Can't Go Wrong...

As I've gotten older, I try to shy away from giving physical gifts and instead, focus on creating an experience or adventure that will provide a lasting memory. I love the idea of getting creative by surprising someone with a spontaneous adventure, weekend road trip or perhaps enrolling in a fun cooking class or trail ride in the mountains. As I've mentioned before, I do have the practicality gene when it comes to gift-giving and beyond, however I can absolutely make an exception for T Magazine's "Delicacies at Your Doorstep" idea. The feature in their Holiday guide highlights several services that will deliver gourmet pleasures to your doorstep on several frequented occasions. From shipments of wine from Scribe Winery, pig and other salty meets from Marin County’s legendary Belcampo Meat Company (yes, please!), or a side of Gaspe Nova smoked salmon from Russ & Daughters, I think these services are worth the indulgence.

I'm Into It.

I work in the land of pencil skirts, heels, suits and Gucci-bit loafers. It's a pretty bland landscape as it relates to dress, particularly for San Francisco, however I suppose typical for the industry. Many are health freaks who seem to have an endless supply of green juice, have ditched their Rolex's for UP bands and have their yoga instructors come into the office for a little afternoon namaste. As of late, several of the gents have ditched their  loafers their wives and girlfriends likely spent 5 hours selecting at Neiman's, for sneakers. I'm into it.

This seems to be a trend across the world. See more here.

A Handsome Goth

Gothic architecture often surprises me and this southern cottage is by no means an exception. When in search for a home, an antiques dealer snapped up this mid-nineteenth-century cottage in Georgia. While recognizing her true potential, he shined her up, adding a few rooms to the original structure, and dusted the interior with his collection of antique pieces. I particularly love the original Gothic elements intertwined with the romance of a carefree southern style. What a special property. See more photographs here.

Nudes & A New Year

Ah, the Pirelli Calendar. I can't think of a single soul who doesn't like looking at beautiful women, which is why the iconic calendar by the Italian tire company is perhaps so celebrated (it helps that the photographers are the best in the world and shoot only the finest female creatures to ever walk this earth, in next to nothing). 2014 marks the calendar's 50th edition which will feature photographs from 1986 that were shot by Helmut Newton (best known for his nudes), that were never released. An interesting marketing strategy for a tire company, but as they say....sex sells. And I like it.

Above: A collection of photographs from various calendars over the past few decades.