North by Northwest

Have you ever been on your way to a wedding and been completely lost?

I have.

Just this year, in fact. I was on my way to the wedding of my friend Jessie to my acquaintance Josh. To make a long and very boring story short, I missed the actual wedding and only just made it in time for the reception.

If only I had been a man! I would have worn a shirt with French cuffs and these fine cuff links:

That's right. Compasses.

Now, really, they wouldn't have helped. I can usually judge which direction I am going in by the position of the sun, and what I really needed was just a smidge more accurate signage. But these cuff links are still pretty cool, right? And sometimes the sun taunts you, or it's overcast, or it's night time (and overcast).

I don't know much about cuff links, really, but I do know that I like putting useful things on other things. So I am all for these. You never know when you'll come away from that fancy black-tie event wandering through the woods with only a pocket square to help you.

Buy through QA Create for $34.99.

Image via QA Create.

Happy trails!

Maureen

A Princess on Your Big Day

This being the summer and all, there are quite a few weddings afoot. I personally know four couples who have been married since Memorial Day weekend. So I thought that perhaps this would be a good time to discuss my new favorite wedding dress.

This is the limited edition bridal gown from White House Black Market, a store that I particularly enjoy. (The salesgirls at the WHBM near my parents' house are very helpful and fun.) The company calls the color of their new gown ecru, but it looks almost pure-white in photos, and it can be worn with or without straps. A cute sloping hem adds visual interest, as does the fan pleating at the bust. Add a mixed bouquet of roses and hydrangeas and some purple shoes for a twist on the traditional wedding, or whatever you will--I can almost guarantee that this dress will elicit compliments no matter what!

Pre-order through White House Black Market for $498.00.

Photo: White House Black Market.

-Cate-

My Little China Girl

Two years ago or so, my grandmother bequeathed her lovely pansy china to my mother, and I went down to the house with Mom to help her pack it up and take it back to our home. During the course of the afternoon, we chatted, of course. And then my grandmother asked me if I had chosen a china pattern for myself.

Okay, stop. Rewind. A china pattern? I was then, and remain now, romantically unattached. Apparently she was unaware, because when I told her that I wasn't even dating anyone, she responded with an absolutely incredulous, "You aren't?"

Yeah.

But the truth was, I had put some thought into it, because that's what I do--I think about things I want, as you might have noticed while reading this blog. So I made some vague response, since I had never actually physically looked at china, about wanting plain white dishes with a silver or platinum band.

Later on, I decided to do a bit of research in order to form a more coherent reply, and I eventually settled on Lenox Federal Platinum dinnerware. The simplicity of it is stunning; although there are no flourishes, the delicate yet purposeful curves give just the right flair to the cups, sugar bowl, creamer, gravy boat, and teapot. Also, the collection features many serving pieces, including bowls, platters, and coffee mugs. Best of all, a set of salt and pepper shakers is available, and I have written before about how much I love matching salt and pepper shakers.

This china perfectly suits me and my style. Perhaps someday I will have an excuse to ask for some of it (at least eight place settings, please, so that I can have some boss dinner parties)!

Buy a five-piece place setting through Macy's for $143.00.

-Cate-