Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Gift Guide: The Working Stiff

Via

For the desk jockey, the pencil pusher the 9-5er - enliven his office life with dapper gifts for his time on the job and off. 

Put a new slant on his cocktail with a tumbler designed to keep his whiskey chilled, but never watered down. Whiskey Wedge from Uncommon Goods.

A handsome leather case adds warmth, texture (and a little grip) to his sleek (and slick) new phone. Leather Wrap Case from Adopted NYC.


Clean and classic personalized stationary, because he understands the value of a handwritten note. Modern Letterpress Utility Flat Notes from Seaborn Press on Etsy.

A paperweight with a great Mad Men, mid-century feel. Tipsy Topsy from the American Design Club.

A daily reminder, and a place to toss his keys. Predict the Future Tray from Owen and Fred.


Because Mondays will always be Mondays. Left Right Mismatch Socks from Urban Outfitters.


Elevate his workday routine whether in the office or from the corner coffee shop. Because he's been really freaked out after reading this article. Portable Standing Desk from Standstand.


A much beloved belt that promises no stretched out holes, a better fit and a part of proceeds that go to fighting global hunger. What could be better. Steel Buckle Belt from Mission Belt Co.
A scientific solution for keeping small supplies in order. Desk Supply Set from ModCloth.

A crisp pocket square with some cheeky embroidery. Gesundheit Pocket Square from Jack Spade (also available in Achoo).


A classic (and classy) box set for Friday night game nights. Wooded Dice and Card Set from Terrain.


A shoe shine brush, for putting his best foot forward. Shoe Brush from Izola.



A classic movie line memorialized in t-shirt form. For weekends off. Sandlot Great Bambino Tee from Urban Outfitters.


A heavyweight cable for charging devices at home or in the office, with a weighted knot that ensures he won't have to fish behind the nightstand before plugging in before bed. Because that's a pain. Night Cable by Native Union.

A suite of coordinated accessories. Feeling creative? Mix & match your own custom box. Style Box from the Tie Bar.


Because cool shoes are always a good gift. Ben Sherman Parson from Zappos.


For his stocking, man chapstick in manly flavors like rosemary and fennel. Farewell Old Chap from Buy Olympia.


A super functional pen. With rulers and a level for, you know,  leveling things. A tiny toolkit for your pocket.  Tool Pin from Cool Material



A funky cool clock for dressing up his desk. Dome Mantel Clock from Spitfire Girl.


A best book of 2014 by a favorite author. Because economics are fun. Think Like a Freak from Amazon.





Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Gift Guide: The Jetsetter

Flughafen by Ho-Yeol Ryu
Because travel can be both a joy and a pain and having the right gear is more that half the battle. Gift your favorite frequent flier with luxe versions of in flight essentials to elevate her experience on the road.

The most gorgeous set of leather travel bags (featured on this blog before), in an assortment of new hues. Travel Case Set from Cuyana.


Fragrance that travels well from a cult parfumerie. Solid Perfume from Le Labo.


A heavyweight convertible shawl to ward off the chill. Because there's always a chill. Snap infinity scarf from Corner Bungalow on Etsy.




Because it's a far better option than battling it out for the three outlets near her gate.  Power Cell (that promises 12.5 more hours of talk time) from Ventev.
A beautiful calendar from a favorite illustrator. Travel the World calendar from Rifle Paper Co.


A super soft shirt featuring her favorite port of call. Airport tees from Pilot & Captain.


A bag tag that couldn't be clearer. Not Yours Luggage Tag from Make Smith.


A carry-on friendly nerve calmer. For tight connections and middle seats. Stress-fix from Aveda.




A collection of carefully curated weekend adventures. For inspiring wanderlust. The New York Times 36 Hours series from Taschen.


An in flight essential with structured curves to prevent eye squishing. Forty blinks eye mask from Travel Smith



A new take on a travel guide, and a repeat on this blog. Great ideas for creating joy anywhere. Anywhere Travel Guide on ModCloth.

A perfect stocking stuffer that always comes in handy on the road. Yes to Cucumbers Towlettes from 3 FL Oz.


For more questionable accommodations, a lightweight silk sleep sack that ensures a restful night.  Dreamsack from Yala.




Because it's much easier to throw one conglomerate adaptor in your bag and know you'll be covered wherever you go. 4 - in- 1 Adaptor from Flight 001.

Because it is the perfect solution to post-flight flat hair, and it smells amazing. Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray in travel size from Birchbox.


Leggings, with pockets, and a wonderfully high waist - comfort that's totally passable for business class. Skinny Will Pant from Lululemon.

Because they're the best you can buy. For tuning out a chatty neighbor. Quiet Comfort 25 Noise Canceling Headphones from Bose.



A sleek and shimmery wallet designed to accommodate passport, cards and assorted currencies. WWT Passport Wallet by This is Ground.


To capture the coordinates of a particularly special place, or a whole armful of adventures. Coordinates Collection.


Because I'm convinced a backpack makes the best carry on. Reverse Denim Twill Snap Backpack from Everlane.


Because you are feeling grand - lounge access for the airline of her choice. Carriers too varied? Try Priority Pass instead.

Monday, December 8, 2014

Gift Guides 2014

Via
I should probably start by apologizing for the lackluster life of this blog over the past 12 months, but statistics show that this is your favorite part anyways so hopefully you'll forgive me.  I've been traveling a lot, had some big highs and a few lows. I've seen some amazing things, met wonderful people and eaten a lot of delicious food, but the holidays always feel like coming home.

It's an opportunity to reflect on the year and re-connect with our closest friends and family - which for me always means gifting.  I hope you'll find some joy this season in picking out the perfect things for the people in your life.

For reference

2010 Guides

2011 Guides

2012 Guides

2013 Guides

Friday, March 7, 2014

Swimming Pool



As another round of winter weather makes its way through town this afternoon, I don't think I've ever been more ready for spring. Argentinean artist, Leandro Erlich's new permanent swimming pool installation at The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa Japan takes me right to the best part of summers - long lazy days in and out of the pool at D's parents' place.


This fascinating installation has all the trappings of a real swimming pool; ladder, deck, lights and drains, but only 10 cm of water suspended on top of clear glass, and a side door to enter the pool from beneath. Visitors to the installation experience the mixed perspectives of looking down on others in the bottom of the pool and then traveling inside to look up from within.


Although not a new piece (it had a lengthy run at MoMA's PS1 in 2008), it has found a permanent home in Kanazawa where the sun light shimmering through the water makes for an even more authentic summer experience.



Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Valentines for Her

Photo by Daniel Lebee
Another installment of Valentines. This one goes to the ladies - your sisters, mom, colleagues and girlfriends, let them feel how loved they are.


Because it's cold outside. A cheerful sweatshirt in a cherry color from Hello Merch. 
Because bad hair days happen, a hat full of never-fading flowers Liberty baseball cap from J. Crew


Because it's a valid question. What would Beyonce Do? print from Charm and Gumption on Etsy

Because she needs something to carry that morning coffee in, Cold Hands Warm Heart travel mug by Kate Spade on Swoozies.


Because her coffee needs options, Darling Coffee Mug from Sundance


Because it's a classy way to leave her mark. Custom crossed arrow stamp from Stationary Boutique on Etsy


Because it's romantic, Love Poems by Pablo Neruda from BHLDN


Because this is even more romantic, Elle Mcpherson Windchime set on Journelle.



Because that's one beautiful bottle. Passiflora by Nest Fragrances from Sephora.



Because it's a cheery way to counteract the grey days, heart umbrella from Amazon.


Because nothing could be more true, Shot of Whisky tee from ThugLife Shirts on Etsy


Because it's a subtle way to bling up her daily look, Mae necklace from Stella and Dot.


Because her home is her haven, delicious candles in beautiful packages, Capri Blue Lost and Found series from Anthropologie.


Because she needs a classy carry-all for a night on the town, Cube01 Clutch from Pyrite Sky on Etsy


Finally because she's an Instagram artist, a beautiful softcover book of her greatest pics from Artifact Uprising.