Gift Giving Season is upon us, which can be both exciting and totally daunting and stressful. I am here to help alleviate the stress! Over the coming weeks I will share with you a plethora of fun gift giving ideas. Today? The perfect decorating book... for pretty much anyone who likes pretty books and likes to decorate their home (I feel this casts a rather wide net). The perfect gift is the perfect combination of delightfully unexpected, delightfully perfect and delightfully what-we've-always-wanted. I also think it should be something you wouldn't normally buy for yourself. My friend Stephanie recently surprised me with a gift that was all of these things, and, as you might guess, I was delighted. What did she give me, you ask? Why, I will tell you so that you too can purchase several and delight your friends and loved ones with this thoughtful and inspiring gift (and keep one for yourself, of course)! It is founding editor of Domino Magazine Deborah Needleman's fabulous book, The Perfectly Imperfect Home: How to Decorate and Live Well, $20.50 at Amazon.com (free two-day shipping for Amazon Prime members). The colors are fabulous, the writing is witty, the advice is practical, the little watercolor paintings are adorable... all of it is just perfect and perfectly delightful. The concept is: "Style is a luxury, and luxury is simply what makes you happy." How fab?! This is a very A La Recherche-y concept, and inspiration and quotes from the book will undoubtedly surface on this blog many times in the future. (Side note, if you, like me, were devastated when Domino Magazine rudely closed several years ago, you'll be as delighted as I am about the recent relaunch, which is just super fun to explore.) Some gifts should be shrouded in mystery and others are just so darn cute that no wrapping paper or gift bags are needed, and this book is one such gift. Stephanie wrapped the book up in a big red grosgrain ribbon, which perfectly accented the colors in the cover art and also gave me a hint of the absolute joy I was about to experience upon untying the bow (also, who doesn't love to untie a fabulous red bow?). The colors of the cover go so well in my living room (in that imperfectly perfect sort of way) that I couldn't help myself and photographed the book on top of the new Turkish rug I purchased a few weeks ago from the ABC Home & Carpet Warehouse. (The colors are so universal though that they'll go gorgeously in any living room.) The book now sits proudly on my coffee table (an ottoman with a big tray on top), where I can reach for it and browse whenever I want some eye candy, advice or inspiration (which is often). Where to Buy The Perfectly Imperfect Home: How to Decorate and Live Well is available for $20.50 at Amazon.com Happy gifting! KK
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At some point in recent history, I decided that I have no patience for makeup. In part, I like to sleep as late as humanly possible and still make it to work on time; in part, my bizarre foot problem (avascular necrosis of the sesamoid) has rendered me much less capable of standing in front of a mirror for any period of time that an extensive beauty routine might require; and, in part, I've decided that "natural" is so much, you know, cooler than "done up" (you see how one excuse justifies the next). I also like to bring my makeup with me "on the road" and apply on the go if necessary. Thus, I've arrived at a very speedy and foolproof makeup application process and lineup of products (all for around $100 in total and nothing more than ~$30 individually, but some items will last you for a really long time and are well worth the investment). There are three keys to makeup success: bronzer, a worthy bronzer brush and eyes. The Bronzer Bronzer is hands down the fastest way to bring your face to life. In a few quick swipes, you can go from sickly ("Oh, goodness, you just look exhausted today" - Gee, thanks...? You... too?) to glowing ("Oh my goodness, you look fabulous!" - Why, thank you! I do just naturally glow, don't I, dahling?). There are many great bronzers out there - Cargo, Smashbox, Bobbi Brown, and Benefit all make lovely ones - but I've recently come back to an oldie but goodie and am pleased with the results (I ran out of it last month and bought another brand in a pinch to make do, and it's just not the same). For my pale complexion, I love bareMinerals All-Over Face Color in warmth, $19.00. The loose powder may seem unwieldy, but once you get the hang of it, you'll appreciate the control it allows you to have in terms of saturation and placement. Also the color "warmth" may seem like a lot for a pale, semi-freckly face, but it works well on skin with a pink undertone and really does add warmth to your appearance (if your skin's undertone is a bit more yellow, I might recommend the "faux tan" color instead). When going for gold in as little time as possible, I'm not a fan of "matching skin tones" (unless you're just trying to even out your complexion). I put bronzer on for a reason: to look more bronzed. The Bronzer Brush It may not seem like it, but splurging on the brush is really worth it - I have cheaped out on a "natural kabuki brush" at Duane Reade to keep at work and lived to regret it. After enough painful applications, it ended up in the trash and I ended up buying a good brush. I used to keep drug store make up at work and keep the "good stuff" at home, but I've since changed my tune. We all spend the majority of our lives at work and deserve to have some nice make up around to spruce up in the morning or before going out at night. A good brush will last you years (provided you clean it appropriately) and will feel lovely on your face (you'll thank yourself with every silky swipe of bronzer). If you want something small for on-the-go or for work, this bareMinerals Full Coverage Kabuki Brush, $28.00, at Sephora, is great. It gives you the benefits of a full-sized brush, but fits somewhat compactly in a makeup bag. This Sephora Collection Classic Must Have Large Powder Brush #30, $36.00, is also really nice (but more space intensive). Throw on a few light swipes of bronzer with these bad boys and don't look back. Brush-Free Eyes While bronzer and the bronzer brush are key to the success of any makeup routine, the eyes are where you can get the biggest bang for your buck in terms of time spent and immediate facial improvement, and it can be done very quickly and will few tools. My favorite quick-and-dirty eye routine is as follows (this is again for someone with relatively pale skin, blue eyes and lightish hair, but is so neutral that it could be used on a variety of complexions, and shades can of course be varied to fit your personal needs and skin tone): 1. Apply this Sephora Collection Retractable Waterproof Eyeliner, $13.00. I use the "10 Matte Brown Black" and on occasion the "21 Matte Deep Plum" (great for blue eyes). It is super easy to use and stays on. I also like that this pencil is retractable and thus does not require sharpening. 2. Using your finger, swipe your lids generously with this amazing Benefit Cosmetics Creaseless Cream Shadow, $20.00, in "R.S.V.P." (a sparkling champagne color). It is literally foolproof and instantly brightens your eyes and face. This goes on so easily and has a lovely shimmer to it to add just a glimmer and a nice "I'm awake!" pop of sheen. Darker skin tones can try "rich fawn." 3. Comb brows lightly and sparingly apply this amazing Benefit Cosmetics Instant Brow Pencil, $20.00. You think you don't need an eyebrow pencil? You do. It will change your life. Get this one. It is so easy - so much easier than using powder - and it makes an insta-difference to your face. It goes quickly, so make sure you have a pencil sharpener handy because you'll need to sharpen every week or two (I normally wouldn't force you to buy something that requires sharpening, but this product is that good). I use the light-to-medium. I have tried to medium-to-dark as well, and it is nice if you want a more dramatic eye, but I prefer the light-to-medium. 4. Finish eyes off with a quick lash curl (if you have a curler) and a few swipes of this incredible Givenchy Noir Couture 4 in 1 Mascara in 1 Black Satin, $15.00. I have the mini (I bought it on a whim while waiting in line at Sephora) and love, love, love it. Buy it. You'll thank me. Steps 1-3 can be done in any order, but I usually like to end with Step 4. How long did all of that take? Like, maybe a minute. Go from blah to Blake Lively faster than your Keurig can make your coffee. All of this is available at Sephora in stores or online. If you order online, all orders over $50 receive free 3-day shipping. I like to try things in store though. Make up is a personal choice and what works great for me might not be quite right for you, so I always recommend trying (some) make up out before making a big investment (if you'll recall my issues with sponges though, you'll understand why I recommend just buying the mascara and eyeliner without trying them - the germiness and possible contamination is just not worth it to me, and the mascara and eyeliner I've recommended are universally flattering and not wallet denting). Also, all of the products that I've suggested are so darn neutral too that they should very easily and flatteringly work on a variety of skin types. Another plus? These are all excellent stocking stuffers and gifties for friends! Happy making-up-in-a-minute! KK Happy Monday After Thanksgiving! After such a gluttonous weekend (both in food consumption and Black Friday Weekend consumption, if you partook in the madness), I thought a little economical freshness was just the thing to cleanse the pallet and start the week and rest of the holiday season off right. There is very little I love more than when my husband Matt gets excited about something for the home. I spend the majority of my life boring him to death with a constant barrage of ideas for the apartment, and he usually nods along nicely (or stares off into space), hoping that eventually I will forget about whatever grand scheme I've concocted. A recent "idea" was about how I want lavender and/or rosemary to be everywhere in the apartment - preferably a hedge of it along the windowsill - so we can pretend we're relaxing poolside in Provence even though we're really in the middle of a very cold New York City. Lavender and rosemary are not only two of my favorite scents (rosemary lifts you up while lavender calms you down), but they are also two of the only scents I can tolerate when I have a migraine, and I like my apartment to be both a great smelling and an aggressively anti-migraine space. Per usual, Matt nodded: "Sure, that sounds great, Kate. Whatever you want." Excellent, I thought. Urban lavender and rosemary hedge, here I come. It ended there, but I'd planted the seed. After a little research, I realized that an indoor hedge of any herb in the city would be a prohibitively expensive/time consuming endeavor for my immediate consumption given my budget and level of laziness. But let no dream be quelled by such constraints! There's always some wiggle room for a girl to dream a little dream and make it a reality. About a month ago (on one of the rare occasions Matt wasn't working on the weekend), Matt and I borrowed his parents' car and drove up to Westchester so I could make some returns to Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom (instantaneous credit to your card instead of waiting the week+ for a mailed return to be received by the distribution center and processed + ginormous, uncrowded suburban shopping mall experience = excellent idea), and so we stopped at Whole Foods on our way home (because when you can park a car at a grocery store, grocery shopping can be downright exciting - or at least tolerable). When we walked into the store, something amazing happened: we were hit with an incredible scent of rosemary. We were both immediately energized and searched for the source of the amazing scent: whatever was generating that smell had to come home with us. Lucky for us, the scent generator was not only for sale, but also cheap! Matt was instantly excited (which makes me just brim with joy)... Whole Foods was selling little rosemary trees that look like mini Christmas trees... and to top it off, they were only $20?! I would be able to have the scent of rosemary permeating our home, and Matt would have the ability to use the rosemary when he had the inkling to cook (when he has the time, he is an excellent chef)?? Why, yes! Let's procure a tiny tree! Everybody wins! While I happily would have bought ten of them and lined them up on the windowsill to make my "hedge," we compromised at one happy tree (an only child!), and it is surprisingly potent and quite cute on the windowsill now. It's also incredibly easy to care for, which is important to me (it makes me sad when I inadvertently kill plants - and I am unfortunately incredibly good at inadvertently killing plants). I've patiently waited for several weeks to ensure this statement about the rosemary's longevity-despite-my-care is true, and I can proudly assure you: it is. Matt has also already put the rosemary to good use, most successfully and deliciously in this Tom Colicchio's Herb Butter Turkey that he made last week for Thanksgiving! And even the guy who came to fix our heater a few weeks ago remarked upon the amazing smell and utility of the tiny tree ("That's incredible! You could make rosemary bread!"). The bottom of the tree is a little too big for any holder or cachepot that I own, but we plopped the tree into a champagne ice bucket for now (we got it from Pottery Barn years ago - it's not this one, but it's very similar), and it works just fine. Part of the charm is having a little imperfection to tame the tree's adorably manicured appearance (or so I tell myself). Bonus: Given the tree's shape, it's a perfect accent for the holidays without really going there. Where to Buy Whole Foods Rosemary Tree, ~$20 (I can't recall the exact price), available at Whole Foods stores If you can't make it to a Whole Foods, here are a few other options available online - not as cheap, but if you're in a pinch: Harry & David Rosemary Tree, $49.95 The FTD® Rosemary Riches Tree by Better Homes and Gardens®, $59.99 plus $12.99 "service fee" Side note: Those elephant bookends in the photo are another item that Matt got particularly enthusiastic about purchasing (he and I both seem to enjoy animal themed items). We got them from Joss & Main for $40, but I recently found them at Overstock.com for $60.99 (and you can usually use a discount code there for further savings). It wasn't intentional, but I kind of love how the elephants look like they are just soaking in the glorious scent of the little baby rosemary tree - it does smell glorious. Now go get yourself a little rosemary baby... baby! And soak in the glorious scent! Enjoy! KK P.S. I haven't forgotten about the lavender. No lavender plants in the works, but more info on that scent coming soon! I have a little "daily quote" posted to the "wall" of my "office" at work (an open air cubicle pod). It is from an old "funny thoughts for women" daily calendar that a work friend of mine, Dana, gave me as a Secret Santa gift years ago. I dutifully ripped away each day's little piece of paper for a year (chuckling along the way) until December 29, 2009, when I happened upon the one that is still posted to my desk "wall" (and I am someone aggressively opposed to those "life imperative" posters that are so trendy right now, so you know it has to mean something to me): "If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude." I didn't think the quote was particularly funny, but it was certainly poignant -- poignant enough that, nearly four years later, I still have it tacked to my "office" "wall" (and not necessarily because I'm a hoarder, though my coworkers may beg to differ). The quote is so simple and yet, says so much. It's applicable to every facet of life, and I find myself looking at it daily, reminding myself to either make a change or adjust my attitude. With the daily grind weighing on us day in and day out, it is often easy to fall into a pattern of complaining and not appreciating the lives that we have and the people that have touched us. When bogged down with stress, the day-to-day can seem exhausting, and we often forget that we have the power to effect change - both in our own lives and in the lives of others. Whether things are going swimmingly or things could be going better, we have to remember to look around, to smell the roses, to be inspired - by others, by the world around us, and in particular by ourselves - and to appreciate the lives that we have, messy as they may be at times (after all, isn't there a certain beauty in chaos?). If we don't have the power to change certain circumstances within our current situation, we certainly have the power to change our attitude about those circumstances. We have the power to be grateful. Proust said: “Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” Isn't that just the most fabulous imagery? As Thanksgiving is upon us and a Nor'easter is hitting the East Coast (as bad weather conveniently does so well during the holiday season), making travel to loved ones difficult, the time seems right to take a moment and give thanks to and for those around us who give us shelter from the storm, who make us happy and help our souls blossom.
I am grateful for family, for friends, for the kindness of strangers, and for the beauty of the world around us. For promo codes and Craigslist deals, for antique lamps and room diffusers. For Spotify, for sunsets, for slimming jeans and sleeping in. For ikats and iPhones and Tasti D-lite's Peanut Butter "ice cream." For color, color, everywhere. For sky, sun and smiles. For the warmth of summer and the bite of winter. For animals in general, for dogs in particular, and specifically for my parents' two big poodles and in-law's Norwich terrier, who greet me with the enthusiasm that only family dogs can. I am grateful for love, for lavender, for the lessons I have been taught. For Pinterest, for anticipation, and for putting pen to paper. For this kid who made me laugh today, for my brother-in-law for sending that link to me (and for everything else he does), for the joy that whatshouldwecallme inexplicably brings me, and for traveling the world one journey at a time. For the fact that every moment in New York reminds me of an episode of "Seinfeld" and that I really do feel like I'm friends with the friends on "Friends." For new friends and old friends and lifelong friends who are always there. For family here and there and near and far. For coworkers, who are their own type of family and who are there for us in good times and bad. For my husband, who has proven time and again that he's in this for better or for worse. For gold paint and miracles and throw pillows aplenty. For creativity and sympathy and, above all, for empathy. For the beauty in everything - for big things, for little things and for everything in between. For life as it is, messy as it is - though in some cases not. As you think about your own Thanksgiving, who you will or won't be spending it with and what you are grateful for, I hope that it brings a smile to your face, that life's joys outweigh life's burdens. Proust said to "always try to keep a patch of sky above your life." Let's remember to be grateful. To say thanks. To be inspired. To wait out the storm(s) and always to look for the patch of sky that may be hiding at times. It's there -- sometimes we just have to change our attitude to find it. Gratitude is the ultimate gift. And we can show our gratitude by doing something kind -- big or small -- for those around us, particularly for those who could use some shelter from the storm, whatever that storm may be. People don't always ask for help when they need it - and often they want to, but pride gets in the way. We can offer a helping hand and, together, weather any storm, keep a patch of sky visible, and, in the process, help one another's souls blossom. We can also take the time to capture our gratitude in writing. And what better way to capture our thoughts than in a beautiful notebook? One that beckons to you to bear your soul as much or as little as you dare. My mom recently told me about these Fortuny notebooks, $55-$105, at Gumps - expensive but seriously gorgeouso (and an excellent holiday gift). I also found this fabulous Nepali paper silk brocade notebook, $25, on Etsy - that color is another thing I'm grateful for (there's only one available, and if you don't buy it, I will!). If simple and to the point is your style, you can't go wrong with a classic Moleskine black softcover or hardcover notebook, $12.95, from Moleskine. Whatever your outlet of choice, it's fun and gratifying to capture and share life's happiness. To be grateful to ourselves for "showing up" and being present each day (something they teach in yoga) and to be grateful to and for those charming gardeners around us who make our lives beautiful. We can give new meaning to having a 'tude. Thank you everyone! And Happy Thanksgiving! KK Happy Tuesday! And Happy Last Day of 25%/30% Off At J.Crew Day! I love a good J.Crew sale. Through midnight Eastern Time tonight, J.Crew is offering 25% off all regular purchases (code: GETGIFTING) and 30% off all Cardmember purchases (code: CARDGIFTS). Yay! The discounts mentioned below assume you are not a Cardmember, but if you are, just think of that extra 5% savings you'll get. J.Crew's suiting can be hit or miss, but I've found a major hit recently in the J.Crew Seamed Crepe Dress, on sale for $139.99 + 25% off, down from $198. With the extra 25% off, the grand total of this gem comes to $105 plus tax and shipping. I own it in navy and wear it religiously, and I am very temped to get the modern red as well (you know my mom's rule of multiples!). The fabric has a matte silk quality that's drapey but weighty. It's not too thick and not too thin, with a bit of stretch. It's cut perfectly for pear-shaped gals (slim on top and generous on the bottom). And it is office-appropriately long enough, which is strangely hard to find at times. And the seaming (as the title suggests) is just dreamy in its body contouring magic making abilities. I also love the high neck and slim short sleeves. The dress itself is modest and body conscious all at once. I wore this dress through the fall in the pre-freezing days without tights, but it can easily be made a winter-wear staple if accessorized appropriately. Throw a pair of super-opaque dark navy tights or opaque dark navy control-top tights into your shopping cart for a clean and slimming "column." For heel wearers, complete the look with Everely Suede Pumps in black ($245 + 25% off) for a clean and minimalist look or consider adding a pop of jewel-toned color with the hedgerow (a lovely wintery green) version (on sale for $198 + 25% off). My friend Emily wore the black version this past weekend, and not only did I think they were $600+ Jimmy Choos, but also she said they were absurdly comfortable ("I walked, like, 30 blocks in them!"). Emily has an enviable ability to wear heels for impressive amounts of time, but even she couldn't 'make it 30 blocks in a pair of shoes that weren't dreamily comfortable, so I am certainly intrigued by the Everelys (and look forward to a day when I can wear heels again!). If you're a flats wearer, I like these Viv Metallic Flats in heather atlantic ($188 + 25% off) for a little pop that still reads blue. The pointy toe will elongate your silhouette and work nicely with the seamed lines fo the dress. (I also love the Cece Suede Ballet Flats for commuting and weekends.) And if comme moi you're destined for sturdy menswear inspired shoes, I like these Collection Biella glitter tassel loafers in glittler fog ($258 + 25% off) for a borrowed-from-the-boys look that's decidedly sassy, or the Darby Tassel Loafer ($188 + 25% off) in black for a tamer, but still killer, look. My office is set at a cool 55 degrees regardless of season, so I always like to keep a scarf and sweater around. For scarves, I like a pop of color, and this colorblock foulard scarf ($59.50 + 25% off) does just the trick (and it goes brilliantly with those shoes I mentioned before). For sweaters, you can't go wrong with cashmere: I love my Collection Cashmere Boyfriend Cardigan ($238 + 25% off) - black and navy are both safe bets to keep around the office. For jewelry, this dress can easily be worn with nothing (or simple earrings like the ones I mentioned on Friday) for a clean, minimalist look, or with a statement collar necklace or longer necklace. I tend to shy away from big necklaces at work because I find them distracting and heavy, but for a statement, I do like to wear longer necklaces on occasion. This Radiant Statement Pendant ($59.99 + 25% off) is quite wonderful and would be a nice way to step up your look from day to night. Help make the commute a little more tolerable in this Double Breasted Cocoon Coat in Wool-Cashmere ($350 + 25% Off) and this Cashmere Infinity Scarf ($258 + 25% off) in really any color (so cozy!) or, for a lower price point, the Chevron Checkered Snood in black/white ($59.50 + 25% off). Et voilà! You've got yourself a killer workwear outfit (that can be worn multiple ways) all because of a $105 dress that fits like a dream and gets you through the workday in style. (Do you realize I started this post out just intending to talk about that dress?? This is how J.Crew always gets me...)
Enjoy! And Happy Suiting Up! KK I've been feeling a little blue recently. I've been sidelined by a bizarre foot injury (avascular necrosis of the sesamoid, if you're curious) since April, and last Monday, against all odds (or not?), I managed to break my pinky toe on the leg of a chair in my living room after jumping up from the sofa. I had been barefoot and dutifully elevating my dead-boned foot when the phone rang. I hastily decided that I didn't have enough time to put on my only doctor-approved indoor shoes (the ever-stylish Crocs) before taking the first step from the sofa, and... crack: it was over in an instant. Chair leg, 1; pinky toe, 0. My baby toe didn't stand a chance. At first I screamed. Then I answered the phone I'd been rushing to answer. Then (after huffing my way through the call and hanging up said phone), I surveyed the damage, saw that my toe was angled precariously to the side, angrily hobbled to get an ice pack, and plopped back down on the sofa where I'd started... and promptly burst into tears. The doctor that I saw the next day was a very friendly fellow, and after setting my toe and buddy taping it, he reminded me that it was at least "great news" that the injury occurred on my already injured foot and that I was already in a walking boot - so, you know, my already inactive-by-design lifestyle wouldn't have to change much. (By the way, isn't "buddy taping" just the happiest way to deal with a broken bone? Aw, my little, broken baby toe has a buddy to hang out with as it heals!) And so, despite that "great news" and my happily buddied up toe, I've been feeling a little blue. But a little blueness isn't going to get in the way of my inspiration - in fact, at times I think it can help spur creativity. Which brings me to my next project: our white and blue bedroom! New Project: White & Blue Bedroom! Outfitting a home can be an exciting, but daunting and expensive endeavor. I love the long-term nature of it. Interiors shouldn't be born in a day - they take years of work, of adding and subtracting and adjusting so the room has the right feel and utility and expression. I have spent the majority of the past 2.5 years that we have lived in our apartment focusing on the "social" areas - entryway, living/dining area, etc., and while those areas are by no means finished (Before & Afters of some of these areas are coming soon!), my mandatory bed rest has reminded me that the bedroom deserves a little TLC too. Your cocoon should be comforting, not stress-inducing. And while parts of our bedroom are comforting, the majority of it is stress-inducing: We don't have anything on the walls yet, and we have a mishmash of furniture acquired via Craigslist or donated by our parents that has moved with us multiple times and is showing some serious signs of wear. In short? It's time for a cohesive upgrade, and for our cocoon to become comforting. Starting Point I am showing you a little glimpse of what we have going on right now (the parts I don't hate!) so you can see the starting point. You know we're in trouble if I'm only willing to show you a sliver of the bed! My mother-in-law gave me some extra drapes that she had, which inspired the blue-and-white of the whole room. I put the drapes up and used the extra to have two euro shams made (this is the blue floral sham you see). From there, we got Pottery Barn pearl bedding, which we had registered for when we got married. The navy and white ikat pillow is by Kim Salmela and is one of my favorite items in the whole apartment. I got it last year from Joss & Main, where she often has sales. She also sells via One Kings Lane and A VERSION OF IT HAPPENS TO BE ON SALE THERE RIGHT NOW. She has started to sell a few pieces via her own website too. The little silk bird pillow is from West Elm (also from last year and unfortunately no longer available). The rug is an ikat rug I found on Joss & Main. More details on finding items like the ones listed above to come... What's Next: I am in the "a la recherche" portion of the design process (truly one of my favorite parts!), where I just try to find inspirational photos of texture and color to start to inform the direction I will go with the design. I thought I would share with you a few of the blues (and whites!) that have me feeling not-so-blue and getting excited to get designing and decorating: How does this jumble of inspiration become a fabulous bedroom? You'll have to wait and see!
Happy Monday and Happy Blues! KK My "Aunt" Kathy gave me a pair of Ted Muehling Black Onyx Acorn Earrings when I graduated from business school in May, and they very quickly became a wardrobe staple. I am pretty certain I've worn them every day since then. They're that good. I am a very picky earring wearer - especially for work. I also have sensitive ears (and hate anything heavy). These earrings are light and face flattering, and there's something perfect and unexpected about the onyx and acorn shape (I wouldn't have normally been drawn to them if shopping for myself, and now I can't imagine not having them - which is part of the magic of gift-giving and -receiving). They're shaped and designed just so, so that I can hold a phone to my ear at work without experiencing both intense pain and the pervasive fear that I'm going to pierce my aorta and die while on a conference call (Paranoia? Maybe. But wouldn't that be a way to go?!). And, as you might imagine, wearing earrings while sleeping is not even close to an option for me (sleeping in jewelry = total heebie-jeebies), but the shape and lightness of these earrings are such that I actually forget I am wearing them (and thus sleep has occurred on more than one occasion with these little nuggets still secured to my ears). They're that comfortable. Before Kathy's gift, I'd previously never heard of Ted Muehling, and now I'm beyond obsessed. Ted Muehling's designs are inspired by "natural elements" and have really beautiful, organic lines and balanced, interesting proportions. They are delicate and studied. Earthy, yet modern. Light, but there. They go with everything, really (day, night, work, play), but I particularly like them with minimalistic looks and clean lines like the Vince blouses I mentioned here with a well-tailored blazer and the weekend wear I mentioned here (I might even say they inspired those looks!). And they're perfect for a quiet statement at the office. They assert their presence without being loud. They're quiet, but not shy, and that's what makes them perfect. As you'll recall, my mother has always told me to buy a favorite thing in multiple colors. If I were to get an additional pair, I would get the Carnelian (for a muted but fiery pop) and maybe the Rose Quartz (for a self-confident wallflower feel). Ted Muehling jewelry comes in a range of prices ($170-$2600+), and I think the acorn is the best both in style and in value (which works out nicely for your wallet). They're a bit of a splurge, but you'll wear them forever. All Available At Bergdorf Goodman with Free Standard Shipping: Ted Muehling Black Onyx Acorn Earrings $200 Ted Muehling Carnelian Acorn Earrings $200 Ted Muehling Rose Quartz Acorn Earrings $200 Happy shopping and accessorizing... Have a wonderful weekend! KK Remember my post about wanting Eames-like chairs and sheepskin throws to outfit my naked fireplace area? Well, I have some exciting news! My fireplace area is no longer naked! It's warm, cozy, inviting - and has seating! - and it brings a smile to my face whenever I look at it (which is often). Want to see? Read on as I explain what I did and show some very exciting before, during and after pictures! The Before My fireplace area was naked and seating-free (we're talking an awkward 10' wide x 6' deep or so of furniture and rug free space), and I wanted to be able to cozy up next to the fire with a glass of wine. A week and a half ago, I finally decided to act on my obsessive thoughts about both wanting to seat myself near the fireplace and feeling an inexplicable need to own a set of Eames-like chairs with sheepskin rugs. My parents' coming to town for Thanksgiving added some extra incentive. Plus, Matt was working incessantly, which usually leads to my own obsessive home projects (it's dangerous and exciting when there's no one to question my impulsive choices!). The Chairs While I would have died to have the real-deal Eames® Molded Plastic Dowel-Leg Armchair (DAW) available at Design Within Reach (which my husband and I jokingly call Design Not Within Reach), at $499 a chair, a pair of chairs from there was not in the cards (and to be honest, I was more into accessorizing the chairs than having the chairs alone; despite attempts to the contrary, minimalism just isn't my thing). I decided to find the look for less at Overstock ($166.99 for a set of two) so I could use the extra funds on a fab new wardrobe for the chairs. Three days after placing my order, a massive box from Overstock arrived at my door complete with two chair shells, two sets of chair legs, some nuts and bolts and no directions. I forgot about the assembly component! Luckily (and perhaps because I was so incredibly excited), they were pretty easy to figure out, and within 15 minutes (on my own with an injured foot), I had a new set of cheapo chairs flanking my fireplace. They were bright white, and I was totally freaked about my decision. I tried not to panic as I waited patiently for my sheepskins to arrive... The Sheepskins I ordered two sheepskin rugs from Sheepskinstuff.com (which came with a pair of free mittens! So adorable!), and I could not be more pleased with the order! I ordered on a Monday and received the items on a Saturday (the 48 hours between receiving the chairs and the sheepskins was a nerve-wracking period of time). The sheepskins are a lovely off-white color and fit like gloves into the chair bods, and they are SO SOFT. You just want to cuddle with them. Also, I am so glad I found rugs that were 42" instead of 36" - that extra 6" really makes a difference in plushness. They elevate the cheapo chairs to a much more luxurious level, and help tie the look in with the rest of my less-modern decor. I went from thinking "Oh, lordy, what have you done this time, Kate?" pre-sheepskin-arrival to patting myself on the back for being so darn brilliant once they'd made it. You'll see the tags in this photo, as I hadn't committed yet (but I've since ripped them off - with gusto!). Overall, I was pleased with the purchase and thought it turned out almost exactly how I had expected: And Everything Else That Gets Us To After: Let's face it. If you give a mouse a cookie, he's going to ask for a glass of milk. I don't like to do projects halfway, and I like milk with my cookies. While I was pleased with the results of the chairs + sheepskins combo (they did turn out almost exactly as I'd expected), there was still something missing... a je ne sais quoi, if you will. Except I knew exactly quoi: a rug, for one, and color. I am obsessed with color, and whenever I try to do white, I then want to just douse it all in lots of color, and these chairs desperately needed some color to bring the look to life. I just didn't know quite how to go about it. I typically would have gone for a dhurrie (my favorite go-to inexpensive-yet-expensive-looking rug, which I will certainly feature in a future post!), but in the living room, I wanted a more luxurious, layered feel. Something antique-y. Something that wouldn't make my mom say, "Oh, that's so sweet, honey. You can always update it later when you've found the look you want to go with." I wanted a grown-up, lasting rug. One that would make my mom say, "Oh, now that's a rug!" And so on Sunday, I set out to ABC Carpet and Home's Warehouse Outlet (my in-laws kindly let me borrow their car for the trek to the Bronx) to poke around and see what I could find. OMG, did I score! It just so happened to be the last day of their semi-annual sale (what luck!), so everything was marked down an additional 20% off the lowest marked price. I happened upon a fabulous (and perfectly sized) Turkish oushak rug and was able to negotiate quite a bit on the price (it was 20% off, plus an additional 20% off, and then I tried to make a deal about the imperfections of the rug, so they compromised on price and threw in a perfectly cut rug pad for free). I called both my mom ("It's fab!") and my mother-in-law ("Negotiate!") to make sure I wasn't getting ripped off and that the rug was in fact great, and they both agreed - I ended up with a fab, negotiated rug. It was expensive (more than the chairs and furs combined), but in my mind totally worth it. I am a fan of the high-low look, and you can't have it if you don't make a few splurges to counteract the saves. I am very picky about rugs, and this one fit all of my requirements of color, texture and worldliness. I was pleased. But wait - IT GETS BETTER. As I was leaving the store with my loot, a pair of tiny (12"x16") pillows caught my eye, and I swooped in. I had been hoping to find some tiny, colorful pillows to insert in those little chair-bod craters to help round out the look, and I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw these! After looking at a number of horrendously expensive ikat pillows, I thought there was no chance these would be cheap... but then I checked the tag to discover they were $29 each? ? Down from $52? With an additional 20% off? YES, PLEASE. I scooped those bad boys up and then headed back to Manhattan to survey my spoils. Below is the AFTER, and I am very pleased! The After Voilà! Coziness with a kick. Overall, I would say I am pleased with all purchases! I wouldn't get the Overstock chairs if you're looking to use them solo - they're totally fine and a great knockoff (and are ergonomically a nice fit), but they need a little something to make them not look... like they're from Overstock. I am obsessed with my new Canadian sheepskin company and can't wait to order more things from them. And I am also ridiculously excited about my new "grown-up" rug and my paint-splattered pillows, which add that bit of fun I was looking for.
And now I'm ready for the next project....! Hope you enjoyed the Before & After! What projects are you working on? I'd love to hear! And I'd love to help! KK My cousin-in-law Caroline recently gave me a Thymes Eucalyptus candle that smells so heavenly (and, compared to the Jo Malones of the world, is priced so reasonably) that I absolutely had to share it with you so you could buy it immediately and fill your home with the refreshingly green scent. With a base of eucalyptus and hints of lemon and lime, it creates a perfectly cleansing and uplifting aura in your home that will put you at ease after a long day. The scent is seasonless, but something about it reminds me of the holidays, and it is a nice way to ease into the holiday spirit without going overboard. My cousin bought the candle at an adorable store in Rye, NY, called Blush Beauty Bar (which, if you live in the area, you should visit), but it is also available at brick-and-mortar stores in larger metropolitan areas (e.g. Gracious Home in New York) and a number of online vendors with various shipping options (details below): Thymes Eucalyptus Candle, $27, at Thymes (shipping is free on orders of $50+ or $6.95 flat for orders less than $50, so just buy (one for you and one for a holiday gift) and you're in the free shipping zone!) Thymes Poured Aromatic Candle, Eucalyptus, $27, at Amazon.com (free shipping for Prime subscribers; free shipping for orders over $35 for non-subscribers) Thymes Eucalyptus Candle, $27, at Gracious Home (free shipping on orders over $50) Enjoy! KK I have a pretty significant aversion to kitchen germiness: show me a wet sponge at the bottom of a sink, and I'll show you a bacteria-fest that needs to be disposed of, like, immediately. (Don't even get me started on the sponge that sits in our communal kitchen sink at work - that thing is a form of bio-warfare I wouldn't touch using a 10' pole and wearing a hazmat suit. Public sponges, like public bars of soap, just shouldn't exist. Period.) Unfortunately, sponges are made to be recycled (though thankfully for only so long), and I've been forced to live with the knowledge that, no matter what I do, a 3.5" x 6" porous, squishy block of bacteria is in/next to my kitchen sink at all hours just teeming with icky germiness (nights can be sleepless living with information like this). I never thought much of my sponge aversion until a trip home to Kansas City earlier this year (I mean, who is to question an affinity to clean sponges?), when my parents were appalled (or perhaps just amused?) with my level of germophobia when it came to the kitchen sponge: "You don't have a backup sponge?? This needs to be replaced immediately." I quipped in disgust, holding up -- as gingerly and non-contacty as possible -- a wet, bacteria-laden ScotchBrite that had been buried at the bottom of a sink full of dishes from dinner. "Can't you at least... leave it on the counter?" I asked, tossing it onto the ceramic tile with mild satisfaction. In my warped world of germophobia, a gross sponge on the counter is way less gross than a gross sponge in a sink. It's night and day -- the difference between a sponge that can be salvaged and a sponge that must be sacrificed. When possible, I feel it's my duty to "save" a sponge from its doomed fate and plop it ever-so-delicately on a counter surface. "Kate, we just opened that sponge last week. It's fine. Relax, will you?" It was not fine. And no, I would not relax. After returning to New York, I also returned to my old ways of changing out the sponge more frequently than I buy paper towels, and I forgot all about that incident in Kansas City. Apparently my parents did not. And how lucky am I that they did not?! While on a recent trip to Provence, my parents happened upon an adorable ceramic sponge holder (a cache éponge or porte éponge, if you will - it sounds so much sexier and more sophisticated in French) and bought three: one for me, one for themselves and one for a friend. Only one made it back alive through the treacherous cross-Atlantic flight and baggage claim, and my parents lovingly and sacrificially gave the sole survivor to me. I was only mildy offended that they gave it to me "because you hate sponges and sponges touching anything and all." Offended or not, I couldn't wait to take that cute little sponge holder out for a spin. And sponge holder it was! Little did I know it would totally transform my kitchen experience. That little thing is truly.... dare I say... sponge-worthy. Not all sponge holders are created equal, and this one stands up to the challenge. It keeps my sponges perky and elevated above the muck (seriously, I can't describe it, but it's as if my sponge now stands at attention - like it's a little more confident than it used to be). Plus my sponge holder keeps my previously nude sponge swathed in cute French garb: my cache éponge is a dark yellow "huile d'olive" holder that makes the rest of my kitchen sink accoutrements a little bit jealous. Like many great things, these cute little sponge holders don't seem to be terribly available in the US (just Google "sponge holder" and see the atrocious things being sold at places like the Container Store -- sponge-worthy, they are not). While I can't find an exact replica of the one that now craddles my happily germy sponge, I did find this Eponge Magique Retro Style Sponge Holder (pictured above) and this Bistrot de Paris Retro Style Sponge Holder, both $14.99, at an adorable French- and Italian-inspired web shop called Touch of Europe. I'm mildly obsessed with this Porte éponge J'aime Nettoyer Fox Trot from Ctendance.fr, 9,00 €, and this Cache éponge, BODEGA from hémisphere-sud.fr, 10,00€, but unfortunately they don't ship to the US! If you're interested, I can try to figure out a loophole. My advice? Get yourself a sponge-worthy sponge holder. The holder helps keep your sponge fresh, allowing it to last a little longer than before. If you're at all like me, you'll probably still change out your kitchen sponge a lot (but less than before), and you'll sleep better knowing you've contained that germy mess of a bacteria-fest and made your kitchen a little cuter in the process. Plus, your sponge will be happier and more confident too. Which means (s)he'll do this dishes with more gusto. Happy germ containing! 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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