1962 Barbie Dream House

I came across this on eBay the other day, and can't get over how freaking cute it is. This is the original Barbie Dream House - the first one they ever came out with. I don't know about you, but I would have died for one of those Barbie Townhouses in the early 70's - the one with the elevator? My parents got me the Barbie Country House (which is also on eBay) instead one year for Christmas, and I think I probably should have had therapy over the disappointment.

The whole thing is cardboard, so complete ones in good shape are pretty rare. Still, these only cost about $30.

I want my front door to look like that!

Doesn't this look like a Domino spread? *sniffle!* Check out the open top record player. We had one of those - and there are record albums with real titles, and books, and little cardboard pillows. All of the furniture is folded and put together.

here's a longer view - Love the pink interior of Barbie's closet - and that picture on the wall.

Here's a closer look. Cool huh?

Looking for more info, I ran across this great little essay on the subject of the early Dream House - check it out.

P.S. I Love You - Part I

Last week, good girlfriend Susan and I took a little trip to Palm Springs, to take in the desert scenery, do a little shopping and get some sun. We stayed at the Viceroy, which did not disappoint, though if I had it to do over again I'd definitely get one of their villas - just steps away from the spa with their own pool. We got there in the late afternoon and I had to go to Indio for work in the morning, so I didn't get any poolside time - but that seemed like an ideal place to spend it.

When I was done with my work we stopped by the Parker for a late breakfast, which was fabulous albeit pricey - as it always is - and on the way back down Palm Canyon to the freeway, we took in a few of the vintage stores. The Norma's Doughnuts - pictured above, were amazing.

Sadly most of the shops were closed since it was a Tuesday - the one day of the week that many of them seemed to shut down - but we were able to check out A la Mod, a great consignment shop right there on the main drag, and the Trina Turk store.

Trina Turk has a "residential" store there, with pillows, furniture and other items covered in her signature prints. I bought some cool velveteen pillows with a groovy butterfly design and Susan bought some placemats, a vase and a bowl. They have some fun vintage items sprinkled in among the new goods.

We also really enjoyed a La Mod - just down the street - I was especially captivated by this original Saarinen tulip table with six matching stools. It was in near mint condition and priced around $5000. I bought a couple of flowerpots, and eyeballed a set of wrought iron fireplace tools. Generally their prices and selection were the best of what we found.

We're still planning to go back and check out the main Antique Mall and a few of the other shops we missed on North Palm Canyon - if you're in town stop by the Viceroy and ask the front desk for their list of shops, it includes all the good ones!

next up - Part II, the gardens and decor at the Parker.

Kid Stuff

While I don't have kids myself, I'm always trying to find cool and useful gifts for friends who do, so I don't think I'm quite the last person to hear about this site, though I might be. It's called Giggle and from now on, it will be my go to for kid-centric gifts. All of these items are available on Giggle - along with what appears to be the full line from Dwell. (I just love that transportation print!)

New L.A.M.B. Shoes

My visits to the Nordstrom Rack are pretty few and far between - but on my two most recent trips I have to admit I've gotten pretty lucky. Last time I lucked into a Tory Burch treasure trove, and bought a tunic that I've worn almost literally to death. I always go around the holidays to pick up ties and other "guy gifts" for my dad and husband, and today I couldn't resist checking out the shoe section. Lo and behold I found these L.A.M.B. Davin pumps, regularly priced around $300, for about 50% off. The best part was when I walked up to the register, they were even $50. less than they were marked. Don't you love it when that happens??

great gift tags and more

I love these printed paper tags and labels from the Etsy shop every jot and tittle I even custom ordered some of these little red number tags (up to 50) to hand out for our gift exchange at our Pozole Party this year!

Rhodia Notebooks

Does anyone else remember when you could get those Five Star notebooks with the thick paper and nice sharp lines? I'm not fastidious about most things, but I like a good notebook, and I haven't been able to find one of those in about ten years. Since that time I've mostly switched to the computer, but for the occasional list or note, I really like these Rhodia notebooks. Made in France, they're a little more expensive than the norm and not super easy to find (locally they carry them at Warwicks in La Jolla) but they can easily be ordered online. I first discovered them via the shop at Francis Ford Coppola's winery where he sells his favorite things. (I also discovered Amedei chocolate at the same time - that Francis has good taste as it turns out.)

Just the other day while browsing for xmas gifts online, I noticed that Vickerey carries a huge selection - maybe even the full line. I especially like this box, with four notebooks of different sizes and two pencils, all for $16.00. If you've got a design geek, list fanatic or doodler on your gift list, this may be just the thing!

That Winter Glow

If you're like me, you're getting pretty ghostly pale about this time of year. Even the little bit of color I had from walking the dogs or sitting around in the back yard has vanished - leaving me feeling a little pasty. Self tanner can be a little labor intensive, not to mention smelly, but this product goes on easy (just like an ordinary moisturizer) and gives just a little tiny bit of glow that lasts a day or two before it needs to be reapplied. It's low maintenance, low commitment, inexpensive, it won't turn you orange, it smells GOOD, and it even has SPF 20 in it should you happen to need it. This time of year, you probably won't - but it's still good to know it's there!

Available here and at better drugstores everywhere.

Whitney's New Show and Fashion Line

Those of you who care about these things probably already know that Whitney Port is getting her own show on MTV starting at the end of the month, called "The City."* The Hills spinoff will focus on Whitney's move to NYC for a new job at Diane Von Furstenberg and a new boyfriend who appears to be a ringer for Justin Bobby - in looks at least - hopefully not in personality. I will watch because I like Whitney and I like DVF, and I'm always curious about what the kids are doing these days - but I have to say, I'm a little puzzled by what she's wearing and designing right now. Here are some of the designs from her new collection, Whitney Eve:




I'm all for irony in fashion and I know the 80's are back - but for me these fabrics are a little too Golden Girls. I'm just not digging it. Here she is in a couple of recent outfits:

I'm not going to pretend to be the Fug Girls and break these down for you, but if I did I don't think I'd know where to start. On the other hand. I LOVE this... The shoes are especially fetching. At least she's taking some chances though, right? Lauren Conrad also has a fashion line, and out of the entire collection of simple jersey dresses, I saw only one that I would consider smashing - and that may have more to do with the model's body than the dress itself. Still, I love the slight grecian flair, and the deep indigo blue color. I also can't help but notice though that the model is obviously intended to look like Lauren. A little weird, no?

* Brody Jenner also has his own new show coming out called "Bromance" - something like Paris Hilton's My New BFF, but for dudes - to replace Spencer Pratt's vacancy in his "entourage." Not so sure about that one...

If I lived in a cold climate...

I'd be so all over these. They just look so comfortable and stylish.

Also, sorry, I realize my nablopomo sort of nablew-away this week. Too much work - hate when that happens. I will try to catch up. I'm also going to be cooking all weekend for a big Thanksgiving Sunday Supper on Sunday. Read all about it over on Alice Q. Foodie next week!

J Crew is KILLING me this week with their sale - they've marked everything down again, AND there's a 20% off code on their homepage. I also believe they sent out a free shipping code last week, but I can't find it - so check your mailbox if you usually get their promos!

Tortoise on Abbott Kinney in LA

I stumbled across this little shop recently when I was in LA for a girls getaway with a good friend. We'd stopped by Venice Beach on our way home to San Diego to take a look around and check out Jin Patisserie, just next door. Tortoise specializes in Japanese crafts and housewares - glassware, textiles, kitchen items, jewelry, garden decor, games, cards and paper, finely crafted wooden and ceramic vessels and small furniture items. Everything is carefully curated and artfully displayed, and you just get that lucky feeling - like you're seeing things you're not likely to see anywhere else - and let's face it, how often can you really say that these days?

I was particularly infatuated with these Japanese textiles. They're multi-purpose squares of cloth called tenugui that were traditionally used as scarves or headwraps, but can also serve as napkins, bread basket liners, table decor, kitchen towels... you name it. I contemplated them as napkins - but the $12. pricetag was a bit of an obstacle since I wanted one of each.

Their online store doesn't provide quite the same experience as the shop, but if you've been there before, or need to shop for a gift from afar, it's good to know it's there. They also do the most amazing gift wrapping, with a beautiful handcrafted paper overlay with stamping and a ribbon.

tortoise
1342 1/2 Abbot Kinney Blvd.
Venice, CA 90291
310.314.8448
Open Wed-Sun 12-6

Fanny at Chez Panisse

This is one of the cutest cookbooks out there for kids, with gorgeous illustrations and a nice little history of the restaurant, Chez Panisse. Take a peek!

New Trina Turk in the OC

Just received an email about the opening of the new Trina Turk this Saturday at Fashion Island. Sadly I'll be otherwise occupied at the SD Bay Wine and Food Festival, but I'm sure it will be a hoot!

"The Other Kate" - 25% Off Everything at Kate Spade Fashion Valley

I was just in the new Kate Spade store at Fashion Valley yesterday, and everything in the store except the jewelry is currently 25% off of the marked price, including the sale items, paper goods, etc. I just love the way they decorate the boutiques with vintage pottery and cool library books, all color-coordinated with the goods.

We just have so much good stuff at Fashion Valley now - with Anthropologie, Tory Burch, and the new Hermes coming soon? Lord help us!

Eco Orbs at Kate Ross Shoe Boutique in North Park

After brunch at Urban Solace the other day, I spotted these "eco orbs" hanging in the window of the Kate Ross shoe store next door. They're little terrariums of desert plants and succulents in orbs that are a little larger than a Christmas ornament. (They weren't open yet, so I snapped these photos through the window.)

They look like a fun gift, and multiples of them make a really nice display in the window. I tried to find them online but nothing seems to be coming up so maybe this is a local phenomenon. In the course of my google searching though I did come up with one other company that makes something similar for $600. Gak.

The original Kate Ross Boutique around the corner on University and this newer shoe store are both fun stylish little shops. Kate herself is often on the premises and is always very nice and helpful. I actually haven't been in there for a while, and need to check out the shoe store after peering in the window - so check back for more on that soon!

J Crew is at it again...

Sarah from Whoorl just alerted me this morning (via Twitter) to the fact that J Crew just added a whole bunch of new items to their sale page - including all of the above. They're not at their cheapest prices ever, but they are returnable, which is always nice when ordering online. They're out of the turquoise pumps in my size, but I'm seriously considering the dresses. The dark wrap one is $99. and the leopard print is $69. Must...resist...

A last chance at some serious bargains...

I know I'm kind of flogging Hayden Harnett to death over here, but they're having a big sale that's just wrapping up - I'm sorry I didn't tell you about it sooner, actually! This bag is one of the best items left. Check it out here.

Seriously loving these shoes...

A few weeks ago, we talked about these - and since then they've added more sizes and styles. The cuteness - it just doesn't stop!

From Coclico

The Audacity of Soap

Just $9.99, in scents like "From Sea to Shining Cedar" and "Honey Oat Hope." Good for your skin and ready to wash away the Nation's Woes. Bet they're going to need a lot of them in Washington to wash away the stink of eight years of ... oops did I say that out loud?

Buy them here.

An Ideal Walking Tour of the Mission on SF Girl By Bay

I go to San Francisco as often as possible, and I already can't wait for my next trip so I can take the walking tour described on SF Girl By Bay by Lisa Congdon, an illustrator and Bay Area resident who co-owns a shop in the neighborhood called Rare Device. Lisa filled in for Victoria recently while she was on vacation in Thailand, and in two deliciously detailed posts, takes readers on a walking tour of her Mission neighborhhood - including everything from swanky boutiques to thrift and vintage stores. I'm particularly intrigued by The Bell Jar, CandyStore, The Apartment, and the various thrift shops she mentions. Of course it doesn't hurt that these places are all just around the corner from my favorite street in San Francisco. I'm sure I'll have to add a stop at Mission Pie, Bi Rite Creamery or Tartine for some sugar and caffeine to fuel the adventure!

Part One of the Mission Walking Tour

Part Two

The photo above of Stem - a boutique on 18th near Bi-Rite and Delfina carrying gorgeous flowers, baby items, cards and jewelry - was taken on a previous visit.