In this time where everyone (or just Fox News) is telling old people to buy gold, and telling everyone else to sell their gold, gold has become passe.  Which is a real shame because gold is a fabulous statement.  Gold is classic, like Coco Channel, if you pick the right pieces it will look amazing forever.  Anyone who doesn’t like gold just has never owned the right piece of gold.

But let’s face it when it comes to dining you just can’t afford the gold or sterling silverware that used to be customary in yesteryear, and it is so pricey you feel bad even putting it on a registry.  But with many of the beautiful china styles, with amazing colors and warm hues out there you really do need a classy set of gold settings.

The solution: Seletti Midas Cutlery.

Normally available on Yoox.com or Bloomsburystore.com, it is all sold out right now because it is fabulous, but don’t despair  because The Conran Shop Online has a full 24 piece set for $225.00.

This is gold plated steel cutlery with a matte finish.  Allowing it to blend with modern and classic china sets.  I think it would even look particularly stunning with mixed plates or plain white casual china, as well.  And it comes nicely packed in a china box, small enough to actually fit in all those places you would want to store your china.  I am really quite smitten with this set of silverware, actually less smitten more absolutely covetous.  So get it while it isn’t sold out.  And if you are looking for a nice wedding present for those brides out there who aren’t registering (ahem bad idea) I think this would make a really nice present that any modern couple would find quite pleasing.

*Sigh* If only I had seen this BEFORE Christmas.

My very generous Husband decided to share his cold with me, so today I am stuck in the house, again.  In this condition there is no way I would subject anyone (except my generous Husband, of course) to my grossness, so I have been perusing and I found something helpful for you frantic gift buyers:

Williams Sonoma can still guarantee standard shipping in time for Christmas if you order by 9am on Tuesday.

They even have some good deals still like this:

I know so many people who could use a decent knife in their kitchen.  So many people have knives that just don’t cut it, literally.  Wusthof knives are classics that stand the test of time.  And a sanotoku knife is really a handy knife.  I prefer chopping a lot of my veggies with a sanatoku over a chef’s knife.

Or EVEN better: Cutlery and More has FREE delivery until midnight on many wonderful items, like these:

I love Chef’s Choice, it is the knife sharpener that I have and use for everything, but my Shun and Global knives.  It keeps your knives nice and sharp.  This one not only comes FREE, but it comes with a free 7″ sanaktoku knife, as well.  That is 2 gifts with free delivery for $150, not bad.

Or not one, but two Calaphalon skillets for $50.  I have this skillet in a smaller size and can attest that it works very well.

Last, but not least the mini-keg dispenser.  My husband would have really liked this, and at $100 it is a real steal, since it originally listed for $400, but alas Honey, sorry I already ordered your gifts.  I don’t know many men that would be disappointed to open this gift.  Again with FREE shipping guaranteed by Christmas from Cutlery and More.  They have lots of other great gifts like an electric water kettle, or stove top smoker, so if you are still looking for that great gift and like me hate paying for shipping, give this place a browse.  I have always found their prices to be the most competitive for really great products.

So I know all this snow has blown your holiday shopping.  Hopefully you are like me and shop early.  But in case you don’t gotta love overnight shipping.

Remember the little ones are the most important as far as lists are concerned.  I was just browsing around and came across this play tent.  Unfortunately not guaranteed deliverable by Christmas, but New Years!  Or if you do like me save this Seller as a favorite for future gifts (would be a wonderful gift for a birthday to be used when it is nice out).  It is the kind of thing I would have loved as a child.  It would have gone well with my wooden indoor/outdoor play house thing and my love of all things playhouse like or encapsulating as a child.  Heck, I wouldn’t mind it now… feeling a bit distracted, go have tent time!

And it is personalized, which is perfect for all those of us who love to see our names on our stuff (really who doesn’t?).  Anyway just a last minute thought…

As I am still slightly childish from time to time I can honestly attest that if this was your gift to me, I would totally forgive you for being late.

I should have news soon, as in tomorrow, on the job front yay!  But all this has been such an ordeal.  So here is to more fun and pretty things!

I love to check out engagement rings.  I check out my friends’ rings, that girl on the metro next to me, that woman shopping in Neiman Marcus with the to die for bag, all of them.  And there are some really pretty rings out there.  For me though there are only two kinds: simple and elegant or detailed and antique looking in design.  I have a beautiful Tacori ring that is really detailed and very classic and I love it.  But I caught sight of these rings and decided in a different life if I were going to go with simple and elegant the rings from Everlon are what I would choose.  They don’t have their own website, but are available from many retailers, including JR Dunn who has a very handy online website here.

I have always really liked the look of knots.  That nautical knot jewelry is just so neat looking.  I am fascinated by braids essentially hair knots of different varieties.  Knots of all kinds just are really beautiful to me (unless I have to get them out of course).  These knots are so simple looking but just the smooth medal against a beautiful diamond just really highlights both elements.  So guys if you have a gal that is the simple, but elegant type I think this will be a real winner. They are very reasonable for engagement rings- a 14kt white gold with 3/4 carat diamond is $2990.00.  So long as your gal doesn’t want something huge 3/4 carat is a really nice size. (Another view)

AND as a deal sweetener  There will be ample ideas for engagement gifts as they have matching earrings, bracelets and necklaces.  Some of my favorites are below.

I love this diamond necklace- it would look beautiful alone or with just plain brilliant (round) diamond earrings, which many girls own.  It could be worn on a chain or with a nice omega, which is a thicker gold necklace that has a bolder look.  I really like reversible omegas one side being white gold one side being yellow gold so it is really versatile.

Both of these earrings are really nice for a girl who doesn’t have diamond earrings.  They are so simple they would match nicely with other diamond jewelry that she may acquire over the years. I personally don’t like drop earrings as much as ones that are closer to the ear so I prefer the bottom pair, but both really are nice.

I have wanted a white gold diamond bracelet now for a while, but I will be waiting as they are a pretty penny and my dear Hubby just bought me a stunning engagement ring and wedding band that is just as beautiful and detailed.  There was one bracelet I saw in a cute little jewelry store that I love in St. Micheals that was similar to this one that I just loved.  So maybe ten or twenty years from now this beauty will come my way.

Last, but not least is a stunning ring for the right hand it has both white gold and yellow gold.  I really like this idea because I have a really nice watch that is two tone, and some really nice gold jewelry in yellow gold so it kind of brings it all together in a matchey matchey way.

So if fancy and detailed isn’t your thing check out Everlon.  I was really impressed with the style and design of their products.  It has a real wow factor to it, without all the bells and whistles of some rings.

I have always been one of those lucky women who can wear a hat, almost any hat really.  And there is something grand about a hat.  It hearkens back to an era of civility.  It dares to go where few women these days tread.  But with the recent resurgence of the head band with large fascinators I dare to say hats will be coming back.

Recently my Mother traveled through Ireland and she found Kathleen McAuliffe a woman who makes extraordinary hats.  When she saw these hats she immediately thought of my friend who is going to have the most beautiful wedding this summer and who has really fun style.  So I wanted to pass along the fun for any bride or wedding party that dares to be a little more eclectic in a really beautiful classy way.  They are pricey, but absolutely beautiful and really top quality, as they are hand made and have been featured worldwide.  Below are some of my favorites:

Perfect for accompanying a cute simple bridesmaid dress.

Black used to be a no-no at weddings, but nowadays anything goes, and ooh wouldn’t this go so well at a formal outdoor wedding?  I can just see it looking so beautiful and demur for a wedding set on a beautiful stone patio.

For the bride who doesn’t want a gigantic bird, but a gorgeous loopdy loop instead.  This would be to die for with a simple form fitting dress.

Now this to me is a show stopper, and it would photograph so well.

The perfect Mother of the Bride hat.  It won’t be prettier than the bride, but it will grab the appropriate amount of attention the Mother of the Bride deserves, plus I think it has a bit of authority to it.

Now if you go to a wedding and someone is wearing this, you just know you are going to have a good time.  It is called Kate and it is just longing to come home and reside with this Kate.

This hat is just so cute.  And wearable to so many things.  And wouldn’t it just pair so well with a formal tux?

Now Ms. McAuliffe makes more casual hate too, and while I love her show stoppers above, her casual hats are really exquisite and much more affordable.  This one below looks like the perfect honeymoon getaway hat to me.

Of course you don’t need a wedding to own one of these, they would be perfect for a derby, a cocktail party or for a really cute night out.  I am so glad my Mother found this place, and it is such good timing because I am telling you- hats will be back.

I am rather partial to the scent of lavender.  For me it is calming and soothing.  I have often stated that my quality of life would be better if my whole world smelled of lavender, and since recently I have needed a few extra ways to relax I decided to take a couple steps towards making that happen.

If I had time I would jet off to Nemacolin Woodlands Spa for a Lavender Kur- consisting of a nice lavender body scrub, bath and massage with lavender lotion application, but alas no time for that.

So in the interim I am using the Lavender Bath and Shower gel and the Lavender Lotion sold by Crabtree and Evelyn.  The lotion doesn’t leave you greasy and only has a light scent so it isn’t over powering.  I also like their bath and shower gels because it doesn’t over dry your skin.  The most important thing to me though is they don’t mix the lavender scent with vanilla, because while it is nice to cook with, I really don’t like the two smells mixed.

I then  extended the foray into a life of lavender by purchasing for myself some laundry detergent and sachets from Sweet Grass Farm, which I really like.  The great thing about the laundry detergent is that it is a more natural detergent than your store brands so it is great for sensitive skin.  Also it is low sudsing so it can be used in high efficiency and front load washers.  And they leave your clothes lightly scented, and the environment better off.  You only need about 1/8 of a cup for a load, so at that rate it is just a tiny bit more pricey than your normal store detergent.  I buy normal detergent for Hubby, and do his separately, and since so many of my clothes are dry cleaned it really lasts me a long time.  The sachets can be used for multiple rounds of drying or they can be stashed in a drawer or closet.  I have one in the drawer of my pajamas that has really made everything smell lovely.

When I was at Landsdowne Resort they had lavender eye pillows for guests and I really liked the scent as I was falling asleep, so I bought a couple lavender diffusers for the bedrooms, so my guests can enjoy that same soothing scent to fall asleep.  The diffuser is $29.95 so it is a little less than those at Pottery Barn and other stores, and the refill fragrances are only $11.95, so you can reuse them easily.  I am big on having a nice smelling house, I think it is part of having an inviting environment where people feel welcome.  So I like to have diffusers because there isn’t the hazard of lighting a candle in another room and forgetting to blow it out.

If I really wanted to go all out I think Sweet Grass Farm’s Lavender dusting oil and cleaning spray could really fulfill the wish, but I don’t think overwhelming Hubby with Lavender all at once in that big of a quantity would be good for the overall cause.  But it is a consideration for the future.  Sweet Grass farm also has some other really nice clean not over the top scents if you aren’t as partial to lavender.  And the scents aren’t overwelmingly powdery or floral so they don’t overwhelm your senses it is justa  subtle, fresh scent in the background.

So, I know my blog tends to probably be more for the ladies.  But today it is for the men, and the ladies who dress them, big news:

Charles Tyrwhitt a British men’s clothing retailer with stores world wide is having a really large sale right now, right here with shirts from $30-70 a real steal.  They also have their normal sale fall deals, and there are really some nice clothes to be had.  They specialize in dress shirts, but they have really nice casual button up cotton shirts, suits, cuff links, ties and casual wear, as well.  Their fabrics are really of a high quality and the shirts last for a long time.

Charles Tyrwhitt has long been the solution to the fact that the Hubby doesn’t normally have the same style as me- this is one place where we both approve.  The quality and fit impresses us both.  You can even send in your measurements for exact fitting and tailoring.

Here are a couple ideas to get you believing:

And if you are like me and do your Christmas shopping really early, well this is just a jackpot.  They also have some really nice ladies clothing, as well, but check the size guide as the sizing is very different.

I really like Cole Haan shoes and purses.  They are durable and made of good quality leather.  And I have found that they have really good customer service for repairs- I had a pair of their buck swede and fur mule flats that had gotten dirty that I didn’t trust anyone else with and they restored them beautifully.

Now through September 20, 2009 they are offering a 15% discount off your entire purchase in store if you bring in a pair of gently used or new shoes to donate to Soles 4 Souls.

I shop at Cole Haan for nice basics.  The loafers to wear with all the leggings in fashion this season.

The comfortable flats.

The Village Soft Hobo- a nice not too big not to small black all around bag.

Or something fun like this blue tote.

So if you find yourself in need of some nice basics and have a new or gently used pair of shoes to give stop in.

I thought with all this advice on long weekend traveling you might need some great weekend getaway travel accessories.

By coincidence today and tomorrow One Kings Lane is featuring Saltbox.  One King’s Lane is a site that features designer home goods at a discount.  It is an members only site, but membership is free, so sign up here.

But even without an invite to One Kings Lane you can get the really neat products of Saltbox at Pop’s online store.  To view all their collection you can also check out their site here, which I prefer over Pop for viewing styles and colors.  I love their striking prints, that are modern and colorful, but also not too busy.

My travel essentials normally include a large weekend bag that is squishable.  That means if the overhead bin is full it can get shoved under the seat, it also means that coat check at Bloomingdales in New York will hold my bag while I shop, even better it means I can fit in those extra goodies I bring home for my friends.  I like the bright yellow collection best as it would be glamorous but not too beachy so it would travel with me to New York, Philly, Miami or Phoenix and not look out of place.  This bag fits the bill perfectly as a weekend bag:

I really like that it has an outside zippered pocket perfect for magazines or other quick grab items (like the hotel confirmation).

On a weekend getaway I also absolutely have to have a large purse that can fit everything that I or Hubby might pick up.  Realistically for it to work for me there has to have room for sunglasses, cameras, flip-flops, wallet, change purse, souvenirs I buy along the way, a water bottle and maybe even a beach towel.  My purses endure sandy beaches, state parks and floors everywhere so they need to be big and tough.    A purse like this with a reinforced bottom will take a lot of abuse and a style that is somewhat collapsible means when everything isn’t in my purse it isn’t huge, but it will hold all those things I require.  I also like that the strap isn’t sewn on to the purse so it cannot come unattached due to poor or abused stitching.  Although this purse comes in  the yellow I love so much I am featuring the sherbet basket weave color here because I think it really compliments the leather/leatherite accents well:

You can clip the center and it will have a smaller rounder appearance or use it more market bag style.

Next for the trips I know I will be coming home with goodies I often also take a tote bag.  I can easily shove it empty into one of my other bags, and use it latter.  Saltbox’s tote bags would nicely carry a couple bottles of wine, wrapped up by the local winery I am at for a day.  It also perfectly held all those notes and folders I had for wedding planning (even holds a clip board) or that conference I went to (nicely held the spa brochure for the conference center’s spa too), it also fits that pair of running shoes or stilettos that just don’t quite fit in my overnight bag for a longer trip.  The picture below is of the tiki basket weave print which is another very good all around color:

If you want something that has zippers and closes for this type of function, check out their carry all, which for me would also make a cute briefcase or day to day purse, as well (featured in black and white to show off how easily you could use it at home day to day):

Now come all the accessories I need to keep my big bags organized.  You have the cosmetic bag for lip gloss, wipes or even your toiletries if you pack light (line it with a plastic bag so you can easily pull it out of your checked luggage through security in a required clear plastic bag).  Sometimes I pack two of different prints and I store my camera and video camera in them.  This one is marine colored.

They also have wallets in two sizes.  The travel wallet will fit a passport, while the day to day wallet is slimmer but still holds a good amount of stuff.  They have a separate place for coins, which I like if I am going somewhere with a different currency that uses a lot of coins.

The pencil bag is perfect for fitting sunglasses (in case we forget our case), our currency if two currencies so they don’t get mixed up, or umm pens (which I don’t like just in my purse because I have had one break and ruin a purse).  It would also be good for cosmetic brushes, and non liquid toiletries.

Then of course you need a couple luggage tags for these bags, and I love to match.  I also think these bright colored tags would be great on a piece of black luggage to stand out from the crowd.  I have a big black garment bag so I always like something to differentiate it.

Last but not least I always have a business card holder because I never know who I might meet that might need a little assistance in some way or another.  And being stylish never hurts one win business.

So travel in style, with function and form.  With a little help from Saltbox and Katelin Taylor (don’t worry I won’t tell).

So I am covetting this set of china that I saw at Bloomingdales.

It is the Flora pattern by Villeroy and Bach.  My favorite are the pink plates below.

The major problem though is that they do not match with the decor of my current house.  (Well the blue would, but I love the pink)  Well Hubby would also  claim that the other problem is that I just got new china and I have rather recent new casual dinnerware and I just put in all the cabinets we can and it now just fits all my current china, as well, details, details.  But if these match your house please register for them or buy them and take good care of them and then pass them on to me, ok? (Ahem, I know of a few certain brides who NEED to register, at least for china)

What makes them so appealing is that they look very similar to the rhododendron china that is used at the Greenbrier which is just stunning china.  They have stood the test of time there looking so classic.  The rhododendron china was used at my wedding, and is used during regular tea and dinner service their and just looks amazing.  They would be perfect for my Aunt who has beautiful pinks and greens in her home and her dining room.

They are on sale, as well.  So girls that need china and have a beautiful classic apartment or house, really think about these, yes they are bold colors, but Dorthy Draper never feared color and look how great her creations turned out.