Reduce, Reuse, Recycle...

A couple good things that have come from the state our world is in right now....now it's not only socially acceptable but actually celebrated when you a. don't spend a lot of money and b. make sacrifices for the sake of the environment! So this holiday season I plan on gifting, decorating, and generally living keeping that in mind. Here are a few things I've spotted (I can't take full credit) that are great ways to cut a few corners.


While I was home in Columbus we were at Giuseppe's in Bexley (our second home, basically) and I noticed that their row of fresh cut flowers were in old Patron bottles and they looked so cool! Once you take the label off the bottles look instantly antiqued are the perfect size for a simple bouquet. (I didn't get a picture at home but this one is courtesy of Nadia Knows)


Ok, bare with me on this one. It certainly applies to "reuse" and "recycle" but I'd say generally anything Hermes doesn't really apply to the "reduce" category. That being said, if you ever have a scarf with a tear in it or a stain or something this would be a great way to salvage it. Vivre's price point is certainly higher than DIY project would be in this case - but I mean, they are really beautiful.



One of the best affordable gifts I know is anything edible and even better is anything edible and homemade. I love making homemade granola, it's so easy, and I feel like its much appreciated because usually people only give food that's not so great for you (I'm not complaining about that - give me cookies any day!) So it's nice, especially around the holidays, to get a guilt-free treat.

• 4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
• 1 cup sliced almonds
• 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 4 tablespoons honey
• 2 cup dried blueberries

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. On a large rimmed baking sheet, toss oats, coconut, and almonds. In a small bowl, stir together oil and honey. Pour over oat mixture and toss. Bake, tossing occasionally, until lightly toasted, 16 to 20 minutes. (I usually bake it in 2 batches to make sure the oil/honey mixture gets spread evenly)
   
2. Place mixture in a large bowl and stir in blueberries.

Once you've made the granola buy some mason jars from the Container Store or find some kind of vintage container on etsy, tie a ribbon on it, and voila!

With "Bells" On

I've finally recovered from my wonderful trip to Miami - and cannot wait to go back! I loved it - such an amazing city...and such a great way to experience it for the first time. My friend Michelle (affectionately called Bells by her close friends and family!) got married down there at The National in South Beach and all I can say about it is details, details, details. From her custom made gown to the vintage suitcase holding the place cards not a thing was left out. Sadly my camera decided it didn't feel like working so I apologize that some of the pictures are off my iPhone and could be better quality, but I've also included some from the photographer, Amy Hill, who did nothing short of an amazing job.
Can you even handle this picture? It's taken at the Delano, which is next door to The National....more on that later!
Here's the vintage suitcase that was filled with sand holding up the reproduction post cards that marked your table...I mean, really? Michelle is amazing.
This is the post card that I got, and then each table was marked with the post card you pulled out of the suitcase. They're from Zazzle.

I have SO much more to show-and-tell but have lots to catch up on before I had back to the great state of Ohio for my favorite holiday! So stay tuned becuase there are so many more amazing pictures and great details to share.

Old Timers

Lately I've been really into vintage electronics; phones, clocks, radios, turntables, TVs, toasters. What's better than something chic and functional? Once I got my lovely lucite vanity, which doubles as my nightstand, I didn't want to put my function-over-form Sony alarm clock on it so I've been on the hunt for something worthy of my lovely bedside table. I really like vintage Westclox and they aren't too hard to find for pretty good prices. Alarm Clocks Online has a huge variety of new and used and there are also some great finds on Etsy.

Top 2 are from Etsy, bottom is from Alarm Clocks Online - one thing to make note of is make sure that the clocks on Etsy say they are working, because some are just for decoration.

This search is what started my interest, which then turned to telephones. Which I love in bright colors and maybe even a vintage telephone sign from Three Potato Four? For whatever reason I absolutely love having a landline, it reminds me scenes from Bye Bye Birdie or something...not that I ever lay on my bed, wearing a sweater-set, with an updo, kicking my feet in the air while talking to some dreamy boy on the phone but I like to think I would if I had a house phone. Especially one as cute as these.

Top image is from Three Potato Four, and turquoise phone is from Etsy.

This was one of those Etsy searches that turned into 10 other things and went on for at least a half hour...but I thought these signs and prints from Etsy would look great hanging over this little telephone table too!

This is a vintage black and white print of a Rotary Club Telethon, and it's only $9!

This telephone table is also from Etsy, and would look so good with a turquoise phone and that black and white print framed and hanging above it.

Lastly, I've decided I want to buy a turntable. No, not to be a DJ. I'd love to get this one from Urban Outfitters that can work with your USB to be hooked up to a computer and then steal a bunch of my parents old records and put them on a shelf showcased in CB2's lucite storage boxes.

Premature Planning

I hate how Christmas decorations go up right after Halloween and I hate even more that I'm joining the masses in looking right over Thanksgiving because it is my favorite holiday but when I saw this this morning I couldn't help myself but think about what's just around the corner...

...which then obviously turned into me thinking about all the things I'd like to have for a the holidays, so here is a little preview...
I guess these could be a little Christmas-sweater-ish but I think they're adorable...leave it to Kate Spade! (available at Nordstrom)



Remember that sequin Gucci blazer I wanted? This isn't it.

...but it's probably the closest I'm going to get, and it's really cute on. I think I'm going to rationalize it by having 2 things to wear it to. 1. My friend's wedding in Miami (more to come on that, because she has amazing taste and I can't wait to show you everything she's done) and 2. New Years, because what other holiday is there that something sparkly is required? (available at Bloomingdales)

I've been trying to stay away from Club Monaco lately because it's a dangerous place for a girl who really only wears black and white but when I saw one of their clutches in the most recent Improper Bostonian I had to go the website and look more closely - voila there were 6 of them! Perfect to dress up any little black dress...
...and how pretty would these Jonathan Adler dinner plates look on any table for Christmas dinner? I like the 'white on white' best - a little less dramatic, and also still good for everyday use.

NYMag's Transformations

First let me apologize if this is old news to any of you but I just can't keep up with New York Magazine! I love to read them cover-to-cover but don't always have time so I just got around to reading the Home Design issue from October 19 and was stunned by some of the projects. For those of you who have not seen these amazing transformations, enjoy!

I really can't pick a favorite, but this is pretty close. Architect Bill Peterson and developer Carol Swedlow turned this run-down mess in the East Village into an amazing and innovative home. I can't say I would ever think to put a functioning garage door in a living room, and on the second floor of a New York City brownstone.
This next project couldn't have been described better than to say "every inch of his apartment has been as custom-designed as a couture dress." The pictures really speak for themselves. Howard Slatkin is the interior designer who took on this project to combine 2 apartments and create a 6,000 square foot residence for himself on 5th Ave. I don't think I could dream up an apartment this decadent, let alone imagine it coming from the "before" that it did!

It's almost as if a John Galliano Dior dress was turned into an entire home.