I’m dreaming of… A Sparkly Holiday
IT’S A CINCH
Any fashionista would be delighted to receive J. McLaughlin’s Champagne chain belt. The shimmery crocodile print band is accented by a gold lock-and-key buckle. She’ll know just how to style it. $75, Southport, 203-955-1555, jmclaughlin.com.
I’m dreaming of… A Sparkly Holiday
CRYSTAL CLEAR
Inspired by classic Baccarat decanters, Jessouffl lamps are balanced on blowpipes that resemble the very ones used to make Baccarat crystal.
The lamps sit in charging boxes so that they can be placed wirelessly in any room or even outdoors. $890–$1,400, Greenwich, 203-618-0900, us.baccarat.com.
I’m dreaming of… A Sparkly Holiday
OFF THE CUFF
For understated dazzle, gift the cuff bracelet
fromVan Cleef & Arpels’ Perlée collection, featuring diamonds set in 18K pink gold. Price upon request, Betteridge Jewelers, Greenwich, 203-869-0124, betteridge.com.
I’m dreaming of… A Sparkly Holiday
AT WRIST
For the well-dressed wrist, consider this Dressage watch with an 18K rose gold case and matte Havana alligator strap from Hermés. $30,500, through Richards, Greenwich, 203-622-0551, mitchellsstores.com, hermes.com.
I’m dreaming of… A Sparkly Holiday
HEART AND SOLE
Shimmery Heera (Jewel) pumps from
Love Is Mighty make you feel good while
looking good. They are made entirely of recycled materials—the exterior is woven repurposed biscuit wrappers—by artisans in a vegan plant in India. $245, Atelier360, Greenwich, 203-717-1055, loveismighty.com.
I’m dreaming of… A Sparkly Holiday
BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S
With just enough room for night-out essentials, Tiffany’s Daphne, Morgan and Sabrina clutches are must-haves. Shown in gold, antique gold, and gold/antique gold/bronze, these shiny leather purses are clutch players. $795, price upon request, and $995, Westport, 203-221-7676, Greenwich, 203-661-7847, tiffany.com.
I’m dreaming of… A Sparkly Holiday
BEAD-DAZZLED
An array of beads sewn onto a pure cotton backing make the Spectrum table runner dazzling. The blingy centerpiece will be a hit well past New Year’s. $750, Kim Seybert
through Neiman Marcus, White Plains,
914-428-2000, neimanmarcus.com.
I’m dreaming of… A Sparkly Holiday
VIOLET VIXEN
Give her the gift of one-of-a-kind
glamour with these antique carved amethyst and diamond drop pendant earrings, mounted in silver and gold.
The circa-1880 pair is a timeless
heirloom. $16,500, Simon Teakle Fine Jewelry, Greenwich, 203-769-5888, simonteakle.com.
I’m dreaming of… A Sparkly Holiday
PILLOW TALK
Bring the roaring
twenties to the bedroom with Donna Karan’s Modern Classics Dancing Gold decorative pillow. The silk face’s warm gold tones embrace beaded fringe for a look that moves. $188, through Bloomingdales, White Plains, 914-684-6300, bloomingdales.com.
I’m dreaming of… Faraway Places
CANOE, CANOE?
Each Merrimack canoe is made to order in Tennessee, using techniques passed down from
generation to generation. The result: a lightweight yet strong, heirloom-quality canoe that’s a pleasure to paddle. Available in more than 900 colors. $3,100, 888-396-7267, merrimackcanoes.com.
I’m dreaming of… Faraway Places
HAUTE TOTE
Bring some bling on your next trip with this metallic leather hand-woven Architect tote
(23 inches by 14 inches) by Lance Wovens. Comes with a removable
canvas and calfskin pouch. $650, through HB Home, Greenwich, 203-629-4999, Westport, 203-226-8777, lancewovens.com.
I’m dreaming of… Faraway Places
GET THE BEAT
Leave it to Bose to create headphones with unbeatable noise reduction and brilliant audio. A TripAdvisor 2012 “Travelers Choice” award winner, the QuietComfort 15 headphones come with an airline adapter and carrying case. Available in silver and limited-edition blue. $299.95, bose.com.
I’m dreaming of… Faraway Places
JET SET The Alicia Adams Alpaca travel set will make your jet-setter’s
journey a little more comfortable, complete with a throw, eye mask and bag with enough space for those items as well as personal belongings, all made from 100-percent baby alpaca. Offered in 14 colors, $288, through Bungalow, Westport,
203-227-4406, aliciaadamsalpaca.com.
I’m dreaming of… Faraway Places
MY BICYCLE
DeLorean Bicycle’s Anyday model is the “it” ride this season.
The super-efficient transmission makes it easier to climb hills and go faster on flats. Rear hydraulic disk brakes, luminescent-coating and an Italian-made saddle make for safe and comfortable riding, day or night. $5,495, 706-624-8833, Calhoun, GA, deloreanbicycle.com.
I’m dreaming of… Faraway Places
SLEEP-AWAY FUN
Your little adventurer will be the best-equipped camper with Bonpoint’s Adventurer’s Suitcase. The silver grey suitcase contains star-printed
black-cotton pajamas, a mysterious noise box, a little torch flashlight and glow-in-the-dark stars. For ages 2-10, $360, NYC, 212-879-0900, bonpoint.com.
I’m dreaming of… Faraway Places
SAHARA BOUND
Textile expert John Robshaw was inspired
by Jack Nicholson as The Passenger wandering through the Sahara lugging an old canvas
bag. The result is the Marine duffle, which
has a detachable shoulder strap, interior and
exterior zipper pockets and leather handles. $190, through Home Boutique of Greenwich, Greenwich, 203-869-2550, johnrobshaw.com.
I’m dreaming of… Faraway Places
HIT THE ROAD
For the significant other who loves to travel on the open road, an Orvis customizable
camping trailer is the ultimate gift. The Silver Tear Woodie camper’s roomy interior
includes a kitchen, foam mattress,
awning windows and a roof fan. $29,995,
custom order by phone, 800-541-3541, orvis.com.
I’m dreaming of… Faraway Places
TRAIL BLAZER
Your lucky loved one can explore Asia’s breathtaking Himalayas while biking, trekking and fly fishing during the day and relaxing in luxury when the sun goes down in Como Hotels’ newest lodge, the Uma Punakha. Trip-goers enjoy authentic Bhutanese lifestyle and can opt for trekking expeditions or photography retreats. $290–$390 per night, comohotels.com.
I’m dreaming of… Faraway Places
WHAT’S THE CATCH?
For fly-fishing fans, a journey to The Little Nell
in Aspen is close to paradise. The luxury hotel offers fly-fishing aficionados customized adventures along the Roaring Fork and Frying Pan rivers, as well as instruction, luxury transportation, plus a chef to cook up a gourmet lunch outdoors with the catch of the day. Price upon request, thelittlenell.com.
I’m dreaming of… Faraway Places
HANG TEN
For athletes who are looking for a new workout, Dedon’s Stand-Up paddleboard is at the top of their lists. Crafted by the outdoor furniture experts, the board will withstand the elements. $3,485 (for board, paddle and bag), through Lillian August, Norwalk, 203-847-1596, lillianaugust.com, dedon.de.
I’m dreaming of… Home Sweet Home
ON THE ROCKS
Oomph’s lacquer bar cart is a must-have for the contemporary entertainer, complete with two shelves, convenient cutout handles and casters for easy maneuvering. Choose this bold red or another of the 16 available colors. Bar cart in fireworks, $1,595, New Canaan, 203-216-9848, oomphonline.com.
I’m dreaming of… Home Sweet Home
SWEET SOMETHINGS
The Botticelli gift box from Weston’s favorite beekeeper, Marina Marchese, has one box of Farmhouse honeycomb and one jar of spreadable creamy honey. Liquid gold!
$32, Red Bee Honey, Weston, redbee.com.
I’m dreaming of… Home Sweet Home
BIRDS OF A FEATHER
This one hits two birds with one stone. Both the naturalist and the artist will love the Hurry Up! I’m Dreaming (2011) birdbath by Ugo Rondinone. The bronze sculpture will take any garden to the next level. $45,000, through Cumulus Studios, NYC, 212-563-7821, cumulus-studios.com.
I’m dreaming of… Home Sweet Home
BLAST OFF
If his man cave (or living room) is missing the perfect sound system, check out these Avantgarde Acoustic horn speakers. Aside from top-notch sound quality, the speakers come in a range of sizes and can be customized in a variety of paint colors and woods. Duo Grosso, $37,000 for two, through Realm, Norwalk, 203-552-5272, realmcontrol.com.
I’m dreaming of… Home Sweet Home
SOME LIKE IT HOT
Terrain’s Insignia fire pit is perfect for spending chilly nights outdoors with family and friends. Made from hand-welded steel, the classic cauldron
shape is handmade in the U.S. and features a custom nameplate for up to 15 characters. $898, Westport, 203-226-2750, shopterrain.com.
I’m dreaming of… Home Sweet Home
BOND, JAMES BOND
Every boy dreams of being 007. Let your secret agent drive in style
with this model of James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5 from the latest Bond film, Skyfall. The remote-control car comes equipped for full-function driving with turn-signal machine guns, bumper guards, and even plays the James Bond theme song. $40, MoMA Design Store, NYC, 212-767-1050, momastore.org.
I’m dreaming of… Home Sweet Home
FIRST MATE
Canine Bay’s eco-friendly dog beds are crafted from recycled sailcloth, made in Connecticut with materials sourced in the U.S., and are available in several sizes to fit your pooch. Tuckernuck bed, $220, through BB Abode, Darien,
203-202-2840, bbabode.com, caninebay.com.
I’m dreaming of… Home Sweet Home
SECURITY BLANKET
This super-soft alpaca throw is perfect for an evening enjoying hot cocoa by the fireplace. Plus, it’s handmade with natural, hypoallergenic materials. $185, Olley Court, Ridgefield, 203-438-1270, olleycourt.com.
I’m dreaming of… Home Sweet Home
GREAT SCAPE
Crafted from dry cast limestone, Longshadow’s planters have a natural porosity, making them frost-proof and able to withstand decades of weathering, even in New England. The Bamboo Leaf planter (28 inches by 26.5 inches) completes any garden or entryway. Available to the trade only, Pomona, IL, 618-893-4831, longshadow.com.
This article appears in the December 2012 issue of CTC&G (Connecticut Cottages & Gardens).