anthropologie

a few weeks ago, i was lucky enough to receive an invite from my friend emily to a book signing at the Rockefeller Center Anthropologie store.

but really, the highlight was the champagne and empty store that we got to peruse.

if you've never been to new york city at christmas time (Nov. 1 - Jan. 7) then you have not the slightest idea of what a crowded store looks like. first, let me refresh your memories that most of the stores in Rock Center have 3 floors: basement, first and second. the basement is typically the men's section of the store, while the 1st and 2nd floors are devoted to women and/or kids. so, backtrack, three floors does not equal less crowded, it equals 3x as crowded at christmas time.

so retailers beware: 3x as crowded equals julia doesn't want to step foot into the store at christmas time, unless there is free champane offered.


note: this is not the first anthropologie event i've attended. my first was at the store opening in Austin, TX with danielle of so great. there was also free champagne at that event.

i promised pictures

so here they are. an eclectic bunch from the texas weekend extravaganzaaaaaaaaaaa.

the happy couple!

house party with the lovely bride

sarah and i

this looks more awkward then it really was... i swear!

sibs.

sister! sister!

wine - that costs $

today on a rare jaunt away from the office during lunchtime, i was enjoying my BOGO from Jamba Juice while strolling back through the intermittent clouds with Emily and Abigail, wondering how it can be cold in july. don't get me wrong, i'm not complaining about the weather, it is absolutely delightful, just curious is all. so it was during this thought session that Abigail enlightened me on this fab sounding place called City Winery.



basically it's a regular wine bar, no big deal right? well ya, but the big deal they do have is this: you can create your own barrel of wine. a barrel, people! that barrel makes about 250 bottles of your customized brew. to start the process you go in and meet with wine consultants (what a great job) and determine what flavor, body, style, color, and other characteristics you want your wine to have.

once your barrel is complete, you can go into the restaurant and drink it, have it bottled for dinner parties at your house (how awesome!?!), or do whatever you wish with it. the cost to create your own wine comes in at a cool $5,000, but you can split it by up to five people. any takers?

maybe if you hear what i've decided to do with the wine you'll want in? ok fine, i'll give you a small synopsis below.

my ideal wine would be a rose (since it's summer and roses seem appropriate) and i would have 100 bottles prepared with a very nice orange/peach/pink paisley (similar to the paisley in the guitar)




the label would have gold embossed type, and it would be called: Vacheron. i would have the cask shipped to my summer home somewhere in between NYC and Cape Cod (if it existed, it would look eerily similar to the cottage below which is actually a home/palace in Newport, RI built for Cornelius Vanderbilt).



for whatever reason, or maybe no reason at all i'd be throwing a party for all my nearest and dearest. the wine would be paired with the appetizers and then brought out again at the end of the evening and be given out as a party favor. one per couple please! oh! and it would be a themed party too: Great Gatsby/Kentucky Derby, think Daisy, and big hats, and...colored seersucker! how lovely right?

getaway gear!

as i'm gearing up for my summer travels to texas and europe x2, i've been daydreaming about luggage and other goodies i may need to have to complete the look. so it was quite convenient that this fab luggage provider just entered my radar.

they are called Streamline Luggage, and they have some of the most unnecessary luggage that i've ever wanted. honestly, what's a gal to do if she can't travel in style? (what, you mean we're in the middle of a recession and i should be lucky to be travelling at all?? puh-shaww)

please take a look and let me know your favorite pieces! mine is most definitely the Ambassador Series carry on in brown and white, or white and brown, or white and tan, or all of them?