SMOOTH TO THE TOUCH

I read about Mineheart at one of my favorite blogs, The Designer Pad. This UK based company produces a line of wallpaper that features realistic patterns on high-quality paper. Their wallpaper can be used residentially and commercially- I love the idea of using the tufted Chesterfield pattern in a lounge or a nightclub! The stone fresco and wood paneling patterns are really interesting too because they're such traditional images used in an untraditionally way. It must be a little trippy running your fingers against these images with so much depth and antiquity only to find a smooth (and washable) wall. When I browsed through the Mineheart website I was reminded of a couple other wallpaper companies that have similar collections, check them out below.

photo credit

Wall & Deco is a crazy cool wallpaper company with a lot of unique patterns. They have graphic patterns, large scale artwork, custom paper and photo realistic wallpaper. These beautiful images below are another example of realistic wallpaper; it's such a sexy way to add texture and grit to a room!

photo credit

Concrete Wall is a collection of  wallpaper made by manipulating high-res photographs of concrete, cinder block, brick and wood. All the images are from Norway and no pattern is ever repeated.

photo credit

COOLEST GLOBES EVER.

I know I'm always going on about Fab.com but this sale takes the cake! I read about ImagineNations in a design blog a long time ago and I completely forgot about them, which is hard to believe because I absolutely love globes. When I got an email for today's sales on Fab I think I squealed a little! Check out these beautiful globes that are decoupaged by hand. They also sell kits so you can embellish your own globe.

 

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Well it has been a long and busy week and I am excite to be spending Christmas with my family in Connecticut! I am looking forward to the festivities to come this weekend and if I owned this thing I would be prying it open at 4:49 on the dot! 

urbancase emergency cocktail station

Happy Holidays to everyone, have a safe and fabulous weekend!

DEAR SANTA,

I've had so much fun Christmas shopping and working on my Holiday Gift Guides that I thought I would put together a dream Christmas list for myself. If you have Santa's email address, please send him a link!

1. Plex Led Cuckoo Clock- Occa-Home for $200.00
I first saw this clock on Fab. but I missed the sale :( I love the cheeky and simple design and the vibrant colors it comes in.


2. Squares Blanket- Ferm Living for $149.95
This throw blanket was made for my sofa.


3. DIY Charm Necklace- Anthropologie (prices vary)
I've always loved the concept of charm bracelets and necklaces but I usually find the charms to be a little cheesey. Juicy Couture carries a cute line but even they seem a little bubbly for my taste. This new collection from Anthropologie is right up my ally, with tiny trinkets and oddities as charms.


4. Dark Nostaligia- Amazon for $45.00
This design book by Eva Hagberg is beautiful and unique. I had a chance to check out this book  briefly and I haven't stopped thinking about it. There are so many great hotel, restaurant, and bar designs in it! It would be a perfect source for inspiration.


5. Holga iPhone Lens- Photojojo Store for $30.00
Downloading the free app. Instagram has change my life. I take photos on my iPhone for work all the time, mostly of furniture while I'm shopping or project progress. With Instagram I can edit them to look like something off an actual camera. This Holga Lens would add another level to the editing I can do on my iPhone!


6. Sihouette Cameo for $299.99
If you are a crafty person, you need to check this thing out! It works like a home printer but instead of printing images, it cuts intricate designs into paper, vinyl, fabric and more. You can use your own design or work with the templates from the online store. I am dying to play with one.


7. One of a Kind World Globe- Etsy
I love globes and this one is so unusual. It's from the 1940's and over time the paper was removed or came off. The effect is this mix between modern and vintage, that Restoration Hardware should be all over. Sadly, this crazy cool globe has been sold, I want!!

1. Meadow Collection- Glassbaby for $440.00

While I would never expect Santa to spend this much on glass votive holders, I had to share. I found this company on the show 'Home By Novogratz'. The married design team works out of New York and the cameras follow them to a lot of cool local boutiques on the show. Glassbaby makes beautiful handblown glass votive holders and "drinkers"that are sold individually or in sets like this one.

2. Laguiole Letter Opener for $42.30

Laguiole is a classic knife and corkscrew company known for it high quality products. I like this because it's neon!

3. 'Untitled' by Dorthe Alstrup- 20x200 from $20.00 - $2,000.00

I would put about 90% of the artwork sold on 20x200 in my home. They carry limited edition prints for great prices and the artists involved are awesome. I'm always looking for art for my home, but lately I've been trying to fill a photography void. I love this print because it has such a playful story hidden inside and the colors are beautiful. 

4. Jessica Simpson Bede2 Pump- Belk for $79.00

I came across these at Belk last week and wanted to eat them up! Color blocking is real big right now and I love wearing bright shoes because I wear a lot of dark neutral clothes.

5. Stereoluxe AM/FM Radio and MP3 Dock- Urban Outfitters for $199.00

Design meets function- this is a beautiful way to accessories your home and listen to music. This MP3 player has a home in my living room.

6. Wildwood: The Wildwood Chronicles- Amazon for $17.99

Colin Meloy, the lead singer for The Decemberists, and his wife / illustrator collaborated on this book and I've been dying to read it. It looks amazing!

MONDAY PRESENT...FOR THE PREPPY GIRL

1. Holiday Sock Three Pack- J. Crew for $25.00
Who says socks are a bad Christmas gift!? I love giving and getting socks for Christmas and this three pack is a perfect little packaged gift.


2. Sudsy Glass Strand- Anthropologie for $78.00
This glass strand necklace is like an abstract version of a pearl necklace. Every preppy girls owns pearls and this necklace would be a nice alternative. Also, the fact that it's glass means it would match any outfit!


3. Birchbox for $10.00 a month
Birchbox is a great gift for any woman! It's a monthly box of four to five beauty product samples by well loved companies like; Stella, Nars, Benefit and Philosophy. You can gift 3, 6 or 12 months.


4. Monogram Note Cards- Kate Spade for $26.00
Every preppy girl loves monograms and every preppy girl needs stationary (for sending thank you cards and love notes). These note cards have a simple foil stamp on the front and bold black and white stripes on the back.


5. Hunter Regent Boots- Zappos.com for $195.00
Hunter is a very classic boot company that's been around since before WW1. Over the last few years they've become a popular fashion trend because they've added more styles and funky colors. I love the Regent Carlyle because it's a dressy version of the original and they kind of look like riding boots.


6. Forget Me Not Earrings- UncommonGoods from $100.-$300.00
I love these simple little earrings designed, by Kiel Mead, to resemble a knot around your finger as reminder. They would make a charming reminder of how much you love someone this Holiday Season!


7. On The Spot Gloves- Anthropologie for $28.00
Just a sweet pair of gloves, prefect for the stocking.

WINDOW SHOPPING

Earliery this week I went to Lenox Mall to do a little Christmas shopping. Because I am offering holiday decorating services this year, I was very inthralled by some of the festive retail displays. It was interesting to see which stores were able to express "holiday" while staying true to a retail brand and this seasons trends.  Some of the biggest trends represented in the windows were color pallets (warm metallics and bold/neon colors), and geometry in materials and patterns. GAP and JCrew also used a trendy material, MT washi tape. Have a look at some displays that caught my eye.

Anthropologie was probably my favorite because they used the most original materials and colors. The second image below is of "snowballs" made out of plastic spoons, silver tape and a foam spear. Definitely a "why didn't I think of that" moment!

Diesel had a very shinny window display full of disco balls and diamond shaped ornaments. They were one of many retailers using warm metallic shades like copper, gold, champagne and gunmetal as a color pallet. Below Diesel are two more example of this color trend from Burberry and Express.

Lately I've been very impressed with GAP, I feel like their current textiles and patterns have hugely improved from what they've been selling over the last 10 years. The window display they have this season is a clear representation of how on trend they are this year. JOY written in neon yarn creates a geometric pattern, they used MT washi tape across on the walls, and I love the lit up bike and Polaroid-ish trees. All together it says super hipster to me.

The new Free People Store did a great job of staying within their brand identity: soft, vintage and feminine.

The 'Live Colorfully' concept at Kate Spade was clearly expressed in their holiday decor. Streamers, confetti and super-saturated wrapped boxes make for a very festive party season!

Happy window shopping!

MONDAY PRESENT...FOR THE DOG LOVER

1. Puppy Uppers- Jonathan Adler for $138.00
This cookie jar is part of the Candid Canisters Collection, there is also a Kitty Crack canister. Amazing!


2. Pet Wire&Dine Feeder- Doca Pet for $115.00
This company designs some really great dog feeders, I think this one is my favorite but there are some close runner ups.


3. BASTIS Tail Hooks- Ikea for $1.99
I love this little stocking stuffer. They're cute little wall hooks, perfect for hanging Fido's leash by the door.


4. Leather Collar- Juicy Couture for $45.00
This super sweet designer collar would look so cute on fluffy white puppy, it also comes in black and they both have a signature Juicy Charm.


5. Sushi Plush Toys- Sushi Pups, $5.00 each
For the more cultured k9 


6. Fairisle Sweater- Juicy Couture for $58.00
No words needed, adorable. 

MONDAY PRESENT...FOR THE MUSIC GUY

1. Georgia Brown Guitar Case- Whipping Post for $825.00
Looks like something Bob Dylan would have carried :)


2. Ticket Stub Diary- Uncommon Goods for $10.00
December can be a hard time to find good concert tickets, so for the concert goer on your list this book is a great way for him to organize the stubs from his unforgettable live music moments. It would also make a good gift for a sports fan.


3. Amazing things to do with Margot & the Nuclear So & So's- PledgeMusic prices ranging from $100.- $1,000.00
This is an amazing oppurtunity and a killer gift idea! Check out the link above for PledgeMusic to see the details. Basically, the band is trying to raise funding for their next album and if you donate and they reach their goal you get incentives; like an invite to a rehearsal session, VIP pass tickets, your name in the album credits, or the coolest- a 2 song recording of you and the band!


4. Mojave Picker's Wallet- Whipping Post for $30.00
I don't care if your play guitar or not, this is a pretty cool wallet for any guy! But, it definitely seems more practical for they player who can picks up a guitar at parties.


5. iVctrola for iPad- Design Within Reach for $985.00
This product is made in limited small batches because the Magnavox horns are actually from the 1920's and the base is handcrafted from American Walnut. The really cool thing about this product is that it doesn't need batteries or to be plugged in, how old school!


6. Portable Stereo Boombox for the iPod/iPhone- iHome for $199.99
FM radio and speaker system for you iPod, it also comes in hot pink :)


7. Vintage Rock, Movie and Art Tees-I Love Waterloo for $19.99
This site has an amazing variety of vintage style t-shirts, you are bound to find something to suite your music lover.

MONDAY PRESENT- FOR THE HOSTESS

Tis the season to be giving. I love gift shopping for the holidays, so even though it's a little cliche to blog a holiday shopping guide, I gots to do it! Holiday parties are starting to pile up and they wont stop tell the New Year so I'm starting my list with some gifts for the person who loves to entertain. 

1. Peacock Lollipop Holder- Jonathan Adler for $98.00

This would look so cute out on a table during a Holiday Party, bring it to the party full of Tootsie Pops or even better, cake-pops!

2. Modern House Wine- Swanson Vineyard for around $25.00

Ok, I know I just wrote about all the cool products at Swanson Vineyard but I have to say it again, what a great gift to bring to a party!

3. Monthly Tasting Box- Foozie.com 3 months for $89.00

I've gifted this before and heard back that the box was amazing, full of a great variety of gourmet snacks. Each box comes with 5 unique products like sauces, candy, scones and tea. You can choose a 3, 6 or 9 month package. OR sign up yourself for as long as you'd like at a monthy rate of $29.95.

4. Set of 6 Coasters- Kate Spade for $20.00

"Spike the Punch", "Dance tell Dawn", "Stare at a Strangers" sooo cute, and a perfect price point for a Hostess Gift that will bring some smiles.

5. L Press Juicer- Metrokane at Fab. for $60.00

Hand-juicers can be a pricey thing to buy for yourself but they make a really attractive counter accessory and of couse the given- fresh juice!

6. Sexy Polka Dot Apron- Etsy for $30.00

For the lady who is always slaving away to entertain you, let her feel pretty! 

DECK THE HALLS

This year I'm thinking of a green on green on green look for my holiday decor. I like the idea of a tree with all different shades of green ornaments from a chartreuse yellow-green to a deep hunter green. I must be inspired by my fantastic new neon green gloves from target, I think it will make for a fabulously tacky and charming season!

polka dot porcupine, plaid pillow, acrylic christmas tree, tree skirt, coil wire drop, green glass, deep green ball

Here are a few other Christmas accessories I'm a little obsessed with.

West Elm salt and pepper shaker

Z Gallerie

These are puppies so stupid they are irresistible!

West Elm

Jonathan Adler

West Elm

COME ON BABY LITE MY FIRE!

I am definitely enjoying this crisp fall season; pumpkin spice lattes, NFL, falling leaves, boots and sweaters. If I could update my existing fire-pit for the cold season ahead, I might be tempted to base the setting around this Stephen Kenn set. It's military inspired, featuring Swiss mule belts as supports and cushions upholstered in canvas from half shelters (military tent). I picture myself bundled up by the fire, listening to Bon Iver and snacking on some bacon bourbon popcorn.

clockwise starting at the top left: Stephen Kenn Inheritance Seating, Mini Cashmere Hand Warmers, Anthropologie Cardigan, (RI)1 Whiskey, Stanley Flask, Stay Puft Gourmet Marshmallows, Bacon Bourbon Caramel Corn, UGG Over the Knee Boot center: DWR Fire Bowl    

THANKSGIVING AT WEST ELM

I stumbled across this adorable Thanksgiving collection at West Elm over the weekend and I had to share. I know we just entered November and it's a little early to be filling your heads with Thanksgiving but I just can't help myself. I love the graphic quality and simple gold and white color palette.

David Stark for West Elm

You can find all of these products on West Elm's site.