gifting without the gouge

Each year finding the perfect gift seems to get more and more difficult, especially when you are on a budget.  Here are some stylish gift ideas that won't break the bank!

FOR THE CHOCO-HOLIC

dylan's candy bar, 10-pack assortment $25

FOR THE COZY COUPE

z gallerie nova throw $69

FOR THE DESIGN DIVAS

jessica mcintyre interiors small silver rams head, $50

FOR THE iPHONE ADDICT

jonathan adler iphone cover $19

 

 

FOR THE BETTY CROCKER

velocity tea towels, $19 ea

velocity magnetic kitchen timer, $13

barney's best of the best cookbook recipes, $30

 

       

FOR THE MOVIE BUFF

taschen 100 all-time favorite movies, $59

FOR THE NEWEST ADDITION

wisteria snuggle blanket, $29

cinema inspired

'Tis the season for great MOVIES! Going to the theater is a favorite activity of mine, especially during the holidays. True Grit, King's Speech (who doesn't love Mr. Darcy?), and The Fighter are all on my list... but one film that stands out for it's visual drama is Black Swan.

With it's dark theme, striking aesthetic and incredible cast, Black Swan should be an interesting few hours. Regardless of the plot (aren't ballet and thriller mutually exclusive?), I am eager to check it out.

Cinema can be very exciting for a designer to translate into a room. Who hasn't been inspired by classics such as Breakfast at Tiffany's and Pillow Talk? If any of you recall Joan Crawford's bathtub in The
Women, you are right there with me! Today
we'll let Black Swan inspire a dinner party...

Red Glass Cake Plates, Horchow

Dinner Party Invitation, Minted

Black Maria Soap Party Favor, Jayson Home & Garden

Orleans Dining Chairs available through JMI

Swallow Plate, John Derian

Mosaic Plate and Guinea Placemat, Jayson Home & Garden

Delaunay Steel Dining Table, 1stdibs

Black Glass Chandelier available through JMI

Balcon du Guadalquivir dessert plate, Hermes

Michael Wainwright Platinum Drinkware, Horchow

when it comes to christmas, i'm with tony.

Famous designer-to-the-stars Tony Duquette made the phrase "more is more" any designer's excuse to go wild. I may not run with it on every project, but when it comes to decorating for Christmas, I'm with Tony.

More is More.

Case in point, this beautiful jewel-toned Christmas tree featured in Traditional Home's holiday edition. Typical red and green ornaments are spiced-up with pops of deep aubergine (a color I can't get enough of this year) and sparkling metallics. Keep piling on the ornaments, tinsel, and ribbon, and trust me... you will transform your tree into something FABULOUS!

Get the jewel-toned look with these fabulous finds from West Elm, Crate & Barrel, Wisteria, Anthropologie, Horchow, and Z Gallerie.