2009 was a year of many changes for me, and one of the most intimidating was my move into a new apartment. After years of living with a roommate (de rigeur in NYC) and later with a boyfriend, it was time for me and me alone to make a home of my own - and I vowed to make it an adult one. No futon. No furniture that needed assembly. No paper plates.
Admittedly, it's been slow-going. Refurnishing even a one-bedroom apartment is a pricey proposition, so after devoting a few months worth of time, energy and money on my living room, I'm finally ready to turn my attention to the bedroom.
My first purchase for the bedroom was a gorgeous set of '30's inspired mirrored nightstands and once I got them all set up this weekend, I needed a single finishing touch. So, off I went to my candle cabinet (yes, I have a candle cabinet. Don't judge.) and there, I found Casa di Francesca's Deep Lilac Diffuser Set. Included in the set is an Italian glass bottle with a small bow accent, reed sticks and a separate plastic bottle of fragrance oil, which allows you to refresh the diffuser after a few weeks of use.
Though it takes a few hours for the reeds to begin to diffuse scent, when I woke the next morning, my room was gently scented with a beautiful spring-y floral fragrance.
At just $34 - most reed diffusers are quite pricey - this is an affordable indulgence, one that makes a room feel like a refuge.
Just in time for the holidays, Twinkle by Wenlan will host their first-ever pop-up shop in NYC on December 10-12.
The ready-to-wear, accessories and home line’s pop-up will take over Cadillac’s Castle in the East Village to offer not only their fall and holiday 2009 collections but also re-issues of favorites pieces from the last decade, in celebration of their 10th anniversary.
The re-issued pieces are being produced in limited quantities especially for this pop-up; many items will feature discounted anniversary prices. For example, the "dreamer’s journal print shell top" was originally $235; the anniversary price is just $98!
Expect to see the pop-up decorated for the holidays including Twinkle tree ornaments. Love that!
In my opinion, the very best holiday gifts are the teeny, tiny indulgences that the average person would never think to buy for themselves. Such as ...personalized matches. Forget using them as a wedding favor (THAT's not gonna happen), I'm currently OBSESSED with the idea of toting around custom matches in the stead of a calling card. So luxe. So classic.
For Your Partymakes it all too easy. You can customize everything from the shape of the matchbook (i.e. the untraditional barrel shown above) to the color, font, text color and finish.
Prices vary but my chosen design, a royal purple with sterling silver embossing, went for $150/50 matchbooks. Consider these the PERFECT gift for the hostess or the girl who has everything.
Like many women, I consider fragrance is an indelible part of my style signature - in fact, I feel positively naked if I forget to apply. My perennial favorite is Stella by Stella McCartney in all incarnations - the original for summer, Stella Rose Absolute (which appears to be discontinued) for Fall/Winter and now STELLANUDE for casual and nighttime wear alike.
An extension of McCartney's lingerie collection, STELLANUDE opens with notes of Moroccan Rose and a fresh hint of grapefruit, floral heart notes of white peony and a touch of pink pepper. Like Stella and Rose Absolute, the base of the fragrance has a warmth thanks to the inclusion of amber - in this case, gray amber.
My favorite way to wear STELLANUDE is in the Linen Mist form. Just a spritz adds a beautifully old-fashioned touch of femininity to the bedtime routine and makes slipping into the sheets even more pleasurable each evening.
The Linen Mist comes in a generous 4.2 ounce bottle and retails for $59 at Sephora.
Though I am an admitted high end home fragrance devotee, sometimes if feels like if you've burned one scented candle, you've burned them all.
Not the case with Dayna Decker's deluxe Chandel($54). A botanical translucent wax is scented lightly with sophisticated, modern fragrances (there are eleven in all) that gently fill a room. The unique EcoWood wick flickers (literally, light dances on the walls) and crackles gently. It's truly an experience.
Dayna Decker's collection also includes traditional wax candles and beautiful home diffusers. Visit the store locator on site or Candle Delirium to purchase online.
July 1 marked a new start for me. I moved from my apartment of 7+ years to a beautiful new space of my own. Since I refused to move anything that I didn't absolutely love, I've had to invest in some key new pieces. Thus far, I've snagged the sofa and chair above (to be delivered on Tuesday) and two living room lamps - though I'm also eyeing the side tables at West Elm (I need to measure the height of my sofa before I commit) and the sweet art from Urban Outfitters (I have plenty of art already though, so not sure if I'll cave here.)
One of my good friends happens to work in interior design, so I'm lucky in that I've had her available to bounce ideas and items off of. But, if you have any home decor tips, I'd love to hear them - please leave a comment!
Though it's far from the truth, I like to think that luxury and style are my middle names. Okay, okay, definitely a stretch but Delirium & Co.'s chic candles DO bring a hint of sophistication to my nightstand. And hey, one step at a time, right?
These sleek candles ($38 each), packaged in dark blue or silver, are inspired by the most romantic, idealistic periods in history. More importantly, they pair unexpected fragrances to create the most heady blends. Take the Suede & Smoke candle (left) - it's a smoldering melange of tobacco leaves, moss, papaya, lapsangsouchong dark tea and green manda. Heaven!
If you're interested in something lighter for summer, try the feminine Pear & Violet. Created with Silver Screen Legends Marilyn Monroe, Ava Gardner and Grace Kelly in mind, it evokes a sultrier time when raw beauty co-existed with strength, vulnerability and femininity.
My recent trip to Los Angeles involved a great afternoon shopping on Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice. One of my favorite shops - probably the most unique - was definitely Bountiful, a carefully curated home boutique full of salvaged vintage pieces and beautiful French imports.
The store also carried a spectacular assortment of niche beauty products including D.L. & Co. Candles, Gianna Rose Atelier soaps and many more brands that I'd never seen before. Click through the gallery for a peek into the world of Bountiful and if you're in the neighborhood, be sure to drop by.
Like many women, I consider fragrance is an indelible part of my style signature - in fact, I feel positively naked if I forget to apply. My perennial favorite is Stella by Stella McCartney in all incarnations - the original for summer, Stella Rose Absolute (which appears to be discontinued) for Fall/Winter and now STELLANUDE for casual and nighttime wear alike.
Though it's far from the truth, I like to think that luxury and style are my middle names. Okay, okay, definitely a stretch but Delirium & Co.'s chic candles DO bring a hint of sophistication to my nightstand. And hey, one step at a time, right?
