Ferrari Scuderia Spider 16M (2009)

Ferrari Scuderia Spider 16M (2009)

 Other exclusive features include a roll-bar with carbon-fibre outer shell and a specific new generation audio system that can be combined with the removable customised Ferrari iPod Touch 16 GB with central dock just in front of the dashboard. The exclusivity of the interior is underscored by the silver "limited series" plaque just above the air vents at the centre of the dashboard. The new car also sports a special plaque on its rear grille commemorating Ferrari's 16th Constructor's World title.

 The Ferrari Scuderia Spider 16M is available in a choice of two new signature colour schemes: the standard version is black with grey trim, while a tricolour livery is also available as part of the Carrozzeria Scaglietti Personalisation Programme. This truly evocative special series model, of which just 499 unique examples will be produced, is aimed at the most passionate clients, drivers who demand both exclusivity and superb driving pleasure. In fact, the Ferrari Scuderia Spider 16M is faster round the Fiorano circuit than any other Prancing Horse open-top road car yet built. This new high performance sports car features the very best of Ferrari's latest mid-rear-engined 8-cylinder technology.  Ferrari has chosen to unveil the new Ferrari Scuderia Spider 16M at the World Finals in Mugello in celebration of its recent victory in the Formula 1 Constructor's World Championship 2008.

Ferrari Scuderia Spider 16M (2009)

Ferrari Scuderia Spider 16M (2009)

Ferrari Scuderia Spider 16M (2009)

Ferrari 599XX (2010)

Ferrari 599XX (2010)

 A new gearbox shift strategy cuts overall gearchange times to 60 ms. This was achieved both by optimising forms - as in the new crankshaft - and adopting exclusive materials, as in the carbon-fibre used for the intake plenums. Particular attention was also paid to cutting the weight of the engine unit components. These modifications, combined with the fact that internal attrition has been reduced and the maximum revs have been boosted to 9,000 rpm, helped achieve the target power output of 700 hp at 9,000 rpm.

 Ferrari's engineers have carried out extensive work on the engine's combustion chambers and inlet and exhaust tracts.  Ferrari 599XX, while based on the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano with the same transaxle layout and engine type, is an extreme track car.

Ferrari 599XX (2010)

Ferrari 599XX (2010)

Ferrari 599XX (2010)

Ferrari 599 GTB HY-KERS Concept (2010)

Ferrari 599 GTB HY-KERS Concept (2010)

 City driving is traditionally where sports cars are most penalised as their engines are designed for maximum efficiency and performance at high revs, whereas the urban cycle involves low revs and low engine loads. One of the principle objectives of the project is ensuring that Ferrari will be in a position to comply with future CO2 emissions standards, particularly in terms of the urban cycle. Thanks to ongoing research combined with experience gained in Formula 1, the new technology developed at Maranello actually accentuates the cars' sporty character and driving involvement.

 The HY-KERS is based on the 599 GTB Fiorano but importantly, the technology may one day be fitted to all future Ferraris, 8- and 12-cylinders alike, regardless of their engine position.  Ferrari at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show gives the public its first glimpse of the HY-KERS vettura laboratorio which can reduce CO2 emissions by 35 per cent on the combined cycle (ECE + EUDC).

Ferrari 599 GTB HY-KERS Concept (2010)

Ferrari 599 GTB HY-KERS Concept (2010)

Splash!

I'm loving this pool house that Jade O'Connor is designing for one of her clients!  If I ever had a pool, I would want a pool house just like this....yes, please! 

What's New?

I got home last night from work and browsed through the new Crate & Barrel catalog and I was impressed.  Here are a couple of times that are striking my fancy....

My girlfriend just purchased the above chair for her beach home.  And, it swivels!!

1) Cleo table lamp, 2) Petrie leather ottoman, 3) Ankara Chair, 4) Magnusso Ginger Pillow, 5) Oasis Swivel Chair 6) Carly Chair with cobalt blue frame, 7) Ginger blue side table

Me likey.....you?  Hope everyone is having a great week!!

Breaking the Silence

Life is still moving forward, despite this blog being in a holding pattern.  Thank you for your sweet 'Get Well' comments!  I had stomach issues this past week and my poor family has had to pick up the slack.  I'm still not completely over it so bear with me.

Random tidbits from my world:  Luke loves to play superheros these days and constantly wants me to play 'Wonder Woman'...I wish I was feeling more like her these days!!  Other news, have you heard that Hillary Thomas has opened her online store?

It's very chic.  From finials (jewelry for your lamps) to pretty little things for around your home, you should check it out!

Truth be told, I have done nothing around my home as I try to get back on my feet.  I could totally relate to Kathysue's post "The In-Betweens."  That is where I am right now.  I did manage to get a haircut on Friday which was a super pick me uper!  Definitely recommend it when you're in a rut.  Here's to a new week....thanks for bearing with me!!

Butler's Pantry

Kevin here; I'm Fran's husband.  Fran is still feeling poorly; and you know it's bad when I'm the one updating her on the goings-on in the interior design blog-o-sphere.  Anyway, I developed todays post.  

As many of you know, we live in a small Cape Cod house that I purchased several years before I even met Fran.  At the time, it was more than enough house for me - and a bigger house would only have meant more cleaning.  Not to mention, I was oblivious to the benefits of more storage space.  Anyway, in our first year of marriage we re-did the kitchen.  It was a complete gut job: new hardwood floors, new ceiling, new wiring, etc.  At the time, I thought, "Wow, look at all this new storage."  But those spaces quickly filled up.  And I've grown tired of having to trek down the basement to get the waffle iron on "waffle Saturdays".  And, rest assured, the waffle iron isn't the only item stored down there (have I mentioned that our house is small?).

So with the prospect of moving someday, Fran and I have discussed our "wish lists" for the next home.  Are we the only ones that do this?  Anyway, first on my list is a giant basement workroom - off limits to everyone.  But after that might be a butlers pantry.  I know, I know ... it probably seems odd for a guy to appreciate a butlers pantry.  But I actually would, simply because it would help the clean-up/storage process (wouldn't have to run downstairs to re-store certain pots and pans after dinner).

My first thoughts of the ideal butlers pantry took me back to a tour Fran and I took of The Breakers, Cornelius Vanderbilt's 130,000 square foot summer home in Newport, RI.  That pantry has a walk-in safe for the silver, a second level catwalk, and a dumbwaiter.  But maybe that was aiming just a little too high.  So here are a few more modest pantry's.

This first one is a traditional "walk through", connecting the kitchen and dining room.  It's clean, well organized and practical.  But there's no counter space.

This one also appears to be a walk-through and is way bigger with tons of counter space.  But it feels a little institutional and cold.

This one appeals to the Maxwell Smart in me.  I really like the secret passage feel to this one (pantry door is disguised as more cupboards).  From a practical perspective, I would prefer a pass-through.  But this was too cool not to include.  I like the pewter plates too.  But they seem too congested.  And is it me or are they mounted on a mirror?  I don't really like that.

Lastly, here's the mac-daddy.  Holy cow.  This is way nicer and larger than our entire kitchen.  Look at those windows.  It's almost a shame.  I don't want to store stuff in this room ... I want to live here.  This one is very white as well but the floors (pine?) warm it up as does the outdoor greenery.  I like the lights too.  Not so excited about the topiaries, but that's just me.

And now that we've settled on the pantry, we can just build the rest of the house around it.  After we win the power-ball, that is.

Have a great weekend.  And get better Frannie!!!  This blog stuff is way harder than it looks.

Giveaway Winner

Congratulations Nancy from La Borda Bleu you're the lucky giveaway winner!  And, for all of you my dear readers, Happy Valentines Day!!

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Sorry, I had trouble copying and pasting the random generator image into my blog!  If anyone knows how to do it, I'm all ears!! 

Feeling Blue

and under the weather.  Sorry folks, I'm going to have to sign off for this week but I'll leave you with these beautiful island pictures - exactly where I would want to be right now (if I was feeling better, that is!) Enjoy!

All pics via Coastal Living's Daily Catch blog

And, don't forget to enter in my giveaway for a chance to win a Sandor Collection Pillow!  

Happy Blogoversary & A Giveaway

A year ago I started this blog and am so happy I did.  It has been so rewarding in so many ways and I am very grateful.  Thank you readers for all your support!  To show my gratitude, I am doing a giveaway from a company that is known for their exquisite craftsmanship.  The Sandor Collection boasts a beautiful collection of handmade items from Christmas stockings to pillows. They are particularly know for their felt applique pillows. 

The Sandor Collection has been in advertised on numerous blogs (Garden & Gun, Katiedid, Blueprint Bliss, Katy Elliott) and has been featured in numerous publications such as Martha Stewart and Real Simple.  

I am offering one lucky reader the Bihar Tree (below) felt applique pillow which retails for $125.00.  

To enter: 

1) Leave a comment and make sure you're a follower.

2) For a 2nd entry, follow me on twitter and come back and leave a comment.

3) For a 3rd entry, tweet or blog about this giveaway and come back and leave a comment!

Giveaway ends Sunday, Feb. 13th at midnight and will be selected by random.org and announced Monday, February 14th.  Good Luck!!

Darling Confetti....

Have you seen the Thibaut's new fabric called Marathon?  It reminds me of confetti and I absolutely adore it.

I need to find a place in my home for this new adorable and fun fabric.  On a separate note, come back tomorrow as I have a fun giveaway planned that you won't want to miss!!  Hope you all had a lovely weekend!  Let the week begin!!!

Winter Riding

I'd say that this winter in Boston has been a challenge for getting around without a car, but, to be honest, it's been a challenge getting around with or without a car.  I've heard lots and lots of high-pitching whining of tires on slick ice and helped dig out and push stuck cars.  I definitely haven't missed trying to figure out where I'm going to park my car, if I have to drive it somewhere.  When we had a car, I'd dread taking the car out when a third of the parking spots were filled with three feet of snow, and trying to figure out how to get out safely on the ever more narrow streets.

When the streets are icy, I stick to getting around by foot and by T.  Unfortunately, in heavy storms, the T gets super crowded and somewhat unreliable.  In December, I ended up walking all the way from Brookline to Cambridge in a snowstorm to go to a party at the Central Square Theatre.  I walked three miles each way along the bus route, and I was never passed by a bus.

In past winters, I'd be reluctant to take the bike out, but I'm getting bolder about this all the time.  Usually by the day after a storm, the streets have been plowed down to the pavement on most major roads, so I feel fairly safe getting around by bike.  If we have a hard freeze following a lot melting, I avoid going out, if I think there will be slick, frozen puddles.  Ice and bikes don't mix.  (I don't have studded tires.)

I'm still grocery shopping by bicycle every weekend, using the bike trailer.  It's been great--I like the exercise and the fresh air--though finding bike parking is getting tougher, as the snow banks continue to rise.

The hardest part about biking this winter has been the narrowing of the streets.  Some of the snow banks are cutting 2-3 feet off the width of the road on each side.  Side streets that normally are two-way now can barely accommodate one car at a time.  All of this makes it a lot harder to have room for bikes. 

I don't mind the cold at all.  I actually prefer cool weather riding to hot weather riding.  In the summer, I arrive at my destination drenched in sweat.  In the winter, if I dress right, I warm up quickly, but not too much.

This winter, with almost 70 inches of snow so far, has definitely been a good test of our "no car" life, and I feel like we've been getting through pretty well.  But I'm definitely looking forward to spring, and wider roads again.

Pink Flamingos

If only I was decorating a baby girl's nursery, I would decorate the entire room around these 4 lovely flamingo prints.

Sharon Montrose's animal prints are amazing.  See here.  

High Gloss

I have to agree with Julie, I wasn't sure what to expect given the recent influx of online shelter magazines, but the ladies from High Gloss really hit this one out of the park!  The interiors were fabulous!  Congrats High Gloss and keep up the fabulous work!