xoxo

If you've been reading this blog or have known me for awhile, you'd know that I've never been Valentine's Day's biggest fan. Primarily it's because I don't like getting ripped off. The strange thing is, I'm not really bothered by Valentine's Day today. For some reason, seeing flower delivery men struggling with bouquets and extremely cheesy Valentine's Day-themed store displays made me smile. I even kinda want one of those pink cupcakes smothered in heart-shaped sprinkles. Damn, how hard did I hit my head when I went snowboarding last Saturday?

It's not because my love life is so stellar; there isn't really one to speak of, actually. But I guess it's just that I love my life right now and there's really no anger to dredge up for Hallmark and the flower and chocolate industries.

So if you're blissfully in love, I wish you a happy hearts day with the person you love. If you're not, I say have fun spoiling yourself silly today. I, for one, am looking forward to getting sloshed on wine and glutted with fried chicken and ice cream with my girlfriends tonight. I suggest you do the same! 

XOXO S'mores from Williams-Sonoma

today i'm loving: this flask from j.crew

What's not to love about a flask engraved with the words, "The trouble with jogging is that the ice falls out of your glass."

A flask is not usually something I think I need, but there are certain occasions when it comes in quite handy, like yesterday's Santacon or a day at the Belmont Stakes.

And when the rare occasion comes that you need to be extra stealthy about smuggling in a little alchie, there's the Secret Book Box, which is actually made out of old books which are then hollowed out to create a hiding space for valuables or perhaps a few Mickies.

Just a little something fun and sneaky to get you through a Manic Monday!

i want it all

The Macbeth Collection website is making my head spin. The idea that I can get any of their dozens and dozens of cute prints on a party platter, trinket tray, pitcher, bin, lunchbox or what-have-you is almost to fabulous for me to comprehend. And ... what? I can get them monogrammed too? I can inscribe an oval tub with "bikinis", put "umbrellas" for that pitcher that I want by the front door, and put my name on my lunchbox? It's too good ... it's just too good ...

hostess with the mostest

I remember thinking about aprons sometime last week, when my saucepan was enthusiastically spraying up tomato sauce everywhere. I thought, hmm, I guess that's why people need aprons. I should probably get one. I think I am even more convinced of the necessity of an apron today after stumbling upon these darling ones from Layla Grace. The one that tugs at my heartstrings is definitely the polkadotted, ruffled kind by Jessie Steele ($30, top left). Also gotta love the flowered version (top right) that has a very 50s housewife throwback feel. I am also jonesin' for the half aprons ($30) below:

And how chic are these aprons below? The Betty Picadilly apron ($22) on the left is SO Stepford Wives, while the Betty French toile apron ($22) on the right is just begging to be brought to a shabby chic country house.

I'm definitely stocking some of these as hostess gifts or gifts for moms, aunts, and girlfriends who love making magic in the kitchen!

make a cameo

I've been swooning all morning over the adorable custom cameo creations at Le Papier Studio's Etsy shop. How cute are these?

For a couple that recently got a little addition to the family:

For a Stepford wife-ish type mom to hand out for potential playdates:

I never know what to get for Father's Day but I think I have a pretty good idea for next year:

This one would be great for a housewarming present. Or I would love "his and hers" pillowcases.

Love it!

luxe redux

I read about Teddylux today on the Springwise newsletter and thought it was the cutest idea. Teddylux sources recycled cashmere for its plush toys. You can even send them a favorite sweater that has seen better days and ask them to make a fluffy friend for you. I totally loved the cable knit bunny above, which retails for $60, but it was sold out. It would totally make a lovely gift for your eco-conscious, yoga-practicing, vegan-dieting girlfriend's little toddler, don't you think?

happy mother's day!

I can't believe that this year, I actually have a bunch of friends my age who are already (or will very soon be) mothers! Goodness. How did we go from prom to motherhood in a flash?

I'm getting my mom a belated Mother's Day gift because I'm seeing her in less than two weeks, but I had to go searching through the Williams-Sonoma website anyway for ideas. They have so many cool things there! I wanted to get this Ebelskiver Filled-Pancake Pan for my mom, but Mika pointed out that it's not so much a gift for her as for me because I want to be the guinea pig for the lovely Danish puffy pancakes that they make. I'm still considering getting it for her anyway ...

How delish do those pancakes look? Oh, I'm definitely tempted ... Another very cool contraption that I found is something that my mom probably won't want, but I want it! It's more of a European thing (or a wine guzzler thing): the Penguin Sparkling Water Maker.

Once upon a time when I was an intern in Germany, I despised sparkling water. I was so annoyed, I remember, that our office only had sparkling water. I guess being with a Finn for the last two and a half years, and consuming copious amounts of wine in that time has changed my point of view about sparkling water. On some days and some occasions (like during terrible hangovers) sparkling water is amazing. A crate of Pellegrino can be bought for a reasonable price at Costco, but using a sparkling water maker is really so much better for the environment.

I covet this Pizza Cue Grill so badly, but alas, nowhere to grill in Manhattan so it's a lost cause. For those lucky enough to have a grill in their backyard (just lucky enough to have a backyard, dammit!) this seems like a great contraption to have. Me, I'll have to be content with buying pizza across the street ...

quick post

... before I head out to Central Park. Just saw these luggage tags on sale at Neimans and thought they were so cool—especially the one that says, "Oh the places I've been." Although that smug statement might encourage itchy fingers to steal from my bag. Hmm. Would be very cool to have on carryon though. Makes me wanna pick up and steal away to somewhere fabulous! Oh well, for today the park will have to do. Ciao bellas, have a happy Saturday!

your special day

I just love the idea of these charms by Page Sargisson. They can be customized to mark one's birthday! I would totally love one, and I think it's also a great gift idea. It's not super cheap, of course since it's custom-made—prices range from $215-310, depending on the size of the pendant and the material used. Pendants are made out of recycled gold and sterling silver.

not your average sudoku book

I've joked that my boyfriend and I pretty much spent 2007 doing Sudoku puzzles, and it might be one of those half-meant jokes. We were pretty obsessed. I have several Sudoku books (I even have one in Danish from a long layover in Copenhagen), a battery-operated Sudoku game, and of course the Sudoku application on my iPhone. But this chic baby, I don't have.

At just $8.95, this Travel Sudoku from Crate and Barrel a nice little gift for friends and loved ones about to embark on a trip or who just plain old have a lot of free time on their hands (someone like me, obviously).

put your stamp on it

Wouldn't it be so lovely to give a custom-made stamp as a housewarming present? Paperfinger does wonderful calligraphy and makes these custom stamps too.

lovely little ones

I don't have little bundles of joy in my life yet, but when I do get them someday, I'd love to have some custom silhouette pendants made through Lucky Me Beads. Send profile pics of your babies, and Whitney will custom-make these wondeful pendants. This would make a wonderful gift to your mom or a friend who's a doting mom, don't you think?