Blanket Bonanza

It's another rainy, grey day and London is no where in sight.  Not sure what is going on (Sam Champion, please report in) but blankets and cups of tea are the order of the day.  Blankets are on my mind and ideas on where to get the next one.  I collect them from all over-Ireland, England, Morocco and love how they add a hit of color and pattern to the mix.  I'm always on the hunt for more, as they make a perfect prop.  Whether stacked in a basket by the TV, graced over a bed,  layered on a sofa or used as a tablecloth, they've served me well.   All the "big boys'- West Elm, Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel, have some sort of chunky blanket under $75 that looks like your grandmother made it and they are great.  But this roundup is about heritage blankets, ones you'd pass down.  Here are a few I've got my eye on:

Vintage and pricey but so lovely

$250 at Jayson Home and Garden

This classic throw we've all seen show up in magazine spreads is actually over hundred years old! Pendleton (family owned company for over 140 years), created this design for Glacier National Park. 

$160 and up, Pendleton 

Swan Island Blankets keep me up at night.  Martha Stewart did a story on the family owned business years ago which put them on my radar but seeing the product at the New York Gift Show sealed the deal. It was love at first touch.  They herd the sheep that make the wool then weave the blankets as artists; they are exquisite. Considered this a future antique... something that you take through life no matter what.  

$395 Swan Island Blankets

A new find for me is the Sefte Living blankets.  Made with organic cotton by artisans in Peru, they help to fund finance schools there.  I especially love this one. Who knew crochet could be so chic?

Contact them for the pricing, Sefte Living

Bundle up and enjoy this last day of September.  

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Make a move

Long gone are the days when the girls have to wait for boys to make the first move but it's still hard to step it up. Until now, that is.  Leave it to a sassy Southern Belle to invent a cool, new way to get the point across.  Check out cheekd.  A new site that sells cards that "do the talking for you."  It gives a code for the guy to log onto to start the conversation.  Ladies can start an online profile for free and cards are $5 and up.  Can't wait to start handing mine out.

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Doll house dreams

I remember it like yesterday. I was in 3rd grade and wanted, more than anything in the world, to get the Barbie Dream House for Christmas.  I didn't care where it came from-Santa, Mom or whoever, I wanted it so badly I dreamed pink for a week leading up to the Big Day. Then Christmas morning came and sure enough, my pink castle wasn't under the tree. I got over it but still remember what it felt like to want something so badly.

Truth was the Barbie craze only lasted that year and I now can't remember why I felt so strongly.  (That same Must Have feeling now happens with beach houses, cocker spaniels and flights to places far away.)  So all this came flooding back to me when I stumbled upon this modern take on the Barbie classic at the New York Gift Show.

Isn't this hilarious?  Created by two men, no less, it's a midcentury modernist dream for all those little Charles and Ray Eames growing up today.  Lucky suckers....

Emerson House, $299 at Brinca Dada.


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Fashionistas in the home

Friend and fabulous NYC force, Rima Suqi, has a new book (her 4th but who's counting?) featuring over 100 fashion designers in their spaces.  Seeing how these visual story tellers live spikes interest.  You can see where the home is influenced by their fashion and visa versa.   Of course, Ralph is full on Americana in Colorado while Donna Karan's pad in the Turks and Cacaos is a Balinese dream.  The most interesting places were the lesser known designers. You feel like you know them better after a seeing their home.  Several designers whose fashions just don't speak to me translated their interiors in a way that did like Betsy Johnson. Her perfectly pink dining room with iconic knoll chairs (nice modern touch) feels like Betsy (girlie) but also fresh and grown up. I'd love to serve dinner in that room.   And the wood paneled library in Eva Chow house has amazing desks by Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann so chic and well proportioned they make me want to sell a body part to buy one for myself.   Assouline is top dog publisher and did a fantastic job of putting this together. This book would dress up any coffee table.

Check it out,  $65 at assouline.com

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Channeling Leave it Beaver

Last night, a few friends came over for dinner.  Feeling "farmers market fatigue", I turned to my old cookbooks for inspiration (and laughs).  Maybe it was the thunderstorm or the midweek hump but I wanted martinis before dinner and food made with cream of mushroom soup.  With Frank Sinatra on the iTunes and donning a polka dot apron from Cath Kidston,  June Cleaver would've been pleased as I planned the menu based on Betty Crocker's Easy Guide to Entertaining that came out in 1959.  I especially loved the Midnight Suppers section. Am impressed Betty was out so late!

Vintage books, especially in decorating and entertaining are favs.   In case you happen to be in the mood for such a party yourself, here are some places to pick up a book for inspiration.

A real classic from oldcookbooks.com which started Julia Childs way.  

A cookbook from one of the best food writers M. K. Fisher at vintagecookbook.com.

If this wets your whistle, treat yourself to a visit to Bonnie Slotnick's small shop in Village in NYC or call her and she'll hunt down whatever you need.

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Front Door Organizer

Even in a tiny space, I somehow managed to lose my keys on a regular basis until I put a bowl out to drop the keys, lipstick, wallet etc when I walked into the door.  I thought my solution was pretty clever till I saw this handy contraption by Three by Three Seattle that really brings order to things. They call it a "Entry Butler" and for $20 it'd keep this girl in line.  It provides a spot for message, mail and keys. Now, if only it made dinner too....

Nuts for knits

Last week I was sweating in 90 + weather while styling a Christmas shoot.  Two trees and twelve wreaths later, it was indeed holiday time at this lovely location.  Neighbors drove by slowly to make sure they were seeing correctly as we hung wreaths on every window.  Back in cooler New York, the dip in temperature has me nestling under blankets and dreaming of styling the pad for fall.  Since the big stuff isn't changing, it's all about the accessories.  Right now I am obsessed with knit inspired housewares. Here's some of the things on my Autumn Wish List.

$79 at CB2, aren't these adorable? 

While the idea of knitting sounds really appealing, the reality is that I'd rather do my taxes.  But boy, am I a sucker for homecrafted throws, especially when mixed with modern furniture. 

$59 at West Elm

This new throw from Serena & Lily has cozy cornered.  Doesn't it make the bed?

$265 at Serena & Lily

These soft numbers would pile up nicely on any sofa.  

$39 at Pottery Barn

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Have a seat

For a while now, I've had my eye on a gorgeous chesterfield sofa.  Let's just say that it's one way love because that chesterfield won't fit through my door.  Finding smaller framed settees has never been easier, however, as furniture makers have heard the cry from apartment dwellers.  All around 60" wide, these beauties deliver lots of look.

Nate Berkus for HSN has this yummy sofa.  The rich, deep color and well proportioned frame gives this sofa a leg up.  $499 (yep, you read that correctly).

If that's too uptown, consider this Danish mid century number from Urban Outfitter for a mere $398.

Another wallet friendly option giving a modern feel without making too much of a look committment is the CB2 loveseat at $899.  

If you're the type who likes to steal center stage, here's one for you.  The Swan Sofa from Design Within Reach designed by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen is NO wild flower.  $6,624

Maybe it's fall fashion inspired with menswear being a huge trend but this gorgeous sofa with the nail head details would make any room. $1149 at Wisteria 

A bit wacky, this sofette (Anthropologie might have made that word up) offers that chesterfield look with a little more drama. $3898 at Anthropologie. 

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Small space entertaining

With every group starting back up after the hiatus of summer, the social calendar is mite busy.  Hosting in a tiny studio makes the hostess be as ruthless at "editing" her menu & guest list as a Vogue stylist with the nimbleness of a Cirque de Soleil performer. So I'm always on the prowl for easy ideas to create a fun experience for friends. I mean, let's face it,  things can get boring for all if you don't change it up a bit....While having breakfast at the Ace Hotel (put on your hit list if you haven't already),  I got this adorable granola at the Breslin Restaurant and thought what a great idea to knock off.  

Name tags + Cellophane Bags (they sell these at The Container Store) + Yummy Granola.  

Recently, a work colleague was coming over for lunch so I created a setting inspired by a massive closet clean out session. I cut placemats out of old wallpaper remnants to serve as our placemats and paired it with modern shaped dishware.  Add a touch of whimsy (ceramic bird and flower salt shaker of my Grandmother's) and I was ready.  Note: The wallpaper was rolling up so I used double sided tape to affix to the table.  Nothing is better than using something you love (wallpaper sample) in a new fresh way.   Since there were just two of us, we sat at my "office" desk (also known as the dining room table) and it worked perfectly.  

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Happy Totin'!

Like a school kid looking for the perfect first day of school outfit, I'm on the hunt for a fall tote. It needs to be a work horse going from errands to business meetings. These sort of bags are hard to find. They can go from a work meeting to toting the laundry.  They are the "lounge wear" of the bag world-comfortable, practical yet stylish.  

OK so I might not take this to every business meeting but it's beat up in the very best way. Like some old blue blood's leather chair.   $299 at Oak.

Utility Canvas is one of those companies that makes the basics better.  Perfect example is this tote which comes in four standard colors and holds a ton while not being too big.  $78 at Utility Canvas

This one from Lands' End Canvas 1963 site is pretty great and at $89 leaves me some dough ray me to buy something.  

This bag shows up on photo shoots a lot. It's the classic boat n' tote from LL Bean but with added personality.  At $19 it's crazy cheap and nods to the season.  It's actually great in home decor too to keep up with magazines, throws, fire starter, in foyer for mittens and winter hats  etc. ... LL Bean

Grab a bag and go! 

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Top ten ways to celebrate summer

#10  Seafood!  Celebrate with a lobster or shrimp roll.  One of my favorite spots is The Lobster Roll on road to Montauk.  Delish!

#9  Espadrilles. Channel your inner Frenchwoman and replace the flip flops with chic espadrilles like this (now on sale) versions at Madewell. 

#8  Summer bedding. Blogged about this last week but pick up new bedding for next summer like from Roberta Roller Rabbit's collections.  All these colors make me smile.

#7 Find a hammock and stay there.   I particularly love this one from  H Groome in Southampton.

#6  Eat outside. If the table isn't already outside, bring it!  Love the blue hues and nautical theme decor of Ralph's East Hampton shop.

#5  Flowers.  Surround yourself with glories from the garden.

#4  Beach Chairs.  Trade up the rusty beach chairs for a cool swing number.

#3  Eat low brow.  Find a taco stand or ice cream truck and order it up.  

 #2  Restock the beach bag.  Fill'er up for one last long weekend.  Toss Designs

#1  Sit and watch a sunset!

SO LONG SUMMER!

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Mar y sol

A few years ago, I spotted in a magazine a lovely clutch from a company that partners artists from New York with artists from Madagascar, Mar y Sol.  When I went to the site, I couldn't believe how beautiful the bags were.  At the time, it seems the products coming out of such partnerships were, well, ugly. This bag turned that notion on its head.

Can't you see yourself at a last summer soiree holding this bag???

Other favorites from them:

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A sideboard for the square foot challenged

Last week, a few colleagues came over for a bite. I served my summer standby, BLT sliders, made of farm stand tomatoes, basil and bacon slabs on brioche rolls with sides of chips, watermelon slices (I prefer the smaller varieties because the slices look prettier on the platter) and plums.  Mint infused ice tea and rose was poured while we got caught up.  It was all served on a 21" table, my small apartment's version of a buffet.  

Lack table measuring 21", 7.99 at Ikea

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