The Cocktail Hour: White Cosmo

A slightly different take on the cocktail made famous by the ladies of Sex and the City. Slip on a sassy little frock and your stilettos and let your inner Carrie (or Miranda, Charlotte, or Samantha!) ease into the weekend with this yummy and slightly tart beverage!

White Cosmo

1 1/2 oz. Smirnoff Vodka

1/2 oz. orange liqueur

1/4 oz. lime juice

2 oz. white cranberry juice

white or red cranberries for garnish

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add 1 ½ oz. Smirnoff Vodka, ½ oz. orange liqueur, ¼ oz. lime juice and 2 oz. white cranberry juice. Stir until icy cold and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a white or red cranberry.

Makes 1 serving

recipe via the L.C.B.O

A Reader Asks: Do You Tip on a Free Service?

Dear Lily,
              when you receive a complimentary service, should you tip the person performing the service? I received a free bang trimming at my salon and was wondering if I should have tipped the stylist who did it and if so how much?

Thanks,
G from Toronto


Dear G,
            who to tip, when to tip and how much seems to be a bit of a confusing road for some of us. There is a rule I like to follow in these situations; if someone has performed a service where they have personally interacted with me and that interaction has benefited me, pleased me or just made my day a little nicer, I like to tip them regardless of whether I have paid for the service directly or indirectly.
For example, my family likes to occasionally dine at a restaurant that is owned by a friend of ours. Every once in awhile, our friend treats us by picking up the tab (what a nice guy, right!)  but we still leave a tip for the waitress that served us that evening. Regardless of who pays the bill, the waitress is still an individual who performed the service of taking your order, bringing your food to the table and making sure that your dining experience was pleasurable.
If you are happy with a service that you have received, whether you have paid for it or not, the person who performed the service should be tipped if they merit it and you are so inclined.

Regards,

In Love With...Kenneth Jay Lane's 'Red Strawberry' Pendant

I can never resist a fabulous accessory, especially one that adds a pinch of the season to your outfit without looking too kitschy. I was instantly smitten with this delicious red strawberry pendant from Kenneth Jay Lane that whispers fab summer chic to me every time I look at it!

The Mad Hatters of the Monarchy at Royal Ascot 2011

No one dishes 'good hat' like the British Royals and this week was no exception. The lovely ladies of the monarchy sported some fabulous millinery confections at Royal Ascot 2011, leading us to cheer long live the art of the hat!

 Queen Elizabeth II

Princess Beatrice of York

Princess Anne, the Princess Royal

Princess Eugenie of York

Princess Michael of Kent, The Duchess of Cornwall and Carole Middleton (mother of Catherine, The Duchess of Cambridge) in counter-clockwise order.

Princess Haya of Jordan, Sheikha of Dubai

Sophie, Countess of Wessex

My absolute favorite of the royal mad hatters! Sophie Wessex never disappoints when it comes to a delightful creation perched on top of her blonde head. She was in such good form this week that I had to add this last one from the Order of the Garter service earlier in the week!

How cheeky!!

Who was your choice for 'best in hat'?

The Lovely Ones: Kirk Douglas

Kirk Douglas

(Issur Danielovitch)

On the Cover: Carey Mulligan at Vogue

Carey Mulligan as photographed by Mario Testino for Vogue (October 2010)



The Lovely Ones: Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera

(María Carolina Josefina Pacanins y Niño)

The Cocktail Hour: The Lilypad

It's been a dreadfully long week for me, the kind of week that makes you breathe a little sigh of relief when you look up and realize it is finally Friday. A few moments to unwind are a must this evening and I am sure that the little shot of tequila in this crimson cocktail couldn't hurt!  Plus with a pretty little name like this, how could I resist?!

The Lilypad

1 1/2 oz. Milagro Silver Tequila

1/2 oz. Lillet Blanc

1/2 oz. Lillet Rouge

1 1/2 oz. apple juice

1/4 oz. agave nectar

1/4 oz. fresh lime juice

Combine ingredients and shake well. Serve up in a cocktail glass. Garnish with a blood orange wheel and serve.

Makes 1 serving

*recipe via Marie Claire

Look of the Day: Catherine, The Duchess of Cambridge in Jenny Packham

We are well aware that we have featured the same fashionista twice in a row but how could we resist the lovely Duchess in this beyond fabulous dress??!!

The Duchess of Cambridge brought the glam when she attended the ARK 10th Anniversay Gala Dinner in London, England on June 9, 2011. Accompanied by her husband Prince William, who was also the keynote speaker for the evening, the former Kate Middleton looked stunning in a rose hued Jenny Packham pearlescent gown adorned with Swarovski crystals. The sheer sleeve and slinky material added to the light, airy feel of the frock which the Duchess paired with blush colored LK Bennett 'Agata' suede sandals and a pink satin box clutch from Prada.

What do you think of The Duchess of Cambridge's Look of the Day?

Profiles In Style With.....Vir Beatum from Being Manly

It's easy to believe that being a true gentleman has fallen out of favour but all is not lost my friends. There are a few fine men who land between the overtly suave metrosexual that pushes past you at the cosmetics counter and the rough brute ahead of you who lets the door swing back in your face without a flinch. These gents have taken up the task of bringing manliness back into fashion. One of these modern bastions of righteous behaviour is known as Vir Beatum, the dapper fellow at the helm of Being Manly. Pondering daily on life, style and worldly  pursuits, the historian and blogger was kind enough to spend a few moments with us, shedding light on his own personal take on the art of 'being manly'.

How do you describe your personal style...Englishman abroad. I was once accused of being ‘prep’, but a duel sorted that out.

Style Icon(s)...Lord Sebastian Flyte, or, on a bad day, Charles Ryder.

Modern day style crush...Timothy Everest.

Go-to outfit...Grey flannel suit, brown Oxfords.

Accessory you can’t live without...Black gentleman’s umbrella.

Current weekend uniform...Linen boating blazer and slacks.

Signature scent...Dior Intense.

Most coveted item in your wardrobe...Shoes get the most attention, mainly because people see a good pair so infrequently. I have a pair of Gruppo Forall brown Derby shoes that are just the ticket.

Must-have grooming essential...A traditional safety razor and badger-hair shaving brush. Ritual is everything.

Best style/grooming advice you have ever heard...Tricky one; there are so many. Real men wear pink, perhaps? That’s not too practical though. Tailor off-the-peg clothes so that they fit. It’s the best way to make mid-range look top shelf.

You can never have too many...Pairs of outrageous socks. But one pair of novelty socks is too many.

Style “Don’t”/Pet Peeve...I had not realised until I addressed this that I have so many pet peeves. It’s probably unhealthy. At random: men who fasten all of the buttons on their suit jackets.

Favourite style era...1930s.

Trend you could do without...I could pretty much do without trends altogether.

What will never go out of style...The gentleman.

East coast or West coast...East, I suppose. I’m a recovering Bostonian.

Currently obsessed with...I’m a temperate man, so I’d hope to check an obsession. But I’m perennially fond of P.G. Wodehouse.

Favorite night out...Cocktails at Café Einstein, before the Philharmoniker in Berlin.

Favorite city/vacation destination...Montreal.

Favorite sites...NYC skyline; St. Pancras station, London; Unter den Linden, Berlin; Harvard Yard.

Favorite film...Annie Hall

Favorite quote...‘The procrastinator is always wrestling with ruin’. Hesiod, Works and Days.

Always searching for the perfect...That would describe me quite well.

Greatest extravagance hanging in your closet/wardrobe...A certain pair of plaid trousers.

Never leave home without...A handkerchief. Or two.

Signature cocktail...Classic gin martini. Before offering me vodka, please consult with the man who called me ‘prep’.

Go-to gift...Books.

Currently reading...Elizabeth Gaskell, Wives and Daughters; Gustave Flaubert, L’Education sentimentale; Donna Tartt, The Secret History.

Ultimate luxury splurge...I’ve coveted a Rickenbacker 330 for at least the last fifteen years. That’s a guitar, by the way.

Never travel without...My wife, if I can help it.

Dream dinner guest... Living: Stephen Fry; Dead: Thucydides.

What inspires you...That which endures.

Hobby/pastime you could not live without... Anything one cannot live without must be far more important than a ‘hobby’. To that end, I could not live without playing an acoustic guitar.

It wouldn’t be ‘my’ party without... My friends.

Life would be grand if I could start every day.....On time.

If I could bring back one thing it would be....The wearing of hats – proper hats. The male head used to be an elegant place, but the modern bonnet tends only to cheapen it.

Stranded on a desert island, what 5 things could you not live without...A guitar; pen, ink and paper (I’m counting that as one); Test Match Special (BBC cricket coverage); an umbrella; bug spray.

Why Don’t You....: Polish your shoes. People will think more highly of you, but they won’t be able to put their finger on why.

1. Timothy Everest     2. Dior Homme Intense     3. St. Pancras Station, London, UK

4. Fulton 'Minister' men's umbrella    5. The Secret History    6. Harvard Yard, Cambridge, MA.

7. the classic Gin martini    8. Montreal, Quebec    9. Rickenbacker 330
10. Stephen Fry    11. Annie Hall

A Reader Asks: What's That You Say....Is That 'Miss' or 'Mrs.' Robinson?

Dear Lily,
                I never changed my last name after I got married for professional reasons. Recently, I started dropping off my granddaughter at school and when her teacher referred to me by my granddaughter's (and my husband's) last name, I politely corrected her, telling her that I go by my maiden name. The teacher has started to call me Miss ______ which for some reason just doesn't sit well with me, I feel it's inappropriate for a woman my age (I'm in my late fifties). I don't want to make a big deal out of it by mentioning it to her but just out of curiosity I was wondering what is the right way to address a grown woman like myself who is married and has kept her maiden name?

Truly,
Louise


Dear Louise,
                      since it has become very commonplace for married women to use their maiden names regardless of professional status, to avoid confusion the most accepted form of address is 'Ms.' when referring to any woman over the age of eighteen when you are unsure of her marital status or preference.
If the lady is married, she can be addressed by either form, 'Ms.' or 'Mrs.' accompanied by the last name she prefers and uses. For example, if a married woman has never changed her maiden name she would be referred to as Ms. Jones. If she has changed her name to her husband/partner's, she could be referred to as Mrs. Brown or Ms. Brown. (If the woman is single and over the age of 18, the form 'Ms.' would be used once again.)
The term 'Miss' is usually reserved for a single woman under the age of eighteen (and for some reason makes people think of an old maid or spinster if used in reference to anyone older 30) so I can understand why you might feel a little discomfort with someone using that form of address with you.  While I am sure the teacher didn't mean any harm by how she addressed you, there is nothing wrong with politely correcting her the next time she addresses you in a way that makes you uncomfortable.

Regards,

Visit with us each and every Wednesday for 'A Reader Asks'.

Have a question on proper etiquette, good manners or social civility you need answered?

Email your questions to asklily@lilylemontree.com

Look of the Day: Catherine, The Duchess of Cambridge

Catherine, The Duchess of Cambridge, looked every inch the princess at the Epsom Derby in Epsom, England on June 4, 2011. The Duchess, in a slightly more mature look than what we usually see from her, looked absolutely lovely in a bone hued, collarless jacket and matching dress with sheer skirt. She paired a gold clutch and nude patent leather platform pumps with the summery suit and who could miss that structured straw beret in a mushroom tone.

No confirmed word yet as to the origins of any of the pieces (possibly jacket by Joseph Nessie, dress by Reiss and shoes by LK Bennett?).

What do you think of The Duchess of Cambridge's Look of the Day?



Style Crush: Olivia Palermo

Anyone who visits with us regularly knows that we are absolutely smitten with the adorable Olivia Palermo. The celebrity and NYC socialite has perfected the art of mixing high end pieces with inexpensive trendy items, giving her that enviable chic city look we adore! She shares our love of dramatic jewellery that takes center stage, eye-catching accessories (like the killer shoes she adds to every outfit!) and the occasional pop of bright color. (She also seems to share our love of a real smile, how refreshing!)

Definitely an `IT` girl in our books!



Look of the Day: Salma Hayek Pinault in Gucci

Salma Hayek Pinault was every inch the bombshell at the 'Il Mondo Vi Appartiene' dinner in Venice, Italy on June 1, 2011. She looked simply stunning in a sparkly one shouldered, maroon cocktail dress and shrug, both by Gucci, that she paired with a multi-hued python clutch and luxe platform peep-toes.

Now, we know what you are thinking. We are usually not big fans of gratuitous cleavage (even less so when the lady is as ample chested as Mrs. Hayek Pinault!) and frankly, when the first images of the lady came across our screens early this morning (before we had a sip of coffee and grabbed our specs!), we did initially reach for the old smelling salts! But when our vision came into focus, we were floored at how gorgeous she looked. Sophisticated vixen at its finest!

Can we say 'va va voom!!"



What do you think of Salma Hayek Pinault's Look of the Day?