Shopping on Saturday: The Loaded Trunk

I love shopping online year round, but at this time of year I appreciate it even more. Don't get my wrong, I do enjoy a bit of the holiday hustle and bustle. Yet, on a cold snowy day, few things beat curling up by the fire with a laptop and shopping for those on your list.

If you have yet to shop The Loaded Trunk, an online shop that stocks global goodies, you are in for a treat. Here are just a few of my favorite items:

Wood, Sterling and Shell Serving Spoon from Bali
Pewter Crocodile Stapler from Thailand
Bangle Bracelets
Earrings from Istanbul
Hammered Bronze Gold Leaf Bowl

Shopping on Saturday: Duane Antiques

When I was last in New York, I had the pleasure of meeting Bruce Glickman and Wilson Henley, owners of Duane Antiques. Located in the heart of Tribeca, Duane Antiques is a highly sought out destination and resource for interior designers, architects and stylists.

Specializing in decorative mid-century modern design, Duane Antiques regularly presents pieces by many of the periods’ leading designers, including Karl Springer, James Mont and Tommi Parzinger.

Bruce and Wilson also offer their discerning clients Duane Modern. A furniture collection of over 25 original pieces, including sofas, slipper chairs, tables and buffets. Every item in the Duane Modern line is handcrafted locally in the Northeast using the highest quality materials.

176 Duane Street
New York, NY 10013
(212) 625-8066

Shopping on Saturday: Nickey Kehoe

Celebrate the holidays today at the one day shopping event at NK Shop in LA. While shopping you can enjoy a cup of hot cocoa. If you fancy a spiked cocoa, just tell them you are an All the Best reader. All tabletop, home accessories and regular priced furniture will be marked 20% off today only. Enjoy shopping on Saturday!

Nickey Kehoe Inc.
NK Shop
730 North Highland Avenue
Los Angeles, California

Shopping + Podcast with Michael Devine

I have long been a fan of Michael Devine's whimsical fabrics and playful designs. My husband and I first meet Michael and his partner Thomas Burak in Paris during the January 2008 Maison & Objet. After a long, leisurely dinner followed by a few glasses of absinthe we were invited to New York for Thanksgiving. Over the past two years Michael and Thomas have become close family friends. Before heading home, I spent last weekend in Kinderhook, New York with two of my favorite men.

Michael and Thomas pulled out all the stops including a cocktail party in my honor. Michael recently created a wonderful assortment of signature trays that were used for passing hors d'oeuvres during the party. His adorable trays were a big hit with everyone last Saturday and they are now on his website, just in time for the holidays. And, best of all, standard shipping is free! You can see the cute tray in question and photos from the party below.

On Sunday we sat down before dinner and talked about fabrics, cooking and holiday entertaining. Listen here.



The cute pea pods are also available from Michael Devine Home

Shopping on Saturday: Archie Grand

I am in love with these Archie Grand notebooks. These cheeky little notebooks are great for lists, doodles or secrets. They have a matte satin cardstock cover and 160 blank pages of Lessebo Linné paper.

A few clever titles include DESIGNERS I Meet and Liked, ACADEMICS I Meet and Liked, LONDONERS I Meet and Liked, PUBLISHERS I Meet and Liked, WIVES I Meet and Liked, PACIFISTS I Meet and Liked, GALLERISTS I Meet and Liked and of course, SANTA CLAUSES I Meet and Liked.

Shopping on Saturday

I am obsessed with this entire ensemble from Elie Tahari. I am currently loving yellow and have been searching for the perfect yellow handbag and python belt for months. I thought I would share with you what I have discovered and a few of my favorite internet finds for summer. Tell me what you are coveting.

Michael Kors Python Embossed Tabs Stretch Straw Belt
$60.00

Elie Tahari Emma Tote
$698.00

Other obsessions include:
A White Plasteramic ToyWatch
Matt Bernson Sandals
The Essie Summer Collection
Sampaquita by Ormonde Jayne
Anything CC Skye


Top photo: Eli Tahari S/S 09 ad campaign (photographer Terry Richardson - yes, Terry Richardson!)

Shopping on Saturday: Thornwillow Press

I have gotten away from my Shopping on Saturday posts, but after a bit of nudging and a few emails, I thought I would bring it back. I have such a soft spot for books, beautiful paper and the written word. I still fondly remember a charming box of stationery that I received as a wedding gift, embossed with my new initials, and a beautiful hand-bound book from my father-in-law. In this day of mostly disposable and intangible communications, it is exciting to find a company that is both purveyors of fine stationery and creator of limited-edition books that are of the highest quality.

For quite sometime I have been hearing about Thornwillow Press, and was thrilled when Peter Pennoyer introduced me to the founder Luke Ives Pontifell. While in New York I had lunch with Peter, Luke and Melissa Morris. Luke’s love and passion for his craft are readily apparent and it was fascinating to hear the story of how it all began.

In 1985, still in high school, Luke founded Thornwillow Press. Inspired by a course in printing and binding, and the old books in his parents’ library, he set out to produce books himself. During his summer vacations from Harvard, Luke would print and bind books, slowly building a small following of collectors. After graduating and with four titles on his list, he found that what had started as a labor of love had evolved into a small business.

In addition to books, Thornwillow Press also designs and manufactures fine paper and stationery. Their team of master engravers and letterpress printers are dedicated to producing superior correspondence papers. Here are a few of my favorites. Also, look for a profile on Luke in the upcoming week.

Seahorse Place Cards
16 engraved heavy flat place cards (2 1/2″x 3 1/2″) in signature Foxglove Yellow Centennial box. $28.00

Walking Crab Antique Roman Fill-in Invitation
10 engraved heavy flat cards (5 1/2″ x 7 1/2″) with 10 tissue-lined envelopes in signature Foxglove Red box. $40

Florida Palm Note cards
10 engraved heavy flat cards (5 1/2″ x 7 1/2″) with 10 tissue-lined envelopes. $45

Shopping on Saturday

Think of the most fabulous members-only club and you are on the right track to understanding what Cocosa offers the fashion connoisseur. Cocosa is an invitation-only fashion destination, offering its members exclusive access to carefully curated private sales at very special prices. Cocosa launched last month in the UK, working with such designers as Amanda Wakeley, Pringle, PPQ, Christian Lacroix, Matthew Williamson and Temperley.

Because all of you are truly are the BEST, Cocosa has offered a special membership to All the Best readers. You sign up to the site using the exclusive invite code: bestblog. This invitation to join will expire on 21st November and there is no cost to join.

Each Cocosa sale is announced to members in advance by e-mail, is focused on one specific leading designer brand at a time and is offered online for 48 hours only. Each item has limited availability. Unfortunately, shipping is only offered to residents of the UK—perhaps that will one day change. Have fun shopping!

Shopping on Saturday

I love bold, beautiful jewelry and its power to transform clothing. Blame it on my mom and my friend Megan. My mom has always loved big showy pieces, and I fondly remember trying on her jewelry as a child. When I was really young I would play in her jewelry boxes and cut out pictures of rings and necklaces from magazines, and then tape them to my fingers and neck.

After moving to Pennsylvania in 2000 I met my dear friend Megan at cocktail party. She was, and is, one of those people who stands out in a room—tall, thin, short dark hair and stunning jewelry! The first time we meet she was wearing a gorgeous choker with stones and pearls the size of golf balls. I don't remember the clothes, but I remember that necklace!

After we became friends, I commented that I wish I could pull off such large pieces. Without missing a beat Megan took off her necklace, put it around my neck and turned me towards the mirror, "You can pull it off!" She was right and now I can't imagine life without statement jewelry.

Etta Necklace by Dannijo
$458.00

Green Onyx Necklace by Bounkit for Vivre
$1,875.00

Havisham Geometric Necklace by Alexis Bittar
£135.00

If you are in Houston, be sure to stop by Elaine Turner's new shop. It's a beautiful store, filled with her gorgeous handbags, shoes and wonderful accessories. You will also find jewelry by Elizabeth Cole, Sarah Briggs and Gerard Yosca. If you can't make it to the store you can always shop online.