This time has been challenging for everyone, right? But lately, Howard and I have received some extraordinary gifts that have made us feel loved…like a virtual hug. I wanted to share them with you and remind you that Annie and Cindy are sharing their good things, too, today. Love Sundays!
Extraordinary Gifts That Feel Like A Hug
Frozen Pizza All The Way from Naples, Italy
Many years ago when we were living in Paris, Howard, the kids and IÂ drove through Italy on vacation. We had heard of a restaurant in Naples where you could get the most amazing pizza and we wanted to go there for lunch. Well, we got lost (before GPS) and ended up finally getting to the restaurant around 3:00 pm…starving. And let me just say…that wood-fired pizza WAS the best I had ever tasted!
So getting a gift of pizza flown all the way from Napoli is a special treat. Howard’s work associate gave him eight Margherita pizzas…to which he adds prosciutto and fresh basil.
Russian Caviar and Blinis
This is the best of the best. I’m not sure what we did to deserve this but my sweet friend, Liana (you may remember her as the Pillow Master) and her husband sent us extravagant Imperial Russian Caviar with creme fraiche and blinis for Valentine’s Day. All I can say is Howard was really excited about opening the Caviar Express box! So I have a bottle of Champagne chilling and we are going to enjoy it tonight! Thanks, Li!!!
Although Liana is out of the pillow business, she has made all my best pillows for clients and for me. Including the ones above that, I bought from her 10 years ago for our Newport Beach house…I still have them. I miss her as a business contact…but so happy we have kept the friendship.
Original Art With A Thoughtful Note
This framed watercolor by Tjasa Owen was given to me by a wonderful client (and now friend–love when that happens). It’s like having a fresh bloom on my bedside table.
And the best part was the sweet, thoughtful note that she wrote along with it. I have it on my pinboard in my office. It’s a reminder of how much joy a handwritten note can bring!
You can see her beautiful home here and here.
Books For The Design Lover (Like YOU)
I just bought these two books and they are great. Really!
Made For Living By Amber Lewis
A SoCal girl making it big! Ten years ago she asked me to do a blog post with her themed “one room two ways” and our photos are so bad…I’m never linking to them. She probably took them off the internet anyway. But look at her now!
More Decorating By Tom Scheerer
Rooms from around the world using antiques and gorgeous fabrics. Right up my alley.
A Beautiful Leather Tote For Any Woman On Your List
My friend Claire just had a birthday and we took her to an outdoor lunch. Her sister-in-law gave her this beautiful camel colored leather tote designed by Carly Helfridge (Claire’s niece) for Mark and Graham. It’s a great size to carry an iPad or Macbook Air or all the various eyeglasses I need now (Mother’s Day hint). And I love my Mark and Graham personalized leather passport cover and luggage tags that my friend Lisa gave me.
And those are some Extraordinary Gifts that made my day/week/year!
Happy Valentine’s Day…if you want to give yourself a present…there are some big sales right now like:
Wayfair President’s Day Clearance Sale • J.Crew Receive 30% off your purchase Use promo code SPRING – Ends 2/16 • Anthropologie Extra 50% off sale items • Banana Republic has 40% off plus an extra 20% off if you have one of the Gap cards. I have my eye on this sweater hoodie.
Let’s go see Annie’s and Cindy’s awesome finds this week…
Oh wow, that pizza looks delicious. What an amazing gift. Perfect timing so you don’t have to cook on Valentine’s Day. 😊💙 Great gift ideas.
xo,
Karen
I own a painting by Tjasa that I bought years ago in Martha’s Vineyard. I could not decide between two of her works, so for four mornings I sat in a rocker on the gallery’s front porch with a cup of coffee, viewing both and contemplating. My chosen piece is still up and I still love it. What a fond memory.
Awesome memory!!
Thank you, Mary Ann for the link to order pizza from Italy. I ordered one for each son’s family. Before they were married, they traveled together through Italy. Won’t they be surprised!!!
Lucky boys!!!
Thank you, Mary Ann for the link to order pizza from Italy. I ordered one for each son’s family. Before they were married, they traveled together through Italy. Won’t they be surprised!!!
Beautiful books too. Enjoy your champagne. Happy Valentines Day!
What a great post! Lots of great eye candy and gifting ideas.
Thanks, Janet!
Oh Mary Ann…thanks for this post! I just ordered the Mark & Graham tote in blue, the pizzas from Napoli and the two beautiful books are in my cart ready to be ordered. Loved seeing your Newport home living room, I loved everything about that house and of course, Liana’s gorgeous pillows.
Happy Valentine’s Day, may it be filled with love and lots of warm snuggles.
That tote will be so pretty with your eyes, Gail! The pizzas are so nice to have on reserve. They aren’t big but Howard and I split one (he gets 2/3s) with a big salad.
LOVE these posts every Sunday
my Amber Lewis book is on order!
xoxo Debra
It’s a fun one. Thanks, Debra!!!
That pizza is so good! Our grocery carries it sometimes. What a great suggestion. Love that tote suggestion. Your friend Claire is gorgeous! I have been dying to order that Tom Scheerer design book. I love his books. I will check out the Amber Interiors one as well!
You must have a deluxe grocery store, Cindy!! The books are good.
I love all of your gifts, especially the pizza and the beautiful watercolor! How wonderful to have clients that turned into friends and just friends that were so thoughtful. I am off to order these books, because you can never have enough design books. Have a happy valentines day!
Yes, Elizabeth….we are lucky. You will love the books.