hostess gift ideas

All of a sudden our social calendar seems to have filled up. I always like to show up with a little something for the hostess. Instead of the usual bottle of wine or baked treat, I think one of these cool gifts from One Kings Lane would make awesome hostess gifts. I just stocked up on Olivina gift sets. Don’t forget to bring something fun for the kids at the house, too! My son’s mind would be blown with the cute teepee for the backyard … though he’d be equally happy with a candy bar. 

DETAILS: //1// Drexton Backyard Teepee $89   //2//Dransfield & Ross lacquer frame $36  //3//Magpie Ice bucket $169  //4//Olivina gift sets $12 - $45 

summer yard sale at bixby & ball

Bixby & Ball is having a summer yard sale this weekend at their Solana Beach, Ca shop. They’re cleaning house to make room for a bunch of new goodies. See you there!

sale at solo

Is it wrong of me to NOT want to post this? To adjust the dates so I get there first? To hoard all the amazing treasures for myself? Sigh. I will be good and let you know that SoLo is having one of their AMAZING warehouse sales April 29 - May 1, 2011. Doors open at 10am on Friday and Saturday, at 11am on Sunday. I’ll see you in line waiting to get in! 

SoLo is located at 309 South Cedros Avenue in Solana Beach, California. 

8 hostess gift ideas

Spring Break is around the corner, and with it is the beginning of the social season. I love shopping for hostess gifts. I always try to bring something that my hostess probably wouldn’t buy for herself, but can use in her home. Here are 8 of my favorite gifts for hostesses:

No. 1: Ceramic Note Pad (designed by Helen Johannessen; spotted via Apartment 34)   No. 2:  Tin of loose breakfast tea from Charleston Tea Plantation   No. 3: Orange blossom honey from Savannah Bee Company   No. 4: Pretty mercury glass candle from Anthropologie   No. 5: Fabulous cheese from Cowgirl Creamery   No. 6: Sofia Blanc-de-Blanc   No. 7: Cheese board by Soundview Millworks from Orange & Pear  No. 8: Fresh flowers wrapped in brown paper (visit HGTV to learn how to wrap a bouquet of flowers in brown paper).

bhldn launch

The geniuses over at Urban Outfitters (you know, the people responsible for all your favorite shops: Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, Free People, Terrain) launched a new concept store today called BHLDN (pronounced Beholden), a bridal boutique.

It’s full of beautiful frocks and bridal accessories. I’m sure you’ve seen sneak peeks all over the blogosphere (so jealous of my friends who got to see the sneak peek in person!), but today the BHLDN website is officially live, and it does not dissapoint.

I grew up surrounded by French women, so it’s no surprise that my lingerie drawer has nary a pair of plain panties. I love all the beautiful lace in BHLDN’s lingerie department.

All photos from BHLDN.

sweet last minute valentine's day gift ideas

Don’t let Valentine’s Day sneak up on you, boys and girls. It’s next Monday! Don’t freak out though, there is plenty of time to pull it together. Here are a few of my favorite Valentine’s Day gifts:

No. 1} A home made, hand crafted Valentine. Don’t worry if you’re not super crafty: it’s the thought that counts (really)    No. 2} A book of poems, like this collection of Love Poems by Pablo Neruda. Bonus points for memorizing one and whispering it in your loved one’s ear   No. 3} A pretty, keepsake hardback version of a favorite novel (suggestion: something steamy and romantic, like Wuthering Heights).   

No. 4} Sparkling Sofia Blanc de Blanc, in the adorable (and convenient) little pink cans. Bonus if you chill it before giving away, so we can sip it a.s.a.p.   No. 5} Heart shaped box of GOOD yummy chocolate from Chuao Chocolatiers (a local North County San Diego company!). Objectively, heart shaped boxes of chocolate are cheesy and overpriced, but don’t let that stop you. Everyone secretly loves them. I do, at least.    No. 6} It might be too late to order these super gorgous heart shaped pressed cookies (unless you live in Cincy), but it’s not too late to bake a batch at home. Don’t have a heart shaped cookie cutter? Get thee to a Dollar Store or any grocery, where they abound these days.  

No. 7} Flowers. See No. 5. If you live in San Diego or environs, I HIGHLY suggest you give my dear friend Adrianne Smith a buzz to reserve a delightful Valentine’s Day bouquet for your loved one. I will be assisting with the prep, and I will not spoil the surprise, but rest assured these arrangements are lovely, lovely, lovely. They come in two non-red, non-cheesy colorways, and three sizes/prices. Starting at just $30! Bonus: each one has a letterpress love tag by yours truly.

wish list: nautical tote bag

photo: Old Navy

I get the warm fuzzies for tote bags. And you guys know I adore anything nautical and chic (I’ve posted about nautical trends several times before). When I spotted these anchor tote bags on Old Navy (one of my fave spots to pick up clothes for my 7yo son who is growing like a weed, by the way) my heart skipped a beat. The anchor! The cool rope handles! The nifty leather details! The only thing that stopped me from buying one is that I cannot decide which color. I like them all. Which one do you like best? 

delphine + one kings lane event 02/04 - 02/06

I’m beyond thrilled to partner up with One Kings Lane once again for a 3 day sales event. We’ll have tons of amazing letterpress goodies at crazy low prices, so please do stop by One Kings Lane. Our event starts Friday, February 2, 2011 and runs through midnight on Sunday, February 6, 2011. You must be a member of OKL for access to the sale (membership is free). Happy shopping! 

style file: sexy valentine's day outfit

Sexy Valentine’s Day outfit: {1} Sleeveless white blouse with ruffles from Ann Taylor  {2} Pretty pink and nude lace panties from Nordstrom  {3} Diamond heart necklace from Robbins Brothers  {4} Super sexy pink suede high heels by YSL from Nordstrom  {5} Plain and simple, well fitting blue jeans from Levis  {6} Classic pale pink nail polish by Scotch.

I don’t recall ever going out on a date on Valentine’s Day. But if I did, I’d wear an understated, simple and sexy outfit like this. Okay, so the shoes aren’t so understated, but they are classic, right? I reallllly want them. I think the simplest outfit, like classic Levis, a pretty white shirt (with some ruffles for Valentine’s Day) and a great pear of heels, is the sexiest.

Normally I’m totally against any cheesy heart jewelry, but I make the exception for Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day. Tip for the guys: keep it as understated as possible when it comes to heart jewelry. I like the look of a simple diamond heart necklace.

We will stay home for Valentine’s Day. Boring, I know. I’ll probably make some cookies or cupcakes with our son — he loves pink frosting. What are your plans for Valentine’s Day?

wish list: outfit for a zen workout

I’m not a New Year’s Resolution type of girl. Never have been. However, January really does feel like a good time to re-dedicate myself to one of my true loves: working out. My very first job, where I actually got a paycheck, was at a gym. I feel really comfortable at a gym. I’m not one of those gym rats, who hang out all day and chit chat. In fact, I’ve been going to my current gym for about six months and have yet to say more than about 10 words to anyone. I like solitude in my workouts. One of the things that annoys me the most in life is people who talk during workout classes. My favorite workout used to be swimming (go figure) but these days I just don’t have the time. My mom introduced me to spin classes, and I’m hooked. Although it’s a class environment, it’s truly a solitary type of feeling I get in that class. I usually close my eyes during much of the workout, so it’s peaceful, like swimming.

Here are a few items on my wish list … things that would make my workout a little more chic, a little more comfy, a little more cool: Green jacket from Athleta; Shimano cycle shoes from Zappos; cute graphic grey tank top from Old Navy; capri workout pants from Old Navy; ta ta tamer bra from lululemon; and a pretty AND functional water bottle with filter right in it by Bobble (designed by Karim Rashid) from A+R Store.

nice package: trader joe's chocolate

Although my shopping cart was already completely overflowing, I HAD to buy this amazing looking chocolate from Trader Joe’s. Isn’t the packaging marvelous? I love the bold graphics. Although they didn’t need to, they carried the design inside the package, to the inner wrapping. Little surprises and attention to detail like this are part of what make this store so special. (By the way, the chocolate is pretty amazing, too.)

dating myself: i remember 1980s jordache jeans

Movie screen shot is from Moscow on the Hudson.

I love watching 1980s movies on Netflix. Last week I watched “Moscow on the Hudson,” which is set, in part, in Bloomingdales. It was fun to see all the 1980s product placement. A few things I remember from the movie: Jordache Jeans, Calvin Klein, Camp Beverly Hills, and Sergio Valente.

I mentioned this to someone here at the studio who was born in 1985. he had never heard of any of the above, save Calvin Klein. Am I that old? Ugh.

I don’t remember this exact Jordache commercial, but I do remember their slogan, “the Jordache look,” roller rinks and those tight high waisted beauties. I had a pink Hello Kitty comb in my back pocket for the ultimate in coolness.

major sale at chronicle

Squeal!!! I just got an email from one of my lovely sponsors, Chronicle Books, letting me know that Delphine-Ephemera readers get 40 percent off Chronicle Books through January 31, 2011. Eeeeek! I’ve shown some faves from my bookshelf (Little Book of Letterpress and Creative, Inc.) and ones I have my eye on above. To get the discount, use the code: CAL40 during checkout and click through to the Chronicle website here. Happy shopping and a big MERCI to Chronicle Books!

gift guide: for the equestrian

While cleaning up our son’s playroom I came across my old Breyer horses buried in the bottom of the toy chest. Like most little girls, I dreamed of having my own pony. I took riding lessons when I was in first grade, and did a bit of trail riding as a teen, but haven’t been on a horse since college.

I live in a major horse community now (my “village” is called Rancho Santa Fe due to all the horse ranches), and have grown to love the effortlessly chic look all the equestrian ladies have around here. The polo players who frequent the coffee shop aren’t too shabby, either. Major swoon. But I digress …

Here are some gifts the horse-lover in your life will love: No. 1: Horse engravings, pillows and trophy lamp by Two’s Company  No. 2: Red plaid throw from Williams-Sonoma Home  No. 3: Equestrian riding boots (the real deal) by TuffRider  No. 4: Limited Edition Shearling Jacket from J. Crew  No. 5: Vintage Horseshoe necklace from Freshly Fig (Etsy)  No. 6: Antique English Wing Back Leather Sofa from Dispela on 1stDibs  

No. 7 Wouldn’t this Deer lamp look chic with a plaid lamp shade and/or a coat of glossy paint (pale turquoise? red? black? yellow? white?)   No. 8 LOVE these Ralph Lauren glasses. I have a set of them and use them all the time.  No. 9 I love the trend of vintage trophies used as vases. Even better when they’re painted in a fun gloss finish.

antique shop

photo ©DELPHINE

A few weeks ago I went to visit my dear friend Reni’s new studio (super cute, by the way) and was completely intrigued by the unassuming antique shop located right next door (on State Street in Carlsbad, CA). The front looks a mess, just like the type of fun “junk shops” I loved to visit when I lived in New Bern, North Carolina. I spotted lots of fun treasures there — everything from vintage lamps to drawer pulls to a cool typewriter to a fun bright red 60’s suitcase. The prices were amazing, too (I was tempted to snatch up that suitcase — an American Tourister — for just $12. It was so cute I may just stage a photo shoot around it). When I walked through the shop to the backyard, I was astonished to see a sea of succulents and beautiful pots. In the side yard, by the storage shed, I snapped the photo above. It reminded me a bit of my day at the Brooklyn Flea Market last spring.