Salamander Spa and Resort

Expensive but lovely!

Sonoma Cellars

The cheese plate, delicious rosemary accented focaccia, and a two ounce wine taste. 

Sonoma Cellars is an exciting new restaurant in Alexandria, VA, on Old Town's King Street. Serving California cuisine, the small, homey restaurant serves small plates and large plates, and specializes in wine pairings of different sizes: both 2 and 6 ounce portions, as well as full bottles. 

Sonoma Cellars offers more vegetarian options than the typical restaurant. My husband and I sampled yummy lentil soup, which was very well-seasoned as well as an outstanding rich beef estouffade (beef stew) with strong flavors of red wine. The unusual touch is the addition of black olives and pappardelle noodles. 

The restaurant was packed despite the hard-to-find sign out front and near black-out of publicity. 

Check it out for healthy options!

Your foodie,

Patsie

Blow up House 2016

Dear Imaginary Friends,

Here is every child's Christmas dream: every square foot is covered with blow up cartoon characters celebrating Christmas. 

West Side Story

Dear Inaginary Friends,

Which of the above three people are convincing gang members? If you guessed none of the above, I am inclined to agree with you!

In Signature Theater's new production of West Side Story, the casting requires a real suspension of disbelief by theater goers. 

Not only do the gang members seem less than threatening (much less murderous, ) they are dressed like preppies! Take the example of Tony, a main gang character. He has a sweet baby face and wears khakis, yet we are expected to see him as dangerous. I can picture him in an Eagle Scout ceremony. 

Other than that, the ambitious production with a full orchestra and  30 actors soars with fabulous music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Steven Sondheim and choreography by Jerome Robbins. Credentials like that cannot be surpassed in the theater world. 

My favorite songs are Tonight, Maria, I Feel Pretty, America, and Somewhere. 

The most sizzle is found in the performance of Anita, although she appears to be ten years older than the part calls for. 

All in all, younger, tougher-looking actors would help the play achieve the verisimilitude it lacks. 

So says me. Clothing and costumes are also incongruous. 

Signature's "Cabaret" was a better production with far more convincing performances. 

Your Imaginary Theater Goer,

Patsie

Modeling at Westwood Country Club

Gorgeous cocktail dress by Halston Heritage. Love it!!!

Exploring my inner rock star:)

Waiting to walk the runway

The fascinator goes with everything! As does the fur by Maximillian:)

Lovely Greek model, on left

The Ballroom at Westwood Country Club

Bloomingdales has fabulous clothes-- they are positively drool-worthy. To wit, the clothes that I recently modeled for Bloomie's:

Hugo Boss dress and sweater

Scottish Walk Homes Tour, 2015

St. Albans and National Cathedral School Annual Homes Tour and boutiquesale

Dear friends,

What a treat it was to tour the beautiful homes last Friday open to ticket holders in support of St. Albans and National Cathedral School. It was a lovely sunny day!

Boutiques had bountiful offerings: jewelry, accessories, clothing, plants, wreaths, ornaments, et al. All were chic. 

The elegant lunch was served by St. Albans sophmores whose manners could not have been lovelier. 

Please put this event on your calendar for next December! It is a memorable delight.