Helping Social Butterflies Fly High

I've long been a fan of the Hollywood Regency style. Society Social is a new online source that serves up heaping servings of such high society items, but at a low society price. All at societysocial.com. 

Hostess with the mostess indeed! This hostess gown comes in five colors, including canary yellow and basic black. $165.

The Marilyn Sofa can be upholstered in 40 different color combos, including Bengal Mocha and Bengal Tan. Meow! $749.

As a "woman of a certain age," I'm more Master Gardener than mixologist. So instead of using one of these fabulous bar carts as a receptacle for rye, I'd use it to move a collection of orchids and succulents from window to window. $439.

J'adore The Fifi. This folding chair with class comes in two metallic finishes and 11 high gloss colors. Perfect for last-minute fêtes. $189.

Glamour + Camping = Glamping!

With this delicious chill in the air, I have lately had dreams of embracing this phenomenon called glamping (i.e. glamorous camping). Enter The Neiman Marcus Christmas catalog, which was just unveiled two weeks ago. It features this $75,000 "Dream Folly" yurt. 

It is strewn with velvet pillows and also includes linen wall coverings and a crystal chandelier. S'mores and champagne, anyone?

 

This photo by Rick Lucas reveals the enchanted interior of the "Bohemian Bungalow" at The Martyn House in the North Georgia mountains, where glamping is the order of the day. Among the services are candlelit dinners and foot massages. Yes, that sound you hear is my car warming up for the drive.

This is the exterior of the "Bohemian Bungalow." Did I mention that The Martyn House also offers farm-to-table dinners and mint julep hand wraps?

Of course, I'd be remiss if I did not mention the glampest of all glampers, Peter Beard. For decades he has created reveries in the form of diaries at his 45-acre Hog Ranch, Kenya. Does it get any more glamorous than a tent strewn with oriental rugs and surrounded by African wildlife? Hog Ranch is located next to the property on which Karen Blixen, of "Out of Africa" fame, once had her coffee plantation. Now that's glamour. (Photo by Alexandre Bailhache, reproduced with permission from Taschen Books).

Taking it easy à la Madame Recamier

Jeanne Francoise Julie Adelaide Recamier, known as Madame Recamier, was born in Lyons, France in 1777. 

 A socialite and great beauty, she kept up a salon where famous minds spoke theirs.

An 1802 marble bust of Madame Recamier by Joseph Chinard.

Most importantly, Madame Recamier lounged on this gorgeous divan seen here in this Jacques-Louis David painting. It was ultimately named for her ... the récamier. On chilly days like today, I would love to be at home, nibbling on Ladurée macarons, lounging on a récamier and watching French films. Le sigh.