Jenna Lyons

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Product Spotlight: Fish Face Goods T Shirts

I got an email from Troy Thomas of Fish Face Goods asking if I would do a product review of his hunting, fishing, and outdoor themed shirts. I was open to the idea, but I'm not sure how you do a review of a T-Shirt so I'm calling this a "Product Spotlight" instead.I went to their website http://www.fishface.com/ and selected the current design I liked the most which was their "gone thinking" T.

Renee on the Riviera

I wish the holiday weekend wasn't over so this is my way of extended it. I love these photos of model and muse Renee Perle by the famous photographer Jacques Henri Lartigue. So many fashion designers and other photographers were inspired by them and it's easy to see why. Those wide leg pants are perfection as is the lifestyle of lounging on the Riviera. Those were the days.

Jacques Henri Lartigue and Renee Perle

Photos by Jacques Henri Lartigue

Monday, May 30, 2011

Bass Opener Day 3

Because it's Memorial Day weekend the Minnesota Bass Opener is a 3 day affair.Today my lower back was giving me issues and I wasn't sure if I was going to get out. It was cloudy and breezy out of the SE. I eventually did get out on Platte Lake around 4:30PM. I headed East.I started on a few docks that are usually unproductive and they lived up to expectation. After wasting 20 minutes I

Magical Maine: Part Deux

The other Maine cottage that I wish would be featured again belongs to Marina Rust Conner. It was built in 1899 by her great-great grandmother, Mrs. George Bird. When it appeared in Vogue, it looked a little more fussy and Victorian inside than Gwen McCaw's renovated house. It would be interesting to see if any changes have been made over the years. I've been to Maine many times and nothing beats that idyllic all-American feeling and slower pace. These two homes make me want to book another trip but only if I can find an equally appealing summer "cottage" in which to stay!

Photos by François Halard

Magical Maine

Vogue.com posted a photo of this house in Maine in their Best Hostess Gift guide recently and it reminded me how much I love this house. Some of you might remember that it was published in the first issue of Vogue Living in 2006. The house known as Mitchell Cottage, was built in 1916 for Philadelphia businessman J. Kearsley Mitchell who had just married the daughter of a partner of J.P. Morgan. The house sat vacant for many years after Michell was involved in a murder scandal. What I didn't remember about the house was that Kirstie Alley and her then husband Parker Stevenson bought the house in 1991 and turned it into the Islesboro Inn. They also managed to hire the legendary retired decorator Sister Parish to help decorate it. It was later bought by Gwen and John McCaw who hired their friend from Los Angeles, interior designer Windsor Smith who simplified the house.

A photo of the house from Vogue by Arthur Elgort.

A look at the front of the house.

Gwen and her children on the lawn. The property also boats a three bedroom guesthouse, a swimming pool, classic clay tennis court, small boathouse, and deep water pier.

An old photo of the porch with the striped awnings.

Under Windsor Smith's guidance, the house because much cleaner but definitely not boring. In the Vogue article, the owner says, "because it's such an architecturally beautiful house, I felt I could decorate in a really clean way-that it didn't need too much. Of course, we also wanted everything machine-washable and kid-friendly."

The chairs are Sister Parish originals that were reupholstered.

The trellis walls are the pièce de résistance of the house and were originally restored by Sister Parish.

One of the girl's bedrooms.

One of Gwen's daughter's sitting on the Chloe Sofa designed by Windsor Smith.

The boy's bathroom is papered in marine blueprints.

Another old look at the house from Gilkey Harbor. I am really surprised that the house hasn't been photographed for any other publications. I'd really love to see the rest of the interior and grounds. There is nothing that says summer more to me than the relaxing magic of Maine.

Photos by Arthur Elgort for Vogue scanned in by moi

Sunday, May 29, 2011

2011 Bass Opener Day 2

I got out at around 3PM. Lots of people out on the lake today. It was pretty much overcast the whole time. Right about 9PM it rained for a little bit. There was a light breeze out of the NE.I put in at the Platte Lake Access and headed North. Right after I stopped I saw a fish swirl, so I casted over there and was rewarded with a 14" bass on the PB&J Yum Wooly Bug. I had another bite and it

Sailing Away

Over the years, I've come across many old photos of movie stars sailing their own small sail boats. These days, celebrities are more likely to be found aboard the mega-yachts of Russian oligarchs in St. Tropez than manning the helm. I suppose if I had the chance to experience such luxury, I'd take it too but there is also something about a beautiful old wooden boat that is the height of chicness. Hope you enjoy this look at many different types of sailing!