Here’s Jessica wearing a peach silk charmeuse lace dress by Sir (available in custom colors), while showing us the muted palette of her bouquet. Below, Jessica prepares the arrangements at Pasanella & Son Vintners. Her outfit is by Pipsqueak Chapeau, and the dress is available in both brown and black.

Here Virginia serves a hearty meal of beef tenderloin and roast duck breast, accompanied by a fine assortment of wines selected by Ryan, the resident wine guru from Pasanella. A good time was had by all.

We met up with one of our favorite muses, Jennifer Murray, during the final months of her pregnancy to talk about fashion and becoming a mother. We think at 7 months, she’s still a knockout. Here’s what she had to say…
left: Navy, 1 sleeve dress by Tish Cox, necklace by Laurel Patrick
right: Grey wool jacket by Nadia Tarr

left: Black cotton jersey dress by Nadia Tarr
right: Red silk & lace dress by Sir.

There have certainly been times throughout my pregnancy when glamour was the furthest thing from my mind, days when fatigue and discomfort reigned over fashion, or moments when I was so distracted by pending test results and wanting everything to be okay with my baby girl, that I couldn’t have cared less about what I was wearing. But, I’m happy to say that those spells have been few and far between. For the most part I’ve relished every stage of becoming a mother, and have celebrated all of the primal and geometric physical changes that are part of that. My blooming belly reminds me every single day to marvel at the gifts of the human body, to dress it up in beautiful silks and cozy wraps, and to share the joy of what’s happening beneath with pride and sophistication. Whether a mama-to-be hops on a flight to Paris with her partner for some romantic couple’s fun, or stays closer to home and soaks up the sights and sounds of her beloved neighborhood, why not do it in grand style?

Love is space and time measured by the heart. -Marcel Proust

Valentine’s Day is upon us, so we took a moment to choose some pieces that capture the greatest sentiments of the holiday.  One-of-a-kind, antique lockets and pendants are sure to be ‘forever’ pieces to their lucky recipient.

left: Cave Canem locket with diamonds. Price upon request.

right: Barbara Klar sterling silver heart with keyhole (small $125, large $189), Chortip’s Loveknot Necklace ($165), Choretip’s Knotted Heart Necklace ($135).  All handmade.

from left to right: Heart of Glass Gold Vermeil Necklace ($125), Katherine Bentley’s Nesting Necklace/Home is Where the Heart is ($475), 14k Gold Heart ($125), Cave Canem Antique Watchkey circa 1800′s ($575).

Special Valentine’s Day bouquets by Stage Floral Styling will be available beginning Monday, February 13th. Come grab one for yourself or your honey!

flowers in picture: Majolika Spray Rose, Hot Pink Ranunculus, White Anemone, Variegated Pittosporum, Lemon Leaf.

Mina Stone’s ethereal pieces at Albertine were recently featured on NBC’s fashion blog Thread NY.  Personal chef and fashion designer, Mina blows us away with her inspired prints.  The results of her special dyeing technique make some of us at Albertine feel like we’re wearing a galaxy when we’ve got one of her garments on.  Not only does one look beautiful in a Mina Stone piece, it can feel as if you’re gazing up at the heavens.

On the left, Mina standing by one of her pieces at Albertine.  We can imagine ourselves in this dress sailing the Greek Islands.

Singer-songwriter Alexa Wilding, Mina’s close friend and muse, joined her at Albertine to play dress-up.  Mina often styles Alexa for her popular gigs, most recently at Mercury Lounge.

Alexa has been a long-time Albertine girl.  Imagine our surprise to find that the two fabulous ladies are collaborators!

For more information about Mina and Alexa, visit their websites: minastone.com and alexawilding.com.

We decided to celebrate the first day of the Lunar New Year the best way we know how: by stuffing ourselves with delicious food in Chinatown!  We settled in at our go-to spot, Big Wong King on Mott St, and ordered all our lucky favorites: sam bo fan (three treasure rice), choy sum, and wonton noodle soup.  This week we’ll keep ourselves festive with the colors red and gold while keeping in mind that the 2012 dragon is meant to symbolize empowerment.  Many Chinese people believe that this is the luckiest week of the year.  Gung hay fat choy!

From Goto Horoscopes: The year 2012 of the Black Water Dragon promises to be a very interesting time that will provide plenty of opportunities for all members of the zodiacal circle. This period has many enigmatic, mysterious, unexpected and memorable moments that one can use for one’s own benefit. The new year 2012 by the eastern calendar does not begin on 1st of January, but on 23rd of January. Its stormy start will not cause the slightest doubt among any of the representative of the zodiacal circle – it’s time for change and one should be ready for that.

visit astrology.com to learn about your sign in the Year of the Black Water Dragon.

(thanks Derek Nguyen for Goto Horoscopes)

We’re very pleased to announce that every Thursday, Albertine General is now offering a range of fresh flower bouquets by Jessica Stage of Stage Floral Styling!  We’re absolutely besotted with Jessica who is as darling and magical as her floral creations.

After studying fashion design at Parsons, Jessica decided to follow her passion for floral styling and enrolled at the New York Botanical Garden.  Her Catskills upbringing is evident in her whimsical, wild bouquets.

One of a kind bouquets will be available at Albertine General every Thursday ranging from $25-$45. It’s not easy to find unique floral arrangements in NYC that are also budget friendly. We’re super excited to be able to offer such beautiful flowers at an affordable rate to our Albertine clients.

Jessica is also available for consultation and custom work for special events and weddings.  Please call Albertine General to make an appointment at 646 398 9872.

Native New Yorker Albertina Rizzo is a comedy writer for TV and print.  An author of two books and currently living in Chicago, we took her recent visit to NY as an opportunity to dress her in easy going Fall looks that work on both coasts. Unfortunately not Albertina’s car, we thought the owner wouldn’t mind if we pretended for a little bit.

Having spent time living in Italy and Argentina, we thought this look would be lovely for grabbing an aperitivo with friends in those last few minutes of daylight as the sun comes down.

top: Wren Isabel dress (with pockets) accented with reversible leather gold Pre-Columbian belt.

The product of art world parents, Albertina relishes thrift stores and her collections of amateur art, tiny plates, and squirrel related items. We think that’s super.

left: Rachel Comey Dahlia Olive Pocket Dress with vintage oxfords.

right: Butter Odessa Gown (with pockets) with Enochian suede Obi belt.

All photos by Eddie McShane.  For more info visit eddiemcshane.com

As it gets lighter earlier and the morning’s briskness hurries us out the front door, one of our favorite rituals is to meet at Abraço on 7th St. in the East Village. The darling café, owned by Elizabeth Quijada and Jamie McCormick, easily makes one of the best cappuccinos in the city. Standing in the cozy space with a warm cup clasped in our hands makes us feel like we’re somewhere far off like Milan before dashing off to start our day.

Our friend Kelly Colasanti is a true girl’s girl – a full-time mom, part-time student, consummate host and all-around cool – we can’t think of anyone with more style and grit.  Her home is one of Albertine’s favorite hangouts, warm and inviting and always fun – all this despite losing her husband Chris, her high school sweetheart and father of her daughters, in the tragedy of 9/11.

above: Kelly poses in her vintage sequin top with Kai Aackman skirt in front of a mural closet painted by Albertine alum Virginia Mourneaut.

left: Always seeking the perfect arrangement, here she dons a butterfly print dress by Gary Graham (one of her fav’s at Albertine).
right: Antique faith, hope & charity necklace by Cave Canem and glass heart locket.

left: Fairlight, Albertine’s favorite ridgeback looks on as mommy puts on the finishing touches to her outfit.
right: She shows off a recent purchase, knowing that one of here daughters will covet it in the near future.

Kelly, here with her daughters Cara (left) and Lauren (right), asked us to help select an outfit for the 9/11 memorial where Lauren is reading. We chose this gray graphic Anagram dress that is demure but still edgy, which we think reflects her personality.