Friday Afternoon Funny

Overstock is one of those sites that has a bit of everything.  I start looking for one and end up with a cart full of something else.  The prices make it easy to shop too.  Working on a story this past week,  the PR folks sent me this image and immediately, got a chuckle.   I mean, who thought of this??  Can you image sitting at your desk and creating this? Truly funny... It made me want to throw a Halloween shindig so I'd have an excuse to buy.  It'll be hard to look at a plain ketchup bottle again.

I'd get $10.49 of laughter from this.

Other takes... 

(I looked a bit like Mustard Marvin yesterday so feel his pain).



To end the week, I'm serving up these fabulous eye ball truffles from delicious Woodhouse Chocolates.  Check out their gravestone chocolates while you are at it.... so fun!   Bon Appetite!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN, y'all!


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Small Space Star, Sara Tuttle

Check out Sara's charming apartment that I produced for iVillage. She's my kinda gal. She's thrifty (loved how she created a mirror backsplash in her kitchen out of a $9 mirror from Home Depot) yet knows when to spend the bucks.

For us small spacers, here are my take-aways:
1.   Her hits of color keep it interesting. Aren't those lampshades the best?!! I've been on the prowl since seeing them.   Oriental Lampshade has them but they are pricey.  Or try to make yourself with high gloss paint.  Her mix of pillows definitely keeps the eye busy. It's in the story but Fabricadabra has the look for a lot less.

2. Utilize small, multiple use items
She has multiple garden stools around her one bedroom apartment but they blend so well into the decor you don't notice.  She's a big fan saying they make the best side tables, extra seating or place for her many books. Need extra seating, it's there. Don't need?  They disappear.

3.   Create rooms within rooms
Her ability to create "nooks" within a room is key for limited footage.   Don't let not having a room for a dining room stop you from creating one.  She works from home so her living room is both office/living room and dining room.  She is making every foot work for her.

4.   Can't afford the art you love? Make it!
As a would be artist, I was most impressed with how she makes her own art. Kelly Wearstler does it too but it's way harder than it looks.  That said, it's a nice way to use up some old house paint + canvases are cheap.

5.   Crafty isn't a bad word.  I sorta groan when I hear how some folks make lampshades out of toilet paper rolls or something because that isn't the sort of design or crafts that I like.  That said, Sara didn't like her kitchen flooring so took a few hours on Saturday and created a nice diamond pattern. She swears it's easy to do and all you need is the guts to do it, tape + paint.  It definitely made her kitchen more interesting.


Make the local thrift shop your best friend.  She has a few in the DC area she pays attention to and has picked up some real steals there.   Paired with a real antique or ikea (like her dining room table), it creates the high/low mix every designer goes on and on about.




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Martha does it again

A month or so ago, I hit the launch of Martha Stewart's new cabinet line at Home Depot and was impressed with the selection.  Here's the most modern take of her new line.

Localvores were lusting after her gardening room, made with her line of course.  Maybe a green thumb is the "gift with purchase."

But my favorite part of the night was watching a staffer paint impressive faux painting techniques with her new kit.   For a mere $18.97, Martha Stewart Living Decorative Painting Tool  Kit offers up all the tools you need to create endless patterns.

See her sample board of the different techniques.  Each square offered a different pattern. 

My personal favorite was the herringbone pattern-subtle yet handsome and the faux bois. It looked like a $200/ yard wallpaper instead of a $18 kit (paint not included).  

Isn't this gorgeous?

And the gray is so elegant.  Can't you see this in the back of an armoire or studio?

The pink & green combo faux bois isn't nearly as girly as it sounds.  The effect is subtle and soo Martha. 

Being a skeptic from struggling through some of her crafts before, I personally tried this out and was impressed with how easy it is. Start with a small area (maybe one wall in the laundry room or a foyer).  You'll become so addicted you'll start faux finishing everything in sight.  

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Boooooo-nanza

Notice how Halloween has become the "new Christmas" for holiday decor?  What's not to love?  It is fun, no gifts like Christmas or massive cooking like Thanksgiving so it's all treats and no tricks for us.   It's all a bit silly but sometimes, silly is needed.   One of my most favorite dinner parties was a Halloween carving themed night held in a handsome Georgetown brownstone. The lights were turned out for dessert and we all ate the rustic apple tarte by the light of the glowing pumpkins that we had all carved.  Charming, it was... So, here's some of my favorite picks for the spooky holiday.  

Every celebration starts with a great invitation and this one, definitely sets the tone. Each box has a test tube with the invitation inside.  Even better, they're on sale now ($22 for set of 12).  Grandin Road

 Or these hilarious invitations from Martha Stewart at HSN,  $24 for 12.  

Williams-Sonoma nailed it this season with their collection from Perfect Endings. I met the owner, Sam, when working at O Magazine and can't say enough how talented this fellow is nor how kind.  Glad to see his fabulous things are now available beyond his Napa Valley shop.   $89 at Williams-Sonoma

More treats from WS....  How cute is this NO BAKE Haunted House... 

And these shortbread cookies will give your guests something to talk about...

Sure you can make this from a real (oversized) pumpkin but isn't it nice to have a great fake at the ready??  And it'd also work for Thanksgiving entertaining too. $89 at HSN

For every witch's brew, you need a cauldron... on sale for a mere $5, don't let this fly off. Grandin Road

Oriental Trading has a dozen festive bottle wraps for $2.99.  Great fun for all ages!

This is my kind of seasonal decor.  It's easy to put up on a wall and gives a big bang for its buck. Can't you see this above a mantle or in a foyer greeting guests?  Grandin Road 

Another deco no brainer from Grandin Road is a gloomy candelabra...

Finally, grab this Trick or Treat bag to benefit UNICEF's program for kids, exclusive to HSN. 

Here's what they say: 

"With every purchase of a FEED Trick-or-Treat bag, a donation* is made to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF—enough to provide one year's worth of micronutrient powder to a child in the developing world. This helps ensure he or she receives vitamins and minerals needed to survive and thrive."  

Well, that's no joke!  

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Paul Smith Strikes Again

Paul is just a good name. There's Paul Simon-amazing artist.  And Super Star Paul McCartney from the Beatles and Paul Lowe, a super terrific stylist and not to be forgotten, there's Paul Smith.  His shop on Fifth Ave is around the corner and helps keep my little area of Fifth more interesting.  It's a super shop with tongue and check gifts to beautiful clothes and accessories, of course.  His collection of books really is the best but it's his latest partnership with Stelton that he really did it "spot on." He's developed a line of small bowls with colorful interiors like a modern take on Paul Revere bowls.

In different sizes and styles, they are both modern and fresh but yet James Bond could've had one on his desk or bedside table.   They come in 9 color ways so if the blue isn't your thing, check them all out at stelton.

I'm a bit partial to the pink too. Aren' they lovely?

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Take Note

Fall's hit with full force and my stack of books to read, movies to see, plays to watch, places to travel, art to explore is overtaking me.

Time to get organize.  Check out these fun notebooks to do just that.   From Archie Grand, these small notepads come in 55 different styles.  

Here's a few more examples....

Aren't the colors great and they'd make good gifts too.

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Kitchen Miracles

I hit Williams-Sonoma and Sur La Table the way some girls hit the shoe salon.  The beautiful bakeware and serving platters, the Japanese knives and cast iron molds call out to me, begging to come home.  Unfortunately, my tiny kitchen is starting to resemble an episodes off Hoarders so I've had to resist, until now that is.

Enter awarding winning, smart design experts Joseph Joseph, a genius company who reinvents or elevates those needed kitchen supplies like preparation bowls into a space saving miracles.    

Check out the goods:

Nesting Bowls,  $30

Hands on bowl,   $40

Folding Colander,  $20

Chop2pot,  $15

Rinse & Chop,  $15

Fold flat grater,  $20  (How genius is this!) 

Happy choppin'!!

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Those little touches

Like the saying, "God is in the details",   a well decorated home or well executed party has those little touches you remember.  It's not the big picture stuff (good architecture and furniture layout flow) but those little things that things that stand out.

One example of this are cool house numbers.  Even something as urbane as street or apartment numbering is an opportunity to show some style.  As an apartment dweller who can't change hers (dang co-op board), I'm in serious envy for those who can.   Design within Reach has Neutra House Numbers which adorned mid-century buildings Mr. Neutra designed.   (And they are on sale at DWR semi-annual sale so great time to pick some up).  These are definitely the cool kids in class.  

Leave it to Restoration Hardware who covers four different styles in different finishes that are wallet friendly. I  liked the name of this one "Sassy House Numbers" and at $10 each, they are a bargain.  

Another off the radar resource is West On Letters. They have 41 styles to choose from so all you font lovers can go crazy! I found the Rolffe style intriguing. 

Rejuvenation also carries a few options and this bold number was my fav:

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Wallpaper roundup

The white walls are getting to me.   I'm dreaming of papers to make this apartment sing. The only problem is committing to one. Like a brunette going platinum blond, wallpaper immediately adds a little something something.  It's just that I don't want to get tired of the something something the day after, right?  And I tend to go for wallpaper that roars rather than wimpers.  Here are some vendors to bookmark if you are shopping for such yourself.   These are the ones keeping me up at night.

Farrow and Ball have sick papers.  That's Rachel Zoe speak for super great.  I vote it one of England's greatest exports.  Their paint is pretty stunning too.  How I wouldn't love to walk in and be greeted by this oversized print every single day?

But I want it in this colorway. As my friend Mimi says, Go Big or Go Home.  Pretty much sums this one up.

Another favorite site is LA based Walnut Wallpapers.  Be forewarned. She makes it so easy to shop that you'll be buying rolls before you know it!


While I am getting over the geometric crazy David Hicks started then exploded by  Jonathan Adler, this one hit my fancy. It's strong and arresting and feels like 7th floor of Bergdorf Goodman,  always a happy place.

Clearly, the bold and beautiful have taken front row at my wallpaper run through.  Here's one that I'd love to put in the bathroom or closet; somewhere it'd be a happy surprise.   I wonder what the super of the building would say if I papered the laundry room in this?

This one that makes me want to break out Earth, Wind & Fire and hot pants.   How fun would this be in a living room or bar.... It's neutrals with swagger.  

Another off the beaten path is this site which deals only in 70s wallpaper.  It actually reminds me of Norma Shears dressing room in The Women. 

One of New York's secret finds has just luanched online so the rest of the coutnry can get in on the secret.  Check out their florals which they are especially known for.  

The loved Second Hand Rose.

But my alter ego who resides at Chatworth and only wears heels insists that de Gournay wallpaper make an appearance during this round up so here you. 

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Candle-mania

After a perfect Sunday that lived up to the quote, "There are four perfect days in NYC and they all fall in October," it all fell apart and they day was full of sideways rain and grumpy people.  To make it all a bit better, candles do the quick trick.  Here are three that are really great and here's why:

Tatine is one of those small operations where each candle is poured by hand in Chicago by the owner.  I love the simple yet modern jars (made of 40% recycled materials) and the scents are lovely too.

Check out Tatine Candles for her gorgeous fragrance list. 

Another fav is from Further.  They have a simple candle and they have one poured into tin cans.  What's great about these is they've partnered with Mario Batali and Nancy Silverstein, taking all the grease from their delicious restaurant  in LA, Mozza and turn it into a clean smelling candle. Some of those eco friendly candles and get too fussy-weird colors, packaging etc so the simpleness of this works.  

Further Products are new and only going to get better. Remember them. 

This candle goes the other way. No eco message here and clearly, it's not a simple look but it still works.  Mor products remind me of a vintage cocktail dress with fantastic packaging.  Check out their whole line.  It's girly at its greatness.  

Mor Products

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A History of Rap: Jimmy Fallon, Justin Timberlake & The Roots

A History of Rap: Jimmy Fallon, Justin Timberlake & The Roots

Rather than dishing on design or cool products, I'm ending the week with a digression. While I may lose street cred admitting it, I am a full fledge fan of Jimmy Fallon ( Really, what's not to love?) and "I'm Bringing Sexy Back," Mr. Timberlake.

This makes me happy. Sing it, boys....