Here in Singapore, summer never ends, so we all end up doing a lot of outdoor entertaining! One of my clients has a fantastic terrace and since he has company over all the time, a bar cart was a must. I love the look of sleek, polished bar carts for inside, but I have to admit I love these rustic, industrial inspired outdoors ones almost just as much! The climate is brutal here - so whatever we pick must be able to stand the elements! Here is a bit of our current inspiration. . . . 

{ the bar above in Thom Filicia's Hamptons home is so simple but chic and is just screaming for the party to start! }

If you are looking for one, I like this Abott Zinc one by Pottery Barn or this distressed iron Styler Cart from Jayson Home. But for a bargain, I also love this metal and wood Cortes Cart from Overstock. 

{via}

Cocktails and the Chic Bar Cart Roundup

Seeing as how its Friday and how I am having a weekend reunion with my best four girlfriends from college, I certainly have cocktails on the brain! And on that note, I have dug up some of my all time favorite bar carts. Setting up console or rolling cart as a bar station is a great use of a corner of your living room or a small hallway. Having a beautiful and well stocked bar makes impromptu drinks easy but it does not have to limited to traditional bar items and can be a lovely vignette - perfect to displace a favorite vase or small piece of art. (Pictured above; the bar of LA caterer Lulu Powers via Lonny magazine) 

Styled and photographed by Deborah Jaffe for Domino magazine, a perfect way to make the most of a small space between two windows! 

A manly, sophisticated bar by Thom Felicia in House Beautiful - a bar cart is a great addition to the library! Whisky and first editions just seem to go hand in hand....

Another fabulous bar by Thom Felicia, featured in Canadian House and Home. I love the casual, collected nature of his table and its size! Perfect for summer parties! 

A charming antique bent wood bar cart under a collection of blue and white ceramics - chic even without glasses or bottles! (photo via Madebygirl blog).

A fully stocked vintage bar cart by Ruthie Sommers, via Lonny magazine.

I adore this 1950's italian bar cart by Cescare Lucca, sold through Gustavo Olivieri Antiques - a perfect spot of mid-century modern sophistication, I can just see mixing the perfect martini here! 

The Emory bar cart from Horchow - a wonderful option for small spaces.

Really, IKEA? yes! This minimalist stainless steel bar cart is the Flytta cart by designer Nicholai Wiig Hansen.

A classic beauty - the Cosmopolian Bar Cart from William Sonoma Home.

Cheers! Bon Week End! 

Champagne Coupes: A Very Quick History!

For me, there are few things more festive than champagne! The holiday season is a great excuse to think about opening some bubbly, but I was further encouraged by a weekend trip to Epernay - the French town at the heart of the Champagne region. I loved the dusty, old world charm of the cellars we toured!
While most places chose to serve champagne in the traditional flutes, I would readily forgo them for the vintage style of a champagne coupe. The coupe, a wide saucer like glass, was first designed in England in 1663, expressly for enjoying the newly popular bubbly wines. Legend has it that the shape of the coupe was modeled after the breast of Marie Antoinette, but this is almost certainly false! The coupe came back into fashion in post-Prohibition era America and to me, certainly evokes a kind of Great Gatsby style. The shape of the coupe versus the flute, allows the bubbles to escape more quickly, but this can be countered by drinking from crystal coupes (instead of glass). The crystal has imperfections which glass does not, helping the bubbles to form! Well, enough of the lesson, here are a few especially chic champagne coupes! 

Fete Twirl Saucers in Larabee Dot by Kate Spade, the gold rim is a beautiful touch for the holidays but would work year round.

Feast champagne glasses by Giarimi Designs, I adore the slightly tinted colors these come in - they would be perfect for an outdoor wedding! 

Marc Jacobs Colette champagne saucers for Waterford Crystal.

Another beautiful champagne coupe by Marc Jacobs for Waterford - David champagne saucers. I especially like the modern feel of these! 

A view from the road . . . approaching Epernay! 

If you are in need of a little extra inspiration, here is a great champagne cocktail to try out for the holiday season! 

Le Perroquet

Generous dash of Campari

Dash of gin

2 ounces orange juice

4 ounces chilled champagne

Twist of lemon and orange peel

Pour the Campari, gin, and orange juice into a champagne coupe. Top with champagne. Garnish with a twist of lemon and orange & enjoy!