hand me downs

At the age of 10 our family moved from Miami to Long Island. I loved it. Even now as much as I love Nashville and don't want to move, when I find myself up North I feel at home.

Growing up a girl named Cornelia Guest would give me some of her hand me down clothes because she was a couple years older than I was. I can still remember a camel cashmere sweater that I loved.

Well zoom ahead 35 years and Cornelia is selling her home.

The home, Templeton, that also belonged to her mother C.Z. Guest.
I am not too old for hand-me-downs.
I totally understand if she doesn't want to give me the whole house.
I would be happy with some of the lettuce leaf porcelain.
All of the photos are from Habitually Chic. All or most were taken by Douglas Friedman for Harper's Bazaar.

holiday list

I was inspired by Eddie's magazine shoot setups. Here is my own "desk" set up that we sent to our email list. How cute is that picture of my sister (she is now a grown up with 8 children).

all I want for Christmas

are these shoes from J Crew
and a stocking full of tights.

jacqueline gnott

I love Jacqueline's strawberries.
At $125 this would make a perfect Christmas gift.

the little ballerina

I am in love with this little film from the anthropology website. I am in awe of ballerinas. I watch my daughter practice day after day for hours, so much discipline to create such beauty.
Click here to view it.

night owl paper goods

I always have a soft spot for paper goods but something about this time of year puts it into overdrive. In the case of this company wood goods would be more accurate. I am dreaming of sitting by a roaring fire in my lake house (not owned yet) wrapping up handmade goodies and putting these cards with them.



And these would be perfect stocking suffers for all of my children and many grandchildren that will be staying with us on the lake.

OK back to reality...lots to do.

wanted: new vacume cleaner

I know that we ask a lot of our vacuums. Seven children and two dogs are not your "average" household but I am looking at a broken one again. I want to know what you guys have. What do you love and what do you hate. I need something powerful that can suck up a lot of dog hair fast.

I need your input!