Going to hell in a handbag

I had a working lunch yesterday with a friend who is helping me with a trendforcasting project I am working on. 

I consider myself a decent "spotter" but forecasting has been an interesting challenge. I have been asked to predict what will be happening in the design world a year and a half from now.

Of course, I only hope that the economy gets back on its feet and that all will be right with the world - all the while with everyone sporting great shoes, and lounging on streamlined furniture.

Until then, I am seeing lots of neon brights for spring and this bag just might need to be a part of my ensemble.

Chocolate Memories

My friend Wendy grew up in Seattle, WA and has yet to say anything positive about her childhood there except this little trip down memory lane involving Frango Mint Chocolates. I had never heard of them.

She remembers her mother taking her to a sophisticated Tea Room at Frederick & Nelson's department store where Wendy recalled this frozen treat as a silky confection that melted in her mouth. She kind of went on and on about it and lamented that the store closed and was then sold to Bon Marche.
A little Google search directed me to find them sold exclusively at Macy's.

Frango Chocolates sold only at Macy's

Of course, I'm going to ship her a box...

I, on the other hand, remember the days of waiting on a long line with my friends for the Frrrozen Hot Chocolate at Serendipity's. 

Serendipity's

225 East 60th Street

NYC

Use your Trigger Finger

I think these are a perfect holiday gift for the iphone-ers amongst us.
Magic Texting Gloves


These are all from Zappos:

Echo Touch Cashmere Gloves

Michael Kors Texting Glove

Shelli Segal E-Touch Glove

And then there's Brian's expert contribution to all this:

Featuring Textured palm and fingers for better grip while shooting

A Charming Duo

I stumbled across these books several years ago at Anthropolgie.

Cordelia was about five years old at the time, and they were immediately appealing. You see, my kid walks the "naughty or nice" tightrope often.

Let's just say they have been a mainstay in our house, and gifts to my close friends with kids.

With the holidays approaching, I may just pull these out again. At age ten, and as adults, we could all do with a little polishing up with Miss Manners.

Originally published in 1946, some things (thankfully) never change.

How To Behave and Manners Can Be Fun, available at Anthropologie and other fine booksellers.

'Tis the Season

Hello friends. It’s been a while. Don’t worry, I have been shopping like a mad woman, but not blogging as much.
There are 24 days until Christmas. Time to get in gear.

My Mother lives in a Co-Op building in New York City where the Board dictates all matters of dwelling decoration. It is against policy to hang anything on the apartment door, or put out doormats. Ever.

For those of us who don’t have such restrictions, we get to choose what we put on our front door this holiday season. I have my eye on this succulent wreath from Viva Terra. I know it really only works in warmer climates and it seems to require some upkeep which is always a bit tricky with my brown thumb.

West Coast:
Succulent Wreath by Viva Terra $88

I cannot imagine this greeting me on the door of a house in Connecticut. And in the end, Brian will most likely opt for the traditional deal.
But you just never know.

East Coast:

Lands End $44.95 and free shipping.

The Easter Bunny

Dean & Deluca

My eighteen year-old stepdaughter Deena says she'd still like an Easter basket. She likes high quality chocolate please and no jelly beans anymore. My nine year-old daughter Cordelia still wants to believe, so an Easter egg hunt she shall have.

I have very fond memories of my Easters - ones spent in Amagansett Long Island with my cousin Sandy and my Jewish Father, who funnily, went all-out on this holiday. Our tradition was a treasure hunt complete with  fog rolling in from the beach, and in our matching flannel nightgowns Sandy and I would discover rhyming poems that would lead us from the garden shed, to the bathroom, to under the bed, etc. to find our next clue and delicious treat. My Father lived on East 86th Street in the 70's and 80's when it was still called Germantown. On his block was a store called Marzipan. And that's all it sold. The most amazing collection of marzipan intricately shaped into pigs, rabbits, and frogs, and that's what my Easter basket consisted of. Oh, and there was chocolate too. Good German chocolate. Sandy and I spent the rest of our time sorting through our goodies and talking about our favorite part of the hunt.

My little brother Gordon once said of Easter "Chocolate must have been Jesus' favorite food."



The Lindt chocolate bunny

Not part of my childhood but now a staple for Cordelia's memories: 



And Martha Stewart's "easy" craft ideas:

Glittered Floral Egg Basket

Ladies Lunch

It's a little difficult to be writing about the delicious lunch I had yesterday as I am sipping green juice from my two day juice cleanse from Blueprint Cleanse (more on that some other time.) I had the fortune of eating a yummy meal at the very newly opened Olive & Thyme in Toluca Lake, CA. Brilliantly located around the corner from Warner Bros. It definitely attracts the studio crowd.

A cross between Dean & Deluca and Le Pain Quotidien, Olive & Thyme is as pretty as it is tasty, and the staff is attentive and cheery.

The white tea lemonade needed some kick and the carrot cake could stand to sit out to room temperature, but I loved my trio of salads - Beet & arugula, fresh corn & mint, and tuna salad served with two slices of fresh olive bread.

Intelligentsia coffee is served as well as freshly packed teas. Attention to detail all the way.

Thumbs up. I'm going again. Soon. Join me.

Olive & Thyme

4013 Riverside Drive, @ North Pass Avenue, Toluca Lake

818-557-1560 http://www.oliveandthyme.com/

 

A charming walk in the park.

J Crew

I have been looking for a fun necklace to spice up my all black uniform. I like the J Crew selection but looking for something a little more original. Stella & Dot has a fun one too.

Stella & Dot

And then I found myself on etsy.com. It's the site for all things crafty.
Searched for "vintage enamel necklaces" and voila.

Talulabelles

Mine is called "A Walk in the Park." I'm very excited. It's made by a company called Talulabelles, a mother daughter design team from Yorkshire, England.

Here were the contenders:

J Crew
Stella & Dot

And my purchase: ESTY for $55.00.

Brother, can you spare a dime?

When a friend of mine pulled out this coin purse the other day, I was reminded of how much I love this logo. Graphic genius.

It's the paper cup most New Yorkers get who still buy their coffee from street vendors. It's also widely used by homeless people asking for change, and so it follows that part of the proceeds from the sale of each purse goes to HELP USA, an organization working with the homeless since 1986.

These days I feel more mindful of spare change.

Naughty or Nice?

It's beautiful, and yes, the coffee is really that delicious.

Nespresso CitiZ C120 Automatic and programmable Espresso and Lungo Machine w/Frother, Fire-engine red

When I visit my friend Jane in New York, I have to limit myself. Their Nespresso machine beckons an addiction.

The good news is that I stay around the corner from the Nespresso cafe and store where there is a gallery of coffee pod varieties and strengths to choose from.

And yes, you can recycle the capsules. These days what's better than a latte with a good conscience?

At $349 it's totally worth the investment. Next is a class in latte art, offered at Intelligentsia Coffee, 594 Broadway on January 7th or February 4th.

In 2011, I resolve to be a coffee achiever. So far, so good.

A New Flame

My "gusband" calls me today (that's my gay husband. Every girl should have one) and asks me to suggest a great scented candle to buy for his new boyfriend (are you getting the drift?)

He wants something fresh that does not smell sweet or overpowering. A scent that will remind him of Christmas but not in that icky cinnamon stick kind of way. 

The Balsam Fir candle from Thymes is really swell. 

And nicely packaged. The candle, that is.

A Little Nosh

I am missing New York. Los Angeles around the holidays is strange at best. The weather throws me off and lights around palm trees doesn't quite work for me.

For a year of my younger life (1986 to be exact) I shared an apartment with my friend Mia on the Upper West Side. Zabar's was a food staple for the natives but we really couldn't afford such extravagances at the time.

Sweet Nosh Box (Kosher)

Now as transplanted New Yorker, the arrival of the Zabar's catalog is bringing back some serious memories. I might just have to order the Sweet Nosh Box (Kosher) $69.00 and a "regular" coffee (that's with cream & sugar in case you don't know.)

Note: please avoid the tab marked Gift Baskets & Boxes
(SHEShops is allergic to  prefab Gift Baskets)

It's raining, it's pouring

It's a rainy day here in Los Angeles.
At our house, that's a cause for celebration.

kids rainboots from Target

It means wearing our fashionable Target rain boots and Cordelia can splash in the puddles to her hearts' content.

I need a little more protection and think this
pink gerber daisy umbrella might complete my look.

Here's to singing in the rain...




want one too?
click photo to get yours







She Flashback:  Puddle Jumping

Holiday Gifting - part 2

The recipient is fancy. They have everything they need and certainly everything they want.
So what can you give?

Here's what I've learned:
If you can't keep up with the Joneses, give something simple and tasteful and have it beautifully wrapped (Paper Source or Soolip in LA)

Dean & Deluca's Truffle Salt is seriously delicious...And just a tad bit sinful. For under $30 it's a perfect little indulgence.

Food+Lab

My friend Deb introduces me to all the great places to eat in Silver Lake.  We had lunch at Food+Lab and it did not disappoint. Crazy good fig, proscutto and ricotta panini on whole grain bread. Delicious tart fresh lemonade.

I think Jan liked her chicken arugula salad. To be honest, I was too interested in trying the dark chocolate fudge we bought for dessert.

Great presentation and sweet wait staff topped off our great lunch.

Food+Lab was started by the mother and son duo Esther and Nino Linsmayer. They started by catering photo shoots, events, and private parties for celebrity clients such as Naomi Campbell, Britney Spears, Gwen Stefani, and Annie Liebovitz.

Box lunches for picnics at the Hollywood Bowl too. They use organic, nitrate, and hormone free ingredients, as well as environmentally friendly materials.

Thank you Deb. I'm going to miss ladies lunch.

Food+Lab
Hours: Open daily from 9 am – 8 pm
3206 West Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(323) 661-2666

Holiday Gifting - part 1

It's November, soon to be December, and we all know what that means. For those of us with few on our list, it can be as daunting as those of us who have many.

I love receiving a gift that reminds me of the giver every time I see it. If it's useful - even better.
(SHE Flashback see: Please pass the bread.)

Paperweights may be somewhat old fashioned. Perhaps that's why I am drawn to them.

oval: french crystal $68           dome: glass $42

I have always liked everything from the site iomoi.com.
The hardest part is choosing your favorite pattern...

Something good in the 'hood

It's always exciting when a place you love moves closer to home - especially in Los Angeles - the land of the sprawl.

Just in time for the holidays, Paper Source has opened in Studio City.

This is a very exciting event for a girl obsessed with all things paper, ribbons, and gift giving.

I bought three Gratitude Journals on my first trip.

My first entry:

I am grateful for my friends & family.

And for the color orange.

Gratitude Journal: Item 9780811867207 Price $14.95

Pillow Party

There are several things the husband thinks we have enough of: scented candles, cloth napkins, and pillows. There are probably more. But this is a mantra I have been hearing over the years. So one of the nice things (and there are many) about shopping for other people is that I can live vicariously through my clients. I have an assignment to cozy up a house. What better way to do so than with pillows?

That said, she wants to keep her minimal use of color.

These tarp pillows are perfect. And now on sale for $33.99-39.99 at Restoration Hardware. Even better.

Now how to justify "one for you, one for me..."

SHE Flashback: Armchair Decorator