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....

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.  

Live large, 

fb

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.

Live large,
fb

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.


Live large,
fb

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

Live large, 

fb

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.

Live large,
fb

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....