The Great Unknown Becomes KNOWN!

Good morning! I do hope you are having a lovely Friday! Lovely, charming and fabulous BLC :0 at The Company She Keeps tagged me to uncover TEN previously unknown things about me! HO HO! This could get interesting!

#1) I'm a tiny thing! I barely break five foot on a good day and most bracelets and watches need to be adjusted so I can wear them. Lilly Pulitzer should look into making a line for petites. No joke.

#2) I always thought I would become a lawyer. So did everyone else. I was the star of my high school debate team and I won numerous speaking awards in my youth. I was a political science major and was really on the road to being "legally brunette" but after I graduated, the thought just didn't seem appealing. I was a little burned out. I may go back to school someday, but right now I am happy with the way things are.

#3) I may be a 'Charlotte' now, but at one point I was considered a 'Miranda'. It's weird how people change, isn't it? All through my life I've always been considered 'the smart one' and before I met Skipp, I was FIERCELY independent. Let's not forget #2, everyone assumed I would go into law. I also really love red hair. Having kids out of wedlock? Notsomuch.

#4) I'm obsessed with potato salad. Ok, maybe this is a stretch. I just think potato salad is such a yummy food. I like the all american kind with egg and mayo, but I also like the vegan kind (found at Whole Foods!) or the Mediterranean kind made with vinegar and oil. It is such a versatile food. Light and delicious!

#5) Skipp and I have toyed with the idea of living abroad. I come from a very international family and Skipp and I have seriously considered throwing caution to the wind and living in Europe or Japan for a few years before we have children. Imagine all the exciting home wares we could pick up from all over the World to decorate with?!? Exciting!

#6) I'm an only child...and the youngest of four. This is sort of a long story that really deserves it's own post. Some day I'll explain the whole thing.

#7) I have a fear of bridges. One day many years ago when I was sailing in Santa Barbara, someone made a comment about how deep the water was below us and I got this sinking feeling in my stomach. I LOVE being on the water, but every once in a while I will think about all that space below and get a little nervous. Ever since I was very small I have had a fear of heights. I trace it back to being very very young and seeing my BFF Tara fall from the top of the slide. I was standing at the top and looking down at her bleeding on the floor. Tres traumatic.

In college, I went up to San Francisco, where my roommate was from and we were on a bridge and all at once I got that same sinking feeling. I had no idea! We don't have big bridges in Los Angeles!!! I was completely terrified and my eyes were all buggy eyed the whole time we were there. It makes sense, really. Being very very very high over very very very deep water. Makes me very uncomfortable.

#8) I am the World's best WHISTLER. HAHA! This one is so random. I don't know when or where I learned how to whistle but I can whistle ANYTHING. And WELL! I'm a horrid singer, but get me whistling and you have a party! I don't get to showcase my talents very often since whistling is considered rude in most situations, but come over and I'll show you sometime! HAHAHA!

#9) I'm ambidextrous. Not much to add to that. One thing is for sure. I look ridiculous trying to work a manual can opener. Those things are made strictly for right handed people and I don't know how I learned to use it with my right hand but it definitely does NOT look right. HA!

#10) My name is not REALLY Muffy. SHOCKING!

There you have it! All the news that's fit to print, folks! If you wish to divulge previously UNKNOWN facts about YOUR life, do it! Tell the kids back home I tagged you. I won't mind!

One more thing....please have a FABULOUS Friday!

xoxo,
Muffy

Junior League Happenings

Good morning! Well, it's been a while since I last gave you a good Junior League recap, so I figured now is as good a time as any, especially since I just attended a meeting last night and a few of you have emailed me asking how things are going!

Last night was lovely. I worship and adore my new committee (the girls are so funny and fabulous!) and I am SO excited about the things we have planned for the year. We finally saw the pictures that were taken at the year end meeting a few months ago, and I was pleased to see that my own portrait came out really well! That's a relief!

I also learned something NEW last night! (Don't you just love learning new things?) It turns out that Chef Julia Child was a member of our very own chapter! She joined in 1935. So much rich history! It's fun to imagine what the Junior League must have been like in those times. Much has changed. I enjoy wandering our house and seeing the pictures from the 30s and 40s of members and their families. The clothes, fashions (those shoes!) and times have changed, but the Junior League still remains, a pillar of hope in the community!

Several of you have taken the time to ask me about my experiences in the Junior League (and more than a few have written to ask my advice on what to wear to the Open Houses! HA!) and I just wanted to open the floor to any others of you who have questions. Feel free to email me at MuffyMartini@gmail.com. I am happy to address any concerns or answer any questions you have!

xoxo,

Muffy

Las Vegas List for Preppy 101!

Well, hello there. Seeing as the Martini family seems to go to Las Vegas about once a month (goodness, seems so harsh when you actually type it out like that- seems like a LOT!), Preppy 101 and some others have asked Muffy to compile a list of "must sees" in the city of sin!

#1) The Forum Shops at Caesar Palace
Not only does this place have some of the best shopping around, but the inside of the building is BEAUTIFUL with fountains, statues, and paintings. Very impressive.

#2) The Eiffel Tower at Paris
Ok, it's only a quarter the size of the real thing, but taking the elevator ride up to the top is fun and gives you an unbelievable view of the city! The pictures you can take on the top of the tower are priceless.

#3) The BUFFET. ANY of them.
Vegas has amazing food everywhere. My favorite buffet is the one at the Wynn. If you go on Sundays, it is a brunch with endless champagne!

#4) Shows
Las Vegas is home to some of the most amazing shows in the World! There is ALWAYS a spectacular show to see or a can't miss act coming through town. I've seen everyone from Tom Jones to the Backstreet Boys in Vegas. Last time, Mummy and I saw LOVE the Beatles Cirque du Soleil show at the Mirage and were SO IMPRESSED. What a show! Everyone can find something they like. EVERYONE!

#5) The NEON Museum
This place is REALLY neat. They have all the signs from the old time hotels and casinos. The pictures you can take here are PRICELESS! Walking the grounds here are like taking a time machine back into the time that Vegas was new and exciting! Make sure to make an appointment before you show up!

#6) Desert Daisy!
Desert Daisy is a Lilly Pulitzer signature store in Las Vegas. I'm adding it to the list because it is the ONLY place in Las Vegas that sells Lilly, but will admit I have never been there myself! There is SO MUCH to do in Vegas I never get around to it. You go and tell me how it is. HAHAHA!

#7) The Fountains at Bellagio
These are a sight to behold! Lots of water dancing beautifully in a large pond in front of the Bellagio. The final scene of Oceans 11 (the new one, not the old) takes place in front of these fountains.

#8) The Volcano at the Mirage
I remember when this attraction first opened. It was THE big thing to see in Las Vegas. There was nothing like it at the time. I was under 21 when it opened and I was VERY interested in things that kept me away from the casino where I wasn't allowed anyhow. The volcano reopened this year and while I don't find it as great as it once was, it is still a must see. I recorded the whole show on my last trip. I will try and post the clip later today.

#9) Fashion Show Mall
Ok, ok. We all have a mall where we live. Even so, Fashion Show mall has been a Martini family favorite as long as I can remember. The shops are just BETTER than the ones back home (and I live 20 mins from Rodeo Drive- so that MEANS something!) and the things you can find there I feel you cannot find elsewhere. Check it out!

#10) Mon Ami Gabi
This charming little bistro is just the right spot to stop in after a day of shopping (or gambling, that's ok, you can admit it!). The steaks are SPOT on and the pomme frites are AMAZING. The price is affordable and the ambiance cannot be beat!

#11) The Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian
Yes, more shopping! These shops are on either side of the "Venice Canal" and rides are available on a gondola! The streets are cobblestone and there are many entertainers along the way to keep you entertained! Don't spend ALL your money though, because we still need to go to....

#13) Las Vegas Premium Outlets!
These are so great. Just about every brand yo can imagine is available in this little slice of heaven, not far from the strip! I also heartily recommend the outlets at Stateline if you drive out to Vegas. The ones outside the city can be good, but not as good as Stateline or the Premium Outlets.

#14) The Beach at Mandalay Bay
Yes, there is a beach. In the middle of the desert. With sand. And waves. You need to go see it. Get on an inner tube and float around the lazy river! FUN!

Well, that is all I can think of off the top of my head. I was going to add some of my favorite spots to play, but I don't think you guys are that kind of crowd. HAHA! I can do a post on that too if you are interested. There are some HOT poker tables in Vegas I could tell you about! Hope you are well and....

VIVA LAS VEGAS!!!!

Mirror, Mirror, On The Wall....

...who is the best looking mirror of all? HAHA! Boy, I have some exciting news! Well, it is exciting to me, we shall see what you think. Even though Skipp and I do not yet have a little "nest" to live in come October, I have been amassing little things for the home for some time. The very first thing I bought was lacquer boxes in green for the bedroom, or on a coffee table. I find them so charming and I like that all the little things we need would be neatly put away in them.

This weekend, Skipp and I came across a piece of, oh gosh, I suppose you would call it furniture, that we could NOT let get away! Skipp and I are now the proud owners of this beauty:

I am OBSESSED. It is from Martha Stewarts collaboration with Bernhardt and will look SO lovely in our future home! This is how I talked Skipp into the purchase:

#1) It would be a LOVELY starting point to a room, especially the living room. If we have a fireplace, it could be above the mantle! If we have a dining room, it would look charming with the dark woods we prefer. The possibilities are endless! If nothing else, we could buy a dresser and hang this mirror on the wall above it! So fab!

#2) The Bush White House had a similar mirror (and if you know me, you know I LOVE the Bushes).

#3: It is gorgeous and amazing!

So we got it! Right now it is in Skipp's parents garage wrapped very well until we have a place of our own. So happy!

Now I will begin a Polyvore on my outfit today by request of one Miss Fifi Flowers! Ciao for now!

Muffy and Michael

Hello friends! I have some updates for you about todays Michael Jackson memorial! I just saw the funeral procession drive by and there were about eight black Rolls Royces, followed by about eight black Escalades and then about eight black Range Rovers. After that were some minivans and regular cars and the very last one was a vintage convertible Mercedes Benz, looked to me to be a 1978.

The traffic on my way to work was a NIGHTMARE. All the off-ramps near Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills were shut down. There was also a four car pile up near the 134/5 intersection. Helicopters are flying overhead and Forest Lawn is COMPLETELY quiet. Not a SOLE is on the property except for the LAPD cars patrolling the park. I know all this because Forest Lawn is built on the side of a hill (the other side of the Hollywood Sign!) and is visible from the freeway and the windows here at work. The 405 is also shut down so the family could get from Encino to Forest Lawn.

Apparently, they are going to fly his body via LAFD helicopters to the Staples Center. The office is almost TOTALLY empty with everyone at the memorial or Forest Lawn. The newsroom has tumbleweed in it.

More updates as they occur!

xoxo,
Muffy

Registry RECAP!

Hello friends! Hope you are having a Happy Monday! This weekend was so lovely. Skipp and I started our registry and had a lovely time. There were fireworks, barbecue and lots of prayers for the brave men and women that have fought for the freedoms we enjoy daily. GOD BLESS THEM ALL.

Skipp and I visited a few shops and were unimpressed before heading over to Macy's. We knew we would most likely open a registry there since they are the exclusive carriers of Martha Stewart's items as well as a large selection of kitchen appliances and other items we will need for the home.

Let me say that I am not exaggerating when I say we spent close to FIVE HOURS in Macy's. First we canvassed the store to see if they had anything we WANTED to register for, and then we learned what it is like when two people with differing opinions decide to marry. At least we already have all our fine china, so we didn't have to look at those. We still needed everyday dinnerware and could not seem to find a compromise.

I wanted the Martha Stewart scalloped eyelet plates, but Skipp didn't want plates made in China. Skipp wanted Lenox dinnerware, but I wasn't wild about something so plain. We both wanted nice durable and basic dinnerware. Eventually we were able to settle on a Mikasa set that is very versatile, allegedly 'super strong', and NOT made in China. WHEW. One item down.

Our problem is that I am focused on building a kitchen (and home) with a lot of character and personality while Skipp's focus is high quality American made goods. I have no qualms with Skipp's concern about quality and wanting the very best for us, but sometimes the very best is ugly! HAHAHAHA! Not only that, most EVERYTHING at Macy's was made in China. Terrible.

I don't think we ended up registering for a SINGLE Martha Stewart item. Most EVERYTHING she makes is Made in China. Martha, why?!? I was going to register for a single cake stand that I thought was lovely, and even that I decided to pass on. Oh, Martha, my dearest, you have let us all down.

All in all, the registry is off to a good start! No sooner did we start it then things started disappearing! We've got one anxious fan base! HAHAHA! The first item to go was the ONE item I was DESPERATELY hoping someone would buy: THE PINK KITCHENAID MIXER! YAY!!!! Mummy and Daddy snapped it right up.

Next up on the Skuffy to do list is securing the flowers and styles for all the arrangements, deciding once and for all about the invites, doing the tastings (yum!), and some other little things.

I hope you all had a BLESSED fourth of July and remembered all the people that died so that you could enjoy it in peace! GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!!

RECIPE for a WONDERFUL WEEKEND!

Start with lemonade made with fresh juicy lemons picked from Muffy's very own lemon tree:
Add suitable seating situated in the sun:

Make sure to keep an eye on that delicate skin! No one wants to see tan lines in your wedding dress!

Sprinkle in the newest issue of Martha Stewart Weddings (The last one I will buy! The next one comes out after my wedding!):

.....and let marinade until ready. Serve chilled! HAHA!

Muffy's Easy as Pie Lemonade Recipe:

1 tall 16 oz glass

3-4 large cubes of ice

1/2 large ripe juicy lemon

1 packet each of sweet n' low and equal

10-12 oz water

Take a small strainer and place over glass, squeeze all the juice out of the lemons into the glass and throw out seeds in strainer. Add water to 3/4 of the glass. Mix in the two packets (one each of sweet and low and equal) and stir. Add ice and serve immediately. Makes one very low calorie glass of heaven. ENJOY!