So, Noah, Kelly & I took the drive up the 101 to the Church Estate in Malibu yesterday for a walk-thru. We have a client getting married there later this year and all we can say is A.MA.ZING! The Church Estate sits on a nine acre vineyard and is home to the most lovely stables, an incredible boat house, clay tennis court, and killer views. The 8000 sq ft house is design perfection. No detail is overlooked. Every room is decorated with its own unique French Provincial palette. The kitchen has the largest farmhouse sink I’ve ever seen and the wine cellar has 2000 year-old stone floors imported from Cypress, yes 2000 year-old stones. Although many a celeb has been married at the Estate, our plans are to make this party like no other the estate has ever hosted. True LHE-style. Brills.

Sor for the lack of posts lately. But, the busy season is upon us, and, well, we are out there planning amazing events. Anywho, being the big fans we are of things produced locally and organically, we naturally (pun intended) love Forage. The menu changes based on what’s in season, available, fresh, and gathered from Farmer’s Markets. Yum. You ask the meaning behind the name? Patrons can barter whatever they have growing in their own gardens to be used in the food. So, drive down Sunset and head to Silverlake for all that this little gem has to offer. And, if you have some, bring garlic, onions, shallots, or avocado. That’s what they are foraging these days.

In traveling the internets and beyond, I found the following tidbits. For your home: Beehive Kitchen products are adorable. Especially these little  bird cheese markers. Cute for your next dinner party. For your body: Any lover of the vintage-rocker vibe will crush-on the new “Band Groupies” line  from the kick-ass husband & wife duo Guy Baxter. Gorg feminine pieces. One part too cool for school. Two parts punk. For your soul: T Magazine’s Style Map of St. Barth. And, yes, as the article suggests it to be a must, we have personally danced on tables at Le Ti. As the old adage goes, when in Rome… Well, in this case, when in St. Barth…

So, it’s been like-a-year since Monique Lhuillier’s L.A. home feature in Elle Decor; yet, I continually find myself referencing these images for inspiration. A little splash of mid-century. A touch of Hollywood Regency. A dash of Deco. Loves. Anyway, as I delve into the latest leg of a renovation project, with a folder on my desktop entitled “NYC renovation” and a million tear sheets scattered on my desk, I leave you with my personal inspiration. Cannot.Get.Enough.

How can words possibly epitomize perfection?  I know, I say this EVERY time I see any creation from the master: Oscar de la Renta. But, it’s true.  The 2010 bridal line is no exception- play on playa.  I cannot get enough. Every single dress is perfection.  Sorry for you purists, but Vera who? Oscar is where it’s at this season.  Also, he has a new line for flower girls.  Yes, please.

Check it. These lovelies are rad. Portland General Store, on Etsy, takes vintage bottles and replaces them with new, lovely smelling goodness. Although they are “suppose” to be for men, who says you can’t pick up some Wood Body Creme, or have a blast with Whiskey Soap? And, if you are sharing the love you can always order some Tabac After-Shave for your man. Green, hip, and supporting local trade. Loves.

I thought it an opportune time, as the Holidays are upon us to share one of my favorite places in L.A., The Brentwood Country Mart. For the Holidays Santa visits the Mart beginning Saturday, there is gift wrapping, Holiday cookies, a gift drive, and Carolers for the month of December. The Brentwood Country Mart is an absolute jem, created in the spirit of the classic (and much frequented by all of us here) Farmer’s Market on Third & Fairfax (by the way, best Mexican food ever @ Loteria). Built in 1948, the Mart has a feeling of a long-since lost era of the outdoor shopping center, with it’s statuesque red barn exterior and personalized stores. Inside you can shop many a lovely boutique, from James Perse to Marie Mason (a must is the scented lotion Hippy Chick). Stop for lunch at Barney’s and then find some lovely personal stationery at Sugar Paper (also one of our fave wedding paper vendors). The owner of the Mart has plans of trying to replicate this charm by expanding to Malibu and Santa Barbara. However, it my humble opinion, there is a magic to this place that feels like you are transported back to old-Hollywood and that cannot be reproduced.

So, today we are sharing our fave pick of the Season.  Sugarboo Designs is possibly the coolest pick that we covet this Christmas.  Sugarboo is a company who makes handmade goodness in Buckhead, Georgia.  There are so many adorable things to choose from in their collection.  From vintage, reclaimed wood artwork with perfection like” all you need is love” to pillows and driftwood pieces.  Gorg {eous}!  We couldn’t resist buying one for our little lady.  Check it.

Books are always a timeless gift and obviously a hand-written inscription in the jacket makes it that much more personal for the recipient. Here are some of our top picks for this Holiday season. For the Modernist entertainer, Madmen obsessed, 1960s enthusiast, the guide to making Vintage Cocktails is perfect. For your literati friends Vanity Fair’s Proust Questionnaire is just high-brow enough for you to gain some cred. The Sartorialist blog has a book filled with beautifully simple fashion images of everyday (fashionable) people walking city streets. The impeccably stylish Kelly Wearstler’s new book “Hue” is a wonderful inspirational gift for all those obsession with design. Wearstler has brought back old Hollywood design and done it with her own Modernist twist. And, don’t forget your little ones… There’s an artfully illustrated edition of “Puff the Magic Dragon” with a corresponding CD. If none of these seem just right and you’re shopping for the traditionalist, here’s a list of The Literary Canon.