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

I.  Fall is my favorite time of year - I love everything about it, the crisp cool weather, the constant aroma of mulling spices, the holidays, and especially the food. Butternut squash bisque is something that I’ve made several times already this season.  To add complexity to the traditional recipe, I make the soup with red apple, cumin, and a drizzle of black truffle oil.

II.  Over the weekend, I designed the event decor for the Pathways for Kids Gala at the Mark Hopkins in San Francisco.  The theme was The Great Gatsby, so to inspire a luxurious feel on a budget, I opted to forego florals and create centerpieces out of feathers instead.  These would be perfect for a wedding, and they are incredibly easy to assemble.  Here is what you need to make one: Eiffel Tower vase, 3-inch Styrofoam ball, 40 peacock feathers, floral pick, and navy tissue paper.  Cut a sheet of tissue into six pieces, then take one piece and wrap it around the Styrofoam ball, securing it with the fork-end of the floral pick.  Next, stick the peacock feathers into the ball, concentrating the majority of them at the top of the ball.  Insert the floral pick with the ball attached into the vase - and voila!

III.  Confession: I bought an iPhone 5s solely because I wanted this case. Seriously.  A couple months ago, I stumbled upon Gigi New York, and instantly started obsessing over the indigo embossed python case with gold lettering. Disappointed that the company doesn’t make cases for the iPhone 4, I decided that the only logical solution was to order a new phone.  I couldn’t be more pleased with the result.  This is the perfect gift for the holidays!  Save 10% if you sign up for the company’s mailing list.

IV.  While we are on the topic of the holidays, the New York Times recently asked readers to weigh-in on their favorite Thanksgiving recipes.  This is a great resource to check-out while you’re planning your feast over the few weeks.  I’m excited to add the NYT Bourbon Pecan Pie to my menu!  

V.  I’m completely smitten with the Nate Berkus line at Target.  The designer’s mantra resonates with my decor theory, “your home should feel collected and assembled over time.”  These vintage-inspired gold tapers and sleek marble trays feel like something you’d find at a Paris flea market.

Have a wonderful week!  xx tt