Hook + Albert :: Holiday Gentleman

No better time than the holidays to throw on some Sinatra, locate your aftershave for the second time this year and get gussied up like a true old fashioned gentleman. 

Need some holiday ideas.... or just ideas for life in general... on how to dress the part of the perfect gentleman? Head on over to Hook + Albert and check out my top gentleman picks. Plus, help yourself to a little gift from me to you this holiday season.... a little 20% off your purchase. Just enter PARKERETC at check out and enjoy yourself a little dapper stocking stuffer! 

Dear Santa :: Live A Quiet Life

The next installment in my 'Dear Santa' plea letters is for a knock-your-socks-off piece of wall art. Not just any print, but one that actually speaks for itself and means more than meets the eye. In fact, I've found the perfect one already (go figure)..... Santa, take note. 

Leave it to the ever-so-talented Miss Dana Tanamachi to launch a little print shop right before the holidays. Best known for her large chalk art installations and numerous magazine covers, this little lady has brought the notion of meaningful giving into the forefront this holiday season. Currently, she's offering a single quote in four different color variations. Here's the heart tug. Each color represents a cause; black is for Restore NYC, green is for Save Our Streets, red is for Many Hopes and blue is for Grace in the Storm. Literally 100% of every single sale goes towards their designated organization. 100%. It's a brilliant and meaningful gift, a conversation starter and a purchase with a purpose. 

'Live a Quiet Life and Work with Your Hands'....  now doesn't that just sound divine? 

For other ideas on gifts that give back..... visit my list from last year here. 

How To :: Style A Holiday Table

If everyone has their 'thing'.... mine would be table styling (after being a rising rap superstar, see below). I'm no pro. But give me 20 minutes in your home and I can easily style an entire centerpiece around things you likely already own. I believe you can make a knockout tablescape without emptying out your wallet. 

For my own table, there are the staple pieces I keep on there at all times. This includes: tea candles, dried flowers and the antlers. Then there are the rotating items like : sticks, pine cones, large candles and various cake stands. For holidays, I like to switch out the dried flowers to something actually alive and seasonal, change up the centerpiece and add some random things from here and there around the apartment that fit the theme. Ta-da, all I spent money on was the flowers! Yes.... to answer your first thought, I have a reserve of sticks in my apartment. Don't even ask how hard it is to find good, clean sticks in New York City. 

 

My rules :: 

- Think outside the box. Don't be afraid to use things around your house in unconventional ways to style your table. I use my grandmother's old tea cups as flower holders for single daises during the spring. Or old tin coffee canisters to hold larger flowers. 

- Don't ever worry about 'overstyling'. I view my table like I view my jewelry choices in the morning...... 'more is more is more.'

- Recycle. I tend to use the same things for multiple dinner parties. No one ever cares. If they do, don't ever invite them over again. Problem solved. 

- Have fun. Usually no matter how much effort is put forth, your guests will love any extra pizzazz you put put together for their enjoyment. 

- If money has to be spent, choose to use it towards fresh flowers or something that brings in a holiday touch. I picked up a few small pumpkins for $0.50 a piece at the local market along with the eucalyptus. Super cheap and easy. 

- Make it personal. Little touches go a long way. Place cards are my jam. I love to mix it up, but you'll usually find these manila tags tied around your silverware or a pine cone.

 

What are some of your table styling tips and tricks? With the second round of holiday dinners around the corner, I'm sure we could all use some shared ideas to keep us inspired! 

What I Wore :: How To Be A Gangster

Just when you thought you had the best mother-in-law in all the land...... mine came along and just one-upped yours.... again. Oh sure, I'm sure yours is super sweet and bakes you cookies when you come to visit.... but when was the last time she packaged up a vintage silver fox fur and brought it as her carry-on via a flight from Dallas to New York City..... with a layover? Never you say. Hmm, interesting. (My mother-in-law +1) 

You see, I'm not one for receiving gifts much. E and I don't usually exchange anything lavish for birthdays or anniversaries. I'm a lady who loves a fun dinner date on those evenings. But, when gifts are given with the intentionality that my mother-in-law puts forth... well then, I usually just start crying. Last year, she made a copy of all her old recipes from E's childhood and made a book for me to have so we can recreate those dishes for our family. Or that time she called my dad to learn the families China patterns and then went out and collected plates with similar patterns that we could mix and match at dinner parties. I cried. Of course. 

You can't wear a fur like this and not feel like a total gangster. Or is it 'gangsta'? I'm not sure. Do I loose street cred for not knowing? Don't answer that! This fur gives me enough street cred for years. Keep a look out for me and my new rap album on the streets of New York people. [Lesson #1 of 'How To Be A Gangster' : drop the mic.... exit stage left.]

:: WHAT I WORE :: 

Fur (similiar) :: Shoes :: Pants :: Hat + Purse :: Gloves 

Disclaimer :: Due to the high response count regarding the fur.... this is my stance :: yes, I do love the look of the jacket, I don't support inhumane or hurtful things to be done to innocent animals. This jacket is vintage, which if you are going to buy fur, is the route I most support. The piece I am wearing is a family heirloom. I'm open to discussing further if you'd like to email me directly [parkeretc@gmail.com]. Just want everyone to be happy! Thanks! 

Dear Santa :: Precious Stone Platters

I know what you're thinking..... gem stones, gold leaf edging..... platters! What magic can this be? My jaw about hit the floor when I first laid eyes on these Kiva platters. My soul loves a solid statement piece.... and these my friends.... are Statement with a capital S. You can also add a capitol C.... for cash and cha-ching. As with most statements, these beauties come with a hefty price tag. For now, I'll just be enjoying them from my computer screen.... it doesn't hurt anyone (or any pocketbooks) to admire a very pretty and well made product..... even if you decide to make that product your current chosen desktop image. Nope, no harm done there.  

Let's just get them all out now. If you could ask Santa for something outrageous (like these platters).... what would you ask for? Sometimes it's just good to share..... this is like an 'outrageous holiday requests support group'... join us, it's a safe place!