A Gift for the Cat

photo by Oh MG

After going to the movies at IFC the other day, Sarah B. and I went on chilly stroll through SoHo and stopped in Treasure & Bond for the first time. I don't know much about their "retail + philanthropy" model and things were quite pricey, but it was fun to browse.  AND they just started serving Stumptown Coffee in store (delicious). All that to say, my favorite item in the store was the calfskin cat lounger pictured above. Oh MG, what a fun and functional item and could both keep your house from looking like you're a crazy cat person and probably be really comfortable for a furry friend. Alas, it was $486. PS. Also check this out!

Backpacks!

Oh wow, my friend Mary sent along the link to the Baggu site and I can't get enough. Trying to figure out why i might need a foldable backpack with elephants on it. Traveling? Groceries? Going to the beach?

All images from Baggu.

Guess How Much It Is

Like just about everyone else I know, I'm generally obsessed with all things Anthropologie. The clothes and shoes! The accessories! The flatware and the bedspreads! But I had to laugh when I spotted some of the most recent additions to their home decor collection. Seems even Anthro can go a bit astray. What I found most fun was guessing the prices of the above items. Go ahead, guess, and then check: Dalmatian, Rabbit Bust, Rustic Romp Taper Holder, Grasshopper Globe. While the rest of the store is on my Christmas list, I assure you these items are not. Don't worry though, I still dream that I one day I might be able to live in one of their retail locations :)

Christmastime is Here

Though I was supposed to spend lots of quality time at the library on Saturday, I just couldn't bring myself to do it. It was too gorgeous out and JM and I had an opportunity to bring home a 5.5-foot frasier fir. And once we started I couldn't stop - also bought a wreath for the front door and put some extra boughs and holly branches from our front yard in jars around the house. I'm far from being crafty, but am proud of the effort. And wow, it's going to 60 degrees tomorrow. This is what I imagine Christmast must be like in LA - not bad! Please excuse bad phone photos.

Photos by Oh MG.

PS. I just cannot get enough of this song right now!

Stendig 2012

I spent a good part of the weekend admiring these Stendig calendars at the shop.  A little history: designed in 1966 by Massimo Vignelli, the Stendig calendar is the only calendar in MOMA's permanent collection. It's a minimalist modern design classic. Am considering picking one up for my house, but wall space is currently quite limited. Get one here!

And how apt that I should come upon this post on Brick House last night. Lovely!

Via Brick House Tumblr via The Selby

How Much is Too Much ...

... to spend on a candle?  They are certainly novelty items, but a really nice one can make your living space so lovely.  I had the pleasure of unpacking these fabulous-smelling things when they arrived the other day, and oh my, I've had candles on the brain ever since. It's also a fine line however since everything from Yankee Candle Co. generally makes me want to throw up.

When I was in Paris this summer the Diptyque boutique in Le Marais really made me covet a Feuille de Lavande candle, but I drew the line and said $60 was waaaay too much.

I am absolutely picking up one of these for the holiday season, they are to die for.  In fact, the one I got last year was so delicious smelling I burned it all year long.

Until I can fill up my whole house with Diptyques, I'll stick with the much more affordable Mrs. Meyers.  Ohhh, and I see they have some holiday scents!

D*S Does Oakland

Photo via

I was very excited to see my hometown of Oakland, California featured on Design*Sponge today.  Check it out!  Since it's been 9 years since I've lived there, a lot of the places are new to me, but I can attest to the wonders of some of the places mentioned, including Fenton's, Urban Indigo, Wood Tavern,  and Mountain View Cemetery (where I learned how to drive).  BTW, I have never heard of the neighborhood Paradise Park.

The Spring Carry-All

Recently I picked up this lovely bag:

Gap

It's perfect for spring and in-stores with the Give-and-Get deal it was only $11!  Alas my recent purchase made me think about other lovely spring carry-alls.  For example ...

Clockwise from top left: Refinery 29 via Oh Joy!; Madewell;  Kate Spade; Fossil.

Ingenious!

I was browsing through my new issue of Whole Living and saw this water bottle that has a screw-off storage container.  What a fantastic idea for when you want to run to the gym without your bag and wallet!

Pet Accessories!

We have a cat, who is the BEST, but no other pets.  Regardless, I can eye up some fun pet accessories, right?

Cat Hammock, Design*Sponge, via

Modular Fish Hotel, SwissMiss, via

Bow tie for Dogs!  Via

Pet Cabin and Pet Teepee also via

Humanga Stache, Available at Annie's Blue Ribbon General Store
PS. I want this dog too!

Beautiful Mirrors

There is a beautiful new Etsy shop deserves some love.  If you get a chance check out Ms. Baum's selection of handmade pocket mirrors with vintage photo covers.  Perfect for a gift or as a treat to yourself - shouldn't every gal have one in her purse?

Sale Warning

Alert, alert, All Saints is having a sale.  Ever since they opened their American store in SoHo last year I've had to stop myself from going in because the price point is just a bit high for me.

But now that there is a sale, I just might have ordered these two things ...

Oh, and Sarah B. got a hat too.  Funnily enough, we justified the purchases partly because we could share the cost of shipping ... but turns out there was free shipping.  So much for that.

Brooklyn Flea

Garance goes to Brooklyn Flea!  Sarah B. and I were there on Sunday too -- we just had Red Hook pupusas though, Garance was there to buy.