Things have been busy in New York as everyone prepares to travel and celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday next week. I still can’t believe this year is almost over. It really feels like it was just January. I also haven’t done a Bon Weekend post in a few weeks so I thought one was in order.

I don’t visit The Morgan Library and Museum often enough but I happened to be a few blocks away on Tuesday and decided to stop in. I love the old historic rooms in the Morgan House of which you can see Mr. Morgan’s Study in my first photo. After those rooms, I took in the new John Singer Sargent: Portraits in Charcoal exhibition. While his beautiful paintings could take months, if not years, to finish, a charcoal portrait could be done in a matter of hours and allowed him to finish more commissions. The portraits on view come from “important international loans, from both public and private collections, and showcase Sargent’s sitters, many of them famous for their roles in politics, society, and the arts.” It’s amazing how expression and mood Sargent could create just using charcoal. Definitely see this show before it closes on 10 January 2020.

Opening on Monday, 25 November 2019 at The Metropolitan Museum of Art is the exhibition Making Marvels: Science & Splendor at the Courts of Europe. “Between 1550 and 1750, nearly every royal family in Europe assembled vast collections of valuable and entertaining objects. Such lavish public spending and display of precious metals was considered an expression of power. Many princes also believed that the possession of artistic and technological innovations conveyed status, and these objects were often prominently showcased in elaborate court entertainments, which were characteristic of the period.” The Met will highlight approximately 170 object that include clocks, automata, furniture, musical instruments, jewelry, paintings, sculptures, print media, and more. Already on view is The Last Knight: The Art, Armor, and Ambition of Maximilian I which “examines the profound significance of European armor at the dawn of the Renaissance, through the lens of Emperor Maximilian I’s (1459–1519) remarkable life.” This exhibition is in a special gallery but make sure you also visit the Arms and Armor galleries which are quite fun to visit. I also want to remind you that a Met Membership makes a wonderful gift for the holidays.

Have you watched season three of The Crown yet? Everyone on Instagram was excited to watch it last weekend but then I never saw another post from anyone so I’m not sure what everyone thought. I’ve only watched two episodes so far so I can’t say if it’s better or worse than season two yet. I think Olivia Colman looks the part of Queen Elizabeth II but I’m not sure about her voice. To be determined.

I also wanted to make sure everyone knows about the documentary Very Ralph on HBO. It didn’t seem to be that well publicized outside of Instagram. I watched it while I was away last week and loved the behind the scenes look at fashion designer Ralph Lauren as he celebrated 50 years of his iconic company. I especially loved hearing from his wife Ricky who has been by his side the entire time. If you don’t have HBO, you can sign up for a subscription on Amazon Prime to watch Very Ralph and then cancel it. But you didn’t hear that from me.

I was taking a look at Entertainment Weekly’s Oscar Predictions for 2020. This is the time of year when most of the good movies are released but I’m not that excited to see any of them. I have heard great things about Knives Out which will be widely released on 27 November 2019. Although, it looks like it’s playing in limited release this weekend in New York. The murder mystery movie follows a detective and a trooper as they travel to a lush estate to interview the quirky relatives of a patriarch who died during his 85th birthday celebration. It’s filled with celebrities that definitely make it look like it would be worth leaving the house to see.

Every time I promise myself that I won’t buy another book until I read the ones already stalked beside my bed but I always break that promise. Wild Game: My Mother, Her Lover, and Me is getting rave reviews for the author’s honest look at her dysfunctional relationship with her narcissistic mother. Most reviewers said they read it straight though so I look forward to reading it over the long holiday weekend.

My lovely friend Shani Hillian has gone out on her own and opened Skincare by Shani. I saw Shani for eyelash and brow tints when she was at another salon but I’m excited that I can now see her for facials. You can add on microcurrent and LED treatments which I can’t wait to try. Shani has generously offered 10% off to HC readers who book any treatment between now and 31 December 2019. Use the code CHIC or tell her I sent you.

I usually make sure I buy anything I want before I post about it in case it sells out. I made the mistake of not doing that with the Augustinus Bader products on sale at Barney’s. Actually, I did try to order but there was a problem and my order was cancelled, probably because they almost all sold out. I hope this doesn’t happen with the new Victoria Beckham by Augustinus Bader Cell Rejuvenating Priming Moisturizer. It can be used after the Cream and Rich Cream and alone or with make up for an added glow.

Since there are six fewer shopping days between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, stores and sites have already begun their sales. Things are selling out so you might want to buy the items you want and presents before they are gone. Here are a few of the best early sales.

J.Crew – 30% off with the code BRRR
SkinStore – 25% off your order with code BLACK
Nordstrom – Up to 40% off
Net-a-Porter – Up to 50% off
MatchesFashion – Up to 50% off
Moda Operandi – Up to 50% off
Bergdorf Goodman – Up to 40% off

Bon week-end!

XOXO,

HC