Wellington Week

10 / 24 / 1610 / 28 / 16

Wellington, Florida, bills itself as the Winter Equestrian Capital of the World. If you don’t happen to know famous residents and riders like Jennifer Gates, Eve Jobs, or Jessica Springsteen personally, chances are you might spot them en route to a hunter jumper venue, like this smiling commuter (people are friendly here). She might also be headed to The Tackeria, a tack shop extraordinaire located a block from where this photo was snapped.Horseback is the preferred mode of travel here, where streets have names like Quarter Horse Trail and Paddock Drive, and there’s a community named Mallet Hill. To make it even more equine-friendly, buttons for the walk signal are offered at rider height. Wellington is a village of approximately 60,000 people, 13 miles from the beach. For the estimated extra 15,000 who come in for “the season,” starting in November, many camp out in gated mansions, in gated communities. However, don’t go confusing this decadent Greek Revival barn with a residence. It’s just a barn. With a five-car garage.
Some of the best restaurants are members only. Luckily Mason Phelps, powerhouse behind the equine-focused Phelps Media, and CEO-slash-CFO Chip McKenney, graciously invited me to experience the butteriest of chardonnays at The Golf House. Although Wellington has multiple golf courses, everyone who’s anyone knows which club the House is in. If you’re not from here, it’s a tad confusing. But a seasoned seasoner knows that the Palm Beach Polo Golf and Country Club doesn’t actually offer polo any more, although that doesn’t stop it from being a coveted residential address.
Word on the well-heeled street is there are 57 private polo pitches in Wellington, far outnumbering actual polo clubs. Even though it’s not yet officially open (the high goal season is January through April) I ducked into the world-renowned International Polo Club. One of the few clubs in North America with grandstands, it also boasts artfully disguised water guns for the sprinkler system.
If you want to, you can play polo every single month of the year in Wellington. Few do, but many play a whopping ten months, including Chip McKenney, founder of the Gay Polo League. He’s so dedicated to the cause, he’s devoted his license plates to it. And he’s tipped me off to a few places where I can jump in for some chukkers, even if I’m not a member.
Meanwhile, there are plenty of other attractions in Wellington for the equine enthusiast, including…… the National Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame, the world’s only museum dedicated to preserving and sharing the history and traditions of the sport.
Stay tuned for insider polo tips and interviews… Blue Besos is hot on the heels of Wellington equine style all week!

Season Summary: Calgary Polo 2016

10 / 17 / 1610 / 17 / 16

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. With apologies to Mr. Dickens.This was one of the best. I was so thrilled it was caught on camera. I’m just about to hit my third neck shot in a row, at a good pace, and still everyone’s hanging back, playing me for the miss. Ha! Not this time.Frequent rain, including several storms, made for a lot of missed games this season. Gabby survived being pelted with ice chips with no damage, unlike my car, but it was her pensive look that tugged on my heart strings. Which brings me to the worst of times. Losing my first horse, Simon, in March. We both still miss him. A lot.But when Simon moved on to the big polo field in the sky, the tale of two ponies had to continue, or I wouldn’t be able to play four chukkers this summer. After crying for weeks, I boarded a plane for the desert. During a whirlwind week of trying numerous horses, I discovered there’s a body type I prefer: short and round. Not Skinny might be a better way to put it. Mojito fit the bill, and her laid-back personality fit all the other requirements. Usually more motivated to go slower rather than faster, I spent a good deal of summer trying to encourage my new little 12-year-old with my heels. And, after inadvertently experiencing her top speed of 35 miles an hour (by all estimates of everyone at the club who saw The Runaway Of The Summer), I’m fine with her normal MO. She goes fast when I ask, and slows down when I ask. As long as I keep her off Gabby’s senior feed.Although the weather issues and the aforementioned runaway combined to cost me some of my polo mojo, there were many happy moments. Like whenever I managed to get ahead of Heidi.Or played with friends who were visiting from out of town.When I got smashed in the chin with a mallet two days before the President’s Club Ball, I wore black to match my bruise, and thanked my lucky stars I still had all my teeth.I still need to break my habit of tilting forward … … and I still need to go a lot faster.But at least I’ve got a decent swing. And a mare with a masculine Spanish name. It’s no coincidence that the Mojito also became my beverage of choice for the Summer of 2016.See you next year, Calgary Polo Club!

Estee Lauder Fall Preview

9 / 25 / 16

When Estee Lauder invited me to preview their fall collection, I had to go. Not just because they were holding it at Hotel Le Germain, which includes the most amazing chocolate chip cookies as part of their catering, but because Estee Lauder products are some of my absolute faves. They never affect my oh-so-sensitve skin adversely, and always make me feel beautiful. Here are my top picks for most intriguing products.This luxurious Re-Nutriv Ultimate Lift collection promises to be worth the splurge. The Estee Lauder experts doled out dollops to try on the backs of our hands, but I couldn’t resist smoothing it into my laugh lines.Estee Lauder has developed an intensive two-week program just in time for dry Calgary winters. Advanced Night Repair micro ampoules promote mega impact. Used nightly, they will rapidly renew the look of over-stressed skin, helping to strengthen its resistance against future assaults. Sign me up.I didn’t expect to see tea on display on the third floor of Le Germain. But the Moringa seed is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Estee Lauder uses the extract in several products to help open aging pathways, clearing the way for collagen production.Estee’s latest perfume release in their Modern Muse line was also on hand for sampling. The official description of Le Rouge Gloss goes a little something like this: succulent fruits, flowers, a hint of spice and a sensual, fearless edge of supple leather with dark woods. Because if you’re going to edge something with leather, throw caution to the wind.Estee’s Double Wear line is an innovative approach to foundation – especially if you’re on the run. The slim jar-slash-stick combines liquid makeup and applicator in one.My final pick of the preview comes from the other Lauder — Aerin. Granddaughter of Estee, she’s a creative powerhouse in her own right, putting her personal touch on a makeup line, handbags, even furniture. Otherwise known as a Global Lifestyle Brand. Her latest perfume is Tangier Vanille, a heady scent inspired by Aerin’s own travels through Morocco, from the palaces and gardens to the legendary bazaars we’ve all heard about. Perfect level of exotic to get you through any Monday to Friday mundane-ness.

Thanks for the preview, Team Estee! And the cookies. All of them.

REVIEW: Jamming with Nesta Earbuds

9 / 11 / 169 / 11 / 16

With their IKEA-like name, I was inspired to nest these Nesta Earbuds in all sorts of places to get a shot. Anywhere but my ears, which weren’t feeling their fifteen minutes today. Alas, the camera on my iPhone 6s couldn’t quite pick up the beveled details with these multi-faceted white surfaces reflecting the light, but at least my mobile has a headphone jack. Take that, smug new iPhone 7 owners. I predict a revolt against the enforced bluetooth headphones. I’m hoping for one anyhow. Do you really think people will be ok with lesser sound quality, Tim Cook? But I digress. Back to the earphones, and since you can’t fool all the people all the time, I might as well reveal that they weren’t named for a Swede, but rather, Robert Nesta Marley.I’m always up for attractive aesthetics for a starting point, and these new “Zirconia Ceramic” earbuds by Marley fit the bill. The Marley logo is a subtle, rose gold M, and the stylish, shoe-string style cord is tangle-resistant. That’s anti-aggrovigliamento, for my knotty Italian friends. An in-line microphone (not pictured) means you can take calls when you’re plugged in. The angled earphones are ergonomic, and they come with a selection of ear tips so you can get the best fit. Shout-out and a carrot to my pony Mojito for the modeling in this photo.Bottom line? Besides looking pretty, they sound great – offering an audio clarity I wouldn’t expect to find with in-ear headphones. The ear tips are comfy enough to wear for hours, blocking outside noise, allowing you to focus on the music. Bob bonus: the Nestas come with a stash bag to remind us of their Jamaican roots.

Invigorate with Invivo

8 / 3 / 1610 / 13 / 16

When the folks from Invivo Wines sent me this happy little package recently, I thought:perfect to quench my post-polo thirst! After playing four chukkers for Team Blue Besos, despite my personal puddle of sweat and crazy helmet hair, water never seems to be my top choice for rehydration.Mellow, peachy, but not too sweet, Invivo’s Pinot Gris hails from New Zealand. Available at several Calgary restaurants and at Willow Park Wines, it recently rated 91 points (out of 100) with the Globe and Mail. Normally I’m a Sauv Blanc kind of girl, but this Pinot will do in a pinch. Invivo gets marks for invigoration.

REVIEW: Butter up with BVspa

7 / 31 / 168 / 1 / 16

This summer in Calgary has been unusually humid, thanks to our wet, stormy weather. Bad for polo, but great for the skin — so much so that I’d dropped my usual obsession with moisturizing. Until one day I woke up and felt as dry and cracked as this old fence — which is a charming part of the scenery at the Calgary Polo Club… but not something I want to emulate on my epidermis. So I gave a new collection of lotions and potions a try — from BVspa by Bon Vital.To start, I sloughed off dull, dry skin cells in the shower with BVspa Sugar Scrub. The pomegranate and acai berry made for a summertime fresh scent. Besides leaving my skin refreshed and smooth, I almost didn’t have to moisturize afterward — the scrub is sublime with shea butter and natural oils for a smooth finish.The rich, creaminess of BVspa’s Body Butter makes it my current nighttime fave for slathering on hands and feet before I go to sleep. Besides being deeply moisturizing with cocoa butter, shea butter and essential oils, the lavender and rosemary scent is appropriately pre-Z soothing.

Should you prefer savory rather than sweet in the skin exfoliation department, BVspa by Bon Vital also has a salt scrub to use in the shower or bath. A blend of Dead Sea salt with jojoba, olive and safflower oils, this scrub’s pink grapefruit scent will leave you exuberantly smooth and refreshed. At least, it did for me.Follow up the scrub with BVspa’s Pink Grapefruit Body Lotion. Layering scent is one time that it’s ok to get all match-matchy. Also, in the summertime (especially if you’re experiencing the heavy humidity that Calgary is this year) it’s nice to go with a body lotion, which has a lighter consistency than a butter. BVspa Body Lotions contain squalane, which is a vegetable based extract that can help prevent free radical damage that causes the breakdown of collagen and elastin in the skin to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. They also have jojoba oil and sunflower oil, with their magical moisturizing powers.

All BVspa products are now available at Shoppers Drug Mart. Happy moisturizing!

BOOK REVIEW: In the Name of Gucci

6 / 19 / 166 / 19 / 16

I’ve always loved Gucci, as my many of my shoes, clothes and four handbags will attest. It actually used to be five, until one was stolen from checked luggage somewhere between Maui and Vancouver. But that’s another story.

On to the Gucci legend, and the first book written by a direct descendant of company founder Guccio Gucci: his granddaughter, Patricia Gucci.

I vaguely recall Gucci’s sale to a faceless corporation, which resulted in diluted brand, and the subsequent clawing back up to the luxury level reserved for but a few designers in the 1000-threadcount receptors of our brains. However, I never knew the back story in detail.

So when I was approached to be one of the first to read Patricia Gucci’s memoir, I couldn’t resist. And it seems only fitting to post my review on Fathers Day. The love child of Aldo Gucci, she weaves a masterful tale of her father, from the perspective of a person who had to live in the shadows for years — a child born out of wedlock used to be illegal in Italy. Discovery would mean certain scandal, possible ruination and potential imprisonment.

Patricia traces her parents’ love story, Aldo’s battle for the business, and touches on her own rise as Gucci’s spokesperson, although I would have liked to hear more about her career. Maybe another book is coming.

Besides the gripping interpersonal drama, I discovered (not really a spoiler alert, don’t worry!) the stirrup style elements did not come from a saddle-making background — Aldo just wanted an elevated equestrian association for the brand. And, looking at Louis V, who wouldn’t?

It’s hard to resist the combination of Made in Italy and superb story-telling. Bottom line for the interlocking G, as told by Patricia? I normally don’t do memoir, but I couldn’t put In the Name of Gucci down! Two G’s up.

Bourbon Battles

6 / 8 / 166 / 9 / 16

When the Marriott decided to hold a battle royale, celebrating their curated bourbon flights at 250 of their finest hotels, it makes sense that Calgary would be their only Canadian stop. Because who in this country appreciates a good drink more than anyone from YYC?With four bartenders feeling the heat of battle, the lobby of the Calgary Marriott was on fire. Shelby Goodwin of The Derrick Gin Mill & Kitchen came out of the gate smokin’ hot. But Madeline MacDonald of Model Milk, Michael Sheppard of the Marriott’s One 18 Empire and Kevin McKee of Marriott Scottsdale all had mighty mixes to muddle. Being polite Canadianas, we pretended not to notice that Marriott had stacked the deck with two of their own bartenders.To show she wasn’t phased, Model Milk’s Madeline struck a serious pose in between her bar-side dance moves, while the clocked ticked away on a time limit of five minutes for each round.Boozy brown concoctions of drinkable art ensued.Michael Sheppard displayed deft dexterity, and, dare I say, unusual technique for the pour? Behind him, after claiming he loved hockey, Arizonian Kevin McKee devised what he hoped would be the drink of champions.While the American contestant’s affection for hockey may have been questioned, his fans could teach us a thing or two about supporting a team. Bourbon Battles boosters! Host Heather Greene, spirit expert and NY Times short-listed author, wondered if Kevin’s fans would buoy him to the top spot. Meanwhile, Jonny Knoxville doppelgänger aka Michael took it low. Then popped up all confidence to hustle the bus to the judges.The judges, which included James Addison, vice president of global operations for Marriott in the blue button down, Nathan Head, owner of Milk Tiger, and Terry Rock, self acclaimed Man About Town, were schmoozed as well as served.

The judges had a tough decision on their hands, but they managed to sip their way through it.Ultimately, it was Shelby Goodwin of the Derrick who took home the emblazoned bourbon barrel lid. Must have been his muy caliente technique for the old fashioned. He’ll battle again at the finale in New York on June 14, representing Calgary on National Bourbon Day. Congrats Shelby! Kick some bourbon butt in NYC!

Fashion Film Fest coming to Calgary

5 / 18 / 165 / 18 / 16

The first ever Canadian International Fashion Film Festival debuts this summer, not in Montreal or Toronto, but Calgary. The glitzy, glam launch party at Township Kitchen+Bar offered a perfect view corridor to one of the forces behind the fest.It makes sense that artist, film lover and Calgary fashion icon Katrina Olson co-founded CANIFFF, for many reasons beyond her Moschino suit. With a rich, diverse arts community and many indie fashion designers here, Katrina tells me it’s time to put Calgarian and Canadian fashion film on a festival pedestal. She didn’t come out and say it, but she might be more partial to the former, since she’s a Calgarian born and raised.As the head of Nobles Management, a modeling agency, co-founder Antonija Klotz is also a perfect fit for a fashion film festival—a metaphorical Size 0.You don’t have to be fabulously dressed to enjoy a fashion film festival — but it certainly doesn’t hurt. Cue Evie Eshpeter’s entrance in a gorgeous Eliza J skirt from stage left. The director of Jelle Public Relations is helping spread the word about CANIFFF.Fashion film festivals are taking global style centers by storm. Paris has one. So does Berlin, New York and Milan. Just what is this hot new trend? Take off your Anna Wintour-esque black sunglasses and watch the trailer:

The festival runs July 22-23 at the Glenbow Museum, for a two-day showcase of all things luxurious, life-stylish and beautiful. Right up Blue Besos’ alley! And btw if Blue Besos actually had an alley, it would be in the Meatpacking District.

Cowtown? Or Couture Town? Decide during a darkened theater of sweet Stampede relief in July. See you at CANIFFF!