very particular about clothes and makeup.  "Put on your makeup, even if  you're just taking out the trash," was something she often said to me.

One of my treasured possessions is my mother's Art Deco style triple mirror.  Back in November, we had a terrible storm which damaged a good portion of my bedroom and dressing room.  The process of recovering insurance costs has been time-consuming and frustrating.  Fortunately, my mother's mirror and my dressing table that you see pictured here in this blog entry were not damaged.

Every woman should have a well-lit and beautiful location to check her hair and apply her makeup.  This is a touch of glamour which can be affordable for everyone.    A dressing table hearkens back to a former era when women took time with what was called their "toilette."

Think about where  you apply your make up.  It is easy to make this area neat, pretty, and imbued with glamour.  And that's part of living life beautifully.

Elaine

The Party

Last night, Joseph and I had an Open House for neighbors and dear friends to mark the end of the holiday season. I find that the holidays can be such a frenetic time to entertain. Sometimes there are so many obligations that one doesn't always enjoy oneself. Many have office parties and family commitments before the New Year. Our post-New Year gathering was relaxed and casual, with wine, appetizers, hors d'oeuvres, and some glorious desserts. There was football on the telly, lots of laughter, with friends chatting everywhere; perched on the arms of chairs, in our kitchen, the living room, and even sitting on the staircase! Enjoy the pictures!

Return to the Bel-Air

Return to the Bel-Air

While in Los Angeles recently, Joseph and I went back to our beloved Bel-Air Hotel for brunch. It is still as beautiful as ever, with attentive service and wonderful food. We were both suffused with memories, evoked as we watched a bride having her pictures taken and the staff worked to create the special day that she will never forget. Sixteen years later, he is still the kind, loving, thoughtful, intelligent man I married.
Joseph and I made our choices from a truly amazing brunch menu:
Kir royale, bellinis, Greyhounds, Bloody Marys
foie gras, truffle and blue prawn macaroni gratin,
prosciutto-gruyere quiche, herb-crusted Chilean bass,
French lentil salad with walnut-sherry dressing
Atlantic salmon pizza on Indian Naan bread
Kobe beef burger with fried egg and truffles with gruyere cheese
Maple-Bourbon crème brulee French toast
Strawberry shortcake with Chantilly cream
Hot chocolate souffle

My usual low-carb eating plan went out the window for this brunch. Brunch at the Bel-Air is equivalent to at least three sessions on the exercise bicycle while watching Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa on the Food Network. But - you only live once.

We were just in time, too! On October 1, the Bel-Air closed for renovation, with plans to refurbish the 91 rooms and its famous champagne bar. The staff promised us that they wouldn’t take away the Bel-Air’s distinctive charm, but are planning to add larger facilities for special events and six more suites. I’m so glad that we were there to say good-bye to our old friend and look forward to seeing its new look in 2011. http://www.hotelbelair.com/

My marriage to Joseph was the happiest day of my life. You can see my joy in my face and eyes. Joseph arranged for such a lovely wedding for me. He wanted me to have it. We had a long-distance courtship, with Joseph living in Los Angeles and I in London.

I picked out my clothing and accessories in London, with the help of dear friends, Josephine and Peter, who owned a clothing store in Knightsbridge, London called A la Mode. http://london.unchainedguide.com/shop/a-la-mode/

My dress was made by Antony Price, a dress designer, who currently designs for Camilla Parker-Bowles, the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles’ wife. (http://www.antonyprice.com) He had some exquisite lace which I fell in love with. He took all my measurements and fitted a linen pattern for my dress. Antony gave me a sample of this beautiful lace for my headdress which was made by Philip Treacy. When I went to Philip’s beautiful studio in Belgravia, his Jack Russell called Piggy because of his pinkish skin and black spots kept a watchful eye on the planning. Phillip still designs fantastic hats in London. http://www.philiptreacy.co.uk/

I went to Jimmy Choo for my shoes, which were custom made. We chose an off-white grosgrain with pointed toes, a curved back, and kitten heels. I still have these beautiful shoes. Jimmy has also become very famous. His designs were often featured in the Sex and the City television show and movies and are worn by actresses and socialites all over the world. http://www.jimmychoo.com

There is nothing like the couture experience Everything was made especially for me, to my specific measurements, and fabric choices. It was so wonderful. All three designers have gone on to be very famous. Many years later, my daughter, Chantel, wore my head dress for her wedding. All she had to do was add a new veil

My son Jamie walked me down the aisle. He wanted to race, I wanted to walk slowly to take everything in, to observe everyone, and keep these visions in my memory forever. I didn’t want to miss even a moment of that day. I was myself, the bride, and yet there was also a part of me that was an observer. As I walked down the aisle, I heard Dusty Fleming, a flamboyant friend of mine, say “Oh my goodness, she’s poured herself into that dress.”

The dress was close-fitted, as you can see, but not in a vulgar way. The funny thing was that three days before the wedding, I tried the dress on and couldn’t zip it up! Panic! Horror! I lived on Saltines and bouillon until the wedding and it zipped up. Halleluiah!

A quartet played lovely music. The Bel-Air is the most romantic hotel ever; the grounds are simply spectacular. We loved the lake and the symbolism of the swans, which mate for life. As you can see from the pictures, there were masses of white roses surrounding us. I am so happy now that I was determined to remember every aspect of my wedding. It was an idyllic, beautiful day which I shall remember forever.

The Wedding

Joseph and I went to LA for my friend Frankie Leigh’s son’s wedding. Frankie and I have been friends since we were 14 in London . She is an entrepreneur in the music business. Justin, the groom, is her son.

The wedding took place at the Beverly Hills Hotel http://www.thebeverlyhillshotel.com/. It is owned by the same group which also owns the Bel-Air Hotel, where Joseph and I were married.

The wedding was quite spectacular with the most incredible décor. The scent from the hundreds and hundreds of white roses everywhere was divine. There was an initial first reception, before the wedding, featured sushi, tempura, vodka, caviar… the most incredible food.

The wedding ceremony took place at 9 p.m. Lighting was by candlelight, which evoked a magical atmosphere. Justin and his bride were married under a chuppah in the Jewish tradition. This chuppah was crafted from a translucent organza which was then covered in little white lights and the same white roses.

Justin wore a white dinner jacket with a red rose. His mother and father walked him down the aisle. Karina, his new bride,is originally from Russia. She looked breathtaking. The “bridal march” was “All You Need is Love.” The rabbi had the most wonderful voice. Justin and Karina’s love for each other was palpable and joy filled the entire area.

After the wedding, dinner was served in the ballroom…absolutely spectacular. Salmon, halibut, chicken steak; you could choose whatever you liked. The band was comprised of Russians and Israelis; guitarists, trumpet, violinists, keyboards and singers. Everybody danced.

Each table had ten people. We sat with the mother of the groom. At the table next to us sat Sharon (who knows Joseph from her younger days) and Ozzie Osborne and Trevor Horn, the record producer.

Justin’s first cousin, Alain Johannes, sat at a table nearby. I’ve known him since he was four. Alain is in a newly-formed rock group called “Them Crooked Vultures,” with band members formed from musicians from Foo Fighters, Led Zeppelin, and Nirvana. Mark my words; he will be the next big thing. http://www.themcrookedvultures.com/

The evening was amazing. Joseph and I left by 2 a.m. but people stayed until it went 4. I’ve known Justin since before he was born. What a wonderful man he has become and such a gorgeous girl; he is so happy.

Eight Over Eight

My daughter Chantel and I enjoyed a truly memorable “Girl’s Night Out” at the fabulous Eight Over Eight Restaurant, on King’s Road in the Chelsea neighborhood of London. I can’t remember the last time that she and I had dinner, just the two of us. It was time.

Our Eight Over Eight meal was divine, superb. EOE serves fusion cuisine with a distinct Asian influence; dim sum, curries, sushi, amazing salads (watermelon, duck, and cashew, for example) and the most delicious sauces EVER. The presentation of each dish was exquisite, creating an experience for all the senses. EOE’s website can be found here: http://www.rickerrestaurants.com/eightovereight/menu.php?menu=4371

My visit was so special for so many reasons, not the least of which was spending time with Chantel. She bought me a lovely ring at a boutique which reminds me of our time together every time I wear it.

Live life beautifully,

Elaine