Form - check. Function - check. Fabulous - check.

WOW!

Bugatti's 16C Galibier concept.

Of course with a likely tag of well over a million dollars, this striking sedan should have some uncommon bells and whistles...and watches.

With design cues that include a notable center "spine" that recall classic Bugattis such as the Type 35 and classically stunning Type 57, this new sedan is long on both style and substance.

One thing that particularly caught my eye was the clever, personal touch found on the dash...



Keeping time both in and out of the driver's seat - a branded timepiece that does double duty as both in-dash timekeeper and stylish watch. What a smart way to extend the brand and personalize such a sizable purchase!

Simply neat. That's all.

MET HOME 1974-2009 Another fave goes by the wayside...

I have copies of Metropolitan Home from the early 80s... I have LONG been a fan of this, the least pretentious and most national, shelter pub.

Starting life as Apartment Life in 1974, Met Home was accessible not just aspirational. With city and regional editors - design, events, food from around the nation made its way to me - not just news from LA and NYC.

Originally a Meredith publication - I believe - it was ultimately Hachette Filapacchi that killed my long-time friend in favor of sister/competitor Elle Decor.

Not as red as Myrtle...Not as uptight as Seaside... Tybee's JUST RIGHT

oh...my...

what a weekend!

This is where I stayed.










Tybee ROCKS!

Stayed tuned for much more to come...

Why I Love Continental Airlines by Michael Duffield

AND - I do!



The only airline that's never left me stranded anywhere. The only airline that still serves food [at no cost].

When I resided in New York and in Austin Continental was my airline of choice. Subsequent moves have made it costly to choose Continental. Now - I have had the chance, once again, to be welcomed onboard by my favorite airline on a trip from Greenville to Los Angeles.

There's something about the company - it's elegant, classic name, the timeless globe logo on the tail of the aircraft, the service... It all adds up to something I appreciate.

Continental was the first airline I flew from New York - one month after 9/11 - and there was something emotional about that particular flight that also informs my feelings toward the company.

The fact that they still service real food in coach during mealtime flights [they never stopped after 9/11 - when most airlines did] is nothing short of amazing. Cocktails remain $5. They are $7 on Delta. AND - if you purchase "Continental Currency" at the airport - you'll save even a little more. My flight from Greenville to Houston yielded a snack basket that included sliced sausage, a peppercorn/Parmesan cheese spread and flatbread crackers, cranberry fruit/nut mix and a little Hershey bar. It was nice for a 2 hr. 10 min. flight. On the return flight during the lunch leg we were treated to a BBQ turkey pocket and fresh green salad with a mini Twix. Not Jean-Georges, I realize - but nice and, again, a nice surprise.

Robbie - the air hostess with the mostest on our flight to Houston on the first leg of the trip - was a hoot, telling us that she was dimming the cabin lights because Continental has found that we look better that way. Before we disembarked at our destination - she quipped: "If you've enjoyed the service today, my name is Robbie. If you haven't, my name is Anita."

Connecting through Houston - while somewhat of an ordeal [not the easiest major airport] went smoothly.

With so many problems traveling and so many issues making me want to write more "Service with a Shrug©" entries - I thought I'd share a little good news.








Happy 75th Birthday Continental!
Dig the vintage paint job!

Goodbye old [delicious] friend...

Another sad sign of the times...

Condé Nast announced today that legendary food book Gourmet would cease publication [along with several other, less personal mags] after nearly 70 years.

In food PR you pitch all the books all the time and hopefully, over time, develop relationships with different writers at different magazines [except Saveur]. I remember some fondly.

What I remember most is my first BIG national hit. A FULL PAGE in Gourmet celebrating the opening of Oliviers+CO's first U.S. store at Grand Central. For those who don't know - Oliviers is a sister of L'Occitane that features artisanal and sommelier-selected olive oils [though now they call themselves a "Mediterranean Food Merchant," hmmm...]. Beautiful, TINY stores full of lovely olive-inspired goods. Imagine the tight media tasting with 35+ people crammed into a 500 sf shop on a summer evening. Hilarious. Great fun. My first big, national hit.

You will be missed Gourmet.

Clever is...

I used to write for a neat newsprint arts magazine in the 90s called hyphen. It joined together the arts and general interest topics. We worked hard to do different things with page design and the covers - not unlike the original Details in the 80s when it was newsprint, black and white and really "downtown."

Imagine my joy when I discovered that that thought is still out there - and not just featured in insanely expensive luxe pubs like Visionaire.

Designy-wonder Wallpaper* has worked with architect/designer Phillippe Starck and fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld to create two distinct, interactive covers for their magazine.




Loves it.


Just an uncommon bit of clever creativity that you could file away in your brains for future use.

It's official... I'm a GleeK!

mkay?!?!