{scrapbook: a weekend in the country}

{a few photographs of our weekends away}

. . . while evenings in the city may be spent in heels and cocktail dresses, weekends away in the country are laid-back in a quilted Barbour and a pair of wellies, and after the apple orchards and pumpkin patches, the golden fields of wheat and rustling yellow leaves, a perfect afternoon for an autumn picnic for two . . .





{p.s.} and to p, thank you for making every moment feel like a dream, and for taking the most beautiful photographs

{all images by p + this is glamorous}

{lost in love and chicago}

While it may be true that shall never tire of Paris or the south of France, always ready for new adventures and sometimes fun to go somewhere completely different, and on the last long weekend of the summer: The Windy City . . .

. . . despite there being not much use outside the hotel lobby for gold strappy heels, sequined jackets, and silk and linen dresses -- all of the things in my carrying cases -- there were, happily, fresh lake breezes and miles of beaches, afternoon boat rides and expansive parks, marble fountains, and art and architecture . . .

cloud gate, outdoor sculpture by british artist anish kapoor


endless summer, navy pier

toasted coconut & strawberry marshmallows

dusk

frank gehry-designed jay pritzker pavilion in millennium park

cocktails + view from the ninety-sixth floor

the modern wing of the art institute of chicago, designed by pritzker prize–winning architect renzo piano, whose work includes the centre georges pompidou in paris; the art institute's impressionist & postimpressionist collection is considered the most important outside of france

buckingham fountain, made of pink marble and modeled by edward bennett after the latona basin at versailles


afternoon on the water

{and afterall:} pink cotton candy, afternoons along the beach and on the water, a late-summer picnic, sipping champagne in the courtyard of the art institute by moonlight -- and especially -- all the time in the world together on the last long weekend of the summer . . .

{images: 6, 12, 13 - this is glamorous; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 14 - p for this is glamorous; 10 - via renzo piano}

{travel: new york city}

"One belongs to New York instantly, one belongs to it as much in five minutes as in five years."

~thomas wolfe

. . . a few summer weekends ago, spent a few hot and hazy days in new york city, days filled with early morning swims, bellinis and brunches and sundrenched terraces, afternoon markets and dusky shops with herringbone floors, glasses of perfectly chilled champagne and red velvet cupcakes, sunset in the park and long, lingering moments soaking in the intoxicating energy all around, leaving with memories of dinner on the very last night among topiaries and carrera -- oysters to start, followed by seared sea scallops, rocchetta, medjool dates, lardoons with champagne vinaigrette . . . and it was farewell until next time . . .

......................................................................................................

{images: all photography by p & this is glamorous © august 2010; p.s. if you follow on twitter, you may have already heard about some of our adventures xo}

{scrapbook: a countryside picnic}

. . . spending most of our summer weekends away in the countryside, markets and antique shops on saturday mornings, leisurely dinners that last until nightfall and, most wonderfully, a summer picnic on a perfect july afternoon, deep green leaves flickering in sunlight, intermingling with battenburg lace and the scent of sweetheart roses, champagne and the glimmer of vintage cut crystal, fine floral print china and fresh strawberry tarts, and most of all, the air filled with a dreamy and magical light . . .

{p.s.} our last picnic

{images: photography by p & this is glamorous © august 2010, image five - excerpt from a quote by henry wadsworth longfellow, also used here}

{at home: fresh flowers + golden light}

. . . always lovely to have a saturday afternoon to spend at the market, and recently did just that: he, picking up ingredients for a new paella recipe, and i, happening upon the most charming bouquets of ranunculus and roses in stunning shades of sunset and cerise and -- once home -- utterly enchanted by each perfect petal caught in the golden rays of late afternoon light . . .

{photography by p for this is glamorous + this is glamorous}