Animal Collective

Howdy kids, hope you all had a swell weekend! We spent the days doing yardwork and the nights eating and drinking yummy stuff, so it was mostly lovely and relaxing... and I am totally unprepared for the cold hard wall in my face that is Monday. Thank jeebus for Wallpaper Magazine, because they always have the most interesting spreads (when they aren't showcasing 20 pages in a row of disgusting albeit beautifully photographed raw steaks... although maybe that also qualifies as interesting?). Anyway, look at this:

wallpaper magazine animals

How about that Ligne Roset bed? Amazing! What's that you say -- something is obscuring your view of it? Oh yes. Giant taxidermied animals were obviously necessary to illustrate the hipster appeal of these fine furnishings.

wallpaper taxidermied animals

That Jaime Hayon chair is certainly foxy, though.

wallpaper taxidermied animals

If I only had 5 seconds to grab something out of this room, I'm not sure if I would yank the lamb away from gaping lupine jaws, or put that Herve Van Der Straeten console table under my coat and run for my ever loving life.

What do you think? Is Wallpaper too clever for its own good?

Or maybe just crazy like a fox?

Holiday Gift Guide: Under $500

Ho Ho Ho, we're climbing the gift guide charts here at DC headquarters:  today we've made it to the under $500 category.  I'm hoping and preying that any of you taking notes have me on your list.  I mean, those $25 gifts were nice, but don't you really want to show me how much you care?  As Erin says, recession-schmession.  At least, I think she's said that.

You know I love gold.  and black.  and gold and black together.  So, basically, I'll be happy when you hand me any of these:

Love / Hate Convertible Chain Shades, $252

Suspiciously similar to D & G DXG Camcorder, $150

Lowrider Headphones, $128 (keeping my fingers crossed that you can find them in black.  or just all gold.  yes, all gold sounds good)

Loop Candelabra, $123  (I've been dreaming of owning one of these ever since Erin did This post)

Right out of my personal wish list: Pantone Color Bridge Set, $119

Ceramic Bubbles Candle Holder by Jaime Hayon, 387..... Euros (whont, whont)

Life Size Grazing Sheep, $448  (totally, completely, 100% worth the price) (seriously)

Equus Pedestal Bowl, $450  I wanted it for my table last year and, yes, I want it for my table again this year.

Humbert Throw by Missoni Home, $375

Park Planters, $100  You really should go to their site to check these out... most of the sculptures depict things you don't want to see in the park.  Think George Michael.  Got it?

Copenhagen Terrariums, $145 - $195  Perhaps these come with a handy guide explaining how to keep plants alive inside a sealed container unlike my vintage terrarium with, ahem, dead plants nestled under the plastic.

Braided Mixed Metal Chain Necklace, $120

Paper Cut art, $300

So there you go.  500 gifts for 500 dollars.  I mean, a few gifts for 500 dollars.  Whateves.  It really doesn't even matter at this point since tomorrow I'll be bringing you the ultimate, most mind blowing Christmas gift of your scene loving life.  Buckle Up.

Checkmate!

Hey dudes, I'm not here. Well, I am... but I'm not. Come find me over at From the Right Bank, where I'm guest posting for Ally while she moves cross country to Hotlanta. Did I just type that? Speaking of hotness, my guest post is about yummy checkerboard floors, like those found in this gorgeous restaurant designed by Jaime Hayon:

jaime hayon

And speaking of yummy gorgeous hotness, I don't think Raina would let me live without posting a picture of Senor Hayon, hisself:

jaime hayon

Not too shabby babes, not too shabby.

Monday marks the start of our annual gift guide, so ya'll come back now, you hear?

Happy weekend!