SPRING IS IN THE AIR

If you are in Atlanta this weekend, you should definitely stop by The Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park. It's a great way to welcome Spring and get some fresh air- enjoy the Farmer's Market, check out some local art and live music! 

Here are some pretty little Spring things to pump you up for the weekend!

1. Watercolor Peony Wallpaper from Anthropologie

2. Domaine Triennes- this light Rose is perfect for Spring weekends outside and you can find it at most wine shops for $14 - $16. 

3. This sweet bowl is made by Artist Jeff Campana. His work is on the pricy side for me but it is so precious and Spring-y. 

4. These Herb Garden Labels by Paulova come in a pack of 4 for $32.00, pick and choose your herbs and the color of the glaze.

5. This Reclaimed Row Home Birdhouse is one of 5 for sale from Anthropologie.

6. These beautiful Spring nail polish colors from Chanel look like Spring flowers blooming!

7. Seed Bombs are small clay and soil balls full of regional Wildflower Seeds. To do some "Gorilla Gardening" this Spring, throw a bomb in a vacant lot, or nearby field! Get 2 bags for $14 at Uncommon Goods.

8. Felix Doolittle is a printing company from Massachusetts that makes note cards, stationary, labels and custom gifts. They are a great go-to for Birthdays and Mother's Day, and  their newest watercolor designs are spring and summer inspired.

MONDAY PRESENT...FOR THE CONNOISSEUR

1. Horn Handle Corkscrew- Laguiole for $189.00
I know there are lots of fancy, high-tech ways to open wine these days, but any true connoisseur (including any restaurant sommelier) prefers a traditional corkscrew. Laguiole is an iconic knife and corkscrew company from France that's been around since 1829. Their products are well designed and made in lots of exotic materials, like this one with a horn handle.


2. Colonel Monocle in Whiskey Tortoise- Warby Parker for $50.00
Warby Parker is a really cool and affordable eye-ware company. You can check out their inventory online and sign up to get a box of your favorite 5 pairs sent to your home to try on for free. For the more adventurous and sophisticated person on your list, why not go Monocle?


3. Bacon Moon Pie- Uncrate $33.00 for 4
"Bacon Moon Pies are expertly produced savory treats made using high-quality bacon sourced from CA to create a traditional Scottish shortbread with rice flour, bacon fat and bacon cracklin. In between is a marshmallow made from Vermont maple syrup and high-quality bourbon, along with a bacon fat and cracklin caramel, all of which gets encased in 72% dark chocolate." Umm yummy.


4. NUB Cigars- Uncrate for $5.00-$8.00
Don't know much about cigars but I thought these were note-worthy because they're short so you don't have to commit to a big expensive cigar in one sitting.


5. Whiskey Stones and Gift Set- Uncommongoods from $19.50-$58.00
I personally enjoy a couple ice cubes in my whiskey or tequilla because I like a little water melted in the drink. If you like a pure chilled drink, put Whiskey Stones in your freezer and add a few into your glass to keep things cold without the pesky melting factor. They are made out of soapstone so they wont scratch your glassware.


6. 'Talk Jerky to Me' Tasting Box- Foodzie for $29.95
Foodzie is a really great site for unique food related gifts. I think this Jerky Tasting is a fun and manly gift, it would pair well with a bottle of red wine or glass of whiskey. 


7. 2009 Velvet Glove Shiraz- Mollydooker for $185.00
"...intense warm blackberry, choco-mint, smoked bacon and marmite-toast aromas with nuaces of coffee, roasted nuts and vanilla." -Lisa Perrotti Brown
Obviously a pricey wine, but if there is a person on your list that you need to impress, this is the wine for them. The beautiful bottle comes in a black velvet bag and is uniquely shaped. It's an award winning design and an award winning wine. This is the kind of wine you will never forget drinking.

JEAN-PHILIPPE DELHOMME FOR SWANSON VINEYARDS

I was first turned on to Swanson Vineyards during a trip to Napa. My husband's thing is wine so he picked some amazing vineyards for us to tour but the Salon Tasting at Swanson was picked especially for me and my obsession with crazy good design. The Salon is vibrant and playful, it has an unusual textured wall finish, beautiful carved wood chandeliers, original art and unique eccentricities in every corner. Overall the room makes you feel like you are in a children's' book, a children's book that serves wine and caviar. All of their print design kills it for me from the place setting, to the illustrated map, to the packaging for the wine and gift sets. The pictures below are from our trip, check out the bonbon placed in a shell and the leopard print napkin the the bottom right corner.

Since our trip to the Vineyard, I've been following the creative director's blog, Alexis's Blog. I also receive news via their mailing list and I just got an email with these beautiful illustrations by Jean-Philippe Delhomme (who also works with Barney's of New York) They are so simple but so full of personality, I especially love the image of Chris Phelps the winemaker. 

Here are a few of the products Swanson Vineyards sells online and at The Salon. I am in love with these "Modern House Wines", they would make such a great hostess gift. 

 

Swanson has also hooked up with Vosges Haut Chocolat to create wine complementing bonbons. If you haven't heard of them, Vosges Haut is the company that puts delicious things like bacon, curry, ancho chillies, wasabi and sesame seeds in chocolate. Brilliant!

Cheers!