coveted: a little bit of luxury

Although I appreciate posh things, my life is anything but. Lately, I’ve been craving a bit of luxury.

No. 1: Green handbag by Cole Haan, perfect for toteing files and swatches around town  No. 2: Pretty white pen from Sam Flax South, lovely for writing up orders   No. 3:  Chic champagne coupe from Kate Spade, for sipping my favorite champagne cocktails  No. 4: Dark chocolate from Vosges, because it has the most interesting and delicious flavors  No. 5: A bottle of Taittinger, because it reminds me of our wedding day   No. 6: Men’s fragrance from Chanel, so sexy.

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? 

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.

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.

wish list: dream studio

I’ve been busy, busy, busy clearing unwanted supplies and furniture out of our studio for our upcoming Warehouse Sale. Which has me thinking about what my dream studio would be like: 

:: 1 ::  I would have this darling letter “e” necklace (ariel gordon) around my neck, for starters. Diamond optional. I’m not picky. Really.  :: 2 :: My boring packaging supplies would be neatly stowed in an industrial rolly cabinet of awesomeness (urban remains) for most supreme organizational bliss  :: 3 :: The world would smell deliciously fresh, like Hamarikyu Gardens by Marypierre (anthropologie) fragrance (and everything I design would be as restrained as its perfect packaging)  :: 4 :: DELPHINE would be spelled out in real vintage enamel letters (urban remains) — and the paper lovers would flock for letterpress delights designed by Delphine — and they would not complain about budgetary restraints :: 5:: There would be an endless supply of gluten and dairy free chocolate chunk cookies (abe’s market) for me to munch on :: 6 :: I would rest a single cheek on a perfectly patinaed vintage stool (urban remains), so as not to cover up said perfect patina whilst working playing on my  :: 7 :: fabulous brand new (or refurbished … I’m not picky. Really.) iPad.

Sigh.

Sigh.

Le siiiiiiggghhhhhh.

wish list: ipad

I know, I know, it’s not a very original wish list item. But I really do wish I had an iPad (and a cute iPad cozy to carry it around, like the felt one above by ccommeca).

Sorry I haven’t had time to work on cool gift guides for the blog this year. I have been busy trying to track down items from my son’s own wish list. This year he assembled a BOOK of items he’d like Santa to bring to him. Topping his list this year: Legos and Hexbugs.

la lune et le soleil prints

How fab are these limited edition prints from Double Merrick?!? The moon print would look amazing in our son’s new grey and blue bedroom. Santa?

Inspired by vintage classroom wall charts, they have a very cool, retro vibe. Want to learn some French slang to describe something way cool? Say, “C’est La Vache!” Which translates literally to “It’s the cow!” Weird, but in French slang the meaning is “It’s so cool” (or “it’s the bomb,” or “it’s the shit”).

Scoot over to Double Merrick’s shop before all the prints are gone. Vite (quickly). It’s a limited edition run of just 25 pair.

font geek moment: ambicase modern

Font Shop, you are killing me. Dangling fabulous fonts in front of my nose via email is some sort of sick torture that you enjoy, isn’t it? I was perfectly happy not knowing that Ambicase Modern existed. Now it’s all I can think about, and poor Santa is going to have to figure out a way to wrap up a font and get it down the chimney. If I can wait that long.

renovation: big boy room inspiration

These are some of the things that inspired A’s “big boy” room renovation. Each of these things has been approved by our son. He’s especially keen on the owl lamp and the hopscotch rug!

1: Owl Table Lamp (West Elm) “Oh, Mommy, I really need this for reading”  2: Pictorial Dictionary (Chronicle) is more for me than him, I think … I love the old illustrations  3: Alphacritters mouse pad (Alexa Pulitzer for Anthropologie) has been purchased — yay! 4: Hopscotch Rug (CB2) is THE missing link to tie the room together … hoping it will go on sale soon  5: Green sand hourglass (CB2) would be awesome for helping to limit computer time  6: Grey stripe flannel pillow (CB2) would be great for the reading chair (which he also needs)  7: Cool white and steel gray metal trunks (CB2) for a secret stash of Legos  8: A picked out these pretty mercury glass knobs (Anthropologie) and I picked out no. 12 knobs (though we decided to keep the clear glass knobs he already has on his furniture).  9: Wire basket would be a perfect “jail” (aka storage) for stuffed animals (Wisteria) 10: Wire shopping basket — fun for putting the kitty in jail, A says (similar at Wisteria)  11. I love the idea of C clamps for book ends (West Elm)

1: Vintage radio (West Elm) would be nice … but I think A wants one that he can plug an iPod into, because he’s only into “music that rocks, and they don’t play music that rocks on the radio.”  2: We have a little mahogany writing desk like this one (sorry, I can’t remember where I found the photo) that we will put in his room as a “homework” desk (to be used for computer games, I’m sure) 3: Menlo lamp (Anthroplogie) is cool — but A really wants the Owl, so maybe Santa will pull through. 4: I cannot remember where I found these  vintage looking metal bins — they would be perfect for storing toys (though I may steal them and put them in my studio)  5: Zinc Letter A (Anthropologie) is the perfect accent for his room. I’ll be using lots of initials and numbers in the décor and furniture design 6: A LOVES to read. I think a cozy wing reading chair like the Ellery chair from West Elm would be sweet in his room. He picked it out himself.  7: We used this Rust-Oleum magnetic paint to apply a giant stripe on his wall. He loves it and can’t wait to start “magneting stuff.”

Progress report: the baseboards are in, the bookshelf is painted, and the bed has been put back in the room. We have to finish up the baseboards (fill the nail holes and touch up the paint), paint the dresser, and re-install the curtains.

UPDATE: I fixed the linnk to the key piece, the hopscotch rug from CB2. Thanks to everyone who let me know the link was wrong. Sorry about that!

daydream

I cannot remember the last time I took a vacation. Lately I've been daydreaming a lot about taking a snorkeling trip.

1. Bikini from Victoria's Secret (love that hat, too).  2. Bain de Soleil reminds me of sailing.  3. Love this orange fish beach towel from Hermés.  4. Little Palm Island is just a few miles away from where Mémé Delphine lived for years, Cudjoe Key, Florida. I spent a lot of time snorkeling this area when I was a kid. 5. Bahamian dollars are so pretty, aren't they? It's almost a shame to spend them on rum runners and cold beers. 6. Snorkeling is my absolute favorite thing to do in the world.

font geek moment: geeoh hmk

This sweet, scripty girly font is usually not what I go for, but it has charmed me. I heart Geeoh HMK.

bedroom design

Is it wrong to base an entire bedroom redesign around a carafe shaped like a pill? I think not. And I'm pretty sure Mr. Jonathan Adler would be pleased to hear it.

Awesome turquoise pill carafe by Jonathan Adler.