Material Archive

My Christmas Wish List

Truth be told, we don't do gift exchange in our family anymore – unless you happen to be under the age of 18. Instead, we travel or buy one another fun food items – like great chocolate or wine. So this list above is not a not-so-subtle hint for my beloved – I wouldn't dream of asking for these things (beyond vulgar!). Rather, it's a wish list for the things I hope go on sale Boxing Day...so I can buy them myself, if I have any fun money left after 3 weeks in Europe! ;-)

 Starting from the top, left to right:

1. Dries Van Noten Snake Boot from MyTheresa

2. Gold heart drop earrings from St Kilda

3. Sparkle needle point pillow from Jonathan Adler

4. Hipster heads from Jonathan Adler

5. Red plexi clutch by Charlotte Olympia

6. Gold snake Sang A Pop bag from Kirna Zabete

7. Multi-wrap watch from Burberry

8. Camel coat with fur collar from Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti

9. Creme de Rose lipbalm from Christian Dior

10. Soap on a roap from Diptyque at Barneys

11. Pave diamond earrings by Janis Provisor at Kirna Zabete

12. Gold devil pencil sharpener from Jonathan Adler

13. Blue satin ribboned heels by Liam Fahy

14. Constance H bag from Hermes

15. Green star earrings from Bochic

16. Glitter ankle boot from Barneys Co-Op

17. Nail lacquer in Scarlet Chinois by Tom Ford

18. Pink enamle bracelet from St Kilda

19. Yellow drop earring by Tom Binns

20. H Ring, little square dishes and collier de chien, Hermes

21. Bag by Sofia Coppola for Louis Vuitton

22. Needle point sunglasses sleeve by Jonathan Adler

x

My visit to Ladurée New York

Well, let's be honest, it's not like being in Paris. But, it is nice to be able to get a quick Ladurée fix while trapped in North America ;)

The store sadly does not carry any pastries, chocolates or Langues de Chat (which I expressly came for), but, it's packed to the gills with macaroons, tea, candies and even ice-cream.

I left with the most glorious oval box filled with everything I could get my greedy mitts on. :)

Stuffing my face with delicious caramels as I write this...

 

 

Louis Vuittton Travel Guides: The Perfect Gift

 

 

 

 

 

Faced with finding a fun gift for a friend this weekend, I remembered an old stand-by that always pleases. Louis Vuitton City Guides are a fool proof option for friends that love to travel in style – concise, compact, reliable, useful and so pretty.

I bought my first set in 2000 and carried the Paris edition in my handbag the whole time I lived in France.

Found some charming video excerpts here about Paris & New York:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Koto Bolofo’s book "La Maison" is finally available

 

 

 After six years of detailed documentation of everything Hermès, Koto's book is finally available for purchase.

Here's more info:

Koto Bolofo’s dream came true in 2004 when he started working for Monde d’Hermès, the Hermès magazine, and when he met the Chairman: “Mr Dumas asked where I came from. I said South Africa. He asked what part. I said Lesotho. He was shocked and very excited. He explained that his great great great grandfather was a missionary in Lesotho and that the Zulus used to attack his mission, but the Sothos – my tribe – protected him. I was very happy to be a Lesothan in Mr Dumas’s office that day. He called me his cousin and said that his cousin was welcome any time and I had carte blanche to photograph what I liked in Hermès”.

Over the next six years, Koto Bolofo worked his way through all the workshops of the Maison Hermès, getting to know the craftsmen and discovering how everything is made: from handbags, perfumes, scarves, prêt-à-porter, and shoes to the original objects of the house, saddles. Nothing escaped his lens, even the most secret places, such as the museum, a treasure trove of history and all things Hermès tucked away in the midst of the Maison on rue du faubourg St Honoré.

Spring 2011 Shopping List

 

Click to see larger:

1. Gryphon Crochet Sequin Tee  •  2. Pierre Hardy Buckle Espadrille Wedge  • 3. Marc by Marc Jacobs Envelope Clutches in camel & green  • 4. Prada Banana & Stripe Dress  • 5. IRO Secret Sequin Sleeve Sweater  • 6. Dolce Vita Nude Sandals  • 7. Miu Miu White Dress  • 8. Cartier Love Bracelet  • 9. Michael Kors Double Buckle Sandal  • 10. Lover Underwire One-Piece Navy Swimsuit  • 11. Michael Kors Cork Sandal  • 12 Jill Sander Platform Sandal  • 13. Valentino Cat Eye Sunglasses  • 14. Alexander Wang Motorcycle Jacket  • 15. Prada Cut-Out Pattern Suede Boot (last season)  • 16. Erie Basin Vintage Amethyst Ring  • 17. Miu Miu Two-Tone Jersey Mini Dress  • 18. Hermes Cape Code Double Tour Watch  • 19. Vintage Gold Rolex  • 20. Jenni Kayne Camel Leather Booties  • 21. More Prada Bananas  • 22. Alexander Wang Ines Oxford  • 23. Rochas Platform Sandals  • 24. Druzy Earrings  • 25. Queen of Hearts V-Neck Sweater  • 26. Prada Fur Stole  • 27. Giuseppe Zanotti Canvas & Leather Boot  • 28. Giles & Brother Archer Bangle  • 29. Devi Kroell Wood & Crystal Minaudiere

Gimmie Gimmie:

Bangle by Lady Grey  •  Sparkle Bag by Miu Miu  •  One-piece pale pink swimsuit by Miu Miu  •  Medor Clutch by Hermes  •  White leather bracelet by Hermes  •  Gold oxfords by Nicholas Kirkwood  •  Pyrite ring by Lunessa  •  Linen oxfords by Jill Sander  •  Silver pyrite ring Carole Tanenbaum •  Gold sequin top by Vince • Velvet dress  • YSL Nail lacquer  •  Gold lace cuff by Aurelie Bidermann •  Hammered gold bangles by Osanna Visconti  •  Caramel booties by Celine  •  Trench by Burberry  •  Jypsiere by Hermes  •  Coin ring by Aurelie Bidermann  •  Silver sequin / pink scarf by Club Monaco  •  Bow brooch by Balenciaga  •  Boots by Hermes

 

 

Erie Basin

 


 

Erie Basin is an extremely charming and tightly curated store (in Brooklyn NY) and online boutique that sells 18-20th century jewelry and collectable curios. "Ranging from Art Deco engagement rings to 18th century mourning jewelry to American folk art, the collection is varied, but carefully constructed" and very beautifully photographed I might add. Owner Russell Whitmore has a very sharp and refined eye!

Vera Wang Jewellery

 

I've said it before and i'll say it again, I think Vera Wang is doing some of the most beautiful jewellery out there these days. I am continuously impressed and in deep covet mode for every new collection I see.

Here's an older runway collection that demonstrates her amazing ability.

Pierre Marcolini, will you be my Valentine?

 

Given that we are talking about Valentine's Day, it seems like a logical next step to discuss chocolate. Clearly, I already talk about chocolate quite a lot on this site (given that I eat the glorious stuff every single day), so I thought I would post about a brand that is exceptional – for this particular "special" day in February.

When you hear Pierre Marcolini speak about his brand, (there is a great little movie on his site), you quickly understand that making chocolate is not just a job to this man – it is his passion, his vocation and he is on a mission. One only need look a the few images above to see that he is rather serious and really cares about elevating the art of creating and experiencing chocolate to a new level.

For my part, anyone that understands that chocolate can and should be branded like fine jewelry – knows that connoisseurs never eat it because they are hungry or snacky, but because they want to experience and savour something truly pleasurable that is special and punctuates a moment. ♥

Feeling a Whole Lotta Love for Love of Mine Boutique

My friend Adam and his lovely wife Anna recently opened a new home and fashion accessories store called Love of Mine Boutique and Friday night was their official opening party. Located on Queen west, nestled between the likes of Magic Pony and Buckler, the store is a wonderful addition to the neighborhood and really raises the area's level of sophistication. Carrying lines like Jonathan Adler, John Derian, Rebecca Minkoff, Canopy New York, Green Beads, Swallow, Heather Benjamin, Noir, Alexis Bittar, Pade Vavra, St. Kilda, Mercedes Salazar, amongst others – the store has something beautiful for every discerning eye.


I left at the end of the party with a soft wool throw for the chesterfield!

A few things I'm currently in deep like with...

From top left to right:

VPL Overall Tank • 3.1 Phillip Lim Curly Fur Vest with Grosgrain Trim • Balenciaga Strass Single Strand Necklace • McQueen Python box clutch with skull clasp • Lee Angel Oversized Crystal Earrings • Hermès double tour Cape Cod watch • Druzy Gold Studs by Pade Vavra • Prada Bath Salts • VPL Beckham Bra • Bally python SP10 Ardey peep-toe d'Orsay • Silver diamond cut studs from metalicious on etsy • Stripe-T Forever 21 • Make-up palette Laura Mercier : Holiday "Colour Wardrobe" • Old Marc by Marc Jacobs laptop bag • Silver diamond cut ring from metalicious on etsy • Calvin Klein SP10 t-strap sandal with silver chain appliqué • Church's gold oxford

Nice partnership: Hermès & Liberty of London

Hermès and Liberty have paired up to create a limited edition of cotton scarves from the Liberty Tana Lawn collection for Fall 09. You can pre-order at Liberty now.

The unexpected baby shower gift: Jennifer Meyer stacking rings!

The way I see it, once a women becomes pregnant, all focus turns to the new arrival and mom-to-be can get a little lost in the shuffle. During what can be an exciting, yet demanding and stressful time – women need little tokens for themselves more than ever in my opinion. Instead, why not have half of the shower gifts be for baby, and the other half for mom? That's why I opted to give my beloved friend and mom-to-be. Miss M, a wee diamond from the Jennifer Meyer stacking rings series for her shower gift. What girl doesn't like to get jewels? These are so small and fun and can be layered upon over time with more diamonds or rubies, etc. I think (I hope) she liked it!