Just in Time...

Now that I live on the west coast, one of the most torturous things I've subjected myself to is still being subscribed to Susanna's flavor updates.

I had the pleasure of getting to know Susanna and her husband Herb, through my work as Marketing Director at Sweet Berry Farm a few years ago, and spent a great deal of time sneaking down to her kitchen to test her new ice cream flavors. Her ice cream is truly decadent, each flavor is thoughtfully constructed with the finest and freshest ingredients the farm (and world), can offer. Susanna, a former theater professor in Devon, England, and Herb, her right-hand man/operations manager/husband-extraordinaire, both share a witty approach to their work. What I enjoy equally as much as the flavor, are the stories they share behind each one. Whether it's a historical context, play on words, or simply Susanna experimenting with the latest batch of blackberries, you get a sense that there is depth to the flavors and processes behind them.

Now that I'm headed home (again) for a few days for the Christmas Holiday, I'm looking forward to trying her Peppermint Stick Ice Cream and Tangerine Sorbet. Just in time...

Take Me To Bed, or Lose Me Forever!

Put me in that tub and smother me in rabbit fur! This house is one I'd teleport to in a millisecond. I'd be perfectly content sipping champagne and watching the snowfall on birch trees for days. And to be accompanied by a lover? Ohhhh, baby.

Anything about Aerin Lauder is right up my alley, and I particularly love her Aspen home. Be sure to read this interview with Aerin and Michael Kors in Aspen Peak.

A Year In Herbs: MLP Studio

C&C would not exist without the help of the lovely Mallie Loring Pratt of MLP Studio, the artistic sensation behind C&C's custom heraldry logo. It was such a pleasure working with Mallie throughout the design process and it was refreshing to collaborate with someone that truly understood my vision from the very beginning. I'm absolutely loving Mallie's 2014 "Year In Herbs" calendar, a perfect holiday gift for many on my list. The calendar is hand painted in watercolor and gouache and digitally printed on a beautiful off-white card stock. The calendars are 10"x14" and spiral bound with a D hook which makes hanging a snap. **If you order before December 20th, MLP will deliver before Christmas eve! Be sure to visit the MLP studio to get yours.

"All Is Lost"

Ticking off another movie on my list this evening as I will see "All Is Lost" starring Robert Redford. The film is a highly anticipated one for me personally and I'm particularly interested to see how they capture this truly remarkable ordeal. Watch the trailer here.

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.

A Fairytale Hideaway in the Adirondacks...

I have a deep affinity to the Adirondacks as my family has spent a great deal of time there. It truly is a magical part of our country and one that celebrates the simple pleasures in life and landscape. I aways get excited to tour different camps and love learning about some of the iconic fixtures and figures of the Adirondacks.

This month's issue of Harpers Bazaar highlights the talented Mother-Daughter design duo Mimi McMakin and Celerie Kemble (of Kemble Interiors), and their beloved camp outside of Keene Valley, a region my family and I often frequent. The home is layered in authentic Adirondack-style wood carved furniture, taxidermy and family antiques which preside over a sea of several Turkish kilim rugs, all of course divinely designed in true McMakin-Kemble fashion. The camp is named "Treetops" which appropriately plays on the treehouse inspired designs, which includes actual live birch trees in the dining room. A "Fairytale Hideaway", indeed. See the full story here.

Another of my favorite Adirondack must-sees? Amanda Brooks' camp.

Yes, PLEASE.

I absolutely detest the main house, but how amazing is this boat house? All that varnished mahogany is making my heart pitter patter. Pack the champagne and cheese, let's take one of these beauties out for a cruise!