Christmas Couture

It used to be that only we humans had to choose just the right outfit for that special Christmas party or event, now we have to worry about dressing our pets as well. My own miniature dachshunds have sweaters that my daughter forces them to wear at Christmas time when we have guests although they invariably wiggle out of them before the night is over. I confess that if they were more comfortable in the outfits and didn't try to chew them off I would probably have them dressed all the time. It's like the ultimate doll, a living toy that you can dress to fit your mood or season.


Look at this guy with his Grinch dog outfit - Love the hooves. He doesn't look that happy though.



My dogs would have this shredded into a million pieces in seconds but I love it.


This one looks a bit more sturdy but it's sized for a larger dog.


Another reindeer outfit - this is the coolest dog! She looks so bored.


This one has a sense of humor.



Foofy outfits for foofy dogs.


Since my dogs won't wear outfits maybe I should have them dyed!!!


Looks like someone's been a naughty dog.



This cracks me up. How do they get three dogs to sit still for this picture. Must have been trained by the Dog Whisperer.



Too cute,


Every dog needs their Christmas pj's.


This cracks me up. Does your dog really need a passenger?


Santa's helper



These two have arms - kind of creepy but very funny.


Last but not least let's not forget our feline friends.


Dog outfit links:

www.dogsmartway.com/Dog-Clothing.php
www.wiggle-n-waggle.com/.../Categories
http://stores.thehautehound.com/-strse-698/Reindeer-Costume/Detail.bok
dinkydawg.com/Pajamas
www.brandnewdad.com/.../halloween/christmas.asp
www.mypethaven.com/santa_dog.htm
www.shortorderdogs.com/HyperCart/Category.asp?category=Holiday+Houndz

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Rennaisance Man - Kenneth Jay Lane

The Current issue of The New York Social Diary has a fascinating interview with costume jewelry icon Kenneth Jay Lane.

After spending decades at the forefront of costume jewelry design he has been called, among other things, "the hottest costume jewelry designer around," "the most famous American fantasy jewelry designer of the twentieth century." and "Jewelry's Living Legend". Lane graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design in 1954, and worked as an art director at Vogue.

His residence is as rich and luxurious as his designs.

It is filled to the brim with treasures and mementos that have undoubtedly inspired many of his designs.

A huge array of framed artwork and an impressive book collection adorn every available space in the room.

Collections and keepsakes are carefully placed on tabletops and shelves.


Back to back settees center the room and are lit by twin hanging fixtures. The room reeks of intellectual and artistic pursuit. I would love to get a close up look at some of those prized possession. I am sure each piece has a fascinating story behind it.



Special items are lit individually and others are flooded with ambient light from multiple fixtures in the room.

His trademark jungle themes flow throughout the room as does a liberal dosing of Turkish and Indian accents.



You can see the same influences at work in his jewelry. A golden salamander perched atop a white cuff.
Another cuff with a black and white crystal snake.

Gold Bamboo Bangles
A Black Enamel Flowered Ring

Red Coral Cuff with Pearls.


Ebony Bangle with a Gold Cartouche.


A Gold Cuff with Crystal Star.

Opulent Turquoise and Ruby ring.

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Have We Lost Our Everlovin Minds??????

The cover of this months Blueprint Magazine is showing this pink "designer" tree. Now in the hands of a professional, this type of "theme" tree can work in a stylish interior but it always looks sterile and cold. Are we so into appearances that even Christmas has to be staged. What ever happened to tradition and sentiment. The old family ornaments handed down from generations and the handmade ornaments your kids make.
How have we gone from the perfect simplicity of the American ideal of the Charlie Brown Christams Tree to this......

Big Bird Yellow!!!!! Who needs this tree, are we really this tacky?



How about silver spikes for branches? This tree really says comfy down home Christmas doesn't it?


You never know when you'll need a red foil tree. Maybe this is the tree the devil puts up in hell.



Dead sticks for branches. I suppose it could work, but do I really want a dead tree?


Now this one brings technology into play with a center tube filled with lighted bubbling water. Who couldn't feel festive with that kind of trickery going on.



Iridescent mylar! A thing of beauty to be sure but not for you nature lovers out there.


Then we have the ever popular red foil topiary. A truly classic element sure to add class and sophistication to any interior.



Who wouldn't love this stunning purple tree?



Or perhaps you prefer blue foil. This one is sure to make that statement you are looking for.



A red Chile tree for you south westerners.





A lighted Palm for the Floridians in the group.




And of course the newest addition to the lineup the upside down tree. Truly the pinnacle of the new age of Christmas adornment.


Please for the sake of future Christmases show some restraint in your choices. Think back to Christmases past and the simplicity of the finer things we enjoyed as kids. Bring back some sense and sensibility to the Holiday season. And for God's sake please don't buy an upside down tree!!!!

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Buy Nothing Day

I've always hated the crass commercialism of the after Thanksgiving day sales. People running out like rats to the sewer to find the best scraps and fight over them. WalMart was open on Thanksgiving day to suck in any early sales they could - shame on them!. Macy's and other stores opened at 5:00 and 6:00 am to try to beat the competition. They even have a name for it now. "Black Friday". I think the name fits it nicely, it's a black mark on our society and it casts a dark stain over the holidays. We have lost touch with the true meaning and spirit of these special days. Please read the insightful post of More Ways to Waste Time in which she talks about Buy Nothing Day. She is much more eloquent than I am in describing our societies decent into uber-consumerism.

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