At times like this I wish I owned a boat…or better still; a yacht!
The Royal Vancouver Yacht Club (RVYC) is one of the world’s premier yacht clubs. You must be a member to have lunch or dinner there or to go to any of the events. I’ve been many times before but the last time I stepped inside was almost five years ago. At that time it was not my most pleasant experience. This time I danced.
Brochure for Fashion Show “Yes we Cannes”
Last week a group of us (courtesy of our mutual friend Tammy) sat together for a Ladies Spring Fashion Event which included a lovely dinner, cocktails, fashion show and dancing to DJ music.
L-R: Tammy, Janice, Isabel, Debbie, Stephanie + her mom Julie. (Jennifer + Randi not shown).
A wonderful evening with fresh French fashion (think Isabel Marant) to wear perfectly on some boat, good company, food, champagne and energy.
Gorgeous backdrop
Of course we Cannes! But what we cannot do is leave a whole cookie intact for too long.
Who would’ve thought that someone could experience all the wine regions in California under one roof? I just came back from an extraordinary wine tasting trip right here in Vancouver at the Hyatt Regency Hotel downtown.
About The California Wine Experience!
Other regions not shown: Sonoma, Lodi + Central Coast (including Monterey +Santa Barbara).
California Wines and the Consul General of the US, D. Brent Hardt, invited us to take an exploratory trip to California Wine Country and discover the many vintners and wineries of the Golden State.
For wine lovers this was an educational, immersive walk-around tasting event that showcased more than 400 wines from the Golden State.
Coppola Vineyards – we learned a few fun facts on the history of film & winemaking.
Bonterra wines are all Organic and also reasonably priced – win win!
During the three hour experience, we sampled wines from many regions and appellations and met with winery representatives to learn more about what makes their wines so special. A sample below:
Hasn’t it been a minute since I’ve posted a recipe? Seems my cooking skills have taken a little vacay and I’m slowly getting back to the kitchen. Easter/Passover has crept up on us and if you’re looking for a tasty side dish that most people (unless someone has an allergy or aversion to zucchini or squash – I don’t know anyone who does) will enjoy – this is it! This one is too easy and delicious to pass up.
And who doesn’t love a good casserole?
Zucchini Gratin with Yellow Squash is a luscious creamy cheesy medley of zucchini, yellow squash, onions and garlic. It is quick and easy to prepare. It will make a summer squash lover out of you! OK, it’s not quite summer yet but despite the name you may find yellow zucchini in most markets year round. If you cannot find it you can always substitute for winter squash like Butternut or Acorn which is readily available year round. By the way, did you know that zucchini is a summer squash? Yup!
In addition, yellow squash and zucchini are good sources of vitamins A and C, potassium and fiber, as well.
This delectable Zucchini Gratin takes about 15 minutes of your devoted time and then it is in the oven for an additional 15-20 minutes making it very doable for a weeknight meal or holiday side dish. This recipe will bring out a passion for zucchini and squash that you never knew you had!
INGREDIENTS
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 onion thinly sliced
1 small zucchini sliced in rounds 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick (please see notes)
1 small yellow squash sliced in rounds 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick (please see notes)
2 large cloves garlic minced
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup grated parmesan
1 cup shredded smoked gouda
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 450 degrees
Melt butter in oven proof skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until the edges start to brown approximately 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for additional 1 minute. Add cream and simmer until bubbly and starting to thicken. Slowly stir in parmesan. Add zucchini and yellow squash and cook an additional 4-5 minutes.
Sprinkle with smoked gouda and bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes or until cheese is golden brown.
NOTES
The zucchini used for this recipe was on the smaller side. Some zucchini are much larger. For those I would double the cream and the Parmesan. The large zucchini are sometimes a little tougher and may require additional simmering and/or baking time.
Original Recipe + Photo taken from: smalltownwoman.com
I’ve been seeing green lately. I think women are ready to embrace colour for Spring.
Photo: d. king
Kelly Green ruled the runways in New York, London and Fashion Week on El Paseo in Palm Desert, where these photos were taken. The rich color is a bold departure from the LBD.
Photo: d. king
I always thought the term Kelly Green had a starry eyed meaning – thinking it was named after Grace Kelly because it was her favourite colour. But no; there’s a more down to earth version. This tone of colour green was named Kelly green because of the influx of Irish immigrants coming to America who were celebrating the St. Patrick’s day parade. While that is not so romantic sounding, the shade is a colour of renewal, nature and energy, associated with growth and the environment. Plus it’s pretty, even if you’re not a redhead!
Photo: d. king
Get ready for the LGD; the shade will enjoy its moment in the sun this Spring.
Photo: d. king
Photo: whowhatwear – the more casual way to wear it
A few highlights from two world class fashion events that took place end of March in Palm Desert.
The first set is a selection from the shops on El Paseo showcasing some of my favourites. Taken from the Diva front row section courtesy of Design Diva of the Desert Tracy Turco. I meant it when I said we can never hope to fill her shoes, but we can sure hope to fill her seats. I thank her very much for the experience. Tracy was also one of the sponsors. It was a fabulous evening.
Fashion Week on El Paseo was held March 19-26, at The Gardens on El Paseo celebrating 15 years of style at the West Coast’s largest consumer fashion show.
Every show provides an inspiring, immersive fashion experience and features cocktail receptions, trunk shows, celebrity meet-and-greets, and much more. Highlighting fashion trends and showcasing a who’s-who of the country’s top design talents (including some stars of tomorrow), Fashion Week El Paseo takes one of the world’s most relatable art forms and brings it to you in style.
one of the sponsors
On Saturday, March 26th, two women I know put together the first high-end vintage collective sale and informal fashion show in Palm Desert. It was held outdoors at Image Galleries on a very hot day…but that didn’t interfere with attendance and an overall good time with an amazing vintage selection. Not to mention the art gallery…where art and fashion intermingle. I mean what can be better than that?
Tracy Turco looks good no matter what she wears – always.
Yes; it appears that GLAMOUR IS indeed BACK! At least in Palm Springs/Palm Desert. After almost two years in sweats and pajamas it’s a welcome shift.
Photos: d. king
“Glamour is Back” photo: taken from Gay Desert Guide.
Back at the Factory…or in this case the cultural center…
Ramona, Mary in the middle and Me.
A group of us attended an art/film/book signing event for Mary Woronov; former muse to Andy Warhol. A muse by definition is a person or personified force who is the source of inspiration for a creative artist. However, Woronov has since become her own creative artist as actor, figurative painter and author. But getting back to Andy…
I’ve always had a fascination with Andy Warhol, going so far as once trying to locate him (at a relatively young age) at his studio in Manhattan that everyone referred to as “the Factory.” Unfortunately he wasn’t there and I’m not even sure what would have happened had I found him. Perhaps he’d have hired me as an assistant, perhaps he would have put me in one of his underground movies and I would’ve become his muse or maybe he would have just told me to scram…but I didn’t see it that way.
Art by Mary Woronov
Being a bit of a mystery, his work appealed to me and he was way ahead of his time having eventually predicted what is now happening with social media where an average person can become famous through avenues like YouTube or tik tok. It’s fascinating actually; the world is wide open and yet; it’s not really “real.” Reality TV, influencers and Art is everywhere. I remember Warhol’s “Interview Magazine”, nicknamed “The Crystal Ball of Pop”, featuring interviews with celebrities, artists, musicians, and creative thinkers. In 2018, the publication ‘folded’ and ended both its print and web publications. Times have changed. But sometimes it’s important to hear significant stories from the past.
with Claudia Reid of Palm Springs POV + variety show entertainer.
Which brings me to my recent meeting with former Warhol muse and cult star Mary Woronov. It was at the closing reception of her art series “the mystery of the red shoe” and a movie she starred in called “Rock ‘n Roll High School,” at the Palm Springs Cultural Center last Saturday night – the closing night of a MARY WORONOV MEGASPECTIVE presented by The Ebersole Hughes Company – the same documentarian duo who did “House of Cardin,” “My Name is Lopez,” “Mansfield 66/67,” “Dear Mom, Love Cher,” and others. I’m a huge fan of their work.
Sponsored by HELLTOWN Whiskey & The Cheetah Hotel (links below).
with Roy; creator & co-founder of Helltown Whiskey
Gathered around was an eclectic bunch, to say the least: An “in-the-know” crowd of documentarians, entertainers, musicians, whiskey makers and the odd blogger who remains curious.
L-R (Me, Mary Woronov, Ramona Huth, Roy Rogers Oldenkamp, P. David Ebersole, Kitty Joselle Gilvezan.
It’s clear that not everyone knows who Mary Woronov is. A major cult figure as an actress for her work with Andy Warhol and Roger Corman films, she is also an accomplished painter and writer, having published three books —Wake for the Angels: Paintings and Stories, her autobiography Swimming Underground: My Years in the Warhol Factory, and the novel Snake.
Kitty Joselle and hubby Dan Gilvezan
Woronov joined Warhol’s entourage after a class trip to the Factory and starred in a number of his underground films (Chelsea Girls for one), and she appeared as a go-go dancer in the Velvet Underground’s Exploding Plastic Inevitable shows. She left the Factory in the late 1960s and, after recovering from a heavy methamphetamine addiction, spent two years in Europe with a friend. It was during this time, Warhol was shot by Valerie Solanas, and thanks to the now altered Factory dynamic, “there was nothing to go back to.” She then supported herself with work in off-Broadway theatre, got married to director/producer Theodore Gershuny, appearing in three of his films.
Woronov is most famous for her role as Mary Bland in Paul Bartel’s black comedy Eating Raoul (1982).
She’s also funny as hell. It was a pleasure being in her company.
Speaking of hell….there was Helltown Whiskey where co-founder Roy Rogers Oldenkamp (an L.A. Art Dealer) gave my friend Ramona and me a little education on the making of whiskey as we sampled whiskey sours which turned out to be pretty darn tasty. The evening ended with us getting a lift to another bar called Truss & Twine with an entertainer who plays piano and sings Dean Martin tunes while his wife sings Dinah Shore oldies. The show is appropriately called “Dino and Dinah.”
Welcome to a sneak peek of Hungarian-Hollywood history!
The pink palace; part of this year’s Palm Spring’s Modernism Home Tour.
The home’s previous owner was glamorous socialite and actress Magda Gabor, eldest sister to both Zsa Zsa and Eva Gabor. (Eva was well-known for her role as the most stylish housewife who lived on a farm in the series “Green Acres”). The Kardashians have nothing on these three. The charismatic sisters, originally from Hungary, were a favorite on the talk show circuit, dazzling each host with sophistication, wit and charm. Zsa Zsa had some memorable one liners among them “I’m a marvellous housekeeper. Every time I leave a man, I keep his house.” I always admired their “no apologies” excess because of the way they handled it all. And I always find it amusing when people assume beautiful women-with-means are stupid, and even more amusing when they’re proven wrong.
Eva (L), Magda (in the middle) + Zsa Zsa (R)
But it’s not all about the house or the Gabors…
It’s as much about the unique style and many talents of the new owner, Tracy Turco. The devoted wife/mother/artist/hotelier has built an empire unto herself, bringing her vivacious design flair and spirit to one of the world’s glamour capitals, and making it more so.
original painting portrait of Magda Gabor to Tracy’s left.
The mid-century design mecca of Palm Springs has never been better since Tracy and her real estate developer husband Jerry took up residence here a little over two years ago.
Tracy isn’t called the “Design Diva of the Desert” for nada. Her entrepreneurial spirit has been hands-on behind several boutique hotels – Art Hotel, Cheetah Hotel (as shown in the header), Tiki Hotel, with more on the way. A modernism museum is already in the works including a disco pizza + roller rink (can’t wait!) and she still finds time to head an “Entrepreneurial Women’s Club of Palm Springs” (helping other women realize their own business potential) with monthly meetings, along with having a toddler.
Tracy with her adorable baby daughter Marchesa.
I don’t know how she handles it all – but she does and always with amazing aplomb. I have a feeling it’s in her DNA – both beauty and brains. Maybe we should refer to her as “the unsinkable Tracy Turco” (an allusion to the movie “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” – about the famed American socialite and philanthropist played by Debbie Reynolds). See what I mean?
Master Bedroom with custom made round bed.View from master bedroom bathtub
Tracy (nee Stern) first made a name for herself in her native New York with creative lifestyle brands such as Salon Tea and Tea & Co. (with multiple locations around the globe – even making Oprah’s favorite list). I had the pleasure of sampling a few teas at a Tiki Party she hosted at her previous Tiki House and they were several cuts above anything else I’ve ever tasted as far as teas go. No wonder she was able to publish two books on tea and entertaining (another skill she excels at, including cooking/baking). But she didn’t stop there. She’s designed shoes for the likes of Paris Hilton, Jessica Simpson and Lindsay Lohan. Not a shabby squad. But that was then…
Elvis Silkscreen by Warhol.
At the Tiki hotel there’s a colorful boutique with Tracy’s name on it – literally. It’s almost impossible to drop in and walk out empty handed. I ended up buying a pair of flip flops that have gold crown emblem’s (afterall, my last name is King) and an amazing lipstick that comes in 3 gorgeous pin-up girl shades. Oh yeah; they also have her name on it – as she designed those too.
Now getting back to the Turco’s stunning house…
Aside from the original interior design which includes the etched “M’s on the mirrors (that baby Marchesa will one day inherit), Tracy added bold color and contrast, keeping faithful to Hollywood Regency elegance, signifying both opulence and comfort. Something not so easy to achieve. A few of the paintings of beautiful Magda that belonged to Magda, now belong to the Turcos, along with some of the furniture (including piano shown here) which belonged to Zsa Zsa from the Gabor era. A bygone era, or so we thought.
I love this diamond ring bird-feeder with a perfect “birds-eye” view.
Long Live Beauty, Charm, Glamour & Imagination!
For more and ALL information including hotels/books/guides click here:
A few pics from this past weekend here in Palm Springs. It was the last weekend of Modernism.
Friday was the famous Mccormick Car Auction preview day. I went, I walked, I wished!
Photo: d. kingPhoto: d. kingPhoto: d. kingphoto: d. king
Saturday; the Curated Vintage Event at Temple Isaiah (same location for Studio 54 fashion show I attended the week prior). Vendors from all over. It’s always good.
Photo: Palm Springs Life
Saturday & Sunday a vintage trailer show for collectors from all over the USA, or just gawkers like me.
Sunday there was a huge Modernism yard sale outside h3k home and design.
Photo: d. kingPhoto: d. kingPhoto: d. kingwell…what can I say – I bought a few.
As for Monday…
Palm Springs was one of the most restrictive jurisdictions in the United States regarding mask wearing but as of today; NO MORE MASKS in California. Let’s give it up for lifting this restriction finally.
There has never been—and will never be—another nightclub to rival the sheer glamour, energy, and wild creativity that was Studio 54.
A New Year’s Eve party at Studio 54 attended by Halston, Bianca Jagger, Jack Haley Jr, Liza Minnelli and Andy Warhol. Photograph: Life Images Collection/Getty
At Studio 54, sex, celebrity and, infamously, open drug-use worked in tandem to create a hedonistic nightlife playground that hasn’t been replicated since.
As Studio 54 co-founder Ian Schrager presumptuously sees it, there have been exactly two pivotal cultural events in the 75 years he’s been alive: “Woodstock and Studio.” In his aptly named book “Studio 54,” Schrager dives into the history of his infamous New York hotspot. The nightclub’s wild parties made headlines around the world.
Jerry Hall, Andy Warhol, Debbie Harry, Truman Capote and Paloma Picasso at Studio 54 in New York City in the 1970s. Photo : Photo Credit: Images Press/IMAGES/Getty Images
Yes; we know. No; we cannot repeat that. However we can have a Studio 54 Fashion Extravaganza here in Palm Springs making headlines of its own. Held not in a nightclub; but in a temple no less. Temple Isaiah Jewish Community Centre was the place to be on a Sunday afternoon where it was as glamorous as it gets. The mood was vibrant, the energy vivacious and there was whistling and hollering from the audience while models shimmied up and down the runway to disco hits of yesteryear. The next best thing to not being at the actual Studio 54!
Brenda Cooper + Mitchell KarpMitchell with Claudia Reid (Palm Springs POV) and disco deejay.
Sponsored by Mitchell Karp (owner of Mitchell’s Palm Springs – a place to find the best curated vintage and iconic designers in shop) and emceed by Brenda Cooper, Emmy award- winning stylist to the stars. Among her portfolio she was responsible for all the styling for Fran Drescher, on the CBC long running series “The Nanny.” Brenda’s book “The Silhouette Solution” is a well thought out method for helping all women find their authentic style. Speaking of which…
friend Tammy perfectly wearing Norma Kamaliwith friend RamonaRamona fittingly picked me up in her ’71 Corvette ConvertibleKathy and I were told we could be sisters. We are the Golden Girls.
While Andy, Bianca and Halston were missed, we did experience the best disco music along with some wine, and a vibe created by some gorgeous models wearing clothing to die for…keep scrolling.
Love Live Disco, Dancing, Daring Glamour and Desirability no matter where you live!
All clothing available for purchase here at Mitchell’s:
Below an article published on CNN Style about the disco playground where sex and glamour reigned.
Studio 54 remains a topic of fascination some four decades after the club’s opening night party summoned a crowd that included Cher, Tennessee Williams, Andy Warhol and Grace Jones to a former opera house and CBS television studio in Midtown Manhattan.
A wonderful evening with fresh French fashion (think Isabel Marant) to wear perfectly on some boat, good company, food, champagne and energy.
Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION. 
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