Black Friday Everyday

BLACK

FRIDAY

DEALS

EVERY

DAY

If you are anything like me you prefer not to head to the stores on Black Friday to fight the crowds, but you also really enjoy a deal, and not just once a year. Over the past few years, there has been an influx of web sites popping up where you can find fabulus deals on designer housewares, clothing, toys, trips, wine and so much more all from the comfort of your own home. The way most of these sites work is that you join them for free and then they email you with the deals of the day or you can just go to the site. They put items up for sale for a limited amount of time, usually a few days, but you have to act fast to get the size, color, etc. you want as many of them sell out quickly.

The sites I follow are Ideeli, One Kings Lane, Gilt, Hautelook, The Foundary, and Ruelala. Whether you're looking for designer denim, luxurious bedding or fabulous accessories, there is literally something for everyone on these sites and the prices are oh so right. So don't drive yourself crazy on Friday, sleep in, sit back, relax and get great deals from home.

Turner Pocock Cazalet Wallpaper

Tennis anyone? Bunny Turner and Emma Pocock of the U.K.'s interior design firm Turner Pocock have teamed up with artist Catherine Cazalet to create a fun and funky line of wallpaper. My favorite is the Tennis wallpaper in the kelly green. While it would be perfect in a clubhouse, it would also be incredibly unexpected and fun in a bathroom, bedroom, entry or mudroom.

If tennis isn't your game there are plenty of other fun patterns to choose from including Zebras (above) and Polar Bear, Ostrich, Ibis and Cricket. I hope they have a line of fabrics to match in the works because I would love a chair in one of these too!

Smathers & Branson Needlepoint Coaster Sets

Entertaining just got a whole lot preppier. Now even your drink can accessorize itself with some classic needlepoint. Smathers & Branson, famed maker of needlepoint belts, headbands, and key fobs for the preppiest of the preppy, has recently launched a new line of needlepoint coaster sets, and I must say that I think I might need to add these to my Christmas list. The problem is that I can't decide between the black labs in honor of my pup, the sailboats because I love all things nautical, the four versions of the American flag that will make me feel like I live in a Ralph Lauren ad, or the horse racing theme to go with my collection of mint julep cups. If none of those suit you, there is always the lacrosse sticks, fly fishing and fox hunting themes, and if you don't have any hobbies that might be listed in the Preppy Handbook, you're probably out of luck. Cheers!

Etsy Pick of the Week: Tray Chic

I always love to use chalkboard paint in fun ways, but it's true that while functional it isn't exactly chic in most cases. That is until now. Etsy seller Her Majesty's Pug transforms silver plate trays into magnetic chalkboards that are perfect for to use for both entertaining or to hang on a kicthen wall that's a little more glam.

The trays come in a round, rectangular and oval shapes and are a mere $10.50! I was going to suggest that these wouldn't be that difficult to make, but really at that price, I'm not sure it would be worth the trouble. I think these are a fabulous way to put the menu up on a buffet. I think I might take a look for some smaller silver plate dishes and make them place card holders, but any way you use them, I love this idea!

Ralph Lauren 4D Show

Have you seen the 4D show that Ralph Lauren literally put on their new Madison Ave mansion storefront last night? The event was a celebration of the 10 year anniversary of polo.com which is now ralphlauren.com, and it was quite the spectacle. I was invited to head to New York for it by a close high school friend who was one of the producers of the show, and unfortunately I couldn't make it, but at least I (and you) can watch the installation on YouTube. I highly recommend taking the 7+ minutes to watch the video. When was the last time you saw polo players barreling across a building facade, models walking a runway on a balcony or a supersized version of your favorite purse, belt or tie flying overhead?
Seeing this use of 4D technology makes me wonder what will come next with it. You can't help but think that there is no limit to it other than your own imagination. It certainly appears that it could make set design and event planning a lot more exciting, but it would be very cool to see how this could translate into your own home. I certainly am excited to see what else there is to come.

Sferra Sample Sale

If you've ever seen Sferra linens, you know just how incredible they are. The bedding, besides being super soft and cozy is also incredibly beautiful and sophisticated. The table linens are impeccable and I can't say I've ever seen a Sferra item I didn't like. With a full line of linens of all kinds and for all ages, a fabulous line from Kelly Wearstler and cashmere scarves, there is a little something for everyone, and starting tomorrow you can get it all for up to 70% off. Sferra is holding their sample sale at Chelsea Market from Nov. 10-14 and if you are anywhere near there, I'd say run, don't walk to get there. Just another reason to be bummed I had to cancel my trip to NYC this week.

Vintage Scarf Decor

I've always loved using objects in ways other than for what they are meant. I was perusing Vivre this afternoon and found this fabulous use of vintage scarves by Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent on a chandelier and some chairs by Susan Fellman, and I think this is a perfect combination of fashion and home decor as well as art and functionality. The chair uses three different vintage scarves and each of the pieces is made to order so no two are alike.

Not surprisingly, the prices on these pieces are steep. But if you have scarves that you aren't wearing but still love or are looking for a new piece of art, think outside the box. Frame one, have it turned into a pillow or bring it to your local upholsterer. I love the thought of a bedroom or vanity chair, even if just the seat, being upholstered with a beautiful feminine scarf.

Etsy Pick of the Week: Rock the Boat

This adorable tender rocking cradle by Beaver Boatworks is almost reason enough to have another baby...at least for those of us that adore boating and seaside living. (I can just see my husband shaking his head no as he reads that.) I have quite a few friends who it would be perfect for. This accurate replica of a ship's tender is cyprus planked on a mahogany backbone with a lacewood transom. The company sells bedding to fit the unusual shape.

And just in case you thought it couldn't get any cuter, it does. After you are done using it as a cradle, you can get the conversion kit and turn it into a wagon. This has me written all over it, unfortunately the price tag doesn't, but hey, if you can swing it, I say go for it!

18th Century Colonial Renovation: Part VII

Perhaps the question I get asked more than any other lately is "Has your sister moved into her new house yet?" Unfortunately, the answer is no, but the good news is that there has been massive progress in the past few weeks. Above you can see the new built in bar and soon to be built in bookcases. The paint has been purchased for almost every room and much of the trim has been painted. The tile has been mostly installed in the two upstairs bathrooms, and since these pictures were taken the floors have also been re-done and the rooms are starting to look bright and spacious.

The lower and a few of the upper kitchen cabinets have been installed, and the appliances have arrived! It's actually starting to look a bit like a house that someone might be living in somewhat soon. And that would, indeed, be the goal. There are grand hopes that they will be moved in for Christmas. I think we're getting to the point where it will be more fun to reveal rooms as they are completed. These pictures aren't the most exciting, but I wanted to give you an update since it's been such a popular question.

Check out the progress of this renovation, here.

Happy Chic Bedding

As most of you know, I LOVE Jonathan Adler...like in a hugely enormous way. So I was really excited yesterday when I saw that he has brought back his line of bedding. Yay! Being a Newporter and growing up in Lilly Pulitzer, I have to say that the Pink Flame Bedding pretty much sums up a perfect marriage of preppy and modern for me. It almost makes me want to move my 19 month old into a twin bed so that I can purchase it, that is until I think of the fact that she would be able to escape her bed and I might not sleep for months.

For a more subdued, but equally stunning look I like the Blue Syrie Bedding. I can't think of a style house that this wouldn't look great in. Beach house, city, suburbs...it just works.

Orange is one of those colors that I don't think gets enough respect. My bathroom is orange and I see people cringe when I say that, but then they see it and tell me how much they love it. Actually, the fabric of this Orange Mustique Bedding would make a fabulous shower curtain for said bathroom. The first thing I thought when I saw this bedding was that it reminded me of Matouk, quite possibly one of the best bedding company's on the planet, and this provides a similar look at a more affordable price.
All of the Jonathan Adler bedding is 400 thread count 100% cotton percale, and there are several other patterns that are equally as fabulous. Now you can get a chic night's sleep.

End of Season Gardening

While I love all of the seasons, I never have an easy time saying goodbye to my garden come late fall. And even though I must admit that I've highly neglected the garden of late, I will still miss it until spring. I found this hydrangea bloom last weekend and became mildly obsessed with it. The colors are so spectacular in it and it was that last little bit of beauty from a summer bloom.

This week, we had our first forecast for frost and so after taking the kids trick or treating and getting them to bed, I ended up in my vegetable garden with a flashlight at 10 p.m. picking every last thing I could-tomatoes, peppers, green beans. We didn't have the frost that was forecasted, but I thought it was a good reminder that it's time to bring it all in. If you have potted herbs, you should be able to bring those in and keep them going inside for a bit. Or pick them and dry them or freeze them in water in ice cube trays so you can pop an herb cube out as needed.

Frost also means that the ground is going to be frozen soon so if you want to see daffodils, tulips, crocus and other spring bulbs, now is the time to make sure you get them planted. There is nothing quite like that first bloom after a long winter.