Kate Spade Ski Goggle Hat, $75 on katespade.com

Jonathan Adler Sunglass Case, $38 on jonathanadler.com

Don't you think this Kate Spade ski hat is suspiciously similar to the eyeglass case by Jonathan Adler? Kate, while your reinterpretation of Jonathan's design is pretty cute, I'll give you that; I think in all fairness to Jonathan, you should give him a nod. Like call it the Jonathan Adler Ski Goggle Hat or something. Signed, the design police.

Seriously, who wouldn't want to sit on this lovely cushion and gossip while putting stuff away in drawers?


Claude Gossip Bench Set by Jonathan Adler, $1540 on jonathanadler.com

... nature's soft-sculpture? You fill in your own blank. In any event, Jonathan Adler does it again with a witty embroidered series of fruit pillows. Take your pick of the bunch. On the flip side of each pillow, more wittiness, and oh-so-pleasing design. Click here to view.

Jonathan Adler Druggist Tissue Box Cover, $58.00

I could not own this tissue box cover, knowing there is "Hate" on the other side. I could not hate in the bathroom. It is so un-harmonious.

The other seamier side of the coin. Oh well.
Why couldn't it say "Blow"
Now that I'd buy.

Jonathan Adler Rising Sun Needlepoint Pillow, $165.00

I want this. But I am not buying anything in February. Too much stuff. I've been having fun shredding instead. But this pagoda pillow by Jonathan Adler is really right up my alley. Funny, I was thinking of stopping by his site today. Instead I stopped by BussBuss and found it there.

I found another delightful deal on delight.com. I thought I should tell you about it right away because it expires tomorrow. Jonathan Adler needlepointed (!) cell phone and mp3 player cozies. I love Jonathan Adler needlepoints. I wish my cell phone looked like the phone on the cozy. Now that would be a cool cell phone in my book.

The Coach Store on 57th and Madison

There is a lot of exciting bright color going on at Coach for the holidays. The store is beautifully decorated in stripes and bright blue, green, yellow, hot pink and orange, unlikely colors for Christmas, but that is why I like it. There is a pleasing richness to the interior design-inspired vignettes* they have created, like the one below at the 57th Street store, which are chock full of enticing new small accessories, by the way. If you have a major Coach store near you, I recommend a visit to beat the winter blues. The store personnel at 57th Street could not have been more pleasant. I think I might go back today and soak up some more holiday cheer.


*which I find to be playful like Jonathan Adler. There is a similarity in the color choice, the 'accent dog' in the window, the x-benches with trays on top, the zebra rug, and the way all the elements are combined. Could it be that Jonathan Adler is Coach's new consultant on the visuals? Or does JA and Coach have the same store designer in common. Whatever it is, both are very pleasing aesthetics.

Cyber Monday is said to be a big big shopping day. Here is another suggestion for your wishlist, in the category of home decor. Jonathan Adler has a great new collection, called Utopia, which includes charming vases and ceramic boxes, both mini and maxi. In fact this cute little girl bud vase matches quite well with two other examples I have from the 50s and 60s, and would make a perfect addition to my collection. Hint hint. Don't worry, I have already shown my husband. Or I could combine this vase in a little arrangment with two lovely Sgrafitto candlesticks of different sizes. I could put one orange gerbera daisy in the vase. Oh the possiblities! I love arrangements.




His store in SoHo has quite a few more lovely gift ideas. I personally suggest a visit. But if you don't live near SoHo, try ordering online. On Cyber Monday! That's tomorrow, in case you don't watch the news and haven't heard. My Jonathan Adler gift picks include the needlepoint eyeglass cases, original silhouette artwork on display in the back of the store (not by Jonathan; I would like just one or two), and scented candles (my favorite scent: Shelter Island).


Something About Shopping is a regular column for the blog. gee

This caning pattern is starting to creep up everywhere. They are forcing it. All the magazines and designers are in collusion about this one. My 2 cents: avoid it. For one thing, it is too Cape Cod. For another, they are blowing it up only to blow it out. (You see, I blew it up too: oversized the picture to prove my point. haha!) Look, Jonathan Adler already has it on sale. And please disregard page 104 of your new March issue of Domino. If you see me do this caning pattern this season, please forward me this post, and give me a slap on the wrist. Anyway I prefer Labyrinth. It is so much more shibui. (Keep scrolling, the definition of shibui is right after wabi and sabi. Appropriately!)