Impossibly Cool.

I have a favorite website that I go to constantly for old, inspiring images of stars of yesterday, and I am so stoked that they are releasing limited edition prints in conjunction with Sonic Editions! The Impossible Cool is a great source. Guys, this is a great and easy no-brainer piece of artwork to replace that gross Goodwill picture above your couch. Very sleek, very stylish, and very limited - get one today as each are limited to only 50 prints! I personally have my eye on the Audrey (duh) and the Bardot. Tres chic. Also, Paul Newman, what a babe. Also, wish there was a Robert Redford!

Oh and boys? They come pre-framed, pre-matted. Hurry and get one now!

Get Your Sno-balls!

So my good friend Neesa Peterson did something fantastic this spring - she quit her job at a major modeling agency and decided to venture out on her own - into a very, very different business world filled with colorful syrups and lots and lots and lots of ice. She was kind enough to answer a few questions about her booming business and being ahead of the curve on the summer treats front.

How did you come up with the idea for Imperial Woodpecker Snoballs? How did you make the transition from the fashion/modeling world to snoballs?

I came up with the idea one day while standing in Hansen's Sno-Bliz in

New Orleans, LA, in April of 2010. I realized I could open a sno-ball stand in New York City and make a connection between all of the things I enjoy in life: food, good music, and a good, happy atmosphere, and New Orleans. The transition was easy because I had the support of all of my past colleagues which helped. Leaving people you are with everyday can be difficult. The fashion industry, however, made me very ready to do something like this, where people were always happy coming into my store.

 

{Mama WTSTA in the colorful and fun setting}

Has anything you learned in the fashion industry parlayed into your new business?

Working in fashion, especially as a model agent, I am used to balancing schedules, clients, and models and trying to make everyone happy. In the service industry, I feel it is the same, but I am more passionate about it since I want everyone that walks in to have a little piece of what I and other New Orleanian natives were lucky to experience growing up.  

 

{the crazy selection of syrups}

Ok, so what is a snoball for those not in the know?

A sno-ball is a term of endearment or regional term for a snowcone that has been made popular in New Orleans. It is a ball of shaved ice that is so fine, the syrups fall perfectly on the ice to make the perfect concoction!

 

{omgee so many choices!! try to pick just one.}

I'll say. The syrup variety is staggering - I have such an internal debate every time about what to order! What is an Imperial Woodpecker?

An Imperial Woodpecker is an extinct Mexican bird.

 

{the crazy line out the door}

What are your favorite flavors? What's the most popular? What's the weirdest combination someone has ever ordered?

My favorite flavors are Ice Cream Cream and my Sweet Lou's Nectar Cream Blend. The weirdest combo to me would be Nectar Cream and Cherry, which Tori Spelling did order and a few others, as well.

My favorites? I LOVE Tiger Blood (Coconut and Strawberry) mixed with Tangerine and The Sweet Nectar Cream and King Cake with condensed milk. It. Tastes. Like. King. Cake. Oh, and ooh, Tori Spelling!  I've seen a lot of cool, interesting, and some famous people in there. So fun!How do you find running a small business in New York? Are there any struggles/unexpected obstacles that you've come across?

Well, running a small business in New York is fun because there are always people around! It is a great place to people watch and actually be in the middle of the New York happenings. The unexpected obstacles have been good for me as it helps me learn and grow as an entrepreneur.

 

{my favorite combination!}

When are you open?

Daily 12pm-10pm!

Go visit Neesa at Imperial Woodpecker Snoballs on 7th Ave and Charles Street before the summer ends...trust me, you'll start craving that King Cake and condensed milk combo. Follow her @ImperialSno as well! 

Why the delay in posts? First off, I am back at my old magazine filling in for the Senior Fashion Market Editor while she's on maternity leave, and that takes up a LOT of time! The other reason is that my new obsession, Pinterest, has been an even better way for me to catch all the beautiful imagery out there in l'interwebs. 

For those of you who don't know it, you just create an account and get to look at all the pretty pictures your friends and strangers post all day! Love it!

Add my boards to your homepage so I can share all the wonderful pictures with you this way. Also, they link back the pictures to the source that you found them through which is genius, and you can download a nifty little button for your toolbar to instantly "pin it" to one of your boards. 

Virtual bulletin boards - a WTSTA's dream.

 {images via this is glamorous via lonny mag}

Play Date Over at Hermes.com

 

 

And playdate over on Madison Ave:

Photo: Hermès

Madison Avenue officially becomes a scarf lovers dream—they’ve opened an entirely new floor to house their classic carrès and accessories, as well as “The Silk Corner” where you can custom create and personalize any of the iconic scarves—what’s better than your initials on orange Hermès? {Hermès}

Do Ya Like My Flowers?

 

Two bouquets par moi in our apt

Summer Reading List

What are you reading this summer? I am re-reading each of these books in an attempt to do writing research for my TK essays…some of my favorites I wanted to share with you. Enjoy!

 

Essays about being Southern & living in New York – hilarious and pitch perfect!

I Totally Meant to Do That

Jane Borden

 

The Barney’s CD’s book is witty, twisted, and surprisingly true.

Beautiful People

Simon Doonan

 

I love this book. It takes me only hours to read – a perfect encapsulation of New York in the 80’s as a young girl tries to get herself together.

Story of  My Life

Jay McInerney

 

God, I love this book. I LOVE Sloane Crosley. I want my novels to be as awesome as hers. In doing research for my memoir essays I’ve found that she kicks David Sedaris’ butt. Really.

How Did You Get This Number

Sloane Crosley

 

Observational read into the lives of the British elite, a comedy of manners.

SNOBS

Julian Fellowes

 

The thrilling, chilling, tale of an American in Italy – it helps to visualize Matt, Jude, and Gwyneth but the book is even better than the movie.

The Talented Mr. Ripley

Patricia Highsmith

My Favorite Gifts Under $100

 

Whether for a wedding, a thank you, an entertaining gift, or a just-because, these are some of my favorite places to find thoughtful, beautiful gifts. I love to send monogrammed or personalized gifts because it shows you went the extra mile and didn’t just pick something willy nilly last minute!

 

Orange greek key monogrammed pillow, Luxury Monograms, $85

Rope door stopper, Burke Decor, $45

 

Numerology cocktail napkins, Burke Decor, $17.50

A Privileged Life, Assouline, $45

Cheeky double-sided customizable leather luggage tags, Harlex Hong Kong on Etsy, $34.90

John Derian Hybiscus Un Vie Poche Decoupage Tray, Orange + Pear, $70

In The Spirit of St. Barths’, Assouline, $45

 

Octopus Tray, Burke Decor, $26

Lucite Trays, iomoi, starting at $100

Lobster Tray, Furbish Studio, $60

 

Complete Guide to Scotch, T.Anthony, $95

 

L’Objet Candle, Vivre, $95

Trio of candles, Diptyque, $84

“Chevronette” flat cards, Inslee by Design, $20

Coral silver salad servers, Orange + Pear, $54

The McKittrick Hotel – The Coolest Spot in NY You’ve Never Heard Of

While reading an article on Emma Stone in this month’s Vanity Fair, I became super intrigued by SLEEP NO MORE, an avant-garde version of Shakespeare’s MacBeth in which visitors spend two hours following characters of their choosing through a horror/playhouse, all while concealed behind a Venetian mask. Countless celebrities have been and raved – have any of you? Anyone want to join me? Sounds amazing. Below, a few pictures pulled from Scoutny of the interior…does anyone know if this is what it looks like inside? If it even looks partly like this, then I’m game!

And from LOST IN E MINOR:

Must. Go.

Crave

Crave.

Tory Burch Cruise 2012 via style.com