LUNCH WITH THE CONTESSA

One of my favorite people on Instagram is a woman known as “The Contessa” or the “@AntiqueGoddess.” A few months ago she asked her Instagram followers if anyone wanted to come to her home for lunch? Hello!! Why yes, I would. When she said her table could only hold eight, so we needed to let her know asap…

I responded by saying, “I’m coming even if I have to bring my own folding chair and TV tray!”

PHOTO OF BANKSY COURTESY OF JULIET @MakeMineASpritzer

It couldn’t have been a more picture perfect, California day, last Saturday, when I joined four other women for the second of three lunches with the Contessa and Banksy, her Tea Cup pig. Known for her colorful caftans, exotic slippers, big hats, smashing jewelry and welcoming heart, the Contessa’s Instagram bio says she “loves all things old, worn, rusted and with a hint of a grander past life and elegance in day-to-day living.” Her home is that and more!

I love the photograph above. Look closely and you’ll see the Contessa, wearing a red opera coat (this photo is B&W), at the Louvre in Paris, feeding chickens out of a tin bucket! I know what you’re thinking: Kind of an odd place to be feeding chickens, but she and her photographer hid several stuffed chickens under their coats and carried them past security! LOL! If they’d been caught… Try explaining that to the French Gendarmes! The rest of the brood were photoshopped in by the photographer. What a hoot, but that’s our Contessa!

YOU CAN SEE PAPER TOWELS IN ONE OF THE SILVER ICE BUCKETS, LOWER RIGHT

Elizabeth, the Contessa, lives and dresses — even when going to Safeway — like a real Contessa, and she surrounds herself with things that delight and take her fancy. Like her collection of over 20, silver ice buckets… Most were purchased from an antique store or a flea market, and she uses them for everything from chilling wine to holding a role of paper towels, a bouquet of roses grown in her garden, or lining the shelves of her pantry.

It’s great fun to meet someone you’ve known, only online, because you already know so much about one another. There’s no “so where are you from,” “what do you do,” and “are you married?” We all picked up as though we’d known one another forever. I can’t see men, getting together with guys they’ve known only online — unless it’s for a poker game — can you?

That’s what I love about women over 50! We’re done viewing other women as the competition — for jobs and men — and we’re embracing one another like sisters.

Left to right, the other women around the Contessa’s beautiful table were Shannon, @shannonkirbyint, who describes herself as a Bay area interior designer and worldwide antique/vintage hunter and gatherer. Oh, yes! I’m loving these women! Then me, Brenda @1010ParkPlace. On the other side of me is Karen, a former Ad Executive and gourmet cook. You should visit her Instagram page @figandscallion and find her video and recipe for making Tomato Jam. It will literally make that little spot in the back of your mouth water and beg for mercy!

Andrea at @Serrahna is the vibrant redhead in the gorgeous Indian dress and Sari. She has a boutique in Oakland where she sells treasures she has made in India. On the end is Juliet — a native Californian who recently built her dream home — from @makemineaspritzer, which is what we did all afternoon by adding club soda to our prosecco and wine. We were wined and dined in grand style!

CAN YOU SEE BANKSY AT THE END OF THE TABLE, HOLDING ELIZABETH’S SPOT?

ELIZABETH MADE THIS PAVLOVA FOR DESSERT

SHE TOPPED THE PAVLOVA WITH ROSES FROM HER GARDEN! If you look on the left wall you’ll see a small photo of Elizabeth in her RED opera coat.

I BORROWED ONE OF THE CONTESSA’S HATS AND MADE MYSELF AT HOME.

When it came time to leave, the Contessa invited me to stay for dinner. I think she wanted to make sure it had been worth my while to come all the way from Texas, plus she said, “What will you do, tonight? Stay in your hotel room?” So very thoughtful, because yes, that’s exactly what I would have done.

ME AND ELIZABETH… NOTICE HER HANDMADE, VELVET SLIPPERS AND MR. THEODORE.

I met her neighbors, who brought their friends to see the Contessa and her husband’s home and backyard, which they’ve lovingly created. The neighbors adore her, and it’s easy to see why. I also got to meet the infamous “Italian,” the Contessa’s adorable husband, who grilled steaks and Tuscan bruschetta for the three of us. Did you know the proper way to eat bruschetta is to grill the bread, rub it with a clove of garlic, poke the bread with a fork and then drizzle olive oil over it? Yum!

LOOK CLOSELY & YOU’LL SEE THREE LITTLE RAINBOWS ON THE TABLECLOTH FROM THE CHANDELIER.

The real rainbow was visiting with new friends and talking about shared interests, which started with the Contessa. Thank you for teaching us to live, everyday, like we’re all Contessa’s. And if we’re not using the “good china,” what are we waiting for? Who’s more special than we are? Thank you, Contessa, dear, for sharing your home and going to so much trouble. Please know we love and appreciate you!