Tasteful Tidbits

A little designer birdie sent me this really fun email the other day wherein she asked me if I have ever heard of Go Tidbits. 

No, as a matter of fact I have not.  I am remiss! 

I aspire to be a gal about town who, indeed,  gives inside scoop, and I have failed you.  I hope I am not too late and you are thinking, "Wow.  This is so last two months ago." 

What is Go Tidbits? 

"Tidbits is your answer to the must-haves, must-sees and must-dos around town. By signing up for Tidbits, a free, editorial e-newsletter and accompanying website, you’ll receive information on the latest in fashion, food, beauty, travel, music and all other life accessories a Tidbits gal could be interested in."

I want to be a Tidbits gal so I signed up and am delighted thus far.  The New Orleans selections are actually good and not "off."  (In my gimlet eye, sometimes these types of "in the know" should be called "in the don't") 

There are also Tidbits for Austin, San An, and Houston.  It is easy to sign up for Tidbits and, even if you are not a New Orleanian, Houstonian, San Antonian, or Austin gal or guy, it still is kind of fun to see what is swingin' in your (fave) cities.  It is perfect if you need just a fix. 

Cheers,

JSH

It's a blog world after all....

The dynamic Visual Vamp recently invited me to a bloggers' lunch at Coquette, one of my favorite spots for a frosty bev.  Unfortunately, I had to cancel because of a meeting at work, but that didn't stop the friendly (and chic) Laura Casey from contacting me to see if we could meet up for a quick coffee somewhere on Magazine.  I said, "OF COURSE!"   You see, Laura has been a bit of a bloggy idol of mine for quite some time. 

Laura has a booming design biz in Charlotte, two small kiddies, and writes some of the most detailed and educational blog posts around.  She keeps it all together effortlessly!  I have followed Laura's blog (and business) for a long time, particularly because she has Baton Rouge connections (her husband is from there) and occasionally blogs about her visits to Nola. 

Here is a link to one of the very first posts I read....the title had me at hello.   I knew I liked her then!

Mid Century Modern in Nola. 

Laura was kind of enough to give me some great Miami tips before our quick getaway, and we have slowly become bloggy pals.  The crazy part that I somehow missed (despite it being in her bio section) is that Laura went to Vanderbilt at the exact same time as my brother and sister-in-law and was even in the same sorority as my SIL.  (Further freakiness...when I walked in to meet her, before realizing it was her, thought to myself...."that girl over there reminds me of Courtney...my SIL)  They all lived in NYC at the exact same time, too. 

Anyway, we had a great coffee, and I am certain we could have continued chatting for another hour, but she had to run off to continue client shopping and to meet up with the lunch crew and I had to make it back to the office.  Laura is very generous with her vast knowledge of the design business.  It is always refreshing when people are willing to help and collaborate in any profession and, for that, I am so impressed and appreciative.

Check out Laura's easy breesy comfortable interiors here. 

Bloggers always talk about how they love the connections and friends they have made through blogging....I am now starting to "get" it and am excited about this new chapter as this tiny blog starts to blossom!

Cheers,

JSH

P.S.  While I was meeting a bloggy idol, Beau was meeting his boyhood/adulthood idol.  You see, Ryne Sandburg, his all time favorite Cubs player/baseball player in general, was in New Orleans.  He currently manages the Triple A team that was playing our Triple A team, the Zephyrs. 

Let me back up by saying that Beau doesn't just "like" "Ryno."  He actually traveled to Cooperstown NY to see him get inducted into the baseball hall of fame.  He travels with his baseball card, placing it in the corners of whichever bathroom mirror he uses....odd duck, right?  ;)

I am really excited that one of his lifelong dreams was fulfilled and sincerely thank Emily for hardcore working to arrange the meeting.  "Happy Husband, Happy Life"  (I know, it sounds better when it is Real Housewives NJ "Happy Wife, Happy Life." 

HAPPY WEEKEND, Y'ALL!

A Real Treat: Guest Blogger, E. Lee Jahncke Mead

I am beyond thrilled to share the talents of guest blogger, E.Lee Jahncke Mead, with the Gimlet community.  E. Lee is the "It Girl" of decorative painting in New Orleans.  Hip yet classic, daring yet tastefully restrained, E. Lee has the killer combination of a natural "eye" for style with the talent and training to back it up.  Oh, and she is about as beautiful, humble and funny as can be.  I am so honored that she is gracing us with her style and skills for a couple of days. 

Here is a snap of E.Lee in action from her facebook page

So, without further ado, let me introduce E. Lee's first post in a scheduled two part series:

Hello fellow Gimleters! I am E. Lee Jahncke Mead, a decorative painter living, working and constantly inspired by my hometown of New Orleans. I observe, I paint, I enjoy, I paint, I gild and I restore whatever around town it is people hire me to do. In the short time that I have been "back," I have had the pleasure to work with some pretty lovely and talented folks, our fearless leader and "decorator in crime" being one!

She has asked me to guest post about a project that we are working on for another fellow Gimleter, Bebe. My task is this: to find and papier mache a pair of mirrors for the mantles in the double parlor of Bebe's home. Bebe loved a mirror that she saw on Magazine, but needed 2!

So, on Tuesday after my meeting in Old Metairie, I thought I would take a cruise along Airline to my favorite thrift store to see what was available in pairs. My first stop was the Bridge House. By the way Gimleters, always a good place to start on your hunt for wooden furniture. It may need a paint job, but Sister Parish did it.  Why can't you? I did not find a pair of mirrors but I did find a new pet, meet Ernest!

I could not pass him up for $5!

**EDITOR'S NOTE:  Um, are you kidding me?!  Ernest for $5.00!  I just recommended that someone buy a poor man's Ernest for $68.00!! 

My real plan for Tuesday afternoon was to go to Covington to the Southern Living Idea house in Terrabella, but since it was already getting late and I am doing quite a bit of painting for designer, Grace Kaynor in New Orleans, out of the goodness of my heart, I thought I would continue on my journey for treasures for Bebe!

I continue my drive down Airline to find this jewel! Clearly I do not spend enough time in parishes outside of Orleans! How could it be a flea market/thrift store that I have not heard of or been too?! The Original (as opposed to?) Jefferson Flea Market!

**EDITOR'S NOTE II:  I BELIEVE THAT EDDIE ROSS ACTUALLY ENJOYS THE ORIGINAL JEFFERSON FLEA! 

The first item I spy is…a girlfriend for Lamar?

Now, my favorite of the day for $98. A perfect pair in mint condition AND blue velvet...

**EDITOR'S NOTE III:  SORRY, I REALLY CAN'T RESIST COMMENTING...THESE LAMPS ARE OUT OF CONTROL!  (JUST IGNORE THE BARBIE TRASHCAN UNDERNEATH THEM!

Really nice mid century piece that would look amazing in white lacquer or tractor paint. 

Finally, at the back corner of the store amongst a pile of mirrors (all 50% off) lies the perfect pair for Bebe! I get the approving text from the Gimletress, and the pair is mine!

SO what and how am I going to transform these lovelies from the Original Jefferson Flea? I will give you a taste…

...But you will have to tune in next week for their outcome and the how-to!

Okay, Gimleters.  Jessie here again.  Um, wow.  I am already mentally making my full length mirror for our bedroom...now I just have to learn how.  Stay tuned and, in the meantime, definitely check out E.Lee's talents on her facebook page. 

Cheers,

JSH

Petite Plant Project and a (wishful thinking) porch upgrade

Spray paint ($3.50) plus this basket ($10.00)...

Equals

An embarrassingly easy project that, per usual, provided me with easy (and virtually free) joy. 

I was attracted to the sculptural and uniquely shaped plant...a sky pencil Japanese holly.  I think the tiny orange planter warms up the corner a bit...and isn't your standard issue Home Depot pot.  I definitely still need a couple of other planters around the porch, though.  (And the damn Crate and Barrel bird feeder that I still have yet to pull the trigger on!) 

Speaking of front porches, I must discuss the light boxes featured last night on 9 by Design.  Beau and I both loved them....and kind of wish we could have some for our own front porch (they would have to be smaller for sure!) 

The "after" of Sixx's Hamptons project, note the light boxes on either side of the door.   

The custom made lightboxes feature a map of Long Island with an "X marks the spot" for Amagansett, the location of the client's vacay home in the Hamptons.  One on each side of the door livens up the depressing and dated exterior. 

Another view....these pictures are AWFUL.  I am so sorry.  If you squint, you can see the legend on the map on the bottom left corner of the light box. 

Sixx Design "has a guy" who custom made the light boxes.  I actually don't think it would be too hard to find someone to make them (or a version to your specifications), but, if you want the look, but not the full on huge light box....some ideas. 

Lighting Universe

Lighting Universe.

Gracious Home. 

All Modern Lighting..this is both a ceiling mount and wall sconce.  Hmmm...good idea.

To see a slideshow of the Hamptons project from last night's epi of 9 by Design, click here.  What do you think of the yellow stove AND the light boxes.  Fab or fab? 

Cheers,

JSH

 

Heavenly Stairway

This will be a short one...just to whet your appetite for some gimlet goodness.  I have much more to chat with you about later, but I had to share this pic from Sunny Goode's blog (I have talked about Sunny before....remember our hallway project and Sarah's kitch project?) 

Check out this stairwell....that extra "runner" up the wall gives it even more zing! 

I love that unexpected pop of modern paint and color in a seemingly traditional home. If I had stairs (maybe someday!), I would have to do this project.  

Speaking of Sunny's goodness, she also offers some new monogram permanent or removeable wall stickers.  

 

Shocker that this is my favorite, right?

I am seeing this over the twin beds I mentioned the other day....

You can check out the new merch here.  Good tidings on this hot-hot-hot Cinqo.  I will back later to reveal a very tiny project that packs alot of punch (I think...)

Cheers,

JSH

Kelly Wearstler loves Serge Gainsbourg, too?!

The Divine Miss K is highlighted in the Profile in Style in this week's T Magazine.  Read it...it is a quick glimpse into the fabulous life.

The interactive slideshow here.

I love getting a bit of "behind the scenes"/lifestyle tid bits about designers, especially the demi-gods like KW.  Besides getting a glimpse of her ridiculously enormous store room (I cannot even imagine getting to see it much less shop in it...) and learning that she has to carry her madeover childhood stuffed animal to fly,  I find out that Kelly loves Serge Gainsbourg!  Well, we are just cut from the same cloth, aren't we?

Thanks, Leigh, for introducing me to this handsome dev.

For your listening pleasure, I have inserted a little Sergie playlist to the right of this post.  I will leave it up for a couple of days so that you can enjoy the delightful vocal offerings of Serge (and Jane Birkin).   

(You have to actually click on it to hear the tunes...I didn't want it to automatically start playing when you opened Gimlet...pet peeve for the working stiffs!)

Cheers,

JSH

P.S.  Lots of "new"s in our life right now.

1) New mayor.  HALLELUJAH!

2) New job for Beau. 

3) New car for Beau.

I kind of want something new for me...

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Harvey Faircloth...the one on the left, no? 

Elva Fields. 

I don't think a necklace can be any more out of control! 

Vintage Bamboo Tole Chandy via Circa Who

A girl can dream, right?

Let me help you out with that: Craigslist find for you!

I am a freak and often snatch things off of Craigslist and ebay when I see them, know they are awesome, and decide that they must be owned by either myself or a gimleter.  Please disregard the fact that sometimes these items are kiddie-related (I don't have kids) or duplicative pieces of furniture that I already own...you get the pic.  Needless to say, when I see a bargain or something that can be turned from trash to treasure, I don't let it pass me by. 

I recently found these PRECIOUS twin headboards on craigslist.  I planned to psychotically save them for myself (and maybe I still will...) IF a gimleter or friend-of-gimleter doesn't want them to be customized by me first! 

Without further ado:

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 A snap of one in our dining room.  They are so sturdy and the perfect petite size. 

(Now, imagine them in something other than the 70s wood...)

I really see them in a little girl's room.  SO, if your baby girl is transitioning to a big girl room or you have two girls that currently share, these could be for you.  I suggest a high gloss plain white, turq, pink, yellow, kelly green...the colors are endless.  I also would happily do them in white with the "piping" in a fab color. 

I love a girl's room with twin beds...regardless of how many kiddos occupy the room.  

via decorpad

 via decorpad

 

via decorpad

New Orleans' own Melissa Rufty.  An oldie but goodie snap!

They are not really limited to just being utlized in a little girl(s)' room.  There are some fabu guest rooms that feature twins as well. 

via lonny

via decorpad

    ** I still ADORE that Dwell bedding....

via flickr (oldie but forever goodie from Domino)

A lone twin....by Amanda Nisbet.

Lone twin, part 2.  Lee Kleinhelter in Southern Living.

All of this excitment over twin beds being had, if you are super interested/committed to owning just one, let me know. I may consider severing the pair. But, the beauty really is the power in numbers....I may require some sweet talking. 

Or, maybe you do...these are all available in twin sizes.

Serena and Lily Frieda bedding....for your spunky sprite.

 

Lulu DK...love those corals (not necessarily the entire "set" together...).  I think the floral duvet with the beds painted yellow would make any little lassie happy. 

John Robshaw...with navy and hot pink accents? (For your prepster...) 

Garnet Hill...for your little lavender lover

Garnet Hill...for your boho baby

Pine Cone Hill Edelweiss duvet....for your traditionalist tike.

Looking forward to hearing from you...or else our attic will be even more full than it already is (Sorry, Beau...).  We can discuss what you want me to do ("piping" or plain, color options, etc.), pricing, and bedding options.   

Cheers,

JSH

P.S.  I will ship them if you are an out of town gimleter or friend of gimleter!