Category Archives for better living

24 Hours in Los Angeles with FORM Design Studio

image009Based in Los Angeles, Josh and Rafi of FORM Design Studio are at the forefront of modern, sustainable living, but still take time to appreciate the allure of the Old Hollywood glamour in their city. Don’t forget to check out our collaboration with FORM after you read about their go-to spots in LA!

 

 

 

 

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Where to Stay

  • Favorite Hotel: Château Marmont, because classic is always “in.”  The Château, as it is called, offers a taste of Hollywood at its finest.  For locals, this is a picturesque and quiet spot to meet friends for a drink, a meal, or some people watching.

 

Where to Eat and Drink

  • Casual Dining: This is a toss-up between Din Tai Fung in Arcadia and Mozza in Hollywood.
Mozza
Din Tai Fung
  • Din Tai Fung is a Taiwanese dumpling house.  We must confess, it is a chain, but the dumplings are made in-house and by hand (you can watch from the huge window that looks into the kitchen).  There is something so clean about this food; you can taste every ingredient in each dumpling.  The simplicity is what makes it so special.  It’s now become a phenomenon, so line up early!

 

  • At another end of the culinary spectrum, there is the marvel that is Pizzeria Mozza, the brainchild of partners Nancy Silverton, Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich.  This place is the distillation of the best parts of each of the owners’ talents. If you are in Los Angeles and you want to challenge the wisdom that the best pizza in America is in New York, give it a shot.  Neither of us eats dairy or wheat, but we eat pizza at Mozza.

 

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Orsa & Winston delicacies

  • Fine Dining: Our favorite upscale restaurant is a small spot that has recently wriggled its way into our hearts: Orsa & Winston.  The degustation menu is ever-changing depending on the available fresh ingredients (and in Los Angeles, the parameters are as broad as they come). The food is magnificently conceived and deftly offered and the service is impeccable. The wine pairing is “just so,” working seamlessly and symbiotically with the chef’s creations. This is a great date spot.

 

 

 

  • Favorite Bar: This is an easy one: Augustine Wine Bar.  This gem is in Sherman image005Oaks and it has become our go-to for all things celebratory.  Not only is the food spectacular (you can expect anything from a simple plate of artisanal charcuterie, to a beautifully charred octopus or a perfect duck confit), but the wine offerings are remarkable. What these guys are doing is offering really wonderful, vintage wines by the glass in a super sexy setting to a wide variety of wine enthusiasts. We have had warm, intimate evenings together there as well as raucous nights, meeting some real characters at the bar.  The staff is knowledgeable, kind (we’ve made good friends), and always ready to chat about the more esoteric experiences one can find in the bottle.

Augustine Wine Bar

 

What to See

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The Getty Center

  • Our favorite museum in LA is The Getty Center.  The never-ending parade of world class exhibits that move through The Getty are not to be missed, but the permanent collection is of extraordinary merit itself.  The grounds are breathtaking along with the structures themselves, which were designed by Richard Meier.  The museum is, purportedly, the world’s largest installation of travertine.  With its fountains, sculptures, and gardens, The Getty offers visitors more than one could absorb in a day. The restaurant there is one of the most civilized locations in all of Los Angeles, drawing much more of NY crowd than anything else and the view at sunset is something to write home about.
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Huntington Gardens

  • We would say that in the “attraction” category, there is no better place than the Huntington Gardens in Pasadena.  Being there is like slipping into Alice’s Wonderland!  If you weren’t a botanophile (we are having some debate as to whether or not that is a word) before visiting, you certainly will be afterwards.

 

Thank you for sharing your Los Angeles favorites with us, Josh and Rafi!

Where are your favorite destinations to visit in Los Angeles or other cities around the world? Discover our Jet Set Collection to inspire your next trip and use the #DestinationDempsey hashtag on social media to share your travels. 

24 Hours in Paris with Loli Events

Both French born, Lauren Fremont and Coralie Prats of Loli Events make gracious living their business. Dempsey & Carroll’s Austin Ackles asked them to share their favorite haunts in our beloved Paris for you to keep in mind for your next trip to the City of Lights!

Lauren Fremont
Coralie Pratts

Where to Stay

Pavillon de la Reine

Where to Eat and Drink

  • Les petits cafés: My love for coffee shops is endless, and thankfully Paris is full of them! My favorite is the Saint Regis Café on Ile Saint Louis because of its authentic style and location–the servers are super fun and the coffee is really good too!
Café Saint Regis
Wild & The Moon
  • Fine Dining: Le Meurice Alain Ducasse is located inside the Palace Hotel Le Meurice and it is truly stunning. Walking into this restaurant is already an experience in itself!
Le Meurice Alain Ducasse

The grand dining room at Le Meurice Alain Ducasse

  • Cocktails: Le Moonshiner is a speakeasy on Rue Sedaine and it is the best place in Paris to drink a good whiskey cocktail! The hidden entrance and retro decor make for a memorable night out.

Le Moonshiner

What to See

  • La Seine Banks: It is always interesting to wander along The River Seine, especially around the two islands, Ile de la Cité and Ile Saint Louis, and along Saint Germain. You will find all kinds of people; joggers, old people with their dogs, lovers, artists, and workers on their way to the office.  During sunsets, the buildings turn into gold and the sky softens with gorgeous shades of pink–I will never get enough of it!

Sylvie-Gil-La Seine

  • The Square Georges-Cain: This is my favorite place in my beloved neighborhood, Le Marais. It is a lovely park in front of a beautiful building and it’s very well maintained–It’s my little heaven on Earth! The location on a quiet street makes it the ideal place to relax outside in the nice weather. The Square George Cain

 

  • Paris doors: How can we not talk about these huge and colorful street doors? I have so many blue doors photos on my phone–they are all different and all majestic!
  • Old little streets & Passages: Paris used to be so differentPassage des Princes back in the day! I’m always very nostalgic when I find a little street and picture the whole city before Haussmann’s renovation in the 19th century. Thankfully, we still have the beautiful Passages like two favorites: Galerie Vivienne and Passage des Princes!
  • Museums: Musée Jacquemart-André is a beautiful hotel particulier in Paris that offers a large collection of private paintings and antique furniture. The grand townhouse is divided into five major parts and it is a wonderful place to explore.

Musée Jacquemart-André

Merci to Lauren and Coralie for letting us in on a few of their Paris favorites!

Where are your favorite destinations to visit in Paris or other cities around the world? Discover our Jet Set Collection to inspire your next trip and use the #DestinationDempsey hashtag on social media to share your travels. 

Destination Dempsey: Fourth of July 2017

We’ve had a lot of fun in the office sharing stories about how we enjoyed our July 4th holiday weekends. From overseas, to right here in New York, Dempsey & Carroll knows how to make the most out of any destination!

Where are your favorite destinations to visit for holiday weekends? Discover our Jet Set Collection to inspire your next trip and use the #DestinationDempsey hashtag on social media to share your travels!

 

Rockaway Beach

My holiday was spent right here in sleepy New York City hanging out in the parks and strolling the river fronts. I live on the Lower East Side so it’s a quick jaunt down to the Seaport to hop on the new ferry to Rockaway Beach. The breezes were delightful and only a few oyster catchers were our nearest neighbors. – Austin

 

Park Guell, Barcelona
Sailing off the coast of Barcelona

One of the most mesmerizing experience was to sail the Mediterranean Sea while watching the sunset along the cost of Barcelona—a must do for anyone visiting this breathtaking part of Spain.  I also think that strolling through Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter is eye opening and very enjoyable for art lovers. While walking through the Gothic Quarter, you might find yourself eating at a food blogger’s all-time favorite spot ‘Flax & Kale’ or shopping at Love Vintage.  I learned that regardless of what you have planned for your day, Barcelona is a city full of gorgeous little surprises. ​- Umara

Storm King Mountain

Over the holiday weekend my family and I drove to see the beautiful scenery along the Hudson River. We ended our site seeing adventure looking towards Storm King Mountain– It was one of the most breathtaking views I have ever seen. I felt like I had traveled to a completely different world. I always love exploring New York State and photographing my journeys! – Ariel

 

4th of July Sparklers

I enjoyed a stellar weekend with my family on Cape Cod.  We were primarily in a town called Brewster, but also took a day trip to Provincetown.  There was plenty of swimming, fishing, grilling, and sparklers to celebrate the 4th of July holiday! – Megan

 

Destination: London
Rooftop Pimm’s Cups
The London Eye

It’s always nice to spend a few days in London. The weather was unseasonably warm for my visit, which was a delightful treat! I visited a few of my favorite parks – Green Park in St. James (such a cute area) and Regent’s Park. Queen Mary’s rose garden was in bloom, which was a really rare to see. We did a ton of eating, too! Nopi in Soho was great for lunch and we had some wonderful dinners at The Wolseley, Luca, and Barrafina. The new Barrafina location in Soho is a lot bigger than the Drury Lane location, so it was pretty easy to get a seat – plus it’s really fun to eat snacks and have a few cocktails at the counter as you wait for a seat to pop up. Selfridges also had a great Wimbledon themed bar on their roof while we were in town. It was a nice way to break up the day – a Pimm’s Cup and Andy Murray on a roof in Mayfair – not bad! – Carolyn

 

Herbert Brook on Mt. Marshall
Adirondack Chairs on the porch
View of Mt. Colden from Flowed Lands

There’s nothing like heading out of the city for a holiday weekend to enjoy the beautiful Adirondack Mountains in Upstate New York. I grew up in the area, so it’s always a treat to hike in the High Peaks with my family and friends and then kick back with craft beer from Ausable Brewing Company after a long day on the trails. There’s also a charming Farmers Market every Sunday at Marcy Airfield in Keene Valley, where you can find purchase fruits and vegetables, freshly baked bread, and a variety of local goods. The drive to Keene Valley on Route 9N has the most breathtaking views as you head to The Garden, which is main trailhead for the Johns Brook area. – Emma

24 Hours in London with Mark Ingram

Mark Ingram BreakfastWorking out of his Manhattan atelier, Mark Ingram is best known for pairing the most beautiful brides to the most gorgeous wedding dresses. Dempsey and Carroll’s Austin Ackles recently asked him to take note of his very favorite delights and inspirations while out and about in glorious London. Spot on, Mark!

  How to get There

I absolutely adore London–I have traveled there one or two times a year for the past 14-15 years. One of the reasons I find myself there so often is that I love to fly Virgin Atlantic Upper Class service ‘across the pond’.  Whenever I am going to Milan, Rome or Barcelona, I will normally fly through Heathrow, have a small layover, and then go on my way via British Airways. I could spend a full day in the Virgin Upper Class lounge as it remains one of the few full service clubhouses with complimentary menu dining, full bar selection, showers, and rest options.  A layover is a pleasure!

Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse

The 15 minute ride on the Heathrow Express train to London makes that trip painless, with train platforms just below the Virgin Airways terminal.

Where to Stay

My preferred hotels in London are mostly part of the Firmdale boutique hotel chain. I will trade full service and larger (usually poorly designed) rooms for the decor, ambiance, spa-like bathrooms, high thread count linens, and location of these exquisite boutique hotels. I have stayed in Firmdale properties in Covent Garden, Knightsbridge, South Kensington and Dorset Square a number of times. They may be pricey, but hotels are a huge part of the travel experience whether away on business or pleasure.  I don’t treat it with a “well, I just sleep here” mentality! Firmdale Hotel

About two years ago I discovered the charming Radisson Blu Edwardian-Mercer St. Hotel, and the lobby and restaurant were just upgraded recently. If you enjoy theater as I do, then this Covent Garden location is amazing. Located on a charming corner where seven small streets meet at a roundabout and monument, this is also a favorite place to stay when budget is more concerning.

Radisson Hotel

Overall, I prefer the Soho/Covent Garden, Marylebone and Chelsea/South Kensington neighborhoods to rest my head. I always love to use the remarkable and very efficient London Tube subway system to zip around the city!

 

Where to Eat and Drink

  • Adventures in Notting Hill will usually lead to a stop at the fabulous Ottolenghi for lunch and/or dessert.
    Croissants at Ottolenghi
    Michelin House
  • A visit to the Art Nouveau Michelin Building in South Kensington must include lunch at Bibendum upstairs (the entire area is quite charming).
  • Any of the Carluccio’s restaurants are perfect for enjoying a light meal or coffee and dessert
    A meal at Carluccio’s
    The Wolseley
  • The Wolseley, a London restaurant staple located in Piccadilly, used to be a grand bank before it was converted to a very popular eatery about a decade ago. The tall ceilings and marble décor make it very appealing along with a broad range of food on the menu.
  • Nothing is better than High Tea at Browns Hotel and evening cocktails at Claridge’s Hotel.Claridge's

Top London Sites and Experiences  

  • The hustle and bustle of the narrow, two lane Oxford Street, with pedestrians, double decker buses, street vendors and grand old emporium department stores like Selfridges.Oxford Street
  • The curve of Regent Street as it approaches Piccadilly; the limestone Regency office buildings at that vantage point are so grand, impressive, elegant, and stately.
    Regent Street
    Baker Street station, London Tube
  • A walk across the Thames River on almost any bridge (especially Waterloo Bridge) with clamor of the railroad trains just beside you at street level as they leave and approach Waterloo Station and Embankment.
    Waterloo Bridge
  • Arriving at the Baker Street tube station and learning that it was built in the 1860’s for the underground steam engine subway line. Steam was released at holes in the tunnels leading up to the street level.South Kensington
  • A stroll through Chelsea and South Kensington (just off the tube station), through the beautiful streets and courts of stately town houses with immaculate gardens and window boxes, on the way to Harrods and Harvey Nichols. A walk through Pelham Crescent off of Fulham Road is a must, as you will see pristinely preserved architecture from the Regency Period.

 

 

Where are your favorite destinations to visit in London or other cities around the world?Discover our Jet Set Collection to inspire your next trip and use the #DestinationDempsey hashtag on social media to share your travels. 

 

 

 

Highlights from Memorial Day Weekend

Though the Solstice is weeks away, Memorial Day is generally considered the unofficial start of summer. A few of our team members shared highlights from how they kicked off the season in style over the holiday weekend!

A Birthday Weekend in the City 

Photo Credit: Gramercy Tavern

Leo: Nothing beats a holiday weekend on my favorite island, Manhattan.  We celebrated a special birthday at Gramercy Tavern, where walk-in tables were easy to score. The “off the menu” order, a bacon cheeseburger with otherworldly house made chips, garnered jealous questioning from surrounding tables.

A Road Trip Through Connecticut

Jaimie: I’m a relatively new Connecticut resident so I love to hop in the car and explore my new home on weekends. There is so much natural beauty here, and there are so many charming towns to visit.

Dinner by the sea in Maine

Emma: My family was up in Durham for my sister’s graduation from the University of New Hampshire and we took advantage of our proximity to southern Maine. We dined on delicious lobsters at Fox’s Lobster House while enjoying the beautiful views of The Cape Neddick (“Nubble”) Lighthouse.

Exploring Rockland County, New York

Nyack Beach State Park
Sailboats in Nyack

Ariel: I love exploring Nyack Beach State Park because it allows me to escape from the city without having to travel too far! It’s my favorite place to stay-cation. We also had the chance to visit the site of Piermont’s Watch Fire, a Memorial Day tradition to honor fallen soldiers.

The sit of the Watch Fire in Piermont
The commemorative sign for the Watch Fire

Memorial Day Packing Essentials

 

Memorial Day Weekend is upon us! Whether you’re headed to the beach, the mountains, or overseas, we wanted to share a few of our staples for any destination.

The Beach

Endless Summer
Aquazurra “Wild Thing” Sandals
L.L. Bean Tote Bags
Endless Summer Sunglasses
  • The Bag: A classic tote bag for all of your beach essentials like this one from L.L Bean
  • The Shoes: Stylish sandals to slip on for happy hour. We love making a statement in these ones by Aquazurra.
  • The Stationery: Say hello from the beach with our Endless Summer Collection

 

A Long Weekend Abroad

Mansur Gavriel Bucket Bag
Chanel Lambskin Ballerinas
The Jet Set Collection
  • The Bag: A leather bucket bag in a neutral color like the Mansur Gavriel Flamma.
  • The Shoes: A versatile pair of flats are easy to fit in a suitcase and they’ll match any outfit. You can’t go wrong with the classic Ballerinas by Chanel.
  • The Stationery: Fly away with our Jet Set Collection and send letters from all over the world

 

A Camping Trip

Osprey Escapist 25
Vasque Breeze III
Schumacher Zanzibar and Lansdale Journals
  • The Bag: A backpack with plenty of space for a day hike like the Escapist 25 from Osprey. Make sure that your pack is weatherproof!
  • The Shoes: Sturdy hiking boots for all terrain like the Breeze III by Vasque.
  • The Stationery: Stash a Schumacher Journal in your pack wherever you go

 

We hope that you have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend! What are some of your packing essentials for the Holiday Weekend?

For the Love of Script: The Importance of Teaching Cursive Writing in Schools

Dempsey & Carroll’s Austin Ackles shares his thoughts on the importance of script and how cursive writing should always be taught in schools.

I know there’s a lot of debate about teaching cursive writing in schools, but studies have shown that when notes are taken by hand (versus notes typed into a device), the information is much better retained. Furthermore, writing in cursive is fast and efficient, while block printing tends to take more time.

I can’t imagine someone not having a cursive signature. Though digital signatures are now legally binding when necessary, something important like a condolence letter should always be handwritten and sent through the post. A Facebook message or email is never acceptable for serious, life changing matters.

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When I was searching for my last two jobs, I would apply electronically and then send a printed hard copy in the mail. I know that the electronic applications to several companies were completely overlooked while the printed ones got me in the door. At the bottom of those printed cover letters, you must have a cursive signature to finish it off. Following a job interview, a handwritten thank you note will be noticed and remembered far longer than an email.

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Dempsey & Carroll always gets busy in the early fall with parents ordering engraved correspondence cards for their children. It’s school application time and those kids will all be following up with handwritten thank you notes after interviews. Cursive writing is a must if you’re looking to impress admissions at prestigious schools.

reply-card-1.jpgWhile a few of our clients do send digital save the dates, everyone sends a printed wedding invitation. As the recipient, you will need to send back a reply card, and a cursive signature is going to look very appropriate after that “M” prompt on many R.S.V.P cards.

 

 

If my child’s school did not teach cursive writing, I would teach it to her myself. Good social skills and dexterity never go out of fashion!