For the Love of Lilly

Several great women passed away this week and fashion designer Lilly Pulitzer Rousseau was one of them. Famous for her tropical print dresses that were born out of necessity (the story goes she opened a juice stand and needed clothing that wouldn't show the grapefruit stains), "Lillys" became the rage from Palm Beach to Hamptons and everywhere in between.  The year was 1959 and a simple pink and green shift dress sold for $22.00.  Five decades later and $100 million in annual net sales, the line lives on. Yes, an empire literally began with a juice stand and this was one heiress who was not a lady who lunched.

The Palm Beach Princess in the sixties....

and in later years.

While her vividly colorful frocks may not be for everyone, here are a few notable celebs in their Lillys....

Actress Brooke Shields at Lilly store

Ever the trendsetter, Jackie Kennedy (shown with family in Hyannisport)  put Lilly on the map

Kristen Davis on set as Charlotte in Sex and the City

Rose and Kathleen Kennedy

"The View" host Elizabeth Hasselbeck

Tennis star Serena Williams in a halter Lilly

Suri Cruise with her famous dad Tom

One of my favorite Lilly designs were the keyhole patio dresses

Photo Credits: Cecil Sloughton/The White House via JFK Presidential Library and Museum, PRNewsfoto, Lilly Pulitzer, Getty Images

The Mad Men Library

In honor of the season six premiere of Mad Men, Cinema Style takes a look at some of the books (official and unofficial) on what is perhaps the best period drama in tv history. Course that is just my opinion but pretty sure the show's three million viewers will agree.


Sterling's Gold: Wit and Wisdom of an Ad Man
Roger Sterling
Grove Press

Next to Don Draper, Roger Sterling (played brilliantly by John Slattery) is the best character on the show. Fans will recall his character writing his memoir last season and now fiction comes to life. Who can ever forget "Bazooka Joe"? I will leave that one alone.  A few of the more memorable Sterlingisms:

"Look, we've got Oysters Rockefellar. Beef Wellington! Napoleans! If we leave this lunch alone it will take over Europe."

"Who knows why people in history do things? For all we know, Jesus was trying to get the fishes and loaves account."

"They say once you start drinking alone you are an alcoholic. I'm really trying to avoid that."

"Remember when God closes a door he opens a dress."

"She died like she lived -- surrounded by the people she answered phones for."

Mad Men: The Illustrated World

Dyna Moe

Perigee

A campy, kitchsy look at the world of Mad Men from Sally Draper's cocktail menu recipes to a step by step instruction on how to design the perfect bouffant and all beautifully illustrated.

The Fashion File
Janie Bryant
Grand Central Life and  Style

One of the most talked about aspects of Mad Men are the costumes so it's a natural that the show's designer wrote a book. Fashion File: Advice, Tips and Inspiration From the Costume Designer of Mad Men is just that. From Joanie's voluptuously curved dresses to Betty's sheaths, Janie Bryant has done a spectacular job in creating sixties fashions we want to wear now.

Mad Men after hours Soundtrack
David Carbonara

Mad Men after hours is a great compilation of the original music from the series and perfect background noise for cocktail hour. And yes, the show's theme song "A Beautiful Mine" leads off the CD.

If you find yourself racing to Itunes after the show is over looking for the name of a certain song, you might like Mad Men: Music From the Series. Jack Jones's Wives and Lovers, Julie London's Fly Me to the Moon and Vic Damone's On the Street Where You Live are just a few of the numbers. Just don't expect to find Zou Bisou Bisou -- I am thinking a lobotomy can't remove that song from my head.

Season Six two hour premiere is  Sunday, April 7th at 8 pm central. Look for lots of sideburns, a trimmed down Betty and the answer to last season's cliffhanger when Don is asked by a pretty girl in a bar, "Are you alone?" The season also ended with Roger's acid trip, Lane's suicide by hanging, Megan pursuing an acting career, Joan kicking out her rapist doctor husband, Pete's affair and Sally entered womanhood.

Photo Credits: AMC, Perigee, Grand Central, Grove Press

The Stars Are Out on Pinterest

Since the website's inception in 2009, millions have become addicted to the process of creating a collage via the phenomenon known as Pinterest. Chances are that you too have
"pinned" and organized some of your favorite images ranging from favorite quotes and recipes to home decor and fashion -- and you are not alone as the stars are out on Pinterest:

Ryan Seacrest
http://pinterest.com/ryanseacrest

Producer, American Idol television and radio host Ryan Seacrest is everywhere these days so it stands to reason he would be a prominent fixture on Pinterest. A perennial trend hunter, his boards are on the cutting edge of what's new in technology, music and fashion wise -- and he even dedicates a board to the grilled cheese sandwich:) Be sure and check out his board "What the future holds."

Katherine Heigl
http://pinterest.com/katieheigl

A look on the board of Grey's Anatomy star Katherine Heigl tells you all you want to know about her psyche, home life and style. Who knew Pinterest could become such a psychological profile?! Of particular interest are the boards "For My Girls" and "Styles I Love."

Loved this "just tall enough for orchids" stand

Martha Stewart
http://pinterest.com/marthastewart

You might know Martha Stewart would have the most instructional and inspirational Pinterest site. Besides the expected food, organization, decor and wedding boards, be sure to take a look at "My Look Book" for a peak into her past, photo-wise that is.

Katie Couric

https://pinterest.com/katiecouric

Daytime talk show host Katie Couric has an insightful set of pinterest boards from "People I Admire" to "Best Advice Contributors." Not sure what to make of her "I Heart Bacon" board though....beer candied bacon for Super Bowl Sunday?

Demi Moore

http://pinterest.com/mrskutcher

You can tell  that actress Demi Moore aka Mrs. Kutcher's has an incredible eye for design based on her pinterest "Furniture and Fixture" boards (she really loves lighting!). Her bucket list is pretty insightful too...Wonder why she is still going by Mrs. Kutcher though?

Happy Pinning and Happy Easter!

Photo Credits: Pinterest

The Celebrity Hotelier

While they may not be booking a room upgrade or comping you a round of free drinks, there is a certainly a growing trend of high profile celebrities as hotel owners. Since A-listers are well accustomed to the comforts of a top notch concierge and five-star luxury, it makes for a natural marriage as well as a smart business investment and let's face it, celebrity sells.

From a beachside cottage to a rainforest retreat, here are a few destinations of interest:

Ariel Sands
Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones

Situated on 14 acres on the south shore of Bermuda, Ariel Sands offers beachside cottages with ocean views and infinity plunge pools. The original Ariel Sands Beach Club closed in 2008  and currently under redevelopment as a five-star condo-hotel resort. Douglas is no stranger to Bermuda as he and wife Catherine have an island home there and the property has been in his family since 1954 (his mother Diana Dill Douglas was born there). For more on the Douglas retreat, see Architectural Digest.

The Bedford Post Inn
Richard Gere and Carey Lowell

The quaint eight room luxury inn set in the heart of Bedford, New York is a real find -- and just forty five minutes from Manhattan. Owned by actor Richard Gere and wife Carey Lowell, the historic Bedford Post Inn dates back to the 1860s with all the charm of the past and modern designs of the present. Locals and guests alike love the informal dining at both the Farmhouse and the Barn and classes at the Yoga Loft are the perfect place to de-stress. You can also read more on Gere as hotelier in my piece for Celebrated Living.

Gere and Lowell

Coppola Resorts
Francis Ford Coppola

Director, screenwriter, producer, restauranteur and winemaker are just a few of the many accomplishments of Francis Ford Coppola so it stands to reason that his lifestyle brand would be next. Francis Ford Coppola Presents includes four luxury retreats that include the Blancaneux Lodge and Turtle Inn  in Belize, La Lancha in Guatemala, Jardin Escondido in Buenos Aires and my personal favorite (and fit for a consigliere), the Palazzo Margherita in Bernalda, Italy. Each resort has its own theme and personality, one more magical than the next. Located in the Maya mountains, the twenty room Blancaneux was once the Coppola family retreat while the Italian country style rooms of the Palazzo Margherita is an antique lovers delight. For more on Coppola's properties, see the website here.

The garden suites of Palazzo Margherita above and below

Secrets Aura Cozumel
Rafa Nadal

International tennis superstar and 11 time Grand Slam champion Rafael "Rafa" Nadal calls Cozumel his second home, falling in love with the Mexican beach resort and diving town after a visit several years ago. He is now part owner of Secrets Aura Cozumel (he recently entered a partnership with AMResorts) and its sister neighboring resort Sunscape Sabor Cozumel. Located just twelve miles off the Yucatan Peninsula, guests can literally swim up to the contemporary designed luxury suites and yes, there are tennis courts. (I spent several days last month covering the tennis star for an upcoming feature and the all-inclusive resort is wonderful).

Nadal at recent press conference for the resort

Cypress Inn
Doris Day

What better place to take a vacay with your four-legged friends than the Cypress Inn. Actress, animal activist and longtime resident of Carmel owns the 44 room boutique inn filled with dog and cat friendly extras. Built in 1929, the inn is filled with Old World charm and Day's film posters line the walls. Don't miss the Yappy Hour at the Inn's Terry Lounge (named after Day's son Terry Melcher) and sip vintage drinks named after Kirk Douglas, Ronald Reagan and Cary Grant. And it's just walking distance to the beach.

Sadie at the Cypress Inn

Doris Day

Greenwich Hotel
Robert De Niro

Oscar winning actor Robert De Niro opened the boutique Greenwich Hotel in 2008, a haven for celebrities far from the lens of the paparazzi in his neighborhood Tribeca. You can book one of the 88 rooms and pretty much be assured of a Hudson River view or if you are really well-heeled, opt for the two-bedroom penthouse with its floor to ceiling windows. Or just book a treatment at the Japanese spa in the basement, constructed by craftsman with nary a nail. Just don't expect to run into "Bobby" in the lobby.

Photo Credits: AMResorts, Cypress Inn, Ariel Sands, Coppola Resorts, Bedford Post Inn, Greenwich Hotel.