Finds In Stamford, CT

                                                                VINTAGE 

Tyler Taylor

During my hunting around the Stamford Antique centers I stumbled upon these fun finds. 

Tyler Taylor

I just love this lucite and faux leather chair. This would make such a wonderful desk chair and or vanity chair in a dressing room. It was really comfortable too

Tyler Taylor
Seen in English garden design this antique obelisk stands at 7 ft tall. Although, meant for the garden it would look amazing in a foyer.

Tyler Taylor
ART- I am always combing tag sales and antique centers for fabulous art. I usually don't find it, but I came across this series of three and loved them. These abstract colors were so vibrant and full of movement I am sure they will find a home soon. 

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I have no idea who designed this, but I think it's cool. It was a crystal table weight/scale. Unfortunately it was well above my "I just want it" budget. 

Tyler Taylor

Tyler Taylor

Shower anyone??

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Tyler Taylor

Tyler Taylor

Tyler Taylor
I don't think this was old, but it made me giggle. 

Tyler Taylor

Tyler Taylor

There is a new show coming out this Fall called Pan Am. I though this appropriate.

GUCCI FALL 2011

  
Say YES to this dress. Oh, Gucci how we love you so. I love that they are bringing back the best of the 70's (not always a good era for clothes) However, these remind me of what my Mom wore, although a bit more jazzed up. Must have most of this. So I am jumping on the treadmill now so that I can actually wear these clothes properly. ENJOY!

The Culinary delight of The SchoolHouse in Cannondale CT.

Last night we had another wonderful dinner with our neighbors at The Schoolhouse. This small little church like building was built in 1872 after the Civil War in another part of Wilton CT as a one room classroom. Vaudeville actress June Havoc, a Wilton resident, had the building moved to it's current location when she took charge of creating the town of Cannondale. She owned all of Cannondale "town", literally 6 small buildings and sold them all 1989.
          It now houses one of Connecticut's most adored restaurants owned and operated by chef Tim LaBant. It's a cozy building with banquet seating against the wall and tables floating in the middle, and is nestled between the few other shops in Cannondale on one side and the Norwalk River on the other. 


      I first went here when I moved from NYC to CT and was desperate for the culinary experience I was use to in NY. I was not disappointed. Chef LaBant had just opened, but his food was not compromised by the fragility of a new business. His farm to table food was rich, fresh and unusual. 
    Last night I took three new comers to The Schoolhouse, the non-foodies (my hubby and my friends hubby) and then the real foodie who I will call D. I have decided D and I should dub ourselves the Culinary Queen, as we both LOVE food, we love unusual food, but really we have a huge respect for what "real" chefs are doing in the kitchen. D runs a restaurant in South Norwalk so dining with her I am getting more of a well rounded critic of the culinary world. We understand that a price tag cannot be placed on what should happen in your mouth when you eat something truly amazing. Our husbands on the other hand feel quite differently...but enough about them.
    As a side note I have decided to go buy a new and much better camera. My pictures below of our food are dreadful. I have been scolded by another, much more famous blogger, that I must invest in my work. SO, in the very near future my posts that include my own photography should look at least a little better. Until then bare with me and ENJOY!!

www.schoolhouseatcannondale.com

www.schoolhouseatcannondale.com

www.schoolhouseatcannondale.com

www.schoolhouseatcannondale.com

Tyler Taylor
One day I will write about some of my crazy collections. One of them happens to be anything with my married name on it. This is a nice touch The Schoolhouse adds to your menus. 

Tyler Taylor
Millstone Guanciale w onion-fennel fondue,fried egg and cress
This was my first course, we all try something different and then share. I think I picked the best one on this night. This is the experience you hope for when tying something new.  The guanciale was a thick with just enough fat on it, the egg seemed baked rather then fried because it was so soft and perfect and with the fondue and crispy onion...it was out of this world. 

Tyler Taylor
Millstone tomato salad w beans, feta and watercress

Tyler Taylor
Pork two ways: Belly and loin w champlain polenta,pickled okra and Bok choy.
This was my dinner and I am sad to say I was underwhelmed. Pork belly is one of my favorite delicacies and it just didn't have that buttery taste it should. The loin was slightly dry and lacked flavor.

In saying this it's not to disparage LaBant, he is an excellent chef. Some things work and some do not. However, our wonderful waiter let us discuss each dish with him (the great ones and the not so great) and he said LaBant loves the feedback. The best part of The Schoolhouse is that since it's a farm to table restaurant, the menu changes weekly.

Tyler Taylor
D had natural filet of beef w confit potatoes, beet greens and trumpet mushrooms. I thought the beef was cooked perfectly, but I think we both agreed the mushroom sauce could have been a bit bolder.

Tyler Taylor
Duck w marble potatoes,wax beans, maitake mushrooms and asparagus.
The Romanian made a bold choice (for him) with the Duck. He gives this a nine out of 10. LOL-that was his best description. Note to self: Romanian not going to be easy to turn this one into a foodie.

Tyler Taylor
Chocolate souffle w dark chocolate sauce and ice cream
Rich and so yummy. It was enough for all four of us to split.

Almond cake with peaches.
This was fresh and light, but hard to eat in this glass.

Chef Tim LaBant- picking herbs from the outside garden.

Fall 2011 Coats

Maria Grachvogel
I adore this cashmere and fur combo. Look at the movement...amazing.

It's no secret Fall is my very favorite season. The thought of walking around NYC playing out my When Harry Met Sally Fall scenes gets me totally excited. The clothes, the boots and especially the COATS. As of last count, when my coats went to sleep for the summer, I had 32. I KNOW!! My Mom is always saying, "Don't you already have a coat in camel or black etc etc." Yes! However, that's really not the point. It's the shape, style, texture, materials used that makes all the difference. My coats run the gammit of wools, wools and leathers combined, cashmere, cashmere blends, just leather, cotton blends, mohairs, gore-tex, furs and the list goes on and on. To pick my favorite is asking me to pick my favorite child, although anything "sports/ ski" would be what I wear least. 
     Last year I had a near panic attack when one went missing. An all alert was posted on Facebook, no help there, I called the Romanian in a panic, he asked if I looked in my closet. What the heck kind of questions was that...OF COURSE! I asked the other coats, but they were silent... jealous of course. After two days of searching and praying she returned!! My black angora blend by Max Mara, a Loehmann's find, was back. She was vacationing at the dry cleaners, which I had forgotten I had taken her to myself. The ONLY reason I remembered was because I drove past the cleaners and the light bulb went off. A quick u-turn and within minutes she was back in my arms. Ahhhh. 
     So here are some of my picks for 2011. I am thrilled fur is making a come back again and I hope PETA  doesn't come TP my house for saying so. ENJOY!!

Raf Simons

Dolce & Gabbana

Jaeger
So shearling does not live in my coat collection, but that does not mean I haven't been searching. For years I have been looking for the "One" that I can also afford. I have seen many that just don't hold a candle to pieces like this or Max Mara. I will not compromise..so the piggy bank must continue to be filled. 

Yves Saint Laurent

Burberry
There are very very few coat designers that can keep up with Burberry. They are always coming up with designs that are both elegant and modern. I adore this coat.

Burberry

Burberry

Burberry

JCrew
This is an affordable knockoff of a Jill Saunders. 

JCrew
If they put a faux fur collar around this, it would take to the next level, but it's cute.

M. Kors
I love Michael Kors. He has really blossomed in the last few years and I love love him.

M. Kors

M. Miller
I am not a ski jacket gal, BUT if I were I would wear M. Miller. Stylish and great colors for the slopes.

M.Miller

Max Mara
YES PLEASE!!! There are few designers I love more then Max Mara. I have more of his clothes then I think any other designers. He just fits my body really well and I know when I buy his clothes they will always look great and feel great.
I was lucky enough to preview the Fall collection and his coats are awesome this year. 

Max Mara