gift guide {the luxist}

This gift guide if for the glam girls on your list that seemingly have every possible chic and stylish bit and bauble. They are practically impossible to shop for.  However, I guarantee these gifts will wow  all the luxists (ok I made that term up) on your lists And the best part....not all of them will break the bank!

1. Charlotte Olympia bamboo pandora box clutch 2. Waylande Gregory Coasters 3. Diptyque spruce holiday candle 3. Christian Louboutin leopard flats 6. Kai fragrance oil 7. Lulu Frost crystal leaf earrings

gift guide {natural entertainer}

Ready or not, here we go! Christmas season has begun and my holiday shopping list has been written and reviewed. There are many different personalities on the list, from a discerning canine to a brother that has every gadget and piece of outdoor gear imaginable! I thought I would start out with one of the easier recipients on my list, a friend of mine that loves entertaining and has a penchant for anything made of or inspired by natural materials...

1. grey trivet from Aerin Lauder 2. turned wood wine box by Michael Dreeben 3.teak knifeblock set from New West Knife Works 4. Kimberly McDonald cocktail shaker 5. Kimberly McDoland coasters 6. sheesham ice bucket from Athropologie

floating + decked

Are you ready for the holiday season to begin?  I had been putting off reading any magazines that had Christmas decor images on the cover...that is until today. This afternoon I curled up in a blanket, sipped mint tea and devoured them all!  Of all the ideas I came across today, it was the floating branch in this spectacular kitchen that resonated with me most. It is subtle, whimsical and organic...the perfect inspiration to ease into the season..

(via Candian House and Home)

slopeside chic

This will be my second winter in seven years not living in a ski town. Last year it was pretty easy -- the novelty and distraction of being back in Chicago completely consumed me. This year, well... the mountain in Jackson Hole opened on Saturday and I am embarrassed to tell you how many times I looked at the JHMR webcams and wished I was there. I love the thrill of skiing but I miss the ritual of "apres ski" just as much. There is something so perfect about sitting by a fire with your best friends and being wonderfully exhausted physically while sipping on whiskey drinks (and perhaps nibbling on some nachos.) If I did still live in a ski town, these would be my slopeside chic essentials...

1. Stio jackalope pom pom hat 2. Chinti and Parker reindeer sweater 3. Mou eskimo boot 4. pyrnees driving gloves from Anthropolgie. 5. Daff felt phone cover 6. Calypso cashmere scarf

Giving Thanks!

I am going to sign off until Monday but first wanted to pop in to give thanks. I am thankful for  many things in my life. I feel especially lucky for the creative opportunities I have been given in the past year and the wonderful support of my friends, peers, family and delight by design readers as I pursued those opportunities (particularly the launch of Blair Friedeman Design.) As readers, you have no idea how much each comment and email I receive means to me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart and a very Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

This is a photo of one last version of the look I considered for this years table - I loved the textural contrast of the gilt nuts and feathers. If you missed it -- this was the design I decided on and this is another one I considered. 

craving {geometric gems}

A friend's 4 year old daughter informed me that she started a christmas list...so I thought it was fair game to start mine, no? Ok, maybe not. I tend to not let myself even start thinking about Christmas until I have had my turkey and pumpkin tirimasu fix. However my craving for brass, bronze and gilt geometric pieces just won't wait...

1. avf trillion acrylic tables 2. Iacoli & McAllister pendant  3. hexagon towel ring from urban outfitters 4. glittered geometry garland  5. bradley hughes side tables

perfect pairing {burlap + gold}

 Remember the DIY Chalkable charger I shared last week? Well that was just the foundation for a tabletop I put together for the gals at Dishing magazine. I love the way it turned out. It is the perfect mix of traditional, contemporary and rustic elements. And of course I had to throw in a couple of whimsical elements -- note the brass turtle salt cellar! 

For more images and more information on how I put this table together hop on over to Dishing. 

The Urban Natural Look

Excited to be sharing my favorite urban natural style pieces with  Chicago Home + Garden magazine.

Hope on over to their site for the full article and source information. 

turkey day tabletop

In the past few days my dining room table has seen every single tabletop style possible. I am not exaggerating -- it has seen gilt feathers, wood slice chargers, african vessels and kraft paper menus. With only a week away, a Thanksgiving table design is top of mind. I hate to admit this but even my bedside table has been styled with ideas I have in the middle of the night. Although I loved each table I set, this palette and style is the winner. It has classic flair, color and most importantly it just makes me smile. All qualities that make it perfect of sharing a festive feast with family and friends...

 

More pictures to come soon! Have you settled on turkey day tabletop?

DIY: Chalked Charger

I love to incorporate DIY projects in to my Thanksgiving tabletop and this year I have quite a few in the works. Today I tackled some newly purchased rustic wood sliced chargers. I decided to give them a chalk-able surface to pen on a festive message or replace a traditional place card. 

This is a little sneak peek of how I plan to incorporate this project in to my tabletop design...

More to come! P.S. Tally is my dog. She only wishes this was her seat at the table. What projects do you have planned this holiday season?

cozying up {whimsical wool}

I have never been a huge fan of wool -- I typically associate it with itchy winter sweaters. However, after seeing these elegant pieces I regret ever saying a negative word about this staple winter fabric. 

1. Oaxacan Rug Duffle 2. Dolores Pendant  3. Paneled Wool Skirt 4. Ribbon Stripe Throw

countdown is on!

Thanks to the mirepoix and herbs in last nights chicken pot pie concoction, my kitchen smelled exactly like Thanksgiving this morning! And then I realized that it is less than three weeks away. Eeek! How did that happen? Which means I need to get cracking on my tabletop decor. So of course I started a new pinterest board just for holiday decor. I have a few DIY projects in mind but at the moment I am thinking of a washed out palette, maybe a little bit of plaid and simple leather accents. Perhaps, something a little bit like this...

(via Styled.)

Sunday Supper {Chicken Pot Pie}

Some practice yoga to unwind, some paint, some jet set...I cook. I am completely in my element in the kitchen. I love that when I am making a roux or chopping vegtables that all the stresses of the day instantly disappear. I don't typically post about my (very messy) culinary adventures but feel that this recipe is an amazing one for entertaining and worth sharing.  Here are the basic ingredients...

Essentially you (1) sautée the veggies, mushrooms and potatoes (2) add chicken stock and poultry and let simmer for 10 minutes (3) throw in sage and thyme (4) add in the roux (5) fill up  oven safe bowls with the mixture and cover them with sheets of rolled out puff pastry (6) Pop them in the oven at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes and voila!

Ok, I know that is not the most detailed recipe but will happily send along more detailed instructions to anyone that is interested!  

always of the moment {organic polish}

As a design watcher my style constantly shifts, each time I am exposed to new sources, ideas and artisans. Every time I fall in love with a new look or style I am completely delighted, as I think it makes me a better observer of the industry and a more talented designer. Despite my growing appreciation for new styles and approaches, there is one that I will always come back to. It is a look I can only describe as organic polish--a mix of natural elements, neutral colors, a bit of whimsy and subtle touch of glitz and glamour.

 Not sure what I am talking about? A few interiors that completely embrace this aesthetic...

(via Sara Story, Jean Louis Deniot, Kelly Wearstler, AD France and Homes and Gardens)