"on the fifth day of May...."

The Battle won over the French on May 5th, 1862
part of a painting by Patricio Ramos Ortega

Have you been wondering why your local bars and groceries have been decking their halls with brightly colored paper sombreros, Corona paraphernalia and Chili Pepper Lights? Well, don't be alarmed -- It's just Cinco De Mayo! An American tradition (much like the Irish cousin St. Patty's Day) to indulge in some Mexican fare, consume far too much alcohol and celebrate with plenty of fanfare! Andale!

Funnily enough my Mexican friends tell me that the holiday is celebrated far more in America than in Mexico. Of course, it is an observance, but of what ... I'm sure many couldn't tell you. As it turns out, this day commemorates the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, when the Mexican army defeated, in seemingly impossible odds, the French from conquering the state of Puebla. So, there it is!

In other news, this day also marks the birth date of my oldest and dearest friend. Photographer/Writer/Creator, Ms. Erin Carey. Joyeux Anniversaire!!! So, in her honor and in honor of my Mexican allies, I shall celebrate! Enjoy!

The Women ... And The Men.

The Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute benefit was last night. As usual the fashion set turned out a good show. In the past couple years, celebrities and society doyennes have chosen a mixed bag of full on ball gowns and saucy cocktail attire. This mix is especially pleasing to me, as it allows each attendant to express his or her own point-of-view and style. This year's gala and exhibition is themed

American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity.

Ms. Wintour was joined by Gap's Patrick Robinson and Oprah Winfrey as co-chairs.

Below is my selection of the night's best dressed.

Photos from Style.com and Vogue.com. Merci!

Tom Ford ... Well, because he's Tom Ford !

The adorable Tina Fey, in YSL.

Rachel Weisz, in Oscar de la Renta.

Naomi Watts, in Stella McCartney, and Liev Schreiber, in Tom Ford.

Melissa George, in J. Mendel

Anne Hathaway and Kate Bosworth, both in Valentino

Kiki Dunst, in Rodarte for Gap

The ever chic Lauren Santo Domingo, in Proenza Schouler.

The flawlessly French Marion Cotillard, in Christian Dior

Zac Posen with Doutzen Kroes, in his design.

Anna Wintour, in Chanel Haute Couture, with Bee Shaffer, in Balenciaga Edition.

Amber Valletta, in RM by Roland Mouret.

Demi Moore, in Lanvin.

Diane Kruger, in Calvin Klein Collection

Only Robinson Crusoe had everything done by Friday.

IT'S FRIDAY!!!

And although my job rarely allows a proper weekend, something tells me this weekend shall be swell. Two days full of plans and a forecast that promises good weather, this always makes for a truly splendid end of the week.

I wish you well.

Even though my plans don't involve sailing or even boating, I surely will be dreaming about the first sail of the season. ASAP. I just though this very rare picture of JFK & Jacqueline (Jackie was rarely caught smoking) captured the breeze and wistful spirit of the early Summer.

"Appréciez la promenade en parc"

Here are some more shots from my home state of Massachusetts -- Although it longer feels like home, I must be honest and say I can't think of any better place to spend the Summer months ... other than Maine perhaps. But the water is far too cold to swim in Maine. Give me Edgartown, you can keep East Hampton!

Plum Island

Marblehead Harbor

A view from Chilmark, M.V.

Nantucket Sound

in the good ol' Summertime.

As summer rapidly approaches, I find my music choices, which since this winter have been drone and heavyhearted, gravitating in a new direction. Below is my official Summer playlist ... with many more to be added! A mixture of new and old -- a mixed bag full of angst, slow-movin' lazy songs and merriment. It's somewhat all over the place, but it's everything Summer listening should be. To me.

1. The Drums - The Drums
2. The Puppini Sisters - Betcha Botton Dollar
3. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz!
4. Bob Dylan - The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan
5. MGMT - Congratulations
6. The Best of the Runaways
7. LCD Soundsytem - This is Happening
8. The National - High Violet
9. Dusty Springfield - Dusty in Memphis
10. The Doors - The Doors
11. Madonna - You Can Dance
12. Hole - Nobody's Daughter
13. Little Boots - Hands
14. Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings - I Learned The Hard Way
15. La Roux - La Roux
16. Semi Precious Weapons - We Love You
17. Nick Drake - Pink Moon
18. Before Sunrise [Soundtrack]

The Empire Strikes!

Yesterday was a perfectly perfect day here in NY. After spending the day out apartment searching, the evening getting caught in the rain. I met up with a friend later in the afternoon for some beers and a round of eight ball.

When I got home it was just about time for ESB to turn off. (Living in such close proximity, I always look for it to turn on and off. If I'm lucid!) So, last night it seemed a little more present than usual. Cast in a halo from the cloudy late-night sky, it seemed ominous and distant. It provoked me to snap some shots. There are only slight differences, but I thought it looked lovely.

Friday's Style

As I got dressed this morning, I stumbled across a pair of trousers that I haven't worn for five years! Originally purchased to wear to a very good friend's engagement party, I was much thinner then and haven't been able to fit into them in some time. Well, I was delighted to find that today, although a little snug, they fit. Brown and cropped, with a tiny gray pinstripe, I sort of dig them. I slipped on the obligatory boat shoes, a red vintage polo and my beige, light-weight Gucci sweater, topped it all of with a mixture of Prada Infusion D'Homme with a splash of No. 6 After Shave by Caswell-Massey and ventured out to my office. As I walked down 28th Street, I realized that if I had managed to put on a pair of white socks (a move I will surely be sure to make when I recreate this outfit in the future.) I would be dressed like Gene Kelly.

Mister Kelly, is one of style icons ... so on this lazy Friday, I thought it might be fun to reveal my, not so secret, style icons. I suppose one might say that they aren't too, too orginal, but I would like to think that it's the way I put my ensembles together that make it a little different -- plus I always like to look a little dirty. As always, there's more than a couple here, so grin and bear it! Enjoy.

Steve McQueen

Gene Kelly

Paul Newman

Kate Moss

Paul Newman No. 2 and Joanne Woodward

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

Serge Gainsbourg

Gene Kelly No. 2

Kate No. 2

Double Time: Emmanuelle Alt and Carine Roitfeld

The Olsen Sisters

Jacqueline No. 2

Daphne Guinness

Me & Annie

Please take a look at this, and then take a look at this! You saw it here first!