Merry Almost Christmas.



ASPEN
It’s almost here! Just another day! This is my second Christmas in Paris. I have mixed feelings about it. On the one hand… Paris for Christmas is beautiful, subtle, elegant, refined and demure. I appreciate all of this. The decorations warm your heart and make you feel like you are living in a previous era. In Paris, no one runs around like a crazy person last-minute gift buying. Everyone is walking calmly with a bag or two in their hands… Most likely on their way to a café for a vin chaud. There is definitely a quality versus quantity school of thought here. One black high-quality cashmere sweater from Eric Bompard versus three cotton sweaters from The Gap. One bottle of Le Labo Rose perfume versus a giant basket of body products from Bed Bath & Beyond. A succulent Christmas goose versus a giant Honeybaked Ham. An afternoon Christmas walk through the Jardin des Tuileries versus a Christmas afternoon movie theater outing to see the latest blockbuster… Most likely violent. There is a calmness to Christmas in Paris and I like that… Sort of.

In full disclosure, I have to admit, I miss Christmas in America. There, I said it. I do. I miss all of it. I miss people getting trampled at Walmart on Black Friday. I miss maxing out credit cards. I miss a two hour line to sit on Santa’s lap. I miss those creepy Salvation Army Christmas volunteers dancing for donations in front of Bloomingdale’s New York. I miss the New York City Christmas windows. I miss those Christmas freaks who put Christmas wreaths on the front of their cars. I miss colored lights. I miss corny Christmas music. I miss Christmas at my mom’s house with the entire family.. I miss a Christmas Beef Wellington with mashed potatoes. I miss the opulence, the decadence, the hustle and bustle, the Christmas rage, snow days at school, Gracie’s Christmas pageants, regular American Christmas music at church like O Come All Ye Faithful and Silent Night, the old-school snowman in your front yard, the good cheer, the Nesbitt’s over-the-top Christmas party, Hickory Farm salami and cheese baskets, Barnes & Noble Christmas books, American Christmas movies, American wrapping paper and especially American Christmas trees.

If I got my wish for Christmas my dream would be…to go back to Aspen for Christmas. This is where my best memories are. I have been going there since the 70s. I even lived there full-time when Gracie was little. There is nothing like Christmas in Aspen. Snow, skiing, cashmere sweaters, ski lodge sipping hot toddies, afternoon après-ski at Little Nell’s, early dinner at Mezzaluna, late sushi dinner at Matsuhisa, drinks and American hamburgers at the Jerome, shopping at Amen Wardy, hot chocolate at the cart, ogling at the Ralph Lauren windows, breakfast muffins at the Paradise bakery, stocking stuffers at the pharmacy. Driving down Valley in an old school Wagoneer to Walmart, salami sandwiches at the Butcher’s Block, my brother, sister and I skiing all day at Buttermilk and having funnel cakes in the afternoon. And who could forget Boogies! Live bears walking in the streets of Aspen. Skiing old-school Ajax, watching Seal perform at the Belly Up, sledding, horse drawn carriage rides, midnight hot tub runs, dancing until dawn at the Caribou club with Susan, Yolanda, Taren, Ursula, Diandra, Todd and Paige. Oh what fun we had! The good news is that Gracie has all of the same memories of Aspen as I do (except maybe all the bars and dancing) and for that I am grateful. The bad news is that David has never been to Aspen so he doesn’t “get it”, not that he would anyway. Maybe that will be my goal for next year… Get back to Aspen.

So, for today’s blog I thought I would go down memory lane…through pictures. I was going to add all of these Christmas photos in my Christmas book but Gracie said that no one wants to see our family photos. So, if other people’s family photos bore you… Skip the rest of this blog. Here we go…

 
MY LITTLE BROTHER, MATT IN MISSOURI 
 
 
 ME IN ASPEN
 
 
MY SISTER, MOTHER, ME AND MY BROTHER IN ASPEN 
 
 
MY SISTER AND ME IN ASPEN 
 
 
MY SISTER AND ME RECEIVING OUR FIRST PAIR OF CALVIN KLEIN JEANS FOR CHRISTMAS IN ASPEN 
 
 
OUR HOUSE IN ASPEN IN THE 80'S 
 
 
SLEDDING IN ASPEN 
 
 
MY BROTHER, ME AND MY SISTER IN ASPEN 
 
 
MY PARENTS IN ASPEN 
 
 
MY BROTHER AND HIS DOGS IN ASPEN 
 
 
YOLANDA AND ME AT THE NESBITT'S CHRISTMAS PARTY IN SANTA BARBARA 
 
 
CHRISTMAS IN NEW YORK AT MY APARTMENT
 
 
YOLANDA AND ME CHRISTMAS EVE AT MY PARENT'S HOUSE SANTA BARBARA 
 
 
GRACIE AND ME AT MY PARENT'S HOUSE SANTA BARBARA 
 
 
 GRACIE AND SANTA IN MONTECITO
 
 
MY GRANDMOTHER'S HOUSE IN THE SNOW, MISSOURI 
 
 
MY GRANDMOTHER AT OUR HOUSE IN MALIBU FOR CHRISTMAS 
 
 
MY SWEET LITTLE BROTHER AT OUR HOUSE IN MISSOURI WITH OUR DOG 
 
 
MY GRANDMOTHER'S CHRISTMAS TREE IN MISSOURI 
 
 
OUR CHRISTMAS TREE IN NEW YORK APARTMENT 
 
 
GRACIE, IMARA AND HUDSON AT DIANDRA'S HOUSE FOR CHRISTMAS.
(NOTE THE FABULOUS CONSOLE, VASE AND LAMPS) 
 
 
DIANDRA AT THE PLAZA HOTEL IN NEW YORK FOR CHRISTMAS COCKTAILS 
 
 
ME, URSULA AND DAVID AT URSULA'S CHRISTMAS PARTY 
 
 
LITTLE GIGI, YOLANDA, LITTLE BELLA AND LITTLE GRACIE CHRISTMAS EVE AT MY PARENT'S HOUSE 
 
 
CHRISTMAS IN PARIS 2013 
 
 
CHRISTMAS AT MY PARENT'S HOUSE 
 
 
CHRISTMAS AT MY PARENT'S HOUSE 
 
 
CHRISTMAS AT MY PARENT'S HOUSE SANTA BARBARA 
 
 
 CHRISTMAS AT MY PARENT'S HOUSE SANTA BARBARA 
 
 
CHRISTMAS AT MY PARENT'S HOUSE SANTA BARBARA 
 

DAVID FOSTER, YOLANDA, LITTLE GIGI, LITTLE ANWAR AND BRUCE JOHNSON
AT MY PARENT'S HOUSE FOR CHRISTMAS
 
 
CHRISTMAS AT DIANDRA'S IN SANTA BARBARA 
 

 CHRISTMAS AT DIANDRA'S HOUSE SANTA BARBARA 
 
 
CHRISTMAS AT DIANDRA'S IN SANTA BARBARA 
 

CHRISTMAS IN PARIS 2014

 
Merry Christmas!

44 comments:

  1. What a lovely walk down memory lane! I chuckled at the Amen Wardy - I totally remember that store!

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  2. Yay! Great pics:) Everyone so glamourous and having fun….I need to up my game;) Enjoy Paris. xo

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  3. LOVE the family photos! Getting to know you better all the time! Now I want to go to Aspen for Christmas!

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  4. AMEN WARDY...........that brings back memories!I still have a few bits and bobs from there.......especially the JUDITH LIEBER belts!My aunts would shop there..........I have a memory of them sitting on the floor with all his costume jewelry surrounding them.Is his shop still there in ASPEN?I guess I could google him!My Mother received lots of hand me downs from her sisters over the years and now I have them!I cannot part with anything that has an AMEN W. label..........As for your CHRISTMAS photos.......NEVER listen to your children when it comes to photos!I adore seeing YOU and YOUR family and friends................
    You my dear are STUNNING............DRESS and BODY.In all the photos..........I love how you remember your first pair of CALVIN KLEIN JEANS!!
    SO,HAPPY YOUR BACK!Your not missing much here.......I haven't heard Christmas music in one department store............this YEAR!Then again I live out in the BURBS and did not go into the CITY!Shame on Me!Between the rain and the LIFE WE LEAD I did not get there this year.........MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!!!!!XOXO

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  5. Tell Gracie that I loved going down memory lane with you! Your parents are so good looking - it's no wonder you are so gorgeous. You couldn't miss!!! I'm hoping you are feeling well and I wish you a Christmas filled with love!! I will light a candle for you at Midnight Mass! your bff, xxoo

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  6. Been to Aspen once in my life about 25 years ago, but not at Christmas. Loved it! Actually saw Diandra while there - still with Michael. Such a beautiful spot. Love your pictures. Thank you for sharing. Merry Christmas to you and that amazing husband and beautiful daughter. Barbara

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  7. I love it, that Gracie, the living doll ~ I love Aspen too, a must go in my opinion, I shall "never"
    forget my days in Aspen, loved the late nights (yes dancing after purposing collapsing in the
    snow all day, novelty for a sandpiper) hot tubs with snow falling down on my head…so glorious
    the times I had there too! Great pics of your memories; such a fancy schamancy girl! Great idea
    for you and your Bunny to spend time in romantic Aspen & and more, ***wink wink*** ~ hugs XOXO

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  8. Merry Christmas to you too! I really enjoyed the family photos...let Gracie know! xoxo

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  9. Secret: when I got to the picture of your dad...my first thought was "he's totally my type."

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  10. so beautiful, and tell Gracie that I enjoyed seeing the pictures, Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family

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  11. Love, love, loved the photos! You look so much like your mother.
    I thought the photo of your parents in Aspen was actually you and Bunny!

    Merry Christmas, Ellie!

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  12. Dear Ellie, thank you for sharing so much of yourself, loved peeking into your life. You are a beautiful woman.
    I wish you and your Family a wonderful and healthy holiday.
    With all my love
    Lourdes

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  13. LOVE the photo's! I wish for you a beautiful Christmas Eve, Day & weekend along with no medical emergencies-you deserve it! I so enjoy your blog, thank you for brightening up my 2014 and I look forward to many more moments in 2015!

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  14. Dear Ellie,
    Wishing you and your family a very happy Christmas and a healthy, peaceful and happy 2015.
    With much love xxx

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  15. What a beautiful life, physically and otherwise. Very impressed you know David Foster! Merry Christmas ....I hope it is as wonderful as can be.

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  16. Wait that is YOU? Little Miss Redhead? That we look like we could be Sisters (or did then)?? I thought that was your Sister! Now, seriously. If you started out as a freaky little redhead (because we all are and yes I can speak for redheads around the world when I say this) and yet blossomed into just the most stunning classic blonde is a feat to be proud of, Madame. Hitchcock would have been begging you to be in his movies! ;)

    But all of this is just lovely. Gracie, with all due respect, you were wrong on this one. Like many an expat, I have been pining for my family "at home" and seeing all of the joy in these photos (not to mention how beautiful it all is, the decor is exquis) is almost...almost...as good as haven taken the plane.
    Sending much Love to you, David and Gracie.
    Merry Christmas!

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  17. It just occurred to me that I was at Buttermilk for years and you and your siblings were probably cutting me off on the trails every chance you got!!!
    I cannoy believe that I was sitting with you yesterday in your home and now sitting on Virgin to Califitnia.. I should have kidnapped you and brought you here for the holidays -- David can hang with his bro and Mom and we play in Carmel and Big Sur.. I love you little sis and Matt sends his love to you.. Remember, I am psychic .. Gideon or Bastien. Xxxxxxxxxxcc

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  18. Aspen! The Rocky Mtns, the tall pines, the quiet powder snow, the high, wide skies, the fresh, dry air Thank you for sharing your American West memories and evoking mine.

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  19. Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful photos, I loved seeing them. Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family.

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  20. Thank you for such a personal walk down your memory lane. The pictures are gorgeous (sorry Gracie.. I loved them). Wishing you, David and Gracie a wonderful Christmas.

    Bonnie

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  21. A thousand thank you for the photos. In move from Spain to California, my photos ended up some where other than with us--your photos do the trick of remembering. Have a blessed evening with presents & love, et al. xoxo Mary

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  22. I could look at 1000 archive photos of yours and still want more! Just fabulous. And, wow, Mrs. Yolanda Foster is ageless.
    I suspect you know my ex's dad. He owned the airport outside Aspen for a time. Before he fled the country and surrendered his citizenship :)

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  23. Ellie, Christmas in Paris may be more "restrained" than in the US, but the outdoor decorations and those in your apartment are beautiful. Enjoy your Christmas week and your new year, too!

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  24. Merry Christmas Ellie! Love your blog and going down memory lane with you (...not sure why since we've never met but I feel I know you from your blog - and I like you!) I never know what you're going to write about or what you'll say but I know it will be opinionated and entertaining! All the best to you and your family!

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  25. Merry Christmas Ellie,
    I am very grateful for the photo of your home this Christmas. Knowing that you are feeling better and sitting in that pretty room touches me deeply. I do feel that you are my friend now.
    Love Candace in Los Angeles

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  26. Ellie,
    You make me laugh out loud and little things you say will stick with me for days. Seriously killer wit you have there. I can't get the thought of you posing your cat "in your mind" in front of various pots trying to choose a color. OMG so true. I met you in Santa Barbara and I bought quite a few things from you when you were packing out to move to Paris. I love everything. I wish you still lived in Montecito because I need help redecorating my house! I'm editing my furniture and everything I picked out myself goes and everything I bought from you stays...hmmmm. Your aesthetic is truly spot on. Your apartment looks gorgeous-have a wonderful Christmas! Lorie

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  27. Merry Christmas 🎄,love Katrina xxx

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  28. Christmas is such a special time and gives us such wonderful memories. Thanks for sharing yours. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

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  29. Ellie,
    You have been one very lucky lady! Count your blessings. You have been and are surrounded by love. What more can one ask for?! Thank you for sharing your beautiful memories. Wishing you a happy Christmas,
    Rita

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  30. I enjoyed your photo trip down memory lane. So many lovey photos. Merry Christmas from New York.

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  31. Merry IS Christmas! You clearly inherited your mother's good looks and great style - loved the pics! Aspen is charming and I can't think of a better place to spend Christmas...I guess we'll have to wait and see if David is also a Snow Bunny.

    I wish you both a wonder-filled New Year with lots of great stories to share.

    *Something you don't know about me? I want your New York "apartment" - Ha! luxury brownstone.

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  32. Merry Christmas ! Loooved all the pictures Ellie ! Hugs , Adrienne

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  33. Merry Christmas to you and your lovely family. Hope you are feeling strong enough to enjoy the holiday festivities with your family. My favorite pictures were of you as a young girl. You were a beauty who've grown up to become a gorgeous woman. Thank you for sharing your memories with us.

    Amelia

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  34. MerryChristmas to you Ellie and your lovely family,
    Alex

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  35. Yes, you should try for Aspen next Christmas. Your husband should see where so many memories were made and wonderful photos were taken. You look drop-dead gorgeous in the photo at Ursula's party. Merry Christmas!

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  36. Merry Christmas, Ellie!
    Thank you for sharing your gorgeous photo album with us -- I love seeing all the different versions of you and your family -- you are all beautiful!
    Wishing you love and happiness,
    Sabrina in Port Townsend

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  37. I thoroughly enjoyed the trip down memory lane! Hoping that you and yours have a wonderful Christmas in Paris.

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  38. I loved all your photos and hope you had a lovely Christmas. So glad you are feeling better. Happy New Year!

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  39. Wow! This event seems wonderful. I am an event planner and arranged numerous Christmas events but this year I want to try something very exciting and unique at local LA venues. I’m gathering ideas from internet for party.

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