The Perfect Winter Blanket

In Northport, Maine, a group of craftspeople hand-dye & hand-weave the most beautiful wool blankets I've ever seen. They use only the softest fleece, hand-dye the yarn with all natural materials, weave by hand, and finish the edges with silk threads. Each Swans Island Blanket is then wrapped around cedar planks and placed in a linen storage bag. While all of this care & attention is not inexpensive, I think you'll find it's worth every penny.

A Festive Affair

Have some fun at Polyvore and put together a festive set

Need a Little Christmas?

Still in the midst of a tryptophan-induced, post-Thanksgiving fog? Here's something sure to get you in the holiday spirit...

{find it here}

Happy Thanksgiving

Don't you miss Addie Mills?

Petit Dejuner @ King Arthur

Yesterday morning we escaped the housekeeper and headed to King Arthur Flour in Norwich --  where you can shop an extensive selection of fine ingredients, learn to bake the perfect baguette, or just sit & enjoy wonderful pastries with steaming hot coffee...

I poured a mug of Omar's Organic Blend (shade-grown & fair trade) and headed over to the case, where I ordered the prettiest morning pastry I could find. Although it was called almond danish, 'danish' seems too pedestrian a term for this creation. Its tender, light crust was more like a croissant, a delicious, not-too-sweet almond paste was wrapped within, and the entire flaky confection was topped with honey-glazed, toasted almond slivers.

Heaven.

Celebrating

my 100th blog!

{lavender champagne courtesy of Martha}

Vintage Adirondack

Today I found an unbelievable piece of Americana -- an antique & very rustic birch bark basket.  It is quite large and in remarkable condition. Completely hand crafted, probably in the early 1900's, with a hardwood retaining band that is whip-stitched to the bark with its original leather strap.  Can't wait to fill it with winter greens.

What a Day

The results of a long, hard day on the trail in Vermont & New Hampshire.  Mom took me to wonderful places full of dust and debris, and we uncovered some fabulous finds -- vintage Limoges, ironstone, apothecary bottles, out-of-print books...

All will find their way to estate @ Sleepy Poet Antiques over the next few weeks.

Lucky Me

I'm heading up to Vermont to enjoy family, the holiday, a favorite annual auction at Wm. A. Smith & the best whiskey sour in the world, courtesy of the Woodstock Inn.

Pinch me.

Mrs. Howard Presents

This past summer, the former clubhouse of the Charlotte Woman's Club was completely made anew by Mrs. Howard, and is now the latest home for Phoebe Howard's gracious Southern style. See for yourself...

I'm particularly partial to the nailhead treatment on the velvet upholstered walls by a local firm, Design Upholstery.

Guilt

I was reading a new blog favorite, Sartorially Inclined, yesterday and learned about GILT, a fabulous resource for classic designers and chic destinations @ reduced prices. Head over today and sift through items from Carolina Herrera & Oscar de la Renta, or book at room at Le Crillon.

And don't forget to tell them Holly sent you.

Forward Thinking

If you've already started shopping for the holidays (all you crazy people know who you are), and a very lucky someone on your gift list lives in Chicago...

(Oprah perhaps?)...

this urn + greenery is one beautiful way to say HAPPY HOLIDAYS. Shop Jayson Home & Garden for details...

Whoa, Betty!

Top Cup

My old neighborhood coffee house recently garnered a 'best in America' prize from GQ. Until now I didn't think I missed a thing about my dark little home @ the top of Queen Anne Hill, but oh how I miss that coffee!

Pearl Oyster Bar

Last Spring I blogged about a fabulous Manhattan fish shack -- one that reminds me of a summer beach in the midst of a sea of concrete. It's time to add another (and this one has been recently seconded and therefore validated beyond question by Mario Batali). Pearl Oyster Bar (not to be confused with The Black Pearl, a fantastic spot on Newport's waterfront) offers a lobster roll that's a real contender.

Next time you're in Manhattan, try it and let me know if you agree.

Fall Harvest, Martha-style

Back to Basics

This may be your last opportunity to turn to the pages of Gourmet for assistance in achieving turkey perfection. Be sure to take advantage while you can...

Busy Busy Busy

After months scouring the Northeast & Southeast for great pieces (and taking a break from blogging), I've finally moved into my new space. Be sure to stop by Sleepy Poet Antiques the next time you're in Charlotte to see 55,000 square feet of fabulous finds from hundreds of dealers + me!