Christmas Cards

If there is one thing that has kept me somewhat sane amidst this Pandemic life, it has been the creative projects in both my work and personal life. I absolutely love assembling teams to execute a project.

Our Christmas cards felt like the perfect creative endeavor this year, especially! To start, I utilized the help of Atlanta-based printery Dear Elouise for all things paper. With the launch of Brent’s Holiday Shop, I chose her classic Nutcracker design which would house a photo we took with local photographer Lisette Rooney. From there, I knew I wanted a colored envelope and letterpress treatment on 220lb paper and worked with Brent’s team to refine the selections. The team at Dear Elouise is top notch, and as someone who values convenience and fine execution, their “upgrade offerings” do just the trick.

Once we landed on the Chartreuse colored envelope, I enlisted the help of Boston-based calligrapher Léa Bushnell of Maplume Calligraphy to jazz up our envelopes with a classic yet dramatic script in a dark forest green to complement the postage stamps and ink selection on the cards. Léa is a true delight and has been such a dream to partner with on work and personal projects this year!

This mini project was fun and a wonderful way to showcase and support the work of other people and businesses I believe in. We have a growing stack of Christmas Cards in a silver tray near our foyer and they truly bring me so much happiness on a daily basis. There is something so joyful about opening a mail piece and seeing the faces of your friends and families. It’s the little luxuries in life, always.

The C&C Holiday Gift Guide

Friends and the like always consult me around this time for gift ideas and so, this year, here you have it! I am a believer in little luxuries. Gifts don’t have to be grand or uber expensive, but well considered. Personally, I am also interested in the maker and materials behind each product.

Below, I’ve included a little round up of some of my personal favorites…

Send me a message if I can help in any way: Caitlin@citrusandcedars.com

Brass & Light Blue Bowls found at Anyon Atelier — see HERE.

I have a collection of these and think they are so chic and fun. Use for office bits & bobs, matchbook collections or beautiful holiday candies. Alternatively, simply leave empty on a coffee table. They are made by Denmark-based artist Louise Roe Copenhagen, available at Anyon Atelier in San Francisco.

Small Mid-Century French Lamp found via Live Auctioneers — see HERE.

Our little pantry in Vermont that is underway needs a tiny light and I love this Mid-century darling.

Brass Pepper Mill via Cook’s Atelier — see HERE.

What would one NOT lust for on this site! I love gifting “sweet” little kitchen accoutrements from Cook’s Atelier. This brass pepper mill is on my list. Jewelry for your spices!

Rattan Ottoman by Franco Albini via 1st Dibs — see HERE.

Rattan is ALWAYS in. I may have already put the sleigh before the reindeer and purchased one of these for moi, but I love all of the pieces re-produced in the manner of Italian Neo-Rationalist designer Franco Albini.

Cire Trudon “Ernesto” Candle — see HERE.

I’m not a big scented candle person — it reminds me of being in a Victoria’s Secret or Yankee Candle (YUCK!), but Cire Trudon is a sure thing. Ernesto is a recent scent I discovered when a dear client gifted it to me — and my husband LOVES its notes of leather, cigar and tobacco. I always light it before he comes home from work.

Poplin London Silk Nightshirt — see HERE.

I love a good monogrammed nightshirt and silk is always comfy and luxurious. Poplin London is so accommodating with bespoke orders. Their silk colors are so decadent and unusual.

Spalted Salad Bowls via Hudson Grace San Francisco - see HERE.

I am obsessed with these salad bowls. We have them in various sizes at home — the 11” for just meals for two, and the 13” for when we are/(were!!) entertaining. I love that they are made from a fallen tree by a craftsman in Massachusetts. (View Spencer Peterman’s work here). If not for the holidays, put these on your registry!

French stone garden urns — see HERE.

I adore all of Carol’s products she thoughtfully procures for her antiques business, Gray Antiques. Why not dress the garden this winter with some gorgeous 1940s stone urns? Forever pieces!

D. Porthault lingerie bags — see HERE.

I adore these little linen bags. Perfect for lingerie when traveling. Throw in a tote bag and GO! A few years back, I gave these to my bridesmaids with their monogram.

Gucci Fair Isle Sweater — see HERE.

Consignment is COOL! I love the Real Real! Give a little mohair and wool while recycling some haute fashion!

Party Pooper

One of the things I miss the most from all of this Covid nonsense is parties. Parties in all forms. Casual backyard rendezvous. Milestone celebrations. The kinds of parties that make your jaw drop. The homes where the hosts have clearly gone to such thoughtful great lengths to delight their guests in such an intimate way. The wedding that made your heart sing. The kind of bash you’d fly across country for because you know your dear friends will be there.

When this is finally under wraps (hurry up already!!) I know we will all come back with a much greater appreciation for the company we celebrate with and the measures taken to be joyful in those moments.

When I think about glamorous, whimsical, decadent parties that ooze with old-school hospitality, I think about Van Wyck & Van Wyck.

Enjoy a sampling of their work, here.

Hopefully we’ll get our party on again very soon…

A New Orleans wedding by Van Wyck & Van Wyck

A moment from a New Orleans wedding by Van Wyck & Van Wyck

A Weekend Well Spent

My husband and I had a lovely getaway in Litchfield County, Connecticut over the weekend. The past few weeks have been exhausting for wonderful reasons, but it was time to take a healthy pause.

The weekend was a little slice of happiness — and a welcomed distraction, as we were footloose without baby, exploring a few places we have had on our list for some time.

First, was New Preston to check out Plain Goods Shop, followed by a cozy and casual lunch at The Owl, a wonderful recommendation from Carol Vargo of Gray Antiques. My encounter with Plain Goods Shop was a lovely reminder of how a shopping experience should be, in my opinion. Every product was thoughtfully procured and presented whilst beautifully styled amongst juicy Autumn dahlias, resting on antique furniture pieces with a perfect patina — all ready to enchant the customer.

Just across the way, lunch at the The Owl was fantastic and with the raw New England air, it made for the perfect respite. The menu was simple — mostly pizzas and salads, all fashioned with seasonal ingredients, accompanied with fantastic wine and beer selections. The decor, matte black bistro tables and chairs adorned with local blooms, was uncontrived yet well considered.

Though there were other highlights of course, one of the main reasons we road tripped was to see The Mayflower Inn after its chic face lift by Kemble Interiors. Our experience did not disappoint. Dinner was prix fixe, and with all the hype about their new in-house chef April Bloomfield, I can genuinely say, it was impressive and delicious. As far as the interior, Kemble Interiors truly did a remarkable job with the project. My favorite room, the parlor, was adjacent to the chic gift shop (a fun collab with the ladies of The Huntress), playfully swathed in bold fabrics, Green Vase paper florals, abstract art (to include one of Gary Komarin’s iconic Cake Paintings), and trimmings for the perfect fireside cocktail experience. I highly recommend a visit, even if just for a drink!

Here’s to savoring new experiences and hoping 2021 will make way for more adventures…

A snap from our stay in Litchfield County.