• THE LUXE LIST – Holiday Hostess Gifts

    It’s that time of year when friends and family invite us into their homes to celebrate

    the season.  And if your mother “taught you right”, you don’t show up empty-handed. 

    So what to buy that special host or hostess?  Your gift doesn't have to be expensive,

    but it should be thoughtful, attractive, and well, something the person might actually want. 

    So to ease your mind and your wallet, Luxe & Lucid has hand-picked ten hip, holiday

    hostess gifts below.  You’re sure to be a hit, so enjoy yourself and party on!

     

     

     

     

     

    dana schutz bookestate gardens book

     

    Coffee table books are a no-brainer.  Both beautiful and meaningful.

    Rizzoli publishes some of the best.

     

     

     

    match candle snuffer

     

    The household item no one knows they need, but no one should live without – the candle snuffer. 

    When not in use, this one from Match is like table art.

     

     

     

     

    kw for sferra thistle napkins

     

    I personally believe you can never have too many table linens.

    Who wouldn’t want a set of Sferra’s linen napkins designed by Kelly Wearstler?

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    gold lunares napkin rings - set of 4 vivre

     

    Which leads me to my next obsession … napkin rings.

    The latest designs are like jewelry and are sure to delight a glamorous hostess.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    williams sonoma home cashmere blanket

     

    A cashmere blanket is the perfect cold-weather gift, especially if you’re an overnight guest.

    I love the gorgeous hues above from Williams-Sonoma Home.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    fold-up leather slippes

     

    These fold-up leather slippers are stylish, useful and on sale for less than $35!

     

     

     

     

     

    mrs. john l strong calendar on lucite base

     

     

    Some of us spend more time at our desks than anywhere else, even our homes.

    Why not give that stylish man you know a desktop calendar that will brighten up his desk and his day?

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    french cheese plate

     

     

    Is it just me or is cheese beautiful?  I love the colors, the smells, the packaging.

    A selection of French cheeses from Dean & Deluca for the foodie in your group.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    claus porto soap

     

    I’m a big fan of Claus Porto liquid soap and have it at home and in my office.

    I mean seriously, could this soap get any better looking?

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    seda france fleur d'abricotier 

     

    Everyone, and I do mean everyone, loves candles.

    Seda France's lovely little pagoda boxes make them the perfect pre-packaged gift!

     

     

     

     

    HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM LUXE & LUCID!

    Tricia xo

     

  • Before There Were PDA’s

    I was a holdout.  I loved my daily planner and my stationary.  I never thought I would do all

    my writing via email and keep my schedule on a computer.  But I do.  To be honest, I couldn’t

    live — professionally at least — without Outlook and my iphone.  So although I’m highly organized,

    I miss the days when embracing your type-A meant a little more beauty and a little less technology.

     
     
     

    Southern accents nov-dec 04 - Copy 

    Remember when we used to sit at our desks and correspond? 

    I’m feeling so nostalgic — this is what my desk used to look like when

    I was a jeune fille.  Southern Accents Nov/Dec 2004.

     

     

    Smythson of bond street 

    I am IN LOVE with the new Malachite Collection from Smythson of Bond Street! 

    The classic stationer from London has taken a fashion-forward step and designed

    a collection that looks like it just came off the Balenciaga runway.

     

     

    IMG_0486

    The Hermes journal I keep at my bedside. 

    It’s available in several gorgeous colors.  Mine is aubergine.

     

     

    Cards 

     Two graphic, modern selections from Simplesong Design.

     

     

    PA050016

    Il papiro

    I picked up this notepad at Il Papiro in Florence.  I like to keep it with me, so I can

    jot down thoughts on the run — which is easy since it’s about as small as my eyeglass case.

     

     

     


    Buffet
      
    I installed this buffet at a client’s penthouse in May and discovered the inside was lined with

    hand-made paper!  It was a magical detail and an amazing surprise.

     

     

     

     

    Stationary signature

    What a great idea.  Send Dempsey & Carroll your signature and they will

    engrave their Classic Correspondence Card with your own personal John Hancock.

     

     

     

     

     

     PA050010 - Copy

     

    Paper goods (and memories) from my archives.
     

     

     

    Calligraphy

    If I could, I would write long letters in calligraphy to friends and family.  In another life.

     

     

     

    Nannette brown mrs john l strong pic by brad paris

    The end of an era.  Mrs. John L. Strong closed its doors in May after 80 years. 

    Nannette Brown said it best, “We don’t do trendy.  We do good taste.” 

    A girl after my own heart.