4th of July Weekend on the Westside

This is not me...in case you were wondering

But this photo does remind me that for many years I spent every 4th of July weekend on the beach in Santa Monica where there were beach volleyball tournaments, paddle tennis games, barbecues, fireworks set off from boats offshore and mai-tai cocktails.

The 4th of July has always seemed somewhat forced for me, and not at all a true Southern California holiday.

Having spent some of my childhood and early teenage years in New England, I've always felt that Independence Day was more genuine in place of historical importance like Marblehead Massachusetts. 

Marblehead across the bay from Salem Massachusetts, was founded as a fishing village in the early 1600's.  In the 1700's it was the home of many men who fought in the War of Independence including the famous General Glover who fought under General George Washington.  It was General Glover's regiment who rowed George Washington across the icy Delaware River to the Battle of Trenton.

Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emmauel Leutze

Marblehead today is a charming town with houses and other structures that date back to the 18th Century.  It also has bragging rights as the Birthplace of the American Navy, the Birthplace of Marine Aviation, and the Yachting Capital of America.

While these titles may be disputable, what is true is that it is picturesque New England town that can boast a beautiful coastline, a historic city center, stunning estates, plenty of yacht clubs

and this famous painting.

The Spirit of 76 by Archibald Willard

At any rate, nostalgia aside, there is a world of difference in spending the 4th of July in a historic town that looks like this

and spending it at a Santa Monica beach club that looks like this

It's been a busy weekend.

Friday night I had dinner at The Tavern Restaurant in Brentwood

where the beautiful Brentwoodians come to savor the cuisine of LA super chef, Suzanne Goin.

The menu is limited but everything on it is delicious.

I had the albacore crudo with ruby grapefruit, avocado, lime and chilis followed the the chicken with braised leeks, onions and mustard breadcrumbs,

but the watermelon and heirloom tomato salad with ricotta salata and mint and the Niman ranch rib-eye with baked potato and blue cheese butter looked really good too.

But the food was the afterthought given that we were celebrating my son's 28th birthday.

As a budding art collector with his recent acquisition of an Alec Monopoly print I decided to give him a couple of paintings by Swiss pop artist ZanRe.

Here they are

and

I hope that he liked them.

The rest of the weekend has been busy.

Saturday night I went to a dinner party at a friend's house in the hills

and last night I saw Midnight in Paris

I thought it was a charming movie and that Owen Wilson nailed it.

What did you think?

OK, I was hoping to sit in the sun and read today since the last couple of weeks have been crazy busy for me but I have to go the office for an hour or so.

Holiday or not, the internet never sleeps. 

Then I'm off to a casual barbecue this afternoon.

How are you spending your holiday weekend?

The Fourth of July and Flags

For me in Southern California it never feels as if Summer has really begun until the 4th of July.  Maybe it is because the weather is so lousy here in June.  Even this morning I look outside my window and see a gray sky and fog. Where I live, which is a couple of miles from the ocean, the sun usually doesn't even come out until mid-day....so to those who are experiencing the heat wave back East...I envy you!
Luckily the foggy weather didn't put a damper on the fabulous 4th of July party that I went to last night.  Every summer my super chic friend Lillian hosts a party in her beautiful Brentwood backyard.  Like usual she served the traditional American menu of hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, macaroni and cheese, etc. The house was gorgeous, the food was delicious and most importantly the people were friendly and fun.  And she had a terrific view of the fireworks.

So what did I wear....I though you'd never ask. (I'm getting to be like Wendy B with these 'what I wore posts' aren't I?)

Red, white and blue of course with a long dress in blue with white piping, red satin sandals with sparkly jewel-y things on them, and vintage Jean Mahie ruby and diamond jewelry in 22K.

Here is the detail of the ruby an diamond pendant, dangle earrings, chains, cuff bracelet and ruby rings.
And you know where it all came from...since I kinda love the one of a kind sculptural designs of Mahie Jewelry, and the bright color of 22K gold, I'm sorta thinking about going all Mahie all the time this summer.

And on the subject of the 4th of July, where we can proudly display our flags, I wanted to show you these photos from the Naval Air Station in Rota Spain.  Because the US military base is on Spanish territory as a tenant of Spain, the Americans are only allowed 4 days a year, from July 1st to the 4th, to fly the stars and stripes.  So every July 1st, there is a flag raising ceremony attended by all four branches of the military.

There is nothing like being based in a foreign country, even a fabulous one like Spain, to make you appreciate the 4th of July and the freedom to fly the flag.
Nice photos, aren't they?

Oh and in case you missed it, here is THE BEST 4th of July blog post by Tabitha at Bourban & Pearls.
Enjoy!