Skip's Sis Starts a Blog

Hurrah! My fabulous l'il sister, Fabs, has started a design blog!

She'll be chronicling the trails, tribulations and triumphs of decorating (from scratch) the spectacular space she currently occupies at 25 Fifth Avenue in New York City and readying it for our parents' presupposed retirement (I'm so sure).

Head to NYC Nest to keep abreast of her interior improvements.

Skip is Bummed Out

Horrid news today! I just received an email alert from the ever-informative Women's Wear Daily (WWD) that Domino magazine is shuttering!

I heart Domino and all the creative, cool interiors depicted inside...indeed, the latest February issue was fabulous!

Such a bummer! Hopefully they will at least keep the website up and running...?

The Inspired Fire Extinguisher

I am a firm believer in the if-it-ain't-broke-don't-redesign-it school of classical industrial products. For example; please consider colorful, retro telephones compared with the insipid new black/silver plastic wireless versions or compare a time-honored time keeper clock with an impersonal digital doomsday type that haunt bedside tables everywhere. Most of the time, vintage is better. But not always...

For this little beauty I will certainly make an exception...it is a cleverly redesigned version of the classic, red fire extinguisher that I discovered while perusing the surfeit of design blogs on the world wide web this past weekend.

If only it were available in the U.S....currently, you can buy it at Cox & Cox in the U.K.

Skip Wants to Throw a Party

I can't believe I am even uttering the word 'party' after barely making it through the Holidays, but I am looking for any excuse to buy these confetti-filled pinatas.

They are perfect for my glam, white and gold color-schemed Mexican cocktail fiesta which will also include these White Paper Flowers, something made of feathers and will take place in my yet-to-be-bought-and-or-built party barn.

Ah, confetti-filled dreams!

Last Minute Gift List Update

For those of you desperately looking for some last minute Holiday gifts (Mummy, this one is for you) allow me to update my ever-expanding, never-necessary list of gift must-haves.

(1) A Letterpress Calendar. While I am thoroughly enjoying the time management function on my iPhone, Victory, I find there is always a need for month-at-a-glance calendar viewing at work. What prettier way to fulfill this function that with an artistic and original letterpress calendar! I love the hand drawn feather version at The Wild Unknown.

(2) Crafty Teapot Cozy. For a house to be considered truly English, it absolutely must include a biscuit tin for biscuits and a biscuit tin for tea bags (as advised by my father), a plethora of dish cloths, a teapot (obviously), ample tea mugs (again, courtesy of my Daddy) and, of course, a tea cozy. While RTT and I have a cutesy cupcake version from my Mummy, I do so love this flouncy crochet kind from Eden & Eden.

(3) Dyptique Fragrance. I am sure it's been made abundantly clear that I am a fragrance freak. RTT can attest to the overflowing tray of perfume bottles on our dresser each of which I labeled with appropriate moods and feelings imparted by the smell contained within. Is that crazy? Yes. Do I care? No. I even want more, like this divine fig-scented bouquet from Dyptique, Philosykos. It is described as a "fig tree and white cedar on a hot summer day in Greece." Yes, please!

(4) Fancy Gladiator Sandals. I fulfilled my fashion need for flat gladiator sandals last Summer with an adorable, gold pair from Matt Bernson. But this Spring, I really want to glam it up on the gladiator front. This fab python pair from Coach will be the perfect match for my incredibly stylish, yet-to-be-discovered cocktail dresses at all the weddings we have to attend this year.

(5) Personalized Stationery. More, you ask? Again, you say? Well, what would a Wish List be without a stationery line item? And, clearly my dreams have yet to come true in this department otherwise I wouldn't keep including them! My new favorite is this uber-chic vintage wallpaper version from Linda & Harriet. Of course, $490 for a set of 50 is a tad-bit excessive, but...why not just make sure everyone is at least aware of my amazing taste?

Only 4 more shopping days until Christmas, folks!

Skip Dreams of a Sunday Ride

I am almost 100% sure that this bicycle would inspire me to take up bike riding after a 18-year hiatus.

The Simple City 3 W. In Gloss Aqua, obviously.

Thanksgiving

Since RTT and I are now adults, we hosted Thanksgiving this year for my marvelous family. Despite a frustrating couch delivery issue and some minor meal scares (the turkey was cooked upside-down), the entire weekend was relatively stress-free...

The Duck Boat!

Penny & Dan

Oh, Frances Palmer, how I love thee!

RTT cooks.

Charades is fun for everyone!

Mmmm...leftovers.

Keeping in Touch

I would keep in touch with so many more friends if I had a swank sofa on which to lounge and this retro-marvelous phone on which to make calls...

At Russell John Imports.

Skip's Preppy Plate Preoccupation

So, my YSL-in-Marrakech outdoor patio theme doesn't quite complement my new and improved exterior decor obsession inspired by these ingenious customized melamine plates from La Plates...Preppy Palm Springs with some pugnacious Parker thrown in!

I can't wait for Summer 2009!

DIY Skip

RTT and I are so handy! Check out our doorway fancy work...

Before: Yucky Faux-Laminate Panelling

After: Classy, Forest Green Gloss Paint!

Skip's Wish List; Part II

As much as I hate to admit it, I am getting older. Indeed, my 29th birthday (twentyfine) is rapidly approaching. Yipes.

However, a little list making always lifts my spirits! Thus, I'm officially beginning my Birthday/Christmas list here and now...

(1) David Yurman Perfume. No one can resist the winter-y aroma of this luxurious new scent. I am obsessed with it!

(2) Custom Calendar Charm. What better way to celebrate my glorious entrance into this world than with jewelry that reminds me of me?!?! Or rather, my wedding day?!?! I would like this calendar charm from Charm Co. marked with a sparkling May 9th, 2008...

(3) Lomographer's Diana F+ Camera. I'm going retro this season (think 70's Sloane Rangers) both in form and function. I desperately need this hip, old-school camera to unleash my inner artiste. The Diana F+ Starter Kit and the Diana+ 35mm Back Kit, please.

(4) Custom Stationery. While I'm fairly sure I've already made clear my utmost desires for personalized, married-gal stationery, I'll just reiterate my need here. I'm leaning towards the violet lady silhouette, FYI.

(5) Morning Hat. As I will no doubt be waking up at the crack of dawn to walk my precious pup, my not-so-precious bed head will need to be covered up in a cute cap. I've decided the Grey Wool Maude hat from Coach is my best bet. I look good in hats.

(6) Winter Handbag. While at the Coach website, why not make me that much happier with the fabulous Hamptons bobo hobo bag in glossy grey that will perfectly compliment my bleak-is-chic winter wardrobe.

(7) Owl Umbrella Stand. Once a Chi Omega, always a Chi Omega....or something like that. I need this umbrella stand. That's all I can say.

Ode to a Clothes Steamer

A serpentine beauty saved my life...
(and suggested I was a more productive wife)
Before a reluctant slave to the hateful iron,
A friends' gift of steam kept me from crying!

A simple tap conducts a hissing smoke dance,
Blessed relief for stacks of agitated pants!
With effort that is really no effort at all,
Wrinkle-free shirts make Tim stand tall.

Clothing indecision early every morning...
Outfits no longer need prior evening warning.
With 7am steam sessions to look our best,
The ironing panics have been put to rest!

Skip's Black Thumb

I was very excited to try out my verdant thumb on our precious back patio. I spent more than 3 years in San Francisco with a desolate window box and was not about to let a "real" summer in Boston pass me by without an attempt at horticulture.

As it turns out, I have the opposite of a green thumb. I have a black thumb. I am Midas' rogue sibling--everything I touch dies a black death.

RTT assures me that practice makes perfect and I may just have to kill every last plant in the garden before honing my green thumb-ness. I'm not so sure. I think these pics speak for themselves.

Skip is a Naturalist

I have become unnaturally obsessed with decor inspired by nature; bird motifs, Jonathan Adler's menagerie of ceramic beasts, grand, silver antler candlesticks and drinks trays formed from petrified wood...

My most recent discovery in chic, organic interiors happens to also be the most beautifully brillant solution to my over-flowing coat closet...these divine carved wooden hooks from John Roboham at Live Wire Farm!

I shall mount them on the wall near the back door and keep my new puppy's leashes at easy reach.

Skip Loves Creative Candles

I am completely guilty of joining the fragranced candle bandwagon back in college (ok, and maybe for a few years afterwards). I hoarded the sickly sweet Freesia scent from the ubiquitous Bath & Body Works accompanied by asinine white ceramic stands on which to 'display' them...I even stooped to buying, dare I admit it, Vanilla Musk candles from Target with faux silver plate stands. Oh, the shame!

Thankfully, I have moved on from that horrid stage of my life and limit my smelly candle purchases to only the fragranced favorites from Kobo (the White Birch & Rosemary is sensational) and Modern Alchemy (Tincture of Winchester is unreal)...so, maybe, for old time's sake, I also enjoy a Dyptique Figuier as a guilty pleasure. But mostly, I am determined to keep it simple, sophisticated and most importantly, subtle. These days, I practically gag when I smell Vanilla Musk.

I have also grown up to actually own my very own candlesticks (no more cheap plate things). Quite an accomplishment! I have these fantastic crystal ones from Anthropolgie and a faux metal Antler pair from Maxwell-Silver. However, what I failed to consider in my candle maturity was the trouble resulting from different sized candlestick openings. The Crystal pair have giant holes in the base while the Antler pair have comparably smaller openings. It's impossible to buy candles that fit both!

Alas, my dear readers, I have uncovered the ultimate solution, the elegant tapers from Creative Candles, beloved by both Martha Stewart and House Beautiful (is there a better endorsement). I discovered these beauties when shopping at my treasured South End design store, Hudson, and was attracted to them mostly because of the rich, saturated colors (I bought the mustard yellow, pale turquoise and classic brown). What I came to find out is that along with quality construction (the wax is so silky) and yummy color choices, each pack includes a beeswax strip to help "size" the candle to fit any candlestick.

It's a miracle! Now I will limit my taper candle purchases to only the offerings of Creative Candles.

Bon Chic Bon Genre

How lovely to begin my now-married, balmy Boston summer with these marvelously chic susani printed melamine plates from Bon Genre. Who knew plastic plates could be so creatively cool?!?!

I'll now have to work on a YSL-in-Marrakech-with-Talitha-Getty-on-a-rooftop design scheme for my patio and throw a Morrocan feast!

Er, or something like that.

Charley Harper

As I stare daily at the blank walls in my apartment, I long to cover them in sophisticated yet quirky art that compliments my preppy-on-the-edge, mid-century-modern-meets-english-country-house styling.

Happily, the graphic, botanical prints by the late Charley Harper are the absolute embodiment of my mode de maison and readily available for a small fee (art is an investment, after all) on eBay.

C. Jere

Having been somewhat of an artiste in my youth (my mother will gladly show any willing soul her collection of Skip-originals nibbles bowls from my high school pottery class), I have a well-honed appreciation for art (she says, modestly).

Now, while I do not much enjoy the average piece of lawn art (to call it sculpture would imply there was more to it than a windmill contraption with oddly moving cement arms) found in abundance on the North Shore of Chicago (the "money does not equal taste" theorem was never more true), I am obsessed with the retro metal sculpting of Mr. C. Jere. They are the epitome of mid-century modern and somehow manage to be both sharp and soothing at the same time. I most admire the creativity it took to make nuanced metal--its highs and lows, burnishing and shiny twinkle--a work of 3-D art.

I simply must have one for over my bed.

Certified reissues can be found at Jonathan Adler (another "real" sculptor).

Skip Loves Large Bags

I harbor no doubts about my long standing candidates for the imaginary "best invention" contest I hold in my day dreams. Clearly, I do not believe it to be indoor plumbing, electricity, the Internet or the printing press (as submitted by my brother and father, respectively). But in our modern age, I am convicted that the greatest consumer creations to-date are the Sharpie and Ziploc bags. The permanence, the colors, the convenience, the preservation! I refuse to hear of any other so-called contenders (e.g. the pencil sharpener, cars and the ill-fated VHS cassette).

Indeed, my case for the Ziploc bag just got that much more persuasive when I recently discovered (and promptly purchased) the XXL Ziploc bags. They offer the same plastic conserving features of the smaller, kitchen-sized creations, but are sized for sports equipment, garden gnomes, camping supplies (as if I would ever go camping, but still...), etc. Absolute genius!

I shoved every last piece of exercise paraphernalia into one bag and labeled it as such with a Sharpie.

Skip's Letterhead

I have to admit to extreme envy whenever I receive a thank you note expertly written on personalized stationary. How positively proper not only to write a thank you note to begin with, but also to send it along on delightful printed paper. It's so utterly WASP-y and plays perfectly into my stationery obsession. I want my own.

While I do not plan on changing my name once wed (I happen to have an attachment to my current last name and RTT seems content to let me marry him and be done with it), as a married woman I think it is even more imperative that I have signature stationery with which to write all my correspondence (pen pals, Quaker Oats, Jell-O, hostesses, etc.).

In typical Skip fashion, however, I'm struggling to decide on my consummate stationery statement. I've narrowed my choices down to the regal and snobbish purple silhouette from heaven (aka Neiman Marcus), a whimisical (if slightly crazy and junior) French Bulldog and the classic, Connecticut wreath monogram both from iomoi.

Decisions are the worst.