Living Copenhagen

stylish Wheels

2010-09-23T21:44:00.000-05:00

Copies are so cliche. The universe rewards originality and environmental friendliness. Given all that, I was excited to see the sprinter scooter at my state fair of all places. However, this was not the first place I had seen this original auto engineering. Picture it, the cover of Conde Nast circa 2004 (or 05') with an focus on Italy. There sat a fashionable young Italian woman with sunglasses in/on a pristine silver scooter like object. While I loved the scooter, I really wanted to be the woman-and having the scooter was the accessory. Well, I've grown since then and the thought of wanting to be another seems foreign and gross. But I fell more in love with the scooter as time passed. Luckly I happened upon a local place where I can purchase one. I can't tell you all the intricacies of this unique mode of transportation, but I know it gets enviable miles to the gallon. Picture yourself on a nice fall day with a scooter for two (or one), looking stylish, unique, while you save the environment.

the Best Way to Get Everything You've Ever Wanted: giving back

2010-09-07T08:00:00.001-05:00

the late Brooke Astor in her younger years

Are you familiar with Brooke Astor? Personally, I had heard of her before her death in passing while reading various magazine articles. However, I wholeheartedly paid no attention to who she was until the end of her life when the NYT and WSJ started chronically the lawsuit brought by her grandson against his own father (Ms. Astor's son) for alleged elder abuse and looting of her estate. Despite the sorted details of familial greed, Ms. Astor was well known and recognized for her philanthropic pursuits, her work, and financial backing. She had a charitable legacy so great that she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1998. While it may be easy to dismiss her charitable gene to marrying well and excess money, this woman could have found every reason not to give a dime.

To make a long life story short, Ms. Astor was born Roberta Brooke Russell. Her first marriage into the prominent family of John Dryden Kuser was characterized by domestic violence, alcoholism, and infidelity, and later described by Ms. Astor herself as "The worst years of my life." Thereafter, she went on to marry Charles Henry "Buddy" Marshall. Whom Ms. Astor later described as a "great love match." His fortune during their marriage turned, therefore Ms. Astor went to work for eight years as a features editor of House and Garden and with the interior design firm of Ruby Ross Wood. Eleven months after the death of Mr. Marshall, Ms. Astor wed lastly into the prominent family of Vincent Astor. In my opinion her marriage to Mr. Astor provided her every opportunity to give in name only and for familial tax benefits, while telling herself that due to her seeming previous misfortunes she deserved to take care of herself. However, given the later historical references to her life it appears she did not do that.

While it may be easy to say, "Well she had the money and time to give," I'd implore you to ponder this. Think of all the people you know personally or through media who your heard of, read about, or talked to, who actually give appreciable amounts of time and money to others. I'd venture to say, there are less abundant donors than financially secure, moderately wealthy, and extremely wealthy people. Maybe it's what I gravitate to personally, but I have never seen an unstylish giver. This type of style has nothing to do with clothing, cars, connections, or make-up. Giving comes from the heart. A good heart is always stylish. If you don't know this let me share it with you, God (what I call Him, but you may call him or it something different) loves a giver. You will always get what you need and what you want when you give first.

Tell me, do you think that you're giving enough of your talents, time, and gifts to others?

If you're giving, tell me how? Then I'll tell you how I'm giving back.

Creative Women Get Together: an event

2010-09-06T18:03:00.000-05:00

This past Labor Day weekend I've been to Barnes & Nobel twice. The first time I went, I was searching for something to inspire and feed my creative side. I've been creative since birth, but was guided to more practical pursuits to make a living. I became a lawyer. Now that I've tried practicality I back to my creative reality, I'll give that a try from here on out (as much as I can). Luckily, in my first day's endeavor I stumbled upon the magbook (a magazine the size of, and weight of a small book) calling itself Where Women Create. I loved it. I loved it so much so I looked at it again the following day, and all the other accompanied Sommerset creative magbooks. In Where Women Create there was an events guide mentioning a conference coming to Minneapolis created by Creative Connections. Straight away I went home to see what there was to offer. For all my fellow Minneapolites (or die hard creators, artists, or crafters) this three day event is calling your name. Beginning September 16 this conference will be devoted to specialty art and craft classes, lectures on how to blog for your business and get your blog noticed among (millions), how to launch a business and much more. I don't know about you, but I've always found creative people extremely stylish. If you, like me were told to put your creativity aside for more "worthy practical endeavors" you'll know that something buried alive never dies. We are adults now and free to embrace our creative sides. Look for me there...we can talk about this some more.

Are you at thinking of attending? Will I see you at the Creative Connection Conference?

are You Lucky

2010-08-30T22:40:00.000-05:00

image Louis Vuitton (from the Lucky Chic blog)

There was a time during my youth that I had the privilege of working at Sotheby's in NYC. It was what I expected. A glamorous place, filled with glamorous people (when the auctions were going on). It was at that time, that I first began dreaming about the day I could sit in the audience, and with the slight wave of my paddle bid the 1 million dollar reserve for a particular painting, and go up from there if need be. Soon...very soon. Until then, I found another auction site that I love. It's called Lucky Chic. If you have not heard of it, just know you can get Macbooks, Vuitton handbags, Amex or Tory Burch gift cards, iPads, &c...at discount auction prices. There is one catch...it's not pure auction. It's a combo of auction and gambling. I'll call it "Auctling". In order to bid you must bid with Lucky Chips that cost (real money) at about $1 per chip (it's less money per chip the more chips you purchase). Every time you bid a chip you bid a dollar of your money, although the auction price for the item goes up only by $.60 when you or someone else bids. The point being that if you lose the auction, you also lose the amount of chips you bid on the item. So ladies (and there are plenty of gentleman on the site for sample sale electronics) calculate your financial threshold wisely per item. If you do, you could be a Luck Chic. Don't forget to check out their blog too.

Being Who You Are: a style story

2010-08-25T22:45:00.000-05:00

image of Reese Witherspoon as Elle Woods in in the movie Legally Blond

It may seem odd, but as the years have gone by my affinity for the movie Legally Blond continues to grow. I think in some obvious ways I identify with this saccharine sweet attorney from Boston via Bel Aire. First we are both lawyers. Second we each have an affinity for color, fashionable clothing, and a distaste for colorless boring suits (but give us a colorful suit in a beautiful material, with a properly tailored jacket any day). Obvious similarities aside, my affinity for the character Elle Woods stems from her ability to be herself. If you recall the movie at all, you'll know that Elle is not like her east coast Harvard Law crowd. She doesn't dress like them, she's not rude like them, she's not negative like them, and she's not connected like them. For this she is ostracized, ridiculed, and lied to in the attempts to humiliate her. Nonetheless, despite this outward pressure she is always herself, and never ashamed of being such. So often we are made to believe that style is in what we wear, where we come from, and who we know. I rather have Elle Woods style any day. That type of style, her style...never fades, eventually rises to the top, and always proves enviable (even to the most ardent hater).

Glowing Skin: a recipe

2010-08-20T20:37:00.000-05:00

image by Chris Willis

Do you know what Jamu is? Neither did I until recently. Jamu is sacred herbal elixirs from an ancient Indonesian manuscript that contains recipes (for Jamu). Like Ayurvedic medicine in India, Jamu is the focus of inner health for inner and outer radiance. As you could probably gather from Jamu's definition, the way to outer radiance is through herbal home remedies. Since the weekend is upon us, it is time to replenish and take care of yourself inside and out. Here is Jamu recipe (from Organic Beauty Magazine) to take care of the outside, while you also take care of your inside.

For Healthy Skin

A bunch of Rice (any kind)

Bowl

Tepid Water

Place rice in a bowl and rinse with tepid water. Allow the water to stand long enough with the rice in it that a cloudy froth forms from the rice and separates from the clear water and rice. Skim this froth off along with a little bit of the water and place in a different bowl. Rinse your face with the froth water after you wash with a mild cleanser.

The vitamins from the rice rinse promote healthy and soft skin.

a Stylish Fragrance: a give away

2010-08-17T20:29:00.000-05:00

As you know I love luxury items. My rules are never purchase fakes, never pay full price, and never purchase a fragrance without a tryout. Carolina Herrera (whose clothing Me Encanta =I love) is providing free samples of her fragrance CH through her website. Just this weekend I signed up to receive my free sample which I have not yet, so I cannot attest to size. However, it's a free tryout...so why not. Remember luxury items don't have to cost much nor do you have purchase as is (as is "I like it." or "I don't like it.") You just need to know where to look.

the Best Eat Well

2010-08-15T15:35:00.000-05:00

image by Ginny

Remember the quote by Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor (the wife of Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor whom abdicated the throne for his love) that "You can never be too rich nor too thin." I wholeheartedly disagree with the "thin" part. Instead I would like to add "healthy" to her quote if I could...so I shall. Given all I've seen, read, & heard about the dangers of some of our food, I opt for Organic foods. However, at times my pocket book doesn't want to, because unfortunately at this time, healthy safer foods are more expensive. Yet I've come across an article called 10 Ways to Go Organic Without Raising Your Budget. It's extremely helpful & it will help you achieve the two things Ms. Simpson thought all stylish people should have "wealth" & "a less than robust figure." I'm all for that!

below Wallis Simpson -1936

a Must Read: article

2010-08-11T15:55:00.001-05:00

image by Viktor Koen

Much of this blog, okay all of it...is about living in style. What does that mean? I believe people who live their style are happy. What is stylish is subjective. Case in point. Earlier this week the NY Times published an article entitled: But Will It Make You Happy? The article explores how some have dropped out of their never ending cycle of consumptive ways, down-sized (a word for many that is akin to calling your grandmother a bad name) and opted for a life filled with more experiences, less debt, and slavery to keeping up with the Joneses. I know from personal experience that attempting to keep with with the mythical family or beautiful woman can't make you happy. I've tried. I've failed. I've learned. That's why this blog is a proponent of experiences, family, simplicity, & worldly beauty (and occasionally even stuff at really reduced rates). How and what it means to live your style is up to you, but you should live it. Life really does go by in a flurry. That stuff you had to have when you were 20, 30 or 40 is gone and barely remembered. But don't you still remember your16 year old kiss, the marriage proposal in your 30s, and that beautiful garden you visited in your 40s. Those are the things that make up my style.

Tell me what you think about the NY Times article. What does your style consist of?

the Stylish Coupon Woman: a story

2010-08-09T13:00:00.000-05:00

This weekend while running errands of necessity my husband and I stopped into Walgreen's. As we were checking out, to my surprise was my economic hero. I noticed here for a number of reasons. First, it was her labeled handbag, & tee-shirt. Second, it was her cool self assured demeanor. Thirdly, it was her coupon driven purchases. Yes: this stylish, labeled woman had a folder full of coupons (the exact folder pictured above) & with them her Citi platinum card showing & at the ready. She was not afraid to use her coupons. In fact, she sought them out in such a unhurried self possessed manner that my husband & I equally could not stop staring at her. She had categories for food, CVS &c...But what really endeared me to her was her "Luxury" category. I had tried coupon clipping in the past. Spurred on by the money saving mom on Oprah & even a cute mentee of mine. It did not stick. For one, anything relating to that cuss word "budget" was not in my vocabulary. Secondly, the mom & the mentee were not good examples of the aesthetic I wanted to live by. However, fate sent me what I needed, at Walgreen's of all places. So the very next day I ran out...purchased the same folder as my Stylish Coupon Woman...& started once again the clipping. Through that 5 minute interlude I learned that style & coupons were not diametrically oppose. As financial wisdom & easy savings are always stylish if the person matches.

Luxury Travel is Just an Auction Away

2010-08-06T21:54:00.001-05:00

People with and of style, travel. They travel within their own countries and abroad, because experiencing different cultures is stylish. How many of us can hop a plane oversees with the world's economic issues? Well you can, if you go to Luxury Link. Luxury Link is a travel auction site. But not just any travel auction site. This site provides hotel packages at some of the world's most luxuries hotels at auction prices. I have been a purveyor of this site for many years. The picture above is the red level penthouse master suite from a current Luxury Link package to Gran Mella Colon, in Sevilla, Spain. You don't have to spend a million dollars to travel like a millionaire. You just have to be stylish enough to want to go.

a Natural Way to Healthy Skin: recipe

2010-08-05T13:30:00.000-05:00

image by Amanda Slater

Often times we've been sold a bill of goods. We're told to purchase the latest products at for $10-$200 per ounce or more (I won't mention any names) in order to have the glowing skin we see in magazines images. What often we're not told is that to have healthy skin you need to eat healthy foods, eliminate toxins from your diet, body and environment & go to the farmers market. That's right...the farmer's market or the nearest seed catalogue. Healthy skin comes from healthy, non-processed sources. If you want to eliminate toxins from your skin try this Herbal Steam recipe from Whole Living:

1 large bowl hot water

1 handful basil

1 handful cilantro

1 towel

Place the basil & cilantro in the large bowl of hot water. Place your face about 12 inches from the bowl & tent your head & the bowl with the towel. This will concentrate the steam toward your face, & keep it from escaping. Once done, pat your face dry. Then splash your face with tepid water & dry again.

There. You are that much closer to healthy glowing skin that true stylish people can appreciate.

Fun isn't just for Kids

2010-08-04T21:53:00.000-05:00

Do you remember the stories of Eloise, the little girl who had the privilege of living at The Plaza hotel in Manhattan? Whether you remember reading her stories as a child or remember reading them to your own children, suffice it to say Eloise knew how to make lonely hotel living-sans parents & other children (most of the time) fun. As you may have already heard The Plaza's Eloise Suite has just opened. Designed by Betsey Johnson, this suite accommodates up to four children for a mere $995 per night (with the $100 Eloise shop gift card, & robe included). How many adults does it accommodate, I wonder.

Did you know that as an adult, with a spouse, children, responsible job with responsible household payments due, that you can still have child like fun? You can paint your home's interior bright colors, so when you walk in they make you smile. You can bounce on your bed one afternoon-or how about every afternoon. You can stay at the Plaza & let your imagination as to who you will be during your stay run wild, just like Eloise. I'd venture to say you can even inquire about staying in her magnificent suite, or not.

I've never met a stylish person who did not know how to have child like fun as an adult. Responsibility is only bearable over a lifetime when you let loose & enjoy. Take it from Eloise...fun can be had anywhere so long as you have your fun wits about you.

Family

2010-08-03T16:06:00.000-05:00

I don't know if you've heard but the England's Royal Family is now engaging in social media. They have a Flickr photostream, a Twitter account, & a YouTube channel. While reviewing the British Monarchy's photostream it got me thinking about two things. Firstly, social media can be stylish in any form, so long as the subject is inherently stylish. Secondly, knowing who you are & where & from who you come from is extremely stylish.

As many of my fellow Americans know. In our culture as a whole we tend to dismiss your heritage/history if it's not exciting, "sexy" or rich enough. While it's easy to argue that the Windsor's are, of course, proud of their familial history because it meets all three criteria...I believe their pride & our own should come from much more than that. Every family has a cad, a thief & a scoundrel. While every family equally has a scholar, a monarch, & a generation changer. We just have to be interest in finding & looking far enough back to go prosperously forward. It's stylish to know who you are & where you came from. Ignorance of this is certainly not bliss.

Your Night Out

2010-07-31T22:54:00.000-05:00

A stylish woman must plan her schedule ahead. Therefore, all you readers should mark your calendars for Fashion's Night Out (FNO) 2nd annual celebration. FNO started last year as a global initiative to celebrate fashion, restore consumer confidence, boost the industries economy & put the fun back in fashion. It's an opportunity to go to some of your favorite high-end designer stores after hours & take in beautiful clothes & maybe a celebrity or two. FNO will be held in 16 countries in the month of September. It will be held on September 10 in NYC. To find out more information & the dates of FNO in various countries visit the FNO Facebook site. Grab yourself one of the great tee-shirts or tank above (you actually don't have to attend in order to purchase one). A percentage of the FNO shirt sales will be donated to the NYC AIDS Fund. I've said, & will say again, style in not made by the expense of your clothes, but the personality of the person in them. Nonetheless, why not spend a fashionable night out, with equally fashionable people, looking at exquisitely fashionable wears.

a Home with Character: The Gate

2010-07-29T21:35:00.000-05:00

One's residence should always have character. What happens so often is we live in homes devoid of our personal character. Maybe we feel we don't have enough money to have the furniture, art, or landscaping we want. But I believe we don't have the patience to wait for the furniture, art or landscaping we desire. This home's gate has character.

It's solid iron, obviously sturdy and reminds me of the middle ages. The handles being round, its flower relief , and twisted bars don't just say "keep out," they say something about the owner's aesthetic. Style requires character in the littlest details in living. It might just look like a gate to the average passerby, but to us it represents medieval style elegantly placed in the 21st century.

Summer Eating

2010-07-28T20:04:00.000-05:00

Are you lucky enough to use the word "summer" as a verb. For example: "Our family is summering in Italy this year." If your answer is "No," you are completely wrong. Summering is for everyone. You may not Summer everyday for three consecutive months. But you can summer after work & on the weekends. Summering involves many things, some of which is food, & outdoor cooking and dining. Grab that perfect outdoor table, cook some fresh seafood & vegetables. Don't forget to drink & be merry during & after the Summering process. If you struggle with menu choices go to my go-to, Martha Stewart on-line. Stylish people Summer...so start Summering.

Vogue's "Steal of the Month"

2010-07-27T22:19:00.000-05:00

I've figured out after many years that to exhibit true style does not necessarily have to be expensive. Maybe it's because of our recession, or just that American Vogue editors have gotten smarter at appealing to a wider & equally fashionable audience, but this month's "Steal of the Month" is very stylish, affordable & worth checking out. The skirt is Jones NY at $129; cardigan is J.Crew at $70, & the hand bag (not pictured here) is Talbots at $179. Whether you're going for a 50's look or 2010 trends, clothes don't have to be expensive & unfortunately for some, style can't be bought.

The Beach Bag

2010-07-26T15:30:00.000-05:00

A well organized & well stocked beach/pool bag is a must during the summer. It should be fashionable (for you) & contain everything you'll need for a day of summer lounging-for you & your family. To that end here are some basic must haves:

Summer reading;

Snacks & or Sandwiches;

Sun Tan lotion for Face & Body;

iPod (or any other MP3);

Phone;

Water (lots);

Personals (do I really have to explain this);

Sunglasses;

Towels; and

Wallet.

I can think of more, but these are the bare basics. Is there anything you believe I may have forgotten. Let me know...and Happy Summering!

Music to cook, eat & live by

2010-07-25T13:43:00.000-05:00

I never met a stylish person who was not worldly. Through the power of TiVo I was reminded of Spain-On the Road Again & my former home town (Madrid to be exact). If you are unaware Spain-On the Road Again was a series that aired last year shedding culinary light on the cuisine of Spain through: Mario Batali, Mark Bittman, Gwyneth Paltrow, & Claudia Bassols. What struck my husband & I in our second viewing of this documentary was the music. It's perfect to cook, eat & live by. Therefore, I endeavored on a short quest & ultimate iTunes download of each song (as there is no soundtrack available). If you want stylish living, infuse your life with stylish song (all of which the artists & songs are shown above(click image to enlarge) & at this link-with the exception of On the Road Again, by Willie Nelson featuring Antonio Carmona). Beware: the music will cause reckless abandon, happiness, & longing for travel!

Stylish Home Exteriors

2010-07-24T09:00:00.001-05:00

Does your residence exterior match your personal interior? What I mean is, is your home's exterior as stylish as you believe you are? Style encompasses everything, and everything can be stylish. Here at Living Copenhagen I always try to provide you, the stylish reader with real pictures of how people are actually living, what is around any city in the world, and what people really put on their backs, and use in their homes. There will be very few magazine airbrushed pictures here. Use these images as inspiration for what you can do to the greens around your home. If you're home is pictured here, thank you for the inspiration...it's obviously lovely.

Well placed trees provide natural shade a cooling

A lovely low wall with its own interior garden separates two beautiful properties

Flowers at varying heights surround the interior wall of this residence adding dimension, color, & camouflage.

A window box, a well placed box hedge and ivy (which we all know degrades exterior walls...but is so beautiful) adds stately elegance to this home

Annual Hamptons Showhouse

2010-07-23T09:00:00.001-05:00

Beginning on Sunday is the Hampton Showhouse sponsored by Traditional Home magazine. You know the magazine of course. One of my favorites too! Go, get some style ideas & incorporate them into your lives. This is not a time to get envious or jealous. Stylish people do not engage in that behavior. Click the link here to the website for more information. Click the link here to receive a discount on general admission. If you are so inclined the Gala Cocktail Preview Party is this Saturday from 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm. Click here for the Reservation Card. Enjoy!! Let me know what you thought.

a Good Find

2010-07-22T09:00:00.001-05:00

Summer days by the pool with friends, family & kids in tow are some of my favorite days. I fill my summer days at our club pool with an iPod, a Pomegranate Mojito & now Boho. It's my magazine find. Finally a magazine for women who are socially & ecologically conscious & most importantly fashionable. Click here to see if you are a Boho Girl...I certainly am! Pick up this Summer 2010 issue pictured here, you won't be disappointed.

Spruce: providing earth friendly stylish decor

2010-07-21T09:10:00.007-05:00

Truly stylish people know that every piece of furniture does not have to require a pirate's ransom. Spruce understands this. The one-year-old company based out of New Orleans provides decor purchase options and design options. The best part is that Spruce has a Design in A Box service. This means you can simply send Spruce pictures of a room with its dimensions, and Spruce will provide in return a professional design layout with contacts and furniture, furnishings and accessory suggestions. It costs $500. Who said eco-friendly stylish living had to be expensive & complex?

Roses

2010-07-20T14:04:00.000-05:00

I love flowers. There is no way anyone can not be happy when in the presence of a beautiful rose. This is why I believe it imperative that people grow & cultivate them in their yards. Then not only are you surrounded by beauty, you also have easy, right out of the door access to happiness.

Roses require much work in the beginning. But are well worth it. I was fortunate enough to move into my current home three years ago with a ready made rose bush. It just bloomed this spring for the first time. I knew nothing about roses, but soon came to learn that my husband's attempt to get rid of our menacing bush by pruning it in the fall, gave life to in the spring. I believe they can give life to yard like no other (except maybe hydrangeas my other favorite flower).

About Face (Grandflora)

All the Rage

Easy Does It (Floribunda)

Keep posted there are more beautiful flowers to come!