Just yesterday I had the delight of checking out the two-year-old Spago in Bachelor Gulch, CO located inside the Ritz. The food was of course insanely good, but to be completely honest with you, if I had to choose between Spago and a hot buttered rum by the lobby fireplace, I'd opt for the latter—that lobby was just too damn cozy for words. The design at Spago was pretty great though, I especially loved the use of Zanotta Sciangai coat racks ($1,064) designed in 1973. Totally and completely functional. People just tossed their coats and hats and sat down to a potato leek soup while wearing their ski boots. Not exactly Spago Beverly Hills!
Dec 30, 2009
Spago Bachelor Gulch
Dec 22, 2009
Christmas Swim
How great is this Slim Aarons photo he snapped of his wife taking a Christmas Swim circa 1954!? I saw this on the last page of C Magazine this morning. We're headed to Chicago bright and early tomorrow, so I'll be off the blog until after the holidays! Have a good one!
Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Dec 21, 2009
Kimmel Kids
I just got a tour of the incredibly cool studio of the tremendously talented artist Karen Kimmel. And when I say "tremendously talented" that may be an understatement as she's collaborated with Aardvark Letterpress, New Editions, Fendi, Nike and Marc Jacobs. Her work has been exhibited at a long list of galleries and museums including Chicago's MCA—and featured in Vogue, W, and on Design*Sponge to name a few media outlets. So needless to say, she's an accomplished artist. Recently Kimmel put out a line of laser-cut stencils for kids called The Art of Exchange Art Tools ($12-$120). She was telling me this morning how sometimes kids reach a certain age in school and everything to do with coloring and art becomes about accuracy, so she was inspired to make creative artistic tools for kids that foster exploration and abstract thinking. I think they're great! They're aimed for kids ages 6 and up, but I have to be frank, I want them for myself. Plus, the canvas case they come in can double as a super cool laptop sleeve. For more info check out: Karen Kimmel and Kimmel Kids. Thanks Karen!
Dec 19, 2009
Peonies + Clementines
I'm obsessed with our new farm house table from District Mill Works. It's made from a combination of reclaimed Douglas Fir and Hemlock barnwood. Right now it's adorned with white peonies and a basket of clementines and I want to spoon it. Yep, I want to spoon my dining room table. 
Dec 17, 2009
Filson Dog Lover Set
This is totally awesome. The Seattle store Blackbird has put together a Dog Lover Set ($73) which includes a collapsible Filson Dog Bowl, Filson Merino Fingerless Gloves and a well loved vintage bandana. How cute!
Imogene + Willie
On second thought, forget Maine! I want to go to Nashville! Imogene + Willie is making me drool.
Daytrip Society
I love the edit at the Kennebunkport shop Day Trip Society. Makes me want to go to Maine right now and wear flannel and shovel snow and eat maple syrup. Northern Farm circa 1948 ($85); Thomas Paul anchor pillow ($72); Slinky! ($9); Swan's Island blanket ($395); Sea Bag ($180)—made from recycled sails!
Vogue Hommes Japan Vol. 2
When I get locked out of my apartment, which used to be a frequent occurrence until my husband installed a hide-a-key for me, I would walk down to the newstand on Franklin and buy up all the Euro and Asian magazines. People seem to be going a little nutso over the apparently long awaited 2nd issue of Vogue Hommes Japan "The Americans". Kanye West and Pharrell Williams are in it, Hedi Slimane Goes West too, oh and Raf Simon's Art List. You can get it online here ($24).
Field Notes 2010 calendar
Field Notes' 18-month work station calendars ($15) are in and shipping. They're also bigger and thicker than ever before (?).
Dec 16, 2009
Fort Knox sunglasses
I've posted about Fort Knox Sunglasses ($60) before on this blog, but staring at the Paul Newman photo, I noticed it looks like he's wearing them. And then where else did I see someone wearing them? Oh yeah, Don Draper donned them this season.
Get them here, did I mention they're only $60!?
What Whould Paul Do?
How cool was Paul Newman!? The coolest. I love this photo of him because it's hard to tell if it was masterfully staged by an art director or if he was just caught en route to the airport waiting for a taxi. Either way, it's a great shot. I'm working on a travel-related story this week and I put this photo up on my wall to help direct me to coolness. When I see something I ask myself: Would Paul Newman pack this in his suitcase?
Ship Shape
I could really use one of these guys, especially in the upcoming weeks when I'll be bouncing all around the country. Inspired by classic European Yacht Club totes and Naval Sea Bags, Three Potato Four Ship-Shape bags ($36 each) are functional for laundry or any other sundries that need hauling or toting around.
Dec 15, 2009
Sk8 or Die!
Repurposed skateboards! Astro clock and Hang Up hooks (both $200) available here—sourced straight from the OC.
Christmas Cove stockings
I'm in love with these hand-made stockings ($40 each) made on the coast of Maine! They're made from 100% virgin wool and look soooo cozy. You can also get a personalization kit ($4) which shows you how to easily add a name or monogram.
Dec 14, 2009
This Clock
"This Clock" designed by Barnaby Tuke ($97) is made from beech composite and individually screen printed—and it might be my new favorite. 
Assouline forges West
Melrose Place is looking a little more bookish today as Assouline, the Parisian publishing house for "people of taste", opened up its first L.A. boutique inside the restaurant Bastide. The townhousey bookstore-cafe will serve food under the helm of Joel Pytka from 8am to 10pm. Looks like a great place for lunch and a cocktail. Who's in?
That's Prosper Assouline himself who founded the publishing house in 1995 with his wife Martine Assouline...
...who was looking as chic as ever in the Garden Room with her leopard-print coat on over her shoulders. And did anyone else notice the Beverly Hills Hotel palm wallpaper?
There's a cozy fire place around the new editions in the main library and a vintage room off the entry of gems personally curated by Prosper Assouline.
Ingo Maurer chandelier in the main library = awesome.
District Mill Works
We finally bought our dining room table this weekend! It's a farm house table made from reclaimed wood produced by the incredibly talented Jeremy of District Mill Works—a cabinet and furniture workshop located in downtown L.A. 
We're going to contrast the earthly table with gunmetal grey Tolix Marais A chairs and then plan to upholster the cushions in leftover David Hicks fabric we used for our wedding.
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