WASP Wednesday

WASP Wednesday: Book Report!

2010-04-07T04:00:00.000-07:00

Hello all! It's been awhile since our last WASP Wednesday, hasn't it? This week Hopsy and I have decided to review a WASPy book. My choice? The Last Mrs. Astor by Frances Kiernan.

I read this book awhile ago, but with all the drama that has come to pass since Brooke's passing, it seemed like a good time to revisit it. Brooke Astor was a denizen of REAL old time WASP society. The days she lived in are LONG gone I am afraid and all that is left of storied family names are their horrid descendants (Paris, I'm speaking to you, dear).

This book did a lovely job of presenting the real Brooke Astor. While her life was not always pretty and easy, she handled obstacles with grace and aplomb and had a likability that is severely lacking in today's socials. Then there is the philanthropy. Hard to think of anyone else who gave away as much money as Brooke Astor did, bless her heart.

Spring break is here and summer is on the horizon, if you haven't yet read this book, it gets a WASP Wednesday "Two Thumbs Up"!

WASP Wenesday: WASP Music

2010-02-10T07:35:00.000-08:00

This WASP Wednesday Muffy and I are busting out the moves and old records. It's music, WASP style!

Everyone loves some good tunes, including the WASP. Instead of covering all types of WASP music, I am just going to cover a beloved category: oldies. WASPs love a good old classic and party music often includes songs by the Shirelles, The Four Seasons, Frank Sinatra and the Beach Boys. As we know WASPs also love a great party and one with a theme is also appreciated too. So not only do WASPs listen to 98.7 and 92.1 at home or on long drives through the Adirondacks or the coast, but they play them at the club and on the shore. Beach parties and bonfires are a favorite WASP pastime (try to channel SHAG, the 1989 movie)! Think a delicious meal (this is often done by a caterer as it is far more work than an at home Mardi Gras gathering) with s'mores to keep the littlest WASP entertained, families decked out in their beach club best and of course a LIVE Beach Boys cover band. The WASP clan will dance the night away to "Let's Go Surfin Now," "God Only Knows" (...where Bitsy would be without Tripp) and "Little Duece Coupe." Good Vibrations will be had by every WASP when the good music is playing!

WASP Wednesday: Contra!

2010-02-10T04:00:00.000-08:00

Hello friends! Happy WASP Wednesday! Today, Hopsy and I are bringing you some music from our own collections to entertain and delight you!

I just recently purchased the newest Vampire Weekend album, Contra. What a perfect album for the young WASP in your life!

The songs are catchy and MOST IMPORTANTLY, you can DANCE to them! WASPs LOVE to dance! Enjoy streaming the album and: Happy WASP Wednesday all!

WASP Wednesday: Mardi Gras!

2010-02-03T04:00:00.000-08:00

Hello friends and WELCOME to WASP Wednesday! This week Hopsy and I bring you the history of Mardi Gras.

What does Mardi Gras have to do with WASPs, you may ask? Well, #1) WASPs love a good party, ESPECIALLY a costume party. #2) Haven't you been paying attention? It's all about HISTORY, TRADITION and the way things are (and have always!) been done. #3) It's relevant! Fat Tuesday is upon us!

I do hope those are sufficient reasons for you. Let's get started!

The story, from East Jefferson Parish:

During the early 1800's public celebrations of Mardi Gras centered around maskers on foot, in carriages and on horseback. The first documented parade occurred in 1837. Unfortunately, Mardi Gras gained a negative reputation because of violent behavior attributed to maskers during the 1840's and 50's. The situation became so bad that the press began calling for an end to the celebration.

In 1857 six New Orleaneans saved Mardi Gras by forming the Comus organization. These six men were former members of the Cowbellians, an organization which had put on New Year's Eve parades in Mobile since 1831. The Comus organization added beauty to Mardi Gras and demonstrated that it could be a safe and festive event. Comus was the first organization to use the term krewe to describe itself. Comus also started the customs of having a secret Carnival society, having a parade with a unifying theme with floats, and of having a ball after the parade. Comus was also the first organization to name itself after a mythological character. The celebration of Mardi Gras was interrupted by the Civil War, but in 1866 Comus returned.

In 1870 the Twelfth Night Revelers made their appearance. In 1871 they began the custom of presenting a young woman with a golden bean hidden in a cake. This young woman was the first queen of Mardi Gras. This was also the origin of the king cake tradition.

In 1872 Grand Duke Alexis Romanoff of Russia visited New Orleans. This year the krewe of Rex made their debut and began the tradition of the "King of Carnival." Rex also introduced purple, gold and green as the official colors of Mardi Gras. Rex was the first krewe to hold an organized daytime parade and introduced "If Ever I Cease To Love" as the Mardi Gras anthem. One of the high points of Rex is the arrival of the Rex King on a riverboat. 1872 also saw the debut of the Knights of Momus on New Year's Eve.

Ten years later in 1882, the Krewe of Proteus made its debut with a parade themed after Egyptian mythology. In 1890 the first marching club, The Jefferson City Buzzards was organized. In 1894, the Original Illinois Club was formed as the first black Mardi Gras organization. In 1896 Les Mysterieuses appeared as the first female organization.

Fascinating, isn't it?!
Now, I don't think you ALL wanted a history lesson (only me!), so let's get into the exciting stuff! This year I am going to try my best to MAKE my very own KING CAKE! YES! Thanks to Elizabeth who shared with my her favorite King Cake recipe, I am on my way! I also have plans for New Orleans Red Beans and Rice or maybe a Jambalaya or Gumbo!
I'll keep you updated! Happy WASP Wednesday and HAPPY MARDI GRAS!!!

WASP Wednesday: Dogs

2010-01-27T07:35:00.000-08:00

Muffy and I are back this week to celebrate the WASP's faithful friend: the dog!

Dogs are an integral part of the lives of many, but especially the WASP. They make several appearances in home decor (old lithographs, figurines, paintings, china), they are on clothing (think Stubb and Wooten) and are also mascots of the WASP's alma mater.Dogs can always be found anywhere and everywhere in the WASP home and life! They ride in the front seat of the wagon to the country house, they are begging at the tailgate, the run around during the hunt and they lay at their master's feet while he reads the WSJ.
Spaniels and Terriers take on names like Blenheim and Windsor while bulldogs are named after the very best generals the world ever saw (Winston or Churchill, MacArthur). Labs take after US Presidents (Washington, Lincoln, Eisenhower) and great Danes stand tall as Dukes or Barons. There is of course often the children's little dog (that becomes mother's lap dog as soon as everyone is sent off to school) which tends to have a more dainty name like Pearl or Gingham.
The breeds the WASP adores are many, but the verdict is always the same: dog's are the WASP's best friend (even though they may not always be the most well behaved)! They are part of every aspect of a WASP family and will forever be a faithful companion!

"If you get to thinking you're a person of some influence, try ordering somebody else's dog around."
Will Rogers

WASP Wednesday: National Handwriting Day

2010-01-20T07:45:00.000-08:00

Well, after a month long break from our WASP Wednesday posts Muffy and I are back in action!

This coming Saturday, January 23, is National Handwriting Day. National Handwriting Day is a day to reintroduce one's self handwritten correspondence. While an email thank you or hello may suffice for many in today's day and age, the WASP is all about hand written correspondence. Not only is it more traditional, but taking the time to hand write someone a note "demonstrates an uncommon level of social grace and consideration.""The purpose of National Handwriting Day is to alert the public to the importance of handwriting. According to WIMA, National Handwriting Day is a chance for all of us to re-explore the purity and power of handwriting." The day is celebrate on January 23 yearly. This date was chosen as it is John Hancock's birthday.
Below is an excerpt from the Crane website (a staple at any WASP's desk!)

Etiquette dictates that a thank you note should be written to the giver of every gift you receive. Handwritten notes are a simple, elegant and thoughtful way to express your appreciation for gifts of any size.
The steps to writing a proper thank you note are as follows:
Greet the giver.
Express your thanks.
Say something nice about the gift or its intended use.
Mention the past, allude to the future.
Repeat your thanks.
While thank you notes tend to be the most common form of a hand written notes, they are not the only reason to write someone! Consider writing more congratulatory notes to friends when they accept a new position or try something new or simply write a letter on your best stationary to say hello!

Even though the art of a hand written note is dying in the eyes of many, the WASP has diligently been keeping the tradition alive!

WASP Wednesday: She's a Grand Old Flag!

2010-01-06T04:00:00.000-08:00

...She's a high flying flag! Hello and welcome to WASP Wednesday! Were you aware that this week in history included the birth of both flagmaker Betsy Ross and Paul Revere, the inauguration of the FIRST Woman Governor (Nellie Ross, 1925- Wyoming), and the anniversary of the FIRST United States Presidential Election?! What a week! WASPs have a very strong appreciation of American history, mainly because it was their direct descendants that were involved in the Revolution and the beginnings of this country! How very fascinating!

To celebrate this week of WASPy events, I would like to present you with this Patriotic Menu, inspired by (ok, a total ripoff of) the 2009 Presidential Inaugural Luncheon! I love this menu because it contains such traditional, hearty fare and is fairly simple. Kudos to the current administration for such an appetizing menu!

2009 Presidential Inaugural Luncheon

aka

WASP Wednesday's Patriotic Menu

First Course

Seafood Stew

Second Course

Duck Breast with Cherry Chutney

Herb-Roasted Pheasant with Wild Rice Stuffing

Molasses Whipped Sweet Potatoes

Winter Vegetables

Third Course

Cinnamon Apple Sponge Cake

All recipes available HERE.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2010-01-04T11:41:00.000-08:00

WASP Wednedays wishes you and yours a joyous 2010!

WASP Wednesday: Lawry's!

2009-12-09T04:00:00.000-08:00

Hello friends, it is WASP Wednesday once again! Hopsy and I are reviewing WASPy restaurants in our neck of the woods today. The Christmas season brings with it lots of dinners and parties. A place I like to visit with my family at Christmas (and year round, for that matter) is Lawry's The Prime Rib.

There are Lawry's in several major cities in the US as well as Tokyo, Hong Kong and Singapore, among others.

Although the whole meal at Lawry's is enjoyable, I especially enjoy the spinning salad. The wait staff wear uniforms best described as "Puritanical" with brown dresses and white aprons that tie in a giant, pressed bow and spin your salad bowl as they pour Lawry's special dressing on your salad. Here is a picture of a Lawry's waitress I found online:

Lawry's opened in 1938 in Beverly Hills and is best known to Southern Californians (and football fans!) as the venue for the annual "Beef Bowl" where both teams that will compete in the Rose Bowl eat a few days before the big game. Legend has it, the team that eats the MOST prime rib will win the Rose Bowl. 69% of the time, the team that ate the most, won!

The reason I chose this venue for WASP Wednesday is that besides a rich history of fun times and support of academia, Lawry's is an INSTITUTION in Los Angeles. Even the decor is WASPy; lots of portraits, old rugs, even a few fireplaces! Not only that, they make mean cocktails at the bar!

Last, but most certainly not least, the FOOD at Lawry's is the most amazing part of the whole experience! The most exquisite prime rib you will ever eat is accompanied by heavenly sides such as creamed spinach, lobster tail, or unbelievable creamed corn!

I am planning on using their recipe for creamed corn this Christmas as my contribution to our Christmas meal at Skipp's family home. Here it is, if you don't live near a Lawry's but want the experience at home:

LAWRY'S CREAMED CORN (from the Lawry's website):

1½ tablespoons butter

1½ tablespoons flour

½ teaspoon salt

1½ cups whipping cream

2 tablespoons sugar

3 cups fresh, frozen or canned whole kernel corn

Melt butter in heavy saucepan; add flour and salt, stirring to blend. Slowly add whipping cream, stirring constantly until thickened. Add sugar and corn, heat. For Au Gratin, place corn in a 9 or 10 inch shallow casserole dish; sprinkle with ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese and brown under broiler. Makes 4 to 6 servings.

PS: Were you aware we started WASP Wednesday blog as a way to archive our WASP Wednesday posts? Check it out: http://waspwednesday.blogspot.com/

Wordless WASP Wednesday

2009-12-02T07:35:00.000-08:00

The classic, old school, WASPy Brooks Brothers:

Wordless WASP Wednesday!

2009-12-02T04:00:00.000-08:00

WASP Wednesday: The Game

2009-11-25T07:00:00.000-08:00

Phew, it has been a BUSY few weeks, but Muffy and I are finally back with WASP Wednesdays.

One of the biggest games in the WASP culture took place last week, the Harvard-Yale game! The Game was played this past weekend, on Saturday, November 21st to be exact. Now, if ever you were looking for a true WASP show this would a perfect place to go. After a night filled with alumni reunions tail gating commences in before The Game's noon start. The area is filled with a see of crimson red and blue as far as the eyes can see. Many WASPS pull out their old knit letter sweaters for the occasion. These can be paired with a tweed shirt or pants in the appropriate color of course. Some WASPs even sport their Belgian loafers in their schools color! Tailgate tables are set up with silver, small floral arrangements, pendant flags and lots and lots of catered food. This is one of the season's events and it is not to be missed!The Game dates back to 1875 and was actually one of the very first games played between two US institutions (two of the oldest and most prestigious too!). Through the years the Yale Bulldogs have won 65 games and Harvard Crimson just 53, this year included in their win tally. However, even though this is an intense Ivy (and WASP) rivalry at the end of the day there is lots of comradery.
Now, since most WASPs love a good drink at a tailgate, here are some festive drinks for The Game (found on the Bostonist when typing in Harvard Yale Game recipes to Google).

Harvard Cooler
1/2 tsp. superfine sugar
2 oz. carbonated water
2 oz. applejack
Stir sugar and carbonated water together in a 12 oz. Collins glass. Fill with cracked ice and add applejack. Top off with more carbonated water, or ginger ale. Insert spiral of orange peel or lemon peel (or both, it says) and dangle the end (or ends!) over the rim of the glass.

Daly's Bartenders' Encyclopedia, published by Tim Daly of Worcester, Mass., in 1903 ("price, 50 cents") lists a more complicated Yale Punch, which "derives its name from the fact of its popularity with students, not only at Yale, but other colleges where they desire everything of the best." We have converted the measurements from pony glasses and wine glasses, but without having made one of these, we can't help you with the indecisiveness of the dashes:

Yale Punch
1 tsp. sugar dissolved in a little water
1 or 3 dashes lemon juice
1 or 2 dashes lime juice
2 or 3 dashes raspberry syrup
2 or 3 dashes Bénédictine
1/2 oz. St. Croix rum (probably any decent dark rum will do here)
2 oz. brandy (the recipe specifies Hennessey)
Mix in a glass filled with ice, and festoon with mint and seasonal fruits. Serve with those newfangled drinking straws.

WASP Wednesday: THE GAME!

2009-11-25T03:00:00.000-08:00

This week for WASP Wednesday, Hopsy and I bring you, THE GAME! Last weekend was "The Game"! THE BIG GAME!!!!!! Any prep worth her weight in the family tartan pays close attention to the BIG GAME! This year Harvard won. Muffy is a Crimson fan. Here are some fun images from THE BIG GAME!!!

I love vintage programs! They really take you back to another time.

134 years of rivalry. Did I mention how much WASPs love tradition?

Fight fiercely, Harvard,

fight, fight, fight

Demonstrate to them our skill

Albeit they possess the might

Nonetheless we have the will

How we shall celebrate our victory

We shall invite the whole team up for tea, how jolly

Hurl that spheroid down the field

And fight, fight, fight

Wordless WASP Wednesday!

2009-11-04T04:00:00.000-08:00

The Cushing Sisters and their family at the wedding of Bill and Babe Paley, July 1947, at Greentree, the Whitney estate in Manhasset. L. to r. rear: Mr. and Mrs. Henry Cushing, Minnie and Vincent Astor, Bill and Babe Paley, Jock and Betsey Whitney. Front row: Sarah Roosevelt, Tony Mortimer, Mrs. Harvey Cushing, Amanda Mortimer, and Kate Roosevelt.

(Photo courtesy New York Social Diary)

WASP Wednesday: WASP Halloween

2009-10-28T05:35:00.000-07:00

With Halloween just around the corner Muffy and I could not think of a more suitable topic than WASPy Halloween costumes!

Of course there are many classic costume ideas that WASPs bring out on All Hallows Eve (think Country Clubber, Squash Player, Jackie O, etc). However, I think every WASP likes to go back to their European roots at times and what better a time than Halloween?!
For the male there is the classic Scotsman outfit.

Now, if you are very well prepared or just super WASPy you might actual have one of these in your tartan! You can sport it with pride and maybe even do a little hills dancing too? Ladies might also enjoy matching the man in a traditional Lassie outfit.
However, should you all choose to go your separate ways you can always go way back to your roots and be a pilgrim! The American WASP can celebrate history and their country on Halloween night, who knew?!
Now of course some WASPs always lean a bit more towards the other side of the Atlantic. The Sloane Ranger in you is always partial to the Windsor family so why not go as the famous Princess Diana and Prince Charles? This one is always a classic for the young and old. Of course you could also be Kate and Prince William if your heart yearns to be a younger royal (and almost royal) for a day. Otherwise, the Sloane Ranger enjoys any British historical figure of which there are plenty to choose from!
When I was little mother was loved all things British (just as she does now). She ordered the most darling WWII nurse outfit from The White House in London (sadly, they have now closed their doors, but Diana bought things for William and Harry here- it is a small claim to fame for me!!) for me. I wore this and pushed our dog, Pepper, in my mini version of my Silver Cross pram and was a vet! It was a complete British outfit and looking back I must say it was quite cute too. I hope this was saved because I would use it in the future!
So no matter how young or old you may be this All Hallows Eve be sure to add just a touch of WASP to your night (note: this does not have to be in the form of a costume, it can be in your manners too)!!

WASP Wednesday: BOO!

2009-10-28T04:00:00.000-07:00

Hello friends! Today at WASP Wednesday Hopsy and I are bringing you cherished costumes of the WASP set.

A WASP will use any excuse to drink copious amounts of alcohol, so costumes like those that depict F. Scott Fitzgerald book characters are always a hit. Think Daisy and Gatsby!

Other popular costumes include anyone who is known as a lush. Example? One time Muffy Martini costume: Karen from Will and Grace. That was a VERY popular one.

Lastly, irony is lost on a WASP. Enter the Wasp Costume. No explanation needed here.

Above all, the thing to remember with WASP costumes are keep it light hearted and don't put TOO much effort into it! WASPs NEVER "over do" things.

Happy Halloween to all of you, WASP or not!!!

xoxo,

Muffy

WASP Wednesday: WASP Wedding Gifts

2009-10-21T07:30:00.000-07:00

Muffy has returned a Mrs. and WASP Wednesday is now back in full swing! Since Muffy just sealed a lifelong deal we could not think of a more appropriate WW topic than WASP Wedding gifts!

When it comes to wedding gifts choosing the perfect item can be quite daunting. There are lovely linens, everyday china (the nice china and silver are often passed down through the generations) and bake ware. So what is a WASP to choose? Well something they would of course want themselves, something like Herend! Now there are cachet pots, dainty placecard holders and candy dishes, but it is the classic fishnet figurines that always stand out. The great thing about the Herend figurines is that there is one for everyone. A WASP can purchase Herend figurines in a plethora of colors (rust, chocolate, raspberry, blue, green, butterscotch, etc). You can match these to someone's china or their home decor; simply divine! There are hundreds of figurines to choose from as well so their is one for every WASP couple!
For the WASPs you might not know too well pick up the Lovebirds!
For the Middleburg Fox Hunt couple, the foxes!
For the WASP getting married in the tropics pick up a sand dollar or a shell!

For the UT WASPs the Texas Longhorn is a MUST!

Then, for the UGA graduates of the GA fans the English bulldog must be added to their home.

All Herend pieces are individually hand painted with the classic fishnet pattern. This pattern originated in the mid 1800's and like any good thing it has stood the test of time. WASPs love to collect things so add a piece to their old collection or help a new couple start their own collection! Herend figurines can be purchased at local china shops or through the famed Scully and Scully (a very WASPy store full of all the best decor!). The WASP can never go wrong when they give the gift of Herend!

WASP Wednesday: Wedding Gifts!

2009-10-21T04:00:00.000-07:00

Hello all, it's been a long time since our last WASP Wednesday, hasn't it? This week Hopsy and I are thinking about my recent wedding and gifts that WASPs tend to give and receive.

A popular WASP gift is something passed down among generations. For my own wedding, we received a lovely set of Rosenthal china purchased in Germany in the 1940s. This set is immaculate. Complete 12 place settings. Amazing. I'll take a photo once Skipp and I get settled and start building our life. Oh, but we are talking about WASPs, not me. So easy to forget! HAHA! WASPs love to give items with meaning and more importantly like to 'keep it in the family'. They are never called "hand-me-downs" in the WASP circle. Heirlooms only, of course.

Another popular gift for the WASP set is silver. You all may recall my obsession with a vintage silver tea set that Skipp and I obtained this year. Silver represents many things. Wealth, prestige, quality. These elements add up to one heck of a WASP gift. Popular silver items include julep cups, frames, and platters. Tea sets are also lovely and appropriate.

Lastly, while Skipp and I were hosting a brunch the morning after our wedding and opening some gifts, there was one that nearly brought a tear to my eye: a set of monogrammed towels with our new initials. There are few things a WASP is attached to as much as their own initials. Bonus points for naming children a certain way in order to carry on certain initials. The gift does not need to be towels to bring a tear to a WASP eye. Monogrammed frames (ooh, a silver one perhaps?), pens, vanity sets, any of these things will do the trick.

When all else fails and you do not know what to buy the WASPy couple remember this: quality, function and tradition. If your gift has all these qualities, the WASPs will be quite pleased with you. See you next Wednesday!

Middleburg Foxhunt Recipes!

2009-10-14T07:35:00.000-07:00

Devon's Delights

Serves 40

1 Box Triscuit crackers

3 pounds smoked bacon, sliced

Around each cracker, wrap a strip of bacon. Set them on a buttered cooking sheet and broil for 5 minutes or until bacon is cooked.

Middleburg's Mulled Cider

Serves Approximately 50

Most men will flock to their whiskey, but here's a choice for those who want something to sip with their food.

1 gallon apple cider

8 cinnamon sticks

1 cup granulated sugar

10 whole cloves

2 bottles red Burgundy wine

Heat all ingredients (except the wine) to a boil., then remove from heat. Add wine and serve immediately.

WASP Cookbook

2009-10-14T07:30:00.000-07:00

We already covered WASP food on WASP Wednesday a few months back, but I realized I never once made mention on the WASP Cookbook! How dare I, I know!
Alexandra Wentworth collected recipes from her WASPy friends and their families and put them all in to a navy velvet covered book. Like any good WASP, she is able to make fun and play along as she dishes out the details on all the WASPiest of events! Easy recipes (WASP like simple and quick as we know) cover the pages that are organized my season. Everything from The Blessing of the Hounds (Winter) to the Annual Family Meeting (Spring) to the Croquet Breakfast (Summer) to A Middleburg Foxhunt (Autumn) is covered. While I wish I could include everything, I can only divulge a few details to those of you that do not own the cherished book.

A Middleburg Foxhunt
"Whereas to the ordinary citizen a foxhunt might refer to trolling for a suitable mate, to the WASP a foxhunt means exactly that - hunting for foxes. (In WASP parlance, searching for a suitable mate is known as buying a BMW.) Foxhunting is really the WASP's tour de force, which is why it's always prominently displayed in oil paintings, on needlepoint pillows, on toilet seat covers, and everywhere else one might look in a WASP estate. In the autumn mornings, you can hear the horn and the yelping of the hounds as they jump stone fences and parade through your field. (Not a good day to wear the fox stoll.)

Katie's Hunt Spread
Serves 15-20
3 cups ground country ham
1 8 ounce package cream cheese
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Place the ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth. Serve with stone ground wheat crackers.
Now run on over to Amazon and pick up your copy to day (if you are lucky you might be able to scoop up the $6.99 copy I just spotted!)!!

21 Club Video

2009-10-07T07:35:00.000-07:00

Here is a video jam packed with history on 21 Club! Enjoy!!

NYC Restaurant

2009-10-07T07:30:00.000-07:00

Well dearest readers, our dearest Muffy is officially in wedding mode. Her big day is just four days away, so it is just me celebrating WASP Wednesday today.

There are loads and loads of WASP restaurants all over the world. They range from four table bistros in the 1st arrondissement of Paris to townhouse eateries to tourist attractions. New York City is full of WASP eateries, but one of my favorites that is also full of history (that is also somewhat of a tourist attraction today) is the 21 Club.
This year is a big year for the 21 Club, they are celebrating their 80th birthday! 21 Club got it's name because of it's address; it is located at 21 West 52nd Street. 21 Club has been a go to restaurant for WASPs for years. As many of you know they flocked here during the Prohibition. 21 had a secret wine cellar (it was hidden behind canned goods and meats and could only be opened with a meat skewer) which is actually located under the building next door. Police never found anything because of the alarm system that was instilled and the fact that the cellar was so well hidden!

Another aspect WASPs love about 21 is the strict dress code. Jackets are always required for men (if you come in without one you will be given one before you are seated) and tennis shoes and jeans are never permitted. WASPs are surrounded by similarly dressed while dining on gourmet American food (their creamed spinach and creamed corn are the best you will EVER have!!).

The decor of 21 is also quite WASPy. The cocktail lounge is done up with wooded walls, large leather chairs and oriental carpet. The real gem is however, the bar room. Large leather booths and small red table clothes colored tables take the back seat. WASP eyes wonder the toys the hand from the ceiling and the plaques that cover the wall. These toys have been presented to the restaurant by sports stars, CEOs, celebrities and presidents. 75 years of American history pack the room full! Another signature of 21's decor (a super WASPy feature too) are the jockeys on the stairs outside the townhouse. "'21' was home to the affluent 'horsy' set as far back as the early 1930s. To impart their personal stamp on the speakeasy-turned-restaurant, many breeders began donating jockeys as symbols of their private horse farms. Today, many of the brightly painted figures represent the country's most prominent stables."

21 Club is a New York staple. It attracts WASPs from all over the country with its' old school history and fun atmosphere. It is a fabulous place to celebrate brithdays (mother and I have both done this!), have a business lunch or dine pre-theater. Happy 80th birthday 21, here is to many more to come!

WASP Movies

2009-09-30T07:30:00.000-07:00

It is WASP Wednesday again dear readers! Sadly, this weekend Muffy and I have both been on such overload that we forgot to coordinate our WASP Wednesdays. Tish, tish, I know! This week I will be presenting a favorite WASP Hollywood flick which many of you are sure to love!

Out of Africa is such a classic and a favorite of many around the world. WASPs love history! The British colonial times are quite fascinating to anyone, but especially the WASP. The era is so romantic and rich in history. Now, the WASP knows times were not perfect, but the exotic places the Europeans cousins got to live during the early 1900's were quite fantastic and seemed like paradise! Out of Africa is based on the book written by Isak Dinesen, which was Karen Blixen's (the main character in the movie) pen name. Karen moved to Kenyain 1913 to marry her cousin. The plan was to farm cattle, however her husband choose coffee instead. They lived on a beautiful plantation together until their marriage ended with separation in 1921 and then a divorce in 1925. Karen brought many of her possessions with her so like a good WASP or Sloane Ranger she was able to throw a dinner party with the best china and crystal on a different continent! Karen also reached out to all those that worked on the plantation. She helped the sick and started a school for the worker's children. She certainly made a mark as her home is not only a museum now, but there is also a Nairobi suburb named Karen!I do not want to spoil the movie or book for those that are longing to see or read either, but this is a MUST see. Karen in a fascinating woman with impeccable taste and style (and WASPy style- even when working with the coffee and on safari she dressed the part!). The movie's scenery is beyond beautiful and the love story is so captivating (but do be warned you may need Kleenex!). This WASP flick takes you back in to another era and leaves you yearning to travel to Africa!

If you have a topic you would like to see covered WASP Wednesday do email me. We have many we are still looking to cover, but are of course willing to change the order around for you dear reader!

WASP Fall Must

2009-09-23T07:30:00.000-07:00

It is that time of the week again, WASP Wednesday is here! This week Muffy and I bring you the Fall staples for any WASP!
As I have mentioned time and time again WASPs tend to go back to their European roots with many aspects of their lives. Well, of course the Fall wardrobe is one of these aspects of life- it is hard to go wrong with European fashion! WASPs love to be outdoors, but especially in the Fall when duck and pheasant season are in full swing! Any proper WASP must dress their part for these outings. So who does the WASP pull out of their WASPy wooded closet when the pheasants go flying? Well the Barbour of course! The waxed cotton is waterproofed for the dreary afternoons spent bonding with mother earth and the lining (usually plaid, but a fun floral in the above example) adds a bit of hidden flair to any WASP affair. Barbour is ideal of for WASP days in the country, the classic Burberry trench is a city necessity. It can be worn on an average Fall day, but the cold weather insert can also be purchased for the extra chilly days the Northern WASP encounters. The classic trench never goes out of style like the Barbour so it can be passed down from WASP to WASP. No need to buy new when great aunt Bisty can will it to you!
Now, what does the WASP wear under all this outwear? A kilt of course! The great thing about kilts is that they come in just about every length for any aged WASP. Kilts also can be passed down (Hopsy wears her mother's from the 80's!) just like the trenches. Of course the WASPiest thing about kilts is that any good WASP can buy one in their family plaid! No more sporting around the basic blackwatch plaid around town, get the Flanaghan clan plaid and wear your colors with pride! Kilts looks fabulous with a monogrammed sweater or a traditional turtleneck. They also go perfectly with the Stubbs and Wootens as well as Hunters.
WASPs never veer far from the classics and stick with tradition. New or old, WASPs always dress the part even when the weather turns a bend.

WASP Wednesday: The Essentials

2009-09-23T04:00:00.000-07:00

Hello friends, I do hope you are having a wonderfully WASPy Wednesday today! Today, BFF Hopsy and I will be discussing the ESSENTIAL pieces of a perfectly WASPy Fall wardrobe! My personal favorite WASP essential is: the scarf. Nothing is more WASPy then a nice woolly scarf tied around your neck. Completely simple, totally utilitarian and most importantly, WARM! Bonus points for getting the scarf in the family plaid.

Scarves can be worn a number of different ways and come in a myriad of styles. My personal favorites are solid color and cashmere. Wrapped up around my neck, they are the only thing that can get me really truly WARM! WASPs love to be in cold places doing sporty things. With a scarf wrapped tightly around the neck, they can do those things and stay nice and warm! What is YOUR favorite Fall wardrobe WASP essential?

WASP Games

2009-09-16T07:30:00.000-07:00

It's WASP Wednesday again! Muffy and I are loving these posts and we hope you are too. This week we present WASP Games...get out the dice and let the WASP times roll!
Like any other family the WASP family loves games! Games are the perfect way for everyone of all ages to comes together, socialize and play. While WASPs are of course fans of the everyday card games they also love the classic board games. A true WASP favorite is Monopoly!

Monopoly is actually a game with a very rich and rather interesting history (it dates back to 1904 and during WWII a special version was made for POWs with hidden elements!) just like the life of the WASP it teaches one all about responsibility (make your choices wisely, when the money is gone it is gone and there are only so many houses and hotels) and managing money (hence why many WASP households have Monopoly Jr. on hand). Monopoly can go on for days and days and get extremely competitive. Every WASP loves a good challenge and one that can go into the wee hours of the morning in the summer is even better. Monopoly comes in many shapes and colors. There is the luxury edition of Monopoly, which is complete with a leather base and silver and gold houses, for the main residence. Some WASP households also have their local version or their Alma Mater board on hand for when the old school chums or neighbors pop in for an after dinner cocktail. WASPs can even purchase the British version of Monopoly for their travels and of course Lillyopoly is perfect for the summer house! Monopoly is such a fun game for all ages! WASPs can even split in to teams; think family reunions...the Morgans vs. the Buckleys vs. the Fords. It provides endless (literally) hours of fun and even some education. So, grab the dice, pick out your playing piece (I call the horse and rider!) and let the games begin!!

WASP Wednesday: The Games We Play

2009-09-16T04:00:00.000-07:00

Good morning! Another WASP Wednesday is upon us! Hopsy and I are bringing you games of the WASP set today!

The best games in my opinion are card games. Namely, gin rummy and cribbage. WASPs enjoy these games because their parents and their parents parents and their parents parents parents also played these same games.

Gin Rummy is a relatively new game to WASP culture. It was invented in 1909 and is a relatively simple game in which a player tries to score higher than his opponent. WASPs love any game that allows them to drink copious amounts of alcohol and still be able to focus on the matter at hand. Enter gin rummy. Gin for short. Man, I love gin. Anyone have any tonic??

Cribbage is another WASP favorite, created in the early 17th century. In the game, playing and grouping cards in different combinations which gain points is the directive. Terms such as "crib" "streets" "box" and "spiliken" are all used to play cribbage. WASPs love odd terms. (See: previous WASP Wednesdays).

In short, any game that is over 100 years old and keeps traditions alive is favored by the WASP set. Inviting friends over for drinks and Rummy is simply another way to keep the "Old Boys Network" alive and thriving. For the rest of us, Uno and Backgammon will have to suffice.

Anyone have any tonic? ;)

WASP Send Off

2009-09-09T07:30:00.000-07:00

It's that time of week again...time for Muffy and Hopsy's WASP Wednesday!
Warm weather has come and gone, the summer houses are being closed up and there is a certain chill in the air. This chill brings lots of fun for the WASP...it means the Harvard/Yale game is on the horizon and the prep school sports are back in play! The WASP wagon was just packed up last weekend and the WASP youth are now back in school. Going back requires loads of work in the WASP household. All the WASPy goods must be ordered, clothing has to be properly labels (preferably only those with initials or a last name) and the WASP must be mentally prepared! A WASP learn names and how to do basic tasks (like where to drop their dry cleaning off every Tuesday), study up on fellow WASP students and get the facts on their soon-to-be alma matter (old facts as well as other schools are important in WASP circles). Ten years ago (AH!) last weekend I was a rising lower middler (freshman) packing up to head off the The Taft School and doing just these things. In proper WASP fashion mother and father threw me a boarding school send off party (see your copy of The Wasp Cookbook for further details) at which they presented me with a lovely framed painting for my dorm room. Little Hopsy was starting off on the right foot at least when it came to decorating...I am not sure some of my clothing fell under the ultra WASP category! Speaking of decorating, what does a true WASP dorm room look like you might ask? Just like this: This college WASP has created a WASP haven. There are plaids and patterns and some old furniture too and packed to create a homey feel- this dorm is sheer WASP perfection! Not every WASP can live in such a WASP palace, but they can have all the WASP essentials strewn about. Here are some of my WASPy dorm musts (remember, small things can make a room!):
*A small antique tray (I suggest Blue Willow or Blue Canton) on a dresser for change or jewelry.
* A squash racquet in the corner.
*An LL Bean tote for class.
*Cable crewnecks, pastel colored chinos and just about every color oxford hanging in the closet.
*A small painting or print in a lovely gold frame.
*A cashmere or wool throw on the bed (this will be very useful for post-athletic/pre-sit down dinner naps).
*Black and white family photos at the WASP summer home or WASP vacation destination.

WASP Wednesday: That time again!

2009-09-09T04:00:00.000-07:00

Hopsy and I want to know: Do you smell that? It's FALL! What does Fall mean? SCHOOL! Where do WASPs go to school? Boarding schools!

This post is dedicated to all the WASPy children going off to boarding schools across the country this week! Boarding schools have long been present in popular culture, from books to films. We all remember Nicholas Nickleby, Jane Eyre, and The Catcher in the Rye!

I have always loved movies involving boarding schools as well. Goodbye, Mr Chips, Tom Brown's Schooldays, and Dead Poets Society are personal faves. GOOD LUCK to all the children (and their parents!!!) going off to boarding school this week!

WASP Vacation Spots

2009-09-02T07:30:00.000-07:00

The well bred WASP loves to travel so this week Muffy and I bring WASP vacation spots!

Of course WASPs love to spend time at their summer homes by the sea and at their weekend country houses, but WASPs also love a good resort. It is lovely to jet off and get away for a week and not have to worry about a thing...well except for the time of your next squash or tennis lesson and what time to pick the WASP itty bittys up from the children's program. There are loads of WASP destination resorts, but I am going to concentrate on just two that I have been to and love!
I have been going to Sea Island since I was two (for 22 years now- wow!). The island is full of Southern WASPs who like their northern cousins just wanted to get away from the city for the weekend. While SI is still quite WASPy I will be the first to admit that the new hotel is far less WASPy than the old Cloister. Charm can still be found in the wonderful Solarium and the dinners are still as wonderful as ever, but it is different. Since WASPs are creatures of habit I am sure many will tell you they miss the 'old' days. However, the renovation did bring a very WASPs addition: squash courts and a squash pro! No more leaving the island to get in a game, now the WASP can enjoy a quick match before dinner and bingo! While WASP father is palying squash and WASP mother is off reading the lastest New Yorker WASP children are kept busy at the children's program (the age groups have names like the Cubs and Sandpipers!). However, in the late afternoon they can be found charging up a storm at the snack bar and ice cream parlour (Hopsy was this child...but I added in the Cloister Collection too). After a long day's work the WASP family reunites for dinner in the main hotel and then some after dinner dancing! What a perfect day! A favorite New England WASP getaway is The Mayflower Inn in Washington, CT. It is located in the heart of WASP country and on any given Fall weekend you are sure to see Tripp and Bitsy driving the old Mercedes around popping into each and every antique store. After a long day they can have drinks in the ultra WASPy Library (where Hopsy had her family graduation party!!) and then enjoy a five star meal in the Dining Room before taking a midnight stroll through the gardens and curling up in their Colefax and Fowler room. The Mayflower Inn is like a WASPs' home away from home. You are always guaranteed to run into your WASP bff and the Inn has every amenity the WASP heart could possibly desire (lush rooms, lovely garden, history and old school charm)!
Of course these are not the only two WASP resorts out there (how could we forget The Greenbrier, The Homestead, Seaside, anything on Nantucket, and on and on the list could go...), but they are two that always stand out on my list! Now, if only Hopsy find her WASP mate then we can start planning a WASP wedding at one of the two...some of you WASP blog bffs are SURE to be invited!

WASP Vehicles

2009-08-26T07:30:00.000-07:00

In this week's addition of WASP Wednesday Muffy and I celebrate WASP vehicles!

Just like everyone else in the world a WASP also must get around town. However, unlike many a WASP does not always have to have the newest model car in the most exclusive color. As we all know WASPs love classic and the longer something will last, the better. So, when it comes to driving WASPs never steer clear of the classic cars. Just as with home goods and hair accessories WASPs like to go back to their roots when it comes to vehicles so they tend to buy European. Merecedes are WASP favorites. Not only to they have the classic lines, but they can last for ages (with just a handful of mechanical issues here and there). Mercedes can be bought when the youngest WASP hits middle school and last into the WASP grand parenting years; they just get better and better with age! Like their British counter part, the Sloane Ranger, WASPs also love Land Rovers...especially Range Rovers. You can fit the entire WASP entourage in the Rover and speed off for a weekend in the country. Even the WASP dog can tag along in the back next to the onion souffle, bacon crackers, squash racquets and anything duck hunting related. Finally, much like the Rover the Volvo wagon is also great for the busy WASP. The extra two back seats are great for WASP carpool from the country day school to the country club, but they can be folded down for Yale/Harvard tailgates. Again, the wagons last for ages upon ages so of course the WASP wife cannot leave the lot without one!

WASP Wednesday: Let's Go For A Ride!

2009-08-26T04:00:00.000-07:00

Hello friends! Hopsy and I are back and ready to give you some more insight into the fascinating culture of WASPs. This week we are focusing on the cars of the WASP set. Much like WASPs themselves, the WASP car is usually reliable, practical, hardworking and not terribly flashy.

Some acceptable brands include:

Volvo (very practical and safe, good signs):

Saab (my personal favorite):

Jeep (utilitarian! sporty! practical!):

...and Mercedes Benz (but only for the older set. Can't beat that German engineering!)

WASPs sometimes believe older is better. 150 year old settees are much more likely found in their home than anything by Ikea. This same thought applies to cars. Enter: the vintage. Usually a gift from Daddy.

The Benz. To be used with the top down while driving through the countryside. Also used during attendance at polo matches.

The International Scout. Quite possibly the WASPiest car ever.

Lastly, there is always an eccentric. Oh yes, you know them. They stick out like a sore thumb. For them, a slight variation on the theme. Enter the Lilly jeep.

Hopsy drives a Volvo and Skipp and I prefer the vintage Mercedes. Ours is a turbo diesel! Always a winner. Which is your favorite WASP car?

WASP Hair Accessories

2009-08-19T07:30:00.000-07:00

This week on WASP Wednesday: hair accessories for the WASPiest WASP! Muffy and I both adore hair accessories so what a perfect pairing if I do say so myself! The well groomed WASP always completes their look with a finishing touch like a hair accessory. However, before you can put the barrette in place or put the headband on you must tidy up with a brush. Now, their are many options out their when it comes to hair brushes, but I think every WASP can agree that the very best is of course a Mason Pearson.
While other children are receiving Barbie's and Power Rangers from Santa the little WASP is finding their very first MP hidden somewhere in their stocking. This brush is so well made it will last them until the first year of prep school when they are finally forced to upgrade to the larger size (the female WASP will keep her original small size for purse use in years to come). The Mason Pearson is the ultimate brush and just like the WASP it too finds its' roots across the Atlantic.Also finding its' roots across the Atlanic in a country where the college WASP buy study abroad are the famed Ferragamo headbands. WASPs made the grosgrain bows classic wardrobe staples long before Gossip Girl came to be. These headbands are perfect for every type of WASP hair; they give a little height to the thinnest and keep the thickest out of the face. Also available are Ferragamo barrettes. These are great for pulling hair back while traveling or on a hot summer's day. The available colors are classic and match the majority of the WASP wardrobe. Plus the best part is they can be worn year after year. Like anything in a WASP's life the classics, hair accessories included, never become old in the WASP world!

WASP Food

2009-08-12T07:30:00.000-07:00

Welcome to WASP Wednesday! This, just in time for the boarding school send off parties, week bff Muffy and I are sharing WASP recipes!! Like everyone else on the planet WASPs too love good food! WASPs love to dine at the club and the top restaurants in the city, but home cooking done by the actual WASP is kept a bit more simple. In the WASP household easy recipes tend to be best as they can survive being passed down through generations (from Mimzie to Sissy or from butler John to butler Charles). The fewer ingredients and steps the better chance that the recipe will continousy turn out.
An easy recipe that mother taught me at a very young age is her Onion Souffle. The recipe is nothing special, but it is as delicious as ever! Mother has made this all over the world and it is always a hit. Mother did actually make this for my Taft send off party way back in 1999 (ten years ago this September little Hopsy was headed off!) and ever since I left home I have continued to bake onions souffles for events and no one ever tires of it. Follow this simple recipe and have a hit WASP dish at your next gathering!
3 (8 ounce) Packages of softened Cream Cheese
2 cups Parmesan Cheese
1/2 Cup Mayonnaise (WASPs tend to find MANY uses for mayo!)
1 Package Frozen Chopped Onions
Lay onions out on paper towels and press to remove all access water. Immediately after mix all ingredients in a bowl until they are well combined. Transfer them to a pie or casserole dish (passed down from mother or grandmother!) and transfer to the over. Bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes- make sure the souffle is heated all the way through before removing it. Serve hot with Ritz crackers and enjoy!

WASP Wedneday: Feeling hungry?

2009-08-12T07:00:00.000-07:00

Hello friends! Once again, BFF Hopsy and I are bringing you WASP Wednesday. Today's focus is WASP food, a very interesting aspect of WASP culture! WASPs notoriously love bland food. This has something to do with the puritanical, Protestant roots of WASPs. Hard work, no taste! HAHA!

One of my very favorite WASP foods (besides Triscuits!) is the ubiquitous peanut butter and bacon appetizer. This food is easy to make and requires no fuss (very WASPy qualities). If you wish to make your own peanut butter bacon snacks, follow these easy peasy directions:

12 Crackers of your choice (Club, Ritz or Triscuits work)

1 Cup Peanut Butter

4 Sliced cooked Bacon

Lay out crackers. Spread peanut butter evenly on each cracker. Crumble cooked bacon and evenly sprinkle onto the peanut butter crackers. ENJOY!

Do tell, what is YOUR favorite WASP food?

WASP Footwear

2009-08-05T07:30:00.000-07:00

Welcome to WASP Wednesday! This week Muffy and I are going to 'examine' WASP footwear. As with many things WASPs always tend to lean towards the old brands and so it goes with WASPs and their shoes. WASPs like to stick with the classics. Two brands that immediatly come to mind when thinking of WASPy footwear are Belgian Shoes and Stubbs and Wootton.
Belgian Shoes were designed by Mr. Henri Bendel in the 1940's. Like all good shoes they are handmade by some of the world's best. There is one style that comes in an aray of colors (you can find up to three colors on one pair!) and types of leather. The oh-so-classic bow can also be replaced for a crest or crown from the companies collection. My very favorite is the initial crown, but the maroon and blue pair also called out my name as it would be perfect for Taft sporting events in the years to come!
If you have not ever stopped in to the darling, little Belgian Shoes store in the city you must pop in on your next visit, it is not to be missed!
Stubbs & Wootton is another NYC store WASP footware shop you should NEVER just walk by! They too have been making classic loafers and slippers for years and years. Their needlepoint shoes are DIVINE and every WASP should own a pair. However, their velvet slippers are also true WASP classics. The wonderful thing about Stubbs and Wootton is that they come out with new motifs every season, but the wonderful style never changes. They will sometimes bring back old WASPy classic too (I believe the chandelier currently on their site is one of these)!
(For the WASPy Kappa!)

Stubbs and Wooten has boutiques in all the WASPy locales, so even if you are not in the city often try the Palm Beach or Southhampton store. Who knows, you might even be as lucky as I was last November and hit them up on a day when the entire store is 50% off!!
This pair would not only match WASPy mother's closet, but the India condo as well!
Isn't this bow pair just DARLING?
Both Belgian Shoes and Stubbs and Wootton are wonderful house shoes, but they work well for travel too. They are most definetly a must addition for any WASP closet!
The best thing about the WASP lifestyle is that it never goes out of style. WASP shoes are classics that will last for ages and they will always be 'in'. You can buy a pair today and still wear it in 2008!

WASP Wednesday: Penny Loafers or BUST!

2009-08-05T07:00:00.000-07:00

Hello friends! Another WASP Wednesday is here! Today BFF Hopsy and I will be focusing on the shoes of the WASP set. From a very young age, WASPs outfit their children in sturdy loafers "to support growing feet" and often place a penny in the little slit in the top of the shoe. This trend began in the 1950s and gave the shoes the moniker "penny loafers". WASPs like to call things by silly names, so loafers in WASP speak is "weejuns".

My own weejuns were by a company called Selby that is no longer in business. I also highly recommend brands like Tod's (they have KILLER driving moccasins!) and Cole Haan, but the gold standard are Bass weejuns.

Get on your weejuns and let's go, old boy! Times' a wasting!

WASPy Athletics

2009-07-29T07:30:00.000-07:00

Thank you all for welcoming WASP Wednesday with open arms last week! Muffy and I were so thrilled and we look forward to many more WW posts the coming months and even years! To celebrate this success Muffy and I now have a button, tada:Isn't it delightful?
A big thanks to Her Southern Charm for helping make this happen! Feel free to spread the WASP love by copying and pasting the button to wherever you see fit.
As mentioned last week, every Wednesday we will touch on an aspect of the WASP lifestyle. These are of course never intended to offend anyone, but rather they are supposed to be fun reads for all. In this week's addition of WASP Wednesday Muffy and I bring you the WASP athletics.
As we all know WASPs tend to associate themselves with the British aristocracy and of course this association carries over to athletics. When you think WASP sports, think classic, British, aristocratic sports: golf, tennis, riding, rowing, badminton and of course, squash (Hopsy has partaken in all but rowing over the years). Like anything WASPy, squash has a deep rooted history and dates all the way back to the 1500's. However, it was not until the 1900's that the sport was given a set of official rules and standards. Squash is typically a two player sport, but you can have up to four players if playing doubles. The players play in a court with four walls, one of which is see through. A small rubber ball (the ball is much, much smaller than a racquetball ball) is used and scoring is based on the serving system.
Like tennis and golf, squash also requires that a player be well dressed when on the court. A collared shirt is to be worn and while it is acceptable for ladies to wear shorts, I always opt for a tennis skirt. It is VERY important to wear proper shoes when playing squash, this means only white rubber soled shoes, nothing black. Shoes should only be worn in the court, not outside. Black soled and dirty shoes leave terrible marks all over the court, no WASP would leave this sort of trail! Finally, every WASP should have a proper bag to carry their shoes, racquet, balls and of course a post game gin and tonic in. A LL Bean Boat and Tote always works and the more worn in the better; one with an Ivy League or prep school crest would also work wonderfully! So, now that we have the basics down let's all pack our bags and call the clubs' pro and get the match started! I'll see you at the racket club at 4pm, in our proper WASPy attire of course!

WASP Squash fun fact: If you are all familiar with this racquet sport you know that Harrow is one of the major squash supply brands. Well, as any good WASP knows, Harrow is also one of the top British boarding schools (in fact, many British with whom I have had the pleasure of speaking to over the past two summers actually consider it to be the most elite as Eton seems to be changing a bit with times). This is quite a WASPy coincidence, wouldn't you say?

A New Concept

2009-07-22T07:25:00.000-07:00

This Wednesday marks a new beginning! Dearest blogging bff Muffy and I have put our heads together and collaborated to bring something new, fresh, informative and fun to the blogging world: WELCOME TO WASP WEDNESDAY!
Each Wednesday from here on out (if all appears to be successful after our tiny trial period) Muffy and I will touch on an aspect of the WASP lifestyle. We will bring you anything and everything WASP, I hope you are ready to join us on our ride!

If you have been reading my blog you of course know what an icon I consider Dorothy Draper. Not only was Mrs. Draper the first to make interior design a profession (a HUGE feat for a woman do anything like this in the 1920's), but she was also one of the first to let us know that not everything in a room had to match. Like a true WASP Dorothy mixed this and that, the old and the new, the bold and the subdued (well a tad at least) to create the ultimate look. If you have ever had the privilege of walking in to a room done by our famed subject you know what I mean. You just want to look at everything and take it all in, but at the same time it is never too much. Bold floral prints are mixed with even bolder stripes and every color seems to pop; Draper's rooms are nothing less than pure eye candy as you are surrounded by pure beauty.
Dorothy Draper's talent of course made her one of the most sought after designers of all time. She decorated the homes of fellow WASPs, complete with personally designed fabrics, but she also enjoyed concentrating on public spaces. From restaurants to some of the VERY BEST (and my favorite, think the Waldorf Towers, The Breakers) hotels Dorothy put "the Draper Touch" all over the country.

I am lucky enough to live just blocks away from Texas's very first penthouse which Dorothy Draper was commissioned to design! Dorothy went back to her WASP routes and created a little English home atop the Stonleigh Hotel. She brought in wonderful antiques and English oak paneling, but also put down a vibrant carpet and bold sofa. There is never anything dull in a Draper room! Though the Stoneleigh was recently redone, thanks to Mr. Carleton Varney (another wonderful WASP that deserves his one WASP Wednesday), Dorothy Draper's spirit lives on in Dallas, TX!

Perhaps her most well known project was the Greenbrier Hotel in White Sulphur Springs, WV. If you have ever been to the Greenbrier you can feel energy and happiness radiating through the walls. Dorothy Draper designed rooms that elevated spirits and made you feel at home. The giant black and white tile floor mixes with it's surrounding architectural elements, bold covered furniture and Blue Canton lamps just prove her point: not everything has to match! Every room at the Greenbrier is divine. In fact, so divine that I have thinking a blog gathering might need to be held on sight next Spring, more details to come, but are you interested!? Today, many are crazy about their entire home matching and having beige, beige everywhere. However, remember next time you are revamping a room take this week's WASP's lesson to heart and mix things up. Perhaps you will be talked about in years to come and be crowned 'one of a kind' in design!
I shall now leave you with a WASP Wednesday fun fact: did you know Dorothy Draper is cousins with another WASP designer? Can you guess who? Sister Parish (whose real name was also Dorothy, WASPs tend to pull from a smaller name pool) of Parish-Hadley!

WASP Wednesdays!

2009-07-22T07:00:00.000-07:00

Hello friends! Blogging BFF Hopsy and I have decided to start a NEW feature on both our blogs, "WASP Wednesday" where we feature a fun and different aspect of WASP culture. For this WASP Wednesday, Hopsy and I will feature that darling of decorating and design, DOROTHY DRAPER!

Dorothy was not only a decorator to WASPs, she had WASPy credentials herself. Her Great-Grandfather was a signer of the Declaration of Independence and she once said herself that she had "no schooling to speak of, except that I was brought up where I had the privilege of being constantly in touch with surroundings of pleasant good taste." (Modesty = very WASPy attribute)

Dorothy's well-connected high society friends noticed her inherent good taste and asked her to design their own homes. This was the beginning of something great!

I LOVE Dorothy's chic and well-heeled style and I hope you have enjoyed this first WASP Wednesday!