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June, 2011:

RHONY 413 – What We Wore

Jun 30th, 2011
by Alex McCord.
43 comments

Here’s what we wore this week…

When Ramona and I walked through Apella with the owner and Kelly, I wore a Walter wool dress, United Nude boots, Linea Pelle bag, Plein Sud elbow length gloves and a Tulle coat.

At the Kiss and Fly party, Simon wore head to toe Loris Diran. I wore a Robin Brouillette beaded tank top over tux pants and Gucci heels. Simon’s coat is D&G and I can’t tell whether that’s my Mango or Louis Vuitton coat (but thinking it’s Mango.)

At Ramona’s birthday party for herself and Sonja, Simon wore a silk coat by Blanc de Chine, and I wore a silver sequined dress by Walter.

Simon and I started, then stopped, making the bed while we talked about all this tweeting nonsense. I wore a Mango cardigan, Vintage Revolution jeans, crystal necklace from a charity auction and pink shirt by Karen Millen. Simon is in a shirt made by our friends Mike and Adele at Epaulet and the funky cats on the wall are by an Australian company called Schmooks.

Finally, I went to an alternate universe lunch with Kelly and wore a 3/4 Walter jacket and cargo pants, Ray Griffiths jewelry and a Plein Sud silk tank.

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RHONY 412 – What We Wore

Jun 23rd, 2011
by Alex McCord.
11 comments

Here’s where pictures of our looks from tonight’s episode will go, and let’s start with Simon wearing a dress at Jill’s birthday party.

I’ll have to lead you to the fashion recap to show a photo of what Simon wore to Jill’s birthday party. There is so much back-story here that was left out. I did my best to turn over a new leaf with Jill, which continued during Morocco, but started to sour as I continued to see evidence that Jill hadn’t changed. In particular, Simon wanted to speak to Jill to burn the past as she and I had – most of her attacks had been aimed at him, and he was justified, but she refused. He wanted the discussion to begin from a place of warmth, and something had happened that we all thought was funny. When Jill launched her bedding line, one of the fabric styles was called the Simona – which a few gossip columns joked must have been inspired by either Simon/Alex or Simon/Ramona. Simon and I decided to use the same fabric to make him an outfit, and Jill a gift, for her birthday – sort of a pre-discussion peace offering. Simon brought Bobby into the plan, who loved it and helped us source the fabric. We enlisted Jeffrey Williams, who (although none of us knew it at the time) won The Fashion Show: Ultimate Collection. Jeffrey created an amazing caftan for Simon, and a handbag for Jill. I was sorry that it wasn’t explained better on the show.


On Simon, the Simona caftan, Loris Diran trousers, Dolce & Gabbana brown velvet coat. On Alex, Robin Brouillette vest, Loris Diran tux pants, Louis Vuitton coat, Ray Griffiths jewelry.

Next, Simon had a very big day at home. Of course we had to wear something, so here’s what it was. On me — Mango t-shirt, DL 1961 jeans, Cavalli belt and Tod’s boots.

On Simon, Hans Ubbink t-shirt, Cavalli jeans, and Louis Vuitton boots. He didn’t do any Herman Munstering.

Working out, I wore a tank by Travertine Yoga.

Finally, at Avery’s Sweet 16, I wore a Loris Diran dress and Simon wore a Blanc de Chine jacket, Cavalli shirt and Versace black trousers.

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RHONY 411 – What We Wore

Jun 16th, 2011
by Alex McCord.
16 comments

I loved the scene at home with Simon! He surprised me with a bunch of lingerie from Hanky Panky, which I happily tried on. Prior to changing, I had on jeggings and a cream t-shirt from American Eagle. Simon sported a blue & white shirt by English Laundry, jeans by Vintage Revolution and deck shoes from Epaulet.

For both the shapewear focus group and lunch with Ramona, I wore a top and leggings by Sanctuary, chain tie by Currency and Tod’s boots, with a brown bag by Cavalli. I bought the black pearl earrings at the Help for Orphans event that happened in season 2.

Several interviews this week — in the first, I wore a Cavalli top, costume necklace from Housing Works and my round Ray Griffiths crystal and diamond drop earrings that I first wore in the Season 1 promo shoots.

In the next interview, I had on a coral dress by Lipsy London, and earrings from Gilt Groupe.

Next, I wore a Walter dress with a very vintage necklace that was my grandmother’s.

Which brings us to coffee with LuAnn. Actually, I invited her to leave before the coffee even arrived. Here’s a wide shot where I think you can see everything. Cape by Keith Lissner, turtleneck by Plein Sud, square crystal and diamond drops by Ray Griffiths that Simon bought for me in Season 2, along with the pink tourmaline ring also by Ray. Jeans by Louis Vuitton, boots by United Nude.

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The “We Were Here First” Menu

Jun 16th, 2011
by Alex McCord.
5 comments

Simon and I love to cook together, and this meal was a joint effort:

Kusshi Oysters with freshly squeezed lemon
Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé Champagne
Buy and serve same day, and they’ll be fresher if you open them yourself. When you buy them, make sure they are tightly closed, and given to you in an OPEN plastic bag. Store bag open in fridge until you’re ready to open them. Buy a good oyster knife and a silicon glove, and do it over the sink. Once open, place in a bowl of ice and don’t put the lemon on until right before eating.

Brooklyn Rib Eye
Chateau La Nerthe Chateauneuf-du-Pape ’05

Marinade:
1 bottle beer made in Brooklyn (yes, you can substitute, but then you couldn’t call it Brooklyn Rib Eye.)
½ cup soy sauce
3 Tbsp minced garlic
¼ cup pure maple syrup
1 Tbsp whole grain mustard
¼ tsp chili sauce; I like the Vietnamese Chili Garlic sauce I find in my supermarket,
but whatever you can get that’s hot will work.

Meat:
Good quality Rib Eye – 1 piece per person – either as is or fat-trimmed if you want it a little lighter.

Combine ingredients and insert rib eye pieces. Stab with a fork a few times, let the marinade soak in, flip them and repeat. While you’re doing so feel free to sing a few rounds of “99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall.” Cover with plastic wrap and let sit for at least an hour, or overnight if you want to throw it in the fridge.

While all that is happening, preheat grill at the highest temp. Sear the meat on each side, then turn the heat down to medium and continue grilling to your preferred doneness – just a minute or 2 each side for rare or longer as desired.

Mini Potatoes au Gratin et Moutarde
2 medium potatoes – Idaho or Yukons are my fave. Peel and slice into thin rounds, and steam until tender-ish. Set aside.

1/2 cup beef stock, organic or homemade if you have time (Ha!)
1/4 cup half & half, or use 2% milk if you like it lighter
2 huge heaping spoonfuls of whole grain mustard to taste

Roughly ½ cup grated good quality white cheddar

Lightly grease or spray two ramekins. Alternate layers of potatoes and cheese until you run out of potatoes or patience. When finished, pour the sauce over the top, then garnish with a little cheese on top. Bake at 400 F for at least 25 minutes, or longer if you like a crispier crust.

Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus
Pre steam asparagus until just tender. Wrap in individual slices of prosciutto, then throw on the grill just for a few seconds to sear.

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Morocco 2003 – Part 3

Jun 9th, 2011
by Alex McCord.
29 comments

Here are a few more photos from that trip!

As I mentioned on this week’s Morocco episode of RHONY, I’m usually the first one up from the table dancing. Back in 2003, here I am dancing with a random man, with a fez on my head. Wonder what the brunettes would have said about that? LOL. Yes, Simon was there. He took the picture!

Although I was 5 weeks post-partum, I managed to get into a ball gown. Fashion tip for new mamas…go two piece – much, MUCH easier.

Here’s a picture of the bathroom door in our suite. So cool!

One thing Simon and I got to do that the ladies didn’t, was experience outdoor theatre.

Here’s one of those beautiful, luminous mornings — grabbed this photo during a call to prayer. You can see a mosque, the Atlas Mountains in the background, and gorgeous foliage.

And finally, here’s baby François on my lap in the hotel, calling a goal, perhaps. Not only did they unpack and repack for us, but every day a butler came to boil all the baby toys, pacifiers, bottle when I pumped to go out, etc. Wink.

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RHONY 410- What We Wore

Jun 9th, 2011
by Alex McCord.
4 comments

OK here we go!

First up, I wore this when I really wanted to remove all stress from the situation:

Red Jacket by Malan Breton, bustier and tux pants by Loris Diran and jewelry by Ramona Singer. and shoes by Gucci.

Up next, I had an interview where I wore a dress by Walter Baker, a wrap by Butter from Brooklyn and a necklace from the lovely people at Style Week Providence.

At the Bahia Palace, I wore Sanctuary leggings and beaded tank top, Louis Vuitton boots, a white cashmere coat by Loris Diran, bag by Linea Pelle, earrings by Ray Griffiths and a red Kx camera by Pentax that I got at Willoughbys Camera.

On the roof with Ramona, I wore another pair of Ray Griffiths earrings (had a great time with him this week at the American Australian event!) Scarf by Kikoy4Kenya, jeggings by American Eagle and takn top by Plein Sud.

At the “is it a buffet or a dinner party,” I swapped the scarf for a cardigan by MNG Mango.

Ramona and I woke Sonja up, and I wore Loris Diran with Ramona’s jewelry.

Simon played pool with Mario and some of our friends, and wore Versace.

While we had fab Moroccan eyeliner applied, I wore Donna Ricco.

And last, but not least, here I am in one of Albert Okinine’s caftan gowns.

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Morocco 2003 – Part 2

Jun 2nd, 2011
by Alex McCord.
23 comments

Although the Morocco trip was crazy, the best part is that it made me think of my first trip there in December 2003, as a brand new mom. All my senses were on fire to begin with because of the baby, and a brand new country was that much more exciting.

Here is a view of the souk at night…

And here’s me with baby François, facing the souk at night. All those shops are straight ahead of us. No, it wasn’t dangerous, despite what various housewives might have said.

Remember that cool necklace I wore to the souk with the ladies? I bought it last trip — here it is on my neck with (at the time) my two favorite boys. Two had not become three yet! Side note — that black tank top, by Algerian designer Fayçal Amor, is the only item of clothing that went with me to Morocco BOTH trips.

Look at baby François! He’s a hell-raiser in training. In Baby Dior jeans. LOL.

Did someone say camel? When you saw me saying this week to Jill that I was happy to get to do things this time around that I didn’t get to last time, the camels are what I meant. Check this out, as the camels left without us.

Look at Simon with the riderless camel next to him…yes, he’s on his cell phone. He saw he had full signal strength in the desert, so he had to use it! He called the best man at our wedding, who was sitting at his desk in London, and said “I’m on a camel. In the desert. And you are in your office. Hahahahaha.” And yes, he is wearing leather pants on a camel. Black this time; the red came later!!

Bye bye camels! Simon is on the far left, with the riderless camel.

While they rode camels, François and I caught up with the caravan in style — now this is what I call offroading!! Didn’t get to do this with the ladies — they missed out.

We all met up at an absolutely beautiful tent, just like the one this week on the show. I cannot believe I don’t have any pictures of the tent itself, but you can see the red carpet. Here I am with François outside the tent, facing the oasis with a gorgeous lake that just exists in the middle of the desert at the foot of the Atlas Mountains.

More photos of this magical country next week!

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RHONY 409 – What We Wore (and it IS “we” this week!)

Jun 2nd, 2011
by Alex McCord.
6 comments

So many pictures this week!

For shopping in the souk, I wore a Loris Diran white wool bustier, trousers and white/grey cashmere long cardigan, with United Nude boots and clutch by Linea Pelle. The necklace I bought on our 2003 trip to Marrakech, in the souk. I wore it to show the souk shopkeepers that I had been there before, as a small sign of respect amongst the craziness. Here’s a closeup — and the glasses are by Jimmy Crystal.

Next, we rode camels, and I wore Tod’s boots with John Bartlett breeches, shirt, sweater and tie. I topped it off with a Kikoy for Kenya scarf, and diamond hoop earrings Simon bought me 10 years ago in the duty free in the St Maarten airport.

Just for fun, I had to include this picture of my reaction to Jill talking about Bobby’s feet.

The traditional hammam we visited was in the SLH property in Marrakech — a marketing group Simon knows well. I wore a cashmere Loris Diran dress with brown tights and Tod’s with jewelry by Lauren Kara.

I could not have gotten into the pool less gracefully if I tried, so I’m not including a screen grab of me on the steps. The bikini, however, was by Shoshanna.

Hey, Simon showed up! On Skype, at least. He wore a hoodie by American Eagle.

In this interview, I wore an old DVF I’ve had for a while.

And in this one, the dress is by Donna Ricco.

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