I'm Taking Over. . .

Remember yesterday when I explained how sometimes even the best laid plans, etc. . .?

Well, hmmm, there seems to have been a slight misunderstanding on my part. My friend Jean Rafferty -- please scroll down to Saturday post -- apparently said to me, "I'll try" to meet your deadline. Whereas I heard: "Of course, I'd be delighted, can't wait, stop the presses, I'm on it," or words to that effect.

You can see where this is going. Among the differences between Jean and moi meme is the fact she actually does get invited to parties, so she is often dressed up with lots of places to go and this being the season and all, her dance card is over-flowing. 

I could make this story/explanation even longer, but suffice it to say, Jean has been postponed until she can breathe and I'm taking over with a list of a few of my favorite potential gifts for the home in her stead. 

My list:

1.) Engraved linen cocktail napkins from Noel in Paris. (I realize most people prefer paper, and I agree during the holidays, but I still use the real thing and find them one of life's petite, elegant luxuries.)

2.) Heavy glass candle holders that look like crystal designed by K. Hagberg/M. Hagberg for IKEA. I bought 15 of them to give as little gifts. One side holds a votive candle, flip to the other and it holds a tall candle. The cost is probably less than the paper it takes to wrap them, (about 50 cents each). {Above picture from Country Living.} 

3.) I can't help it; I just can't get enough: Diptyque candles, either my favorite Oranger or perhaps one that smells like a Christmas tree, Sapin. 

4.) A crystal snowflake tree decoration from Baccarat for those who treat their ornaments like heirlooms. It's equally pretty hanging on a window casting a prismed light onto the holiday scene.

5.) A silver plate ball box from Christofle designed by Martin Szekely. 

6.) A sterling silver timbale from Puiforcat to be used for everything from a pencil holder and a vase to baby's milk or a mint julep.

7.) Three small, painted pots -- I found ones in heavy clay, about three-inches tall -- with flowers that can be later transplanted in the garden. (Never give in even numbers.)

8.) Cards or stationery of the highest, chicest quality from Vendel Shakespeare or Armorial in Paris for example. The perfect gift for anyone. Wouldn't it be lovely if such a cadeau could lead to an actual handwritten note from time to time?

9.) A notebook from Ben with a pen -- a real fountain pen if  one is so inclined. I'm giving some of these this year. (I always have a Ben cahier in my bag, always.) Also, unfortunately, the pen would be a perfect gift for me, "I write for the glory." I'm sure you catch my drift. . .

10.) Even if you can't read French, Jean-Noel Liaut's livre on the internationally renowned antiquaire and decorator, Madeleine Castaing, is a perfect coffee table book.

11.) For fun, a collection of three cotton dish towels from Monoprix from its Trianon collection and for a pretty, yet difficult to find and deeply appreciated, 100 percent linen towels from Jacquard Français purpose-made for drying glass and crystal.

12.) A subscription to Coté Ouest, Coté Sud, Coté Paris or all three. The photography is sumptuous, the ideas refined and many are easily transferable into "real life".