Dinner at Nathan Turner

Last evening was one of the most fun and memorable dinners in recent memory. Nathan Turner and Mary McDonald hosted me, my family, Suzanne Donegan, Michelle Nussbaumer and Michael Billings at Nathan's beautiful shop in West Hollywood. The food, company and surrounds were sheer perfection. Thank you both for all the laughs and the wonderful hospitality.

Mary McDonald, Suzanne Donegan and Nathan Turner

Michelle Nussbaumer, me and Mary McDonald

Delicious salmon and lentils with roasted vegetables prepared by Nathan

Beautiful flowers arranged by Mary

Isn't this chair and shade of blue gorgeous!?!

The lovely Suzanne Donegan

Mary McDonald, Michael Billings and Michelle Nussbaumer

My son and Daisey

Nathan, Ronda and my husband Chris

Suzanne Donegan, Michael Billings and Michelle Nussbaumer

Much to everyone's amusement or dismay, Mary and I ended the night with our own version of Karaoke singing Phil Colin's Separate Lives. When we couldn't remember the words we had to go online. Next time we'll just have to go to a Karaoke club so we can have both the words and music.

Los Angeles

I know that I have been MIA these days, I'll catch up very soon! We've arrived in LA and we are having dinner with Nathan Turner and Mary McDonald tonight. I will be certain to post photos tomorrow.

All the best,
Ronda

Happy Easter Weekend

Wishing you all a very happy Easter weekend. I do apologize for the delay in posting, but I am finding it difficult to sneak off to Starbucks with any degree of regularity. I will be in LA next week with many exciting things in the works. I promise I will be back to a regular blogging schedule very soon with many wonderful profiles to share.

All the best,
Ronda

The LIST: Vicente Wolf

Vicente Wolf has a new blog address and feature called Ask Vicente. Do you have any design questions that you’d like Vicente to help you with? Then be certain to visit his blog to ask your questions and to get all the latest news.

Also, in addition to his new blog address, there is an exciting new partnership between Vicente and All The Best. I will be flying to NYC at the end of April for the unveiling of the exclusive partnership. I can't tell you any more just yet, but I promise you all will be among the first to know.

All the Best LIST

We are off to California for two weeks. I will post again in a day or two. In the meantime, I am thrilled to introduce the newest additions to the All the Best LIST. A huge thank you to each of you for your efforts in contributing to this growing collective.

Tobi Fairley:
Interior Designer
Blogger

Barrie Benson:
Interior Designer
Epicurean

Carolina Irving:
Textile Designer
World Traveler
Global Tastemaker

Michelle Adams:
Fabric Designer
Stylist
Trailblazer

Soup on Sunday: Simple Black Bean Soup

We are leaving for California first thing in the morning and I am trying to use up what remains in the vegetable drawer. Here is a very simple black bean soup. Enjoy and I will post from sunny California in a few days!

3 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 red or green bell pepper, chopped
2 carrots, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 -2 jalapeños, seeded, diced
1 14 1/2-ounce can peeled tomatoes, chopped, juices reserved
2 teaspoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1 tablespoon dried thyme, crumbled
4 16-ounce cans black beans, drained, rinsed
2 cups vegetable stock
juice of a lime
sour cream
green onions

Heat oil in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, carrots garlic and jalapeños, sauté until onion is tender, about 10 minutes. Mix in tomatoes with their juices, chilli powder, cayenne, cumin and thyme. Reduce heat to low and simmer until vegetables are very soft, about 10 minutes. Add beans and 2 cups stock. Puree soup in batches in processor or blender until smooth. Return soup to pot.

Add the juice of a lime and season to taste with salt and pepper. Garnish with sour cream and sliced green onions.

Serves 6

The LIST: Michael Devine

The May issue of Country Living magazine features the creative country garden of Michael Devine and Thomas Burak. You can get a sneak peek online.

The LIST: Elaine Turner

The Elaine Turner Spring Bag Giveaway! You can win the popular Bianca Clutch in this season’s hottest hue (as featured in InStyle’s April issue). All you have to do is tell four of your friends about www.elaineturner.com and you’ll be entered to win!

Find out more at Elaine Turner online. I just adore this clutch and color - good luck!

Karl Lagerfeld

Photograph by François-Marie Banier

For as long as I can remember I have felt a connection to people who relentlessly embrace their dreams and strive for the best. As a young girl my affinity was fostered through books. I grew up in a suburban neighborhood with two local libraries. During the long lazy days of summer my mother would drop me off at the library for regular rendezvous with F. Scott Fitzgerald and Truman Capote.

Then, as now, I loved nothing more than the thrill of being surrounded by endless stories of intrigue, fashion, parties and travel. But most of all I loved the encounters with captivating subjects. Along with my childhood home, these were the inspired worlds that profoundly shaped my young thoughts, ideas and views.

Photograph by François-Marie Banier

I am most fascinated by the complexing genius that is Karl Lagerfeld. My interest was fuelled several years ago after reading Where Karl Lagerfeld Lives by John Colapinto and Alicia Drakes' brilliant book The Beautiful Fall.

The uniquely confident and iconic Lagerfeld (born Karl Otto Lagerfeldt) is widely recognized as one of the most influential fashion designers of the late 20th century. Over decades he has collaborated with many fashion houses including Chloé and Fendi. However, it was his appointment to the House of Chanel in 1982 that elevated his reining status in the world of fashion.

Photograph by Karl Lagerfeld

Since moving to the UK I have become smitten with the shelter magazine Elle Decoration. Just when I think I’ve seen their best issue ever I am proven wrong the next month. Yesterday I picked up my April copy for the plane, but had to take a peek at the exclusive photos of Karl Lagerfeld’s Paris apartment. As Diana Vreeland once said, “Few things are more fascinating than the opportunity to see how people live during their private hours.”

Photograph by Karl Lagerfeld

The entire issue, including the 12 page Lagerfeld spread, is jaw dropping. My advice, get yourself a copy and find a cozy spot to read and devourer each photo. The last page features a fantasctic 1970 photo of style icon Gloria Vanderbilt - sheer perfection. Enjoy!

April Food Day

Photo by Dorothea Lange

I will readily admit that I often get caught up in a case of “I want and I need” when authoring a blog called All the Best each day. It’s far too easy to covet a beautiful Goyard handbag or pine for new carpet. However, I am quick to remind myself that millions of people would like to have a job, a roof over their head and dinner on the table. This instantly seems to put everything back into perspective and serves as a reminder to be grateful for all that I do have in my life.

Responding to a growing concern and the recent economic downturn, the editors of Easy & Elegant Life and Pigtown Design have joined forces to create a blogger action day which they've called April Food Day.

I am asking each of my American readers to consider donating whatever you can afford to Feeding America (formerly Second Harvest), a national food bank with 200 member banks across the country. This is the official recipient organization of the project.

Every dollar you contribute provides seven meals or 10 pounds of food. A $25 gift provides 75 meals. If each of us who writes a blog will ask our readers to contribute, imagine the difference we can make in our communities.

In the United Kingdom you can make a donation to Action Against Hunger, an international, non-governmental, non-religious, non-profit organization with programmes in 43 countries.

For over 25 years, Action Against Hunger has been at the forefront of the fight against hunger and was chosen by Cartier as the benefiting charity for the launch of their Love collection in 2008.


Photo by Dorothea Lange:

Dorothea Lange (May 26, 1895 – October 11, 1965) was an influential American documentary photographer and photojournalist, best known for her Depression-era work for the Farm Security Administration (FSA). Lange's photographs humanized the tragic consequences of the Great Depression and profoundly influenced the development of documentary photography.

The LIST: Preston Bailey

I have huge admiration for creative minds. But more than admiration, I have great respect for those who refuse to settle for mediocrity and use their talents to live each day to the very fullest. One such person is the incomparable Preston Bailey. I have long been a great admirer of Preston’s work and his raw talent. As you can imagine, I was more than delighted when the wonderful Susan Moolman facilitated an introduction.

Born and raised in tropical Panamá, Preston grew up short on riches but long on imagination. He moved to New York City in 1968 at the age of 19 and began his career in the design world as a fashion model, eventually opening a men’s clothing boutique. When his store closed in 1980 Preston was out of work and in need of a job. His best friend, interior designer Vicente Wolf, suggested that Preston create floral arrangements for clients.


After several years of building his reputation as a floral designer and event planner, Preston had the good fortune of meeting Joan Rivers. She asked him to design her daughter Melissa’s wedding, propelling his talent into the limelight.

I adore the way Preston combines the fruits of his imagination with the beauty of the natural world to create energetic color palettes, sensuous textures and architectural shapes. 
Twenty-seven years after the closing of his store, Preston has designed events and weddings for countless celebrities including Oprah Winfrey, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas, Donald Trump, Joan Rivers, Bill Cosby and Uma Thurman. Preston is living proof that necessity is the mother of invention.


How would you describe your personal style?
My personal style can be described as “generous as nature”—I find that nature is very generous in what it gives to us day to day and I aim to be equally as generous.

What inspires your creativity and designs?
Beauty and abundance of nature. The texture and smell of a flower, the beauty of the colors, all of these things inspire me.

What is your most prized possession?
My most prized possession is my health. I work out 7 days a week and try to eat very healthy. I meditate often and take time out for myself daily to write about my thoughts.

What is the one thing in life you cannot live without?
Peace of mind. It is the most important thing you have to have in your life. It helps balance out all other things.

Who are your style icons?
My best friend Vicente Wolf, John Galliano and David Rockwell.


Who would you most like to collaborate with on a project?
I would love to collaborate with Vicente Wolf on a huge event. The collaboration of styles would be magnificent.

What books are currently on your bedside table?
A New Earth by Eckhardt Tolle and The Artists Way by Julia Cameron

What is your favorite luxury in life?
Flying first class.

What is your idea of earthly happiness?
Peaceful sleeping. Though I travel often, I am very fortunate to manage to sleep at least 8 hours a day. I understand how important rest is for the body and spirit.

Who would you most like to meet and how would you spend the day?
I would love to meet President Obama and I would spend the day picking his brain for insight into Politics.

What is the most memorable event that you have attended as a guest?
Oprah’s 50th birthday party. The entire event from beginning to end was memorizing. Oprah of course was quite stunning and the party was filled with so much energy.

Profile by Ronda Carman

Soup on Sunday: Roasted Red Pepper

Sorry for the late post today! We awoke to a glorious sunny morning, a rare occasion in Scotland (sort of) and went out for a long family walk and early lunch. Instead of making soup today, I was treated to a wonderful steaming bowl of roasted red pepper soup at one of our favorite dog friendly pubs.

I’ve had a copy of Giada De Laurentiis’ Creamy Red Pepper soup in my files for a while and thought today was a great day to share it with all of you! Enjoy!

4 tablespoons olive oil
2 onions, chopped
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves
6 cups chicken broth
2 (12-ounce) jars roasted red bell peppers preserved in water, drained
1 russet potato, peeled and coarsely chopped
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 tablespoon sugar
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
16 (3/4-inch thick) baguette slices, cut into 1/2 to 3/4-inch cubes
1/2 cup mascarpone cheese

Directions

Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onions, carrots, garlic, and thyme and saute until the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the broth, bell peppers, potato, wine, and sugar. Bring to a simmer over high heat. Decrease the heat to medium-low. Partially cover and simmer until the potatoes are very tender, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes. Cool the soup slightly.

Using an immersion hand blender, puree the soup in the pot until it is smooth. Alternately, working in batches, puree the soup in a regular blender, taking care while blending warm liquids. Season the soup, to taste, with salt and pepper.

Meanwhile, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add the bread cubes and saute until they are crisp and golden, about 8 minutes.

Ladle the soup into bowls. Dollop a tablespoon of mascarpone in the center of each bowl and top with croutons. Sprinkle with pepper and serve.

Serves 4 - 6

Thank You House Beautiful

Thank you House Beautiful for naming All the Best as one of the sites they love. What an honor! And a big thank you to Amy Claire Preiser for the wonderful write up.

Update From Amanda Nisbet

So many people have asked about the shade of green in Amanda's library and the eglomisee (a French technique of reverse painted glass ) above the bed, that I emailed her to find out more:

"The green is something I mixed myself. I used Fine Paints of Europe as their finishes are so lovely. The color is one of their high gloss paints. I will try to dig deeper and find the colours mixed. The eglomisee seaweeds above the bed are something I designed. They are custom coloured seaweeds on mirror. One can contact Soicher-Marin to order one’s own design."

Casa Duquesa

While doing online research I came across the magnificent Casa Duquesa, a 17th century Spanish Finca in Mallorca. The photos were just too beautiful not to share with all of you.

Casa Duquesa is a private and secluded villa set in 150 acres of beautifully maintained grounds, with a large pool, a summer kitchen and outdoor dining area.

The house boasts 9 bedrooms, a large sitting room with a fire place, a dining room that seats 16 comfortably, two fully equipped kitchens and a chapel. Enjoy the photo tour!

Amanda Nisbet

It probably comes as no surprise that I have a list as long as my arm with all the names that I would like to profile on All the Best. Amanda Nisbet’s name has been at the top of my list for a while now, so I was thrilled when Tobi Fairley recently introduced us to one another.

I have long been a fan of her colorful approach to design, and the beautiful palettes of citrine, jasper and amethysts that infuse her Manhattan home. There is no mistaking her inimitable approach to both life and design. I especially love that Amanda is undeterred by rules, yet she masterfully brings a playful and energetic approach to traditional interiors. As Katharine Hepburn once commented, "If you follow all the rules, you miss all the fun." And, while Amanda may not play by a prescribed set of design rules, she always delivers on elegance and comfort.

Amanda’s work has been published in Elle Decor, House and Garden,House Beautiful, O at Home, Town and Country, Quest, Traditional Home, Home, New York Spaces, New York Home, Hamptons, The New York Times and The Washington Post. An impressive resume, but Amanda takes great pride in keeping both her company and number of projects small to afford personal commitment to each project.

How would you describe your personal style?
My style is based in the traditional vernacular to which I have infused distinct colour combinations, clean lines and most importantly humour and whimsy.

What inspires your creativity and designs?
I am forever inspired by my friends, children, fashion, nature and the world around me each day.

Who would you most like to collaborate with on a project?
Jeff Koons. I love the exhibition he did at Versailles. Wouldn’t it be fabulous to design a house with him?

Who are your style icons?
Tony Duquette, Oliver Messel, Albert Hadley, my mother, my grandmother, my sister and my father.


What is your most prized possession?
I know that our children are not our possessions, but my children are what I love most in this world.

What is the one thing in life you cannot live without?
Laughter and kindness.

What is your favorite luxury in life?
Peonies in abundance, perfume, really strong coffee, great music, but most of all a beautiful and soulful home. I am so happy in my home. I’m a bit of a homebody.

What is your idea of earthly happiness?
Being with my friends and family at home.

Past or present who has most influenced your direction in life?
My parents and my sister.

Who would you most like to meet and how would you spend the day?
I like to meet all sorts of people. I am fascinated by what makes people tick. I love to be with people who appreciate and have a zest for life. In my opinion, to spend the day with someone who is inquisitive, thirsty for knowledge and has a good sense of humour is a day well spent.

What books are currently on your bedside table?
To the One I Love Best, Episodes from the Life of Lady Mendl (Elsie de Wolfe) by Ludwig Bemelmans; Billy Baldwin, an autobiography; Inspiration, Your Ultimate Calling by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

What are your favorite cities?
New York for its vibrancy and inclusiveness and Florence for its architecture, history and approachability.

Profile by Ronda Carman

Inspiration

I am sitting at my desk playing catch up today, and daydream about restyling my space, when I should be working. I blame Cassandra, founder of Coco + Kelley, for my distraction. I have been so inspired by her posts the past few days, especially the desk of Melissa McElhatton Davis (below) it is simply wonderful!

I am working on several new profiles and will post again tomorrow. In the meantime you can savor theses beautiful photos.



Update: For those have asked about the notepad is it from iomoi and the candle is Diptyque’s Geranium Rosa.