Totally confident with our choice of the hot pink sofa.
Tag: gifts
Rox by CJ Designs
When shopping at Bungalow, a great shop in Westport, CT, I found a line of gorgeous decorative boxes. I actually bought one for my mom for Christmas, an acrylic box topped with malachite. These boxes are just so cool.
The creators behind this find are Caryn Jacobs and Julie Lieberman. In 2013, they launched Rox by CJ Design, a collection of acrylic and lacquered boxes topped with things like geodes, amethysts, and agates. Each piece is unique. They make really nice gifts and add such an interesting vibe to a tabletop or as an accessory in just about any room.
You can see more examples of Rox by CJ Design products as well as a list of retailers on their website. CJ Design is also on Facebook and Instagram.
Gift Ideas
Here’s a quick list of gift ideas I love.
During the holiday season, I try to think of what might be a little different to give as a gift. With all of the hustle and bustle, here’s a quick list of gift ideas I love. If you’re like me and wind up doing last minute shopping, meaning you need something in a pinch, one of these options might be perfect. Happy shopping!
What are your favorite gifts to give friends and family?
The Met Store
Museum shops seem to have some of the most unique items, things you wouldn’t normally find when out shopping.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is the largest art museum in America. Collections at the museum house some of the most significant works of art in the world, while traveling exhibitions allow visitors to view art they might not normally see in their lifetime. The many incredible paintings, sculptures, photographs, and other artwork on display at the museum is, of course, not for sale. You can still take home a piece of the Met after your visit, however, by shopping at the The Met Store.
Museum shops seem to have some of the most unique items, things you wouldn’t normally find when out shopping. It’s a great place to find a souvenir from your museum visit that you will treasure and want to display in your home. Because many items in the Met Store relate to the works of art in the museum, you will most likely be able to treat yourself to something that reminds you of a favorite exhibit. You may find the perfect accessory for your home, a well done reproduction of a piece of art, or even some hand crafted jewelry from the far corners of the world.
The Met Store is also a great place to find really nice coffee table books, for yourself or to give as gifts. Books with everything from Japanese art to Baroque tapestries and African reliquary to the Dutch masters are available here. I like the idea of staking a few interesting books on the coffee table, especially when the books contain such rich imagery along with a wealth of knowledge. Something like this is a great keepsake from a visit to the Met.
The Met Store also has plenty to offer the children in your life. Whether you’re looking for a memorable item to take home after touring the museum or shopping for a gift, this is a good place to start. Choose an item that reflects a child’s interests or lets him or her explore something new. The Met Store has gifts for kids that encourage creativity and hands-on learning. For the budding artist or future archeologist, a gift from a museum is a sure way to continue the learning experience long after leaving the Met.
If a day at the Met isn’t in your plans for the near future, you can still explore the Met Store by visiting the online shop. All of their beautiful products are available online for any occasion, whether it’s a child’s birthday or a friend’s housewarming. You can also learn about the history and inspiration behind many of the items at the store on the The Met Store Official Blog.
Favorite Things: The Art of Wrapping
The only thing better than receiving a well wrapped gift, is giving a well wrapped gift.
The only thing better than receiving a well wrapped gift, is giving a well wrapped gift. Beautiful wrapping shows care and thoughtfulness, whether you are presenting a gift to a cherished loved one or the hostess at a holiday party. I love great wrapping paper and bows. There are so many creative ways to wrap gifts with varying textures, layers, and materials. When wrapping holiday gifts, you don’t need to feel constrained by typical colors and themes. Not everything has to be red and green! Think of less obvious elements that invoke the season and incorporate those into your gift wrapping instead. Creating a uniquely pretty gift is definitely an art form, and certainly one that will be appreciated by your family and friends. Here are some of my favorite paper products and inspirations for wrapping holiday gifts.
1. Eclectic, but cohesive, gift wrap inspiration. Photo by Max Kim-Bee.
2. Peach Berries paper from Kate & Birdie Paper Company.
3. Chalkstock Tags from Paper Source.
4. Vintage Trees paper from Paper Source.
5. Box of Gorgeous Ribbons from Cox & Cox.
6. Chevron paper from Paper Source.
7. Burlap wrap and bow from May Arts.
8. Corner Peach Washi tape from Paper Source.
9. Forest-Found Gift Tags from Anthropologie.
10. Gift wrapping inspiration with natural greenery by Flora Grubb Gardens.
11. Chevron paper from ruffhouseart on Etsy.
12. Good Tidings paper from Anthropologie.
The Well Appointed House
The Well Appointed House blog covers home decor news, trends, DIY projects, as well as lifestyle topics such us travel, parenthood, shopping, gardening, fashion, and living well.
Melissa Hawks of Greenwich, CT, founded The Well Appointed House, a luxury home retail site, in 2002. Specializing in furniture, gifts, and decorative accessories, the online store was created with the goal of bringing the kind of home decor finds which are abundant in Manhattan to a more widespread audience. Since its launch, The Well Appointed House has grown to include over 10,000 items and has been featured by The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, CNBC, In Style, Harper’s Bazaar, House and Garden, and many others. The company offers items for every room in the house, including the patio and garden. There are so many different styles available, it’s possible to find just the right piece for any decor in a wide range of price points. The Well Appointed House is also great source for unique and beautiful gift ideas.
In 2010, Melissa created The Well Appointed House Blog as an extension of her retail brand. The blog covers home decor news, trends, DIY projects, as well as lifestyle topics such us travel, parenthood, shopping, gardening, fashion, and living well. With weekly updates, the blog is always a good source of inspiration. You can read about events in and around Greenwich, examine reviews of various products, and stay up to date on new fabrics, trends, and popular styles. Between the blog and the retail site, there is so much here to love!
In addition to the blog and retail site, you can find The Well Appointed House on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.
Holiday Wrapping
It’s always nice to receive a gift, but when that gift is carefully wrapped in a special way, the recipient can’t help but but feel spoiled!
I love wrapping presents for Christmas! Putting together wrapping papers with coordinating bows and accents is like designing on a smaller scale. There are so many thoughtful and beautiful ways to wrap presents with nearly endless options for colors, patterns, and accessories like ribbons and bows. It’s always nice to receive a gift, but when that gift is carefully wrapped in a special way, the recipient can’t help but but feel spoiled!
Adding just the right touch with decorative details is another way to create an especially beautiful gift. Think of what you can add to the ribbon or bow to further dress up the present. It can be something festive or personal, colorful or classic. When you take the time to wrap the gift with extra thought and care, you show the person you give it to that they are worth the extra effort.
For me, gift wrapping is all about the presentation! Do you have a favorite paper or embellishment for wrapping Christmas gifts?
Stick and Pop
One night, my husband came home with three cake pops from Stick and Pop.
One night, my husband came home with three cake pops from Stick and Pop. He meant for our two daughters and me to each have one of these adorable little treats, but after taking one heavenly bite, I selfishly decided to keep them all to myself! I love chocolate and anything surrounded by chocolate, and these cake pops were too yummy to share!
These moist morsels of cake on a stick make the perfect treat for nearly any occasion. They are well packaged and great for kids, making them ideal party favors for birthdays or school functions. Any time I need a hostess or housewarming gift, I pick up an assortment of cake pops knowing they will be well received, unique, and appreciated. Stick and Pop offers a big selection of flavors and designs to mix and match for different events, from birthdays to weddings, and holidays from Christmas to Halloween.
Stick and Pop also offers Minis, bite-sized versions of their delicious cake pops, and Cups, which are made from layers of cake, icing, chocolate, and toppings.
To place an order (they ship!) or see more flavors and varieties, visit the Stick and Pop website. You can also find them on Facebook!
Artisanal Cheese
I often find myself turning to quick and delicious options, like a beautiful cheese plate.
As much as I love good food, I am not much of a cook myself. More often than not, you’ll find me standing in the kitchen at 7:00 in the evening asking myself, “What’s for dinner?” If I had the time, I’d definitely do more cooking! Instead, I find myself turning to quick and delicious options, like a beautiful cheese plate rounded out with fresh fruit, bread, and maybe some greens for good measure. If you run into us at Fairway Market, we’ll probably be standing at the cheese counter!
Our enjoyment of these simple meals centered around good cheese has led us to branch out from what’s available at the local market. One place we enjoy right in our own back yard is Napa and Company in Stamford. Their excellent menu is accented by a variety of artisanal cheeses, from aromatic cheeses like Morbier and Epoisses to sharp varieties like Manchego and Tarentaise. The cheese menu includes wine suggestions as well. With such an assortment of cheeses to sample, it’s easy to discover new flavors and expand your palette!
Another fantastic place to dine on cheese or shop for cheeses to bring home with you is Artisanal Bistro in NYC. This is a great stop for anyone in NY who loves cheese, wine, and good food. When you step into Artisanal Bistro, it’s like walking into a different era. I love the retro vibe, with art deco lights and a tin ceiling.
Artisanal Bistro’s cheese and wine pairings are really interesting and the Cheese Shop gives visitors the opportunity to purchase hand crafted cheeses from around the world or impressive cheese platters. Cheese boxes and baskets make wonderful gifts and include gourmet treats chosen to best complement the included cheeses.
Chances are, there’s a local cheese shop near you. Why not stop in and try a new variety of cheese or bring some home for a simple, quick dinner? If you’d like to learn more about the cheese shops above, both Napa and Company and Artisanal Bistro are on Facebook.
More Must-Have Books
Earlier this year, I blogged about must-have books on interior design. Today I’d like to present a second list of must-have books!
Earlier this year, I blogged about must-have books on interior design. Today I’d like to present a second list of must-have books! These are great books for fall, mainly featuring iconic designers offering up new inspiration. Others, like GAIA, are beautiful coffee table books to dress up a room or give as gifts. Some of these are new and some are available for pre-order.
I’m sure as the new year arrives and trends come and go, I’ll have more fabulous titles to add to my must-have list! What’s on your reading list or coffee table right now?
