Gift Guide-apalooza...

Audrey and I worked together on selecting our favorite gifts for an 8-year-old girl over on tada! shop.



My round-up of favorite gifts for all the inspiring ladies in your life over on Etsy...



And last but not least a few things I'd love to give (or get) over on modern eve.

I think there's a bit of an art to selecting a (really) good gift... You have to channel the recipient and home in on what they truly love, what makes them tick, what delights them. But to really get it right, I would propose there's a bit of "soothsaying" required, as the best gift (in my humble opinion) is something you really didn't know how much you'd love (use, need) until the giver presented it to you.

Can you tell I put a lot of thought into this whole gift-giving enterprise? (I might be a bit gift obsessed. I'm not going to lie.)

So I was really excited when the fantastic folks at Etsy, the lovely ladies at tada! shop, and my friend Katie of Modern Eve asked me to share some favorite gifts this year... I had a blast pulling the respective guides together, sleuthing out lovely things for kiddos (actually Audrey's responsible for that guide) and besties alike, so in lieu of doing a full-blown gift guide here on Simple Lovely this year, I thought I'd share these with you guys.

I also thought it would be fun (and according to my Mother, helpful to my family ;-) to share what I'm wishing for this year. Here goes...

My Wish List:

My list clockwise from top: Heath Studio Mugs, Cy Twombly: Fifty Years of Works on Paper, Odette Arrow Ring (I'm working on my own "stack"), CV Leopard Fold-Over Clutch

So...What's on your list this year??

Some Scenes From The Weekend...

before the (second) feast...








Oh friends we ate (and ate and ate). But it was good...totally worth it even. (I never feel too bad about "the eating" when the food is really excellent, and in this case, it was.)

In addition to the food marathon, we played lots of UNO, slept-late, hung out with friends and just generally futzed about, which was a nice contrast to the hectic few days leading up to the holiday. I also finally watched the excellent Bill Cunningham documentary. (I know I'm late to the game here.) He is just an amazing person: passionate, immensely talented, exceedingly humble... The movie is a must-see, even if you have no interest in fashion (I watched it with Bryan and my dad, neither of which are particularly sartorially inclined, and they both loved it), as it inspires your best self -- always a good thing. It was a highlight of my weekend for sure.

Bill Cunningham and cranberries. It really doesn't get better than that!

Fancy Hair + Some Minted Winners

behind the scenes at the shoot...

Several months ago I was in NYC in the midst of a decidedly "pinch-me" moment...

I was there to be shot for the December issue of Better Homes and Gardens, an experience involving a huge, light-filled photo studio, racks of lovely clothes, hairdressers, make-up artists, caterers, super chic editors, stylists, a hilarious (and immensely handsome) photographer, and loads of confetti.

It was some seriously crazy (once in a lifetime, stories for the kiddos) business friends. Big time.

It was also seriously nerve-wracking...let's just say I am not so good at the whole having-my-photo-taken enterprise. It freaks my action out. But any trepidation was totally off-set by the loveliness of the aforementioned "village" at the shoot. Kind, funny, warm...just a really fantastic group of people.


the finished product...

The result recently hit newsstands, and I can safely say that my hair has never looked so bouncy -- it's a far cry from my standard disheveled vibe. Suffice to say, my mother is extremely proud.

Thank you Better Homes and Gardens for such an amazing experience.

Ok now for the really important stuff -- the winners of the Minted holiday card giveaway. Congrats Araya and Michele!

And last but not least happy, happy Thanksgiving friends. We're gearing up for some major consumption with back-to-back feasts. We'll celebrate with Bryan's folks tomorrow and then cook Thanksgiving dinner part II on Friday for a big group at our house. So I'm taking the rest of the week off to revel in the carbs.

Let the gratitude (and the eating) begin!

Loving...

Stylist Camille Bidault Waddington in French Vogue... love everything about these photos + she is just stunning, yes? (Via Scout Holiday)


A big, gleaming canister of Bellocq Tea. (Via Spartan Journal.)


Flora's beautiful 2012 calendars (she's created three this year). A full year of her perfect watercolors....What could be better?


SHIP&SHAPE -- just a completely fantastic new online shop. Love the careful curated hand-crafted goods, love the styling and the branding...love it all.


Kate's photos for ERMIE's (utterly awesome) F/W '11 collection (launching this week)... Their collaboration is perfection. The images fully capture Jennifer's artful and immensely beautiful clothing and textiles...


And speaking of Kate, I'm loving her latest work... I think these ceramic woven necklaces are my favorite of all of her stellar creations.


Laura's immensely lovely hand-calligraphed covers for equally covetable vintage books. I'd love to find this one under the tree on Christmas morning...


Friends cooking together...pure magic. So excited to do some collaborative cooking with dear friends and family later this week! (The Jewels of New York via photographer Paul Barbera's Where They Create project.)

p.s. -- don't forget today's the last day for the Minted holiday card giveaway...

Some Scenes From The Weekend (+ A Little Monday Love)

It was an odd weekend. Overcast and grey both days but wildly swinging from muggy and hot to bone-chilling in a single afternoon. Because it's a convenient scapegoat, I'm going to blame the weather on the general sense of malaise at the Taylor household this weekend... We were decidedly out of sorts, all four of us. The girlies were surly and snappish, which in turn made me surly and snappish. We were not in a good way to say the least.

I struggle a bit with expecting too much from those girlies of mine. You see, they trick me with moments of such maturity and enlightenedness that I get thrown when they, well...act their age. Their world is swirling a bit right now, and they're having a hard time processing it all (rightfully so). I know this, but somehow I'm not doing a very good job acting on it. But knowing it is the first step, right?

In the spirit of balancing the unvarnished honestly (so I don't completely bum you guys out), we did have a couple of bright spots. In particular, Bryan and I managed to carve out some time to meander awe-struck through the Gaultier exhibit at the DMA... it was utterly mind-blowing. I also unearthed a trove of new brass bits, inspiring a bout of relatively drama-free necklace making with the girlies (we're hoping to have our little online shop up next week). So some goodness to temper the less than stellar moments.

But goodness aside, we found ourselves pretty happy to welcome Monday, which isn't exactly a common occurrence. There's a freshness in Monday. It's efficient, crisp. There was a lightness to our moods this morning when we were getting ready for the day. The girlies were agreeable and giggly again. Hopefully it'll last. Wish us luck ;-)


p.s. -- In other fun Monday news, there's a little interview with me up on Momfilter today... so, so honored to be in that space. Thanks Jamie!

Blogger's Favorites -- Jenny of Aubrey Road

Jenny is one of those rare bloggers that manages to convey an entire world in very few words -- a sentence here, a quote there. (I, on the other hand, fall distinctly into the category of "the wordy blogger", but I'm trying to embrace brevity a bit more...Trying.) Her aesthetic sensibility is so focused, her vision so clear, that it more than compensates for her lack of online loquaciousness. And her taste, well her taste is enviable. I inevitably walk away from a visit to her stunning blog, Aubrey Road, completely inspired. It's a good space.

So I'm happy to have Jenny take us into the weekend with some of her favorite things. The list is just as lovely as you'd expect it to be.

Without further ado, herewith Jenny's favorites. Enjoy and have a fantastic weekend friends!



WATER -- Even when I don't realize it, I need and have to have water in my life. Spending time in or around the ocean makes me feel a little wiser, more patient and generally more enjoyable to be around. (Photo via Sundry Sullen)


BLACK & WHITE INTERIORS -- I am endlessly drawn to simple, laid-back interiors that stick to a neutral palette.

SLOUCHY STYLE -- My personal style is super casual. I love simple pieces like jeans, tanks/tees, button downs and the occasional blazer. Of course Emmanuelle Alt owns this look and I love her.

(Photos via Stil Inspiration, Trendy Crew)


SWEETS -- I don't have a sweet tooth, I have a mouth full of sweet teeth and they like to be satisfied every day. I usually pick up treats from my favorite local health food market, but I also have something homemade on hand at all times. (Photo via Orangette)


NIGHTTIME -- I've always been a natural night owl (slash borderline nocturnal). Nighttime is my favorite time of day and when I feel most energetic and creative. (Photo via North Hawaii)


WORDS -- It pains me that a lot of my books are in storage right now. However, I'm a big believer that the right words will find you at the right time in any form--magazines, a movie, tumblr, whatever. (Photo via The Black Book)


TRAVELING -- It's hard to beat the experience of visiting a new part of the world for the first time (or even visiting old favorites again and again). There are so many places to see, I hope to get to as many as possible.

STYLING. I have a deep love and admiration for photography and prop styling. When the two are combined well, I can't take my eyes off the image. The way items interact and are arranged makes my eyes very happy.

(Photo via Sundry Sullen, Desire to Inspire)


GUYS WITH TATTOOS -- A handsome guy with tasteful tattoos will always make me stare a moment or four longer.(Photo via Young Folk Society)

A Case for Concentration... (The Selby + Lucy Chadwick)

All images stills from the Selby Film for Zara

I loved every. single. thing about the Selby Film for Zara featuring Lucy Chadwick -- the beautiful light in her Manhattan loft, the big abstract painting leaning casually against the wall, her wardrobe... And don't even get me started on that gorgeous coffee pot. Just so much goodness.

But what I can't get out of my head is that essential transition she makes from her harried cosmopolitan life to her reflective rural existence, complete with outfit change. She's like a super chic Mr. Rogers. Brilliant.

And then there was this line:

“It’s very easy in the kind of environment that I work in to just skim across the surface of everything, imagining that you’re doing the best possible job…Concentration is something that is fairly sparse during my working week.”

This sentiment pretty much sums up my current existence and made me (yet again) ruminate on this idea of unplugging and focusing and just going "all in" on something.

The non-stop flitting about wears on your ability to produce anything really great, don't you think? I am craving some time for concentration... I need to get on that. As soon as I'm done with the 50 other things I'm doing, deal?

An Aha! Moment and A Minted Giveaway...

This year's holiday cards (yep, there are two of them) via Minted.

When we did our family photo session with the lovely Kelly a couple of weeks ago, my goal was to procure a snap to use for our holiday card. I did not have high hopes.

My consternation had nothing to do with the photographic prowess of Kelly -- she's an immensely talented gal that one. No, it was solely due to the fact that, well...my family sucks at taking family photos. Truly. Oh and when we're in the act of sucking at taking them, I have the tendency to drop the f-bomb. A lot. It's not a good scene.

I won't bore you guys with ruminations over why this particular seemingly innocuous act sends the Taylor crew into such a tizzy, but I will say that I'm dealing with the reality by taking a decidedly more mellow approach about the whole enterprise. Basically I've stopped caring if we end up looking crazy (reasoning that looking crazy in a family photo adds to its charm). I'm just going to go with that and move on, ok?

Family photos complete, now it's time to select one for the card... Enter more consternation. I want to go with the crazy photo with the girlies wearing masks. It feels fun, irreverent, real. The rest of my family (i.e. Bryan and my mother who I've called in for opinions) thinks recipients of our holiday card will actually want to see the girlies faces. Hours of waffling ensue: do I go with the photo that bucks convention, or do I go the more traditional (but less fun) route and opt for the standard family photo? Ah the agony, the indecision.

Then on the way to work this morning, like magic (magic, that is, to a completely obtuse person like myself), I have the aha! moment. Why don't I order some of each... I'll send the "zany" version to folks we see all the time under the assumption that they know what the girlies look like and reserve the more traditional version for relatives and friends afar. A no brainer, yes??

So now it's your turn (and there's something in this for you). Give me your thoughts on the whole holiday card enterprise. Do you agonize over this as much as I do?

In return for sharing your tales, I'll pick two of you to get 50 free personalized holiday cards courtesy of Minted*. Just leave your comment by end of day next Tuesday the 22nd and I'll announce a winner on the 23rd...

Good Luck!

* A note on Minted -- This is the third consecutive year I've used Minted for our holiday cards, and I have to say they manage to make it an altogether amazingly easy process (quite a feat given my holiday card travails). Suffice to say, I'm a fan.

Loving...

Alison Reintjes' "Functional Objects"... especially her deft use of color in her magical glazes. (Via Lucia of course.)


Jennifer's "stack"...an enviable mix for sure.


And for the second week in a row, another wholly inspiring inspiration board (redundant, I know)...This one belongs to one of the lovely ladies behind Banquet... (Image via Martha Stewart.)


Loup Charmant's "Cuddle" shearling vest via Pretty Mommy...I'd be loving it for the name alone, but I can't help but be drawn to the instant glam-inducing powers of a big fuzzy vest. Wearing this would just make my reality feel far more fabulous. (Image via the dull diamond.)


Fall in Lena's neck of the woods. Really I never tire of a good autumnal photo.


Robert Motherwell. Full stop.


Bonnie Tsang...my current photog crush. The light, oh my.


Iacoli & McAllister's Necklace No. Ultra for Sight Unseen...I'm loving the pops of powdery pink amidst all that black and gold. Just so, so good.

And speaking of necklaces, I'm loving getting to see some of mine hanging at Michelle's pop-up shop at Spruce in Minneapolis last weekend. I'm planning to launch a little "PACE" online shop soon... Stay tuned.


Wholly magical paper flowers by Thuss and Farrell that are almost as pretty as the real thing... (Via Anthology.)