Luxe, calme et volupté.*
That sounds wonderful.
In today’s world, I find that there is a disturbing lack of all of the above. Maybe it’s the speed at which we live our daily lives, multitasking during each measured moment of the day and well into our nights. Whatever the reason, I think that we’ve lost something that our parents and grandparents took for granted. Not just an ease in society or how to throw an intimate dinner for six or write a thank you note, but an everyday elegance.
Easy and Elegant Life is my attempt to define what makes up an elegant existence and to pass along a few easy (and inexpensive) ideas for bringing back a little elegance to our everyday lives. Here you will find ideas for living, decorating, entertaining and dressing with an easy elegance. Not just my ideas. To help point the way, I intend to seek out all sorts of people — professional lifestyle experts and those who seem to have been born elegant — asking them what they believe constitutes elegance and how we can best achieve it.
So to those whom Honore de Balzac called “elegantologists” I dedicate this site and the good fight.
Thank you for reading,
Chris Cox
editor(at)easyandelegantlife(dot)com
* From “L’Invitation au voyage” by Charles Baudelaire. The whole line reads: “Là, tout n’est qu’ordre et beauté/ Luxe, calme et volupté.”
Mr. Cox:
Your site is enjoyable to peruse. Regards, Helena
Have you seen this?
http://www.prettygreen.com/paulweller/
Best,
Iñigo
http://www.guardian.co.uk/fashion/gallery/2011/sep/26/paisley-london-fashion-week
Thank you for trying our oysters and I am glad to hear you enjoyed them. Next time I am in your neck of the woods I would be happy to show you how to open them from the bill side. This is the traditional method commercial shuckers have used in our region for centuries and something we have been working with our chef friends in utilizing. Our oysters are admittedly brittle shelled but this method addresses the safest and most efficient way to open oysters from the last stretch of wild Atlantic coast.
Best Regards,
Tom Gallivan
Writing from Vancouver Canada. Just love your blog. I check out your site everyday. I lived in England for 11 years and miss all that elegance.I have just started a blog. It is all complete except I have to figure out how people can upload their photos. Please check it out.
Continue the great and entertaining work.
Good day, sir – I just recently discovered your blog and enjoy it very much. I think you take matters both elegant and urbane just seriously enough for these oh-so casual times. I don’t exactly understand The Icon Collection, though. Are you a haberdasher? If so, where can I see your wares?
Thank you –
Note that my name is Patrick M … although ‘Patrlog and ick M’ certainly sounds distinguished.
Hello Herr ick M, Thank you for reading and leaving a comment. (I like the alias.) “Just seriously enough” is exactly my focus and I’m glad you picked up on that. The ICON Collection is a work in progress. I’m associated with a custom tailor here in Richmond, VA. He produces my designs which are updated versions of the classics found in the movies of the “golden age of Hollywood.” For example, I’ve produced my version of The North by Northwest suit worn by Cary Grant throughout that movie. It is as authentic as I could make it right down to the number of buttons on the sleeves and the besom pockets. Next up will be a rejiggered version of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s (he was a screen writer you know) favorite Norfolk jacket reproduced in a lightweight wool/silk blend for warmer weather.
Refreshing, uplifting to peruse. Thank you. What part of the world are you in. A US Southerner?
Hello William and thank for you the compliment and for taking a moment to drop a line. Yes, I live in Richmond, Virginia, USA.
Hello Chris,
I’ve been meaning to contact you for some time now. I love your blog! I was first introduced to it some years ago when you responded to a blog where my artwork was written about. You loved my Monogramed artwork and said you’d love your dinning room covered in it. I’m working on that concept thanks to you.
As an artist that grew up in the South just outside of Savannah, I miss manners. Now living in DC, it’s true that not only do we have the most rude drivers, but people who do not step aside as you pass on the sidewalk. Not to mention saying hello or at least just a nod of the head.
Now I can’t wait to be able to move out of the city back to a more civilized way of life. Very soon I hope!
Best,
John Matthew Moore
JMM — congratulations! I’d love to see the final product and feature it, if possible. On a side note, Mrs. E. and I are in love with Savannah, having visited early this year. What charm!
Hello Chris,
Yes, Savannah is lovely, except in the humid summer. I only get down at Christmas. You can see the rest of my work at http://www.johnmatthewmoore.com.
Look forward to your future postings!
Hello,
For the past several years, I have missed your blog. Of course, I know that blogging has waned in popularity, but you write so well. Hope you and your family are well and enjoying the hot, humid weather. Just that.
Joy-Marie Snell …oh, by the way, I frequently serve the roast chicken you told me how to prepare.