The Holiday Hallmark Invented

Or at least that's what my husband likes to call it. ♥Valentine's Day♥  My husband & I exchange something small, usually a card, but for the most part, most of my Valentine's Day Holiday revolves around getting together 50 cards or goodie bags for the kid's parties at school.

Two Christmas ago, I found Santa Versions of this old fashioned game for my boys. They were obsessed! We brought it out again this holiday season, and when the glass in one broke, my son was crushed. So when I found a Valentine version for them, I was super-excited! I can't wait to give it to them. It's one of those blessed toys that doesn't make noise. 

This little framed vintage print is what I am giving my husband. (I'm safe, because he doesn't read this blog! Or does he?) I found it at an Antique Mall, and thought it was super sweet.

So, to get the kids attended to. I went to Michael's Craft Store and bought some small red paper bags, and the traditional doily hearts.

While there, I bought some gum-balls, sweethearts, gummy hearts, soft peppermint chews, and of course some peppermint PEEPS! (But I had to laugh when I saw the photo I snapped of the sweethearts above - why is it that practically the only sayings on here are just "pay day" and "oh boy"?? LAME!)

I poured them into bowls, and proceeded to fill 50 plastic bags with the treats. OY. This takes a while! I found some adorable sweetheart ribbon, which I tied around the bag, and then I put them all in the red paper sack. At this point, I am asking myself why did I decide that this needed two bags? No answer.

And, my sweet dear friend - and my son's Godmother - has a company, The Social Note,  that makes the greatest personalized stationary, including personalized Valentine's cards and stickers (which I used) for kids. I love the one I picked out, of course it's all boy and all Star Wars! Go here to see her great assortment of personalized cards, notepads and gifts.

While I was at Michael's, I found these awesome preserved roses on sale for $2.99 each - Score! I have posted in the past about preserved flowers here and here, so I decided to purchase some and make my own arrangements.

Instead of using the red, pink and white roses together in one arrangement, I decided to split them up and do three separate monochromatic arrangements. I grabbed a silver creamer and put the red ones in it, shown above. 

I had a tiny mason jug in which I put the white roses. In case you can't tell in the photograph, these are totally soft to the touch, just like a fresh rose petal. Preserved flowers are real flowers, not fake, that have been chemically preserved or freeze-dried. But they will never wilt, fade, or die! $2.99 a stem for roses that last forever?! What a bargain!

And because I love my son's teachers so much, I bought them a little sussie, nothing expensive or fancy. I found these at a local antique mall, already wrapped and ready to go - little porcelain hearts and knick-knacks. Too cute!!

... And I had to try some of the candy while putting these together of course. Have you ever tried a peppermint PEEP? Oh... My... Goodness.

I ♥ Lapis Lazuli

Lapis isn't just for jewelry; it was also used, real and faux, in decorative arts.  It polishes very well and can be carved into boxes, ornaments, and vases. In architecture it was used to line the walls and columns of palaces.

Since the early eighties, lapis has been a favourite stone of mine. Lapis is a rock, actually a rare, semi-precious stone, and not a mineral.  Lapis is rich in look and in history. The Egyptians used it a lot, especially in their amulets and their ornaments, such as the scarabs. Cleopatra even ground it into powder to use as an eye-shadow. Later it's powder was also used as pigment in tempera paint, and more rarely, oil paint.  I think it has a very regal look, maybe it's because of it's intense royal blue colour.

Top Row, left to right: c1970's Kutchinsky pendant and chain from England, from Robin Katz; Early 19th-century Italian painted and gilt planter with faux lapis panel, from Kevin Stone Antiques & Interiors; Late 19th/early 20th-century ormolu mounted lapis lamps from Herringbone Home

Middle Row, left to right: Bucherer watch from Camilla Dietz Bergeron; Watch from Craig Evan Small, Tiffany & Co earrings from Neil Marrs

Bottom Row, left to right: Italian ring with diamonds from Buck House; 1970's American necklace from Kimberly Klosterman; Estrucan revival earrings from Coach House. All vendors listed on 1st Dibs.

A sample of necklaces from the Lapis Collection from Sautoir. The two strands with lapis beads feature 22k gold, the carved pendant is on a gold-plated chain, and the vintage European gold cross actually has blue enamel, not lapis, but looks great when paired with the lapis beads. (image: cashon & co)

Actress Freida Pinto in John Galliano

Le Daniel

image: Béatrice Amagat

It's official. Something in me has Paris Fever. It has been years since I've been and I feel the need to return. Soon. If  When I do, I have found some lovely, make that GORGEOUS hotels that I want to stay in. Or at least have sip some champagne there. First on my list? Le Daniel.

The exterior of the hotel's Haussmann facade.

image: Béatrice Amagat

In the salon, hand-painted eighteenth-century style de Gournay wallpaper designed in China is the perfect backdrop to a mix of Chinese, English, Indian and Moroccan accents. The interiors were designed by Tarfa Salam, who resides in London but wanted to fill the hotel with collectibles from around the world.

Asian motifs are featured in most of the guest rooms, including historic toile de Jouy prints - Siam from Manuel Canovas, Voyage of Marco Polo from Schumacher, Kipling from Nobilis, and Cairo Fair from Lee Jofa.

image: Béatrice Amagat

image: Béatrice Amagat

image: Béatrice Amagat

Of course you want to see more, don't you? Visit their website here, or for an even bigger treat, buy the book Parisian Hideaways by Casey O'Brien Blondes, available here.

Mom! Mom! It's a U.F.O!

image: the cool hunter

No,  honey. That's just crazy Uncle Gilbert parking his pod in the cornfield again and soaking his feet.

Love at First Sight

That's how I felt when I saw these über-cool hand-towel bars. I bought them from Claudia Armstrong, former owner of At My Table in Dallas, who had them made herself. A found object paired with lucite? I gotta have it.

all images: cashon & co 

A Modern Colonial

This house in Dallas (actually in my own neighborhood!) was built in the 1930's and was originally a colonial revival style. In 2006, the homeowners decided to give it a mid-century modern remodel, with lots of space for their art collection.

In the living room above, the lighted shelves were created especially for the owner's art glass. The shelves, as well as the lamps in them, were custom designed by designer Allen Kirsch.  The family room, with it's Howard Hodgkins print and Barcelona chairs, below.

In the dining room above, the dining table and custom buffet unit were both designed by Kirsch and built by George Gerlach. The "Flotation" chandelier is by Ingo Maurer. The master suite, below.

(photography by: Danny Piassick for DHome)

I like how this modern home is clean and full of art, yet still has warmth and charm, and most important personality.

Follow Up on New Artist

I posted earlier a piece of this wonderful new artist's work, (who just happens to be my 7 year old son) and I have to post just one more, then I promise - I'll stop. He is still doing his series of DOTS and these are his 4th - 6th pieces in his series. I really think it's great - But of course any mom would, right?

Titled THE POLKA (named this by his 8 year old brother)

 COLOUR 2009