44th

Obama is the 44th president in the year I'm turning 44.  Is that good luck? I hope so.  I'm leaving for Washington on Friday to attend the inauguration.  Can't wait! 

PS: I found these prints by Marisa Allegra Williams on Etsy tonight!   xo

Inspiration

 I'm completely awed by Poppytalk, a Canadian site dedicated to all things beautiful and handmade.  This week, these awesome design girls have opened their Valentine store. (See sampling above.)  I love the "Take Me Homeware" plate and the "Isphotography" glittering lights. Click on Poppytalk for the links!  xo

Domino

This dreadful recession has taken a toll on everyone, especially print media. My favorite fashion magazines are almost as skinny now as the models they feature. With all the troubles at Condé Nast and worries about more magazine closures, I wanted to highlight one of the jewels of my mailbox: Domino. The February issue (featuring the home of Zooey Deschanel) arrived yesterday. I think I've saved every edition of the decor magazine since it started publication three years ago (and I know some of my girlfriend bloggers have done the same.) It's become a cult favorite with the trendy set. Above are some of my picks from the "Best of Domino" slideshow on the magazine's website.

(PS: The pug painting is by Jessie Mott, via Dominomag.com!)

UPDATE JANUARY 29:  The word is out. Domino is closing. March will be the last issue. Sigh.

Which Do You Prefer?

Parisian Hot Chocolate??

Or Roman Coffee???


What's better:  the delicious morning jolt of coffee at a Roman café? Or the afternoon elixir of a Parisian hot chocolate? 

(Photos by flickr members Dan Taylor, Niyantha, Songbird_fra, and Edith and Wim.)

Happy Weekend

Dear All, I'm going to Beverly Hills for a cocktail party (more on that later). Everyone have a wonderful weekend! xo

UPDATE 1/14:  Here's the link to my column about the cocktail party! Turned out to be an amazing gathering of young Hollywood.

(Photo by Michael Cole.)

Holly Golightly

The Cherry Blossom Girl has done a fabulous  job of capturing Holly Golightly's  life at the make-shift  New York City apartment she shared with the nameless cat.  I've often thought about the tasseled earplugs and satin eye mask and wondered where to get replicas. Here are Blossom Girl's suggestions :  Fredflair sleep mask, JenGen tasselled earplugs. (So much nicer than florescent orange foam) and 3.1 Phillip Lim white shirt.

Style Icons?

For reasons I can't entirely explain, I find Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen fascinating.  Maybe it's the Wallis Simpson motto:  A woman can't be too rich or too thin.  Or maybe I've watched too many Full House reruns. I always look forward to the various fashion weeks to see how the twins will turn up. Here's a review from last year.

 

(Photos from People, Instyle, Justjared and Elle.)

It's in the Post

The Royal Mail on January 13 will issue a set of first class stamps commemorating ten British design icons.  Among them:  The Mini car, the mini skirt, the red telephone kiosk, and (my favorite!) the orange and white Penguin book cover.  I have a confession:  I once had to buy an extra suitcase because I was hauling too many UK-issue-only Penguin books home from London.  US customs was not amused. Neither were the baggage handlers. 

(Illustrations via Cup of Jo via Automatism)

Another Yummy French Blog...

The Cherry Blossom Girl.  Fantastic.