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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Jewelry

Oberkampf Fleurs Tropicales et Palmiers
Art & Antiques, Interior design

Interwoven Globe and JAR at the Met

As many of you head into the city for a holiday visit, I would encourage you to make a stop… Read More

Verdura NYC boutique
Fashion, Gifts, Jewelry

Holiday Shop Picks | Verdura

It’s always a good day when I have a reason to visit Verdura. In their elegant boutique overlooking Fifth Avenue… Read More

sea goddess
Fashion, Food and drink, Gifts

At Ease | Channel Your Inner Sea Goddess

Whether an afternoon or a week, on a sailboat or a motor yacht, summer is the time to channel your… Read More

aerin blue necklace
Beauty, Fashion, Food and drink, Garden, Gifts, Interior design

AERIN | Living the Life and the Label

AERIN is more than merely a label. It’s a lifestyle. And nothing has more credibility, authenticity or appeal than when… Read More

James de Givenchy at Simon Teakle
Fashion, Gifts, Jewelry

James de Givenchy at Simon Teakle

It’s almost an embarrassment of riches. As if the jewel box shop of Simon Teakle in Greenwich wasn’t already tempting enough,… Read More

Stylish Shopping with Susanna Salk and Amanda Nisbet
Fashion, Interior design

Stylish Shopping with Susanna Salk and Amanda Nisbet

What could be more fun than jewelry shopping with the talented and ebullient Amanda Nisbet? It is abundantly clear that… Read More

BuDhaGirl core_cuff_hero_lrg
Fashion, Gifts

Meet BuDhaGirl | More than Just Beautiful

In the crowded world of fashion and luxury, sometimes it’s not only about being beautiful. And indeed, the new jewelry… Read More

scent diffusers
Art & Antiques, Design, Fashion, Gifts, Interior design

J. Seitz | Connecticut Country Chic

In a picture perfect vintage building overlooking a waterfall in the historic village of New Preston, Connecticut, J. Seitz is a… Read More

baccarat at designing greenwich with Zenith candleabra
Art & Antiques, Design, Fashion, Gifts, Holiday, Interior design

Designing Greenwich Preview

This weekend premieres Designing Greenwich, an exciting new venue here in Connecticut. Upscale local publication Connecticut Cottages and Gardens,  with… Read More

Niamh Barry Fouette chandelier detail
Art & Antiques, Interior design, Jewelry

2012 International Fine Art & Antique Dealers Show Finale

The International Fine Art and Antique Dealers Show had a sensational selection of jewelry and I could certainly have written… Read More

umbrella & silver house trap
Fashion, Gifts, Jewelry

Simon Teakle | A Gem of a Jewel Box

Simon Teakle‘s new shop is truly a gem of a jewel box. On one of Greenwich, CT’s tiniest charming side streets,… Read More

My week
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Entertainment, Fashion, Interior design

It’s Fall – A Busy Week!

Although my favorite season has not officially begun, fall events are already in full force. It was a busy week… Read More

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Let the family festivities begin. All four chicks Let the family festivities begin. All four chicks are in the nest, the table is set, the tree is decorated. A Merry Christmas Eve to all from our Nantucket home to yours!
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And don’t forget to enter your table in the @academia_de_la_mesa table contest. There are amazing prizes to enhance your tabletop repertoire
The Christmas Tablesetting Contest starts now!! Fr The Christmas Tablesetting Contest starts now!! From this moment until midnight on January 7, 2026 you can post photos of your tables to win the contest and a myriad of incredible prizes. To take part you need:

1. To post photos on a public IG account
2. ⁠To tag in the picture of your post @Academia_de_la_mesa & mention you are taking part in the Contest 
3. You can publish as many photos of your table as fit in a single POST (no reels, no stories, no videos please). We need to see AT LEAST 2 pictures of your table showing the entire table and one placesetting.
4. ⁠You can take part a maximum of 3 times, with 3 different tables (one single post for each)
That’s it!! Winners will be announced in January. Please post pictures of your own tables at home, no event or magazine pictures 🙏🏻 (and no AI). 

The winner will receive a wonderful prize of the best of the best that there is in tableware kindly donated by @alain_saint_joanis @artel_glass @noel_lingedemaison_paris and @raynaud_porcelaines AND just for taking part you will be eligible for 7 additional magnificent  prizes by @aquazzuracasa (in conjunction with @incasastudio) @elalmacendeloza @erbavoglio.milano @gordiola_vidrios @palmira_decoracion @staub.es and @thetablelove (see stories for details). (NB: unless otherwise stated by the donors all prizes will be delivered in Spain but we can help winners arrange shipping) 

We can’t wait to see your tables! Happy tablesetting with love from the jury, made up of: 
@amarosanchezdemoya @azarraluqui @bea_satrustegui @bonadeaofficial @carmencarooneill @casa__lopez @paz_qb @quintessence @raulromeropress @vanessacraccoliving and @vioscooking
Our latest video visit is here! Join me and @susan Our latest video visit is here! Join me and @susannasalk at the welcoming Connecticut retreat of designer @tamara_meadow_interiors where lake views and meaningful furnishings distinguish this stylish custom built home! LINK IN PROFILE (latest video).
While much of my tabletop arsenal is still in stor While much of my tabletop arsenal is still in storage, I managed to pull together a simple table for a small family dinner to give thanks on this special day. Wishing everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Our latest video visit is here! Join me and @susan Our latest video visit is here! Join me and @susannasalk at the glamorous Manhattan maisonette of designer @james_andrew and artist @scottmcbee41 where James magically transformed a characterless prewar apartment into a sparkling jewel box! LINK IN PROFILE (latest video).
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