Neha Leela

When I think of masking tape, I find it to be synonymous with childhood and crafts projects.  Rebecca Ward takes that simplicity and playfulness, and adds to it with structure, dimension and pattern to create bold installations.  That ensemble is without a doubt familiar to Kate Spade, whose collections without fail share a similar energy and tastefulness.  

I fell in love with their collaboration on the Broome Street flagship store that transformed an already striking space into a display of happy colors and lines.  

They feted on February 17th, inviting guests to peruse and play.   Just flipping through party photos got me antsy for the spring… and shopping.  

image credit: katespade.com

‘Tis the hallmark holiday season.  Sarcasm aside, these images from Irene Suchoki make such sweet Valentines day (or every day)  cards. Find this lovely photo at her Etsy shop.  Sorry hallmark. 

Deal a luxurious hand out of the classic tiffany-blue box.

Indulge at tiffany.com

Courtesy of DavieandChiyo’ , a sale on their divine bow and rosette studded silk clutches.  My frilly favorites below.

In going through old pictures, I have a few that are set aside that are probably not the most flattering but are quite memorably, me at my happiest; two, not surprisingly am where I am playing dress up. One, was with my best friend at four years old, wrapped in boas, aprons and tiaras. The next one is a set of polaroids from years later, during my first internship.

The other girl, who is pouting and winking at the camera next to me, decked in aviators, baubles and fedoras, was Marianna, my fellow intern, instant friend and huge inspiration at Harper’s Bazaar. We spent a summer, finding genius ways to stuff a Viktor & Rolf gown into a trunk, hunting down lost choos and braving notorious stylists while gabbing about travel, family, love and fashion.

As you all know, I moved back to boston and away from the fashion world, but Mari, an amazing photographer, stylist and artist, both then and now, stayed exactly where she belonged: right in the creative capital of New York.

Today, I was SO excited when she let me know of her most recent adventure, I Am Dorkas – a line of linens for the home that is a product of her own creative energy and collaboration with the people she loves. My favorites are below; napkins in fabric etched with fables, and a striking and sweet apron, that just screams motherly comfort and coziness.

For those of you, down to the wire on gifting, take a peek. I can promise you’ll find handmade goodies made with love.

Mari, congratulations lady!

We woke up, reflecting during breakfast on yesterday’s spirited conversation, extra helpings (sweet potato souffle) , sweet indulgences (pumpkin flan and tarte tartin) and entertaining children’s banter (”New Moon” team Pattison or team Lautner?).

Today, instead of joining the masses at the malls, we use the notorious “black friday” to clear out our closets and drawers, with intentions of sending surplus to those who may need stocking stuffers and special goodies for the season ahead.

It gives us time together as we chide each other for items with tags still on it, regret frocks that saw one evening out or share a memory or two associated with a forgotten gift. So begins the season, when I make a concerted effort to balance lavish merriment with mindfulness.

image credit: Bob Hiemstra

Its commonplace to offer a small token of gratitude when invited to someone’s home.  Historically around the holidays, as these occasions become even more frequent, I’ll keep on hand an assortment of sweetly packaged tealight candles, wine or chocolates with a stack of Snow & Graham cards to personalize with a note of thanks.  Everytime these small gifts exchange hands, I ponder if they will find themselves in the depths of cabinets or drawers.   Though there’s no real science behind hostess gifting, I’d confidently claim that 80% of it is packaging and less thought is attributed to function or use.  Ultimately, as long as its swathed in tissue and tied with a bow, these items are warmly appreciated as a customary show of etiquette.

When these gifts are supposed to be an expression of our personal thanks, I feel compelled from now on to offer something that is distinct and unique enough to avoid getting lost.  Here are a few that can be put to use immediately and are pretty enough that they won’t be tucked away anytime soon.

Though some may be spectical of gifting spirits, the attractive labels and festive name for LoveJoy vodka make this social and socially appropriate.

For any lively party, there will be multiple bottles of wines opened.  Though there might be winestoppers on hand, none will be as striking as these vintage pieces from Knobstoppers.

And though chocolates are overdone, these advent calendars stocked with sweet treats from Hotel Chocolat (which I posted about in October) will keep your gift top of mind for at least, 24 days.

When I started my first blog (Simply’s predesseccor – My Cuppa’ Tea- now, extinct) in 2007,  it was not only to entertain my journalistic fantasy  but to leverage the social web for its true purpose and namesake.  Though My Cuppa’ Tea eventually fizzled,  I still maintained my eagerness to meet other  design and style obsessed and food and travel enthusiasts and did so quite succesfully through other digital means, Yelp and Twitter — not to mention, the real world.

I decided this year to re-start the blogging adventure with the same hope as before. Last night marked my first opportunity since starting Simply to meet other Bostonian bloggers in person.

Red Plum, a savings and deals site that spans home, beauty and gourmet, used the square shaped 4th floor of the Liberty Hotel  to lead Boston based lifestyle writers around a line up of affordable holiday gift and decorating inspiration.

We started the evening on a sweet and bubbly note with a sommelier led tasting with Andover-based Wine Connextion. Tablescapes came next and Ikea alleviated my typical disdain for Sandra Lee-esque table tops with a festive decor that was simple and tasteful.  My favorite of which was their use of  woven ratatan placemats, earthy ceramics topped with a  starkly contrasting white faux Lily, tied together with a handwritten tag to make this arrangement welcoming and elegant.  

The rest of the setup showcased stationary, scents and other stylish goodies for gifting.  Among those that caught my eye, was the  2009 collection of notecards from my  long-time favorite in letterpress design, Linda & Harriet.

While noshing on mushrooms swathed in puff pastry, salted lamb and brie doused in lavender chutney (did I mention the bubbly?), we talked  blogging, social media, fabric, brunch spots and must-reads. Lots of thanks to Red Plum and Starving Artist, The Clean Plate Club, Petey Pumpkin and Annelise Normand for the conversation and celebration of the things we love.

Kate Spade, home to some of my favorite feminine flair, is clearing out their surplus of sweet pieces.  Usually news of sample sales is quickly followed by disappointment that I wont’ be able to join the masses in New York battling over the discounted duds. But this time, even those of us who can’t jet to 5th ave during lunch can stake out everything from clutches to cuffs, without the elbows and waiting lines. 

… was how my mother has described Anthropologie for years.  Though at the time, I believe the store earned this reputation with her because it could feel like a muddled maze,  I think it is worthy of the description because the merchandise, for home and kitchen, can add warmth to a room instantly, have details that carry a different era’s elegance and feel vintage-glam without the dust-brushing and scavenging.

And like all good grandmothers, they can be generous as well. I brought home these gold edged and teal embellished dessert plates yesterday, made even more handsome by the markdown.