White Mini Paws.

Only in the past week have I freed my mittens and gloves from their dark existence on the top shelf of my coat closet. And I’ve realized that most are either A. unraveling or B. really old. All the more reason for me to pick up a pair of Sara LaGrace’s mini paws. Well, that and the fact that they’re freakin’ adorable, which holds a lot of merit.

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2010 Planner Roundup.

Among many other obsessions lies a big one for planners. Here are just a few I came across that struck my fancy. Have you picked one up yet for 2010?

This charming French date book is perpetual – you can start it any time of the year! With beautiful watercolor illustrations on each of the 192 acid-free pages, this paperback, thread-bound date book is perfect for keeping track of a busy schedule, with the freedom to pick up on any day you fancy. Includes sections for scheduling the year, by month, by week and places for free notes and lists. Also comes with a small companion note book with lined pages.

Greet 2010 with this cheery pocket-sized calendar. Featuring Jen’s silkscreened galoshes illustration, this calendar has hand-lettered pages for each month, plus additional (lined and unlined) pages for notes.

When closed, the calendar measures 4.25×5.5″. The cover is a heavy, acid-free card stock; the sixteen interior pages are on a bright white, textured archival paper. It has been hand-bound with linen string for extra durability.

Full color cover, lush green interior pages with 8 repeating original illustrations of all the little details found in the forest and in the tidepools. The months and dates are blank so that you may begin, interrupt or end the book as you wish. Printed with vegetable-based inks on reincarnation paper [100% recycled, 50% post-consumer waste, and processed chlorine free] and wire-o bound. Measures 5.5″ x 7″ closed.

The 2010 Kate Spade desktop calendar turns a playful eye toward some of the most mischievous, puzzling words in the english language accompanied by whimsical illustrations by Bella Foster. The 12 month desktop calendar features 3 pages per month, notes, address, and restaurant pages. Measures 5.75″w x 8.75″h.

Elegant and eminently useable, this desktop planner turns organization into a breeze. A marvel of design, the multi-page format allows the user to survey their week-at-a-glance and month-at-a-glance at the same time, as well as all of their daily and monthly to-do lists.

An individual Volant daily planner for each month of the year. The 12 months are packed in a gift box that protects, organizes, and preserves. Month numbers are printed on the outside of each planner. Measures 3.5 x 5.5 inches; 64 pages (32 sheets) in each. Thread bound with a cardboard bound cover and rounded corners, acid free paper, a bookmark, an elastic closure and an expandable inner pocket.

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Gifts: Musical Fruit.


Love these pieces of wooden fruit. When you wind them up the apple plays Bacharach’s What the World Needs Now Is Love and the pear croons Chopin’s Nocturne. The apple would make the perfect teacher’s gift, dontcha think?

(Did anyone else start singing “Beans, beans, the musical fruit…”? No, just me? Okay, then.)

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On the Rocks: Pomegranate Cooler.

I have a strong suspicion that the Pomegranate Cooler is precisely the kind of cocktail that you could drink ten of before you even knew it and be in some serious trouble! Delicious, delicious trouble.

Pomegranate Cooler
– 1 1/2 C pomegranate juice, chilled
– fistful of mint leaves
– 1/2 tsp fresh ginger juice
– Sprite or any lime soda, chilled
– ice
– sugar or honey to taste
– 1/2 tsp orange blossom water (optional)
– 1 oz vodka
– 1/2 oz orange liqueur

Muddle the mint leaves (with sugar or honey if you are using it). Combine the pomegranate, cranberry juice, orange blossom water (if you are using it), vodka, liqueur & ginger juice with the mint leaves. Add ice & give it a good shake. Pour into individual glasses, half glass each. Top off with Sprite or lime soda. Garnish with mint leaves.

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Amanda Archer Collection.

The Amanda Archer Collection has a great modern-meets-vintage look to it. The entire thing. Which makes me lust after every single piece. And every garment is made to order, which makes it feel decidedly more special. I’d love to wear the third dress with a little cardigan to holiday cocktail parties! (Anyone want to invite me to one??)

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