Miles and Miles

Please don't get me this for Christmas. I'm being serious. I know I am a big Miles Davis fan, but I really don't think I can make it through SEVENTY CDs!! (Although, it's fun to look at the mini-LP replica jackets).

Miles Davis: The Complete Columbia Album Collection available November 24, 2009.

Flowers and Candlight

A friend asked me about the little wood "vase" I used to hold roses earlier last week. Funny they should ask, because it's actually candle packaging that I thought was too pretty to toss. There's a watertight vase tucked inside, but I thought the grainy wood gave my yellow roses a more autumnal feel than the usual glass or silver.

The candle is by Voluspa's James Boyce Collection. I bought mine at Gramercy Fine Linens & Furnishings. In case you are not in Atlanta, they are also available here.

While it is generally considered a faux pas to burn fragrant candles while cooking or eating, this line was designed specifically for that purpose by chef James Boyce. (Sounds like a good Thanksgiving host gift to me!)

And if it makes you feel any better, the boxes are made from sustainable Palownia wood without the use of stain or lacquer. My scent of choice is "Herb Garden", which is very fresh and subtle.

Happy November!

Rule #84

"Support friends in the arts. Especially if they stink." - Rule Number 84 from 1001 Rules For My Unborn Son.


Lucky for me, all of my friends in the arts are super talented. One in particular is Walker Lamond, author of the aforementioned blog turned book, Rules For My Unborn Son.

If you're unfamiliar with the material, it's just as much about style as it is solid advice on how not to be a jackass (right down to the Pantone perfect cover). The vintage reader meets Life magazine imagery adds to the sentimental journey. Some of these lessons may be exactly what your own parents taught you and some will make you laugh out loud, but I'm sure you will come across a few new words to live by.

Here is a sneak peak...(click on image to enlarge)


Rules For My Unborn Son goes on sale today—just in time for holiday shopping.

Stuffed

A play on the traditional Christmas wreath and stocking featured in Cottage Living, accented by the ubiquitous (but still lovely) Imperial Trellis.

In case a Leica isn't in the Christmas budget this year, here is an inexpensive alternative for the stocking--and quite possibly the best invention since TiVo.

The GoGo Gorillapod is a flexible, mini tripod that attaches to your camera and can cling to almost any surface. It's perfect for those situations when you want your entire group in the picture, but you don't want to bother a passerby or risk having a stranger run off with your camera. (Does that ever happen in real life, or just in the movies?) It can also be used as a stand for your iPhone.

Since we don't have Slim Aarons following us around, the mini tripod is how we took advantage of this photo op. (The result was our 2006 Christmas card).

Happy Holidays!

Lush Life

"I'll live a lush life in some small dive" - Billy Strayhorn (1915-1967)

I am not sure if the owner of Atlanta's Lush Life Home and Garden had the lyrics to this jazz standard in mind when naming his store, but it is always what I am reminded of when visiting.

Lush Life is the type of shop Jeff Lewis would patronize (in the supportive definition) if he was a local. The aesthetic is masculine and modern, yet as lush and lively as the sign on the door suggests.

And it is the only house in Atlanta with two live palms in front--not an easy feat in our winter climate.

I look forward to seeing what Lush Life's Bill Hudgins plan is for the front porch and terrace of Atlanta's upcoming Christmas House. Above is an example of one of his simple and chic arrangements photographed for Christmas House sponsor, Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles.

And in case you are unfamiliar with the aforementioned tune, I suggest picking up a copy of John Coltrane's version, recorded in 1957. It would make a great stocking stuffer!

On The Other Hand

There were a quite a few things I liked in the December Pottery Barn catalog (even if they are knock-offs)...

Banyan Leaf Bowls

Cloisonné Ornaments

Mercury-Glass Votives

Bulldog Bottle Opener (of course, this could just be a Georgia thing).

Leather-Bound Journals and Pencil Boxes

Oh, how I love catalog season. I must add that the HUGE new store at Lenox Square that opened this summer is worth a visit if you are in Atlanta.

My Jazzy Valentine

I just learned that the legendary Dave Brubeck Quartet will be visiting the "Classic City" of Athens, Georgia this week. While tomrrow's Valentine's Day concert is sold out, there are still tickets for tonight's show.

In case you are looking for a last minute Valentine's gift, I suggest the remastered version of Brubeck's classic 1959 album Time Out. While this may be considered Jazz 101 for some, it remains one of my favorites. Below is a 1961 performance of "Take Five" off of Time Out.

For more hardcore jazz aficionados Ken Burns Jazz is a must add to the DVD collection. With almost 19 hours of documentary footage, you will become a veritable expert on the subject of jazz history. I watched the original 2002 broadcast on PBS and was the lucky recipient of the box set for Christmas this year.

Fantasy Bar

Tory Burch's luxe, lacquered and mirrored bar puts me in the mood for a Harvey Wallbanger on the rocks and a little Chuck Mangione playing on the hi-fi.  (Photograph from Vogue Living: Houses, Gardens, People).

What better to add to the fantasy than lighting a few of Burch's own votives, made of bamboo extract, fresh citrus, water jasmine, dewy greens, osmanthus, sandalwood, white musk and amber.

For a similar vibe at a fraction of the price, try West Elm's Red Currant candle. I have this one myself and it smells divine (at $6.00).

Reindeer Games

On Oprah last month, Ivanka Trump professed her love for competitive board games, like Clue and Cranium. And while I would love to own a beautiful, leather backgammon table from Asprey, similar to the one above, there are plenty of versions out there for less than $10.

Since games make great gifts and enliven the forced family fun around the holidays, I thought I would list a few that have been getting good press this year.

Jack Spade Travel Scrabble from Neiman Marcus is a bit pricier than the original, but handsome and portable with convenient snap-in tiles.

The Fabric Swatch Memory Game from Design Within Reach would make a great gift for budding designers.


Half the fun of Monopoly is playing with all of that paper money, but for those in a hurry, Monopoly's new Electronic Banking Edition speeds up one of the world's slowest games.


Table Topics: Family Edition spark things up once the conversation runs dry.

Mexican Dominoes have been all the rage in various shelter mags of late. The colorful tiles may have something to do with that.

Play nice!