I have been a fan of her blog ever since I first laid eyes on it,  two years ago. I love her work and often felt we shared an aesthetic. So, when she emailed me out of the blue this cold January to ask to get together and, oh, yeah, take your picture, I had to keep from jumping out of my skin with excitement. She is one of my favorite photographers and you know what it’s like to meet your idols in life!! I had to act cool. Instead, we immediately started exchanging stories and jokes, and hours and hours flew by. Just like that.

© Photo Garance Doré www.garancedore.fr/en/

And then she asked me another favor: would I write a NYC guide? (I am a Gemini, and anyone who follows astrology knows that we are walking databases!) So I had two heart attacks, one after the other!! Just like a teenage girl.

© Photo Garance Doré www.garancedore.fr/en/

Thank you, Garance!!

Actually it smells like earth. Right after it’s rained in the spring. Do you know that smell? Not dirt garbage; dirt soil. Turns out this new Hermes unisex scent is based on the gentian flower and is incredibly wearable. But it’s not floral at all. It lasts and lingers, but it’s not too overwhelming. A scent “palatte neutraliser”, like smelling a jar of coffee beans after testing too many other perfumes. It brings you back to center.
Addictive like that worn in, cashmere sweater that you stole from your boyfriend and wear every day, and earthy like the sexy older sister (of the bright Hermes classic eau d’orange vert) who wears a smoky eye, no bra, and never brushes her long flowing hair.

Hermes Eau de Gentiane Blanche cologne.

I love red lipstick and I love to paint red lipstick. Watercolor by Kate Schelter.

Today, the amazing Garance Doré (who writes one of my very favorite blogs that I check maniacally everyday, and whom I met in September at Fashion Week — she is the sweetest, warmest most talented girl) posted a beautiful illustration she did of her red lipstick. I love red lipstick. In fact, I did several lipstick watercolors last August during the summer rain on my mom’s porch in Cape Cod. Everyone wondered why I decided to paint my lipstick (and then my Mason Pearson hairbrush, and then my Shu Uemura eyelash curler) but I was all the sudden interested in painting little things that I love. Here are my paintings in an ode to Garance who inspired me and made me so happy today. Yes, it makes me happy that somewhere out there, there is someone whom I admire that also loves red lipstick and to draw lipstick.

My Chanel red lipstick No 88 Saturn. Watercolor by 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: Olivia Chantecaille
OCCUPATION: Creative Director, Chantecaille Beauté
TRAVEL DESTINATION: Saint Barthelemy, French West Indies
HOTEL: Private Villa
RESTAURANTS: Maya’s is owned and Run by Maya and her husband Randy. It is on the water where they serve delicious, local food and make you feel like family. You will always run into familiar or famous faces. L’Esprit de Saline (off of Saline beach) is set in a covered garden and they serve amazing local food with an Asian touch. Lastly, for a change of cuisine, I love L’Isola in Gustavia. It serves the best pasta that makes you feel like you are in Italy. Go to Le Piment in St. Jean for the most delicious paninis.
BEACHES: For swimming, Gouverneur and Saline Beach are two of my favorite places to spend the day and go for long swims. I love Anthelios sunscreen for the body from the local pharmacy. (The SPF is much less toxic than most and it is much more affordable than in the States.)

BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT: December – August. (Beware, September – November is hurricane season).
TRAVEL RECOMMENDATION: For those afraid of the tiny puddle jumper plane to the island, I recommend renting a boat. It takes 45 minutes and the minute you set foot off the plane and onto the water you immediately feel on vacation and all of the stress of city life melts away.
INSPIRATION: I got married in St.Barts this past year and spent quite a bit of time there. One of my favorite moments was at the end of a long day of swimming, when the sun was beginning to go down, I would sit on the terrace of our villa looking out at the calm water and the metallic reflections of the setting sun over the mirror-like sea. The mix of cool grays and rose blended with the warm light strongly inspired me for our new color palette for Spring 2010.

Flying into St Barths: Not for the faint of heart. Photo Michel Hasson.

I love this video for the song Any Fun by Coconut Records (Jason Schwartzman), featuring Chloe Sevigny. I also love Chloe’s hair, her Baja top, smiling (in general), and having fun. (Shout out to CJS for showing this to me. Fun-ie!)

Click on the images below to watch it. The video is by William Strobeck and Mark Gonzales.

1. Spray Bumble + Bumble Surf Spray onto damp clean hair.

2. Blow dry or air dry as desired. Do not brush.

3. Take your hands around a small front lock of hair (about a pencil in diameter) and rub vigorously back and forth, just as you would if you were gambling and you’d just tossed the dice. Rub and repeat as desired.

4. Continue throughout the day as you like.

5. Spritz with Bumble + Bumble Tonic. Voila!

1. TOMS Shoes Comfier than Vans, lighter than a flip flop, and way more charitable than any other fashion company, TOMS are my favorite summer shoe for everyday wear. An instant classic up there with Haviannas, Reefs and your gladiator sandals. Every pair you buy for your cute little feet, guarantees a FREE pair to child in need. www.tomsshoes.com

Toms Shoes

2. Essie Nail Polish in Short Shorts When you’re not covering your toes with Toms, paint them neon pink, to go perfectly peeking out from your black Alaia strappy heels.

Who wears short shorts? We wear short shorts!

3. Bumble + Bumble Surf Spray Who you callin’ Surfer Girl? Whether you live at the beach and actually know how to surf, or never leave your Tribecca loft, this product will give your hair the just-swam-in-the sea-and-air-dried-on-the-beach texture and feel.

4. Neutrogena UltraSheer Dry Touch Sunblock SPF 80 Do what your mother says: cover up and protect your baby soft skin from the sun. This UVA + UVB blocker is so light that you don’t feel it at all, and it doesn’t let in any harmful rays. Editors choice of Allure magazine, it is also endorsed by the American Cancer Society. Another tip: squeeze some zinc oxide onto the bridge of your nose, and across your cheekbones, life guard style, to really create an opaque shield.

5. L’Oreal Sublime Bronze Now that you’re covered in sunscreen doesn’t mean you must forgo your tan. Quite the opposite. Layer on this self tanner and watch your inner bronze blossom. Try mixing half and half with a basic body lotion and the effects are a little more subtle and elegant.

Work your inner Brazilian

6. Rope Bracelets Need we say more? A classic that will surely say “I’ve been at the beach all summer” even if you haven’t been at all.

Naughty Yachty!

7.  Ice Cream Memorial Day through Labor day, the best ice cream one can experience is served up at Four Seas in Centerville on Cape Cod. Bordering the Kennedy compound in Hyannis Port, this is where Caroline Kennedy’s ice cream was from that was served at her wedding. Try Mint Chip, Coconut, Mocha Chip, Fresh Peach and Peppermint Stick. The lobster roll is the best one I’ve ever had.

Best Cape Cod lobster roll and ice cream

8. Alex Katz Beach Towel By Works on Whatever. Soft, plush and stylish. Wide enough to sunbathe a deux. Available at The Standard Hotel in Miami or Shop Works on Whatever.

Works on Whatever towels

9. Hugo Guiness canvas tote from John Derian.

10. Hermes Eau d’Orange Verte Refreshing, lite, and lemony. You can’t over-do this when it’s hot out.

Fragrance as refreshing as a Hendricks gin gimlet