Are You Ready for See-Through Appliances

I'd rather the sins of my moldy leftovers be left unseen, but this is very cool to look at. In someone else's house.

Via Apartment Therapy

Feliz Navi Mod - Cool Stuff at Pier One

Feliz Navi Mod is Pier One's holiday slogan and they mean it. I was searching away for a more modern take on the holiday decor, and I honestly didn't even consider the Pier One site. Thanks to Modern Cottage for the tip.

Pier One even has their holiday stuff divided by color and I was pleased to see that the site has finally gotten a much needed make-over. Finds include wrapping paper, ornaments, and decor. I will definitely be making a visit to the store this weekend for the first time in years.

My favorite: the glass cone trees above. $11.25-$15 on sale through 12/24/06.



Also, this bird ornament on sale for $4.50 through 12/24/06.

Off Topic: Light a Candle and Donate to AIDS Causes

Bristol-Myers Squibb is donating $1 for every virtual candle lit on their Light to Unite site in honor of World AIDS Day. Please take a few minutes to make a visit and spread the word. Over 300,000 candles have been lit so far.

Alternative Holiday Decor: Whimsical Tree Pillows

These hand-made tree pillows are decorated with ribbon, beadwork, and applique. Available at Garnet Hill for $18 a piece. Each has a hanging loop on the back and could be used in place of a wreath or hung on the wall inside for the season.

Plant Sale at the Texas Discovery Gardens

Also from the Shop Better Here blog:

Sprucing up your casa for the in-laws this season? Don't forget the curb appeal.

Shop the holiday plant sale, now through December 31 at Texas Discovery Garden at Fair Park.

What's growing? How about trees, shrubs and a variety of gorgeous flowering plants. Perfect gift option for the "Green" peeps in your life as well.

Get special treatment by calling ahead and making an appointment: Beverly Hayes, Director of Horticulture, 214-428-7476, option 5.

3601 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Free Holiday Decorating Class

From the Shop Better Here blog:

Needs some tips for making your mantle beautiful for the holidays? Or how about a few tricks for dressing up the dining table?

This Sunday, the Knox Henderson Pottery Barn is hosting a free holiday decorating class from 11 to 11:30 a.m. More than 100 people have already signed up, so hurry and call 214-252-9106 to book a spot.

Pottery Barn, 3212 Knox St.
--Brittany Edwards

Antiques of the Future

I'm a little late getting around to this post, but Apartment Therapy linked to a site called Antiques of the Future a few weeks back. The site and a book by the same name are authored by Lisa Roberts, collector of future antiques. Here are a few of her criteria for the objects included in the collection:

1. The object must have strong and immediate visual appeal.
2. The object must be massed produced.
3. The object must have been designed and produced in the past 50 years.
4. The object should not be produced with the intent of it being "collectible."
5. The object may have been exhibited in museums or galleries.
6. The object may be in a museum's permanent collection.
7. The object may have been published.
8. The object may have won design awards.
9. The object's designer may have been recognized for preceding designs.

More info (and pictures of the entire collection) at antiquesofthefuture.com.

From what I can tell I don't own any future antiques, but I really wish I owned this knotted chair by Marcel Wanders.

Urban Outfitters - Xmas too Edgy?

I keep thinking I'd like my Christmas decorations to be a little more interesting, maybe a little more modern, but has Urban Outfitters' crossed the line in trying to put a little edge on Christmas? I don't find this gun ornament offensive, but I do find it ugly and pointless. With the quality and aesthetics of this glittery gun, I don't think U.O. can claim this is about design.

I love the idea of the edgy black ornament, but it can be and has been done better.



This crown ornament is out of stock online, but available in the West Elm store at Mockingbird station.

Via Adfreak

The Lucky Online Gift Guide

Lucky Magazine's site has a small gift guide which includes a few fun items for the home under $50



Naoko Tea Maker, $49.95 at Bodum



Espresso Cup and Fig Leaf Saucer, $24 at The NY Botanical Garden Shop.

Baker's Edge Brownie Pan

Excellent news for those who enjoy the delicious, chocolatey, crispy, buttery brownie crust. Baker's Edge has created a pan that gives you more edges to savor. No more fighting your family for the corner piece, this pan is all corners. Available at the Baker's Edge site as well as Amazon.com.

Via not martha

10% off at Bluefly Starting Tomorrow

From the Dallas Shops blog:

We love www.bluefly.com for its below retail priced selection of DVF, Frette, Pucci and more. Today though, we really love the fashion and home site.

From now until 6:30 a.m. tomorrow, it's marking down (almost) everything an extra 10 percent. Don't worry about whipping out the calculator, reductions are reflected in the sale merchandise prices.

We suggest checking out the Dwell bedding section...
--Brittany Edwards

Dish-up's Take on the Plain, White Plate

Ran across these very interesting dishes on the Stylehive Blog. They wouldn't be any more interesting than any other modern take on the plain, white dish if it weren't for the fact that they can store on their sides. I'm not sure that storing dishes on their sides instead of in a stack makes better use of space, but I think it might look quite nice in a kitchen with open shelving or glass cabinet doors.

Dish Up
Designer: Chaiyut Plypetch
Price: US$39.00 at Generate

Corrections: Contact Info for Rakku

If you are looking for the Rakku shoe wheel I posted a few weeks back, please use the updated contact information below:

rakku@rakkudesigns.com
800-51-RAKKU or 800-517-2558

Cyber Monday

Didn't get enough deals over the weekend? Shop from work on the sly today for additional savings as it is Cyber Monday - kick-off of the online holiday shopping season. For a list of savings from Shop.org, check out the Cyber Monday site.

Holiday Cookies

I've always felt that we get started a little too early thinking about the holiday season. The last several years, I've seen Christmas decor out next to the scant Halloween displays in late September. I've also never been a fan of fluffy Santa figurines and resin angel statues. I like my holidays a little more toned-down. But I do love holiday baking. Nothing conjures up fond childhood memories faster than a house warmed with the smell of holiday sweets.

To that end, here is a link to the Martha Stewart Cookie Glossary to get you started. I always float the idea of a cookie exchange at my office. You'd be surprised how many people are actually interested. It's a fun way to put together gifts if you enjoy giving baked goods but aren't in the mood to prepare 10 different cookie recipes at home by yourself.

Online Coupon for Casa Mexicana

From the Dallas Shops blog:

Experience the sounds, the colors, the smells and the taste of a Feliz Navidad. Starting today, the day after Thanksgiving, Casa Mexicana will be open every day until December 25.

Mention this blog posting and receive 20% off one item in the shop.

Casa Mexicana, 2710 Live Oak, 214-747-7227
Monday-Saturday 10 am - 6 pm; Sunday 12 noon - 5 pm

Photo: From left to right, Tom Hickey and Larry Sanders, owners of Casa Mexicana shot by Kye R. Lee
--Christopher Wynn

Off Topic: Dallas' Top Ten Restaurants

A list of Dallas' top 10 restaurants was posted to the D Home blog over the weekend. I obviously don't get out enough, I don't recognize half of these. Sounds like a good excuse to eat out.

Top 10 New Restaurants of 2006
By Nathan Stull, Dallas

What were the top new dining spots this year? Make reservations at the hottest restaurants that opened in 2006, read users' opinions and create your own list to share.

The Top 10
1. Bijoux 5450 W Lovers Ln, Dallas, TX Chef-owned, Park Cities eatery draws inspiration from classical French cuisine.

2. Shinsei 7713 Inwood Rd, Dallas, TX Celebrity chef spouses Tracy Rathbun and Lynae Fearing operate this pan-Asian fusion restaurant and sushi bar near Park Cities.

3.Trece Mexican Kitchen and Tequila Lounge 4513 Travis St, Dallas, TX Knox-Henderson Mexican restaurant's name is Spanish for 13.

4. Craft 2440 Victory Park Ln, Dallas, TX Chef Tom Colicchio opens famed Manhattan eatery in first Texas W Hotel.

5. Bice Ristorante 400 Crescent Ct, Dallas, TX Internationally renowned Italian chain operates a Dallas location in elegant Crescent Court.

6. Kitchen 1924 1924 Abrams Rd, Dallas, TX Intimate and casual restaurant nestled in the Lakewood offers a neighborhood feel and appetizing new
American dishes.

7. Grill on the Alley 13270 Dallas Pkwy, Dallas, TX An Art Deco motif provides the backdrop for upscale American food at this Dallas Galleria restaurant.

8. Amuse 1326 S Lamar St, Dallas, TX Late-night menu and Southside on Lamar location draw trendy downtown revelers.

9. Coal Vines 2404 Cedar Springs Rd, Dallas, TX Tiny matchbox of a spot in Uptown serves authentic New York-style thin-crust pizza.

10. ZEA WoodFire Grill 8100 Dallas Pkwy N Ste 115, Plano, TX Casual but upscale American restaurant, part of a small chain birthed in New Orleans, specializes in grilled and rotisserie meats.