Gifts + Charms + Wish-Lists

A lovely reader of My Dog-Eared Pages wrote to ask me if I would please create another gift guide this year. I was extremely honored and delighted by her request. But I just couldn't find the time it takes to gather together a complete holiday gift guide as I have in the past—with ideas from baby to best friend [here + here]. So what I thought might be fun, would be to put together my own wish-list. My dream gift would be the perfect antique lady's writing desk from 1stdibs! But of course, what I would love more than any gifts at all, would be to gather with family and friends.

My extravagant wish-list. For almost seventeen years, my dear friend André gave me a scarf from Hermès for Christmas [though not my first, you can read about that here]. The year André passed away from cancer, my husband carried on the tradition. So, the first thing on my list is inspired by this beautiful friendship and this classic photograph of Jean Shrimpton. I don't have a solid-color scarf in my collection and I love this purple scarf called, Hermès-Sellier.

Hermès-Sellier Scarf in silk jacquard $395

Now remember... I said this was a wish-list! I currently do not own a pair of Roger Vivier shoes. And, I think these are absolute perfection. Such a divine color, with tortoise shell buckle.

Roger Vivier Belle de Nuit Suede Gommette Flats $590 [On right, a 1960s ad for shoes designed by Vivier for Christian Dior, Illustration by Rene Gruau]

I just discovered this sensible + chic Loupe from Vivre, made by the renowned French design house Perrin Paris 1893. It magnifies 5X with a 2.36" diameter lens on a 35.4" cord. Never worry about leaving your glasses behind!

Tortoise Loup by Perrin Paris $395 • And, they make amazing eyewear, too. $345

Also from Vivre, I spotted this Horn Cuff by Mariana Lopez Osornio. I think it might be best to wear two at a time. One on each wrist!

Horn Cuff made in Argentina from Vivre $150 [note: MLO Jewelry is a sustainable business; using recycled materials] More treats for the cuff with these fabulous gloves from Anthropologie: [perfect details, note the gold-tone leather in between the fingers!] Cuffed Shearling Gloves by Maison Fabre $198 Don't head out into the cold without the perfect Lip Balm! Rodin Olio Lusso blush-tone Lip Balm w/Jasmine + Orange Oil $28 Hmmm, it appears I am loving pink and coral at the moment! I adore this Tangier Stripe Pillow from Heidi Merrick. $165 Crisp white Wendy Shirt with Cocktail Cuff by Thomas Pink $180 • Straw Stitched Sun Hat from Chance $325

And, since this just might be the year of the Charm Bracelet after the Christie's auction of Elizabeth Taylor's Jewelry Collection this week:

Oscar de la Renta Russian Charm Bracelet $225 Yummy Marimekko Lokki Blanket $245 • Tangle Lacquered Tray from Plantation Design $150 [you can never have too many trays or blankets!]

And, maybe something to read while cozy under the Lokki blanket. There are so many wonderful books that have been published recently. One that I would love to add to my library is, BALS: Legendary Costume Balls of the Twentieth Century; that explores nine of the most exceptional private costume parties of the twentieth century. Published by Assouline.

BALS: Legendary Costume Balls of the Twentieth Century $175 And just one more, published by Rizzoli... Oberto Gili: Home Sweet Home $85

Since the 1970s, Oberto Gili has been an editorial photographer traveling the world. His images of fashion and interiors have appeared in House & Garden, Town & Country, and Vogue. This collection of photography spans his career; and focuses on 'the extravagance of the bohemian.' The New York Social Diary interviewed Oberto Gili here. And, there are also so many treats for your library at my favorite, Nick Harvill Libraries. I would love numerous prints by artist, Jane Parkes. Her work is quickly being discovered by decorators; as seen in the June issue of House Beautiful. Green Girl, Monotype [see a lot more and inquire about pricing and availability here.]

A touch of RED with this votive from glassybaby in the color Happiness. 10% of the sale from each Happiness votive is donated to Gilda's Club in New York City. So far, glassybaby has donated $626,211.73 in sales given since November 2003. Their votives absolutely glow and come in amazing colors. These make great gifts for hostess, or anyone!

glassybaby Happiness votive $44

And, finally... who wouldn't adore an Ivan Terestchenko photograph from his series Interieurs Couture. [contact directly for availability: 30 x 40 cm $250 • 50 x 60 cm $400 • signed, dated and numbered • limited edition of 30 prints]

I would like to end by wishing you the most delightful holiday possible. And, to thank you for reading My Dog-Eared Pages. I greatly appreciate each and everyone of you who visits and comments. Happy Holidays!! Holly Boot: Andy Warhol for Tiffany & Co.

1960s Mexicottons

I just discovered these wonderful Mexicottons from máXimo design by Alexander Girard. As a textile designer, Girard is known particularly for the work he did for Herman Miller from 1952 to 1975. In the late 50's, Girard felt that the textile industry was lacking the zest of color he was looking for, so he designed these lively cottons that were woven at a 19th century textile mill in Morelia, Mexico. Today, máXimo is working with the same mill to re-issue these Mexicottons, which are hand-dyed and hand-woven exactly the way they were when Herman Miller first introduced the fabrics in 1961. These beautiful stripes are respectably priced at $65 per yard and $45.50 to the trade, with a 1-yard minimum. I'm planning to cover two chairs in the pink/red stripe, with stripes running horizontally.

blue/green

wide multi-stripe


red/blue


pink multi-stripe


blue/green multi-stripe


pink/red


tan/black

In 2000, máXimo partnered with the Girard family to bring Alexander Girard's extensive collection of work to the contemporary market by joining select companies like Flor, Maharam, Kate Spade, Herman Miller, Vitra and Chronicle Books. Products include accessories, home + office, pillows, fabrics and more.

A MAN WHO LOVED PUCCI IV

When my friend André was in his early 20's and living in Paris, he fell in love. Madly in love. With his death in 2000, I inherited his writings. In the mix, there are many poems about heartbreak and love. This is poem IV of a series of André's earliest poems I've titled, A Man Who Loved Pucci:

Over There

Over there, three thousand miles away
I find myself looking out windows
Seeing autumn stealing in.
I'm there only a few minutes at a time
But I can see it all, nonetheless.
I can see the cafés putting up their glass panels
I can see the Prix-Unic selling more sweaters
And fewer bathing suits.
I can see the workmen drinking a little more wine
To keep warm.
I can see the church of St. Germain turning greyer
For the nine hundredth time...
Who says you can't be in two places at once?
I am.

by André de Riano

Read Poem I, here.
Read Poem II, here.
Read Poem III, here.
Our friendship.

Images: Collage of scarf/model created from Taschen's PUCCI book • André, private collection

EmersonMade | Caftan Delight

I was delighted today when this hand-made cloth bag arrived in the mail. When opened, the entire room at once smelled of lavender and inside with my new divine Butterfly Caftan, there was also a thank you note. Yes, a thank you note! There was nothing this beautiful package from EmersonMade was lacking and the caftan inside [from the EM India Collection] is absolutely everything I expected it to be. Emerson and Ryan Fry—the darling husband and wife team behind EmersonMade—are everywhere lately, including this recent interview in The New York Times T Style Magazine. The company was founded in 2009 and aspires to this simple principle:

EmersonMade is a company that believes in celebrating the uniqueness of the individual, the joy of being alive and all the smallness that makes up the Big Beautiful.

And, everything about this charming Portsmouth, New Hampshire-based company is Big Beautiful. My pick for fall is the Emerson London Coat [modeled here by Emerson] and the Emerson Dude Loafers. Perfection.

Make sure to check-out EM Travel Blog and EM Journal. More Big Beautiful!

Royal Heritage Hotel in Jaipur, India | Ryan and Emerson in India

A MAN WHO LOVED PUCCI III

When my friend André was in his early 20's and living in Paris, he fell in love. Madly in love. With his death in 2000, I inherited his writings. In the mix, there are many poems about heartbreak and love. This is poem III of a series of André's early poems I've titled, A Man Who Loved Pucci:

Sonnet

I awoke, and you slept still
Breathing quietly as you will
The morning after a night of love.
And in that pale grey morning light
I felt your skin, so soft, so white
And touched and kissed it as a dove
Would brush its wing against its mate.
Then you'd stir and then you'd wake
And with a sleep-drunk movement turn
And hold me close as in the night
And doze again, a happy sight;
Then would I, as you, to sleep return.

And thus, my love, I remember you
In those days which were too few.

by André de Riano

Read Poem I, here.
Read Poem II, here.
Our friendship.
Images: André and girl, private collection • Pucci scarf, 1969 from Taschen's PUCCI book

An Island Sanctuary | Greece

Terrace with fragrant Nerium Oleander

Greece holds a certain spot in my heart. So it's no wonder that An Island Sanctuary - A House in Greece by John Stefanidis is one of the most treasured books in my library. It's the story of a house that John and the late Teddy Millington-Drake discovered on the island of Patmos in 1963. It's in the town of Chora which John describes... "has the possessed beauty of a de Chirico painting... sweeps of olive groves, titan rocks plunging into the sea, bays of pristine beauty with gently lapping waves... and everywhere the sea: aquamarine, turquoise, emerald green, deep purple." The house had been abandoned for twenty-five years. By 1964, they spent their first summer in the house. Perhaps, I am enchanted by Stefanidis' textiles because I too, am drawn to the Mediterranean. "What might be called the Mediterranean style," says Stefanidis, is "romanticism, sensuality, and practicality. Mediterranean style is a triumph of common sense. Whitewashed walls reflect light and heat; thick walls render rooms cool; cotton furnishings are fresher to the touch; Lattice allows air to circulate; shutters exclude glare; tile and marble are soothing to the bare foot."

Gardens stone and succulents


Whitewashed terraces, blue and white striped canvas and bougainvillea


Millington-Drake watercolor view of outdoor terrace


A relaxed English fish basket filled with Japanese parasols


Upper-floor terrace


Perfect, simple kitchen


A shaded terrace for breakfast or lunch


Bougainvillea pruned in displays of flame red and Udaipur pink


The Parlor with sky-blue cottons and Anatolian pattern kilim


A dreamy white bedroom and small library at the heart of the first floor


A traditional island sofa with mattress-style cushions covered in JS fabric "Flowers"


My favorite JS "Flowers" fabric


Millington-Drake painting from outdoor dining terrace


An early summer montage of the arid hills


Cool, blue cotton on terrace


Needlework cushions from Patmos, Rhodes, and Anatolia


Cozy room was Millington-Drake's former studio room


Indian miniatures on the wall of this bedroom are perhaps, Company Paintings


Rampant plumbago tumbles over the terrace wall


Taro plant with fragrant gardenia under the dappled shade of a pergola

Truly a must for your design library.
An Island Sanctuary feeds the soul and arouses the senses.


Images: Principal photography by Fritz von der Schulenberg.
An Island Sanctuary, published by Rizzoli
Visit John Stefanidis here