PRIVET HOUSE BACKYARD SALE

Looking for a great way to spend a Saturday this summer?  I have a great idea- head north to Litchfield County, Connecticut.   This leafy & Laidback part of Connecticut is home to a steady supply of antique, gift, and food shops. 

My favorite by far is Privet House.   This shop has the best collection of everything from bath and body lotions to wonderful art and photography books.   You might just find the most amazing vintage Rolex you didn't know you had to have!  Not to mention - anything that goes on a table from service to  linens to candles - Privet house has it.

Design guru Richard Lambertson is the man behind Privet House.   The co-founder of Lamberston Truex spends weekends in Litchfield County and was inspired to create Privet house.   We are SO glad he did!   Business partner Suzanne Cassano is also the owner of Vol. 1 Antiques just across the way here in the center of the small town of Warren.   Cassano's background in home furnishings adds the perfect antique yin to Lamberton's  fashion design yang.   The outcome is a magical mix of amazing finds and items you will fall in love with.   If you happen to be in the area as a houseguest - you have found the perfect destination to buy the appropriate thank-you gift to your host or hostess.  There is so much more to see and say - stay tuned for updates on Privet House.

BIG BLUE TIFFANY BOX FOR LAMBERTSON TRUEX

A blue box from TIffany has been a symbol of the finest taste since 1837.   The tradition continues -as Tiffany & Co. announced they have acquired Luxury Accessory Collection - Lambertson Truex.   LT was acquired by Samsonite back in 2006 and while Samsonite is the forefather of American luggage - their forays in luxury have continued to fizzle-  think Samsonite Black Label.   (That collection was  launched by creative director - Quentin Mackay - a talented designer in his own right - but Samsonite could not  rise to the occassion).AUDREY HEPBURN IN BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S

LAMBERTSON TRUEX EXOTIC CLUTCHLambertson Truex is a chic collection with understated logo appeal that has been on the short list of luxe shoppers "in the know" for 10 years.   Design duo Richard Lambertson and John Truex have luxury industry pedigrees as long as your arm!  Everything they do is chic and subtle - but with a twist.  LAMBERTSON TRUEX BOOT

Many fans hoped Samsonite would have injected the funding to make the collection a household name.  Not so much.   Bravo for Tiffany- the legendary jeweler for recognizing the potential of another great American brand like Lambertson Truex!

I'm sure under the watchful eye of Tiffany - LT will flourish!   Maybe we can look forward to some super chic Tiffany Blue clutch bags??   Maybe a limited edition TLT collection?   Stay Tuned!!

NY POST AD REVENUE SOARS....

Most stories you read lately about advertising revenues for Magazines, Television, and Newspapers have one thing in common - they are plummeting!   The economy has taken its toll on Madison avenue just like it has on consumer pocket books.   One notable exception who just a few years ago would have been a least likely suspect - the NY POST.  The  Post has seen its ad revenue and prestige factor sky rocket in the last six months.   Once a guilty pleasure tabloid that people would sneer at if you mentioned in public - The NY Post has risen to the top of the fashion advertising world.   One recent weekday, the paper had advertising pages in color running up to page 26!  That is a record.  

What started the trend of course was Page 6.   All credit belongs to Richard Johnson who made overheard gossip an art form.  Before there was Life & Style Magazine or TMZ on tv... there was Page 6.   Hollywood publicists caught on before advertisers and knew if they got their clients mentioned - it meant good things for a starlets career.

Always one step behind Hollywood, Madison Avenue retailers looking for new opportunities to showcase the designer duds have followed.  The store that anointed the Post as an acceptable vehicle?   BERGDORF GOODMAN.   That's right, not usually known for being ahead of the curve when it comes to trying new things - BG was the store that took a chance on the Post and ran a quarter page ad featuring a JIMMY CHOO handbag.    The store sold over a dozen of the 3k bag in two days... the deal was done.

BG now runs full page ads featuring everything from Chrome Hearts sunglasses to Judith Leiber Clutches - and the rest of the fashion world has followed.   Now you'll find everyone from Coach, Tiffany, Donna Karan,  Ferragamo & Bloomingdale's.  The move also makes good economic sense.   A page in the NY Post is a fraction of what the NY Times charges for their black and white ads.   Retailers made the realization - the same eyes are seeing the ads in the Post - for a third of the cost.  ( at least until now - prices are sure to jump!).

Now that the Post is rolling in the dough and readership has hit new record highs... lets hope they can permanently can Ivana Trump, just like they did Lydia Hearst from Page 6 Magazine on Sundays.  She definitely sucks the wind out of the cool factor in record speed.   Her recent blurb about her "new" discovery of Nikki Haskell's star caps made me laugh so hard I fell off my chair.   Star Caps have been around longer than the furniture in Ivana's Plaza decorated town house on the Upper East Side - YEARS!!

Sorry Daily News.. I guess you'll have to settle for 1-800 Mattress and Stanley Steamer ads again for 09!