*Image via.
Q: My baby shower! Gender neutral, winter, just before NYE!
A: I love the idea of this metallic ribbed sweater dress — cozy, chic, festive, and bump-friendly. I would pair with really fabulous shoes like these, these, or these. Maybe throw a tone-on-tone sweater into the mix too? I also love this metallic dress from The Great, which would work with bump, while nursing, and beyond. Finally, Baybala and Frances Hart have some great pieces that would work with bump — love this from the former and this from the latter.
Q: A luxury gift for my mom who has everything already. $300-$400 range.
A: A Wolf jewelry case (currently $100 off), these fabulous flats, or spectacular pajamas like these or these. More luxury gift ideas here.
Q: A blazer for my husband!
A: No one does it quite like Ralph. Sid Mashburn and Paul Stuart also make beautiful pieces. Upgrade pick: Brunello Cucinelli.
Q: Experience gift for my Renaissance husband who does it all. In DMV – any locale.
A: Tasting menu at Rose’s Luxury. Fabulous. Go all in with the drink pairings. We were transported by this experience! Otherwise, tickets to something at the Kennedy Center!
Q: $100-$200 small wallet/card case.
A: This Clare Vivier! You can have them handpaint your initials, and it’s still on budget ($115). SO fabulous, with a bespoke feeling thanks to the personalization.
Q: Everyday items to make the new year special.
A: I love this question. I shared a bunch of items that spark joy by virtue of beautiful design here and here and would start there. But my top rec is to declutter the spaces in which you spend most of your time (desk and kitchen for me) and find a really beautiful centerpoint or set of centerpoints to anchor the areas. I’m thinking a beautiful footed fruit bowl for your island, a statement lamp and jewelry dish for your bedside table, a blotter and pen cup for your desk. Another tack: think through the tasks/habits/rituals you live out on a daily basis. What objects would make each of those phases more beautiful or special? Like, if you pour a morning cup of tea, upgrade to this beautiful kettle and a beautiful mug. If you take a long morning walk with your pooch, upgrade to a new collar and lead, and treat yourself to a coat in a fabulous happy color, like this hot pink one, or this forest green one.
Q: Casual and formal dresses under $100 for Mexico cruise dinners in January.
A: I would raid the Farm Rio sale section at Saks – loads of festive frocks at great prices, including this banana print caftan and this tile print beauty. I also love this striped cover-up dress from Summersalt — would totally wear with big jewelry to dinner. And you can’t go wrong with a striped strapless number like this, or everyone’s favorite $30 boho dress!
Q: Recently purchased the Siam waterfall desk during the Jonathan Adler sale event and looking for desk chair suggestions. I was leaning towards an upholstered slipper chair, but unsure. Would appreciate any recs.
A: SO chic. If this is going to be more for style/show versus function, I do think a gorgeous upholstered chair would be perfect. But if you’re going to be sitting and working at it for any significant amount of time, I would advise getting a proper desk/office chair. Maybe you can find one with brass accents that matches the desk’s drawer pulls? Like this or this?
P.S. More chic office finds here.
Q: Golf gear for husband.
A: For golf shirts: Holderness and Bourne, Criquet, Rhoback. For shorts: Rhone. My Dad (avid, serious golfer) likes these bright yellow golf balls (easy to spot). Head covers: Stitch.
Q: Beach club wedding in Santa Barbara in April with my just turned three year old and one year old daughters. I’m thinking something colorful and fun as it’s my first trip (and dress-up!) since pre-pandemic. Ideas for all three of us would be appreciated!
A: This Alexis sprang to mind immediately. I’m also totally obsessed with this Ulla dress — would love an excuse to wear it. I also love this hot pink number, this beaded Farm Rio, this floral maxi, anything by Agua Bendita (and lots are on sale right now – love this and this), and this happy mini. For something really different, this Zimmermann.
For the littles, I am swooning over the new La Coqueta collection — these flowers or these stripes. I also always love the pieces from Luli and Me.
Q: I’m so bored of my clothes. What are a few pieces that will breathe new life into my closet?
A: Some new jeans, a great new cardigan, fun new sneakers, a hot pink blazer, and something totally wild and frivolous, like blue velvet trousers or the Sleeper pajama set I just bought. (For the pajamas: wear the top separately tucked into jeans, wear the set out to dinner with platforms, or pair the bottoms with a thin ribbed turtleneck and heels.) And don’t underestimate the power of fresh (inexpensive) accessories, like these glasses, this sherpa pouch, a velvet hair bow, or a new phone case.
Q: A small gift for my six year old daughter to give to her closest friends for Christmas.
A: Super Smalls mood rings, Scribble Scrubbie set, Lego DOTS marker set, Calico Critters, eeBoo fairy tale game.
I’m DYING over those glitter flats. I have a navy blue glitter smoking slipper than I wear with jeans and get soooo many compliments. Glitter shoes are THE BEST!!!
Totally agree! SO chic!
Grazie Mille! You sourced the most beautiful desk chair selections and thoughts to consider. It will be difficult to decide!.. and would you believe I formally owned that Beatrix chair in green. Gifted it away before our cross country move. It’s even more beautiful in person. Thank you again.
Wow! That is so funny!!
Love your desk, lady!
xx
These posts are always fun and I like reading what people are looking for and have come to your blog several times when I am looking for specific items prior to buying.
I’m SO glad to hear this!! This is such a fun series for me to compile, too.
xx