Departing...with The Smelling Salts

I'm already to depart for the long Thanksgiving weekend. I'll be departing tomorrow for my ancestral home, complete with Buster Bolfig Borghese, three houseboys, suitcases, two hat boxes and the.....well you get the point! You just never know what kind of ensemble you will be in the mood to wear. And the smelling salts are for my estranged, traditional aunt, who we have not really seen in years!!!!! A long story. She shocks easily, and reminds me of Aunt Pitty Pat from Gone with the Wind. With my other eccentric aunt, my mother and I one never knows what will come out of our mouths! We will be attending dinner at my favorite aunt and uncle's home, where she is like Martha Stewart. We will also be joined by some of her kids as well. She is having the traditional bird, with all the sides fixings, all made from scratch. She started making the breads and pies yesterday I understand. The dinner usually starts with cock-a-tails for two hours before we eat, so everyone is lit before dinner.



Since I like to cook, I'm one of the few the aunt will allow in the kitchen to taste test, I mean , help with preparations.



Of course we will all be there when the bird comes out of the oven, and this is where my aunt, from the gin, will start yelling at everyone to get the hell out of the kitchen!



Then later after seconds and thirds, cock-a-tails, some wines and dessert, the Mistress will retire to lay about swanky in some corner on a chaise lounge, trying to hold in my stomach. So a bid you a farewell and will return in early December, as I'll be off for a week, and then have some travel, and some sights to see in New York City at our store and others to view their holiday windows, not to mention a busy social season starting.

So I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!

Amy Winehouse-Our Day Will Come

As you know I was a huge fan of Amy Winehouse, still am. So no surprise I love her new release, Our Day Will Come" which was a popular song composed by Bob Hilliard and Mort Garson which was a #1 hit in 1963 for Ruby & The Romantics. And now it is being released again by it's latest performer Amy Winehouse. In edition to Someone to Watch Over Me, Our Day will Come was also to be on her third studio release, along with the duet she did with Tony Bennett, but now it is the first single from her posthumous album Lioness: Hidden Treasures. The song was originally recorded for her first studio album, Frank but was shelved. The video is a montage of Winehouse throughout her career with clips from music videos, live performances and press coverage. My favorite version of this song was performed by the late great Julie London, but as usual, Amy does a pretty good job and puts her trademark sound on it! I'm really looking forward to the album.

Turkey Spared from Oven

This will be the last turkey story I swear. I don't know what all this interest in turkeys is all of a sudden, except filling my stomach with it! I saw this over the weekend and thought it was cute. Did you hear about this turkey spared from the oven?
You'd think most turkeys would be afraid of the oven, but a brave bird in Coggeshall, England, was actually saved by one. Tom the turkey, a resident of Howard Blackwell's farm, began wandering into the farmhouse kitchen last month, seeking heat from the hearth. Here's the story from Mr Blackwell.

"It didn't matter how many times I threw Tom out, he kept managing to get inside the kitchen nearly every morning," says Blackwell.

As time went on, Tom began bringing his turkey lady friend Tara with him on his visits. "We thought it was sweet that he brought Tara in from the cold and snow," farm staffer Sam Lythgo tells PEOPLEPets.com. Adds Blackwell, "When I saw the two of them cuddled up outside the oven one morning, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry."
The couple's cuteness paid off: Because of their almost human-like qualities, Blackwell decided to spare them and make them farm pets instead of Christmas dinner. Lythgo says Blackwell treated the couple to their own big dinner in front of the kitchen's oven, serving them a "delicious" feast with "all the trimmings." And now? Lythgo says they're "enjoying a well-earned rest until next month where they will get there own Christmas feast."

These birds should count their blessings, I'd say it was a narrow escape!

A Mixed Bag of Ups and Downs

Well I hope everyone had a great weekend! I had a pretty good one myself, but you know me and Mondays!!! Last week was a very interesting one to say the least, and I hope this week is much more even, and straight ahead! Last week was full of ups and downs, and I'm not speaking of the Upstins' place from Auntie Mame! For every down last week, there was a up!

Downside. The last few weeks at work have been nuts trying to get the Christmas installation done so it was yet another long work week, Only 59 hours. The upside- the overtime, which is un-heard of in these times, is a very nice thing. Plus I also had a very nice review, my first since in my new position, so it meant even more money!

Downside.I went with out my car for a week. I had to drive the mother's very small car, which was very uncomfortable all week. The upside. Since I had my car in for inspection, they caught what could have been a major issue and the car is purring like a kitten.

Downside. I had just started seeing a new guy, a landscaper. It ended already.... because he thought I had a voracious sexual personality for him, so we will be just friends. I'm thinking is he sure he is gay? Upside. The good ole Lad is always right there.Even though he is 27, youth does have it's advantages like endurance and stamina! Not to mention a good nights sleep!!!



Downside. The other guy I was seeing, the Prince Charming got relocated with his job and is moving. Upside. We had a very nice going away dinner and we will always be friends and visit each other in our cities. Roadtrip!!!!!!

Downside. I meant to take it easy this weekend and did for the most part, but with the Lad here Friday night, and some running around the city, and some unexpected socializing it didn't quiet happen.



I was exhausted Saturday night and fell asleep early, missing my BBC comedies. Upside. Had Sunday to myself and got to see the Green Lantern.



With Ryan Reynolds. Who was hot as hell in the movie. And in his briefs. Is it wrong the rest of the night I had indecent thoughts of him in his Green Lantern garb and what he could do with me??? How much more upside could this get? This week will be back to normal now. I guess my message here is just when you think you been dealt a downside, there always comes a upside, when a door closes a window opens!!!!! Here's to a wonderful week for us all! Tootles!

Pearl Bailey Sums it Up

I tried to take it easy and relax, but it didn't happen. I'm tired.

Such Small Giblets! Thank God for Basters!

You guys and your dirty minds. You thought this was going to be a picture of a hot hunk with a little one didn't ya? Well close. I came across this tidbit and found it intresting. I didn't know big turkeys are "inefficient breeders", which means there's one more thing we should all give thanks for this week: The humble turkey baster. Turns out that without this versatile tool far fewer of us would be able to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal. This from farmer Tom Anderson, who has bred the birds for 26 years, said the key technical advance was artificial insemination, which came into widespread use in the 1960s, right around the time that turkey size starts to skyrocket.

"The reason is that turkeys over 30 pounds are "inefficient" breeders: It's difficult for them to actually perform the natural mating act. With artificial insemination, the largest birds can still be used as sires, even if they have a hard time walking, let alone engaging in sexual reproduction. "You can spread the one tom around better. It adds a whole new level of efficiency. You can spread him over more hens," Anderson said. "It takes the lid off how big the bird can be. If the size of the bird keeps them from mating, then you're stuck."

Well you learn something new eveyday. Being a size queen, and one to not complain with the jewels God gave me, you have to feel sorry for the male turkey, for his giblets just aren't big enough to reach their target!!!! Comments are now open for big turkey jokes.

Houseboys At the Casa du Borghese............

....... have been lounging about.....all seven of them. Where is my gin and tonic?

Who's That Lady, Iris Apfel?????

While perusing the society pages, do you ever wonder who the woman in the over sized, round glasses is? She never fails to be adorned with something bold and eye-catching, always slightly quirky and eclectic, but dressed-to-the-nines nonetheless? She calls herself a 'geriatric starlet' but she's has been one of fashion's muses, inspiring everyone from designers to glossy magazine editors. She is Iris Apfel, a businesswoman, former interior designer, and one of New York City and Palm Beach's own fashion peacocks.



Born Iris Barrel,her family owned a glass and mirror business, and a fashion boutique. Apfel is certainly a part of a unique breed of style icons. I had met her once at one of our charity events through our store's personal shopping consultant and she was a real pistol. We talked a little about fashion and interior design, and she wanted to know why I'm not doing anymore, but that's another story. I immediately loved her style and was very drawn to those glasses! I wonder if there is a fabulous club for stylish women who wear big glasses. Were Sylvia Weinstock, Carrie Donovan, and Iris all friends who think?





She married Carl Apfel in the 40's. Together, they launched the textile firm Old World Weavers and ran it until they retired in 1992 and sold out to Stark textiles. During this time, she built it into one of the most prestigious brands in the world of textiles and interior design and the authority on antique textile reproductions. She also took part in many design restoration projects, including work at the White House for nine presidents: Truman, Eisenhower, Nixon, Kennedy, Johnson, Carter, Reagan, and Clinton.





Her Park Avenue home was featured in Architectural Digest I while back and I found it just as colorful and eccentric as she is!





I just finished reading the book about her and found it highly intresting and very entertaining. Here is a quotation from our fashion Icon regarding accessories, and one myself firmly believe in : “For me the key to personal style lies in accessories. My friends tell me that my oversized glasses and my pairs of bracelets have become my unwritten signature. I have amassed an enormous ‘collection’ of bags, belts, bangles and beads without which I would be lost. One can change the entire look of an outfit by substituting one accessory for another. I love objects from different worlds, different eras, combined my way. Never uptight, achieving – hopefully – a kind of throwaway chic.” Iris Apfel.



Long live this fabulous fashion icon!!!!!!

Ring Around the Rosie.......

Yeah, it's Friday!!!! It's time for some playful fun this weekend!!!

Grande Dame

This week a special and fabulous dame from Toyko. And if you know anything about drag in Japan, it make RuPaul's girl's look like amateurs! And this week is the stunning and almost gothic Kaya! Who is Kaya? Kaya hails from Tokyo, and is known for his vocals in the digital duet Schwarz Stein, Kaya is a powerful, drag singer with a unique,chill-inducing voice that comes totally unexpected from his looks. Kaya passionately sings and dances for freedom of expression, equality of rights between genders, and the abolition of sexual taboos. Basically, Kaya stands against any kind of discrimination. Besides being a great dancer himself, his shows often include male and female dancers, as well as other drag queens, making the entertainment factor an important part of his shows. Kaya's drag show and concerts often resemble more club parties, being a fan of clubs himself; Kaya greatly enjoys the audience in their reactions, making live concerts his favorite thing to do. Being an independent artist for most of the time, he handles everything regarding his song lyrics and composers, CD designs, make-up, outfits, and organization of his concerts and events. Kaya performs all around Japan, as well as overseas sometimes, starting his first World Tour in 2012. Kaya also has several cd's in Japan. Thanks to Kaya for the fabulous pictures, and to read his complete bio and club dates just click on Kaya.

Day In, Day Out

Is it really Wednesday already??? That means one day shy of a week till Thanksgiving already! So much to do.

Would You Look at That Face

Makes one forget why one needed a gin and bromide!

House Over Waterfall

I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend! I had a most relaxing one, as I had a lovely fall get away with the Lad and it was over due. I was very excited to cross another item off the bucket list in addition to the Alexander McQueen exhibit this year, Fallingwater. Fallingwater is a house designed by North American architect Frank Lloyd Wright in 1935 in rural southwestern Pennsylvania, 50 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. The home was built partly over a waterfall on Bear Run in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, in the Laurel Highlands of the Allegheny Mountains. Talk about some beautiful scenery!!!! It was about a 5 1/2 hour drive, but so worth the time to see!

Frank Lloyd Wright completed Fallingwater in 1937, and months later Time magazine put the house on its cover, proclaiming it the architect's "most beautiful job." Ayn Rand based much of her 1943 classic, The Fountainhead, on Wright and the house he had wrought. Wright designed it at his professional nadir, as a mountain retreat for Pittsburgh retail mogul Edgar J. Kaufmann, who owned the elegant and successful Kaufmann's Department Store who wanted a home near the waterfalls of Bear Run. Wright took that notion to its extreme. "I want you to live with the waterfall," he is said to have told Kaufmann, "not just to look at it." Cantilevered concrete terraces hover some 30 feet above the falls. The incessant sound of rushing water permeates the home, yet never overwhelms. A boulder juts through the living room and doubles as a hearth. Low ceilings direct attention outside. During my visit to the house, I was struck by Wright's vanishing windows, which open outward from wall corners, leaving no panes to obstruct the wilderness view. The interior was not my style, but I could appreciate it. I think it was the furnishings I didn't like. I was more blown away by the exterior by far! When the Mistress buys the place she can always replace the furnishings and update the joint, you know , for when I move in!

But I must admit, overall I was left in awe! The bed and breakfast was also very quaint and secluded. It was a gay owned place and the couple in the next room was straight!!!! It was so funny, and we hit it off with them since most of the other couples there were much older than us. We all had some nice cock-a-tails and conversation in the jacuzzi and were in bed by 1:30am! (Me and the Lad, not all of us!!!) Early by my standards. What a great rejuvenating weekend. Now to get through the week! Tootles.

Late at the Casa with Ms.Lepore .....

.......and Cazwell. Just back in from a lovely fall getway and in the mood for bizzare, elegant, and chic stylings with Amanda Lepore and the boys! Reminds us of a night at the Casa.

From the Candy Shop

While the Mistress is away, playing, I thought I'd bring you some really nice , very naughty candy that is probably bad for you, but we all like it anyway, no? And this candy barely stays in the wrapper, and it's sweeter than Turkish Delight!!!! Enjoy my shop of tasty morsels!