Fashion vs. Furniture: The Holiday Edition

'Tis the season for time with family, heavenly smells from the kitchen, and a vacation from work and school. 'Tis also the time for chaotic buying sprees, house cleaning frenzies, and overeating. Holidays: love 'em and hate 'em. Why not have a little fun this year? Fashion is fun and that can translate to a fun tablescape. Take some inspiration from Fall 2008 Couture and create a beautiful table for your guests!

Organic Eating: Simple, natural materials create an elegant setting- no special materials needed. Tablescape photo via Coco + Kelley. Dress by Anne Valerie Hash.

A Touch of Gold: A little sparkly on the table is always welcome. Martha Stewart perfects it with gilded pears. Coordinate it with a little bling on yourself. Coat by Christian Lacroix.

Wild Holiday: Who says you can only use red and green at your holiday table? A splash of hot pink is unexpected and festive. Tablescape photo via Totally Tabletops. Dress by Givenchy.

Textural: Mixing textures is an easy way to add depth to an otherwise simple table. I love the homemade felt holly napkin rings from Martha Stewart! Dress by Alexis Mabille.

Woodland Escape: Natural color and plantlife will be your inspiration. Bring the warmth of the outdoors to your table and make sure you have a roaring fire going! Tablescape via Martha Stewart. Dress by Elie Saab.

Winter Wonderland: This one is my absolute favorite. It's more fantasy than reality, but how could I resist a snowy confection fit for the Snow Queen herself? You can still take inspiration from it and decorate your table in snow white hues. Tablescape photo via Coco + Kelley. Dress by Christian Dior.

Book Madness: Part 2

Whew! Sorry it's been so long since my last post. We've been buried in books for weeks! Lady S has out done herself, we had to give her the whole week off just to recover from the trauma.

The team scoured all four floors, looking in buffets, on bookshelves and under bedside tables for more books for our book tower. But look how much its grown!

We're almost up to our inspiration picture...

Taller than sofas and chairs, it's a whole three feet! Which is almost as tall as yours truly (at a whole 4'11")... Soon I will need assistance measuring this fortress.

But alas, the drama is never ending.. WE'VE RUN OUT OF BOOKS!!! So until we restock, the column is at a stand still.

Until next time!

Holiday Gift Guide: Anthropologie

I popped by Anthropologie the other day to pick up a gift for my mom's birthday (Happy B*day, Mom!), and the cashier and I got to talking while she checked me out. We decided that Anthropologie is a fantastic place to shop if you want to check a lot of people off of your Christmas list in one fell swoop. They have such a vast variety of swell goodies that it's hard not to find something you, or someone you're shopping for, will love. Observe...

For your fashionista friends:

Fashion and function rolled into one. Fanned Flames Blouse, $89.95

How can you not be noticed in this? Mountain Laurel Necklace, $158

Pretty. Romantic. Lovelace Manor Shift, $148

For the domestic goddess in your life:

Nothing says "Holiday feast approaching!" like an apron. Nosegay Half Apron, $24

Add a little something pretty to the breakfast table. Pitch Pine Sugar Bowl, $24

June Cleaver sweet for 2008. Remember Me Surplice, $98

For the entertainer that's hosting the holiday festivities:

Festive fauna. Chirps & Cheers Garland, $128

The perfect dress in which to hostess. Evening's Promise Dress, $158

Well, you can't serve your friends on paper plates! Peacock Dinnerware, $14-$20

For the creative genius with a style all their own:

My favorite is the elephant! Animal Portrait Pendants, $48

Baby, it's cold outside. Homespun Throw, $198

Create your own work of art. Tenjin Shrine Puzzle, $148

For the vintage loving total lady:

Victorian Booties. Stove Warmed Boots, $168

Ravishing and regal. Ruffled Plume Jacket, $99.95

Get one or get them all. Analiese Taper Holders, $24 each

Can't pass up Stocking Stuffers:

Now that you have the notes, write some thank you's! Orla Kiely Thank You Cards, $18

A sweet addition to next year's tree. Milkmaid Ornament, Ada, $24
So teeny (3" around and 1" high!) and destined for a stocking! Beacon Ring Dish, $16

Don't forget the kiddos:

Give the kids their own mini garden. Grow Your Own Garden, Assylum, $20

These tiny earrings look adorable on a little princess. Serein Earrings, $28

Mommy's little helper can match! Nosegay Kid's Apron, $18

HF Weekly Obsession: Right On Time

I need a clock. I don't really have a clock in the living room, except on the DVR menu and if the TV isn't on, I can't see what time it is. That's quite frustrating. And so, I plan on buying a clock. Grandfather clocks are too big and the roman numerals are annoying to read. This clock, above, is cool and minimalist and easy for slackers to read. It's really just a chunk of wood with a power cord attached, but plug it in and red LED lights appear from behind the thin veneer displaying the time! File that one under "How the heck did they do that?". At $176, it won't break the bank, and all of your friends can ooh and ahh over your uber-stylishness. And that's priceless.
Wood LED Clock at High Fashion Home.

Happy Turkey Day!

Eat lots of good food, enjoy your family and friends, and, should you decide to go shopping on Black Friday, best of luck! Happy Thanksgiving!

Photo from Tastespotting.

Is Your Upper Lip Feeling... Naked?

A mustachioed wedding... So that's what mine was missing!

Does anyone else notice that the most random things seem to take off overnight and become full-fledged uber trends? Men have rocked facial hair of centuries, so why, all of a sudden, are people going gaga over mustaches? Let's discuss...

Mustache March

Growing your mustache is the latest way to raise money for charity. What happened to the good, old-fashioned car wash? Google "mustache for charity" and you'll get over 300,000 hits about the subject. Here are a couple to get your started:

Mustaches for Kids

Movember (sponsored by Canadian Club- maker of this hilarious ad. Oh, and beer.)

Michael Phelp's (America's swimming sweetheart) rocked a pornstache at the Olympics. 'Nuff said.


Mustache Hankie from Avrilloreti

If you're follicly challenged, a chick, or just don't want to deal with the upkeep, you have Mo options, too. Don't grow a scraggly trash stache! Just fake it.

Stylish Mustache Kit at High Fashion Home

Mustache on a Stick from Something's Hiding Here

Mustache Pint Glass from Bread and Badger

The moral of this story is, "Put a mustache on anything and it instantly becomes cooler". Feel free to experiment with little mustaches cut out of black paper. Put one on your dog, your girlfriend, your boss (wait until after your performance review for that one). Watch the hilarity ensue.

The Tom Selleck at Plan B Bar in Chicago. See the resemblance?

Mustachioed art. Hang that in your entryway.

And now, grow forth...

Oprah's Fall Bargains!

From Oprah Home's Fall Bargains for $50 or Less, here are a couple of nice items to pick up for the Holidays.

A cool glass vase with a flamenco lace etching. Maya Star: 512.912.1475.

Vintage etchings on a pillow with a forest on one side and a bird on the other for $24. West Elm.

A cool decorative frame with a chalk board interior for $20. Kikkerland.

Valley of the Dolls

Designs by Sonia Rykiel, Gucci, Giles, and Dolce & Gabbana.

For the 10th birthday of Russian Vogue, 31 magnificent designers lent their talent to create custom Matryoshkas- traditional Russian nesting dolls. On November 20th, the dolls will be auctioned off for charity. It's high fashion for a good cause... Happy birthday, Russian Vogue!

Designs by Versace, Roberto Cavalli, Marc Jacobs, and Antonio Marras.

Designs by Yves Saint Laurent, Moschino, Blumarine, and Dries van Noten.

Posters are Cool Again! Part Three

And now, to complete the trilogy, part three:

For the younger sister:

Poster for The Museum of Childhood.

For the Domino Magazine reader:

Modern Romance poster featured on the cover of Domino's Sept. 2006 issue, by Village.

For the pensive pirate in your life:

Pirate Posters by 826 Valencia.

For the girl who looooooves pink:

I Make Things poster by Samantha Hahn.

For those times when all you need is:

Love Candy poster by Made by Girl.

For the anglophile:

Keep Calm poster from Keep Calm Gallery.

Well, that's all folks. I hope you found some of these picks to be inspiring, because if not, I need to work a bit harder at doing my job! If you've found any cool posters you'd like to share, leave me a comment. I'm always up for a part four!

Posters are Cool Again! Part Two

I hope you enjoyed part one of my foray into posters. It's time for part two- posters for the kiddos and the music lovers, and a little DIY action...

For the hip eco-kid room...

Orange Animal ABC poster by Branch.

For the totally customized kid room...

ABC Kids poster by Made By Girl. It can be totally customized- color scheme and all!

For the music LOVER...

Mates of State silkscreen by The Small Stakes.

For the MUSIC lover...

The National Tour Poster by Spike Press.

For the Do-It-Yourselfer...

Try out the Rasterbator to create your own, giant poster. Mount on canvas or frame the pages, and hang. Cheap and chic.