My Favorite Desk

I have coveted a desk like this 1930's French Postal desk from Restoration Hardware for years! The first time I saw one was in an antique shop in Telluride. One day I will have the perfect spot for this desk, until then I can dream...

Halloween Hostess Gift

If you need a unique hostess gift for a haunted Halloween party, be sure to check out Sweet Petula's La Nuit Soap. The wrapping is the real treat, but the soap is a useful luxury item for anyone.

Living In the Haunted Mansion

One of my favorite blogs, designsponge has a section devoted to living a life inspired by a movie. They have yet to do a post devoted to living in Tim Burton's A Nightmare Before Christmas, and with the holidays just around the corner, here is my take on living inside one of Tim Burton's scary tales.

1. David Stark's twig tree from West Elm

2. Witches Gift wrap from Paper Source

3. Skull decanter and glasses from Paper Trail

4. Vintage Portraits from Obscurio

5.  Crystal Skull Vodka

1. Flocked star ornament from CB2

2. Snake plates from Jayson Home and Garden

3. Framed bugs for your walls from Bug Under Glass

4. Dress up yourself with Chanel's Limited Edition Black Velvet nail polish

5. Stow your jewels on a ceramic hand or use as a centerpiece on a table.

The Haunted Mansion

I took a trip to Disneyland today to check out Tim Burton's creations inside the Haunted Mansion. The Haunted Mansion during the holidays is a great way to get a creative burst of energy! It also made me realize that I want the same wallpaper in my house! While the mansion is done up for the holidays, it has a year round backdrop of this creepy damask print.

Fall Color Palette

My current favorite color palette is made up of soft turquoise, pear green, and a taupe leaning towards grey. The color palette updates the tired chocolate brown and blue, but still feels warm and relaxing in the home.

A month of new cookbooks

October is the time when lots of the latest cookbooks are released in preparation for the upcoming holiday season. Here are just a few cookbooks that I can't wait to get my hands on!

From the famous NYC bakery

Baked Explorations

Released Yesterday!

Nigella Kitchen

Another Favorite Brit making everyday cooking a little easier!

Jamie Oliver's 30 Minute Meals

If you are up for a rewarding challenge, the latest from the SF Bakery Tartine

Tartine Bread

Never forget dessert! David Lebovitz's recipes are the ultimate in chocolate

Ready for Dessert

Squeezing into a Space

I love this article featured in the Sunday NY Times Home section. The article is about an architect who found an oddly shaped lot in London and created his home around all of the restrictions. Don't forget to view the gorgeous slideshow of additional photos of the home.
Click here for the article.

H&M Comes Home

I have heard rumors around the blog world for months now that H&M has a home line, but since it isn't available in stores in America or the UK I had brushed it off. Now that H&M has online shopping in the UK, the home line has become a reality for those across the pond. I am obsessed with their line of vintage looking linens from pillows to tea towels to aprons and nothing for more than £15!  

Weekend Reading

If you have some quiet time to sit down and catch up on your old magazine stack, you can add a new magazine to your must read list. Check out the online Australian magazine Adore. Adore is filled with crisp, clean, and comfortable interiors for all price points.

Industrial Comfort

This vintage bus sign from Skout Design is the perfect edition to the an industrial loft bedroom in London. I also love Skout's line of linen furnishings and pillows that incorporate industrial details with classic warmth and comfort.

The Map Trend

Antique maps are a fun way to accent a wall and an affordable art piece. Everyone has a favorite city that can make a home feel like their own. Here are a few modern takes on some favorite cities!

1. Ork makes colorful graphic posters focusing on city neighborhoods including this one of Chicago.

2. Studio KMO creates intricate maps with tedious details hand drawn using pen and paper or hand cut using knife and paper.

3. Paper Parasol is a letterpress company that uses landmarks and color to illustrate favorite locales.

4. Aaron Straup Cope generates these Prettymaps available currently at 20x200

Diptyques

Having a wonderful fragrance throughout your home is an inexpensive way to add a touch of luxury any home. My lovely friend Nen just gave me a Diptyque candle for my birthday and I am now in love. There is a scent for everyone with their vast collection of fragrances.  Diptyque is based around St. Germain Paris, my favorite part of the city, and has been around for almost 50 years. Despite the age of the company, the graphic design of their label looks as fresh as if it were born yesterday. 

Modern English Regency

I love some of the current trends in the market right now and how they are a modern take on English Regency style. Striped wallpaper never seems to go completely out of style but the stripes are definitely wider and bolder this year. The round porthole mirrors from Graham and Green are the perfect filler for a side wall. The nautical style combined with English Regency continues with these shell chandeliers that are being seen in every beach house from the Hamptons to Malibu.