Gosh Darn Cute Stocking Stuffers from Restoration Hardware

These little stocking stuffers from Restoration Hardware have a retro vibe to them that is fairly irresistible. I find them to be especially suiting for the dudes in your life – both young and old. I got the hangover helper for my boyfriend last year for Chanuka and he loved it!

Here are my favourites:

Hangover Helper, $15

Mini Espresso Maker, $39

Survival Kit in a Sardine Can, $14

What's Up Clock, $29

Pin Art™ $18

Travel Tournament Backgammon, $39

Micro Office Toolbox, $15

Millie’s Magical Moments on Film

I am totally entranced with these images by Millie Holloman Photography. Based in North Carolina, the group of photogs led by Millie capture candid moments of couples that make their subjects look like the stars of a sweeping romantic motion picture from a bygone era.

   

 

There is a sense of imagination and romance in these photos that is infectious! I hope I’ll be lucky enough to have someone as talented as Millie to capture my special moments when the time comes, but until then I’ll just stalk the fortunate couples on her blog.

Worst Episode Ever

Since when did Russel Crowe start looking like comic book guy?

(russell crowe image via Perez)

The Blue (Bed) Room

Blue is soothing, so it’s not a shocker that a lot of people choose the calming shade for their own sanctuary: the bedroom. Below are a variety of bedrooms that may be decorated in extremely different styles - but what they do share is a soothing shade of light blue woven into the decor scheme:

 

Battle of the Designer Throws

It's no surprise that fans of clothes and accessories from elite fashion houses often embrace the home products branded in the designer's signature prints with an equal enthusiasm.

Brian Gluckstein's Library

Draping a Burberry throw over a library chaise a la Brian Gluckstein or using an Hermes blanket as a coverlet in your master bedroom like Stephen Schubel is just another way for consumer's to display their style-savvy and showcase their good taste (and good fortune!)

Stephen Schubel's San Francisco studio via Domino

Do you find blatant branding obnoxious, or do you think all is fair when it comes to how you want to spend your own money in your own home?

Louis Vuitton Blanket (angora and lambswool)

Hermes Throw (wool and cashmere )

Etro Bati Stitch Throw (italian wool)

Burberry Blanket (cashmere)

Missoni Home Humbert Throw (wool and polyamide)

If money were no object, which designer throw would you pick for your own home?

The Horror!

My one hour of TV filled with bright colours, playful puns, handsome actors and charmingly bizarre storylines will be coming to an end this year - yes, I am sad to say my beloved Pushing Daisies has bitten the dust.

I guess I will have to find a source of television whimsy elsewhere...say it 'aint so!!!

Welcome Winter!

Last night it snowed.

A lot.

The first big snowfall is always a shock to Toronto's system. You'd  think we get it with our five months of misery, yet the first snow dump brings plenty of mumbling and grumbling. Thankfully today is bright and sunny and the branches are looking beautiful dusted in inches of white gleaming powder.

Not so beautiful are the salt stains already on my nice black leather ankle boots.

Winter, sometimes you're so feh...

Luckily a family wedding in Miami is just days away. Sandy beaches and Joe's here I come!

Hasids and Investigations

I'm slightly infatuated with these paintings by Brooklyn artist Julia Rothman.:

Hasids (18 x 24)

Investigations (12 x 16)

Your Friendly Neighbourhood TYPE

Joanne Saul and Samara Walbohm met while going for their PhDs in literature at U of T, so it's no surprise then that their mutual love of the written word led them to open TYPE, an independent bookstore in Toronto.

The first location opened on hipster haven queen west in 2006 and the second location followed in the Forest Hill village just one year ago (the village location is pictured above celebrating the first anniversary)

 

A rarity in today's age of the bargain book superstore, TYPE offers customers a sense of cozy familiarity that has been lost with the decline of the local neighbourhood bookshop. Staff are friendly, the selection is well-edited, and the decor is wonderfully eclectic with damask wallpaper and smokey glass pendant fixtures.

 

Coffee table, hardcover and paperbacks mingle on industrial library shelving which categorizes the books by subjects printed on a lable maker - an ode to Saul and Walbohm's days spent in the stacks at U of T's Robards library. The Queen location also houses a gallery as well as regular workshops, including a children's literacy program. 

 

Eclectic displays of knick knacks, stationary and and novelty mini-books are pleasant afterthoughts at the counter, and an entire section at the front is dedicated to paper goods, toys and magazines.

Worth a special mention is the adorable kids section chock-full of toys and a mix of classic and new titles. Notables mentions  include Charles Pachter's new picture book M is for Moose and The Jolly Postman, which I had to bring home with me as my younger sisters had destroyed my original copy by taking out all the letters.

Here are some of my picks from TYPE:

 

Freud Magnetic Puppet, $9 

Moleskin Pocket Notebooks, set of two, $10.95

And You Shall Know Us By The Trail of Our Vinyl, $27.95

Roger La Borde Polka-dot Invitations, $12

Letterpress Travel Journal, $15