mark, hugo, cicero and paul (and john)

As you can see, this is Mark. Or rather, this is Mark's jacket and shirt. As soon as I rounded the corner to see him standing in a booth at the New York International Gift Fair my eyes were locked on this combination of fabrics. This, despite the fact that he was standing in the John Derian booth, as was Mr. Derian himself. I quite love Mr. Derian's products and his style. I was very pleased to meet him. We had a brief chat and he was just as I imagined him to be: soft-spoken, low-key. John Derian is the retail source for Hugo Guinness, so of course I mentioned that I have a very treasured piece of Hugo Guinness artwork - the French Bulldog. And then John said, "Well, you have to meet Mark - his dog Cicero is the one in the picture." Imagine my utter delight. Mark and I compared notes about our beloved Frenchies, iPhones out for photo sharing. And then I asked Mark about his jacket. I adore it. Vintage in look, but entirely modern in cut and fit. The tartan, muted. The details, flawless. The pairing with this shirt, inspired. The jacket is Paul Smith, according to Mark, who volunteered the info along with a description of Paul Smith as a British designer -- it was as if Mark wasn't sure if news of Paul Smith's artistry had made it across the border into Canada. Amusing. I assured him I was familiar.

Just look again at those fabrics together. So delish.

french bulldog tea light holders

I am kind of a crazy dog lady, but I really try hard not to cross the line. You know the line I mean. The line between having dog stuff that's tasteful and in a quantity that keeps me off Hoarders and, well, the other side of that line. I think the other side begins with mugs and custom Ts and totes and ends in a downward spiral of figurines, needlepoint pillows other other affronts to good taste. But opinions on the line vary. So how's a girl to know? Me, I do a bit of a gut check. When I see an item like these little French bulldog tealight holders I spark up an inner dialogue that goes something like this:

Me: "Oh, little Frenchies, aren't they so cute!?"

Me again: "Hmmm, not sure, the front legs are weird and I kinda don't get the design concept behind putting a tealight on a wee doggy's back. The form is not enhancing the light quality in any way (as the lovely crosshatched design of the cups is)."

Me: "But I love the chalky white finish and the classic grumpy bulldog expression on their faces. So fun."

Me again: "But does the world need another tealight holder? Remember Margot, you pretty much resolved a few years ago that the IKEA Galej or a similar versions in mercury glass fulfill the form and style requirements for the category of tea light holders, rendering all others redundant. Do not buy these." 

Me: "You're right self, I don't need these. I don't want these. Plus, when's the last time I lit a tea light? I prefer poured scented candles or tapers anyway."

I feel I have made the sane style decision by not buying them, but I only got there by talking to myself...but I assure you it wasn't out loud. 

bertie bulldog candle holders, graham & green

perfect gift

Here's a new addition to my mantel. It's by Hugo Guinness and it's a French bulldog -- if you know anything about me at all then you know how perfect this is in my eyes. It is the kind of gift that took my breath away. The gift giver gave it in a very quiet and nonchalant way -- no ceremony, which made the impact of receiving it all the greater. This is gift giving of the highest order. I am totally and utterly in love with it.