The profusion of French restaurants in Manhattan always blows my mind. The list is endless. You can be standing at a corner waiting for a light, and glimpse at the outside of a restaurant and you need to remind yourself that you are in New York, and not Paris. They replicate it well. Very well. Of course, my heart goes pitter patter at all the outside seating and all the people watching that ensues. I arrived early for my book proposal meeting, and was happy to see Les Halles, the establishment Anthony Bourdain made famous, as the taxi came to a stop. I sat outside for a quick iced coffee and croissant before my meeting. It was a perfect start to the day. Now onto that meeting.
I can not thank all of you enough that sent e-mails, left comments, sent texts & voicemails, and just all the good energy I felt being sent my way yesterday morning. I felt like I had my own personal cheerleading squad. It made me feel so good. Merci, merci. My book proposal meeting was amazing, and could not have gone better. The editor I was meeting with has worked on some of my very favorite books–I was so honored to meet her. She completely got the proposal, understood what I am wanting to present, and was just one incredibly cool person. I could not be happier with how it all went. Continued fingers crossed, as she now presents it to the other editors & staff at a meeting in June. I will keep you posted all along the way. It really was a blast. I am still smiling ear to ear.
I left the meeting, instantly called TPS, and then hopped into a cab. I was off for a meeting with my friend Jenine at Dempsey & Carroll to see all the new, lovely paper goods they have just come out with. For those of you who have never been, you must make a trip to the shop on Lexington Avenue on your next NYC visit. Stationery engravers since 1878, it is a paper lovers Mecca. I got to meet many of the staff, as well as the owner, Lauren. Everyone was delightful and so helpful. I placed my order of new things, so they should be arriving at Watson Kennedy soon. So, so beautiful.
We then went and had lunch at Orsay, another French establishment. It was a spectacularly sunny May day, which is one of my favorite times to be in the city. We sat outside, and I truly felt transported to an outside cafe in Paris. I had an omelet and frites, just like I do each day in Paris. We had a celebratory bottle of rose’ too. A perfect way to sit with my friend, chat and share my fun news.
It is a full day of vintage shopping today for the shops, website and my upcoming One Kings Lane sale in the Fall. A happy Saturday to all!
Ahhhhh, the retail marathon is complete, and we are ensconced in our home on the island for the week. It was a heck of a run, and we thank all of you who shopped at Watson Kennedy this season–and for helping to making it the best year yet! It is our tradition to spend the week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve at WestWard recouping, recharging & revitalizing. We have not been here since the first of November, so it is a very happy homecoming indeed. I snapped a few photos yesterday after we got the bags unpacked, the groceries put away, the fire started, the candles lit, and the flowers put out. Waking up the house from its slumber of the past 7 weeks. 
So many lovely edible gifts that we will enjoy this week.
As well as a few liquid gifts too.
Lots and lots of cooking.
Catching up on our reading. I will write about this one tomorrow.
More edible gifts that will be enjoyed with our Bloody Mary’s as we bundle up, sit outside and watch the tide come in.
A new shower curtain I found on One Kings Lane last month along with our new favorite soap.
More and more red, which you know is one of my favorites.
