On a crisp winter night, there's nothing quite like the smell of a wood-burning fire drifting through the cobblestone sidestreets of Georgetown. Since I don't have the real thing, I approximate with Diptyque's Feu de Bois candle. I love the gorgeous gray wax and the smoky smell of burning wood. Makes a fabulous holiday host/hostess gift, too.
Say what you will about schmaltzy scented candles, but nothing makes my house smell more like Christmas than Ralph Lauren's take on the holiday candle. The evergreen/juniper scent is not too overbearing, and the red tartan box makes it an easy gift for your neighbor, your boss, or even yourself. Light up one of these and you'll feel like you're stoking the fire and having a scotch with Ralph in Bedford (even if you're sitting in a studio in Bayonne).
Exactly what a gift should be: tongue-in-cheek fun with a dash of luxury (and under $25!). Have the man in your life ditch the Axe (ick) in favor of this indulgent upgrade. The delicious masculine scent is a no-nonsense way to introduce fragrance into his daily routine without getting overly fussy.
J.Crew continues its winning streak with another fab designer collaboration, this time from Canadian leathergoods brand Want Les Essentiels de Vie. They've swapped their traditional leather for organic cotton, making the bag lighter on your shoulder as well as your wallet. This one looks like a winner for the trip over the (Hudson) river and through the (Dutchess County) woods, as it's designed to hold all the plaid and selvege denim you'd need for a long weekend (hence the name - 72 hours).
Nothing says "fancy fête" quite like custom-printed matchbooks. They're a great finishing touch for the well-kept home. Keep 'em in the bathroom by your Jo Malone candles or place them on the patio in ashtrays for the smoking set. These also make a fabulously unexpected host or hostess gift. Get them printed with your monogram, your address, or your favorite Sartre quote (disclaimer: "Hell is other people" would not be apropos for giving to a hostess...).
One tricky thing about entertaining? Finding an attractive place to corral all those cocktails and canapés. Fortunately the retailer iomoi has a solution. Their lucite trays are practical (wipe clean!) as well as customizable with a monogram or name. And their choices of backdrop are perfect - colorful elephants, monkeys, florals, and bold graphic designs - lending a sense of vintage Palm Beach glam to the pieces. The "Mustique," pictured above, is one of my faves - looks like a groovy Goyard trunk. Also cool? "Horse Knocker:"
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