The New Year......

I started researching the history of champagne flutes and got side tracked! Here are some interesting tidbits about the holiday New Year's......call it a refresher course for those who were not paying attention in history class, like me!

Did you know that New Year's is one of the oldest celebrated holidays? It was first observed 4000 years ago in ancient Babylon usually in late March,  the beginning of the year was considered to be at the time of the first new moon after the first day of the spring season. The Romans also celebrated New Year's during March until Julius Caesar changed the Roman New Year's Day to January 1 in 46 BC, hence the Julian calendar. The month of January was named after the Roman god, Janus, the God of all beginnings. Janus was always depicted with two faces, one looking back to the old year (past) and one looking ahead to the new year (future).


New Year resolutions.... This tradition also dates back to the early Babylonians. The early Babylonian's most popular resolution was to return borrowed farm equipment.....now that is a far cry from my favorite.....loosing weight. Mmmmmm returning farm equipment might be easier!

The New Year's Eve celebration....it was thought that one could affect their luck in the new year by what they did or ate on the first day of the new year..... For that reason, it has become common to celebrate the first few minutes of a new year in the company of family and friends, and loved ones..........

The narrow fluted glass that we are familiar with today was chosen because of its ability to preserve the delicate bubbles for which champagne is famous. This shape also allows you to experience the fine aromas of the high-quality base wines from which it is made. Note that the flute should be filled with only four ounces of champagne (never to the top), this allows you do enjoy the aromas of the yeasty bouquet while the bubbles are not allowed to dominate, but are part of the overall pleasure.

Cheers.....

Happy New Year!

http://www.mydigitalfc.com/news/new-trends-art-drinking-champagne-761

Monday Morning Music Pick......... Ive Mendes "If You Leave Me Now"

Often referred to as the Brazilian Sade....her songs can be found on Felix's CD's from Music Bar LouisBoston, and Bergdorf Goodman Volume 1. Great voice......

http://www.sonodea.com/

A Very Merry Christmas

Christmas is my favorite of all holidays. It comes too quickly and is gone in a flash but leaves warm memories that linger for life times. As a follow up  to the last few posts...... our breakfast was great! Turned out perfect in our Juliska baking dish. 

We did top it with the strawberries and fresh maple syrup.........

Simple red tulips in my favorite Frances Palmer vase

My youngest has taken a fancy to cooking while attending college in the famous city of food, New Orleans!  So I turned over the job of chef cook and become the chef bottle washer this holiday. It was fun, amazing food,.....not to mention I learned a few things!  He made this incredible roast, with potatoe au gratin,  brocoli, and I did make the beet and pear salad with feta cheese.

The beet and pear salad

It was a great day! 

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas. Thank you for following Timeless Cool and a big thank you to those who share with me their cool  finds.  Cheers and on to 2010!

Monday Morning Music....www.sonodea

This week Felix was DJ' ing at Louis Boston and saw Carly Simon who gave him a copy of her new CD, which Felix reports is great! Here is one of the songs on the CD A great gift for all the Carly Simon fans!
If you are in Boston, he is there this week also.....come across the way Felix and say HI!

"Never Been Gone"

Vote Luxist Awards Temple St Claire www.luxist.com

One of my favorite designers that I have been following for years, Temple St Claire has just been nominated for Luxist.com’s Readers Choice in Best Accessories for Jewelry! Please cast your vote for her! http://www.luxist.com/awards-vote/accessories-awards

I never tire of her designs. I have collected her pieces over the years and they are timeless. Here are some of my favorites!

18K gold flower earrings with blue moonstones and diamonds.

 Rock Crystal heart pendant set in 18K gold on a black leather cord.

The man behind the music.....Felix Cutillo

Do you want to meet the man behind the music? He will be DJ'ing the Louis Boston Music Bar from 11am-6pm, December 17th, 18th, 19th, 21st, 22nd, and 23rd!

Women Designing for Women...... Claridge and King

Sister's Lauren and Lizbeth grew up in the 80's and loved stealing dad's classic oxford shirts. Continuing with their fascination of classic menswear, the sisters took it to the next level Claridge and King and developed a line of clothing designed around classic men's wear fabric and tailoring! The rest is history!


Check out "The Shirt" and add a little monogram to make it your own! http://claridgeandking.com



I have to thank my network of friends and fam, who support my every growing list of cool things. This I owe to my friend Deb in sunny California....... Thanks for sharing Deb!

Check out this list of famous "shirt" moments in the movies from their website!

Monday Morning Music Pick....www.sonodea.com

I have not seen this movie, but the reviews and the music obviously add this to the list of things I must do......
Thank you Felix and http://www.sonodea.com/

Great Design.....endless

A quick exercise to remind us when looking for great design, it could turn up anywhere! Yes…. these are all toasters, but not just any toaster, they are all cool...........they range from run of the mill simple with great shape, off the wall, literally (really a toaster that produces a toasted design?), and sleek. ... My personal favorite is the last by Alessi with the cool attachment to toast your croissant to perfection!

If you must have....... http://www.lbgreen.com/ItemDetail.aspx?id=60622

It's Monday Morning Music Pick....by Felix Cutillo

Great Music to start off the week.....North End - Kind of Life (Kind of Love) (MAW Remix)........thank you for sharing Felix!

Simple Seath Sea Pearl Designs by Anna Hu Haute Joaillerie

Simple..... Classic..... Timeless......

South Sea Pearls

They are some things that should be in every girls jewelry box and Pearls happen to one of them. Whether you are wearing jeans or dressing like a princess shown above,  they never go out of style. 

Drew Barrymore wore  a Anna Hu Haute Joaillerie pearl ring and set of pearl stud earrings to the Primetime Emmy Awards in September when she was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress for her performance in HBO's "Grey Gardens", (which is fabulous if you have not seen it!).  The ring Drew wore was a 18k white gold "Innocence" ring,  with a 12.5mm South Sea Pearl at its center and is surrounded by 26 round diamonds with a total weight of 0.46 ct. and South Sea Pearl stud earrings, that were 6mm. Simple, not to much, not too little!

Visit the Anna Hu boutique in NYC’s Plaza Hotel. The Taiwan-born designers' impressive training at Van Cleef & Arpels and  Harry Winston,  as well as her talent as a former classical cellist,  are reflected in her impressive designs.

WIT WISDSOM and SERIOUS FUN Jessica Kagan Cushman

Very Creative....Having learned scrimshaw from her father, who took up the craft in the 1960's in Nantucket, Jessica has taken the artform to a new (and slightly un-orthodox) level - creating scrimshawed antique ivory bracelets that lie somewhere between a tattoo and a bumper sticker. Love it!!!


http://www.jessicacushman.com/