Sign of the Times

It's been a hell of a week - tons of homework that has had me up until the wee hours of the morning and choice signs from the universe that I'm not the kid I used to be, despite the glue that I can't get off my hands from hours spent gluing school projects.

Two things happened to me last week that are particularly telling. One, being that after sucking it up and deciding to spend the money on highlighting my hair (it had been nine months of nothing) my stylist informed me that I have a gray hair. A GRAY HAIR. It's kind of a big deal when you're in your twenties and it's almost the last thing you expect to sneak up on you. Being broke, fine. Career dilemmas, sure. But a gray hair? Never saw it coming.

Then, to add insult to injury. I have somehow been selected for the mailing list of this catalogue:

That's right. I guess my purchase history has somehow led me to this place where I receive tall girl magazines for 40-year-olds. Long Tall Sally. Even the name is demeaning. Maybe if the catalogue was decent, I wouldn't be so non-plussed, but the the styling is terrible and although they claim to carry good brands, it sure doesn't look it. Nothing is marked as such in the pages, it's just frump after frump. It's not good.

And neither is the gray hair.

Do you buy this?

118 lbs & 5'9"?

In one of those internet searches that quickly gets off topic, I ran across this list of reported celebrity heights and weights. I know the camera adds 10 pounds and all that jazz, but it seems like if some of these women actually weighed what this list says, there would be public outcry. Some of the more startling weights are Gisele Bundchen, Katie Holmes and Taylor Swift. I just plain don't believe Naomi Campbell's. Am I crazy? I'm tall and I know that these weights would be positively scary on me.

Actresses
Blake Lively, 5'9", 123 lbs.
Calista Flockhart, 5'6", 97 lbs.
Cameron Diaz, 5'9", 120 lbs.
Cate Blanchett, 5'8", 120 lbs.
Catherine Zeta Jones, 5'8", 130 lbs.
Drew Barrymore, 5'4", 125 lbs.
Eva Longoria, 5'2", 104 lbs.
Gwyneth Paltrow, 5'9", 112 lbs.
Hillary Duff, 5'1", 105 lbs
Jennifer Aniston, 5'6", 110 lbs.
Jessica Alba, 5'7", 118 lbs.
Jessica Biel, 5'8", 110 lbs.
Julia Roberts, 5'10", 125 lbs.
Kate Beckinsdale, 5'8", 115 lbs.
Kate Hudson, 5'6", 115 lbs.
Katie Holmes, 5'9", 118 lbs.
Kirsten Dunst, 5'4", 100 lbs.
Lindsay Lohan, 5'5", 105 lbs.
Meghan Fox, 5'6", 114 lbs.
Miley Cyrus, 5'4", 104 lbs.
Nicole Kidman, 5'10", 120 lbs.
Nicole Richie, 5'1", 98 lbs
Pam Anderson, 5'7", 105 lbs.
Paris Hilton, 5'9", 110 lbs.
Penelope Cruz, 5'6", 109 lbs.
Reese Witherspoon, 5'6", 122 lbs.
Salma Hayek, 5'2", 115 lbs.
Sandra Bullock, 5'8", 110 lbs.
Scarlett Johansson, 5'4", 115 lbs.

Models
Adriana Lima, 5'10", 112 lbs.
Gisele Bundchen, 5'11", 115 lbs.
Heidi Klum, 5'9", 120 lbs.
Kate Moss, 5'7", 105 lbs.
Naomi Campbell, 5'10", 110 lbs.

Musicians
Beyonce Knowles, 5'5", 130 lbs.
Britney Spears, 5'5", 105 lbs.
Carrie Underwood, 5'3", 110 lbs.
Christina Aguilera, 5'2", 100 lbs.
Faith Hill, 5'8", 120 lbs.
Fergie, 5'2", 105 lbs.
Gwen Stefani, 5'6", 115 lbs.
Jennifer Lopez, 5'6", 125 lbs.
Jessica Simpson, 5'2", 120 lbs.
Madonna, 5'4", 100 lbs.
Mariah Carey, 5'9", 140 lbs.
Shakira, 5'2", 105 lbs.
Taylor Swift, 5'10", 120 lbs.

If you are in Seattle...

Tomorrow night (Nov. 6th), think about spending your evening at Benaroya Hall.

I'm happy to say that I'm lucky enough to go to a wonderful night of awesome music every year that benefits uncompensated care at Children's Hospital.

I know there are a lot of things pulling on heartstrings right now, and I'm not ashamed to use music and celebrity names to win yours over. Tomorrow, DJ Cut Chemist (best known for founding Jurassic 5), Mateo Messina and the Northwest Symphony Orchestra (all 280 members), 4 different choirs (and many more artists) are collaborating for an awesome night.

Every year's concert has a different theme, and this year, the kids were asked what special powers they would like to have if they were a superhero. The theme this year explores our fascination with superheros, and obviously, that hospital is full of real-life heros. (Even better, the kids made their own costumes to fully demonstrate their powers).

What's makes this night even cooler is that Mateo is a Seattle native who composes the symphony every year, and being that he is all Hollywood connected (just check out the original score to Juno), he gets his friends to come up and collaborate with him for the event. One year, Alice in Chains with the symphony, no joke (click to see the video).

Tomorrow is sure to be awesome. For more information, check out the Guild's site. And here's a little preview of one of the pieces Messina wrote for the event tomorrow, click here.

Let's all hold our breath

I might have finally found a flat black boot to wear this winter. Right now, the odds on favorites are two unexpected players.

In one corner we have the Aigle of France "Start Riding Boot." It's a little unconventional because it's not leather, but hot damn, it looks good. And more importantly, it's an awesome brand known for quality, it's got a slim calf and it's super tall. AND I found them on sale for $103 bucks. I'll be trying them on tomorrow.

In the other corner, we have another unexpected competitor, an honest-to-god riding boot, straight from VictoryCanter.com.

I don't know why I never thought to look for the real McCoy, rather than the department store impostors? Every season, I strike out on finding boots for TWO REASONS. One being that I have a very skinny, Olive Oil calf. Two, is that I also have crazy-to-control legs. Long yes, but possessed I promise. SO, this leaves me with boots only coming up to mid-calf when they should be longer or swimming in boots made for normal-calved people.

But not so with real riding boots. Super long and FOUR different calf sizes. It's unheard of! Also, did I mention the price? $154 dollars. Try finding that at Nordstrom's.

Boo. Yah. (That is to say, if they fit, because thanks to the U.S. postal service, I won't be trying them on for 5-10 business days).

On to another holiday

Christmas.

I know it's early, but you have to get on this stuff, otherwise it's just no fun. And I have to admit that I loved this post so much from my buddy WithStyle that I'm sharing/stealing the love.

I prefer personalized gifts. Usually, I try to make a list of the people I need to give to and then try to do something custom. Last year I gave personalized notepads that were affordable and showed the care that it takes to pre-plan a gift. No "Oh yeeeaaah, here is a present for you," while rustling around in their purse, only to retrieve a nail polish and roll of certs as your present. Hate that.

This year, I'm loving the idea of these little boxes of cupcake mix. It would be so easy to go to Packaging Specialties and do it yourself too, but honestly, I don't know that the price can be beat on these bad boys from Vintage Bake Shop - 6 bucks for everything and the custom label. All you need to supply is the ribbon of your choice.

New Years - So chic

I'm surprising myself, but I love the pink on this. It would be great for a birthday party or a shower favor. Love it.

Oh yeah, this is happening.

As previously mentioned, I usually am superlame for halloween. Last year I got home from work late, had no costume or candy for trick-or-treaters and was expected at a party within hours. The situation left me with few options, save for stealing my boyfriends (very long) white button down and white socks and passing myself off as Tom Cruise in Risky Business. The Ray-Bans I borrowed from a friend helped, but I can admit it was a lame costume.

Well not this year, my friends, not this year. Are you ready? Because I (and every other gay man in America) am being Lady Gaga.

But not just any Gaga, I'm wearing my most favorite costume of hers, the bubble dress.

...with, ahem, a few more bubbles than that.

Similar to my hit "grapes" costume of 1996 I will be 4 feet wide and everyone's favorite. It is made with clear balloons, nude leotard, fake eyelashes with silver flair and the nastiest $4 bob wig from JoAnne's. IT WILL BE AWESOME!!!

So there it is, my extravaganza of a Halloween costume. I better win a prize.

Eh, it's you know, Halloween

I can get a little passive about holidays and usually, Halloween is the one that leaves me a little cold.

But not this year. I've warmed up to the idea of Halloween (let's face it, probably because it's on a Saturday) and also, I'm loving some of the decorations that have come out.

These terra cotta gourds are from Wisteria:


As in this kick-ass skull candle:


And if I were the sort to ever throw a Halloween party, I would be all over this, from Potterybarn:

For your enjoyment

Sometimes I get the best emails from friends. They make my day, and because I was mid flu, I didn't give this one the attention it deserved, but overall, it was a hilarious note and I decided to share my friend's third point (yes, we organize by number)....

3 - And having nothing to do with your post directly (but you referenced Piperlime so I'll use that as a transition) tell me you watched the finale of the Rachel Zoe Project. There might not be another human being that I hate more on this planet. If I was given the power to go back in time and erase someone from existence, she would be my vote. Not Hitler, not Stalin, not Pol Pot, no, Rachel motherfucking Zoe. Key take-a-way, there's something about Taylor I find oddly attractive.

Clearly I disagree with his sentiment, as I feel RZ is here to make me laugh. But I do agree that sometimes Taylor is kind of attractive. When you can see her face without those damn bangs all up in there.

Oh man, too funny emails. May they keep coming.

Z to the Oh

I couldn't help myself, I had to look through the Rachel Zoe collection on QVC. Here are my favorites. And btw, the price points are fantastic.

Glazed Multi ring tote - 129.50

Expandable travel tote with removable strap - 113

Faux fur pull through scarf - 29

Fashion ring - 35.96

Yo Tyra!

Just a piece of my mind to Tyra Banks:

You can't have a show with the premise of making supermodels, but have a season devoted to girls who are 5'6" and under.

If you are 5'6" and under, you are not a supermodel, you are a pretty, pretty girl. Just like the millions of other really pretty girls who are average height.

Supermodels are supposed to be freaks, that's just the way it is. You just wasted a whole season of everyone's time. Kate Moss is an anomaly.

Argh, it frustrates me. Get it right.

Time for Tea

It really feels like fall in Seattle and to me that means a few things: boots, cashmere and warm drinks. I'm a big tea drinker. I usually have black or green tea in the morning instead of coffee and with all the recent news about the health benefits of tea (specifically green) it's a good move, even if you have to have a cup of coffee to start your morning before switching over.

Sadly, my favorite warm drink has no health benefits, but fall warrants Russian Tea, aka, the most white trash and delicious version of tea that you can mix up. I love that it tastes so good it constitutes as dessert on many nights during the winter and that once it's made up, you can store it for use all season. It's a drink from my childhood and the first cup of the year is always momentous.

So really, don't be afraid to get in touch with something that doesn't do your body good. It's the best.

2 cups Tang (yes, Tang. I wasn't kidding about the WT factor...)
1/2 cup instant tea
5 ounces instant lemonade
1/2 sugar (can be reduced to taste)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cloves

Mix and store in a mason jar. To serve, mix 2-3 teaspoons with hot water.

To be clear, I have no idea why it's called "Russian Tea." Based on the ingredients, maybe it has something to do with food lines, communism and poverty... your guess is as good as mine.

The Universe Stepped Up!

I think that the universe must have known about my lack of self-control because it got involved in my battle of the bulge and gave me the flu.

Despite the fever and cough, it paid off today when I got on the scale and found myself suddenly back at my pre-Europe weight. Sure I had gotten the ball rolling this summer, but without that flu who knows how long I would have continued to self-sabotage!

So thank you germs. Without you, I would not be able to consider my entire closet for the trip to New York. Without you I would still be dancing in to my pants, wiggle by wiggle, shimmy by awkward shimmy.

Hot Plates*

I got to thinking this week about some of the best china patterns. I have no idea why, except that I have a few friends who are getting married and I like to play registry consultant, and also, china is something that really defines your tastes, I think because you make a committment to to your china pattern -- you have it your whole life, sometimes longer than the marriage!

One of my favorites that is just so beyond, it's a total pipedream. It will be one of the patterns that I spend my life collecting, hopefully finding them at a good price, piece by piece. It's Hermes' Balcons Du Guadalquivir. It's truly amazing. I love the way it looks on it's own, I love that each plate is different and I love the way it mixes and pops on the table. Swoon.

A more mainstream (and less budget busting) choice is by good ol' Vera Wang. I like two of her patterns, Imperial Scroll and Trellis. Personally, if I had to choose one it would be Imperial Scroll, just because I like the simplicity of it and it's not a pattern that I would see at a girlfriend's house. I like Trellis for the same reason, it's graphic but not in your face. One of the biggest mistakes people make is picking a china that is so trendy you're just asking to hate it in 10 years. I can't imagine hating either of these.

Imperial Scroll

Trellis

The last china that I love is one that is close to my heart. It's not mine yet, but I'd be lying if I said I haven't called dibs on it or have the heart for a battle royale with my sisters when the time comes for it to leave my mom's possession. I'm going to get in trouble for saying that. It's Flow Blue by Johnson Brothers of England and was produced in the 1880's. It's so pretty in person with amazing scalloped edges and crazing.

I keep coming across good patterns all the time, but these are a few of my all-time favorites. You can't go wrong with them.

*"Hot plate" is a little bit of a joke to myself because Mexican restaurants always say "hot plate, hot plate" when your food is delivered. It always makes me laugh, and I always watch to see if if makes anyone else giggle... alas, it's usually just me.

New York

It's official, I'm going to NYC in November. Pretty exciting, considering that I have never been there. Here's the thing though, I want to make sure that I don't miss out on something that I really should see. I'm not much of the tourist type -- I will not be going to see the Statue of Liberty, I won't be going to see the Rockettes. What is on my list right now is the MoMA and a few home stores.

But what I would really love are some recommendations. So if there's anyone out there with some good design recommendations or restaurants that shouldn't be missed, please pipe up.

Thanks in advance, it's an interactive post!

Still Sick & Eddie Ross

Today's the first day that I've really started to feel like myself again, thank goodness. While I don't think I had the bad swine, I do think I had the pleasure of meeting the seasonal flu. And last night, I choked down the Nyquil and had the first good sleep since Tuesday. Amazing. Although my eyes still look swollen and gross, but I'm not being choose-y.

What I have learned is that TLC airs the same commercials over. And over. And over. Also, I have learned that I can't get tired of Say Yes to the Dress and that Eddie Ross is on HGTV's Halloween Block Party. I really wish he wasn't since I grew so tired of his bitchy attitude on Top Design, but seeing as how it's HGTV, his 'competitors' have terrible designs, so I guess it's favoring the best of the worst.

I know that some will disagree, and I do think the guy's got talent and the ability to self-market. But all I'm sayin' is that if you think you're shit don't stink, someday you're going to step in it.

Sweaters on the Cheap

Sweaters have been the topic of conversation lately now that it's cold in Seattle, but more than anything, it's the lack of thrill I have when looking at last years champs in my closet. The question this year is how to fill the void without creating another (in my wallet). I've been looking around and I'm not too discouraged by what's out there. All under $100 (some on promotion), all from mass retailers.

Ann Taylor. They've been getting SO much press this season, and rightly so. They have a collection that is much more stylish than usual an well priced. This sweater is on promotion for half price.

The sweater blazer, again from Ann Taylor. Worth a try and different from the usual cardigan. Also half price on promotion right now.

Splendid. One of my favorite brands. I love that this is like wrapping up in a pashmina, but with arm movement! One of the most annoying things about the pashminas I wore at the office all the time was the mobility and the fuss factor. Here, no muss, no fuss. It's available at Piperlime.

Banana Republic

Anne Taylor. Cashmere that is half price, got to love that. What is especially great about this one is that it's timeless. It's reminiscent of J.Crew's cashmere, but way less green.

It's official.

I've been knocked on my ass with the flu. Unclear whether it's the swine, can you ever really tell? Regardless, the fever is going down and I'm somewhat functional. Well, functional enough to post, NOT functional enough to do more of that god-foresaken cutting and pasting that comprises my homework. Thankfully, my school is super paranoid about Swine Flu, so I think all it will take is an email to the profs letting them know I've taken to my bed with illness.

In actuality it was probably the world's way of saying that I needed to take a minute to post and that my glue covered hands needed to be rested.

So here I am, two down blankets that are being thrown off and then on, off and then on. Gotta love a fever.

I'm So Sorry.

I never meant to make you look at Lindsey Lohan's boobs for so long. To subject anyone to that picture for as long as I did is criminal.

I'll never do it again.

Promise.

(but maybe if she does something stupid, then it's my obligation to report)

Who cares about Lindsay?

I don't. And I know you don't either.

But I do care about how she mucks up Emanuel Ungaro. In what has to be a perfect example of celebrity gone wrong, they've made Lohan a muse for the fashion house and (surprise, surprise) it wasn't well received.

Maybe it's because she wears things like this:

I don't even know where to start.

Please notice the thong, you might have been distracted by the Daisy Dukes and cut-off shirt. I believe it is the "accessory" in this outfit.

"Hello my name is..."

My favorite quotes from the New York Times article included treasures like these:

"One retail chief said he had asked for a ticket only because he thought the show would be a spectacle. Another said he would not buy the line, but declined to identify himself “because I don’t want my name associated with that train wreck.”

“You know, if you don’t mind, I have to run out the door,” said Glenda Bailey, the editor of Bazaar, before a question was half asked.

And my favorite...

“But when you look at her own style, for me, she is not really relevant, first regarding fashion, and second regarding a couture house like Ungaro. Maybe she would be relevant for Kookai,” she said, referring to a label that is considered, among the fashion elite, as “not us.”

And it's because this girl is at Ungaro holding court, acting like the idiot that she is:

"The day before the show, Ms. Lohan was staring at herself in a mirror in Ungaro’s grand offices on the Avenue Montaigne, a stone’s throw from the ateliers of Yves Saint Laurent, Givenchy and other famous French labels. She picked up a black and white scarf and tied it around her head, then replaced it with a black one, and then clumsily stuck a red sequin-covered heart to the side of her head while a team of designers watched her.“This is just so cool,” Ms. Lohan said, turning her attention to a white minidress splattered with sequins. “It needs more rhinestones, just so it pops.” Off to the seamstress it went. Pointing to another white dress, she said: “I call it Michelle Pfeiffer in ‘Scarface.’ I was just in my office sketching for next season. I was here until, like, one o’clock last night.”

Please, if we lose another house, don't let it be because of stupid, stupid moves like this.

I know, I know...

It was pointed out to me today that I have let my internet-self go. And trust me, I know.

I'm adjusting to this thing called school, and more importantly, homework. And really, it's not just homework, because I can read circles around a textbook, it's the mindless cutting and pasting and drawing that is accompanying my art classes. The project I handed in on Monday clocked in at 14 hours from start to finish. Just me, a stack of magazines, my exacto, and Bravo on in the background.

But, sitting in class, listening to teachers, has given me time to bring up a few things to myself. In no particular interest, they're gems like these:

1. Gossip Girl: Is anyone even watching? Because I know that I have made a point to tune in and then find myself wondering why I was duped again into thinking it was a good show.

2. People still smoke cigarettes out their car windows? Years of riding the bus to work deprived me of this anthropological study.

3. How did I get so much older than everyone else? I thought I was still in the "young" box, but not if you wear cashmere sweaters to school.

4. Kathy Lee and Hoda are retarded.

4a. Hoda might not have been retarded before working with Kathie-Lee, but now she's a lost cause.

4b. BUT, who saw Kathie-Lee almost lose her shit on Kathie Griffin when she compared her book to the bible? Priceless. Way to love all God's creatures, Kathie-Lee.

5. If I roll my eyes at someone's question in class, but no one sees me, is it the equivlilent of a tree falling in the woods and no one hears it... did it really happen?

6. Last time I went to school, Oprah had shows like makeovers and Julia Roberts interviews. Now it's stuff about prescription drug moms and incest. What the hell happened? Where's my warm fuzzy?

7. Popping a bag of popcorn and not eating the whole bag is a waste. Who honestly just eats a portion of the bag and then lets the rest go to waste? "I'll just have these few tiiiinnnyy kernels, mmm, filling..."

8. Sometimes I daydream about how good I would be at working for Jeff Lewis. Mostly because he loves the new girl based solely on her vibe and because he thinks she's cute (cough). This leaves me feeling jealous, thinking "Well I'm cute, and I think he'd like my vibe, and I wouldn't call him 'Jeffy,' so clearly I would be far more superior." Bat. Shit. Crazy. You don't have to tell me.

9. I left my rain coat at a party two weeks ago and it was identified by the mini bottle of Crown Royal in the pocket. Today, it started raining and I remembered I had neither my rain coat, or my Crown Royal to combat the weather.

10. I need to make some friends at school.

Back to School

I remember walking back from class after my last day of undergrad and singing "no more homework, no more books. No more teacher's dirty looks."

Boy was I tempting fate. Because here I am, about to start my fourth day of school and it feels totally weird. Today, I stopped at my sister's house on my way home from class and had two chocolate chip cookies and a glass of milk at her kitchen table as an after-school snack.

I've totally reverted.

Well, maybe not totally reverted yet, because to be honest, my real after-school snack back in the day was an entire box of Kraft mac and cheese and the Oprah show.

I'll let you know when I regress entirely.

More Pools Needed

As excited as I am about Fall rolling around, I'm also really missing all of the lost opportunities for laying by the pool. Not that I've done much of it this summer (since getting back to the states that is), but just when I feel like I could really use that vitamin D and a good stupid book, it's yanked away. To mourn out loss, I've gathered a few of our friends together:








I wish it wasn't such a waste to have a pool in the Northwest due to rain and cold, but I almost feel like just having a really wonderful pool adds so much to a property that just by looking at it everyday the effects are felt.

Now where's my Zoloft?

"Shines like suntan oil on a gay man's ass"

I have to thank Scented Glossy Magazines for posting this, but I'm passing on the joy. The combination of Miley Cyrus, a handful of gays and the coast is the perfect way to start the morning.

Thank goodness I decided to pass on the double latte, I would have been pissed that I spent $3.32 when I can have this mood-lifter for free.

One Pair Down

Countless pairs to go. I fit back in to ONE pair of my matchstick jeans, just in time for fall boots. Thank god. My favorite pair, however, is still a good way from fitting like pre-Europe days.

This is the reaction I get from my boyfried (via text, because we are a 21st century couple appearantly) upon hearing of the small victory:

"Boo that you Kate Moss-ed your Kim Kardashian."

Nugget of wisdom that I'll choose to take from that: He knows who Kate Moss is... the Kim Kardashian remark is duly noted.

Flamant: Tres Chic

It was painfully impossible to post pictures of my trips to various Flamant shops in Europe and then when I got home, well, I forgot that I had been hanging on to all of these sneaky pictures. I made it a priority to go to Flamant in any city that I could, which means primarily Paris and Rome. Sadly, I wasn't impressed by the Rome store, so it didn't make the cut, even though I spent an hour walking there (but hey, it's Rome, so no love lost). The thing about Flamant is that it's so beautiful, they generally frown on pictures being taken. Unless you have the cache of an elderly French woman begging permission for you (the case for me at the Saint-Honore shop) or at Rue Furstemberg, manage to exchange your phone number for the right to "discreetly" snap some pics. My lovely friend thankfully was just their type so she kept them distracted while I raced around taking pictures from the hip -- hence the lack of composition and focus. Net net, I'm not above whoring myself out to shopboys if it means bringing home some Flamant.

8 Rue Furstemberg, 8 Rue De L'Abbaye: two entrances, two addresses means twice the Flamant -- this is the biggest Paris store and it's conventiently close to Laduree. The entry to Rue Furstemberg shop is all greenery and flowers. Walking in, you almost think the store is a florist, but alas, it opens onto wonderful furnishings. Unfortunately, this is where I sold my soul to the French, so no pictures resulted of this area.

I would love to own this coffee table. The proportions and material are ideal, I just wish the photo wasn't so darn blurry. I remember almost being seen taking this particular photo...

I would love to someday own some of their glassware. It's all so beautiful -especially their stemware. It's also gorgeous.







Such a wonderful chair for a bedroom. It was the perfect size and the lines were so romantic in person, without being overly sweet.


Recognize this chair? It was in the other store in white, here it's in a child's bedroom.


They have the most amazing bookcases. This one only gives a taste of the ones that are all over the store. Everything about them is wonderful.


The downstairs of the Rue Saint-Honore shop has a kitchen vignette and again, it's wonderful. Thick Carrera marble on cabinents done in a warm gray. The photo just barely shows that the face of this island is composed of wide planks. Loves it.


I had to get a photo of this staircase for my files. I would love to do this staircase someday.

Such a great wingback, done in a warm taupe/gray linen. Is linen ever wrong? I submit that it is not.

Those branches and hurricanes - stop it! It's just too good. I love the height that branches give and I also love how modern they can make a space look. It's an added bonus that they are the chic version of fake flowers. You get all the ease and longevity without having to be my Aunt Sandie.

Oh I wish I had a better picture of this settee. It was truly awesome. I also love the jardinieres on the table.

If only my friend and I had actually gone out with the shopboys -- I keep thinking of a night that ended with me coercing them to let me back in the shop under the pretense of 'having a little fun.' Wouldn't they have been so disappointed to learn that my idea of fun would have consisted of sitting on all the roped off chairs and playing house in all the different rooms?

Different strokes...