The Gifted Cook

For the holidays this season, we'll come up with gift ideas for that special someone in your life - gardener, rider, fashionista, book lover and more.  Since today is Thanksgiving and the cooks will be especially busy, we'll start there.  A good cook needs a lot of tools to cement their craft.  If you have a dedicated cook on your shopping list this year, we're here to help.......

1) Le Creuset Pots
Every great cook will tell you that you need good pots.  I love my Le Creuset pots.  They last a lifetime and are easy to clean.  Williams-Sonoma has them on sale for the weekend.  You won't find them much cheaper than this.  Love the colors too! 

2) Tablet Stand

Does you cook find his or her recipes online?  Then they must have this stand for the iPad.  This makes cooking in the kitchen using technology simple and easy.  See it here. Goop has one too that is much fancier but more expensive.

3. Classic Chef Coat

Even if your cook isn't a pro, maybe they'd like to look like one.  Love this chef's coat from Etsy.  And you're supporting small business at the same time!  See it here.

4. Handmade Cutting Board

You can never have too many cutting surfaces in your kitchen and this wooden cutting board makes it portable and pretty.  On Etsy.  See it here.

5. Mist Oil Sprayer

This is a great gadget that once you have it you'll ask how you ever cooked without it.  Use it spray a bit of oil on your dishes.  See it here.

6. Kitchen Shears

Every kitchen needs a good pair of shears.  Your cook will thank you for this.  See it here.

7. Spices

Spices are essential to a cook's kitchen.  Depending on where you live, finding the unique ones can be difficult. They don't offer a lot at Wal-mart.  When I can't get to a good store, I order mine from Penzey's.  If your cook is spice-deprived, a gift certificate will make a great gift. Or a gift box.  See it here.

8. Cookbooks

I still use my cookbooks and add a few books to my collection each year.  Restaurant cookbooks are my favorites.  One of the very best if your like gourmet Southern is Tupelo Honey, a restaurant in Asheville, NC.  They have two cookbooks out and I'd recommend them both.  See them here.

9. Spice Mill Grater - $20

This is on my list! Use it for baking, for adding nutmeg to drinks, for everything!  A great gadget to own. See it here.

10. Knife Set

I received knife set about 10 years ago and to be honest, it was not an overwhelming gift.  It's not sexy or creative but I can't tell you how much I love them.  It's probably one of the most useful gifts I have ever received.  And don't skimp.  Buy the very best quality you can. Your cook will love you!  See this one here.

Happy Thanksgiving!  Ready Set Cook!

The Allure of the Hermes Scarf

There is something about an Hermes scarf.......

(Scarf)

They are the loveliest pieces of silk ever produced and make wonderful gifts for someone special in your life.  

You can buy them directly from the store on-line and they come packaged in wonderful orange boxes.  If you want to surprise someone give them one of these.  They won't go down in value and you can resell them easily in future years. They won't go out of style, ever.  An Hermes scarf makes a statement for sure.

I blogged about these before (see here) but this subject never gets old.

I prefer the bold ones with a lot of color. But there are some interesting ones available now on their website.  See them here. The large ones range from $395 to $430.  This size is most versatile and I prefer it.

You can buy from resellers on Poshmark or Ebay and there are some stores online that cater to the resale market - some become rare and go up in price exponentially.  But you won't save much money and look out for fakes.

Make someone very surprised this holiday season!

Early Holiday Dressing

It's time to start thinking about holiday dressing.  Those parties will be here before you know it!  I'll be honest, there hasn't been much out there that I am in love with (my credit card is thanking me) but here are a few things I've seen that I do like.  Just add a cute new top or handbag to your black velvet pants.

This cute top from Tuckernuck will look great with black pants and flats.

This is a similar top in white:

 (White Bell-Sleeved Shirt)

This black top from J McLaughlin will look great with white wool or black pants:

This Zebra Coat is so festive!

And who can resist these tartan mules?

These Kate Spade flats will spruce up black pants for sure:

And I love these blue velvet mules from Banana:

And you can never go wrong with classic black pants:

These clutch bags are so cute and classic.  They'll add a little spice to a plain outfit:

(Two-Toned Clutch)

(Leopard Clutch)

Plan your holiday outfits now!

Equestrian Pillows for the Horsey Set

Pillows make great gifts for horsey friends, horse lovers, trainers, etc. You may have to add a pillow insert (you can buy these at local fabric stores) and the covers are easy to ship.  Here are some reasonably prices (for the most part) picks from Etsy.  You do need to order early on Etsy though, so don't wait. 

(Pillow)

(Pillow)

(Pillow)

(Feed Sack Pillow)

(Ralph Lauren Pillow)

(Hermes Inspired Pillow)

(Fun Horse Pillows)

(French Horse Pillow)

(Racing Pillow)

(Photo Pillow)

The Return of Fair Isle

The fair isle sweater is back.  These were all the rage when I was coming along and it's wonderful to seem them back in updated styles.

This oversized wool sweater from Tory Burch is a favorite. 

(Tory Burch)

Tory has some accessories in fair isle too - gloves, mittens, scarves and hats.  I love these gloves.

(Tory Burch)

It's nice to see some updated, fun takes on fair isle like this Topshop sweater:

Another Topshop Sweater:

And I love this one from Sundance but wish it weren't a cardigan:

This merino cotton sweater from Orvis is also very cute:

Another take on fair isle from Boden:

Talbots is in on it too:

And I love Brooks Brothers' take on fair isle in this navy sweater:

Another updated classic in wool from Brooks Brothers:

And this is what we lived in, all wool of course!