Eliza

Play-Doh Perfume?

2008-11-10T19:05:00Z

I have always envied those women who’ve managed to settle on a signature scent. While I love so many pretty perfumes – from the heady, exotic luxuriousness of Shalimar to the fresh, simple sweetness of some of the Calvin Kleins, to the classic combinations found in the Chanels – I have yet to determine which one is, well, mine.

But if ever I have a shot at finding one, I have a feeling it may be among the many olfactory marvels available at Demeter Fragrance Library. There’s something to suit everyone here; the choices are, quite simply, incredible – think typical scents like florals and spices, as well as more, um, unusual choices like Play-Doh and Dirt, Pumpkin Pie and Gin & Tonic, Tootsie Roll and Cannabis Flower, Egg Nog and (gulp!) Funeral Home.

Of course, the concept is that while some of these bottled beauties may seem odd, the company is banking on the fact that nothing rivals the power of perfume to bring you on a trip down memory road.... whether that means the aroma of Pipe Tobacco, Condensed Milk or Christmas Tree!

XOXO

Eliza

Fall Forward, Back Bacon

2008-11-07T04:03:00Z

Maybe it’s the disappearance of Daylight Savings Time – or maybe it’s because this Mama-to-be’s bladder ain’t what it used to be – but I have a serious case of insomnia. To help pass the long dark hours, I’ve been watching lots of late-nite TV... as in, infomercials.

It started out as mere entertainment, but now I fear I’m hooked. (As next month’s credit card statement will surely attest!) Whatever happens, at least one good thing will have come out of it: My thrifty, thoughtful new Three-in-One Breakfast Maker:

While this ingenious little appliance may be marketed more towards those living in dorm rooms and recreational vehicles, it now has a cherished spot in my designer kitchen, too. Why? Because it’s a griddle, toaster oven and coffee pot all in one – the perfect product for the pregnant and impatient.

As the days get shorter and shorter and my waking hours get longer and longer, there’s nothing more delightful to me as I toss and turn than the thought of instant breakfast. By 6 AM most mornings, I’m quite literally starving, and despite its hokiness, the Three-in-One delivers a most delicious breakfast sandwich with minimal effort and clean-up, not to mention a mean cup of joe on the side.

Act fast! Operators are standing by...

XOXO

Eliza

P.S. Like what you see, pregnant pals? Subscribe to my RSS feed for prompt post updates...

A Treat For Mama

2008-10-31T20:18:00Z

Ben’s gearing up to go trick-or-treating as we speak, but this mama’s way more interested in bags today, not the cavity-causing loot that goes into them. Yes, tonight may be All Hallow’s Eve, and yet I’ve got Valentine’s Day on the brain already... or rather, Valentino’s Day.

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times: Handbags always fit, no matter how big your belly may be. So while this adorable little Petal Dome satchel from Valentino – fashioned from butter-soft leather into the form of a beautiful bloom – isn’t nearly big enough to pass as a diaper bag (nor is it particularly well-suited to holding candy), it isn’t a very hard purchase for me to justify, either.

Forget the spirits and spooks... the only thing scary about this spring-like sac (aside from the price) would be if it sold out before I could get my hands on one!

Happy Hallowe’en!

XOXO

Eliza

P.S. Thanks to all my amazing Posh Mama pals for Rocking the Pink this month with so many perfect picks, proving we can beat breast cancer if we all work -- and shop -- together!

Sweet Seat

2008-10-25T22:15:00Z

I can admit it: I have candy on the brain.

Maybe it’s Hallowe’en, or maybe it’s just my pregnant penchant for all things sugary and sticky, but the idea of turning candy into cool furniture has me craving this Button Bench from Jellio:

Really, could there be a sweeter spot to park your seat?

By the way, if you like this, you must check out Jellio’s other tongue-in-cheek design takes on the traditional, including their always awesome offerings like Lite Brite tables and Gummy-Bear lamps.

XOXO

Eliza

A Cut Above

2008-10-22T22:17:00Z

For some, the old-timey tradition of cutting silhouettes may be something you’d expect more from a concession on Main Street at Disney World, but I can’t help it – I still love the look of them.

Now, instead of having to go see the Mouse in person – not my favorite vacation choice, I must admit – all I have to do is email in the pics I want transformed to the savvy scissors-wielding artisans over at www.cutarts.com. (Amazingly, these custom creations are done entirely freehand!)

Pretty picture-perfect profiles make a super-cute gift for a kid’s birthday or a friend’s anniversary, and add just the right touch of retro to a modern nursery. Even your pets can be immortalized in silent silhouette...

XOXO

Eliza

P.S. From silhouettes to suffragettes... check out my dish on voting here!

Custom Crystal Clutch by... Your Kid!

2008-10-18T15:16:00Z

Remember that Sex And The City episode where Big gives Carrie a bedazzled Judith Leiber swan bag that’s totally not her style, and she begins to question their entire relationship? Even if the doyenne of diamond-encrusted clutches’ style doesn’t appeal to you either, the marketing geniuses over at this ultra-luxe designer have figured out a new way to become relevant to the mothering masses: The Children’s Art Program.

All you have to do is choose the perfect picture – one you’d love to have immortalized forever – and Judith Leiber will crystallize your child’s artistic vision into a one-of-a-kind version for you to carry with you always. Sure, it may be a little bit over most budgets (say, around $5000), but can you really put a price on perfection?

By the way, the fashion wizards at Sex And The City did eventually come around to the charms of Judith Leiber, since they gave Charlotte’s daughter Lily a sweet little Cupcake bag to carry in the SATC movie!

XOXO

Eliza

P.S. Speaking of SATC, have you seen Allie's post on L.I.N.C., the Legal Information Network for Cancer? Sarah Jessica herself is auctioning off items from the show to benefit this wonderful organization!

That Twinkle in Your Eye...

2008-10-14T19:07:00Z

After months and months of careful searching, I finally know what I want for my birthday this year:

Swarovski-crystal-studded contact lenses.

OK, so maybe you better make that a Hallowe’en gift instead, because I don’t think I’d actually wear these on a regular basis lest I be mistaken for one of the cast members of Cats. But wow -- these tricked out corneal covers sure do look like fun to take out for a spin.

Perhaps one day, a little ocular bling will just be considered a cute fashion accessory, sort of like gem-encrusted fake lashes, or that tiny diamond chip dropped into the wet polish on your pinkie nail. But until then, I think I’ll wait and see what Beyonce and Mariah do (if ever there were a couple of girls who were serious about their glitter, sequins and sparkle...)

Because while diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, her vision is equally precious... and putting miniature rocks into one’s eyes sounds a wee bit counterintuitive!

XOXO

Eliza

P.S. Subscribe to my RSS feed for up-to-the-minute posts!

50 Fifties’ Lampshades to Love

2008-10-11T18:49:00Z

Retro reverence seems to be in full swing this year, with everyone from fashion designers to architects to artists getting in on the fun, sharing their love of all things ancient and combining it with a modern, fresh take. I love the idea that what’s old can be new again, provided there’s a bit of an ironic twist thrown in for good measure.

While in the process of trying to decide how we’re going to decorate the new nursery, a vintage-loving designer friend of mind pointed me in the direction of this wonderful little company out of Texas called Moonshine Lamp and Shades.

Though the site also sells lots of George Nelson Bubble Lights, Moonshine’s specialty is those laced-rawhide sort of lampshades that were ubiquitous in the fifties everywhere from cheap Chinese restaurants to suburban living rooms. The idea is that the customers get to design their own vintage-y treasure themselves by opting from a selection of sizes and shapes, then adding the color, graphics and laces they prefer. (Check out all the cool images here!)

For other ‘50s and ‘60s-influenced finds for your home, Moonshine also has a snazzy sister site that sells Eames-inspired fiberglass shell chairs, boomerang tables, screen door inserts, pillows and things like that. Fifties' Fun!

XOXO

Eliza

P.S. Don't miss the chance to see our Pink Ribbon Picks for the month of October, all of which benefit breast cancer reseach and support.

Candy Corn for Those Without Teeth

2008-10-09T04:16:00Z

I can’t get enough of my latest online discovery, the incredible Mahar Drygoods website... especially now that Halloween is in the air. Whoever’s buying over there seems to have direct access to the children’s wishlist lobe of my brain, because there literally isn’t a single item I wouldn’t love to buy for Ben or my baby-to-be.

One of their cutest picks for the spooky month of October is the Candy Corn Rattle, from Pepperberry Crochet. The soft surface is safe for little teethers, and yet these little niblets somehow still retain all the sweetness of the original that inspired them.

There are also tons of other spooky, sensational finds for the season to be had at Mahar, from the scary Yeti Shadow Puppet to the ominous Raven Pull Toy:

Happy Halloween hunting to you all!

XOXO

Eliza

P.S. Boo!

What a Waist!

2008-10-07T20:26:00Z

Isabelle, I’m sure you feel my pain when I say I’m really beginning to miss my pre-preggers mid-section. What with all the great belts I’m seeing this season, it’s virtually impossible not to envy the wasp-waisted set.

Two of my faves this fall? This purple prettiness from Prada – almost corsetlike in its curves – and this Christian Dior zebra-print belt, an unexpectedly subtle pattern for such a skinny surface.

While I do love my fertile frontal form, I eagerly await the day when I can dress for an hourglass figure instead of that of a grandfather clock! I know, I know... patience is a virtue, for everything there is a season and good things come to those who wait.

All I have to say is that when the time finally comes, somebody’s going to get belted... and it's going to be me!

XOXO

Eliza

P.S. If you haven't already subscribed to my RSS feed, what are you waiting for? Sign up to be informed of new posts A.S.A.P.!

Light a Candle, Love!

2008-09-29T00:24:00Z

As the days shorten and the warm air of summer fades into the chill of fall, I relish the chance to get cozy. Although electric blankets are off-limits for pregnant persons, and my beloved spiced ciders and hot toddies must alas be now be mixed without rum (or reason), at least one incandescent indulgence mercifully remains – my Jo Malone candles.

These waxy wellsprings of scent and sensuality are the gold standard for the glimmer-loving glitterati – rumor has it Jennifer Lopez insists on a virtual army of Jo Malone votives in her dressing room – but there’s a true-blue following among regular folk, too.

The only problem, of course, is narrowing down which appealing aroma you prefer. Personally, I love the freshness of her Grapefruit scent, but there may be a better way to diffuse the joy – the Candle Trousseau, with its 10 charming chandelles, means you don’t really have to choose at all. Oh, and the pretty wooden box makes for some stunning storage, too.

XOXO

Eliza

Money to Burn... or Giftwrap

2008-09-27T22:39:00Z

I’ve made no secret of my love of pretty paper. Notebooks, cards, journals, wallpaper... there’s just something about special stationery that makes my heart sing. Maybe it’s because the blank slate that is paper just lends itself so perfectly to the potential for creativity and beautiful design.

If you’re looking for something a little over-the-top, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing of the United States Treasury is unknowingly becoming a trendy purveyor of fine paper goods in its own right. Yes, those sheets of uncut dollar bills it offers for sale on its website are hot right now as – get this – giftwrap!

Though frugal sorts may be put off by the concept — or the fact that sheets of 16 one-dollar notes actually get marked up to $33 each – big spenders will be delighted to learn that they can upgrade all the way to $50 bills.

Okay, so maybe I’m not quite sure I’d be willing to actually use money as a disposable paper product. What about you... would you, could you really use it to wrap a gift? Light a cigar? Clean up an apple-juice spill? Personally, I can think of a few better ways to make good use of legal tender, not the least of which would be giving it away to a needy cause, but it sure is a funny thought!

XOXO

Eliza

Cool Cartoon Club Chairs for Kids

2008-09-25T00:01:00Z

Kids’ furniture isn’t as ugly as it used to be. Long gone are the days when primary-colored plastics were the only option for style-conscious parents, polluting our living spaces and poisoning our landfills!

More modern options – many of them made from natural products just like grown-up furniture – are now available everywhere from Target to Ikea and beyond, with some serious furniture designers and producers joining in on the fun. The challenge, of course, is retaining an appealing adult aesthetic while indulging the durability and whimsy demanded by the more diminutive (albeit discerning) toddler-types.

The Kids’ Club Furniture set from Ibride France hits the proverbial nail on the head, and leaves me grinning with its originality and spunk. I’m not sure whether its clever creators were going for retro-cartoon-chic or simply trying to make a major statement in miniature, but I sure do like it.

XOXO

Eliza

P.S. I can't get enough of my glamorous gal pals' heirloom-quality finds... check out this week's Red Ribbon picks for more!

The Toast of a Lifetime

2008-09-21T18:45:00Z

As I eagerly await the birth of my baby, I must admit I do indulge in the occasional alcoholic fantasy. Since I completely abstain from the stuff during my gestations, the anticipation is building. I dream of ravishing reds, shimmery chardonnays, tart gin-and-tonics, crisp cosmopolitans. Even boring old beer makes my taste buds teeter in anticipation!

But really it’s Champagne, glorious Champagne – a girl’s other best friend, I’ve always said – that I’m waiting for.

Though a post-partum jaunt to the Ritz-Carlton, Moscow, is probably not in the near future for me and the family, it sure would be nice to toast the arrival of Ben’s little brother or sister with the hotel’s most extravagant Dionysian indulgence – a 101-year-old bottle of Piper Heidsieck.

As the story goes, some 2000 bottles of the 1907 bubbly went down in a 1916 shipwreck in the Baltic Sea off the coast of Finland while en route to the Russian royals. A recent salvage expedition to The Jonkoping brought the perfectly preserved precious cargo to the surface... and now the Ritz is offering anyone willing to pay a cool $275,000 the chance to pop the cork on one of 10 historical bottles up for sale.

Maybe all this teetotaling these long months is getting to me, or maybe I just have no perspective to begin with when it comes to the consumption of haute indulgences, but a quarter of a million dollars for a bottle of Champagne is starting to sound like a reasonable price to pay!

XOXO

Eliza

P.S. Our sassy Syd's G-rated post on Vivienne Westwood's topless models had me laughing out loud...

Dino-Mite Closet Design!

2008-09-15T16:32:00Z

If your closet is in need of serious reorganization, there’s a killer new way to excavate – and elevate – your entire wardrobe to T-Rex status: Dino by Helsinki designer Lincoln Kayiwa.

Sometimes, a picture roars a thousand words... so I’m going to let the fine fierceness of this bone rack speak for itself. (I would just like to point out that the "cartilage" between each hanger keeps everything neat and even – a brilliant plus in any closet lacking symmetry and style.)

Like Ben doesn't play in my walk-in enough already :)

XOXO

Eliza

P.S. Syd, your posts (here and here) have got me all revved up for Fashion Week!