Paper City Article

Striking Gold — NorthPark Gold

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 10:42:10 GMT

It%26rsquo;s the hot ticket to get your hands on this New Year: Starting the first of this month, St. John%26rsquo;s Episcopal School will sell tickets to its inaugural raffle. For $100 per ticket, or six for $500, you%26rsquo;ll be in the running for one of three grand %26mdash; and we%26rsquo;d say rather gilded %26mdash; prizes. To wit, $10,000 worth of NorthPark Gold for the top prize; $1,000 for the second; and $500 for the third. Just what can you buy with your share of these shiny doubloons? Virtually anything you wish at NorthPark%26rsquo;s more than 200 stores and restaurants. The drawing will take place during St. John%26rsquo;s annual fund-raising auction on Friday, March 2, at Union Station (you needn%26rsquo;t be present to win). Proceeds from the event and raffle will benefit student scholarships, classroom technology, teacher endowments and continuing education. Visit sjauction.org/raffle to get your tickets %26mdash; but snap to it: Only 1,000 will be sold.

Image: Jackpot: The three winners of the St. John%26rsquo;s Episcopal School raffle will line their pockets with NorthPark Gold.

Right Off the Runway

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 02:19:54 GMT

This is a party town where you can find yourself at a soir%26eacute;e nearly every night of the week. For women, of course, there%26rsquo;s always that pesky wardrobe conundrum: What shall I wear? Faced with closet fatigue, many are logging onto renttherunway.com to change up their options. Need a head-to-toe new look for a grand gala or engagement party? Select a frock from more than 150 current designer looks (rentals $40 to $400, depending on the garment%26rsquo;s retail price). Or maybe you want to revamp what you own with fabulous (new and vintage) Chanel accessories (starting at $100), a Kara Ross clutch ($55) or a Gerard Yosca cuff ($35), or something bold from Kenneth Jay Lane, Erickson Beamon, Tom Binns or House of Harlow 1960. Simply login and peruse the current-collection designs of stellar designers such as Herv%26eacute; L%26eacute;ger (one of the most requested designers), Narciso Rodriguez, Thakoon, Nina Ricci, Alberta Ferretti, Peter Som, Vera Wang, Moschino, Prabal Gurung, Proenza Schouler, Rachel Roy, Missoni and Halston Heritage. With 25,000 dresses and 4,000 accessories in stock, there%26rsquo;s no need to worry that someone has snagged your size. And speaking of size: Whenever you rent a dress you%26rsquo;re actually sent two sizes, up or down %26mdash; your choice. You can rent the clothing, handbags and jewels for four or eight days. When your party is a %26ldquo;f%26ecirc;te%26rdquo; accompli, simply drop the dress and/or accessories in the prepaid envelope and deposit it in any USPS mailbox. They%26rsquo;ll be cleaned and pressed back at the New Jersey warehouse. Information renttherunway.com.

Image: Photo by Ashley Savage, abs@renttherunway.com

Surf's Up

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 06:30:45 GMT

Sea the Light. Jonathan Adler Seahorse lamp $295, at Nest.

Electric Ears. Tom Binns Fauve Electro hand-painted Swarovski crystal drop earrings $275, at V.O.D.

Glow Stick. Christopher Kane to order at Barneys New York.

Piece of Cake. Sprinkles Surfer cupcake $3.50, to order at Sprinkles.

Nice Trunks. Vilebrequin Salade de Fruits matching father and son swimsuits, $230 for dad, $120 to $140 for son, at Neiman Marcus.

Scuba Doo. Jimmy Choo Dun scuba bootie $795, at the Jimmy Choo boutique.

You Toucan. Lulu Frost one-of-a-kind 100-Year necklace $1,925, at Lane Knight, Fort Worth; lulufrost.com.

The Plunge. Zimmerman Hawaiian plunge-front halter-neck swimsuit $255, at net-a-porter.com.

Surf Board Slick. Est%26eacute;e Lauder Teal Topaz nail polish $19, at Dillard%26rsquo;s, Macy%26rsquo;s, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue.

A Walk on the Beach. Versace at the Versace boutique.

Faux Fuchsia. Roberto Cavalli at the Roberto Cavalli boutique.

Book It. Surfing Photographs From the Eighties, taken by Jeff Divine, $40, at Barneys New York.

Hi Hibiscus. Marc by Marc Jacobs at Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue.

Go Green. Giambattista Valli at Carla Martinengo, Neiman Marcus, Stanley Korshak.

Aloha Coco. Tweed and lacquered fabric camellia brooch $1,525, at the Chanel boutique, Neiman Marcus.

Get Wet. Tory Burch Wildflower swimsuit $225, at the Tory Burch boutique.

Dress with a View. Suno at V.O.D

Beach Bouffant. Charlotte Ronson A Perfect Mess Beach Hair $20, at Sephora.

Rasta Cuff. Nini Collection sapphire ivory bangle $90,900, at 866.513.6464.

Sea Worthy. Genevieve Jones Seahorse bangle $238, at V.O.D.

Paradise Found. Stella McCartney at the Stella McCartney boutique.

Walk in the Flowers. Nicholas Kirkwood shoe, at Saks Fifth Avenue.

Bright Bag. Marc by Marc Jacobs bag, at Barneys New York, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue.

More H%26M Buzz: Versace!

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 04:51:53 GMT

Medusa is at it again. This time, Versace%26rsquo;s stylish serpent queen has cast her spell on H%26amp;M for a sure-to-be-otherworldly collections for women, men and the home, launching at 300 H%26amp;M stores Saturday, November 19, including our own H%26amp;M in NorthPark Center.%26nbsp; (Put that date in the iCal, now.) While H%26amp;M has been tight-lipped about the blockbuster collaboration, we are told it will mix iconic Versace looks from Gianni%26rsquo;s 1980s heyday with a nod to the Italian fashion house%26rsquo;s sexy, modern aesthetic. We foresee a return to opulent patterns, rich colors and, of course, that memorable Greek-key symbol %26mdash; and we can only imagine the vamp-fest that will occur once it%26rsquo;s all unleashed. Versace for H%26amp;M, November 19, at H%26amp;M, NorthPark Center.

Jean Paul Gaultier Has His Day

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 03:12:51 GMT

With a cutting-edge exhibition making its U.S. debut at the Dallas Museum of Art in November, oui, indeed, Jean Paul Gaultier has his day.

As boundaries go, Jean Paul Gaultier has pushed them all %26mdash; often to the extreme. From making bondage suddenly chic with his body-cage dresses to melding pop culture and fashion (Madonna%26rsquo;s world-rocking conical bras and bustiers; sending stripper Dita Von Teese down his runways), the innovator and couturier has never failed to wow. The Frenchman has done his fair share of gender bending, too, by dressing male models in skirts, and he continually comments %26mdash; with much titillation %26mdash; on culture and counterculture with his satirical pr%26ecirc;t-%26agrave;-porter and couture collections. Yes, Jean Paul Gaultier%26rsquo;s work is as complex and conceived as that of any artistic genius, relentlessly turning the mirror on societal norms and expectations in a wearable, wondrous way. Who else but the famously nicknamed enfant terrible could successfully send plus-sized models down Paris%26rsquo; couture catwalks, or provocatively use the Virgin Mary as his muse? Now that mirror has flipped, reflecting Gaultier%26rsquo;s miraculous accomplishments directly back to him. Enter the first major exhibit of the designer%26rsquo;s work, %26ldquo;The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk,%26rdquo; making its U.S. premiere at the Dallas Museum of Art on November 13, barely a month after its closing in Canada, where it made its world debut at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. Much like Gaultier%26rsquo;s nearly 40-year oeuvre, the contemporary installation at the Dallas Museum Art %26mdash; under the leadership of MMFA director and chief curator Nathalie Bondil, with MMFA curator Thierry-Maxime Loriot %26mdash; will be a blend: cutting-edge technology (think animated Gaultier mannequin heads); an inventive, multimedia mise-en-sc%26egrave;ne (sound, video, even a reproduction of JPG%26rsquo;s couture salon); plus never-before-seen mementos, down to funny bits from his 1950s childhood. Herewith, as a velvet-coned, sailor-striped prelude to our special exhibition pages next month, a visual whetting of the appetite for all things Gaultier %26hellip;

Where to Go for Your Gaultier%26nbsp;

%26bull; Save the dates: On Tuesday, November 8, invitation-only VIP guests will greet Monsieur Gaultier on his first-ever visit to Dallas. Next up, on Wednesday, November 9, is a sneak peak of the exhibit and luxe luncheon with JPG himself; for tickets click to dm-art.org. Finally, on Friday, November 11, DMA members at the Sustainer level and higher are invited to a preview party sponsored by PaperCity.

%26bull; JPG page-turner: The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk. The 424-page monograph includes more than 550 illustrations as well as dozens of interviews with starring characters from the designer%26rsquo;s extensive career %26mdash; Pierre Cardin, Polly Mellen, Tom Ford, Martin Margiela, et al. Look for it at the DMA Bookstore this November.

%26bull; Gaga + Gaultier, the T%26ecirc;te-%26agrave;-T%26ecirc;te: Fashion fireworks will no doubt explode when Gaultier poses questions to megastar Lady Gaga, slated to air on The CW on Monday, September 12, at 8 pm Eastern time. Set in the designer%26rsquo;s Parisian atelier, the chat will cover everything from Gaga%26rsquo;s rise to fame to her fiery passion for larger-than-life art and fashion.

"What he stands for: showmanship for sure.%26ldquo; %26mdash; Suzy Menkes, style editor

%26ldquo;He offers an open-minded vision of society %26mdash; a crazy, sensitive, funny, sassy world in which everyone can assert his or her own identity.%26ldquo; %26mdash; Nathalie Bondil, director and chief
curator of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

Images:

Le Male by Jean Paul Gaultier eau de toilette

Burlesque star Dita von Teese wearing the Circ%26eacute; ensemble from Jean Paul Gaultier%26rsquo;s Button collection for haute couture Spring/Summer 2003. Photo %26copy; Perou.

Arielle Dombasle wearing the Paloma gown from the Mexico collection, haute couture Spring/Summer 2010. Photo %26copy; P. Stable/Jean Paul Gaultier

The Barb%26egrave;s collection, women%26rsquo;s ready-to-wear Fall/Winter 1984-1985. Photo %26copy; P. Stable/Jean Paul Gaultier.

The new book: The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk (Abrams, $125).

A peek inside the Montreal exhibit. Photo %26copy; Jerry Pigeon (Studio JPG).

The Jean Paul Gaultier body corset made famous by Madonna, as worn during her Blond Ambition World Tour (1990) and Dazed %26amp; Confused tour (2008). Photo %26copy; Emil Larsson.

The Lascar dress from the Les Indes Galantes collection, haute couture Spring/Summer 2000. Photo %26copy; P. Stable/Jean Paul Gaultier.

At the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts for the Gaultier exhibition%26rsquo;s world premiere: Deedie Rose, Dallas Museum of Art interim director Olivier Meslay, DMA League director of education Gail Davitt, Sharon Young, the Margot B. Perot curator of decorative arts and design Kevin Tucker, Catherine Rose, DMA chair of collections and exhibitions Tamara Wootton. Photo by Natacha Gysin.

Curator Thierry-Maxime Loriot, Jean Paul Gaultier, director and chief curator Nathalie Bondil at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts for the exhibition%26rsquo;s world premiere. Photo by %26copy; Jerry Pigeon (Studio JPG).

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The Ten Best Dressed Go Valentino

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 02:54:07 GMT

The second we stepped on set for PaperCity%26rsquo;s Crystal Charity Ball Ten Best Dressed photo shoot this June, we knew we were in for a glamorous, show-stopping Fashion Show and Luncheon on Thursday, September 8. (Flip to this month%26rsquo;s Ten Best Dressed Special Section for all the big-day details and to fawn over photographer Maxine Helfman%26rsquo;s stunning portraits.) See, Neiman Marcus selected Valentino to dress CCB%26rsquo;s Ten Best Dressed Women of Dallas for the annual afternoon affair at Neiman Marcus Downtown, and the collection could not be more elegant. Look for: a return to the fashion show%26rsquo;s original second-floor location; a runway show starring Valentino%26rsquo;s Fall 2011 ready-to-wear; a catwalk romp by the Ten Best Dressed; and the fashion house%26rsquo;s dazzling design duo, Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli, above, taking bows.

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Image: Valentino%26rsquo;s Fall 2011 collection.

Knox’s First Hurrah

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 12:12:30 GMT

Call it a coming-out party of sorts. Clear your Saturday, October 22, from 4 to 8 pm: You%26rsquo;ll be strolling at Art of Knox, the first of an annual, gratis street festival celebrating the official introduction of the urbane shopping and supping area as a branded district %26mdash; forevermore to be known as just %26ldquo;Knox.%26rdquo; We like to think of it as the Golden Rectangle: The district starts at the buzzy intersection of Knox Street and McKinney Avenue, follows Knox west to Travis Street, traces down Travis to Armstrong Avenue and back up. Just what%26rsquo;s happening at the fest? Entertainment in spades: fashion shows, tents along Travis Street featuring everything from shopping to bites to adult beverages, even live music. Just a few of the sidewalks we%26rsquo;ll be stomping: fashion mecca Forty Five Ten; top restaurants Villa-O, Abacus and all of Alberto Lombardi%26rsquo;s Knox spots; for our abodes, Sur La Table, Nest, Patina and Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams. Don%26rsquo;t call us on Sunday: We%26rsquo;ll be in recovery all day. Up-to-the-minute information knoxdallas.com.

Zigzag It to Target

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 04:16:05 GMT

Italian mega-brand Missoni, famous for its colorful zigzag prints and knits, is Target%26rsquo;s latest fashionable partner to launch a limited-edition line for the retail giant. More than 400 pieces make up the print-happy collection that spans apparel and accessories for women, men, girls and baby to home goods such as bedding, dinnerware, stationery and decor. What%26rsquo;s at the top of our lust list? The brand%26rsquo;s iconic-print ballet flats, silk scarves, a teeny knit bikini, bold beach towels, sheets, quilts %26hellip; and the punchy patterned bicycle, too. But hurry: The collection will only be stocked September 13 through October 22. $3 to $600, at Target; target.com.

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Kelly Wearstler Shows Her Colors

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 04:15:45 GMT

Rock-star designer Kelly Wearstler, who%26rsquo;s known for her bold interiors and luxury textiles, rugs and objets d%26rsquo;art, launches her much-anticipated collection of ready-to-wear and accessories this month. Taking inspiration from the over-the-top design aesthetic she%26rsquo;s crafted over the years, as well as her own personal style (she%26rsquo;s been on Vogue%26rsquo;s Best Dressed List), Wearstler%26rsquo;s RTW line includes a variety of brushstroke-type prints worthy of her wallpaper line, rendered here on dresses, skirts, tops, pants, blazers, some uniquely tailored jackets and fun fur coats %26mdash; in lots of black and white, as well as bright colors such as hot pink, orange and blue. Chunky, predominantly brass necklaces, cuffs, rings and leather-clad clutch purses showcase semiprecious lapis and quartz and the metallic mineral pyrite, calling to mind the furniture and sculpture she has designed for years. Maybe we can%26rsquo;t all have Wearstler design our living rooms, but now she can update all our wardrobes. At net-a-porter.com.

Mad for Missoni at Target

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 11:59:52 GMT

From cardigans to rain boots, to kitchenware and even a wildly patterned bicycle, the Missoni for Target line has it all %26mdash; in fact, the designer collaboration consists of more than 400 items to be sold nation-wide and online at Target.%26nbsp;

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Margherita Maccapani Missoni (the all-about-town heiress to the Missoni fashion house) touts the limited-edition collection as decidedly 1960s-inspired %26mdash; an homage to the decade when Missoni gained worldwide fashion fame.

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Each of the must-have items is swathed in Missoni%26rsquo;s signature graphics with colorful prints, patterns and textures. The only thing the Target collection is missing? The designer price tag: Pieces from the Missoni for Target collection range from $2.99 to $599.99, but most products retail for under $40.

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While the collection is available beginning September 13, we started stalking Missoni for Target late last week. We buzzed several stores in the area to help ensure that we could get our hands on one of the $25 scarves or those $30 chevron-pattern ballet flats.

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Here%26rsquo;s the 4-1-1: The collection will be styled throughout the store immediately following its closing on September 12th. Target employees say they are anticipating a line the next morning (note: stores open at 8 am) so set your alarm early to beat the crowd.

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For those of us who are even more eager, have your AmEx ready: the collection will be available for purchase online tonight at midnight.

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Pick your favorite pieces online at the Target Style Facebook page.

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Out There: Everywhere You'll Be on Fashion's Night Out

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 02:27:26 GMT

Last year, you wore down your Viviers chasing all the parties during Fashion%26rsquo;s Night Out. This year, prepare to get yourself into even more stylish shenanigans the night of Thursday, September 8. The global shopping event %26mdash; %26ldquo;the best fashion party in history,%26rdquo; say FNO organizers %26mdash; is getting bigger, with more soirees and more in-store events. Our Christina Geyer has edited down your must-do%26rsquo;s:

GALLERIA DALLAS: Jan Strimple produces a runway show on Galleria%26rsquo;s quarter-mile-long catwalk %26hellip; fizzy libations at The Fashionistas Champagne Lounge.

FORTY FIVE TEN: Decades partners Cameron Silver and Christos Garkinos man their in-store vintage boutique %26hellip; Jewelry designer Sara Beltran of Dezso drops in, too.

STANLEY KORSHAK: Designers Sachin and Babi Ahluwalia at a fashion show and f%26ecirc;te at The Shak.

HIGHLAND PARK VILLAGE: Two fashion shows (7 and 9 pm) outside Marquee, with looks from HPV boutiques %26hellip; Christian Louboutin turns retro beauty parlor (complete with vintage hair dryers) thanks to Fr%26eacute;d%26eacute;rick Fekkai. Exclusive FNO heels by Louboutin %26hellip;%26nbsp; Stella McCartney debuts a limited-edition bracelet %26hellip; Ralph Lauren hosts a benevolent soir%26eacute;e to benefit American Heart Association %26hellip; Social swan Angie Barrett and chef Abraham Salum co-host at Vince %26hellip; Star in your own custom flipbook at Diane von Furstenberg %26hellip; Dessert at Tory Burch %26hellip; Champagne and scarf-tying lessons at Herm%26egrave;s %26hellip; Chanel launches its FNO nail lacquers, with mini manicures to boot %26hellip; Kristy Stubbs Gallery hosts a multi-media event (art, fashion, pop culture) %26hellip; Don%26rsquo;t miss the goings-on at Harry Winston, Hadleigh%26rsquo;s, Calame Jewelers, Escada, Pockets Menswear, Jimmy Choo, Trina Turk and others.

NORTHPARK CENTER: Fashion podiums propped throughout, with trends, beauty demos, music %26hellip; Bulgari gives away an iconic Serpenti bag %26hellip; Bubbly and truffles at David Yurman %26hellip; Elie Tahari touts its new Web site and online mag %26hellip; Nonstop prosecco and the new fall collections at Gucci %26hellip; At Neiman Marcus, bloggers Amber Venz (venzedits.com), Krystal Schlegel (krystalschlegel.com) and Bradley Agather and Alison Gross (luellajune.com) style the runway on Level Three. On Two, custom-design your own Hanky Panky skivvies. On One, scotch tastings and hand-rolled City Cigars %26hellip; Make an appearance at Nordstrom, H%26amp;M, Herve Leger, Henri Bendel, Tiffany %26amp; Co., Oscar de la Renta, more.

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Image: Your FNO wardrobe: Model Arizona Muse working the official Fashion%26rsquo;s Night Out T-shirt. Photo by Craig McDean.

All Hail Karl

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 05:06:33 GMT

Karl Lagerfeld %26mdash; the creative genius behind French fashion house Chanel, Fendi and namesake luxury line %26mdash; brings his distinct high-brow style to the American public yet again (he designed a sold-out collection for H%26amp;M in 2004) with a line for Macy%26rsquo;s. Highlights include chic LBDs, pale-pink to hot-pink flirty frocks, modern tweed vests, skirts and jackets (think Chanel), sure-to-be collectible T-shirts emblazoned with Monsieur Lagerfeld%26rsquo;s visage and, of course, the white, high-collared shirts inspired by the designer%26rsquo;s own iconic look. Shop the limited-edition collection starting August 31. Karl Lagerfeld for Impulse Only $50 to $170, at Macy%26rsquo;s.

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Image: Karl Lagerfeld for Macy%26rsquo;s

Gilt-y Pleasures

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 05:30:18 GMT

At last! Flash-sale favorite Gilt Groupe has just launched Gilt City Dallas %26mdash; delivering deals on luxe local bits: treatments at hard-to-get-into spas, dinners at top restaurants, tickets to special events, and more. Gilt Groupe, the online shopping phenom started by college pals Alexis Maybank and Alexandra Wilkis Wilson, offers A-list fashion and home goodies at deep discounts (the site is a daily addiction in style circles). Last year, the toniest of towns %26mdash; San Francisco, Boston and Tokyo, to name a few %26mdash; earned their own Gilt City sites, offering neighborhood riches galore, even access to VIP experiences. Giltcity.com/dallas will lead us to everything from a blowout party with head massages at Drybar to a custom-created, four-course dinner at Smoke. If you%26rsquo;re currently a Gilt Groupe member, not to worry: You%26rsquo;re already primed to purchase on Gilt City Dallas with your existing username and password. If not, start making friends: Like its parent site, GCD is invitation-only.

RZ + NM = XO

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 04:35:17 GMT

If you haven%26rsquo;t seen our chat on papercitymag.com with famed celebrity stylist turned fashion designer Rachel Zoe, allow us to distill it for you: This month, Ms. Zoe is launching a namesake collection at all Neiman Marcus stores and on neimanmarcus.com %26mdash; perfectly coordinated to the start of Season 2 of her insidery stylist show, The Rachel Zoe Project, on Bravo. Zoe%26rsquo;s debut collection is all about tailored tuxedo looks, sky-high heels, flowing frocks and sequined party dresses in the $250 to $700 price range, with exclusive-to-NM pieces such as a one-shoulder leopard-print dress that%26rsquo;s ruffled and ready for star-studded nights about town. (Camera crew not included.)

The Blues Bus

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 04:59:01 GMT

These are the kind of blues you want: the denim variety, and they%26rsquo;ll come direct to you on The Blues Jean Bar Party Bus. Book the BJB Party Bus to visit your office, home or even a party location, and a street team of %26ldquo;jean-tenders%26rdquo; will help you and your friends find the perfect pair of jeans from such designers as Paige, Citizens and Genetic, all while enjoying a cocktail or two. For more information or to book the bus, e-mail scottie@thebluesjeanbar.com.

Nicole Musselman’s Change of a Dress

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 03:14:50 GMT

Beignets at Oddfellows. Linus Bikes at the Oak Cliff Bicycle Company. Dollar tacos at Taqueria El Si Hay. With her list of Oak Cliff fixations growing steadily, fashion designer Nicole Musselman, of the casual-chic clothing line Koch (say %26ldquo;cook%26rdquo;) knew she had to move in on the action. %26ldquo;Oak Cliff is a strange mixture of California beach town and NYC neighborhood,%26rdquo; she says, of the new environs that house her relocated design studio and showroom. %26ldquo;It just feels good to be here.%26rdquo; The fresh workspace %26mdash; the original Koch studio was on Lovers Lane in the Park Cities %26mdash; is filled with things to inspire: bulletin boards tacked with Musselman%26rsquo;s latest obsessions, objets sourced during her design-inspired travels, working plans for her next collection, plus a by-appointment retail space exhibiting Koch%26rsquo;s latest. Just think: indigo caftans, gauzy tunics and leather saddle bags with metallic fringe. And what%26rsquo;s Musselman crafting next? Worldly looks for Spring 2012, sparked by a trip to the Lake Palace in Udiapur, India %26mdash; the exotic destination where James Bond chased down a Faberg%26eacute; egg in Octopussy. Says Musselman of the new collection: %26ldquo;We have giant, hand-printed octopuses on the backs of silk kimonos and gold fighting fish on cashmere sweaters %26mdash;%26nbsp;and our favorite, a tiny golden gun, hand-printed on gauze harem pants.%26rdquo; Sounds like the makings of a highly stylish adventure to us. 428 W. Davis St., 214.674.1504; shopkoch.com.

Image: Caftan chic: Koch%26rsquo;s latest collection. Photo by Bret Gum.

A Homespun Empire

Fri, 27 May 2011 04:14:46 GMT

We recently discovered the bio-logue The Bucolic Plague: How Two Manhattanites Became Gentlemen Farmers, and we ate it up. In a nutshell, the Beekman Boys, Josh and Brent, are the stars of The Fabulous Beekman Boys TV docu-drama as they commute between high-pressure jobs in New York (Brent worked for the Martha) and the 200-year-old Beekman Mansion, discovered and purchased on a weekend jaunt. The book hilariously covers the trials of doing everything perfectly, from growing heirloom vegetables and flowers indigenous to the original farm (divided precisely between the years 1800 to 1850 and 1850 to 1900) to raising goats so they can produce Beekman-branded goat%26rsquo;s-milk soaps and other items for a mail-order business that will provide not only income to save the farm but mail volume to save the town%26rsquo;s post office and product to save Deb, the town soap-maker. In a whirl of mind-numbing blogging, online articles and videos covering the lessons they learned in their first year of gentleman farming (canning, gardening, raising animals, recipes and holding dinner parties to showcase homegrown produce), the boys capture a Beekman audience for their Web site, TV show, book and mail-order business. And through it all, hanging over the town%26rsquo;s head is the paralyzing notion that Martha will turn up any weekend to see the farm and Sharon Springs.

It was love at first sight when the boys, on their annual apple-picking trip to Upstate New York, happened upon a mansion built in 1802 for William Beekman, just outside the once fabled spa town of Sharon Springs. They made an offer on a whim, and the fun began.

Read the book, buy the farm, and begin your own homespun empire. Southern plantation style, former cattle farm on 475 bucolic acres in Emory, Texas. $5,495,000, through Briggs Freeman/Sotheby%26rsquo;s International Realty, Doug and Jeanne Shelton, 972.380.7869, shelton@briggsfreeman.com. Or go to MLS #11490796 at briggsfreeman.com.%26nbsp;

For the gentleman farmer look: tweed and gingham enough to make you pine for a country fair. Billy Reid%26rsquo;s Heirloom Chambray Suit $1,695, Tuscumbia button-down shirt in red/white stripe $175, V-neck sweater $245, and saddle oxford shoes $375; John T button-down shirt in pink plaid $185, Charleston trousers in khaki $175, and McCalister shoes $375, all at the Billy Reid boutique. Sow wild seeds in Carolina Herrera%26rsquo;s cotton poplin wrap over sleeveless blouse $690, Oriental botanical-print silk faille pencil skirt $1,390, at Carolina Herrera.

While the Beekman boys prefer rubber boots from Walmart, we say classic wellies are the way to go when traipsing amongst your picture-perfect heirloom vegetables. Hunter Huntress for her $125, and Men%26rsquo;s Balmoral Bamboo Carbon boots $195, at St. Bernard Sports.

Heirloom vegetables were fastidiously researched and divided into eras of growth on Beekman Farm. These historic germinators are packaged and distributed by D. Landreth Seed Company (the oldest seed house in America), which is owned by neighbors of the Beekman Boys. Seeds for 1800-1850, 1850-1900 and favorites from the Beekman formal flower gardens, $8 to $9 a packet, at shop.beekman1802.com.

From left: Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell are the Beekman Boys %26mdash; and, in our opinion, ideal farmers. Brent, a doctor, was VP for healthy living at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. Josh has a fabled history in New York drag-queen circles, a high-powered advertising career, and is the author of three books.

The book that documents it all, The Bucolic Plague (Harper), follows the Beekman Boys%26rsquo; journey towards agricultural bliss %26mdash; or something like it. $24.99, at Anthropologie, area booksellers and amazon.com.

Grow, pick, cook, have a dinner party: Charlotte Moss%26rsquo; Espalier for Pickard dinnerware. Five-piece place setting $225, at Madison.

Bag yourself the products that started it all: Beekman 1802 Original Goat Milk Soap ($12.50); Beekman 1802 Milkshake in a bottle with pure dehydrated goat%26rsquo;s milk, mineral salts and seasonal scents ($25); Wild Poppy Seed After-the-Gardens Bar that ensures exfoliation and essential oils to rid hands of stains post-planting ($10). All at shop.beekman1802.com.

The behemoth Williams-Sonoma has picked up on the Beekman craze, with a Beekman seed collection. Plant the seeds, then log onto beekman1802.com to share images, tips and experiences along with the rest of America. Beekman Heirloom Vegetable Garden Seed Collection $18, exclusively at Williams-Sonoma.

Famed English textile designer Celia Birtwell%26rsquo;s gardening implements $40, at Paper Source.

Heirloom tools: Spear %26amp; Jackson%26rsquo;s English hand-forged spade and fork are meant to last. Digging spade $70, digging fork $60, through groworganic.com.

Calendar Call

Fri, 27 May 2011 12:28:25 GMT

It%26rsquo;s that time of the year: The September issue calls, and we begin culling the must-attend lunches, glamorous galas and all manner of ticketed fund-raisers that scintillate and sizzle for our Fall Social Calendar, spanning the golden months of September through December. To submit your charitable hot tickets, please send all the essential details %26mdash; event name; day, date and starting time; chairmen, honorary chairs, honorees; beneficiary; party notes (caterer, theme, attire, personal appearances, entertainment); ticket and table starting prices; and contact info including phone, e-mail and Web site to: Christina Geyer, christina@papercitymag.com. Our deadline is Tuesday, July 5. We look forward to penciling in your benefit on our Smythson.

Calendar Call

Fri, 27 May 2011 12:27:05 GMT

It%26rsquo;s that time of the year: The September issue calls, and we begin culling the must-attend lunches, glamorous galas and all manner of ticketed fund-raisers that scintillate and sizzle for our Fall Social Calendar, spanning the golden months of September through December. To submit your charitable hot tickets, please send all the essential details %26mdash; event name; day, date and starting time; chairmen, honorary chairs, honorees; beneficiary; party notes (caterer, theme, attire, personal appearances, entertainment); ticket and table starting prices; and contact info including phone, e-mail and Web site to: Seth Vaughan, seth@papercitymag.com. Our deadline is Tuesday, July 5. We look forward to penciling in your benefit on our Smythson.

Gucci Celebrates 90 Years

Thu, 26 May 2011 01:20:23 GMT

Luxury Italian fashion house Gucci celebrates its 90th anniversary with a special commemorative collection of handbags, suitcases, ready-to-wear and accessories %26mdash; many inspired by the mega-brand%26rsquo;s greatest hits. Tagged with the new trademark G. Gucci Firenze 1921, the collection includes the New Bamboo, New Jackie and Horsebit Chain handbags, each in crocodile and calfskin, and drenched in such bold colors as pink, cherry and bottle green. Gucci has also created two vintage-inspired travel suitcases for the jet-setting gentleman, his and hers watches, sunglasses, horse-bit bangle bracelets, trench coats and blazers emblazoned with a special 90th anniversary print, as well as a nod to the brand%26rsquo;s equestrian roots: horse-riding boots and a classic horse-bit loafer in smoky shades of calfskin and crocodile. Exclusively at the Gucci boutique this month.

A Homespun Empire

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 06:36:37 GMT

Read the book, then begin your own homespun empire. Here, on 39-plus acres in historic Chappell Hill in the Texas Hill Country, is a farmhouse with four bedrooms, five-stall horse barn, arenas, pond, pastures and bucolic views %26mdash; all for $1,450,000, through Conn Trussell at John Daugherty Realtors, connt@johndaugherty.com.

For the gentleman farmer look: tweed and gingham enough to make you pine for a country fair. Billy Reid%26rsquo;s Heirloom Chambray Suit $1,695, Tuscumbia button-down shirt in red/white stripe $175, V-neck sweater $245, and saddle oxford shoes $375; John T button-down shirt in pink plaid $185, Charleston trousers in khaki $175, and McCalister shoes $375, all at the Billy Reid boutique. Sow wild seeds in Carolina Herrera%26rsquo;s cotton poplin wrap-over sleeveless blouse $690, Oriental botanical-print silk faille pencil skirt $1,390, at Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue.

While the Beekman boys prefer rubber boots from Walmart, we say classic wellies are the way to go for traipsing amongst picture-perfect heirloom vegetables. Hunter Huntress for her in red $125, and Men%26rsquo;s Balmoral Bamboo Carbon boots $195, both at Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue.

Grow, pick, cook, have a dinner party: Charlotte Moss%26rsquo; Espalier for Pickard dinnerware. Five-piece place setting $225, at Bering%26rsquo;s.

Famed English textile designer Celia Birtwell%26rsquo;s gardening implements $40, at Paper Source.

Heirloom tools: Spear %26amp; Jackson%26rsquo;s English hand-forged spade and fork are meant to last. Digging spade $70, digging fork $60, through groworganic.com.

What's Hot for Tots

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 06:56:59 GMT

INTRODUCE THEM TO ONE OF THE WORLD’S FINEST DELICACIES WITH ...
... a Caviar Kid starter kit, packed with Hackleback Sturgeon caviar, crème fraiche, Whale Tails organic corn chips, children’s caviar spoon and your choice of an organic T-shirt or bib. $62, at californiacaviar.com.

TEACH THEM HOW TO LIVE GREEN WITH ...
... PlanToys’ earth-friendly dollhouse with solar-cell panels, a wind turbine, rain barrel and recycling bins. $240, at miniME, Froggie’s 5 %26amp; 10, The Toy Maven.

FORGET THE SITTING FEE, AND QUEUE UP FOR A PORTRAIT NEXT TO ...
... live bunnies, pumpkins and Santa during James French’s impromptu holiday park portraits — only $15 per 5x5 photograph. Sign up for the e-mail alerts at jamesfrenchphotography.com.

CHOOSE FROM A STABLE OF BABYSITTERS VIA ...
... Dallas-based babysitting service SitterCentral Dallas. Owners Erica Shaw and Rachel Logan interview each CPR- and first aid–certified sitter, and also complete reference and background checks. Memberships from $30 per month, at sittercentraldallas.com.

SWADDLE THEM IN ...
... Kathryn Beach’s Baby Bespoke collection, made of pure cashmere, for infants 0 to 12 months. At Madison, babybespoke.com.

ROCK THEM TO SLEEP IN ...
... a custom glider with ottoman from Rio Rockerz in Richardson. Pull a tear sheet of a favorite chair from Elle Decor or the Knoll catalog, and home-based owner Brenda Barajas can whip it into a rocker. At riorockerz.com.

CONGRATULATE YOUR FRIENDS ON THEIR SPECIAL DELIVERY THE MODERN WAY WITH ...
... locally designed cards from award-winning graphic designer Rob Wilson, at silastom.com.

KEEP THE GRAPES FROM ROLLING OVER THE GOLDFISH WITH ...
... a compartmentalized My Square Meal bento lunchbox, created by former teachers and Dallas moms Ashley Leake and Misty Quinn. $35 to $40, at mysquaremeal.com.

LOOK FOR DESIGN INSPIRATION IN ...
... Room for Children: Stylish Spaces for Sleep and Play (Rizzoli New York) by Susanna Salk, with foreword by Kelly Wearstler, $45.

CAPTURE QUICKLY CHANGING PROFILES WITH ...
... a custom silhouette by Allyson Hall, through Stella Dallas. Mersina Stubbs asked for a profile picture of my son, Rollins, and a week later, a commissioned façade arrived on our doorstep. $150 for any size, at Stella Dallas.

TEACH FASHIONABLE PHILANTHROPY WITH ...
... Gucci’s children’s clothing debut — for babes from ages zero to eight years — that coincides with its $1 million donation to UNICEF’s Schools for Africa initiative in Malawi and Mozambique.

OPTICAL AMUSE EVERYONE WITH ...
... the Bugaboo + Missoni collaboration that produced a sun canopy, bassinet apron and knitted blanket for your Bugaboo stroller. Bee + Missoni accessory set from $199 and Cameleon + Missoni accessory set from $269, exclusively at Neiman Marcus.

It was a Dark and Stormy Night …

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 06:19:26 GMT

We adore Logan Neitzel%26rsquo;s dark and glamorous leather bits. Using skills learned from his grandfather in Idaho, Neitzel moved from bridle making to fashion. Here, his handmade leather epaulettes ($595). Name sound familiar? You saw him on Project Runway Season 6. At Sloan/Hall.

Playing Designer

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 11:20:18 GMT

Any garment fits better once it%26rsquo;s altered to suit your figure. That%26rsquo;s why Lindsay Aronstein, owner of Rebecca %26amp; Drew, has launched custom three-piece suiting created just for her. Now you can play designer (and fit model, too) and fashion a jacket, skirt and trousers with a myriad of fabric choices, from linen and cotton to cashmere, plus detailing. Fancy a straight, pencil or A-line skirt? How about flat-front trousers, sans belt loops but with a back pocket? Just tell Aronstein, and presto-chango, it%26rsquo;s yours. Ditto for the jacket: From lapels to darts to the number of buttons and vent style, it%26rsquo;s all up to you, Givenchy. The ensemble takes three to four weeks to complete and costs $700, including the alteration session. (Pieces are also sold separately.) At Rebecca %26amp; Drew, 2015D W. Gray in River Oaks Shopping Center, 713.522.7500; houston.rebeccaanddrew.com.

Label to Know: Suno

Thu, 23 Dec 2010 01:28:50 GMT

Entrepreneur, filmmaker and designer Max Osterweis has taken many trips to Africa over the last decade. Inspired by his travels and the myriad colorful, vintage Kenyan tribal-print textiles acquired there, he launched SUNO, along with co-designer Erin Beatty, early last year. The eye-popping collection, which employs local Kenyan talent in its production, includes ethic-inspired, mismatched (in the right way) print jumpers, skirts, blazers and dresses. And lovely fashion boutique Leap has jumped on board with the label early, carrying the hip collection exclusively in Texas this spring. Leap, 2314 Bissonnet St., 713.526.4580.

A Divine %26 Curious Gift Guide

Tue, 30 Nov 2010 01:41:55 GMT

Our editors have hunted high and low, hither and yon, for things odd and eccentric, dashing and divine %26mdash; gifts that will always be remembered. We%26rsquo;ve done everything but wrap them for you. (Et voil%26agrave;, more time for hot toddies.) We even thought about cost %26mdash; well, occasionally %26mdash; so not everything will require you to second-market the Bentley. Now, take a spin through the pages, take notes, then take off %26mdash; for gift-giving rapture of the most curious kind.

Holly Moore, Editor in Chief

Air Chatham OTK leather riding boot with zip and snap back, lined in cozy tweed, $428, at Cole Haan. Image: Photo by Kennon Evett.

Gift a design library from Curate, a PaperCity virtual%26nbsp; bookstore. Choose from two to 200 of the best and most beautiful design books to create your own library, or let us handpick a collection of new releases, rare out-of-print tomes, vintage first editions and signed volumes, from Gloria Vanderbilt, C.Z. Guest, Hutton Wilkinson, Jan Showers, Carleton Varney and Bobby McAlpine. Information curatebooks@papercitymag.com. Image: Photo by Jenny Antill.

So arts and crafts. Repurposed reindeer $68, at Anthropologie.

For your new library, Assouline%26rsquo;s Books candle recreates the scent of old books %26mdash; and older money, $45, at shopassouline.com. Image: Photo by Kennon Evett.

Jeweler Katie Decker%26rsquo;s 18K yellow-gold Jane earrings with freshwater pearls and diamonds $3,520, at fragments.com.

The curious magnifying glass from Maison Martin Margiela, Ligne 13, available for left or right reading. $98, At Grange Hall.

%26nbsp;

J. Randall Powers, %26nbsp;Designer and PaperCity Contributing Editor

Nothing feels or looks better than a shirt specifically made to fit you. I recommend a dozen Hamilton bespoke shirts in Sea Island cotton. Hidden interior monograms take it to the next level. Bespoke shirts from $295, at Barneys New York, M.L. Leddy%26rsquo;s (Fort Worth), Pockets Menswear, Stanley Korshak.

Those in the know understand that %26ldquo;ABC%26rdquo; Chardonnay is the hidden gem of the Santa Barbara Valley. Look for boldfaced types to be screeching those black Bentleys into the Costco parking lot to pick it up. Au Bon Climat $275 a case, at Costco. Image: Photo by Kennon Evett.

Talk about gilding the lily. Add a pair of Katy Briscoe cuff links to that gift of a dozen Hamilton dress shirts. Owning a bauble or two of Katy%26rsquo;s is like being part of a secret club with a hidden handshake. Sacred Spirals cuff links $8,000, at Saks Fifth Avenue.

Even if you never put them on, these Ralph Lauren boots are way too cool not to own. $1,250, at Ralph Lauren and Saks Fifth Avenue. Image: Photo by Kennon Evett.

Odin 03 Century fragrance smells like burning leaves %26mdash; real expensive ones. Guaranteed that no one will ask you if you%26rsquo;re wearing Bijan. $135, at Forty Five Ten. Image: Photo by Kennon Evett.

After years of waiting for this blanket to come to fruition, Herm%26egrave;s has made the Avalon blanket in 100 percent cashmere. Now you can finally return those wool ones to the horses for which they were originally made. $3,350, at Herm%26egrave;s. Image: Photo by Kennon Evett.

%26nbsp;

Rob Brinkley, %26nbsp;Dallas Editor

Very Lagerfeld on a horse. Claridge + King%26rsquo;s long, crispy cotton shirt with stiff Mandarin collar $95, at claridgeandking.com.

For your wildlife lover with a sense of humor. Vitra plastic elephant stool from a 1945 design by Ray and Charles Eames $290, at Scott + Cooner.

For the dandy who doesn%26rsquo;t do %26ldquo;subtle%26rdquo;: Thomas Sabo sterling-silver Fleur De Lis Medallion Ring with black zirconia. $239, at Swag.

For the worldliest foodie on your list, a passel of hungry ballerinas, photographed at the Mariinsky Theatre St. Petersburg in 1993 by none other than Tipper Gore. Signed and framed photograph, at Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams.

For Cary Grants who have a lot to carry. Canvas and leather tote $550, at Fa%26ccedil;onnable.

For your modern-day Nick Charles, Italian martini glasses with metropolitan leanings. Set of four, from a collection of elusive Salviati glassware, price upon request, at Champagne%26rsquo;s Luxe; champagnesluxe.com.

For Pop art with pop, a Dom P%26eacute;rignon bottle and gift box that pays tribute to Warhol, by the Design Laboratory at Central Saint Martin's School of Art %26amp; Design. In red, blue or yellow. $159 to $199, at fine liquor stores.

For the cabin dweller with a modernist bent (or for the modernist who dreams of being a cabin dweller), George Smith%26rsquo;s plucky Penny chair wrapped in a Carthen blanket. $4,140, to the trade at I.D. Collection.

For your chicest savage, Esque Studio%26rsquo;s wildly decadent Travel Bar, stuffed with the swirled-glass (Bar)barian Flagon, two horn-y glasses, one bony stirrer and a studded leather case in which to drag it all across the tundra %26mdash; or across Preston Road. $7,000, at Grange Hall.

For the luxury-loving lord of the manor, proper transport %26mdash; the terribly limited-edition Range Rover Autobiography, festooned with special woods, illuminated thresholds, exclusive side vents and grille, and one small badge on the tailgate that hints at your (terribly exclusive) station in life. Range Rover Autobiography Black Limited Edition, approximately $123,000, at Land Rover; landrover.com.

For modernist White Rabbits, no more running late: Ulysse-Nardin Executive Dual Time watch with stainless-steel case, ceramic bezel and black-rubber strap. $8,000, at Eiseman Jewels.

%26nbsp;

Brooke Hortenstine, %26nbsp;Dallas Co-editor

Any right hand would be thankful for this sapphire and diamond estate cocktail ring, from the deBoulle Estate Collection. Price upon request, at deBoulle.

Consoles can pack heat with Seletti%26rsquo;s My Gun from the Memorabilia Collection. $85, at Nest.

Here%26rsquo;s an aviator for all facades: Salt Optics%26rsquo; Vargas polarized lens sunglasses. $390, at Image Eyewear, Insight Complete Eye Care, Optique, Scoop, St. Bernard Sports, Vision City of North Dallas.

Katy Briscoe%26rsquo;s Chinati ring with 11-carat rock-crystal cabochon $6,500, at Saks Fifth Avenue.

Hang a piece of history with this Angel Jacquard wingback gown from the late Alexander McQueen. $10,280, at Forty Five Ten.

FlexJet 25 Jet Card, Napa Valley Edition, will whisk you away in a private jet to Napa to a cooking lesson with Iron Chef Morimoto at his Morimoto Napa, entry to the coveted Auction Napa Valley (June 2 through 5), a stay at Meadowood Napa Valley, driver and a donation to Napa charities. Starting at $124,900, through 888.240.2108; flexjet25.com/napavalley.

Here%26rsquo;s the perfect lacquered Chinese Chippendale hostess chair %26mdash; a custom job, naturally, and available in an infinite number of colors. $2,800, at William-Christopher Design.

Burn one down with Niven Morgan%26rsquo;s Oak Moss and Myrrh 72-hour candle. $43, at Nuvo, St. Michael's Woman's Exchange, Stanley Korshak and Tootsies.

Gift your golden girl a triptych of Soho 18K-gold bangles that sparkle with G/VS2 diamonds, multidimensional enameling process and gold foil. $1,475 to $9,230, at Calame Jewelers.

He%26rsquo;s an artist who answers his own phone and doesn%26rsquo;t have a Web site: Mark Spirito%26ndash;designed earrings with smoky topaz, amethyst, blue topaz, green quartz or citrine. $650 to $1,125, at Stanley Korshak.

Miriam Haskell%26rsquo;s gobstopper cuff of custom-cased hammered flowers encrusted with Swarovski stones and rock crystal $680, at Tootsies.

Make a birthday extraordinary with an evening dreamt up by Todd Events and cuisine by Wendy Krispin. Through, respectively, toddevents.com, wendykrispincaterer.com.

Wrap your best device in cobalt blue with a Valextra iPad case. $740, exclusively at Barneys New York.

%26nbsp;

Jenny Antill, Photo Editor

South Korean photographer Jhinryung Oh artfully explores the mind and ideas of self within natural environments. Shown, Oh%26rsquo;s Untitled, 2009, from the %26ldquo;Freetransform%26rdquo; series. Archival jetprints from $900, at De Santos Gallery, Houston.

Feast on the whimsical, elegant designs of Piero Fornasetti in Fornasetti: The Complete Universe (Rizzolo, $250), a new monograph penned by the late designer%26rsquo;s son, Barnaba Fornasetti. At area bookstores.

Play reindeer games with this buck stacking game designed by Andrea Kezdi for IMM Living. $38, at sfmoma.stores.yahoo.net.

Houston lensman Ken Hoge was in the heady swirl of the Austin music scene in the late 1970s as a photojournalist for the Austin Sun. His viewfinder has followed a mix of rock %26lsquo;n%26rsquo; roll, blues, country and punk masters from Patti Smith to Stevie Ray Vaughan, BB King, Willie Nelson, the Sex Pistols and Townes Van Zandt. Limited editions of 10 prints from $800, at kenhoge.com. Image: Ken Hoge%26rsquo;s Townes Van Zandt, Liberty Hall, 1977

Woo her with hot-pink lace, care of Mark Flood%26rsquo;s thought-provoking acrylic on canvas Exit Interview, 2010. $12,500, at Zach Feuer, New York, 212.989.7700; zachfeuer.com.

%26nbsp;

Catherine D. Anspon, Social/Visual Arts Editor

Where would we be without the Wheeler Brothers on the art scene, a breath of fresh air from the plains of West Texas. And any collector should covet Jeffrey Wheeler%26rsquo;s Things Wonderful in Nature, 2010 %26mdash; an engaging oil, charcoal and mixed media on found blueprint that posits a proud regionalist stance. $700, through 806.392.1915; jeffrey_wheeler@hotmail.com.

Ennis, Texas%26ndash;based Celia Eberle%26rsquo;s practice is hard to pin down; her obsessive works are laden with conceptual overtones, such as this 2010 sculpture carved from Afghanistan lapis lazuli, Foreign Policy. $400, through celiaeberle@gmail.com. Image: Photo by Kennon Evett.

This surreal bowl with its odd felted-wool creature crafted by Houston%26rsquo;s Tobiah Mundt hearkens back to the most famous teacup of all: Meret Oppenheim%26rsquo;s fur-lined Object from 1936, now in the permanent collection of MoMA. Tobiah Mundt%26rsquo;s Soup, 2010, price upon request, through 202.321.6872; tobiah@underthelicoricetree.com.

A modern descendant of the Mayan kingdom handcrafted this one-of-a-kind pottery piece with jaguar legs and hermetic, mythic symbols. $299, through the Kimbell Art Museum Shop.

What could be a more extraordinary regalo for a collector than an image of the incomparable Frida Kahlo, captured by the late Hungarian-born New York lensman Nickolas Muray, who was also one of her lovers. Frida Kahlo on Bench, 1939, $20,000 (final one remaining from an edition of 35), through pdnbgallery.com.

Loving Louis Vuitton and this Monogramme Cerises Fermoir show bag designed by Takashi Murakami. On the block December 13, at Heritage Auctions%26rsquo; Fine Jewelry and Handbag Auction, lot #5048; ha.com.

Buttons adorn this limited-edition tee %26mdash; TAB stands for "Texas Artists Book" %26mdash; designed by Selven O%26rsquo;Keef Jarmon as an homage to the just-released volume. Proceeds benefit Jarmon%26rsquo;s nonprofit in South Africa and Houston. $90, through Fashion Plate, zoejjimage@aol.com.

The cool classicism of Danish silversmith Georg Jensen is the perfect hostess gift. These stainless-steel tea lights are a new release from Jensen designer Constantin Wortmann%26rsquo;s Cobra collection. Two-piece set $100, through Dallas Museum of Art.

Japanese architect/sculptor Kazuhiko Tanaka brings whimsy to the reading experience. Collect his solid bronze figures (in gold or black finishes) at the Nasher Sculpture Center as the perfect gift for an art library. $575 each, through the Nasher Sculpture Center Stores.

Art, commerce and fragrance come together in three precious flacons of Bond No. 9%26rsquo;s Andy Warhol Lexington Avenue %26mdash; smoldering notes of fennel, pink peony, cr%26egrave;me br%26ucirc;l%26eacute;e and more tucked into a sculpted shoe inspired by the late Pop king%26rsquo;s early fashion illustrations. $1,300, at Saks Fifth Avenue.

%26nbsp;

Greg Fourticq Jr., %26nbsp;Contributing Style Editor

Nymphenburg black biscuit animal figures %26mdash; especially this black owl. My idea of a perfect pet. The black biscuit (or bisque) animal figures were designed by major artists between 1908 and 1936; the owl was designed by Wilhelm Neuh%26auml;user in 1910 and is 22 centimeters tall. $2,529,
at Grange Hall.

J Crew Vance Plaid flannel loungewear. You%26rsquo;ll never want to take them off. In my next life, I want to be Julian Schabel and live in my PJs! $39.50, at J Crew stores; jcrew.com.

Diptyque%26rsquo;s Feu de Bois candle will make your home smell like you just lit a roaring fire. $28, at Forty Five Ten.

Nike LunarGlide+ 2 running shoes. For anyone who runs, these will change your life. Completely weightless %26hellip; like running barefoot. $100, at nike.com.

The hot new art book Texas Artists Today by Catherine D. Anspon. Profit goes to two Texas-based arts groups, including the Dallas Contemporary. For anyone who collects, this is the gift of the season. Limited-edition, hand-numbered. $95, at the Nasher Sculpture Center.

A. Lange %26amp; S%26ouml;hne Lange I Moonphase watch. Watches like these are getting harder to find. This one is platinum with a crocodile strap and a moonphase display that%26rsquo;s so accurate that the accrued error relative to the lunar orbit adds up to one day in 122.6 years of nonstop service. I%26rsquo;m testing it. Truly an heirloom piece. $45,500, at Bachendorf%26rsquo;s.

Buccellati Villa Palladio Hanky vase. Completely handmade in fluted sterling. Even before you see the price tag, you know you%26rsquo;re in trouble. Large one is 6.1 inches tall, $1,695, at deBoulle.

%26nbsp;

Kate Allen Stukenberg, %26nbsp;Fashion Editor

From Anthropologie%26rsquo;s new collection of stylish children%26rsquo;s clothing, the hissing hat. $38, at Anthropologie.

Like glittering snow drops. Ila%26amp;I Ela earrings $8,125, at Ylang 23.

Hard to believe luxury shoe maker Jimmy Choo is celebrating its 15th anniversary this season. Add to her collection of Choos with a studded%26nbsp; stiletto covered in crystals, such as the Zafira $1,995. Jimmy Choo Crystal Anniversary Collection $695 to $2,995, at the Jimmy Choo boutique.

These shoes by Nicholas Kirkwood are Art Deco divine. $1,184, at Gregory%26rsquo;s.

Chanel faux-fur boots $1,300, at the Chanel boutique and Neiman Marcus.

David Yurman classic ball bracelet with spiritual clasp $2,800, at the David Yurman boutique, Neiman Marcus.

I%26rsquo;ll be reading my baby girl (due in March) to sleep this spring with Visionaire 59 Fairytales, a mini-library of individually bound children%26rsquo;s books by such contemporary artists as painter Richard Phillips, fashion designers Viktor %26amp; Rolf and famous photogs Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin. $195, at visionaireworld.com.

Shine on with a Versace holiday-red metallic leather bag $1,595, at Versace.

She%26rsquo;ll look chic wrapped up in Claridge + King%26rsquo;s smoking jacket robe. $150, at claridgeandking.com.

%26nbsp;

Laurann Claridge, %26nbsp;Features Editor

Could there be a more aptly named line of lotions and potions than Fresh? I love gifting both women and men with clean, crisp Fresh soaps at the holidays. The perfect hostess gift is Fresh%26rsquo;s cranberry oval soap trio ($42). At Barneys New York, Fresh, Neiman Marcus, Sephora.

Wrap her up in a trio of gold hues at Cartier. I adore the Trinity necklace sprinkled with diamonds. $5,700, at Cartier.

Give a bottle of Veuve Clicquot, chilled in the new retro SMEG-inspired gift box. %26ldquo;Le Fridge%26rdquo; will keep the bubbly cool for two hours, and it%26rsquo;s cloaked in the same yellow hue as the champagne%26rsquo;s famous label. $44, at Centennial Fine Wine %26amp; Spirits, Majestic Fine Wines %26amp; Spirits.

Catch a few Zs under Matouk%26rsquo;s punchy navy and white modal/cotton throw. $178, at Casa de Lino, Linen Boutique.

Everyone%26rsquo;s favorite fashion doll is taking a turn on the runway, care of Christian Louboutin. I'm keen on the third-edition Barbie, who%26rsquo;s red-carpet-ready for her Cannes Film Festival appearance in a green goddess gown, with purple bow designed by Louboutin%26rsquo;s Parisian bow maker and pansy violet shoes. $150, at barbiecollector.com; net-a-porter.com.

In Montgomery, Texas, they stir up small-batch fudge that%26rsquo;s truly rave worthy. Big Little Fudge is a creamy concoction in delectable flavors such as Hunka Chunka (chocolate cherry pecan), Mega Maple Nut and Big League (chocolate peanut caramel). Single tin $24, three-month supply $65 or a flavor a month for a year $260, at biglittlefudge.com or 888.543.8343.

%26nbsp;

Diane Dorrans Saeks, %26nbsp;Contributing Editor and Author of 20 Design Books

I%26rsquo;ll gift someone with the new and fabulous exoticism: a jeweled elephant Hathi ring from Boucheron that I recently saw in Paris. It%26rsquo;s very India, joyful, celebratory and original %26mdash; a gold elephant with a palanquin on top, very dazzling, with sapphires and diamonds and everything glorious. From $94,000, at boucheron.com, or call 415.362.6020.

In Wait for Me!: Memoirs, the highly detailed new autobiography by Deborah Mitford, Duchess of Devonshire, the eccentric royal details her life as one of the original Mitford sisters, and her life at Chatsworth. $28, at fine booksellers and amazon.com.

Tom Ford Private Blend Lip Color is luxurious and so sexy and quirky with the TF initials engraved on the top of the tube. $45, at Neiman Marcus.

I love this new Rose Dior Bagatelle romantic white-gold ring with white diamonds. These are jewels with an edge. Romantic and sexy. Price upon request, at the Christian Dior boutique, New York.

Check in for a weekend at the divine new Amangiri resort in the high desert of Southern Utah. This rare and dramatic resort %26mdash; just 35 suites %26mdash; is perfection. Learn about millennia-old rocks and buttes, as well as the quirky botany and fauna of the region. Rates from $900; information amanresorts.com.

I love this Editions de Fr%26eacute;d%26eacute;ric Malle candle the most of all his delicious scents: Russian Nights by Sophia Grosman, one of the most admired perfumers in the world. The simple yet rich fragrance has notes of nutmeg, cinnamon, iris and sandalwood, and was designed to embody the suave warmth of long nights in Russia. Sigh. $100, exclusively at Barneys New York.

Classic, understated, I love the Herm%26egrave;s Cape Cod Tonneau watch with 52 diamonds, alligator strap and mother-of-pearl dial. $16,125, at Herm%26egrave;s.

The Gem Palace is based in Jaipur, and owner Munnu Kasliwal designs classic jewels with soulful precious stones. I love this 18K diamond bird ring with ruby eyes. $21,750, at Barneys New York.

%26nbsp;

Christina Geyer, %26nbsp;Dallas Assistant Editor

The cultured collector will deck the halls with Andy Warhol%26rsquo;s one-of-a-kind, signed and numbered San Francisco Silverspot TP 26 from the II 293 %26ndash; 302 Endangered Species portfolio of 10 screenprints on Lenox Museum Board. Price upon request, at Martin Lawrence Galleries.

The It-girl on your list needs a new It-bag. Roberto Cavalli Diva Bag in polished blue calf leather, from the 40th Anniversary Collection, $1,345, at the Roberto Cavalli boutique.

Give a gift of the arts with a Meadows School of the Arts package, which includes two tickets each to a dance performance, theater performance, symphonic performance, wind ensemble concert and a distinguished-artist series concert, plus two tickets to the spring opera Orpheus in the Underworld if purchased by Tuesday, December 21. $75, through the Meadows School of the Arts, 214.768.4091; meadows.smu.edu.

Santa Baby, stuff our stockings with a yummy pair of 18K diamond and coral earrings. $6,850, at Leverington Co.

With an eye-catching timepiece keeping you in check, you%26rsquo;ll arrive promptly to holiday soir%26eacute;es. Michele Watches Deco 16 diamond and gold timepiece with mother-of-pearl dial $1,795, at Bachendorf%26rsquo;s, Markham Fine Jewelers.

A monogrammed tray for the hostess with the mostest. Fontaine Maury Melamine trays $45, including personalization, at Swoozies.

I was bowled over by this beaded beauty. Sydney Evan pav%26eacute; bar bracelet in 14K rose gold on red jade $3,105, at Ylang 23.

Active ones will fancy this %26uuml;ber-chic set of wheels: A retro-inspired, limited-edition Derringer pedal bike designed by Adrian Van Anz, with powder-coated black steel frame, candy-gold cantilever spars, riveted-leather saddle seat and mustache-style handlebars. Derringer bike $2,300, exclusively at The Shop at Equinox Fitness Club.

A Divine %26 Curious Gift Guide

Tue, 30 Nov 2010 01:39:23 GMT

Holly Moore, Editor in Chief

Air Chatham OTK leather riding boot with zip and snap back, lined in cozy tweed, $428, at Cole Haan. Image: Photo by Kennon Evett.

These pooch portraits are chic dogscendents. Limited-edition lithographs painted by an American artist $50 each, at Brown. Image: Photo by Kennon Evett.

Yes, I know this ran in our November issue, too, but I love it so much I%26rsquo;m putting it in my gift guide. Vintage yellow pearl and diamond flower ring $4,850, at Tenenbaum %26amp; Co.

Gift a design library from Curate, a PaperCity pop-up bookstore located inside Tootsies Highland Village. Choose from two to 200 of the best and most beautiful design books to create your own library, or let us handpick a collection of%26nbsp; new releases, rare out-of-print tomes, vintage first editions and signed volumes, from Gloria Vanderbilt, C.Z. Guest, Hutton Wilkinson, Jan Showers, Carleton Varney and Bobby McAlpine. Curate books at Tootsies Highland Village. Information curatebooks@papercitymag.com. Image: Photo by Jenny Antill.

So arts and crafts. Repurposed reindeer $68, at Anthropologie.

Houston jeweler Katie Decker%26rsquo;s 18K yellow-gold Jane earrings with freshwater pearls and diamonds $3,520, at Judith Ann Jewels.

Riding director Merrily Quincoces instructs English equitation, dressage, jumping and polo riding lessons for children and adults at the 26-acre Houston Polo Club. Opened in 1932, the club%26rsquo;s grassy expanses, stables and barns are picture-perfect and heaven! Group or private, call for rates, 832.567.3202; ridinglessons@thehouston poloclub.com.

I so love at-home entertaining clothes, such as Times Two%26rsquo;s slightly retro velvet palazzo pants $168, and silk taffeta top with lace overlay $220, at %26Agrave; Bient%26ocirc;t.

Vintage Taj Mahal 18K gold ring with natural orange zircon, price upon request, at Wayne Smith Jewels in Uptown Park. Image: Photo by Kennon Evett.

Artist Barbara Hill%26rsquo;s dizzy, spot-on pulp-poetry series is silkscreened on raw-cotton canvas pillows. An excerpt: %26ldquo;He moves closer as she presses her back into a Judd box %26mdash; the heat of the metal matching her own.%26rdquo; One can%26rsquo;t resist. $325, at Found.

Former San Franciscan, now San Antonio%26ndash;based artist, snowboarder and pop-art-obsessed Elizabeth Carrington%26rsquo;s antique tribute chairs with silkscreened art on canvas. "I love That Amber Glow" balloon side chair $900, at Sloan/Hall.

%26nbsp;

J. Randall Powers, Designer and PaperCity Contributing Editor

Two watches. One for the gym. And one for Armandos. Breitling Super Ocean watch with black band $2,995, red Swiss Army Victorinox watch $895, both at Zadok Jewelers.

Long collected by serious connoisseurs, Burgoyne Diller%26rsquo;s drawings seem completely fresh and white-hot at the moment. The simple lines, matched with the ultimate restraint, are as complex as a good Margaux. $6,500, at Meredith Long %26amp; Company.

Forget antidepressants. Working out with hysterically funny Todd Genitempo at River Oaks One-2-One Fitness is the most fun anyone can have with a 50-pound weight in their hand. Not to mention that in 365 days, he can transform you into an eye-turner. $65 per hour, through 713.851.5059;
ttempo@hotmail.com.

Donald Baechler%26rsquo;s playful and witty bronze heads are the perfect way to add a dash of chic to your abode and add a sound bite to your art collection. Donald Baechler%26rsquo;s Head #4, Edition 2/8, $25,000, at McClain Gallery.

Off-the-rack shirts are %26hellip; well, off the rack. Nothing feels or looks better than a shirt specifically made to fit you. I recommend a dozen Hamilton bespoke shirts in sea island cotton. Hidden interior monograms take it to the next level. Bespoke shirts from $295, monogramming from $15, at Hamilton Shirts.

Odin 03 Century fragrance smells like burning leaves %26mdash; real expensive ones. It used to be only available from the tiny East Village shop in NYC; now it%26rsquo;s at Kuhl-Linscomb. Guaranteed that no one will ask you if you%26rsquo;re wearing Bijan. $135, at Kuhl-Linscomb. Image: Photo by Kennon Evett.

Kathy Crow forages the countryside of England to come up with the best curated collection of gentlemen%26rsquo;s antique must-haves. From grapefruit-sized match strikers to the best inlaid porcupine-quill boxes, Crow is the reason the antique buyers at Ralph Lauren do not sleep at night. Vintage match striker $2,250, at Crow %26amp; Company in the Antique Pavilion. Image: Photo by Kennon Evett.

Put a Louis Vuitton Alzer suitcase on a cheap wooden stand? Sacrilege! This nickel-plated stand with a plethora of colors for the leather straps is the only way to go. Even better, have LV make a custom case for it so it can travel with you. Luggage stand $750, at Longoria Collection. Image: Photo by Kennon Evett.

Even if you never put them on, these Ralph Lauren boots are way too cool not to own. $1,250, at Ralph Lauren and Saks Fifth Avenue.

%26nbsp;

Kate Allen Stukenberg, Features Editor

Unsure whether she%26rsquo;d like a classic black bag or radical, hot-pink one? Let her make the decision with Fendi%26rsquo;s made-to-order Selleria Peekaboo bag. She%26rsquo;ll choose the leather or skin and customize the stitching and lining. Throw in a chic Fendi Selleria watch to match. Made-to-order Selleria handbag from $3,500, Selleria watch $875, both at the Fendi boutique.

Mid-Victorian cameo with natural pearl frame $1,650, at Past Era Antique Jewelry.

Veritas by Sarah Jawda holiday note cards $4 each, at Sloan/Hall. Image: Photo by Kennon Evett.

Victorian-era brooch with gold tassel $2,000, at A.A. Benjamin.

Chanel faux-fur boots $1,300, at the Chanel boutique and Neiman Marcus.

David Yurman classic ball bracelet with spiritual clasp $2,800, at the David Yurman boutique and Neiman Marcus.

Look festive with Meredith Wendell%26rsquo;s tartan double-pouch bag $395, at Joseph.

These shoes by Nicholas Kirkwood are Art Deco divine. $1,184, at Gregory%26rsquo;s.

She%26rsquo;ll look chic wrapped up in Claridge + King%26rsquo;s smoking jacket robe. $150, at claridgeandking.com.

Ila%26amp;I Ela earrings $8,125, at Blue Leaf, Cotton Club, Deutsch %26amp; Deutsch, Kuhl-Linscomb.

%26nbsp;

Laurann Claridge, Features Editor

He%26rsquo;ll have some fun with snazzy boxers in Hamilton%26rsquo;s signature shirting fabrics. $35 each, at Hamilton Shirts. Image: Photo by Kennon Evett.

Could there be a more aptly named line of scented lotions and potions than Fresh? I adore gifting both women and men with clean, crisp Fresh soaps at the holidays. My girlfriends will appreciate Fresh%26rsquo;s cranberry oval soap trio. $42, at Kuhl-Linscomb, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Sephora.

Wrap her up in a trio of gold hues at Cartier. I love the Trinity necklace sprinkled with diamonds ($5,700) and the classic large trinity hoop earrings ($3,350). At Cartier.

Give a bottle of Veuve Clicquot, chilled in the new retro SMEG-inspired gift box. %26ldquo;Le Fridge%26rdquo; will keep your bubbly cool for two hours. $44, at Spec's.

They had to have an iPhone. Now, don%26rsquo;t let them cover it up with some lame case. This gold snake iPhone cover even comes with a charger. $98, at More Than You Can Imagine. Image: Photo by Kennon Evett.

I have simple tastes, really %26mdash;%26nbsp;such as this extravagantly simple long strand of diamonds. Price upon request, at Valobra. Image: Photo by Kennon Evett.

Catch a few Zs under Matouk%26rsquo;s punchy navy and white modal/cotton throw. $178, at Longoria Collection. Image: Photo by Kennon Evett.

In Montgomery, Texas, they stir up small-batch fudge that%26rsquo;s truly rave worthy. Big Little Fudge is a creamy concoction in delectable flavors such as Hunka Chunka (chocolate cherry pecan) and Mega Maple Nut. Single tin $24, three-month supply $65 or a flavor a month for a year $260, at biglittlefudge.com. or 888.543.8343.

Artful souls who fill their home with marvelously eccentric finds will love Carl Moore Antique%26rsquo;s new Joseph Cornell%26ndash;esque shadow boxes filled with anything from butterflies to bat bones. From $732, at Carl Moore Antiques.

Prompt your chickadees to pen thank-you notes by slipping PH Design%26rsquo;s charming, personalized K.I.T. (Keep in Touch) stationery kits under the tree. $52.50, at PH Design Shop; phdesignshop.com. Image: Photo by Kennon Evett.

%26nbsp;

Catherine D. Anspon, Social/Visual Arts Editor

This exquisite little work by Houston antiquarian David Lackey recalls the painted miniature eye by Joseph Sacco, Oeil de Jeune Femme, 1844, in The Menil Collection. $1,000; other collages in the series from $300, through The Menil Collection Bookstore. Image: Photo by Kennon Evett.

This surreal Soup with its odd felted-wool creature crafted by Houston%26rsquo;s Tobiah Mundt hearkens back to the famous teacup: Meret Oppenheim%26rsquo;s fur-lined Object from 1936. Price upon request, through 202.321.6872; tobiah@underthe licoricetree.com.

Seventies-influenced contemporary style and its towering (shoe) heights are memorialized in this platform sculpture by hot Texan Donna Huanca, who is currently creating in Germany. Its L logo, a subtle tribute to fashion house Louis Vuitton, is tucked inside the heel. $550, through PG Contemporary. Image: Photo by Kennon Evett.

What could be a more extraordinary regalo than an image of the incomparable Frida Kahlo, captured by the late Hungarian-born New York lensman Nickolas Muray, who was also one of her lovers. Frida Kahlo on Bench, 1939, $20,000 (final one remaining from an edition of 35), through pdnbgallery.com.

Up-and-coming gallerist Zoya Tommy stocks signs from noted mid-career Texans and current collaborators Rachel Hecker and Gabriela Trzebinski. The former bases her dollars-and-cents canvases on thrift-store stickers; the later records the almost poetic names emblazoned on buses glimpsed during her travels to Kenya, then paints them on salvaged wood fragments. Hecker%26rsquo;s %26ldquo;Stickers%26rdquo; series $500 each; Trzebinski%26rsquo;s %26ldquo;The Metatu Project,%26rdquo; individual signs $30; through PG Contemporary. Images: Photos by Kennon Evett.

Personal altar, anyone? Houston sculptress/installationist JoAnn Park will create a personal, site-specific work of art comprised of ephemera and objects of meaning from your life. $4,000, including the installation of this creation in your interior. 713.591.1324; jojofunbun@gmail.com; jojofunbun.weebly.com.

Art, commerce and fragrance come together in three precious flacons of Bond No. 9%26rsquo;s Andy Warhol Lexington Avenue. Tucked into a sculpted shoe inspired by the late Pop king%26rsquo;s early fashion illustrations. $1,300, at Saks Fifth Avenue.

Trees felled by Hurricane Ike from the lush gardens of Bayou Bend%26nbsp;are memorialized in elegant turned bowls and vases by master woodworkers Vern Hallmark and Tom Stovall. $65 to $425, at The Shop at Bayou Bend.

Greg Fourticq Jr., Contributing Style Editor

The hot new book Texas Artists Today by Catherine D. Anspon. Sales benefit two Texas-based arts groups. For anyone who collects, this is the gift of the season. Limited-edition, hand-numbered. $95, at Brazos Bookstore and Curate, a pop-up book boutique in Tootsies Highland Village. Images: Photos by Kennon Evett.

Nike LunarGlide+ 2 running shoes. For anyone who runs, these will change your life. Completely weightless %26hellip; like running barefoot. $100, at nike.com.

J Crew Vance Plaid flannel loungewear. You%26rsquo;ll never want to take them off. In my next life, I want to be Julian Schnabel and live in my PJs! $39.50, at J Crew stores; jcrew.com.

Diptyque%26rsquo;s Feu de Bois candle will make your home smell like you just lit a roaring fire. $28, at Kuhl-Linscomb and Neiman Marcus.

Holiday ornaments from M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Children%26rsquo;s Art Project. Make your tree sparkle and help a sick child. No gift truly sums up the spirit of the holidays like these. $5 to $68 each, at Children%26rsquo;s Art Project boutique in Uptown Park; childrensart.org.

Buccellati Villa Palladio Hanky vase. Completely handmade in fluted sterling. Even before you see the price tag, you know you%26rsquo;re in trouble. Large one is 6.1 inches tall. $1,695, at Events and Longoria Collection.

A. Lange %26amp;%26nbsp; S%26ouml;hne Lange I Moonphase watch. The moonphase display is so accurate that the accrued error relative to the lunar orbit adds up to one day in 122.6 years of nonstop service. I%26rsquo;m testing it. Truly an heirloom piece. $45,500, at Lewis Jewelers, Webster.

Photographs by Manual (Hill/Bloom) from Moody Gallery. Love Book Without a Title in an edition of five. The nuances of these works take you to another place. Makes me smile each time I see one. $1,700, at Moody Gallery.

%26nbsp;

Jenny Antill, Photo Editor

South Korean photographer Jhinryung Oh artfully explores the mind and ideas of self within natural environments. Archival jetprints from $900, at De Santos Gallery. Image: Jhinryung Oh%26rsquo;s Untitled, 2009, from the %26ldquo;Freetransform%26rdquo; series.

Rudolph will be jealous when you let The Art Guys%26rsquo; Tilt guide your sleigh. This inimitable wall art is composed of a deer head, electrical components and light bulbs. $10,500, at McClain Gallery. Image: Photo by Kennon Evett.

Who wouldn%26rsquo;t be charmed by photographer Maggie Taylor%26rsquo;s Magnolia Charmer? Inkjet prints from $1,200, at John Cleary Gallery. Image: Maggie Taylor%26rsquo;s Magnolia Charmer, 2009.

Feast on the whimsical, elegant designs of Piero Fornasetti in Fornasetti: The Complete Universe (Rizzolo)), a new monograph penned by the late designer%26rsquo;s son, Barnaba Fornasetti. $250, at Curate pop-up bookstore at Tootsies Highland Village and other bookshops.

I love the handcrafted, gilded-brass hardware on this embossed-leather Arend Couture Indochine clutch. $1,550, through 713.523.0943.

Woo her with hot-pink lace, care of Mark Flood%26rsquo;s thought-provoking acrylic on canvas Exit Interview, 2010. $12,500, at Zach Feuer, New York, 212.989.7700; zachfeuer.com. Image; Mark Flood%26rsquo;s Exit Interview, 2010.

I%26rsquo;m dreaming of these Marley Nichols jumbo hoops, hand-formed from hammered brass by local designer Diana Heritage. $80, at 310 Rosemont.

The delicate embroidered net overlay of this Palermo cashmere throw beautifully mixes ivory, green and a hint of peach. $495, at Plush Home.

Play reindeer games with this buck stacking game designed by Andrea Kezdi for IMM Living. $38, at sfmoma.stores.yahoo.net.

%26nbsp;

Brooke Hortenstine, Dallas Co-editor

Here%26rsquo;s an aviator for all facades: Salt Optics%26rsquo; Vargas polarized lens sunglasses. $390, at Eye Gallery of Houston, Sonik Vision, The Sunglass Shoppe.

Katy Briscoe%26rsquo;s Chinati ring with 11-carat rock-crystal cabochon $6,500, at Saks Fifth Avenue.

Miriam Haskell%26rsquo;s gobstopper cuff of custom-cased hammered flowers encrusted with Swarovski stones and rock crystal $680, at Tootsies.

Christian Dior Plumes flat sandal $720, at the Christian Dior boutique.

Burn one down with Niven Morgan%26rsquo;s Oak Moss and Myrrh 72-hour candle. $43, at Area, Kuhl-Linscomb.

%26nbsp;

Seth Vaughn, Editorial Assistant

Abalone half-shells perfect for cocktail offerings%26mdash; or, dare I say it, a cigarette ash. Set of four $135, at Bering%26rsquo;s.

This eye-level, brass-and-iron adjustable frame stands 12 inches tall. $58, at Found.

Heighten the drama surrounding that first cup of cocoa with little gingerbread men floating in your cup. Gingerbread-man grater $15, at Williams-Sonoma.

Just in case you need to remind yourself just how stylish traveling can be: Louis Vuitton: 100 Legendary Trunks by Pierre Leonforte and Eric Pufalet-Plaa (Abrams). $100, at Louis Vuitton.

Because you should get just as much mileage out of pots when they%26rsquo;re not in use, outfit your kitchen with a Demeyere John Pawson stainless-steel Dutch oven. $265 to $419, at Williams-Sonoma.

%26nbsp;

Diane Dorrans Saeks, Contributing Editor and Author of 20 Design Books

In Wait for Me!: Memoirs, the highly detailed new autobiography by Deborah Mitford, Duchess of Devonshire,%26nbsp; the eccentric royal details her life as one of the original Mitford sisters and her life at Chatsworth. $28, at Brazos Bookstore, Curate pop-up book boutique in Tootsies Highland Village, River Oaks Bookstore.

Tom Ford Private Blend Lip Color is luxurious and so sexy and quirky with the TF initials engraved on the top of the tube. $45, at Neiman Marcus.

Black framed cats-eye Prada sunglasses are just out and are so slinky, retro, witty and chic. $245, at Saks Fifth Avenue.

A prized ticket to the Monet exhibit, %26ldquo;Claude Monet. 1840 %26ndash; 1926,%26rdquo; on view now in Paris at the Grand Palais (through January 24). It%26rsquo;s a major blockbuster, almost impossible to get tickets to. I saw the exhibit the day after it opened and long to see it again. It%26rsquo;s hallucinatory and presents Monet%26rsquo;s work in all its glory. Information grandpalais.fr. Image: Claude Monet%26rsquo;s The Coal-Dockers, 1875.

Classic, understated %26hellip; I love the Herm%26egrave;s Cape Cod Tonneau watch with 52 diamonds, alligator strap and mother-of-pearl dial. $16,125, at Herm%26egrave;s.

I love this new Rose Dior Bagatelle romantic white-gold ring with white diamonds. Dior%26rsquo;s Bois de Rose collection includes smaller rings shaped like rose stems with %26ldquo;thorns%26rdquo; in gold with diamonds. These are jewels with an edge. Romantic and sexy. Price upon request, to order at the Christian Dior boutique.

%26nbsp;

Rob Brinkley, Dallas Editor

For modernist White Rabbits, no more running late: Ulysse-Nardin Executive Dual Time watch with stainless-steel case, ceramic bezel and black-rubber strap. $8,000, at Zadok Jewelers.

For Cary Grants who have a lot to carry. Canvas and leather tote $550, at Fa%26ccedil;onnable.

For the Bauhaus baby, a peony-pink Little York%26nbsp; children%26rsquo;s chair covered in the softest wool (other colors available) $895, at Found. Image: Photo by Kennon Evett.

For the lord of the manor, proper transport %26mdash; the terribly limited-edition Range Rover Autobiography, festooned with special woods, exclusive side vents and grille, and one small badge on the tailgate that hints at your (terribly exclusive) station in life. Range Rover Autobiography Black Limited Edition, approximately $123,000, at Land Rover Houston; landrover.com.

Muffy Loves Jack

Mon, 29 Nov 2010 01:36:08 GMT

Beloved Jack Rogers %26mdash; maker of Jacks, the iconic Palm Beach sandal launched in 1960 %26mdash; now has another WASP-y Palm Beach icon, Steven Stolman. Stolman designed his eponymous collection of toile, floral and chintz trousers, skirts and dresses for his shops in Southampton, New York and Palm Beach in the %26lsquo;90s. Now he%26rsquo;s taken on the Jack Rogers ready-to-wear collection of sweet lace sheaths and eyelet baby-doll dresses. Here, lace sheath $398, and Navajo sandals $98. Exclusively at %26Agrave; Bient%26ocirc;t, 3268 Westheimer, 713.523.3997.

Coats of Many Colors

Mon, 29 Nov 2010 01:16:13 GMT

We adore these three coats that, in turn, look like a Russian Cossack, Ballets Russes and a happy Amish. Red coat with black twirling appliqu%26eacute;s by Tracy Reese $348; Karelia coat with Eastern European%26ndash;inspired Russian patchwork, leather toggles and faux-fur collar by Elevenses $248; Splendid Vinca boiled-wool coat with ombre periwinkles $168, all at Anthropologie.

Image: Anthropologie.

Darlings, You Live Fabulous

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 05:08:42 GMT

It%26#8217;s just been announced: The spotlight will shine on a group of style-setters Friday, November 19, at Fashion Group International%26#8217;s Fashion and Lifestyle Awards Night of Stars Gala, chaired by Terri Provencal and Jenny Siede, with media sponsor PaperCity. Honored for their achievements in fashion and lifestyle-related fields are Ylang 23 owners Joanne and Charles Teichman, fashion photographer Richard Krall, chef and restaurateur Kent Rathbun, plus noteworthy businesses including Blinc boutique, clothing line Prashe Fusion, jewelry purveyor Nest and skincare company Beauty Biosciences. Be there when these stars align over the Grand Pavilion at the Dallas Trade Mart, with part of the night%26#8217;s proceeds benefitting the Dallas Holocaust Museum. Also adding to the starry night are FGI%26#8217;s Fashion Police %26#8212; 10 local stylistas tapped to appear at the gala and offer their fund-raising forces. Stay tuned for PaperCity%26#8217;s November issue, where we%26#8217;ll reveal an exclusive portrait of the group. Information 214.642.1124; dallas.fgi.org.%26nbsp;

Coming Down a Runway Near You: Fashion Houston

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 05:39:26 GMT

Where will you be, October 11 through 14? If you%26#8217;ve got a dash of verve, a modicum of wit and a whole lot of style, you%26#8217;ll be front and center at Fashion Houston Presented by Audi %26#8212; a stylish four-day romp of runway fashion, pop-up shops, icon tributes and parties presented by Audi Houston. Put on the pretty and make tracks to the Wortham Center. Tariff: Tickets range from VIP front-row seating at $250 to standing room for $31. Get the Tix: Dial 713.222.5400 or log onto fashionhouston.net. Here%26#8217;s Who%26#8217;s Showing at Fashion Houston: Pucci (with Laudomia Pucci, daughter of the great Emilio Pucci, and creative director Peter Dundas making personal appearances), Cesar Galindo, Lyn Devon, Marc Bouwer, Christian Siriano, David Peck with Elaine Turner, Lauren Bush, Lela Rose, Net-a-Porter, Chloe Dao, Kiton, Toni Whitaker and Irina Shabayeva. There%26#8217;s a runway presentation of couture goddess Lynn Wyatt%26#8217;s favorite gowns from her own closet and a special tribute to Ford Models%26#8217; Eileen Ford, %26#8220;Eileen Ford: Six Decades of Defining Beauty,%26#8221; with Miz Ford and three former Ford supermodels %26#8212; Carmen Dell%26#8217;Orefice, Diane DeWitt and Dolores Hawkins Phelps %26#8212; making appearances. Visit the Pop-Up Shops in the Audi Pavilion before and after the shows. For the complete runway schedule, as well as all the buzz and banter, see the Fashion Houston special magazine in this issue. See the runway schedule and get your tickets at%26nbsp;fashionhouston.net.

%26nbsp;

Image: Lela Rose.%26nbsp;

Fashionable Night Out

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 05:26:37 GMT

It started as a stylish New York party hosted by Vogue%26#8217;s Anna Wintour and a proclamation by Mayor Bloomberg that September 10 would officially be deemed Fashion%26#8217;s Night Out in New York. Soon everyone with an ounce of fashion fortitude from Boston to Brazil wanted in on it, and they took the initiative global to support fashionable endeavors worldwide. On Friday, September 10, 6 to 8:30 pm, Houston is back on board when Neiman Marcus celebrates Fashion%26#8217;s Night Out with petite spa treatments, a %26#8220;lash lounge,%26#8221; cocktails, make-your-own cupcake stations (ours will be red velvet, natch), an art walk and a catwalk with fall must-haves as decreed by Ken Downing, the lauded store%26#8217;s fashion director. Recap all the fun and tune in on Tuesday, September 14, at 9 pm, when CBS airs a prime-time special on Fashion%26#8217;s Night Out across the globe. At Neiman Marcus; admission is gratis.

Image: Marchesa

Fall into Fall

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 04:52:32 GMT

Fashion Group International (FGI) and Neiman Marcus%26#8217; recent presentation of top trends for fall/winter 2010 has us all over autumn. What should you be pulling out? Well look no further than la list: Green; fur; pantsuits; pearls; military-inspired anything; lace; feathers; structured handbags; boots; and capes, ponchos and vests.

Now before you start punishing your credit score, heed the advice of the panel that included Heather Graham, design director for Elaine Turner; designer David Peck, whose collection will show during Audi Houston Fashion Week; and Stacey Swift, PR director for Neiman Marcus Houston. Two thoughtful tidbits:

-Be individual %26#8212; everyone%26#8217;s always most happy when being themselves.

-Accessories are a great way to make outfits spectacular, whether you choose special bags and shoes, or jewelry and make-up, details go a long long way in spicing up your look.
%26nbsp;

%26nbsp;

Jackets — The Straight and Narrow

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 03:26:23 GMT

As summer comes to a close and fall arrives, designers new additions begin to be revealed %26#8212; both editorially and real life. In light of all the new designs I ask myself the question, %26#8220;What is my favorite article of clothing?%26#8221;

It%26#8217;s hard to choose one thing from my closet, especially when there are multiple things, which I could not be without now that I own them. So instead of choosing my favorite article of clothing, I%26#8217;m going to talk about my favorite type of clothing %26#8212; jackets.

What isn%26#8217;t to love about jackets? They come in all different styles, colors, materials, and patterns! They can make outfits or compliment the one which lay underneath it. Just style correctly and your outfit will be bon chic!

One of the Guys

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 05:23:15 GMT

Do you yearn to be a sexy sophisticate? Look no further than men%26#8217;s wear. Made famous by Monsieur Yves Saint Laurent with %26#8216;Le Smoking,%26#8217; the co-mingling of feminine and masculine imbues clothing designed in this style with a certain sensuality. Today the style continues at Yves Saint Laurent, under the direction of Stefano Pilati, as well as Alexander Wang, Akris, and Prabal Gurung showing the success of the style 40 some years later. The inherent differences between men%26#8217;s wear and women's wear provide a possible explanation of its success, cut. The cut of the clothing resonates for three reasons: Comfort, ease of wear, and the overall success of the %26#8216;look.%26#8217; Making it fall%26#8217;s triple threat.

Pattern Perfect

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 03:10:30 GMT

Our dress evolves with time%26#8217;s passage. Although neutral colors may have been the focus of last season, this season dictates color, color, color! Whether it%26#8217;s through texture, pattern, or cut our wardrobe tells of fashion%26#8217;s seasonal evolution. Among this season's many trends patterns are an easy one to apply. They change otherwise boring items into exciting ones. A patterned pair of shorts, or a top, when worn with a white shirt or black pants can turn otherwise basics into glamorous objects of contrast.

The Little Black Dress: Chic and Casual

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 06:11:48 GMT

Styles come and go but true Style, that elusive state of being, never fades with the seasons.%26nbsp; When it comes to communicating this aesthetic mastery to the outside world nothing does the job better than the little black dress (LBD).

Made famous years ago by Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel its simple fit naturally gives it versatility. The perfect LBD goes well with everything from metallic bags to red shoes, and has the ability to go to a cocktail party or casual outing, separately or, for all you Holly Golitghtlys', both. Tailored, loose, whatever! Not only does this buy not have to be pricey but it also has the ability to look good on anyone. So you can snag a winner without being a big spender.

Baby Tails

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 04:50:50 GMT

Designer Cynthia Rowley designs the cutest diapers ever, for the cutest booties. Made for Pampers, Rowley%26#8217;s designer diapers are in 11 styles, for baby boys and girls, at Target.

Fêtes with Neiman Marcus

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 12:41:43 GMT

Come April, we%26#8217;ll be seeing much more of the magnanimous Neiman Marcus. Aside from paving spring%26#8217;s fashion landscape, the store will take on leading roles in two upcoming galas: TITAS%26#8217; Command Performance and La F%26#234;te du Ballet and the Dallas Museum of Art%26#8217;s Art Ball, sponsored by PaperCity.

Chaired by NM%26#8217;s VP of corporate PR Gabrielle de Papp, TITAS pirouettes into our calendars on Saturday, April 3. The two-part evening commences at the Music Hall at Fair Park, where 10 world-renowned ballerinas and danseurs will take the stage for an illustrious performance of classic and contemporary ballet excerpts. After the last bravo, guests will swiftly progress to Neiman Marcus Downtown for part deux: a graceful black-tie gala dinner applauding Command Performance%26#8217;s principal dancers, plus honorary chair Caren Prothro and honoree Rebecca Enloe Fletcher. 214.978.2852; csantos@titas.org; titas.org.

Then on Saturday, April 24, 2010, Art Ball chairman Melissa Fetter and Neiman Marcus CEO Karen Katz reinvent the silent auction scene at the Dallas Museum of Art%26#8217;s grand gala, as for the first time in Art Ball history, the sole curator of the silent auction will be the grand dame herself, Neiman Marcus. The NM powers that be are hoping to procure more than 60 items for their Neiman Marcus Luxury Auction, including one-of-a-kind packages such as an %26#8220;Oscar-Winning Experience%26#8221; %26#8212; two tickets to the September 2010 Oscar de la Renta show in New York, lunch with Mr. de la Renta in his atelier following the show, plus a five-night stay at his Tortuga Bay boutique hotel. An added Neiman%26#8217;s perk? Winning bidders will receive InCircle points matching the final amount of the luxurious item they won. 214.922.1353; jwisler@dallasmuseumofart.org; dallasmuseumofart.org.

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Image above:%26nbsp; San Francisco Ballet%26#8217;s Yuan Yuan Tan and Damian Smith, to perform at TITAS Command Performance; Image credit: Erik Tomasson

Image below:%26nbsp; Oscar de la Renta

The Curatorial Eye

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 05:49:02 GMT

This page of Things I Love is not to be confused with family I cherish, friends I adore and the essential elements that sustain life (food, water, the occasional gin and tonic). This is my list of random obsessions that please me at this very moment.

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Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses. I%26#8217;ve worn them on and off (mostly on) since I was 17.

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I%26#8217;m such a girly girl: I love good makeup and skincare. I positively adore Shu Uemura%26#8217;s creamy lip color in pale pinks and beiges, Chanel eye makeup and Laura Mercier bronzers.

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Nearly every shade of gray, and plenty of white hues, too.

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My Claridge + King weighty woolen shawl. Tucked inside our travel set, it%26#8217;s positively the chicest thing I own, and infinity practical for anyone (like moi) who easily catches a chill.

Being, existing, and eating anywhere in Italy or France. I feel so alive there that I want to take every moment in, while sinking into the landscape.%26nbsp;%26nbsp;

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White china. Be it modern ASA, Martha Stewart for Macy%26#8217;s or CB2.com, as long as I can put it in the dishwasher, I%26#8217;ll consider adding it to my collection.

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Traveling, nearly anywhere. It freshens my perspective and invigorates me %26#8212; but I%26#8217;m always excited to land back on American soil. Overcome with patriotic pride as I enter the country through customs, if I could drop to my knees and kiss the ground without causing a minor scene, God knows I would. Really.

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Vogue%26#8217;s Book of Etiquette (1948) by Millicent Fenwick. She%26#8217;s a pistol, and although some of her advice feels outmoded, there are still gems such as these, listed under misused words and phrases: %26#8220;Classy. See %26#8216;high-toned%26#8217; and %26#8216;high-class.%26#8217; Where %26#8216;classy%26#8217; is used to mean %26#8216;high-class,%26#8217; use %26#8220;good.%26#8217; When %26#8216;classy%26#8217; means %26#8216;high-toned,%26#8217; it should be forgotten %26#8230; %26#8216;High-class%26#8217; should not be used to mean %26#8216;good%26#8217; or %26#8216;distinguished.%26#8217; %26#8216;It was a high-class restaurant%26#8217; is appalling.%26#8221;

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White jeans, all year long: boot cut, 7 for All Mankind (especially when I%26#8217;m feeling slim).

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Frederic Malle%26#8217;s scent Une Rose. It%26#8217;s my signature %26#8212;%26nbsp;when I wear it, I feel pretty.

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Fleur de sel, particularly to finish a dish, even sweets. (You can%26#8217;t beat it with caramels or atop homemade candy.)

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My iPhone (and it%26#8217;s not even the latest version!). Also Apple%26#8217;s MobileMe service, which syncs all my info together perfectly. I am crushing on Steve Jobs.

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Freshly baked chocolate chip cookies %26#8212; my own, with chunks of bittersweet Valrhona bittersweet chocolate, cocoa nibs and a generous pinch of fleur de sel. (See a trend?)

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Dan Donnelly with Kharisma Salon in Houston. Without him, I%26#8217;m no blonde.

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Larry King Live. More specifically, whoever writes all the questions on his little blue cards. LK has the best job in the world. Ditto for the high-brow Charlie Rose, though I have a pretty good hunch he writes all his own probing queries. Smarty pants.

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I yearn for Parrot Cay%26#8217;s crystal-clear water %26#8230; If only it didn%26#8217;t take forever and a day to get there from Texas.

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Laughing so hard I can%26#8217;t even speak. It%26#8217;s usually out of the blue over something really stupid, too.

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A clean home. Nothing makes me feel more centered than purging the clutter and sweeping away the dust bunnies.%26nbsp;

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OxiClean. Oh, I could do a testimonial.

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Lululemon Athletica workout wear. It%26#8217;s comfortable, durable and wearable in and out of the gym.

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A well-crafted, perfectly prepared coal-fired pizza (margherita, mostly) and a bottle of Veuve Clicquot. Humble blends so well with a touch of haute.

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Trench coats. Be they Burberry or Target, I love the look and classic lines that can be translated from cotton to silk faille.

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A large bottle of chilled San Pellegrino %26#8212; no ice, with a wedge of lime. When I%26#8217;m being especially particular, I request a wine bucket to keep it icy cold.

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Sleep %26#8212; nine hours, specifically. It%26#8217;s almost as restorative to my psyche as a weekend at Lake Austin Spa Resort.%26nbsp;

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My 80-pound, %26#8217;60s-era quartz-crystal lamp %26#8212; a gift from my aunt who grew tired of it and packed it away in a closet until I pleaded with her to send it to me. Bless her.

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Dogs %26#8212;%26nbsp;all of them (most especially ever-grateful pound puppies). There%26#8217;s no such thing as a bad dog in my book.

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Truman Capote%26#8217;s writing

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Anything %26#8220;sonic.%26#8221; I%26#8217;m obsessed with my Sonicare toothbrush, and the Clarisonic skin-cleansing system by the makers of Sonicare has me hooked. Who knew washing my face could give me so much satisfaction?

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Peonies in full bloom, with paper-thin petals of variegated hues. Simply breathtaking in pink %26#8212; and a good reason to look forward to May and June.

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Oprah. Yeah, I%26#8217;ve drunk the Kool-Aid, too.

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Thick, stiff correspondence cards and tissue-lined envelopes. I love these paper cards by Crane%26#8217;s (a gift from friend Carol Isaak Barden), designed and engraved by PH Design Shop. And when I%26#8217;m feeling nostalgic, I break out my beloved Waterman fountain pen. My parents bought it for me to transcribe my notes at La Varenne when I moved to Paris years ago. I%26#8217;m the sentimental sort.

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Beautiful bed linens. Be they Irish linen or starched high-thread-count Egyptian cotton, bed linens are an indulgence (along with good down pillows, frequently replaced) that I%26#8217;d never forgo. My favorite kinds are monogrammed, from Kuhl-Linscomb, leontinelinens.com.

A great flick by David Mamet (House of Games, The Spanish Prisoner) or Woody Allen (Annie Hall was his best).%26nbsp; Fave fashion films: Auntie Mame with Rosalind Russell and Funny Face.
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Learning. My curiosity is endless, and there%26#8217;s not a soul in the world from whom you can%26#8217;t glean something meaningful.

Looking Great All the Time

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 04:43:12 GMT

Rachael Dedman
The one article of clothing that most defines you? A handbag large enough to carry my items and my daughters' entertainment du jour.
You couldn't live without what in your closet? My two daughters' new interest in "helping me get dressed."
The movie you think of as the "fashion flick"? The Thomas Crown Affair.
Your most-thumbed fashion mag? Harper%26#8217;s Bazaar.
Which Audrey: Hepburn or Tautou? Hepburn.
%26nbsp;Something stylish people seem to have in common %26#8230; They make it appear effortless.
What do you have your eye on next? A collaborative effort with Children's Medical Center to establish a nationally recognized Comprehensive Center for Pediatric Food Allergies.

Ken Downing
The one article of clothing that most defines you? Chelsea boots.
Amount of time spent pondering a single outfit? Thirty seconds %26#8212; no time to ponder.
You couldn't live without what in your closet? Brown leather jacket, I always have it with me.
You seem to get the most fashion kudos for %26#8230; My skinny suits.
The "fashion flick"? Auntie Mame.
Most-thumbed fashion mag? PaperCity, of course.
Which Clark: Gable or Kent? Kent, but truth be known, probably more Lewis and Clark.
Something stylish folk have in common %26#8230; Attitude!
What do you have your eye on next? More Chelsea boots!

Brian Bolke
The one article of clothing that most defines you? Definitely jeans. Pretty much everyday, including black tie.
Amount of time spent pondering a single outfit? Very little. The best outfits come together with no planning at all.
You couldn't live without what in your closet? A chocolate-brown Bottega blazer that you can literally roll up in a ball.
You seem to get the most fashion kudos for %26#8230; Not being afraid to wear color or pattern. But it has backfired a few times.
The "fashion flick"? Definitely Unzipped. I could watch it every day.
Most-thumbed fashion mag? W. It constantly surprises and pushes the envelope.
Which Clark: Gable or Kent? Kent. It's the glasses.
Something stylish folk have in common %26#8230; Not being afraid to go out on a limb. You have to take a risk. Otherwise, how boring.
What do you have your eye on next? An Herm%26#232;s cashmere scarf that weighs nothing. I'm having a scarf moment.

Jennifer Eagle
The one article of clothing that most defines you? High heels!
Amount of time spent pondering a single outfit? My entire life %26#8230;
You couldn't live without what in your closet? A good-fitting pair of jeans
You seem to get the most fashion kudos for %26#8230; Probably shoes and/or handbags.
The "fashion flick"? To Catch a Thief.
Most-thumbed fashion mag? I'm a sucker for any type of fashion or smut in print!
Which Audrey: Hepburn or Tautou? There is only one Audrey %26#8230; Hepburn, of course.
Something stylish folk have in common %26#8230; Restraint.
What do you have your eye on next? Did I already mention shoes?

Moo-ey Fabulous!

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 11:58:45 GMT

Oh, to be two again %26#8230; The chicest boutique of little girl%26#8217;s clothing, called Moo Boo%26#8217;s, has launched at Tootsies: tiny party dresses in chocolate velvet and caramel satin with what I swear look like Marni jeweled embellishments at the neck. But the silk shantung sheath in a luscious stone color with a jeweled neckline is adorably sophisticated. Baby going to St Barth%26#8217;s? Pack the fuchsia silk caftan with a simple crystal design and black leggings. Finally, a children%26#8217;s collection that%26#8217;s smart but still childlike. If I could just supersize the chocolate satin sheath with chocolate velvet jacket %26#8230; Alas, it%26#8217;s only in precociously tiny 2T to children%26#8217;s 8. At Tootsies, Highland Village Shopping Center, 4045 Westheimer, 713.629.9990.

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Image: Moo Boo's; photo by Jenny Antill

Looking Great all the Time

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 12:29:54 GMT

Cindy %26amp; Howard Rachofsky

Their home rivals museums %26#8212; their knack for all things avant-garde puts this couple in a league of their own. Their exceptional style must have something to do with all that contemporary art.

Howard Rachofsky
The one article of clothing that most defines you? A warm-up suit. (You just have to see it.)
Amount of time spent pondering a single outfit? Five seconds.
You couldn%26#8217;t live without what in your closet? Purple.
You get the most fashion kudos for? Color.
The movie you think of as the %26#8220;fashion flick"? "He never sees movies." %26#8211; Cindy Rachofsky
Your most-thumbed fashion mag? Whatever my wife puts in front of me.
Which Clark: Gable or Kent? Neither. They both wore ties %26#8230; I would never wear a tie.
Something stylish people seem to have in common? Large credit card bills.
What do you have your eye on next? Dolce %26amp; Gabbana evening pajamas.

Cindy Rachofsky
The one article of clothing that most defines you? Herm%26#232;s bags.
Amount of time spent pondering a single outfit? It depends on my weight.
You couldn%26#8217;t live without what in your closet? My new Indian bracelets from Howard.
You get the most fashion kudos for? Vintage.
The movie you think of as the %26#8220;fashion flick%26#8221;? I only see movies on airplanes.
Your most-thumbed fashion mag? Vogue or style.com.
Which Audrey: Hepburn or Tautou? Hepburn. I love skinny black pants.
Something stylish people seem to have in common? They get asked to answer questionnaires like this one.
What do you have your eye on next? A guilt-free shopping spree.

Deborah Scott
Could it be her extensive travels that cultivated this social's fashionably discerning eye? Well, when your husband is the president and CEO of Rosewood Hotels %26amp; Resorts, international shopping comes with the territory.
The one article of clothing that most defines you? Color %26#8212; either clothing or shoes %26#8212; I love bright!
Amount of time spent pondering a single outfit? If it is love at first sight, then I have to have it!
You couldn%26#8217;t live without what in your closet? Either gold strappy sandals %26#8212; go with everything and great for travel %26#8212; or a huge Sonia Rykiel clutch I got in Paris that is color blocks of orange, pink, black and white. All my favorite colors!
You get the most fashion kudos for? Not being a fashion follower.
The movie you think of as the %26#8220;fashion flick%26#8221;? Love Sex and the City! The clothes are so over the top.
Your most-thumbed fashion mag? Australian Vogue. Love keeping up with what's going on down under, such a great vibe and the designers take risks.
Which Audrey: Hepburn or Tautou? Tautou, but they are both so classic!
Something stylish people seem to have in common? Everything they do is stylish and easy. No matter what their budget or where they are going, they always manage to look effortless.
What do you have your eye on next? Anything from Gucci's fall collection with loads of zippers.