Merry Christmas, Philip Marlowe.
Tassel boxes, Norma Desmond, stealing from Polo Bar, and Raymond Chandler.
This is the second and last gift guide I’ve written this year. This week you’ll see reccomendations from Alisha Bansal, Jess Hannah, Jenn Park, Lili Anolik, Devon Lee Carlson, Cody Parks, Arielle Eshel, and Max Karnig. But first, from me.
We are getting closer. Yesterday I cried in Williams Sonoma because I found a Peanuts Advent Calendar. I’m waiting until the weekend to get our tree because last year I got it too early and it nearly turned to dust by December 25th. I wrote most of this gift guide over the past month or so; here’s a photo Devon took of me last week at Salmon Creek Farm writing this in the middle of a bomb cyclone.
I’m planning on buying a new kettle to ring in the New Year. I love all vintage Alessi. More on this soon in Nora’s newsletter. Until then, I’ll hold you over with these heart spoons. Perfect for my morning yogurt with passionfruit or ice cream sundaes. It may be time to reup my serveware. I have old gray plates that make me depressed and remind me that I am a millennial. In Los Angeles, we’re lucky to have Turpan at Brentwood Country Mart. I have been thinking about a particular set of white mugs with saucers for over a year now. They’re not online so here’s something similar. I highly recommend spending hours, if not days, browsing the Porta website. I haven’t decided what my top picks are yet, but I’ll let you know.
I mentioned Lingerie & Company in my last letter about New York. I want another pair of Bonsoir London pajamas but wonder if the Celestine robe is more worthwhile if it will make me feel like Blanche DuBois in the morning. The saleswoman told me she wears hers to bed as a nightgown. I prefer the baby blue color. There is one with ruffles, too. I recommend going to their shop in person to peruse everything. 1217 3rd Ave NY, NY 10021. They also have slippers, including these ones Misty recommended in last year's guide.
Jenn Park (a later contributor to this letter) inspired me to go down a wormhole of marble paperweights on eBay. Here’s one in the shape of a dolphin. Pink lady apples, or an array of fruits. Would look great in this Elsa Peretti bowl or this vintage crystal one.
New Los Angeles based brand, Cherche, is reselling vintage objects and furniture for reasonable prices. Who wouldn’t want three hand carved floral plates? I raise you this harvest basket, or this wood pear to double as paperweight/fancy book topper. My personal favorite. I’m sure they’ll drop more before Christmas.
A few weeks ago, I went to Josie Ford’s studio opening at the Gaylord Apartments (anything old and Hollywood to reel me in). Studio Ford’s textiles are produced by local craftsmen in Jaipur, India. I just got the Nadi Tuberous Throw which looks great against my yellow couch. When I get around to redesigning my guest room I’ll top my linens with this quilt or this one depending on which color scheme I end up with. This pillow is also on my list. Luckily, Josie is having an event in NYC December 7 & 8 from 12-6 at Galerie Santangelo (another knockout, he does the interiors for the Chateau Marmont & Nine Orchard) 112 Madison Street, Lower Level NY, NY 10002.
I have long eyed Monastery’s colorful boxes and floral based skincare. Recently I tried their Floral Repair Concentrate and Aloe Hyaluronic Moisture Boost serum. I need to be intensely moisturized in order to survive dry LA weather. Now I go to bed smelling like roses. This universal balm makes for a great stocking stuffer. Plus the brand’s got a Coppola co-sign.
On my wishlist are an Agnes B. snap cardigan, an old Saks fur hat as I’ll be spending my January in New York City, this copy of Clash By Night by Clifford Odets (out of print), this Dries Van Noten pouch in the color purple, Bill Powers of Half Gallery’s new book Glissando, this wood bowl, and a box of Louis Sherry chocolates which seem to be completely sold out on their website? Please confirm or deny…? And this red scarf please.
Last week’s guest, Conley Averett, suggested Fortuny silk tassel ornaments and I’ve since become addicted to everything made by them. I want this Silk Brocade Feather Down Oval Pillow. Something that Norma Desmond would own. I’m trying to veer off interior design trends and want things in my home that feel timeless and personal. I grew up going to a bunch of homes in Roland Park, Baltimore owned by very rich women and their rich husbands (Baltimore needs a Real Housewives), so pillows like this remind me a bit of my childhood. I will be purchasing this lidded box for special keepsakes. Here’s some more boxes in case you’re jealous. I’m freaking out over this stocking. I’ve been looking for some really special ones to put on our mantle. Also this one…
Alisha Bansal whose alter ego is The Weird Real says she doesn’t know how to use lip liner but wants all of what Fara Homidi is offering because they look like really expensive, luxurious colored pencils. I concur. Alisha, a woman after my own heart, has gifted Joe Brainard’s book I Remember many times. He is one of my favorite artists and it’s a sweet little book. The best gifts are personal. I love this idea. I’d write a little inscription in the front page. Another tiny book rec are the David Zwirner Ekphrasis books. They publish rare/out of print titles in tiny beautifully designed books. Each is a different color. For herself, Alisha asks for the Elsa Peretti red lacquer Sevillana necklace (Charlotte Dennon wants a Tiffany engagement ring and for her boyfriend to stop dragging his feet and commit already). Some exclusive Weird Real offerings for this guide are this Prada toilet paper dress, an 18K gold Tiffany snake ring, and a Judith Leiber tomato bag.
The Los Angeles based jewelry designer, Jess Hannah suggests a Rebecca Maple glass vase, and one of her very own Gem Drop Pendants.
I have long admired the impeccable taste of Jenn Park. She runs one of my favorite Instagram accounts @sculpting__in__time. In true Jenn fashion, she recommends any Alessi products, I love objects that are decorative but also functional… they’re beautiful with a purpose. Here are my favorites from their Objets-Bijoux collection: Apostrophe Orange Peeler, Sfrido Peeler, Acacia Honey Dipper, Shot Hip Flask (This can be engraved!) and also Lalique anything. For the person who’s a bit more luxurious and ornamental, I love Lalique for its Art Nouveau and Art Deco inspired designs. There’s a myriad of different objects to choose from and I like to comb through eBay for older, unknown pieces rather than buy new. Sculpture, Bowl, Perfume Set, Perfume Bottle, Knife Rests, Christmas Ornament. My personal favorite of Jenn’s recommendations is confections from K.Minamoto (604 5th Avenue, New York, 509 Madison Avenue, New York). I was uptown one day and I wandered into this incredible Japanese confectionery store called K. Minamoto. You have your pick from their most popular jellies to castellas, mochi, chocolates, etc… only the highest quality. There’s such delicate care and thought to everything, including their packaging which is also beautiful and elegant. You can purchase online, of course, but if you’re in New York, I would recommend visiting their new location on 5th Avenue as I like to get inspired by their displays and packaging.
One of the hottest, most about-town writers of the moment, Lili Anolik, author of the recently published Didion & Babitz, recently sent me an email from her Hotmail account—
I’m assured in my taste only when it comes to books and movies. (I am a very, very narrow person. Lol.) The other thing about me: I’m kind of a size queen, which is why I like to give a BIG gift. My plan this year is to do most of my shopping for loved ones at Posteritati in Soho. So, for my older boy, Ike, I’m getting a no-frills Czech poster of the 1946 noir classic, The Big Sleep. (The significance: I taught Ike to read using the Chandler novel. What? Most kid books are boring.) For my younger boy, Archie—named after Cary Grant, real name Archibald Leach—I’m getting a très stylish French poster of Grant’s best movie, North by Northwest. (“That plane’s dusin’ crops where there ain’t no crops.”) And for my husband, Rob, I’m getting a French poster of Annie Hall, where you can see Diane Keaton reflected in the lens of Woody Allen’s out-sized glasses. (I’m picking this one for Rob because I’m picking this one for me, really. It’s going to go in our bedroom.) I mean, I’ll get everybody other gifts, too, but these are the gifts I’m most excited about.
I wrote Lili back expressing my love for Raymond Chandler. I live in the same neighborhood that The Long Goodbye was filmed in. Our correspondence below—
Devon Lee Carlson, co-founder of Wildflower Cases and It-Girl of the century, told me she personalizes BIC lighters to give to friends. Her pajama preference is cotton sets from Eberjey and she loves picking out books for those near and dear at a Los Angeles staple: Arcana: Books on the Arts. Her favorite case at the moment is this one, which I believe I actually owned circa 2017. Her other favorite child is this.
Cody Parks’ taste only points to the fact that he would recommend this lighter ($350) from S.T. Dupont Paris. He recently broke his foot while CitiBiking and then sent me an email.
I hate Zippos - we get it, you live in Greenpoint. Besides, the Dieter Rams-designed ‘Mach 2’ by Braun (Hi, Grace chiming in. I love my vintage Braun coffee grinder—another great gift for the coffee aficionado in your life) is the greatest lighter of all time, but you’ll never find one that still works without some heavy-handed finagling, let alone a deadstock one. Fortunately, France’s S.T. Dupont makes a sleek lighter that’s stood the test of time for 80+ years. It’s like the Rimowa of fire-starting machinery (serves an incredibly basic function, made expensive by a chrome finish). In 2019, The Row collaborated on a Dupont lighter by adorning it with some of the worst art that’s ever met the public eye - a rare misstep for the twins. Stick to the classics and, for God’s sake, include some lighter fluid - otherwise, you’re just gifting a well-designed paperweight.
One of my favorite suggestions on this guide is Cody advising people to steal from their favorite restaurants—
Nothing says exclusivity like a branded table setting from your giftee's favorite dinner spot. Trust me, I gift myself from restaurants all the time - you thought I bought those Italian-made ceramic cutlery rests? Wear that one coat with huge pockets, or leave a little extra room in your Loewe Flamenco tote, and make your move somewhere between the arrival of the bread and the first course. Can’t get enough of The Polo Bar? Steal the small plate. Regular at Frenchette? Pocket the sterling silver check tray. Fan of Frog Club? Take their phone and book them a reservation at a place that’s actually worth dining at.
I recently stole a red fabric coaster from Bemelmans Bar and have a collection of napkins in my linen drawer from Chateau Marmont. Don’t tell.
Max Karnig is an artist living in Los Angeles. His work recently showed at Half Gallery Annex in NYC and Gallery Castle in Los Angeles (also the artist for the label of Stir Crazy’s house wine). He recommends any knitwear from Rubato. I hadn’t heard of this brand before Max let me know about it and now I’ll be purchasing for every man in my life (my father, boyfriend, and 2 brothers). Though I did just get Carter a Barbour scarf while in Northern California. I’m also planning on buying him a new knife–he always carries one for his work and this is a nice upgrade). I’d also love this one for myself…Max also recommends any Patricia Highsmith novel, Strangers on the Train or one of the Ripley novels. They’re fun and if the person doesn’t like it they don’t deserve it.
Ari Eshel, creative consultant and founder of Affection Archives says to bake granola and individually bag them for friends.
I throw a few in my purse and whoever I see that day will most likely get one — I want to give everyone something! It’s my brother’s recipe, loosely based on Eleven Madison Park’s.
Preheat oven to 300°. In a small saucepan combine ½ c light brown sugar, ½ c maple syrup, and ½ c olive oil over medium-low heat. Stir until sugar has dissolved. Add 1 tsp vanilla and 1 tbsp amaretto. In a separate bowl combine 3 c rolled oats, 1 tbsp salt, 1⁄3 c chopped almonds , and 1⁄3 c chopped hazelnuts. Pour wet mixture into oat/nut mixture and give some big stirs to combine. Bake on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for 35 - 40 minutes; stir it 2 to 3 times. While baking, soak 1⁄2 c golden raisins in hot water with a splash of amaretto for 10 minutes and drain. Chop 3 oz dark-chocolate. After baking (and it has cooled), add raisins and chocolate. Note from my brother: “Freeze granola, just trust me. Or don’t trust me, but do it anyway.”
She also mentions Paris, more specifically, The Row’s new boutique that opened less than a block from Hotel Costes (their candle is a nice gift). Everyone was talking about the Jean Prouvé door, but there’s a detail that unfortunately didn’t make it into Vogue – the Kevin Willis cups/mugs for Commune to sip from while getting your dose of quiet luxury. They’re out of stock, but these are beautiful, too.
I have a feeling you’ll be hearing from me again before Christmas comes. I’m decorating and want to talk about it. I’ve ordered 3 packs of tinsel and velvet bows. I hope you loved these little guides. They were a treat to make.
This is so great!
u rule