Pirelli captures the total woman

December 7, 2015

First it was Playboy doing away with nude pinups. Now the 2016 Pirelli calendar has eschewed the naked ladies – well, mostly – for something different, courtesy of photographer Annie Leibovitz.

Think Patti Smith as imagined by John Singer Sargent, Fran Lebowitz as a latter-day Georges Sand and model Natalia Vodianova with her youngest in a pose that despite her bare leggy-ness echoes a Raphael Madonna and Child.

Besides Vodianova, other examples of fleshiness are a topless Serena Williams, back to the camera in a heroic lunge; and Amy Schumer in panties and heels, comfortable with her stomach rolls as she holds a paper cup. ...

American Pharoah, Abstract Expressionist

October 26, 2015

When he’s not busy training for the Breeders’ Cup, which takes place Oct. 31 at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky., American Pharoah has quite the artistic side.

He is among those champions, including Kentucky Derby rival Firing Line and the legendary Cigar, who have done artwork – cleverly called Moneighs – to support After the Finish Line and ReRun Thoroughbred Adoption, which help less fortunate retired racehorses to a new life.

In my guise as editor of WAG magazine, an award-winning lifestyle publication, I had the pleasure of interviewing After the Finish Line President Dawn Mellen, who assists artistes like the Pharoah. ...

Versace’s new Iconic Heroes dinner pattern is available at Bloomingdale’s in White Plains, N.Y., which is hosting an event for my novel “Water Music” March 13.

Greek to me, continued

January 15, 2014

If you’re a reader of this blog, then you know my fondness for the Greek key pattern, which is key to my logo, to the new Versace appetizer plates I bought myself for Christmas (see earlier post) and to the beautiful shawl that A., editor of this blog and administrator of this site, gave me.

Now there’ve been more sightings. Gump’s winter catalog features a gold Greek key pillow ($165, gumps.com). Touch of Class’ spring preview catalog contains the Greek key-bordered Athens II bedding collection in slate and chocolate colors (touchofclass.com). Last but certainly not least, Bloomingdale’s new china collections include Versace’s Iconic Heroes pattern, with the Greek key pattern ringing the dinner plate. ($70 to $285, bloomingdales.com). Read more