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Showing posts with label Events. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Events. Show all posts

Let's Do Lunch

Photo source: Mary Jane Vaughn. Not part of the day. I just like the flowers.

I don't know about you, but most days I brown bag my lunch and eat at my desk so I can get as much work done as possible.  It's necessary sometimes, but not much fun. Wouldn't it be a nice change to have a long lunch with interesting people and discuss art, antiques, and fine jewelry over a delicious meal?  

I had the chance to do so last week during a press lunch hosted by  auctioneers and appraisers from Skinner, Inc.  Skinner CEO Karen Keane and directors of the Fine Jewelry, American & European Paintings/Prints, and Wine departments gave us an overview of Skinner's upcoming auctions.

Not only are Karen Keane and her staff experts in their fields, but they are also approachable and fun--delighted to answer questions and share their experiences.  They are as enthusiastic as you'd expect them to be about fine antiques, but also enthusiastic about their more affordable Discovery auctions. I've posted about Skinner before, but avoided mentioning the expensive jewelry and valuable paintings because I can't afford them (hence the brown bag lunches). It would feel, well, a little odd for me to tell you about a platinum and 5.23 carat diamond solitaire ring valued at $40,000 -$50,000 coming up for auction.  Instead, I post about finds within my budget (and comfort zone) from Skinner's Discovery auctions which include estate furnishings, decorative accessories, carpets and rugs, and artwork from the 18th to 20th century. 

Skinner's Discovery auctions are held every month at their Marlborough, MA location, but if you have the budget or just want to admire beautiful jewelry, then check out Skinner's fine jewelry auction on June 14th (the ring will be there, if you're interested). 






Royal Wedding Morning


Somehow, the media fervor over the wedding of Wills and Kate escaped me until earlier this week. Suddenly finding myself without the customary treats to celebrate the British Royal nuptials, I express ordered a tin of Harney & Sons Royal Wedding Tea.  With no time to bake proper scones, I plan to set the alarm for 4:00 am (well, maybe 5:00 am), heat up some cinnamon rolls and ooh and aah over the pageantry with a cup of tea while waiting for my plumber to arrive. Yes, that's right. Plumber, not prince.  Hopefully, the plumber won't arrive at the same time that Kate arrives at Westminster Abbey. Perish the thought!



The Highlight of My Week


We went to Ina Garten's book signing at Williams Sonoma yesterday for How Easy is That?, her latest cookbook.  We cheerfully waited in line for two hours to see Ina and let me tell you, I've never waited two hours in line for anything.  Ina Garten was just as I imagined. She was genuine and gracious, even after signing about 900 books with another 400 to go.


 I was a little star struck so all I could say was thank you as she signed my book, smiled warmly, thanked me for waiting and said she hoped I'd enjoy the book.  I couldn't muster the courage to say that her mushroom lasagna is one of my favorites and that her show is the best.  If you gave the nice people at Williams Sonoma your camera, they would snap a photo while you stood at the table and Ina signed your book. Unfortunately, the photo on my Blackberry didn't do Ina or me justice, so I've posted her book cover instead. 

If you're an Ina fan, visit her website  for details about the book tour.  It was a fun (and easy!) experience. 

How Easy is That? published by Clarkson Potter.  Photo by Quentin Bacon.