Bergdorf Windows

Are you in New York? Have you seen the Bergdorf holiday windows? My cousin took this photo, saying the displays are beyond astonishing...I'd love to see them in person. Beyond astonishing indeed! There is nothing like New York at Christmas time. Happy Tuesday to you!

Phillips de Pury Design and Design Masters

Happy Monday to you! I hope your weekend was happy and restful.
Tomorrow and Wednesday, Phillips de Pury will hold its Design and Design Masters auctions, highlighting great work from the 20th century. They are offering some exquisite pieces. I was in an organic mood looking through the catalogs, so here are a few of my more natural favorites... They are: a Jean Dunand vase ca. 1925 (love!), a Jean Royere dining table ca. 1953 (see lovely details here), a Diego Giacometti ceiling fixture ca. 1978, a George Nakashima Conoid bench 1961, Serge Mouille pendants ca. 1955, Jean Royere Chenets from the 1940s, and a Jean Royere Ribbon form bed ca. 1945. There are a number of major 20th century design auctions this month. It's been fun browsing the catalogs. I will have more to show this week. And don't forget the Elizabeth Taylor auctions this week too -- entertaining whether you like auctions or not!

All photos from Phillips de Pury.

Little Mouse from Splendid Willow Avenue

I just received the sweetest little mouse in a matchbox, whom I purchased from Monika's Splendid Willow Avenue...He will be Eddie's for Christmas (please don't tell!). He's even more adorable in person, and I couldn't have bought him from a more gracious person or more beautiful on-line shop. Along with lovely Scandinavian goodies for the children, Splendid Willow Avenue carries unique women's clothing from Jarbo, fantastic Ilse Jacobsen boots and outerwear, jewelry by Asa Daxberg, and home decor. These are a few of my favorites (besides the mice of course!)...
top: Jarbo wrap-tie dress and multi-way mohair vest with Asa Daxberg green chunky bead necklace. -- middle: Ilse Jacobsen raincoat in ash and tall red rubber boots, Jarbo luxe turtleneck and Asa Daxberg "Splendid" necklace. -- bottom: Gotland pelt and Maileg pink pig.
Thanks so much, Monika, for the wee mouse, for being such a kind blog friend, for your lovely shop, and for sharing your style knowledge with us on Splendid Willow.

Beautiful Weekend

I hope you have a beautiful winter weekend. Isn't this perfect? Found through Lonny...Red Barn in Snowstorm by Erica Peerenboom. For purchase here.
Thank you so much for visiting me here this week and for your comments. They make my day!

Elizabeth Taylor Auctions

Have you seen the catalogues for Christie's Liz Taylor auctions next week? Really amazing. Here are just a few fun picks...Seriously, it goes on and on and on! Ahhhh, but we all know she had quite the treasure trove. I can't imagine the money that will change hands at these auctions.
Go see for yourself! Happy Wednesday to you.

all photos from Christie's.

Jultomten

At least that's what I think he is.He's one of my new favorites, found with Eddie one special day around Christmas last year.

I Could...

happily plunk myself into this little scene right about now!You? Happy late Tuesday.
ps... The Nutcracker and family time were really fun!

photo from Dreamy Whites.

Happy Weekend

I hope you'll do something fun. We're off to see my niece in The Nutcracker!
She'll be in this sweet production...We're looking forward to this guy!And I just must finish again with this lovely, whimsical illustration (please forgive me, but I love it!)... Happy December!
The Nutcracker book cover from here (I've been going back to gaze at it for over two and a half years!), production photos from here, nutcracker from here. Illustration by Fukimo Hori.

Elephants for Christmas: Shukuru and Mutara

Happy December! This will be the third Christmas that I am giving the fostering of these two elephants to my sisters. Here is Mutara...
and here is Shukuru (see her caring for the little one in the photo just below these words?)...
Aren't they just amazing? They are growing so big and healthy. They are becoming good leaders, taking care of the younger, smaller orphans, and they are good friends to each other. Here they are together, Shukuru on the left and Mutara on the right...
And here they are in summer of 2009, when each was rescued separately by the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Kenya (Shukuru left, Mutara right)...
The Trust is fabulous. I can't say enough about what they do for wildlife conservation in their region of Africa, specifically the Tsavo National Park in Kenya. Among so many valuable initiatives is the orphaned elephant project, in which the Trust's expert staff rescues, nurtures and raises babies who have been separated from their mothers for various, often man-made (including poaching) reasons. Eventually, after a number of years, they release and integrate the orphans into the wild herds of Tsavo. I love that, for a minimum of $50 annually, you can help foster these babies. And that you can easily give that fostering as a gift! The Trust sends monthly updates to my sisters about Shukuru and Mutara. We also can visit their website to see the keeper's diary about our elephants' progress and interaction with their friends, both elephant and human. Go here to find out more. I really get so excited about this gift each year. I love being a part of these babies' lives, even in a small way!

Dodie's Things

I think it's the calm textures that caught my eye in each of these...Simple, beautiful textures. These belonged to Dodie Rosenkrans, a major philanthopist and patron of the arts, and are at auction at Sotheby's next week. Really, these are just a few relatively small (though not inexpensive) things from her grand, opulent, multifaceted estate: an Chinese amphora, a set of George I pine chairs from the 1720s, and an African vessel. I think these would work quite nicely in my environment!

Dalas at Home

I hope you're having a beautiful day.I'm home with a sick boy, who's tired but on the mend. He loves his Dala horses. The beautiful, big one is vintage, given to him by Grandma from her large collection. The itty one was a gift from me last year. I love them too.

Into the Season

Happy Monday! Loving this simple Christmas calendar, made by Annaleena...So simple. She just taped the packages to the wall, but I will tie them to a branch maybe.
This week begins the season for us. When I was little these weeks seemed to take forever. Now it seems difficult to fit it all in. Hopefully I can stay calm and in the moment with my little one. Happy new week to you. I hope it's a good one!

photo and calendar by Annaleena. Found via Emma's pin.

Happy Weekend! Love This Hallway

I hope you have a beautiful weekend wherever you are, whatever you do! I really love the light and color in this hallway in Laurie Frick's Residence in Austin, Texas...The rest of the place isn't bad either...Fresh and happy inspiration to take me into this weekend.
See more on Home DSGN. Architecture by KRDB. Photos by Patrick Wong.

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope it's a family- and friend-filled day. I am so thankful for each of you who comes to see me here, and for your insightful, unique, beautiful sites too. Happy Thanksgiving!

Devon Radziwell's table in Vogue. Photo by Claiborne Swanson Frank

Laura Brown

I love Laura Brown's art...

pier

boat

twilight zone 3

Laura and I met a few years ago through blogging. One day she posted one of her prints on her blog and it resonated so much with me that I had to buy it. She just wrote me to tell me her new website is up. I couldn't be happier to see her new work! So beautiful. And some are available for sale here on etsy.
A little while back, Laura completed these delicate, lovely books for which she created the paper and the artwork, and then printed her works and the words of other artists on the pages. They are simply stunning...Laura is currently creating a fantastic looking 2012 poster calendar. It's available next week. You can order yours here.
Oh, and here is my Laura Brown print mountain 1 on my wall...I just love it.