Leather And Gold

While I may not be a fashionista, I do love fun, interesting jewelry.  

When you get to be a woman of a certain age, not all clothes fit or are age appropriate, but jewelry always fits.  That and shoes!  But I digress...

I love our studded leather wrap bracelets!  So much that I have one in every color.

Sometimes, I wear all three!  

Just for today, they are marked down to $120.

LesMechantes.com

I Love A Buffalo Check!

 I've always loved buffalo checks.  They are timeless and tend to go with everything!

 At Les Méchantes, our home decor is kind of my "baby," especially since I'm NOT a fashionista!

I'm particularly proud of our buffalo check items.  Talk about cozy!

The throws are made in Minnesota...

...and our flannel pillows are made in Berkeley, California!  All USA made, which is what LM is all about!

I love the exposed brass zipper on these pillows.

Coincidently, the black and white pillows go with the black and white throw fabulously!

It's Small Business Saturday, so we are offering all our buffalo check pillows and throws at a 25% discount, for today only.

Let's get cozy, here.

The Les Méchantes Flash Sale

Les Méchantes is having a flash sale.

Today, select outerwear is on sale, just in time for winter.

Log on to LesMéchantes.com to shop!

A Simple, Elegant and Rustic Table

When I first started blogging five years ago, I couldn't wait to create tablescapes using all my dish patterns to share with my readers.

I noticed over the years though, that my taste has changed and I'm now drawn to a more simple, yet elegant and rustic table.

Since we were in the wine country last weekend for a photoshoot of our newest home decor products, I jumped at a chance to create my first tablescape of 2014 using the Les Mechantes red and white ticking stripe linens.

The extra wide ticking stripe runners are perfect for laying across the table instead of lengthwise for an unexpected look.  A twig placemat adds rustic appeal, while the white ironstone dishes keep the table simple and clean.

Clipped olive branches from the garden add a touch of greenery and lay nicely on the matching napkins.

I love the stitching detail on these napkins!

Vintage French ruby red glasses add that touch of elegance and counter the rustic placemats.

You're probably thinking, what about Thanksgiving? 

I know, I jumped right to Christmas for my inspiration using these linens.  

Besides, all my Thanksgiving plates are in storage! 

The table linens also come in a black and white ticking stripe, which I can't wait to use, as well as denim.  Lots of mix and match opportunities!

Wishing you a wonderful week and Thanksgiving.

Let the holidays begin!

Sources:

Ticking stripe linens - Les Mechantes

Vintage French glasses - Les Mechantes

White ironstone plates - Pottery Barn

Stainless flatware - Pottery Barn

Twig placemats and antlers are from my own collection

Spreading the word at:
  Confessions of a Plate Addict
A Stroll Thru Life
Savvy Southern Style

Thinking Out Loud--Stairway Ideas

 Believe it or not, the City of San Francisco approved our plans and issued our permits today!

Yes, after months of nothing but demo, we can finally begin to put this house back together again.

There are so many decisions to be made, but the one that my contractor is asking me to consider today is the stairway.

We are eliminating the side entry with landing and going straight down instead.

The rail will need to be replaced.

 The question is, with what?

I can't help remembering my stairway in our old house but I don't think the style goes with the new house which is more mediterranean. 

Do I want an iron stair rail like in my friend's home?

I absolutely love her stairwell, but it's not the same application as mine.

I'm leaning towards a traditional, yet simple stair rail like this one featured in Southern Living.

I like this one also, but would probably paint the hand rail and newel post black.

In fact, black is what I'm leaning towards also.

I fell in love with this staircase the first time I saw it in House Beautiful and ripped out the page for my SF house file.  I love the black binding on the sisal runner and touch of black on the rail and top of the newel.

However, I think painting the whole newel post black would be my choice.

It's classic and timeless and I feel would work in our new home. 

Let the project begin!

Baby It's Cold Outside

Brrrrr, it's cold outside, and that means it's officially "throw" season!
I love throws!
Throws everywhere, on the sofa, in the car, at the end of the bed.
I can't get enough of throws!


Les Méchantes loves throws too.
We recently did a photoshoot of our throws in the wine country.


It was a beautiful fall day and the light was perfect.


I am so in love with these throws and ended up buying all three!

The Camel Check Throw is a perfect neutral color for my living room.

The Buffalo Check Throw went under the black and white tent in my City "backyard."
Perfect for chasing away the chill on these autumn nights.


The Coffee Throw is staying in Asti for the time being.
I will bring it home soon and fold it on the end of our bed.

Which throw is your favorite?

Champagne Coupes, Always A Classic

I can't tell you how many times I've passed up champagne coupes like these at flea markets and antique stores because they were too "old fashioned."  

Lately, I've noticed coupes making a come back at restaurants and bars, not just for champagne but also specialty cocktails.

But really and truly, haven't they always been a classic?


From the 1930's to the 60's, champagne coupes were quite popular, and the glass of choice for sipping champagne, only to later be replaced by the flute.

There's something very glamorous about drinking from coupes and I think ladies look prettier sipping from a coupe instead of tossing back a flute!

 Think Marilyn Monroe!
So bring out Grandma's coupes the next time you celebrate!


In case you didn't inherit coupes, be sure to check out the Les Méchantes vintage coupe collection here.