Featured: Smocked Auctions

Happy Friday! Today I'm featured on Smocked Auctions' blog, a darling company that auctions off adorable smocked clothing for children. Make sure to head over to Smocked Auctions to check out my feature.

Have a wonderful holiday weekend!

I Heart Blue and White: Picture Perfect

Style Icon - Grace Kelly

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Tablescape Tuesday: Baby Shower in Blue and Pink

Celebrating the impending arrival of a new baby is the most fun and inspiring celebration of all time. I adore blue and white anything! It is such a fresh and pretty color combination. Add in some pink and our shower theme was born.

Tablescapes

A white linen tablecloth from Porthault gave my dark wood dining table a bright look, perfect for a luncheon. In the center of the table, I gathered together my collection of blue-and-white containers in various sizes. Various shades of pink roses added depth to the floral arrangement and were the perfect way to tie in the "little girl factor."

Tablescapes

Tablescapes

I placed two wooden figurines in the center of the table - a young girl and a young boy - gifts from my mother-in-law from a Paris flea market.

Tablescapes

Every element needed to fit the color scheme, right down to the place cards, which were bold blue embellished with pink ink. Pink linen napkins with my monogram in white perfectly pulled the color from the center of the table to the fun and colorful place settings; I was thrilled for the opportunity to mix and match some of favorite patterns.

Tablescapes

A beautiful blue-and-white Mottehedah charger was the perfect frame for my favorite china pattern, Mottehedah's "Tobacco Leaf," a gift from my mother, which was used as the service plate. I always like to have a plate that is full of color placed at each setting so that when guests arrive at their seats, their setting looks complete even without food.

This luncheon also gave me an opportunity to show off the Puiforcat silver that my mother-in-law gave Justin and I as a wedding gift. It was the silver she recieved when she married Justin's father. It is engraved with the most exquisite W monogram and each is so beautiful. I was thrilled to be able to use it on such a special occasion.

Tablescapes

The menu at this baby shower was inspired by the cravings of the pregnant guest of honor.  Her biggest craving was carrots, so carrot soup was our delicious first course.

Tablescapes

Only the best would do for this formal luncheon, so my favorite stemware came out of the closet, too. The "Primtemps" pattern from Varga is a perfect daytime delight, with its lovely colors and cheerful etchings.

Tablescapes

I hope you've enjoyed taking a look at this special baby shower; it was a beautiful afternoon with a table to suit!

Monogram Monday: HSH Princess Ira von Furstenberg

During a fun lunch in LA with my Mother-in-Law and our friend Princess Ira von Furstenberg, I noticed her custom monogram on her amazing Hermes Kelly Bag.  I had to snap a pic and share it on this very Royal and elegant Monogram Monday!

Big News!

I can't tell you how excited I am to announce my role as co-host of Texas Living on KTXD!  The show premiers on October 1st!

My co-host, Hilary Kennedy and I will be on air live every weekday from 11-12.  I hope you will join us!

Let's be honest....I need your help!  I would love to hear your ideas for segments. Please let me know what you want us to share with you on the show.  What topics are important to you?  What do you want to hear about?  Are there any dream guests you want us to invite?  You can leave your comments here or reach out to us on Facebook or Twitter.

Want a bit of insider information? We just started booking the show and scored an amazing super-star guest for Oct. 22nd.  Mark you calendars!  You won't want to miss it.

Alan Peppard broke the news in The Dallas Morning News and you can read his column here.

Style Icon - Birgitta af Klerker

Birgitta af Klerker, a Top Model of the 1960s, photographed by Horst for Vogue, January 1965. LOVE the dress!

Vogue Magazine 

In a dress by B. H. Wragge for Vogue:

Norman Parkinson for Vogue 1965

In Bill Blass

Image by Condé Nast Archive/CORBIS

Birgitta's daughter, Natascha Wittgenstein, is the designer behind Tooshie Swimwear.  She is actually Princess Natascha zu Sayn-Wittgenstein Berleburg, the only daughter of Birgitta and Prince Robin Alexander Wolfgang Udo Eugen Wilhelm Gottfried of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg (why not put the whole name!)

Interns Needed!

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Are you an aspiring event planner, tastemaker, or lifestyle expert? Are you entranced by the social scene or spend hours daydreaming about the perfect wedding or soiree: gowns, table settings, floral arrangements, and all? We have the perfect opportunity for you! Interns are needed helping Kimberly Schlegel Whitman, the RSVP Social Calendar, and Whitman Media, LLC. 

Hours are flexible- we just require a smile, positivity, enthusiasm, and a penchant for all things gracious.

There is a minimum requirement of 6 hours per week

Internship Duties:

- Managing and creating social invitations
- Planning events and parties- working with caterers, florists, and more
- Assisting with management and updating the RSVP Social Calendar
- Correspondence with local charities, non-profits, clients, the arts, and affiliates
- Helping with the RSVP Social Calendar blog and the Kimberly Schlegel Whitman blog.
- Managing guests lists, responses, and databases
- Daily organizational duties

Please send resumes to: katie@rsvpcalendar.com 

Tablescape Tuesday: Dine Al Fresco!

Who doesn't love dining al fresco? It is one of my favorite things about the summer.  I love setting a simple yet chic tablescape and enjoying the fresh air and my surroundings.

This morning, I am inspired by these dining tables that showcase the beauty of dining al fresco. 

Bon Appetit!

 

Architectural Digest 

 

 

Elle Decor 

 

Dave Richards Photography 

Elle Decor 

Architectural Digest

Monogram Monday - New York City

I love New York and was so thrilled to have a full day there to share with my sister, Krystal.  Here are the details of our Big Apple adventure.

8:00 AM - Rise and Shine! Check out the view we woke up to from our room at the Carlyle.

There was a fantastic Nespresso machine in the kitchenette of our fantastic room. I loved it so much that I asked for one for my birthday!

Isn't the room pretty?  I loved the monogram pillow in the living room. It made me feel at home.

9:30 AM - Krystal and I left the hotel to head to the near-by Metropolitan Museum of Art to stroll through the period rooms.  I loved the English rooms and Krystal loved the French!  Don't miss the New American Wing either.

And check out this amazing Dog Kennel (even Lola would feel spoiled in this!).

We also took a little bit of time to check out the Schiaparelli and Prada Impossible Conversations exhibit.  I died over this blue and white bridal veil by Schiaparelli  The exhibit is fantastic and not to be missed!

11:30 AM - Our visit to the Met was short but we had a lot on our to-do list! By the way, you can see what Krystal wore in her outfit post here.

Afternoon:

A little bit of shopping on Madison Ave - check!
A little bit more shopping at Bergdorfs - check!  (I got these YSL shoes on sale! Score!)
Corn chowder and chopped salad at the chic Kelly Wearstler designed restaurant, BG at Bergdorfs - check!
A trip to Smythson for a new Mid-Year Soho Diary for Krystal and a few gifts - check!
A stroll through Chanel (my birthday is coming up!) - check!
A stroll through Hermes (reminder - my birthday is coming up!) - check!

4:00 PM - After freshening up back at the Carlyle (and pretending we were Jacqueline Kennedy strolling out the revolving doors on to Madison Ave), we went for a quick meeting with my awesome literary Agent, Andrea Barvzi, at ICM.  She always gets me excited about the next project (no news on that yet) and reminds me that I need to keep trying to sell the books I have out now!  (Order one for yourself and one for your mom today!)

5:00 PM - Meeting with Alison Brod PR about all of the exciting new things they have going on!  She is a busy lady and their office is so incredible.  They are moving soon but I hope they take their Pucci inspired decor with them.  There are framed scarves on the walls and vintage chairs in the reception area.

6:30 PM - A stroll through Barneys and a nice walk back to the Carlyle to get ready for dinner.  We passed Bardith Ltd. and spotted these Blue and White Serving Platters in the window.  AMAZING! (Reminder - my birthday is coming up!)

8:00 PM - Dinner at Phillippe with great friends. It was so delicious and I don't know if I have ever laughed so much in my life.  It was such a fun crew.

11:00 PM - We snuggled into our glamorous bedroom at the Carlyle and dreaded leaving the next day.

By the way, our flight the next day was cancelled (such a bonus because it gave us a chance to enjoy a leisurely lunch in the city!). I want to send a huge thanks to the folks at Delta because they were so nice and helpful!

Meet Katie!

Happy Friday Everyone! Today I'd like you to meet Katie, who has become our event planner extraordinaire! 

Photos courtesy of Katie and Pinterest

If you could raid any one's closet, whose would it be?

Olivia Palermo or my boss'- Kim has great style, it's always fun seeing what she wears to the office!

You describe your style as...

Feminine, classic, and bright.

Where can we find you when you aren't at the RSVP office?

You would probably find me eating! Dallas has so many great restaurants, and I'm always looking to try new places to dine.

When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Interior Designer

What's your favorite trend of the moment?

Printed jeans

Who would play you in a movie about yourself?

Gwyneth Paltrow is my all time favorite, I wouldn't mind if she played me in a movie!

What are you currently obsessed with?

Coffee table books. I have started quite the collection!

A charity near and dear to your heart is...

Heart House, a non-profit after school program in Dallas.

I Heart Blue and White: Blue Willow China

My husband, Justin, and I had an amazing trip to China in April.  One of the highlights was visiting the Huxinting Tea House (rumored to be the inspiration for the classic Blue and White Blue Willow China Pattern) while we were in Shanghai.  It was built in 1784 and is still in use today. 

You can read the story of Blue Willow China here.

Check out the $3 boxed set on So Into Vintage Blog!

Look at these adorable cupcakes I found on Pinterest! So cute.

Blue Willow Note Cards from The Pink Pagoda on etsy.

I'm also in love with my Blue Willow iPhone case designed by The Pink Pagoda on Zazzle.  I first heard about them on one of my favorite blogs: Belclaire House

Tablescape: An oldie but a goodie from Tobi Fairley.

A fantastic Fried Okra Recipe from Louis Van Dyke of Blue Willow Inn in Social Circle, Georgia on SouthernLiving.com

Itchin' to start a collection for yourself?  Macy's sells a 20-piece set by Johnson Bros. for $200.

And..... there are no words for this one: Tattoo (mmmmmhuh! You read that right.) Your grandmother would be so proud. ;)

Style Icon - Jackie O!

Jackie O in a black tee...

Photos courtesy of LIFE Magazine

“I have been through a lot and have suffered a great deal. But I have had lots of happy moments, as well. Every moment one lives is different from the other. The good, the bad, hardship, the joy, the tragedy, love, and happiness are all interwoven into one single, indescribable whole that is called life. You cannot separate the good from the bad. And perhaps there is no need to do so, either.”

-Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

Tablescape Tuesday: Coral on the Beach

I think we can all agree that nothing says summer quite like listening to the sound of the water, feeling the sand between your toes and watching the dune grass sway in the breeze. I recently returned from a trip to the beach, and I couldn't let the summer slip by without sharing the details of a dinner party I hosted on the beach last summer.

Kimberly Shlegel Whitman Tablescapes

When the opportunity to dine on the beach arises, I am the first to volunteer to participate. I like to start my dinners on the beach while it is still light outside, leaving the candles unlit. As the sun goes down, I light the candles both on the table and around the table for a beautiful glow.

Kimberly Shlegel Whitman Tablescapes

For this party, my husband and our friends carried the teak table and chairs down to the beach for our special sunset dinner. Raynaud's "Cristobal" pattern china seemed a good choice for the evening. I love its color and pattern, and I especially love all of the different pieces that it has. Each piece has a different pattern, some with coral-colored background with white accents and others with a white background and handpainted coral branches. My favorite pieces in the group are the sea urchin-shaped salt and pepper shakers set on a small square tray.

Kimberly Shlegel Whitman Tablescapes

 Simple crystal glassware perfectly complemented our tabletop. A centerpiece of curving driftwood fitted with small containers for tea light candles added to our simple beach look. Large chunks of coral, some set into Lucite bases, added color to the center. Beautiful gold-colored seashells filled in other spaces, and highlighted the gold accents on the china. A set of antique glasses with handblown coral accents served as vases. They are filled with sand to help the blowing dune grass stay standing tall.

Kimberly Shlegel Whitman Tablescapes

Kimberly Shlegel Whitman Tablescapes

Kimberly Shlegel Whitman Tablescapes

When serving dinner for special guests outdoors, be sure to think through what their experience might be from start to finish. For example, if it gets chilly on the beach where you spend your holidays, it is a nice gesture to have a pile of pashminas or warm wraps in a basket nearby so your guests can put them around their shoulders as the sun goes down. You might even hang one over the back of each guest's chair and give them as party favors to take home at the end of the evening. 

It's also important to ask yourself, could guests ruin their shoes in the sand? At my dinner party, I asked them to trade in their shoes for flip-flops that you provide at a "shoe check." 

I hope you enjoyed seeing the details of my summer dinner party. With just a few more weeks of summer left, I am hoping to entertain on the beach as much as possible!