Habitually chic Habitually Chic has asked very nicely that I answer the following questions. So, dear readers, train the naked bulb onto my pale countenance and take notes. Here I am, for the most part.
1. What did you do 10 years ago? Let’s see, 1998… as a recently repatriated newlywed of one year… I joined a start up advertising and marketing company as a copywriter and third person in the firm.
2. Five items on your to-do list today:
• Visit my tailors for a fitting of my new MTM double breasted blue blazer and grey flannel slacks. (Very nice job with only minor tweaking needed! Thanks Larry!)
• Work Out. (See this article from Men’s Health Best Life http://www.bestlifeonline.com/cms/publish/health-fitness/Get_Back_in_the_Game.shtml)
• Iron Shirts (there’s still time, it is a Sisyphean task.)
• Post and comment. One out of two ain’t bad. I miss my daily doses of incredibly elegant writing, but I am working on my time management while the children are home.
• Take dry cleaning in… arrrgggh. Not having found a perfect dry cleaner (well I did and then Pitchford’s closed), I am am obviously, consciously, overlooking this “to-do.”
3. Snacks I enjoy: I don’t have a sweet tooth, but love tapas and most things salty and/or crunchy.
• Virginia Peanuts
• Almonds
• Cape Cod 40% Less Fat Potato Chips
• Cheeses of all nationalities
• Wasabi covered Edamame or Peas
• French fries
• Kippers and crackers
• Apples
• A glass of Rosé or Champagne (also Rosé as it is the driest of them all….) Yes, it is a snack. Especially when I can make a meal of cocktail hour given half a chance and a bottle of gin or single malt.
4. What would you do if you were a billionaire?
Call Gary, my very good friend and lawyer.
Set up the children’s trust funds. Settle family debts.
Speak with Jeffrey, my very good friend and fundraiser.
Consult the architect as he is very advanced in living life very well.
Buy art and redecorate with higher quality furnishings and the advice of a professional.
Hire someone well-spoken in several languages, taller and better looking to impersonate me in public.
Buy a “car,” hire a driver, a personal trainer and a full time housekeeper. (Hereafter referred to as “staff” or “help.”)
Less ironing and polishing (see point immediately above.)
Planes (Virgin Atlantic), trains (Orient Express) and vintage automobiles.
Sail for London (Cunard Line) and an appointment on Savile Row.
Blog.
Produce (just kidding.)
5. Places I would live: As a billionaire? Washington D.C., la Côte d’Azur, London, England, Madrid or Barcelona, Spain. Depending on our whims and the season. Although the dedicated Mrs. E. has said that when the ship comes in, she would prefer to keep working as she has the summers off anyway. So we may remain here, in lil’ ol’ Richmond, VA.
6. Bloggers I am passing the challenge onto are: already tagged, I’m sure. We’re an incestuous little group. But, I’m looking forward to meeting more of you and so, by way of recompense, I’ll ask for comments: Why do you blog? And what fascinates you about your topic? Leave links so that I can find more of you, please!
You’re a copywriter?! Awesome. I’m sort of an advertising groupie myself and enjoy checking out old copy. I interned at Y&R in NYC years ago in account svcs. In hindsight would have preferred creative. Any chance you could do a profile on David Ogilvy? The man had style.
Hello LBT, my first agency job (“Creative Assistant” tot he Creative Director — read secretary) was at Ogilvy, Adams and Rinehart in Washington, D.C.. You’re right the Ogilvy brothers had style. Might make for a great post. I’ll see if I can dig up my “Oglivy on Advertising” book and make a go of it. The old stuff is wonderful. And “Mad Men” cracks me up.
“Hire someone well-spoken in several languages, taller and better looking to impersonate me in public.”
ha! nice item on the list.
I’ll play along… I blog primarily as a creative outlet. My job has very little room for creativity and I’ve been “strongly encouraged” by my boss to complete my PhD also in a non-creative area. Blogging allows me to free myself from what does not interest me and focus on what does. Moreover, I’ve discovered a number of wonderful blogs that provide a dose of daily inspiration. (I discovered your blog while googling the fabulous Gerald and Sara Murphy.) I wanted to add my voice to the fray so I wasn’t merely a lurker. Finally, my primary topic is wine, and I blog about that because so much wine writing is presented in a way that is intimidating for the novice, particularly the young novice. I hope that I can make the topic fun and accessible for those just starting out.
How I wish I had found your blog sooner! How I missed it I don’t know. I wish more men (and people in general) subscribed to your way of living – too often men with any style, taste, or manners are written off as metrosexual or pretty. I’m glad to live in the south, where a gentleman or two can still be found, and I think the title of your blog is perfectly appropo. Keep the wonderful entries coming, I look forward to reading them.
Thanks Ms. Durbin, I wonder what Mr. Clooney is doing?
Hello LucyinStLou, and thank your for your considered response. I’ve a lot to learn from your blog and I am very glad that you’ve discovered your creative outlet (although, from what I know of the doctoral process, creativity always comes into play. Mostly in bibliographies… .) In fact, if you’d like to put together a couple of words about accessible “beginner’s wines” for hostess gifts and summer drinking, I’d be happy to link to it, publish it or whatever.
The Murphy’s continue to inspire, don’t they? So glad you’re here.
Hello Jessica, welcome and thank you. It’s a labour of love, to put it in your terms. Agreed, the whole metrosexual marketing push really put a damper on things for a while. But with the current economic climate, there seems to have been an uptick in interest about things classic… I hope to contribute, as we all do to the common good for as long as possible. I think I’d write even if no one were to be reading.
Thanks for your kind offer regarding publishing something about summer wines and hostess gifts! It’s really an honor as I love your blog. I’ve been working on a hostess gifts post so this is very timely.
Hello LucyinStLou,
I’ll look forward to the post and be sure to point it out to E&E readers!