Infusing grandeur into otherwise drab Mondays with five things/ideas/events for the week:

I.  Confession: I got little to no sleep last night. Though I’m completely exhausted today, it was well worth it… (And no, it’s not quite as lascivious as you may be thinking). The rain finally came to San Francisco! It’s been highly documented by the media that we are in an emergency state of drought here, but as someone who believes that rain is good for the soul, I can attest that the water has been sorely missed for more reasons than one the last year. Now that it’s (loudly) pouring, I’m bundled up inside making my favorite meal, French Onion Soup with a fresh epi baguette. The most difficult part of the recipe is waiting for several pounds of onions to reduce, but absolutely nothing compares to the taste of properly made caramelized onions with beef broth, dry white wine, fresh herbs, and a splash of cognac. Make a huge batch and devour it on rainy nights the rest of the week.

II.  Over the last few months, I’ve mentioned a few of my favorite iPhone cases (monogrammed and metallic). But I never dreamed of similarly sprucing up my laptop until I came across a picture of a friend’s MacBook on Insta this morning, sporting a to die for python sheath. I immediately inquired who made the gorgeous cover, and learned that it is by Jamie Clawson, who makes similar pieces for an array of electronic devices - all handmade in New York. I’ll be waiting with bated breath for my FedEx guy until this beauty arrives!

III.  I can’t even with this card… So many emotions, and so many amazing people who I want to send it to immediately. There are times in our lives when we stop and realize just how important our friends are in everything from keeping us sane to believing in our crazy dreams (with my startup launch looming, this is a daily occurrence for me). There are plenty of ways to acknowledge these special people (flowers, artisan cocktails, party boxes), but none so perfectly simple as the handmade line from Greta Jane Paper Co. From sweet, to sassy, to completely raunchy - this Etsy shop has you covered in the card department.

IV.  I’m not sure how there is a table runner out there that I haven’t seen, but today I stumbled upon this genius creation - a runner comprised completely of fruit. Easier (and cheaper) to put together than floral and greenery garlands, an added benefit of this unique decor is that hungry guests can sneak a little snack between courses (much to my surprise, every single time I’ve used clementines in my designs, guests have eaten them). To recreate, use oranges, grapefruit, tomatoes, miniature apples (ubiquitous this time of year), persimmons, citrus leaves, and grapes. I love the bowl of fruit at the center of the table as a focal point, surrounded by the loosely arranged produce. Style for Thanksgiving with varying shades of pumpkins, figs, squash, and pomegranates. 

V.  Speaking of Thanksgiving, many people who otherwise don’t entertain at home will be having people over for the holiday. I’ve received several recent inquiries about how to decorate an attractive table without going overboard. My biggest piece of advice centers around the linens. With a striking runner or tablecloth and napkins in complimentary colors/patterns, you can get away with plain white dishes and whatever glassware you have on hand. Check out my go-to stores for beautiful options. Contemporary: CB2. Classic: Horchow. Festive: Cost Plus. Elegant: Gump’s. Glamorous: Z Gallerie. Rustic: West Elm. And obviously, always add gold flatware when possible.

Have a wonderful week!  xx tt