Happy Memorial Day, deux luxe dames, darlings, dapper gents and daring divas! We are now encroaching upon the steamy, sweltering, sunny and stormy days of summer! While several have already fled north for the season or to other coastal regions, the DL crew have planted their apple bottoms in Palm Beach, eager to deliver the chicest, exciting happenings that a Florida summer has to offer. The Hamptons has taken many casualties...and so has Europe, among other countries (Japan, here!)...but that doesn't mean time stops, people turn slovenly, and the nightlife breeds nothing more than the sound of crickets! Aaahhh, summers in Palm Beach mean no traffic, no wait at the Palm Beach Grille, shorter lines at Publix, hurricane preparedness kits (huh?), and spending quality time with dear friends planning, yet, another year ahead! The Deux Luxe has created a list of "Summer Deux's" to ensure you survive the days ahead and that you don't have a less than perfect summer!
1. Do explore a new restaurant or shop and tell someone about it!
2. Do hone your cooking skills and prepare a challenging, fresh, new meal once a week. Try a recipe from The Sweet Life in Paris: Delicious Adventures in the World's Most Glorious-and Perplexing-City, by David Lebovitz. http://www.amazon.com/
3. Do shop your home for an inexpensive interiors makeover by rearranging accessories, artwork, mirrors or furniture to gain a fresh perspective. Use the rule of 3, and group accessories in odd numbers for visual interest and diversity.
4. Do listen to new Dave Matthews Band, Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King that drops June 2nd!
5. Do drink a light, white wine while savoring the splendors of a picnic! Some to try are 2008 Kung Fu Girl Riesling ($12), or 2008 Long Boat Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc ($20).
6. Do go nude – wear the latest “it” color that is. Right now I’m loving the simplicity of a tank dress, perfect for any summer soirée, day or night. For day - try belting the waist and pairing the look with gladiators. For night - rock out with sky-high stilettos and bold gold jewelry.
T by Alexander Wang (one of my current fav designers!) – Classic tank dress with mini pocket
$90 http://www.alexanderwang.com/ or http://www.satineboutique.com/
7. Do brighten up your new nude look with a hot pink lip. Pick a pink shade that’s perfect for you from Shu Uemura’s new pink collection, with 9 new shades of lip rouge and 5 new shades of gloss to choose from.
8. Do protect yourself – stock up on summer’s sun essential must-haves, a good self-tanner and sunscreen from Estée Lauder’s new Bronze Goddess collection.
9. Do stay hydrated… poolside of course. Jazz up your H20 offerings with fresh cucumber or ginger cubes. Thinly slice 1 lemon and half a cucumber, add to an ice, cold pitcher of water. To kick-it-up a notch, fill ice trays with water and add a slice of fresh ginger to each cube. Chill until ready to serve.
10. Do stay cultured – for a different type of night out try the Norton Museum’s new event Art After Dark. Meet your friends at the Norton Museum the second Thursday of every month for activities, art, live music, films and refreshments. http://www.norton.org/
11. Do save up extra pennies and shop for a good cause. My charitable pick is the very cool all natural and organic tee (comes with its very own canvas bag) created by Gucci on behalf of HOME, the unique cinematic environmental film directed by Yann Artus-Bertrand and produced by Luc Besson.
Gucci Creative Director, Frida Giannini wearing the HOME project tee
Available in both men’s and women’s sizes, with all profits donated to goodplanet.org, a non-profit association created by Artus-Bertrand in 2005.
$195 http://www.gucci.com/ and www.goodplanet.org
12. Do say merci in style - handwrite thank you notes to all of the hosts and hostesses who graciously entertain you throughout the summer season. Our faves are by Carrot & Stick Press http://www.carrotandstickpress.com/, Dauphine Press, http://www.dauphinepress.com/ and for some really bespoke stationery...go to Bernard Maisner, http://www.bernardmaisner.com/. Pure pulp heaven!
13. Do document all your travels with the hip new Polaroid PoGo – Just 3 simple steps: Shoot, Preview, Print.
14. Do learn to play backgammon, the board game of kings – great for shady afternoons spent on the veranda at The Breakers, early nights at McCarty’s or weekend brunches at Pistache.
15. And finally... DO read The Deux Luxe for our fashionable finds, summer sips, culinary delights and anything else we deem DL noteworthy this summer.
Happy Summer! - xo BH & KL
5. Do drink a light, white wine while savoring the splendors of a picnic! Some to try are 2008 Kung Fu Girl Riesling ($12), or 2008 Long Boat Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc ($20).6. Do go nude – wear the latest “it” color that is. Right now I’m loving the simplicity of a tank dress, perfect for any summer soirée, day or night. For day - try belting the waist and pairing the look with gladiators. For night - rock out with sky-high stilettos and bold gold jewelry.
T by Alexander Wang (one of my current fav designers!) – Classic tank dress with mini pocket$90 http://www.alexanderwang.com/ or http://www.satineboutique.com/
7. Do brighten up your new nude look with a hot pink lip. Pick a pink shade that’s perfect for you from Shu Uemura’s new pink collection, with 9 new shades of lip rouge and 5 new shades of gloss to choose from.
8. Do protect yourself – stock up on summer’s sun essential must-haves, a good self-tanner and sunscreen from Estée Lauder’s new Bronze Goddess collection.
9. Do stay hydrated… poolside of course. Jazz up your H20 offerings with fresh cucumber or ginger cubes. Thinly slice 1 lemon and half a cucumber, add to an ice, cold pitcher of water. To kick-it-up a notch, fill ice trays with water and add a slice of fresh ginger to each cube. Chill until ready to serve.
10. Do stay cultured – for a different type of night out try the Norton Museum’s new event Art After Dark. Meet your friends at the Norton Museum the second Thursday of every month for activities, art, live music, films and refreshments. http://www.norton.org/
11. Do save up extra pennies and shop for a good cause. My charitable pick is the very cool all natural and organic tee (comes with its very own canvas bag) created by Gucci on behalf of HOME, the unique cinematic environmental film directed by Yann Artus-Bertrand and produced by Luc Besson.
Gucci Creative Director, Frida Giannini wearing the HOME project tee Available in both men’s and women’s sizes, with all profits donated to goodplanet.org, a non-profit association created by Artus-Bertrand in 2005.
$195 http://www.gucci.com/ and www.goodplanet.org
12. Do say merci in style - handwrite thank you notes to all of the hosts and hostesses who graciously entertain you throughout the summer season. Our faves are by Carrot & Stick Press http://www.carrotandstickpress.com/, Dauphine Press, http://www.dauphinepress.com/ and for some really bespoke stationery...go to Bernard Maisner, http://www.bernardmaisner.com/. Pure pulp heaven!
13. Do document all your travels with the hip new Polaroid PoGo – Just 3 simple steps: Shoot, Preview, Print.
14. Do learn to play backgammon, the board game of kings – great for shady afternoons spent on the veranda at The Breakers, early nights at McCarty’s or weekend brunches at Pistache.
15. And finally... DO read The Deux Luxe for our fashionable finds, summer sips, culinary delights and anything else we deem DL noteworthy this summer.
Happy Summer! - xo BH & KL
