Happy Thursday! Well. It's still cold outside. Thankfully, J.Crew is running a sale on outerwear (amongst other things) that should help warm things up a bit. Below are my top four picks, in order of increasing frivolity, cost and fabulousness. Armed with these babies, the cold could be downright FUN! Beware, reading on might cause you to spend money you shouldn't... but don't worry, I won't tell! 1. The super classic. Majesty Peacoat in navy or decadent red, $295 less 40% with code TAKENOTE. If you do not own a peacoat, you must get this majestic version! Actually, even if you own a peacoat, you should probably get this one. I am partial to the navy, mostly because it's just a super classic and I've always wanted one. It goes with everything and will last forever. I love the gold buttons too. A nice little military touch (and an added bit of glam) without really going too far. I bought it last year on super sale in celadon, but feel the need to have a sophisticated color staple to add to my collection. You can't go wrong with navy. And if you already have navy, then you simply must have red. I am such a sucker for tomato-y red. Always have been; always will be. 2. The slightly twisty classic. Military Parka in navy ($350 minus 40% with code TAKENOTE) or fatigue ($325 minus 40% with code TAKENOTE). I'm not normally one to pick a parka, but this one has me a little smitten. Everyone needs a parka, and parkas unfortunately tend to have a sort of sad, I've-given-up-on-my-looks sort of look. This one doesn't. It is such a great cold weather staple, especially with that furry hood! I like the slight sheen of the fabric - it's a more sophisticated take on the parka concept. This is the kind of coat that you end up wearing all of the time because it's just so cozy (but the cut, while boxy, is still rather sleek). I can't decide if I like the navy or the fatigue better, but I think I'm leaning towards navy. 3. The excellently statement-y classic. Captain coat in jeweled houndstooth, $495 minus 40% with code TAKENOTE. My obsession with this coat grows with each passing minute. I love the mix of houndstooth and jeweled collar. Such a great juxtaposition of color, texture and pattern. I also love the elongaged lines of the peacoat. The better to keep the booty warm! Get this coat and enjoy the experience of wearing something both super fabulous and practical. It's a statement without being too bold. 4. The absolute fall-on-your-knee totally-to-die-for STATEMENT of the century. Collection Ratti tile coat, $1200 less 40% with code TAKENOTE. I've saved the best (and most expensive) for last. I have no words for my obsession with this coat. Absolute obsession. Like, I actually dream about it sometimes. This statement coat is no understated statement. This statement STATES itself in all its psychedelic glory, and I just want to WEAR it! I love the color combos, the patterns, the cut... everything. The mix of the simple coat structure with that fabulous pattern is just to die for. I need to own this as soon as humanly possible, and I just wish I could win the lottery first. I haven't tried it on, so I can't vouch for fit, but I've been eying it for MONTHS and am hoping that one of these days it comes down to the $300 range. There must be one left in my size once that happens, right?? Right?? Even at 40% off, this coat is not something I can currently splurge on (as much as I wish I could!), but I have faith! The price will drop if it's meant to be! I am certain it does not fight cold, but if you feel fabulous wearing it, maybe the cold doesn't matter? Perhaps I could just wear it around my apartment as my own version of a house coat and sip wine by the fire. Just talking about this has almost convinced me to splurge on the coat and just skimp on electricity for the next few months.... What coats are you craving right now? Happy shopping - and keep warm! KK
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Hello, hello! Let's talk comfort. After a particularly rough surgery check up this morning (word to the wise: "breaking up scar tissue" = more excruciating pain than I could have ever fathomed), I was in some need of some major TLC and coziness to nurse my wounds and get myself back to "normal" (a relative term). And with the "polar vortex" upon us, I have a feeling you're looking for some coziness and comfort of your own as well. I suggest a two-pronged attack: 1) stay home and swathe yourself in a faux fur throw, and; 2) look at some photos of super cute, fuzzy animals. Prong 1: The Faux Fur Throw Before my surgery, I purchased an ivory faux fur throw from One Kings Lane that turned out to be the greatest $55 I have ever spent. I have since realized that it is like the grown up version of a stuffed animal. Admittedly, I am a little bit embarrassed about it, but the thing is so darn cozy and comforting that I just don't care. Juge away, my friends, but I suggest you skip the juging and instead buy one of these bad boys for yourself. My intention when buying the item was for it to be a nice little throw at the bottom of our bed (and I liked that it's machine washable!), but since I haven't been able to sleep under the regular covers for the past 3.5 weeks, I've relied on our faux fur throw as my "comforter" (in all senses of the word!) to keep me super warm at night and feeling truly ensconced in softness and comfort. Where to Buy OKL doesn't have the exact throw in stock that I bought (they may in the future), but they have another slightly more expensive (but bigger!) option in light camel, $115. Below are a few others to try (most of these are in white, which is what I prefer, but, really, just go with what you love!): Restoration Hardware Luxe Faux Fur Throw, $99 I like it in Arctic Fox, but really, any color is nice. Pottery Barn Faux Fur Oversized Throw - Ivory, $139 And why not throw in that pillow while you're at it. West Elm Faux Fur Throw in Frosted Mocha or Mocha, both $119 West Elm doesn't carry a faux fur throw in white, but all of the colors are pretty darn cuddly. Prong 2: Fuzzy Cuteness Now that you've swaddled yourself in the faux stuff, let's take a look at some photos of the real deal in all their cute glory. A couple of these images should do the trick: Did that help? I thought so. I certainly feel better.
Happy warming, happy healing! KK Happy New Year! Wishing you all peace, love, happiness and a dash of whimsy this year! I recently happened upon a super fun peace sign hand sculpture that I hope will find its way to my home in the coming weeks. It just perfectly captures what I hope 2014 will bring: peace, whimsy, and strength... and happiness. Matt and I were discussing New Year's resolutions yesterday, and I said that one of mine was simply to be happy. "Happy? Is that a resolution?" he asked. "Absolutely!" I said. Happiness, at least to some extent, is a choice and can at times require a great deal of resolve to obtain/maintain. The old adage "fake it 'til you make it" comes to mind here, and the payoff once you "make it" is enormous and enormously worth it. If that's not a resolution, I don't know what is. The universe can have a pretty sick sense of humor at times (and at others, a delightful one), and it's up to us to decide how to handle it. 2013 was a year of some pretty phenomenal ups and some pretty brutal downs, but even now, as I close in on month ten of a debilitating foot injury and finish up week three of a painful surgery recovery, I feel an extreme sense of gratitude for the hand that was dealt to me this year. I'll never know how it happened, or why, but I like to think there was a reason and that the experience will make me a stronger and more compassionate person (even though it is easy to feel pretty worthless and woe-is-me in my current state). Who knows? A girl can dream. So how did I find that fun little hand? On a whim of course, which is my favorite way to find things. I'll take you on a little tour of my search (a window into my meandering, "creative" (i.e. mildly ADD) mind), because I stumbled upon some great blogs along the way! During a delightfully aimless Google search for gold side tables yesterday (I am planning out a reno of our living room - inspiration board coming soon!), I happened upon a fun blog entry on gold/brass and marble color combos (one of my favorite combos) on a fabulous blog called The Covetable. This led me to The Covetable's "Apartment Envy" section (OMG, what fun!), which featured the apartment of Amelia Canham Eaton, who co-founded the blog The CHICago Life (also a fab blog). In Amelia's apartment tour, I saw this image and thought the peace hand was just super fun: Then I saw this image and knew I'd found a kindred spirit - she has my pig bookends!! I separately had been looking at the Jayson Home website (a Lincoln Park based home décor store that I wish existed in New York) where a brass peace sign captured my attention. Could it be the same thing? I thought when I saw the hand in Amelia's Chicago home. I do believe it is! At $168 plus shipping though, it's not the steal of a deal that my $29 pig bookends were and thus not something I can just purchase on a whim. I did a bit more digging to see if this happy hand was sold elsewhere, and I think I've found the same one (or an excellent replica) at Zinc Door for $137 plus free shipping. Same dimensions and similar coloring (unclear whether the coloring is in fact different or the photography is causing the difference): So, what can this funny little hand represent? Many things! For me, it will be my adaptation (plus an addition) of the "10 to Zen" that has been cheesily circling about Pinterest recently. In other words, the pursuit of happiness. What are your New Year's resolutions??
Happy New Year! And peace, man! KK Happy New Year's Eve! New Year's Eve is a time for statements, and statement jewelry is a much safer way to say something to the world than overdoing it with the champagne (though there Is no rule against mixing statement jewels and champs!). I love finding great steals, especially of the statement necklace variety. And statement necklaces that have a global, worldly feel to them. I also love finding statement necklaces that aren't too heavy. (I get headaches from too much weight on my neck, and because headaches trump fashion statements, that often gets in the way of my desire to wear big necklaces.) So imagine my delight when I happened upon this gem of a globally inspired statement steal when I was browsing the J.Crew website the other day for some last minute Christmas gift items: the studs and stones embroidered necklace, $29.99 ($49.99 plus 40% off with code SHOPHAPPY) DOWN FROM $198! That's 85% off! $29 for a fabulous J.Crew necklace that otherwise would be $200? YES, PLEASE. At the time that I found the necklace, J.Crew thankfully hadn't implemented its very annoying "final sale" situation to its sale item stock, so I was able to purchase the product risk-free (they've since turned on the dreaded "final sale" concept to clear out inventory). I ordered two: one for my mom and one for me (along with some "lumberjack shirts" for Matt). When the necklace arrived a few days later, I ripped open the package and was totally delighted (and my mom assures me she liked hers as well)! It's perfect! The orange is NEON, which is not clear in the picture, and the green is a little bit more muted -- almost a sage green -- than the photo leads one to believe. But I totally welcome the neon orange juxtaposed with the "pinot noir" color, and the green can read neon in certain light. It looks cool. Two other great parts? 1) the whole thing is backed in smooth fabric, so it doesn't scratch; and 2) it is not heavy, which was a delightful surprise (it does look like it could be heavy and many J.Crew necklaces tend to be on the heavy and uncomfortable side). Tonight, as 2013 comes to a close, I hope you put on whatever baubles you have, clink a glass of bubbly with a loved one or a stranger, and ring in the new year in whatever way feels right (I'll be at home still in "recovery mode," but I'll definitely be wearing this necklace while I drink a little champs with the hubs!). And if you're daring, click on over to J.Crew and grab one of these fab necklaces! Beware - it's unfortunately "final sale" now, so it's more of a gamble than it should be - but for $29, I think it's worth the risk! Happy Celebrating! And Statement Making! KK Apologies for the radio silence, everyone! Recovering from surgery is a bit more intense than I'd anticipated, and I just haven't been up to writing. Basically all I am capable of doing right now is watching TV and pinning on Pinterest (apologies to anyone who follows me for overcrowding your feed!). I am going to take another week or so off from blogging while I continue to recoup, but I wanted to take a minute and share our holiday decor photos before they're completely outdated! Matt and I put up our holiday decor the weekend before I went under the knife. The transformation was very quick and easy (and something I was somewhat capable of doing in a walking boot). We bought a ginormous tree from the nice tree sellers that come down from Quebec every year, and we also grabbed a bunch of loose greenery from them (free when you buy a tree or probably if you ask nicely) to use on the mantle and dining table. On the tree we used white lights and ornaments that our families have given us over time. I love the feeling of history that a tree can have when you hang ornaments that members of your family grew up with and that tell a little story of who you are. The tree is actually so large that I couldn't get a photo of it head on. This angle is from our foyer looking into the living room (the fireplace is to the left - you can see the rug in the bottom left corner). For the mantle, we used oldies but goodies that we have "on file." A few years ago, my mom gave us a nutcracker (she used to take me to the Nutcracker when I was a kid) and my mother-in-law gave us some cute Noel and snowman clown figurines from the Taft Museum in Cincinnati. The colors all go great with our decor and make decorating each year super easy! We just added the greenery around the figurines to give everything a bit more life and to tie in the tree (I also used some to cover up the ugly wall hanging nail that shows on the top of the mirror - worked like a charm!) For the wreath, I wanted something that was just really green and fresh - and easy. I bought a $20 wreath that our Quebec friends were selling and then I got about $10 worth of other boxwood-style greenery from the corner bodega. I hung the wreath over our door knocker and stuck the bodega greens into various parts of the wreath. I then curled the greens around the circle of the wreath and held it all down with a little wire that my Quebec friends gave me. I added a burlap bow (parts of it are braided but you can't see from here) for some rustic charm. And that's a wrap, folks! What did you do for your decor? I'd love to know! Hope you all are celebrating your various holidays and can hopefully enjoy a little time off from work. Happiest of holidays and I'll be back in the new year! Merry merry and happy happy! KK It's Day Three of Kate's Favorite Things (and likely the final day... but who knows, there might be more)! I had high hopes of doing many days of this (it is seriously fun to log all of my favorite things), but I'm getting foot surgery tomorrow and will need to take a little hiatus from the blogosphere. I had hoped to cover clothing gifts at some point (amongst many, many other things!), but I just haven't gotten my act together. Forgive me, please? I promise when I'm back to blog all about my favorite fashion picks! In the meantime, I'll give you a tip: Whether you're shopping for a guy or a gal, just go to J.Crew and call it a day. Cashmere sweaters and accessories. Plaid shirts. 30% off. Done. Everyone loves themselves some cashmere sweaters, cozy accessories and wintery plaid shirts come December, and I'm sure that whatever you choose will look ravishing on the recipient and envelop them in your friendly, loving gesture. But if you don't necessarily want to give clothes... read on! Today's topic is HOME, and I am super excited about everything on this list. Prices range from $10 to $160, and you can't go wrong with any of these items. Enjoy! Kate's Favorite Things - Home Edition!Crate & Barrel Camille 23 oz. Red Wine Glass, $10.36 each (on sale from $12.95), from Crate & Barrel Are you a Scandal watcher? I thought so. I'll bet you've noticed that Olivia Pope likes to relax at the end of the day with a ginormous glass of wine. I'll bet you like the glasses she drinks out of. Who wouldn't? They're awesome. THIS THE GLASS SHE DRINKS OUT OF. Unfortunately, I'm not the only person who figured this out, and the rest of the world has placed an order and drained C&B's supply, so they're backordered until March. But I have hope that they'll ship sooner. If you've got a real Scandal fan (and a fan of elegantly ginormous wine glasses), I'll bet they're willing to wait a few months to get their hot little hands on these bad boys so that they too can relax at the end of a hard day of crisis control and totally inappropriate affairs whilst wearing the white hat. Crate & Barrel also has a smaller 13 oz. white wine glass that's a little less cool and isn't quite what Olivia owns, but it has the bonus of being available for consumption now and also isn't so comically large. Compagnie de Provence Olive Lavender Perfume Diffuser, $25.00, from Compagnie de Provence I recently tested every lavender scented diffuser that the Gracious Home store had to offer. I bought two, this one (which I'm raving about now) and this one (beautiful and smells amazing up very close, but it overall packs very little punch - also beware that if it drips on a wood surface, it will eat away the finish). The Compagnie de Provence Olive Lavande diffuser is far and away the most incredible scent I've ever smelled. You know by now that I love lavender... but I never would have thought that mixing it with olive would produce such an intensely delightful experience. It smells like fresh air and Provence. It's refreshing, relaxing and just generally amazing. I put ours in the bedroom and plan to place a few more throughout the apartment. Give this to any Francophile or lover of things that smell amazing. And trust me: buy one for yourself. One note: The company claims that this will last 8-10 weeks. I don't know how that is possible. Mine lasted almost exactly a month (I distinctly remember buying it on Veterans' Day), and the oil has been aggressively wicked away to the last drop. I don't know if I had particularly thirsty reeds or if all of the diffusers are like this, but it's worth mentioning. And perhaps that's why it makes a room smell so darn phenomenal (the other diffuser that I bought has barely budged, but you also barely notice the scent). I am not a fan of how quickly this diffuser must be replaced, but it certainly hasn't stopped me from placing another order (and I just learned that they sell a refill, though it's out of stock). Once you smell this scent, you won't be able to live without it. Venturi Wine Aerator, $29.95 (on sale from $39.95), from Williams Sonoma This little thing is just awesome, and everyone should have one in their home. It's a little wine aerator and it works magic by frothily aerating your wine as you pour it into your glass. It makes a very bizarre and distinct sucking/gurgling sound that you'll come to associate with the delightful experience. Give it to everyone on your list who likes wine; buy one for yourself too. Mariposa Individual Pearled Wavy Bowl, $48.00, from Mariposa My obsession with Mariposa began in 2010 when my friend Stephanie gave us this bowl as a shower gift. The undulating lines paired with the pearl trim are just gorgeous, and the silver is beautiful. It's a great piece to have in the living room. I like to leave it empty, but it would also beautifully display nuts or candies for a party. Jo Malone™ 'English Pear & Freesia' Scented Home Candle, $65 from Norstrom.com Jo Malone is just synonymous with luxury. I've been giving the Lime, Basil & Mandarin candle as a gift for years whenever I want to give something extra special, but I actually did not get to have the privilege of owning one of my very own until last year, when my friend Emily gave me the English Pear & Freesia version. OMG is it incredible. I actually squealed with glee when I got the package -- the package comes just bursting with beautiful scent (I think they spray the box down so it's extra scentsational) and triggers instant euphoria, and as you tear into it, the scent just gets more magnificent, decadent and all-consuming. Emily also gave me the Lime, Basil & Mandarin body crème, $75, which I am pretty certain is heaven in a jar. Waylande Gregory Green Leopard Print Coasters, $90, from Zhush.com I'm moderately obsessed with Waylande Gregory pottery and home goods. I learned of him for the first time when Matt and I were in California over the summer, and now I am hooked. Waylande Gregory (1905-1971) was an artist and art deco sculptor from Kansas (yes!) credited with revolutionizing art deco ceramics sculpture. Now his name lives on with Waylande Gregory Studios after the great-grandnephew discovered "a treasure trove" of Waylande's work. Everything from the collection is fantastic -- I seriously cannot pick a favorite, as you'll see below -- but these coasters are a nice price point, super useful (we all need coasters and never think to buy them for ourselves) and that emeraldy green color is just incredible. As is the fabulous leopard. I'm obsessed. Simon Pearce Woodbury Bowl - S, $95.00, from Simon Pearce Everything about this piece is beautiful and elegant and would fit into any home. Our Aunt Susan gave this to us as an engagement gift, and I've just loved it ever since. Simon Pearce is a sure bet for holiday gift giving. Waylande Gregory Small Tiger Gray Bullet Bowl, $135, from Orange and Pear These little bullet bowls are adorable and a nice little size (4.5" across) to add a pop to your side table. They're also great for holding little things like earrings or rings next to your bed. There are a lot of different options, but I like this tiger. Its lines are very elegant and feminine, but the coloring is masculine, so the overall look of the bowl is not overtly girly. This brown leopard version is also really great. Note, the bowl is a little bit elevated (1.5") and tapered on the bottom. It's hard to see in the photo, but it's an elegant touch and helps the bowl look a bit more dainty. Waylande Gregory Gold and Orange Small Square Elephant Tray, $160, from Zhush.com I'm just obsessed with every aspect of this dish, for reasons you can probably guess based on my previous posts: elephants, orange, gold, whimsy, and a touch of practicality. I love when whimsy and practicality meet! This dish is just the shizz. We happened upon it when we were in San Francisco and bought it as a wedding gift -- and liked it so much that we bought an extra one for ourselves... it's a tad embarrassing to admit, but having this dish in my living room is totally worth the shame. I'm sure I will be back in a few days, but if not, I hope you have the happiest of holidays!! Let me know what you give as gifts!
Happy happy! KK It's Day Two of Kate's Favorite Things, and today I've moved from home gadgetry to kitchen fixins. We tend not to buy ourselves items for the kitchen, but we certainly need them. Giving whimsical kitchen accessories is a nice way to give something fun while also giving something practical. Below is a list of some of my favorite things, some things I'm giving this year, and a few things I'd love to have. They're great for people who love to cook... for people who wish they liked to cook a bit more than they actually do... and for people who just generally, you know, use a kitchen from time to time. Read on for some ideas at all types of price points. Again... these are great gifts for others... and also for yourself! Enjoy! Kate's Favorite Things - Kitchen Edition! Under $25Alma Mater Tervis Cup, $13 for 16 oz, $17 for 24 oz I gave Matt some NYU Law Tervis cups last year for Christmas and personalized them with his name (it seems strange for a gift, but when you buy two and personalize them, the cost can add up - Matt is also very difficult to shop for and appreciates function and practicality over anything else). Glasses that I can't shatter on our bedside table in the middle of the night seem pretty practical to me, and over time, I've realized these Tervis cups were more a gift to me than to Matt. Tervis cups are awesome. They're big, indestructible and dishwasher safe. I use mine for water or for the fruits of my Sodastream labor. Icy cold and refreshing. The cups come in all shapes and sizes. I have the 16 oz. and am planning to procure the 24 oz. in the near future. As of last year, Tervis didn't sell Dartmouth branded cups, so I am pretty excited right about now about this Big D addition. There are all sorts of ways you can order a Tervis cup, but the collegiate branding is my favorite. I also like the classic clear and colorful options. Clean, simple, and durable. Ginormous Coffee Mugs, ~$15.00, from dartmouthcoop.com (amongst other places) You know what I like with my Keurig machine in the morning? A ginormous coffee mug to hold my coffee. Any big coffee mug is great, but I love a good alma matter nod every now and then, and a coffee mug is a great way to show your spirit and also claim your cup. Like all the gifts listed here, coffee mugs are something I don't normally buy for myself, but they are also strangely personal: The cup has to have the right look and feel, you know? Something that makes you think, I'm not happy to be out of bed, but at least I can drink coffee out of this awesome mug. I splurged on two of these Dartmouth Brazo Mugs, $14.99, when I was up in the Hanover area over the summer (one for Matt and one for me) and wish I'd gotten two more so I would never wake up to find that yesterday's mugs were still in the dirty dishwasher. They're awesomely big (18 oz.), so they can hold a healthy pour of milk on top of your largest Keurig coffee cup button brew, but they're not so wide (like café au lait mugs) that you can't hold the cup with one hand. This Juliska mug, $30, is a close second. Most college and university bookstores sell some version of coffee mugs, and I always think a mug is a nice thing to have around the house or the office. Sports teams and personalized mugs are also a great option. And I am also on occasion a fan of moderately humorous mugs, like these grammatically correct mugs for grammar freaks. Good Home Co. Lavender Hand Soap, $16.00, from goodhomestore.com This soap smells amazingly pure (and is totally organic). My mother-in-law gave it to us, and we have it next to the sink. After doing the dishes, it's a delight to wash your hands in this lovely lavender scent. All of the Good Home Co. products are great, but this one is my favorite. I also like to keep the lavender surface cleaner, $18.00, around so I can wipe down the counters whenever they need a swipe of cleanliness (and every evening). Le Creuset Stoneware Spoon Rest, $22, from Williams Sonoma Someone in my family might be receiving this for Christmas after mentioning it several times, and I've since realized that it's a truly excellent gift to give and receive...because who buys themselves a spoon rest? And how delightful is it to have one? If the recipient already has Le Creuset cookware, go ahead and match the color! If not, go wild or stay safe depending on the recipient's personality. FYI, "flame" (orange) is the "signature" color (my pots and pans are flame, and it's a very classic color), and the red is also a safe bet for a kitchen. Le Creuset Oven Mitt, $15 I'm having a bit of a love affair with Le Creuset at the moment (triggered by someone's desire for a spoon rest, which snowballed into a full blown assessment of everything that Le Creuset makes - and everything they make is very good, so my list grew quickly). Oven mitts -- good oven mitts, that is -- are hard to come by and should be acquired when found. I gave my mom oven mitts for Mother's Day last year from Williams Sonoma and while she was pleased (they were simply a replacement of what she already owned), she said that the quality isn't as good as it used to be. Le Creuset knows bakeware, and thus I feel they know how to protect your skin as you handle their hot bakeware. Hence the addition of an oven mitt to my favorite kitchen things list. Get two. People tend to use two hands when they handle heavy, hot things. And throw in a few potholders while you're at it. What color? Doesn't matter. I of course love the flame (orange has long been one of my favorite colors, and I hear orange is the new black), but the black is pretty great as well. I've never seen a black oven mitt before, and now I think I really want a set of them. It feels chic. Le Creuset Kitchen Towels - Set of 3, $25 (down from $30) at zappos.com While we're on the subject of great kitchen necessities... and my obsessions Le Creuset... and my obsession with orange things... let's take a quick gander at these fabulous towels. Everyone could use a few more kitchen towels, and who wants to buy them for themselves? $25 for 3 towels? In flame orange? Done. Add in some other Le Creuset accessories, and you're set. $25-$50ishLe Creuset Large Utensil Crock, $29.99, from zappos.com We registered for this on a whim (actually I forced the registering for it, Matt argued with me), but it's turned out to be one of our favorite items in the kitchen. We have the red, but all of the colors are great (I'm pretty smitten with the white). It's perfect to keep next to the stove to hold all of your cooking utensils. If your recipient doesn't have any utensils at all, then pop for the Le Creuset Revolution™ 6-Piece Utensil Set, $85. White, Flame and Marseille are my favorites. Juliska Thread & Berry Ramekin, $15, from juliska.com (but buy at least two!) I have four of these and wish I had about 15 more. They're so useful for everything, food or otherwise - small servings of food for yourself, dips and whatnot for groups of people, and things like sugar packets by the Keurig. Really, anything. Stinge not and buy a few -- your recipient will thank you. This Quotidien Collection ramekin, $12, is pretty great too. Measuring Cubs, $36, from Anthropologie I mean, there are no words. These are just too darn cute for words! They are hand-wash only, which is a downer, but they're so cute I think I just don't care (and I care very much about things being able to go in the dishwasher). They have a bit of a vintage feel, but also feel modern in their simplicity; and they also remind me of the Pillsbury Doughboy (vintage and modern in his own right). Get these for someone who finds regular measuring spoons a bit boring. $50-$100ishLe Creuset Heritage Deluxe Round Trivet, 9", $65 from Williams Sonoma Trivets are one of those things that you never think to buy for yourself and that you then realize you desperately need when you're about to serve something piping hot and just out of the oven. Give the gift of planning ahead with a trivet like this fabulous one from Le Creuset. It comes in a variety of colors, but I'm currently digging the Aubergine (and of course my favorite Flame). With a trivet, you can either try to match the color to the recipient's cookwear or go for something entirely out there... because, why not go there when you can? Ceramic Cookie Jars from Anthropologie, $68-$128 Who stole the cookie from the cookie jar? Something tells me this guilty little bow-tied guy could venture a guess or two. You don't need to be a cookie baker or Cookie Monster to want to have this Pedigreed Cookie Jar, Bulldog, $98, in your kitchen. I haven't seen a cookie jar actually used for cookies in maybe 20 years, but I love a good cookie jar with great personality. And this little guy is just brimming with personality. He's also just begging to be named something like Humphrey or Sir Grumperton... or Sir Humphrey Grumperton... Sir Humphrey Grumperton could hold any number of things, like k-cups for your Keurig (he won't judge how many cookies you eat -- in fact, he'd appreciate if you'd share a few with him too -- and he certainly won't judge how much coffee you drink) or a boatload of loose change or dog treats for your pooch. His neutral coloring of whites, tans and greys with shots of blue and red will work in a variety of kitchen color schemes. Just make sure the recipient's tongue is located somewhat near their cheek. If you don't want your gift recipient to feel a little bit sorry for their new cookie jar (as Sir Humphrey Grumperton is wont to do), then perhaps a prim and proper cookie jar is the way to go. This Pedigreed Cookie Jar, Spaniel, $128, is a pretty phenomenal knockoff of antique Staffordshire figurines like this Delightful Pair of 19th Century Staffordshire Pottery Dogs, $3,058.00 (left) (I mean, seriously, look at that!). And it serves the extra purpose of holding things. A thing that holds other things? You know I'll like it. And if your gift recipient is a bit of a traditionalist who likes a touch of whimsy in the kitchen, then they'll like it too. $150+Juliska Dessert Plate Set (4), $168, from juliska.com (each plate individually sold for $42) Matt and I use these as everyday dinner plates rather than dessert plates (they're 9.5" wide!), and we save our dinner plates for larger occasions. I just love the detailing on these. They make every meal seem special, even if it's seamless.com delivery (which it often is). You can buy these as a set or choose certain plates individually. We have four of the Villandry collection plate and two of the Gardens of Heligan plate (my secret favorite), but they're all really beautiful. Choose one or choose the set. You can't lose, and your recipient will be very happy. Simon Pearce Hartland Candlestick Set - S, $215.00 These aren't totally a kitchen item, but they're certainly related - especially if you have a breakfast nook or eat-in kitchen. We received this candlestick set from Simon Pearce as a wedding gift (off-registry!), and we were totally thrilled. I love getting off-registry gifts because, when they're right, they're memorable and and soo something you would have registered for if you'd thought of it. This is one such example. I have them on our dining room table and just love looking at them. They're a perfect combination of casual and elegant and go great with our Juliska dinnerware when we have dinner parties and want everything to be nice but not formal. They're also just great for an everyday look for the table (whether you use the table often or not). Bonus? Simon Pearce customer service is just delightful. One of the candlesticks shattered recently after a taper burned down too close to the glass (had I known that could happen, surely I wouldn't have let it burn down so far), and customer service replaced my broken candlestick with a new one - and told me never to play with fire again. Feeling inspired??? I certainly am. Now get cooking!
Happy shopping! KK Happy Monday! I'm normally not a Monday fan (I mean, really, who is?), but I'm particularly excited about this lovely Monday. Why? Because I'm writing about my favorite things! If you've been following this blog, you've probably caught on that I get pretty excited about things. Big things, little things, splurgy things and stealy things, things that add a touch of luxury, things that replace worn out things, things that make life easier and things that make life more efficient. While Christmas and the holidays are not all about gifts -- the season is, after all, about generosity, love and family -- gifts are certainly a nice touch. And a stressful one at that! There is no better time to say "I appreciate you" with a special something than the holiday season (even if that something is just a phone call or an email). (It's also a nice time to give something -- whatever you can -- to those in need... a few extra dollars, something to keep them warm, some food or even just a warm smile.) As the Grinch learned in The Grinch Who Stole Christmas: "Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store. "Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!" And with that, let's get on to the list! I'm no Oprah, but I certainly have a very long list of favorite things that you can enjoy and give to everyone on your list... and that will hopefully take some of the stress out of the annual what should I get? merry-go-round. Today's focus? GADGETS. While the subject-matter of A La Recherche tends to be focused on home decor, fashion and beauty, you can't have a beautiful, fashionable, livable home without some excellent gadgets to make it run a little more smoothly and delightfully. Kate's Favorite Things - Gadget Edition! There are two types of really great gifts: 1) the luxuriously decadent kind that you wouldn't dream of buying for yourself (most of the time - I have on occasion bought something luxurious for myself in a "you deserve this because you're worth it" moment); and 2) the absurdly practical type that you also wouldn't think to buy for yourself but that improve your life dramatically (and are thus luxurious in their own way). This list contains mostly type #2. I recommend buying one for your friend/family member... and then another yourself. The following list contains things that I have received and loved, and things that I have given to others (and a few things I've given to myself...). Enjoy! Fountain Jet - Seltzer Starter Kit, $79 at sodastreamusa.com Sodastreams are life-changing. My brother-in-law, Jed, and soon-to-be sister-in-law Caroline gave the black/silver starter kit to Matt and me for Christmas last year, and I now can't imagine life without it! I quit drinking Diet Soda in April (I was total addict), and I credit the Sodastream for making that happen. It's so nice to be able to fill up the bottle, buzz the machine a few times and have a full litre of fizzy bubbles to sip on. No trip to the store, no wasted plastic bottles. Everyone should have one of these machines! It looks like the black/silver is sold out, but I love the sleek white! Keurig K65 Special Edition Home Brewing System, $149.99 at Target.com with free shipping While we're on the subject of life-changing kitchen products that my brother-in-law has given us, let's discuss the brilliance that is the Keurig machine. He gave us this one two Christmases ago, and it. is. incredible. Embarrassingly, I have BROKEN coffee machines in the past because I've put the grinds into the water section (I'm very groggy in the morning -- which I imagine many people are -- and I really don't understand why this hasn't happened to other people), and even when I did get the grinds in the right place, I never could make a good pot of coffee. The Keurig changed everything. No more am I forced to remember where the grinds go - I just pop a k-cup into the little home for it and presto-chango, I have a cup of coffee. I had the privilege of meeting one of the founders of Keurig (who later sold it to Green Mountain Coffee) in a business school class last year and thanked him for revolutionizing my morning (I think he thought I was a little nutty). I also asked him why he named the company Keurig. The answer? His wife is German, and Keurig means "excellence" in German. I couldn't agree more. We have a mid-sized machine, which works perfectly for us, but there are a lot of different sizes that will fit your individual lifestyle and family size. Keurigs are sold all over... Keurig.com, Amazon, QVC, Bed Bath & Beyond, Macy's... check around before you buy to make sure you get the best deal. There are also many different kinds of coffees available in k-cup size... we like to drink Tully's (best taste at the price point). Spotify, $10, $30 or $60 (1-, 3- or 6-month subscription gift certificate) Spotify is just awesome. I joined a little over a year ago after my dad told me to (Yes! My dad knows about everything cool before I do!), and he and I now use the program to share music with each other. It's a fun way to stay connected with someone who lives far away, and it's also just an excellent source of LOTS of music. I grew tired of paying Apple for iTunes (and losing it every time I had to replace a computer), and this allows me to listen to as much or as little music as I want. I'm sure over time, the subscription fee adds up to equal or exceed what I would pay if I just bought each new song outright, but I like the flexibility and the community. Spotify also has a fun feature, "Available Offline," which allows you to listen to a chosen playlist while on the subway and out of range. Subscriptions cost $9.95 a month. You can buy gift certificates here. Depending on how much you want to spend, you can buy your lucky recipient a 1-month, 3-month or 6-month subscription. Apple TV, $89.99 (on sale from $99), at radioshack.com plus free shipping I've only had about 4 hours with this magical device, but I can already say that it's one of my favorite things. Jed and Caroline (seriously, excellent gift givers!) gave this to me for my birthday this year, and Matt and I finally got the little beauty hooked up today in the bedroom so I can watch Netflix and Hulu all day long as I recover from surgery later this week. We've already clocked a few Portlandia episodes and just started American Horror Story (starring my gal Connie Britton, so I'm giving it a shot!). A quick note: Apple TV does not come with an HDMI cable, so you might want to get one if you want the recipient to be able to hook the device up on Christmas Day. They're not terribly expensive (~$15-$30), so if you buy the Apple TV from a place like RadioShack, you can just tack one of these onto the order. Happy gadget gifting! KK Well, I'm in love. I just welcomed a new member into the family last night, and he's so darn cute, I just want to stare at him all the time and coo at his cheeky, gilded cuteness. I spotted this gold pig bookends set of 2, $29.95, on CB2's website a few days ago. (Okay, fine, I'll admit it: I fell for a "Sponsored Link" on Facebook, and that's how I ended up at CB2's website. I never would have even thought to go to the CB2 website, let alone to buy a set of pig bookends. Those ads work! They work, alright?! Silly targeted marketing. I hate you and I love you all at the same time.) Soon after seeing this happy little pig online - and for only $29!? - my obsessive nature kicked into overdrive and I couldn't stop thinking about it. I needed to have this pig bookend set in my home immediately. But I hesitated to order online: 1) CB2 can be hit or miss (and is often a miss for me), and I tend to conduct my CB2 purchases in store so I can verify that it is in fact a worthy purchase; and 2) if this fine swine were in fact a worthy purchase -- as I suspected it would be based on my own discerning eye and the 4.6 star rating it had earned from 52 reviewers (excellent sample size!) on CB2.com -- I didn't think I could wait the 3-5 business days that it would take for my little piggy to come all the way home to me. I needed him, and I needed him now. (Full disclosure: I'm getting foot surgery next Thursday, so my sense of urgency isn't totally insane - it's just a little bit insane. The surgery also somewhat helps explain why I want a smiling, gilded, bifurcated pig in my home to cheer me up when I'm laid up in bed. Surgery or not, I enjoy cheeky animal decor.) And so, despite better judgment (better judgment would tell me to go home and ice my foot), I concocted a plan to hobble over to CB2 on my way home from work last night (it's only a block from the subway!) and see what this golden hog was all about. When I got to the store, I wandered around aimlessly "testing out seating" (when you have a hurt foot in a furniture store, "testing" the seating is a great way to get a little break) and examining price tags until - BAM! - jackpot: There in gilded glory was a whole bookcase full of gold pig bookends; and one smiling, curly tailed set was definitely coming home with me. The pigs were in the back of the store, as if CB2 knew people like me would come in just to see them and would be forced to wander around the entire store first before finally finding them. Well done, CB2. Well done, indeed. (Did this cause me to buy anything else? Of course it did. A gift for our "Yankee Swap" at work next week. You're welcome, CB2, for that extra purchase; and you're welcome, as-yet-unknown-coworker-who-will-be-receiving-my-excellent-$15-to-$30-gift-next-Friday-while-I'm-at-home-on-painkillers.) The bookends are a little more yellow than they are in the online photo, but when you're in love, you see past small flaws (and the in-you-face gold adds to the kitschy charm). The bookends are made out of polyresin (I mean, whatever that is - ecofriendly, right?) and finished to look like wood, and they are heavy. As the gal who checked me out (who couldn't have been nicer) was wrapping them up for me, she turned to me and remarked, "Man, you could really knock someone out with these!" (True, but let's not go there.) "They'll really hold up your books!" (I would certainly hope so given their express purpose, but yes, also true.) "I mean, they're really heavy! This should be an ox or something instead of a pig." (Yes, that's an interesting interpretation of the concept, but then I wouldn't have bought them. I'm really only buying these because they are pig shaped.) When I got home after my treacherous commute (no cabs! where's the bus! my brilliant plan is foiled!) and with a very swollen foot, I proudly proclaimed to Matt when he saw the CB2 bag that I'd acquired something really exciting and couldn't wait to show him. "Do you want to see our new baby? It's the cutest thing ever. I don't know which part to open first!" I said, tearing into the bag and vigorous unwrapping one of the two papered-up pieces. "Oh! It's his rump!" "What is that?" "Pig bookends!" I opened the other half. "Isn't it adorable? Look at his smiling face! Look at his round butt!" "Why did you get that? How expensive is that?" "Because. Did you see the adorable smile? $29. Isn't it a steal?" "I think you've lost your mind a little bit." "Really?" "Yeah. But at least you're getting it out of your system before you go under the knife." At least, indeed. And now I have a cute little set of piggy bookends to keep me company while I recover. The pig's cut in half like my foot will be... Deep, right? Totally inspirational, don't you think? As expected, in no time at all (30 minutes tops), Matt came around: "Actually, I do like it." (Of course you do. You can't resist that cute little pig face and upturned nose.) "But it would look a lot better with some books in it." (You think?) I'm glad this little piggy came home. I can't wait to get some books in his belly! But until then, he's just happy hanging out in his new digs. More to come on where I end up putting him... Happy shopping! And happy weekend! KK There are two things I learned very quickly upon moving to New York in 2006: when you live in an apartment the size of a postage stamp, armoires serve as excellent storage/hiders of things (they work great in large houses too); and, when you have a limited income/budget, Craigslist is an excellent source for finding said armoires and other delightful furniture at extremely reasonable prices. I started this post with the intention of just focusing on armoires (there are, after all, billions of armoires out there that can be acquired via a variety of different vendors), but I very quickly realized that my love of armoires is very closely linked to my love of Craigslist. I love armoires, and I love Craigslist. Armoires, and in particular armoires purchased via the wild world of Craigslist, have made my life more beautiful, efficient, and organized (and I'm not going to lie... the Craigslist part is pretty exciting). Armoires allow you to have the illusion of cleanliness and sophistication while hiding a big ol' mess behind those gorgeous hardwood doors. They're the ultimate friend: open and welcoming when you want and excellent at hiding your (messy) little secrets when you need them too. My mother is the one who taught me always to hide televisions in armoires or behind closed doors. When I was growing up, the TV in our house was hidden behind cabinet doors, and I learned that electronics were meant to be hidden in living areas where guests might visit. My parents had a giant built-in over the fireplace in our family room that they created around a massive tube TV purchased in 1988 -- which they adorably still have in place 25 years later and are finally going to replace this winter -- that had beautifully painted cabinet doors that could be opened or closed depending on whether the TV was to be seen or not. So when I moved to New York after college and was able to decorate my very first apartment, it was only natural that I thought to put my TV in an armoire and carry on the decorating TV peep show. My armoire was one of my first furniture purchases and it is one that will always make me feel warm and fuzzy because it was one of the first independent decisions I made post-college and the purchase experience was really great and seamless: I found the piece on Craigslist after obsessive searching for "antique armoire," and the seller was just the nicest guy ever -- he was a Sutton Place high-rise superintendent, his aunt in Mexico had painted the piece by hand, he negotiated on the price (I paid $500, down from his ask of $750, which I deemed reasonable), he offered to drill holes in it so I could use it for electronics and then delivered it himself to my apartment (truly a picture perfect Craigslist deal). It is a well-made piece that has served its purpose beautifully over the years. Armoires work particularly well for electronics and for clothes (I have one for each, if your curious, but this post is more TV focused). When you have a lot of stuff in a small amount of space, and only a small area in which to entertain (when you live in a studio apartment, for example, your closet is in your living room), I think it's important to be able to hide that stuff, and it's a nice plus to be able to hide the stuff in a piece of furniture that elevates the look of your space. I have noticed in recent years that with the death of tube TVs and the infiltration of flat screen TVs into the homes of everyone, everywhere, the trend is to stop hiding your electronics and to start hanging them on your wall for all to see. The conversation of "to hide" or "not to hide" was prompted over Thanksgiving weekend when my parents, Matt and I all went to Best Buy to check out the TVs. Matt and I wanted to buy each other a new TV (ours previously was 27" in -- top of the line in 2006 -- and I had to squint to see it from our sofa), and we diligently measured our armoire to figure out just how big we could go with the TV. I told my parents we could go do 40" - maybe 42" or 43" -- and nothing more. Otherwise, it wouldn't fit in the armoire. "Don't you want to get a really big one and just hang it on the wall?" my mom asked. WHAT?! Even my mother wants a giant flat screen TV hanging on the wall with nothing to cover it?! What about all of those childhood lessons I was taught? (Fast forward a few moments to the point of purchase and as Matt hands over our credit card, my dad swoops in and says that he and my mom want to buy the TV for us for Christmas. Unexpected treat! Thank you, Mom and Dad! And that is an excellent gifting idea if you want to go big for Christmas.). I am not opposed to this TV-on-wall thing. My parents deserve to put a 60 incher up on their wall after having watched that eyesore of a boob tube for 25 years, and I am sure that in the next few years Matt and I too will slap our new 40 incher up on the wall and move the armoire elsewhere (especially if I could ever get my hands on a sideboard/credenza like this Danish rosewood piece on 1stdibs or this gorgeous buffet made by my friend Meg Piercy of MegMade -- more on her fabulousness coming soon!). I guess, as the saying goes, if you've got it, flaunt it. But I still find an armoire to be charmingly demure and a lovely touch that is particularly helpful for those like me who are not only messy by nature but also have, like, 1000 cords and random Time Warner Cable boxes that likely do nothing but might serve a purpose, and tampering with the evil gods of Time Warner Cable is just not worth it (I really don't want to mess with the functionality of my television and internet.). Armoires ground a room and give it weight and character. And they also add an element of height that adds excitement to a room's landscape and isn't otherwise attainable through other furniture means. Let's face it: Armoires give a room two distinct identities and allow us to mix business with pleasure. It's fantastic! Let's take my living room for example: 95% of the time, our living room looks like the "Pleasure" side: Doors wide open (we have to prop the door open with that wire piece because the floors in our old building are slanted), TV on, feet up on the ottoman, it's a perfectly functional TV room. But for that 5% of the time that appearances matter -- when we have company over or when I just want to feel sophisticated -- we pop those doors back in place, and the living room is suddenly all "Business" and gorgeousness.
Eventually, we'll redecorate. I'll get my swanky midcentury credenza and hang our flat screen on the wall (I feel so hip just talking about it), and I'll remember my time with this trusty little armoire in the living room fondly. We'll paint it (though it would hurt to do so) and put it in our bedroom or in a future child's room, or anywhere, really. And it will stay in the family until it's time to move on (via Craigslist, I'm sure, if ever). Armoires -- if you get a solidly built hardwood piece that you love -- are pieces that can last for years and that is what I adore so much about them. They're like these big, oversized, looming members of the family, comfortably sitting in your living room, loyally hiding your electronic baggage when you want them to and comfortingly opening their big armoire arms whenever you want to hang out and watch TV. If that doesn't defend the armoire, I don't know what will. Where to Buy: Armoires can be purchased from a number of vendors, but as I'm sure you've figured out by now, my favorite armoire finds are on Craigslist. It's convenient (i.e. local), and pricing is negotiable, and if you're discerning in your search, you can find something truly great. There's no shipping of course, so you either need to figure out how to transport it yourself or hire a small mover (man with van or TaskRabbit) to do the job for you - usually around $100. I did a quick search of the local NY Craigslist listings and was particularly intrigued by this antique French armoire -- I love that it has pretty wallpaper on the inside, the wood seems really beautiful, and the piece seems well-built and has some gravitas to it. It's pricey, but that's always negotiable if you go about it the right way (and it looks like it should be pricey). This solid pine armoire is also nice - a bit more plain, but also quite a bit cheaper. A good, solidly made armoire will run you anywhere from a few hundred to $1000+, but shouldn't exceed much more than that on Craigslist. Don't do particle board; only do hardwood. And if you can, try to find something that has a nice history to it. If you wait long enough, you should be able to find something that fits your budget and lifestyle perfectly. You can also check out local flea markets, antique shops, Etsy, eBay and Chairish (with the latter three you'll be responsible for shipping costs, which can be high), and depending on your budget, 1st dibs and mainstream e-shops like Layla Grace and Horchow. But once you get to the Layla Graces and Horchows of the world, you're looking at $3000+, which is a very hefty investment indeed. I am also of course more than happy to help you find the piece of your dreams! Just let me know what you're looking for! Happy hiding! KK |
Kate KellyI am an artist/designer and former financial professional with a background in comparative literature, business and design. I live in New York with my overworked lawyer husband and my two boys Michael and Theo and spend much of my free time dreaming about how to enhance the aesthetics of our little world. I am endlessly inspired and always in search of something new. This is a blog about my search, my inspiration and things I just really, really like or want. Archives
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