Photo Kate Schelter.

Yesterday I visited my friend Lisa Salzer at her Lulu Frost headquarters. I am always struck by the sheer amount of stuff in her studio. You want to dive into all the luscious materials and tools and play for hours. I would like to share with you the brilliance behind the beauty. The madness. The piles. Drawers of gems, rolls of ribbon, the sheer talent of gently marrying concepts together in a seamless way “so Lulu Frost”, all while the Beastie Boys play softly in the background. This is the soul of Lulu Frost from which all beautiful, sublime, handmade jewelry is created.

Fasteners. Photo Kate Schelter.

The army of plyers. Photo Kate Schelter.

Spools of old chain. Photo Kate Schelter.

Antique pendants. Photo Kate Schelter.

Trays of treasures. Photo Kate Schelter.

This and that. Photo Kate Schelter.

Antique shoe buckles. Photo Kate Schelter.

More, more, more... Photo Kate Schelter.

Boxes and boxes of beads. Photo Kate Schelter.

Necklaces in the making. Photo Kate Schelter.

Collections of cuff links. Photo Kate Schelter.

A bracelet glove in surgery. Photo Kate Schelter.

Bags of diamante balls, silver beads. Photo Kate Schelter.

Zipplocks overflowing with un-bent gem settings. Photo Kate Schelter.

Numbers from the old Plaza Hotel. Photo Kate Schelter.

An inspiration board. Photo Kate Schelter.

Lulu is loved by all. A wall of gushing thank you notes. Photo Kate Schelter.

We love Lulu Frost!

“50 Best Travel Destinations” I asked great friends to share their favorite travel spots around the globe, both close to home and far, far off the beaten path. Herein are their responses.

NAME: Maggie Converse
OCCUPATION: Marketing Director, Swakker / Yoga Instructor
TRAVEL DESTINATION: Vienne, France
HOTEL: I WWOOF-ed it www.wwoof.org (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms). I received room and board in exchange for working on an organic farm. Otherwise, stay at La Distillerie in St-Pierre-de-Maille www.la-distillerie.net or a hotel in the neighboring town La Roche-Posay.
RESTAURANT: We made home-cooked meals made with fresh organic produce straight from the garden.
EAT + RIDE: Check out the best quiche in the world on the main square of nearby town, Angles sur L’Anglin (a 30 minute bike ride from St-Pierre-de-Maille.) This area is rich with rolling hills and gorgeous landscapes; perfect for cycling enthusiasts.
BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT: July – September
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: If you happen to visit this region in summertime be sure to catch the many world music performers La Distillerie brings in each weekend. While you enjoy the music, treat yourself to some beer from the local brewery and homemade tartines (open-faced grilled sandwiches.)

La Distillerie in St-Pierre-de-Maille. Photo Maggie Converse.

WWOOF it! Feeding Chickens. Photo Maggie Converse.

Lettuce from the garden. Photo Maggie Converse.

Fresh-picked berries from the garden. Photo Maggie Converse.

Summer tomatoes from the garden! Photo Maggie Converse.

The view of La Distillerie from the town bridge. Photo Maggie Converse.

Take a 30 minute bike ride to Angles sur L'Anglin for the best quiche in the world! Photo Maggie Converse.

“50 Best Travel Destinations” I asked great friends to share their favorite travel spots around the globe, both close to home and far, far off the beaten path. Herein are their responses.

NAME: Carlo Tagliapietra
OCCUPATION: Design Director, Toms Shoes
TRAVEL DESTINATION: Montauk, NY
HOTEL: The Surf Lodge www.thesurflodge.com
RESTAURANT: Joni’s, and Duryea’s for lobster rolls.
BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT: Any time the surf’s up!

Fashion Confidential featured us today along with the likes of designer Alice Temperly and blogger Kristin Knox. Click here to see it. Thanks Fashion Confidential!

Kate's faves on FashionConfidential.com.uk: Paul + Joe stripy cardigan and leopard/ikat bikini, Henrik Vibskov pareo, Philippe Audibert cuff, Antik Batik bag, Stella McCartney sandals.

“50 Best Travel Destinations” I asked great friends to share their favorite travel spots around the globe, both close to home and far, far off the beaten path. Herein are their responses.

NAME: Colombe Jacobsen
OCCUPATION: Personal Chef and Food Consultant / Core Fusion Teacher
TRAVEL DESTINATION: Poggi Del Sasso, Italy
HOTEL: Castello Di Vicarello, www.vicarello.it
RESTAURANT: The Kitchen at the Castello Di Vicarello. Everything there
is homemade. Aurora cooks traditional Tuscan recipes with vegetables
from the garden. Olive oil and wine is house-made.
BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT: Late April – early June.
MUST TASTE: Make sure to ask for the aged Balsamic vinegar while you’re there; it’s the best I’ve ever tasted.

Home cooked meals at Costello di Vicarello.

The kitchen and interior.

Castelo's fresh pecorino. Photo Colombe Jacobsen.

The infinity pool.

The garden.

Dining al fresco. Photo Colombe Jacobsen.

Photo Colombe Jacobsen.

Sunglasses are something I love to wear and love to collect. For some reason, I also love to do watercolor paintings of them. I don’t know why but I can paint the same frame over and over again. Particularly Ray Bans (maybe because they’re so iconic and their design is so refined and attractive.) I have a lot of trouble painting at home in NYC but I always bring my paints with me when I travel and – voila! – inspiration hits!

Some of my shades. I'm a sucker for Ray Ban classics. Photo Kate Schelter.

Painting Wayfarers in Mexico. Behind me are several sketches. Photo Peggy Weymouth.

My mustard-yellow mirror aviators. Watercolor by Kate Schelter.

My black Wayfarers with palm tree reflection. Watercolor by Kate Schelter.

Three of my watercolor paintings hanging in my apartment. I frame them in antique frames I find at estate sales. Watercolors and photo by Kate Schelter.

I also collect art with sunglasses. Hanging on the right is Hugo Guinness's "Elliot with Sunglasses". Photo Kate Schelter.

“50 Best Travel Destinations” I asked great friends to share their favorite travel spots around the globe, both close to home and far, far off the beaten path. Herein are their responses.
NAME: Luigi Tadini
OCCUPATION: Editor, Paper Magazine; Vice President, Tadini Jewelers
TRAVEL DESTINATION: Puebla, Mexico (a UNESCO World Heritage site).
HOTEL: La Purificadora, www.lapurificadora.com, is conveniently located in the heart of the historic center.

La Purificadora. Photo Adriana Zehbrauskas for The New York Times.

RESTAURANT: The hotel has excellent contemporary cuisine and a fresh breakfast. Also head to nearby Casona de la China Poblana’s where you can enjoy a delicious poblano meal on a beautiful patio.

Pueblo is famous for traditional Poblano mole sauce.

BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT: January, when the weather hits 80 degrees during the day and a comfortable 40 degrees at night.
MORE: The New York Times did a great slideshow of Puebla; see it here.

Luigi in Puebla. Photo Luigi Tadini.

Plaza de la Constitución in the old city. Photo Luigi Tadini.

SITE SEEING: For those seeking a little culture, Puebla is home to 365 gilded baroque churches, Aztec pyramids, and awe-inspiring 17th century libraries. Here are some highlights:

Biblioteca Palafoxiana – 17th century residence of an important Bishop, now used for cultural events and the magnificent second-floor library founded in 1646. The vast and ornate room holds 50,000 volumes.

Museo Amparo – Among Mexico’s most extensive private collections of pre-Hispanic and colonial art.

Escuela de la Talavera Poblana – Artisans from Talavera, Spain brought their ceramic techniques to Puebla back in the colonial era. Today, dozens of local artist studios continue to produce the vivid Talavera pottery: colored tiles and dishware are featured and for sale at the schools courtyard and shops.

Capilla del Rosario – Puebla’s most dazzling chapel, built in 1690 is the tantamount of Mexican Baroque architecture features the use of onyx and an altar made entirely of gold.

Capilla del Rosario chapel. Photo Luigi Tadini.

Catedral de la Concepcion Inmaculada – One of Mexico’s largest churches is also located in the historic center’s square, a perfect place for an afternoon drink and for people watching. The interior of the impressive monument features 14 chapels and an unparalleled display of colonial religious art.

Hotel Meson Sacristia de la Compania. Photo by Meson Sacristia.

Last night at a lovely cocktail party at the John Robshaw’s showroom, I sampled the most delicious mini cupcake I have ever consumed. And then I ate another. And another. Move over Magnolia, Tully’s Bakery’s cupcakes are gluten free (and preservative-free), golf-ball-sized yummy bombs! I’m not a sweet tooth at all but these bite size bundles of deliciousness are perfect. Tully’s Gluten-Free Bakery 338 East 11th Street, NY, NY.

My favorite are the chocolate cupcakes with cream cheese icing.

I think I first read about Lonny in last month's Vanity Fair. Page from Lonny Magazine.

Have you seen Lonny Magazine? (Sorry, I couldn’t resist the pun with Doug E Fresh and Slick Rick’s song “La Di Da Di.” Lonny is actually a combination of the words London and NY.) It is a new beautiful, inspiring digital home/interiors publication that you scroll through just like a normal magazine… except for it’s online which means it has automatic links to the websites of every product it lists. Pretty genius and user friendly. And it’s loaded with illustrative pictures, savvy tips, pithy profiles of design types. Click here to view Lonny.

Page from Lonny Magazine.

Page from Lonny Magazine.

Inside the atrium of The American Museum of Natural History, on New York’s Upper West Side, there are four walls on which founder, Teddy Roosevelt’s, quotes are set in beautiful typographic and poetic prose (there’s no punctuation). I find his words ever-inspiring, especially for the new year. I hope his words brighten your day.

MANHOOD
A MANS USEFULNESS DEPENDS
UPON HIS LIVING UP TO HIS IDEALS
INSOFAR AS HE CAN

IT IS HARD TO FAIL BUT IT
IS WORSE NEVER TO HAVE TRIED
TO SUCCEED

ALL DARING AND COURAGE
ALL IRON ENDURANCE OF MISFORTUNE
MAKE FOR A FINER NOBLER TYPE
OF MANHOOD

ONLY THOSE ARE FIT TO LIVE
WHO DO NOT FEAR TO DIE AND NONE
ARE FIT TO DIE WHO HAVE SHRUNK
FROM THE JOY OF LIFE AND THE
DUTY OF LIFE

- THEODORE ROOSEVELT

I mean, how gallant is he? Courage! Inspiration! Thank you, Teddy.