>> father's day gift guide

Check out my Father's Day gift guide over at the L.A. Times, packed with gear, tech, and tools!

>> sky lanterns

Matt and I just got back from The Bahamas for our dear friend Alex's birthday. After dinner one night, paper sky lanterns were set off over the harbor and we all watched as they slowly floated up into the dark sky—one of the most beautiful and poetic things I've ever seen at a dinner party. The airborne paper lanterns (also known as Kongming Lanterns) are a staple in some Asian cultures and are simply constructed from oiled rice paper on a bamboo frame, and contain a small candle or fuel cell composed of a waxy flammable material. When lit, the flame heats the air inside the lantern, lifting the lantern into the air. So cool and so great for weddings and parties! Get a 5 pack right here for $18.

>> playing hooky, I mean golf

I'm not saying that Matt and I took off work a little early to hit the links yesterday, and I'm not saying we didn't...

Travis Matthew Tee Time t-shirt (which of course would not be recommended for wearing on the actual course) ($39); Matt swears by this book and so does his grandfather who has had at least one hole-in-one post-shoulder replacement surgery (!): Ben Hogan's Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf ($17); vintage trophies (prices vary); Coors Light (the most watered-down beer around!); ribbon belt ($40); Matt has an old beat up pair of FootJoys that he wouldn't get rid of for $1000, there's a lot of ugly golf shoes out there, best to go with the classics, like: FootJoy Icon shoes ($140); I love Scotty Cameron putters, unless I miss the putt and then I hate them!

>> red, white and paddle

I've become so obsessed with paddle tennis that on Sunday afternoon I made Matt play with me after he got off a six hour flight. Nice wife, right?

L.L. Bean custom tote ($39); Blue Crab Bay Bloody mix ($8); Wilson Slash paddle ($129); Bird-Electron portable speaker ($90); Bobble filtering water bottle ($10); Tennis needlepoint key fob ($25); Rod Lavers ($55); Boast polo ($68).

>> peachy-palm-beachy

Stubbs & Wootton "storm" slippers ($395 for ladies, $425 for gents—and there's a 30% off discount right now with the code: SPRING); Vintage Cocktails ($50); Current Elloitt trouser roll shorts ($189); Rod Stewart's Greatest Hits on vinyl ($6); Rodarte x Opening Ceremony "Roy Orbisons" ($218); Marcel Breuer's f41 Lounge on Wheels ($2,165); The Kennedys (Eunice, Bobby, Ted and Jean in 1941).

>> spring break

I'm having a serious hankering to be poolside or oceanfront. It's freezing in L.A. and I don't like it!

Chance beach towel ($65); woven tote bag ($495); 1973 British Military Rolex (ummm...); Pellegrino; Zalo loafers ($165); Field Guide to Seashells, 1968 ($30); "Fear and Loathing" aviators ($120).

>> allegra hicks: an eye for design

Lately, I've been buying books like they're going out of style. Oh. Wait. Well, anyway, I'm happy with my most recent purchase, Allegra Hicks: An Eye For Design ($26), its focus is textile patterns, but there are some great interiors shots, and not your run of the mill "Domino/Lonny" look. I also have to say the cover is really gorgeous.

>> digging out

I was shocked to find out last night that it's not shorts weather everywhere in the country. Hang in there dudes!

Filson log carrier ($75); Patagonia special edition down sweater ($275); Potpies: Yumminess in a Dish ($19); Wings + Horns blanket ($156); Texting gloves ($24); Shearling-lined Bean Boots ($149); First Aid Kit ($89); Ergonmic shovel ($30).

>> postcards from penguin

My brother and sister-in-law sent me this AWESOME set of 100 postcards of Penguin book covers ($25, it says they're out of stock on Amazon, but click the "17 new" link below). From classics to crime, this box contains seventy years of quintessentially British design in one box. It is hard to part with them, but too much fun to send them out. Thanks again M+B!

> 2011 wall calendar

This silk screened calendar ($11 + $13 international shipping) is pretty cool!

>> matt's gift guide for guys!

Hi folks, it's Matt, Lizzie's husband, the guy who's personal life has been spewed all over the internet since 2006—without ever having been asked a single time if it was okay. (I love you too, Lizzie.) Year after year, holiday season after holiday season, I've been begged and pleaded by my crazy/stylish (yes, I meant crazy AND stylish) wife to put out a men's holiday gift guide; unlike prior years, currently I have bigger, more dangerous battles to fight rather than deny her request (Baja 500 here I come!), hence the first-ever possibly-annual men's gift guide has finally arrived. Alright, in the spirit of honesty and transparency, there was no begging or pestering, this is just the first time Lizzie has ever felt confident enough to allow me to grace the pages of DESIGNwatcher on my own accord. I guess after 8 years of unrelenting stylistic critique, she finally felt I wouldn't make a fool of myself. I have to preface this gift guide by saying that I'm neither a huge fan of video games nor gadgets. They certainly make great guy gifts, but I'm in no position to be giving any advice on either. Alright, with that out of the way, let's get going.




Bonobos candy cane cords ($125) are fun and only moderately flamboyant; Republic Bikes ($460) are custom fixies, 'nuff said; Fischer Space Pens ($20) are pure engineering genius, and I also like Steve McQueen's folding Persols ($310) for the exact same reason; Davidoff Special R cigars ($49 for three) great quality and a quick smoke; Wilson Surge Paddle ($99) best accessory for my new favorite winter sport; Hario coffee dripper ($25) isn't for everyday use, but ideal for a weekend morning when coffee is more about quality than necessity; Kershaw pocket knifes ($140) make great companions on trips to Chinatown; Kisses' Heart of the Nightlife LP ($25) just saw these guys live before they went to Japan, definitely worth a listen; Monster Beats In-Ear Headphones by Dr. Dre ($150) speaking of listening, I have no idea if these are good, but they travel light and look cool; Lizzie is obsessed with feathers and arrows, makes sense that I'm obsessed with Softsoled Moccasins ($38); King cube ice trays ($10) make giant ice cubes, just one is enough for any cocktail; Brooks Brother's custom dress shirts (Prices start at $130) make up the majority of my wardrobe; Burton ski/snowboard socks ($25) are perfect when neither workout nor dress socks fit the bill; Life by Keith Richards ($17) will make any dude feel cool for reading; Lizzie thinks Oban scotch ($75) tastes like gasoline, therefore I get the entire bottle to myself for once; Hartford long-sleeved shirts ($150) are comfortable and stylish, my weekend go-to; Quoddy Grizzly boots ($410) are made in Maine so they're real ass-kickers; Lizzie here: Matt has lost one of almost every pair of cuff links I've ever given to him, therefore he does not deserve these Airship cuff links ($295); Elevate tongs ($12) are good for keeping drops of "Matt's famous burgers" off the counter; when your wallet is too bulky and a rubber band doesn't cut it Leffot fold wallets ($95) are the perfect option.

>> 2010 gift guide for her

Atlas of Remote Islands ($19); Swatch New Gent ($65); Red Camo by Trussardi 1911 iPad holder ($210); Swiss Plane key ring ($60); Loren Stewart gold stud earring (contact for price/availability); Campari 150th Anniversary limited edition bottle ($25); German colored marker pens ($34 for set of 20); Icon printed banker's envelope ($250); Sigerson Morrison flats ($495); Naviglo tape ($25 for three rolls); Aperture spice rack ($79); wool scarf ($175); Needlepoint coasters ($75); Virginia Johnson tote ($398); Black Diamond throw ($185); Tretorn rubber ankle boots ($72); Diana camera ($65); Liberty of London placemats ($38 each); Essie "Luxedo" from Winter 2010 collection ($8); Young belt ($85).

>> three wreaths

Setaria and Purple Majesty wreath ($64); Golden Cedar and Birch wreath ($68); Mahogany wreath ($40), all from Terrain, all all-natural.

>> helloooooo turkey

Things to give thanks for: striped cabin crewneck sweater ($68); Plymouth mini bottles ($4); rosemary...mmmm; football; harvest table runner ($98); clementines; butcher's apron ($29); green and blue baker's twine ($18); Vince Guaraldi in the background.

>> banned in china!

My friend Ashley texted me from China last night, "Your blog is blocked in China! They don't want any of their peeps getting good design ideas!" I'm fairly certain this isn't out of the ordinary, but still, it made me feel like a total rock star. In honor of China's DESIGNwatcher embargo:

Bamboo fruit basket ($150); Accordian dragon ($1); reusable plastic chopsticks ($48 for four pairs); Brushstroke plate ($145); Pagoda lantern ($125); Alpha water tumblers ($150 for two); Guang Sang Tea ($3).

>> wall street

Despite the fact that the sequel to Wall Street should have been way better and it came out well over a month ago, I felt like doing something banker-y. Maybe it's the fact that you almost never see men in suits in L.A., I don't know. And hey, the Dow is well over 11,000, that's something to be happy about, right?

Wall Street poster ($30); Bull + Bear cufflinks ($75); water pomade ($18); 1984 Rolex Oyster Date (prices vary); Thomas Paul twenty dollar pouch, because I guy would TOTALLY use one of these ($24); Blackberry Bold.

>> tiiiimber!

Jeep Grand Wagoneer; select edition Eames Hang-It-All ($249); five year diary ($25); George Nelson Polygon wall clock ($540); folding knife ($45); Donna Wilson pillow ($92); Rook table lamp ($159).

>> reaganing

Reaganing: the action of the verb "to Reagan"; being able to fix all problems flawlessly within a 24-hour span.

Vintage lacoste cardigan ($24); 2B radio ($350); life saver; regimental necktie ($60); vintage phone ($215); Stetson wool felt hat ($62); western utility shirt ($98); jelly beans.

>> very nauti

I LOVE these plastic cocktail anchors ($20 for set of twenty) from the new brand Nauti & Co.. They also make a sterling silver version that I wouldn't mind spearing an olive with now and again ($175 for six). Inheritance is carrying the line in L.A., and I may just head over there tomorrow.

>> road trip to santa cruz

Matt and I like taking weekend road trips, especially in the Jan/Feb off-season. This year I kind of have a hankering to go to Santa Cruz. I remember it being pretty great when I was 18, back when getting into a jazz club underage was "the ultimate". Built by Wendy tee ($45); flea market beads; trail jacket ($261); neckerchief ($13); soft sole mocs ($38); California field notes ($10 for set of three); Stanley water bottle ($36); Ella Dish collar and lead ($68); L.L. Bean signature duffel ($135); Blackbird vintage shades ($353).