SILVER AND GOLD-DAZZLING GIFTS TO GIVE

If there's ever a time to get carried away in a glittery sea of silver and gold, it's holiday time. Slip on a pair of dangerously high gold stilettos or a shimmery sequin top and you're holiday chic! I even like to carry the silver and gold theme to my gift giving--after all, who doesn't like a little bit of bling under the Christmas tree?    

Toast the holidays! These pretty champagne glasses are hand etched with glittery golden berries, perfect for  holiday cocktails.

Add a dose of glamour to your bar with this silver ice bucket topped with a golden bamboo handle.

 A stylish linen pillow with a bold gold Greek Key motif is a showstopper. 

Add some holiday cheer to the table with a set of embellished silver and gold napkin rings . 

Who doesn't love jewelry? A delicate gold cuff accented with pave spikes will add some holiday sparkle and shine!

This gorgeous white gold metallic envelope protects your iPad and also doubles as a clutch.

With ruby eyes and a 24k gold plated finish, this letter opener is one Gecko you won't mind seeing on top of your desk! 

A rustic galvanized aluminum tray is great for serving holiday treats.

You can't go wrong with a delicious tin of New York's iconic black and white cookies 

This delicate gold plated picture frame makes is so glamorous 

What's your favorite gift to give this year?

LET ME WRITE THAT DOWN

My everyday tote bag is packed with my tools of the trade: tape measure, paint deck, iphone and a bulging notebook.  While I tried for a few days to jot down notes or those fleeting flashes of inspiring ideas on my iphone, I found my clumsy fingers usually left me with a garbled mess of letters; more often than not, when I went back to my note page, I had no idea what I had written down!  Besides, I really missed my journal--a place for me to doodle, draw, daydream and write to my hearts content. I'm back to carrying my bulging tote with my journal safely tucked inside and couldn't be happier.  

"My Brilliant Ideas" Journal-How can you go wrong?

Safari Pocket Journals-perfect for a small bag

MoMA's Pantone Journal keeps you on track

Smythson's Inspiring  "Make It Happen" Journal

Have a great Monday and write on!

ON THE HALF SHELL

Madegoods Shagreen Box

The iconic seashell motif has become a mainstay in interior design for years. Placed on a coffee table or wedged in a bookcase, shells have become the go-to nature inspired accessory. In recent years, the seashell as a design element has been reinterperted in a fresh, modern way--from clustered sconces to shell topped shagreen boxes, adding a vibrancy and edge to the classic seashell. My favorites to roll ashore...

Madegoods CoCo Tray

Nacre plate with Hermit Plate, Vivre

Remains Lighting

Augousti shell inlaid side table

 Oly Studio Well Fleet Sconce

Capiz Shell four Panel Folding Screen

Oly Studio Atlantis Mirror

Are you still inspired by the seashell?

FRIDAY FINDS

This gilded elephant cake plate just makes me happy.  So elegant and whimsical that I'm certain I could serve my crooked chocolate layer cake on top and no one would even notice!  

I've always been enchanted by elephants and have my heart set on visiting a sanctuary in Thailand that rescues these beautiful mammals.  Until then I'll just have to satisfy my obsession with a beautiful, bold resin cuff...

or gilded candle...

or maybe these stunning hand crafted elephant hoops

This cuddly is just too cute to resist!!

Have a lovely weekend!

PRETTY AS A PEACOCK

On a recent visit to the Bronx Zoo, I became mesmerized by a flock of peacocks strutting in a nearby field.  Fanning their gorgeous plumes for visitors, the peacocks were a sea of deep blues and greens;  delicate eye candy. This fall the peacock's jeweled blues and greens are inspiration for a host of vibrant fashion and home accessories, fabrics and paints-pick up something peacock and strut your stuff!

Oscar de la Renta's stunning jeweled interpretation

Chic chapeau in leopard and peacock from Barneys

Benjamin Moore's Bermuda Turquoise paint is luxurious and intense

Cappellini Peacock chair could ruffle a few feathers 

Flirty peacock pin from Kate Spade

  Turquoise and chocolate brown-delicious winter combination

 Stylish hair plumes from Etsy

Blue Gioia feather lambsuede clutch from Vivre 

features  blue feathers beneath a gold grille

 Ultimate fall accessory-Louboutin pump in peacock blue

DINNER WITH OSCAR

It seems that everyone is gearing up for Sunday evenings Academy Awards. The wires are buzzing about another possible Jen and Brangelina showdown and hosts Alex Baldwin and Steve Martin are busy perfecting their one liners. I can't wait!  I'm planning a casual evening at home with friends, a low key affair with nothing dressier than a pair of jeans.  I will be serving trays of pigs in blankets and my creamy spinach dip with blue corn chips (recipe tomorrow).  To drink, lots of bubbly champagne-after all it is the Oscars!

But if I were to have a glamorous Oscar fete I would be sure to include-

 Table eye candy-Gold and crystal napkin rigs by L'object

 

In soft natural tones, these embroidered Thistle linen napkins from Sferra compliment the gold dinner party theme.

 

 A delicate gold leaf effect graces this white porcelain Wallis plate from Bernardaud.  The chic and playful plates are perfect for an elegant dinner party.

The large white mod zebra bowl by sculptor Wayland Gregory is centerpiece worthy.  Fill with limes or dozens of white roses for a vibrant modern look. 

 

 Champagne flute glasses for all that champagne!

 

I couldn't resist these gold Pagoda salt and pepper shakers from L'object- beautiful mini masterpieces.

 All  featured items except the linen napkins can be found on Vivre. 

photos courtesy Vivre and Sferre.

GIFT LIST FOR YOUR BEST FRIEND

Best friends-they know your favorite color, remember your birthday and take your phone calls no matter the hour. What would we ever do without them? Celebrate the season and your friendship with a gift  as unique and special as your BFF. Here's my top ten list of fabulous finds.  With almost everything priced less than $50.00, you may want to treat yourself too!

 Eco Girl- The Andean Collection Classic Tagua Blue Bracelet from Kaights.

Blogger Buddy-"Inspirations and Ideas" hot pink leather Notebook from Smythson 

 

Party Girl-Raw Amethyst and Crystal Bottle Stoppers at Vivre

 Girlie Girl- Sicilian Lime Soap Set from Ortigia at Barneys

 Chic Chick-Buttery Leather Gloves From Sermoneta of Italy

Miss Organized- Amigo Kangaroo Leather Caddy at MoMA

Fashionista-Wallpaper City Guides Fashion boxed set- NY, London, Paris, Rome & Tokyo at Conrans

Book Buff- Christofle tassled book marks

Yoga Moma-Yoga Mat Bag Hand Embroidered in Belize by non-profit Maya Bags

Sweetie Pie-Vosages Exotic Truffle Collection