29!

Today I turn 29!  28 was a great year- honestly one of the best years for me yet.  I have so many great memories from the past 12 months:

Two of my besties Jessica and Katy came to visit me last year for my 28th.  We celebrated at Bergdorf's Restaurant:

I also made them do Sleep No More with me, which was an odd experience.  There's really no way to describe it, but we all left thoroughly confused by the whole thing.  The holidays were spent at home in OKC, where my mom made us all wear matching PJs.  My niece Lily even got a pair:

In January, my nephew Hudson was born!  This was the first time I got to hold him:

In February, I experienced my first real NY blizzard.  Even the subway was shut down for a bit, but even so it was one of my favorite days ever in the city.  My friend and I trudged over to Central Park and went sledding like little kids.  The city was so peaceful!

In March, my parents visited and we got to see Hamilton. Luckily we somehow scored tickets before the show got too big and didn't have to shell out a fortune for them.  It's by far the best Broadway show I've seen (but I didn't need to tell you that).

In April, Katy came back and visited me!  I made her ride the subway and tried to explain you can't wear heels on the train (you bring them with you in your bag) but she doesn't listen.  Doesn't she look thrilled to be on the 4-5-6 train with me?!

We spent Sunday lying in the sun in Central Park:

In fact, the last 12 months were spent taking lots of walks through Central Park-

And lots of nights out in the city with Lauren & Vicky (typically downstairs at Acme, The Jane, or The Ludlow):

My good friend Gabby finally moved to NY from Montreal this past March, and I couldn't be happier. She got a cute studio apt near Union Square- here's a corner of her space after she got it set up:

Celebrating Gabby's move with Lauren at The Ludlow:

In May, my friend Grace and I went to Montego Bay, Jamaica:

 In the summer, we spent 80% of the weekends in East Hampton or Montauk:

{my friend Melissa and I at the Wolffer Wine Stand}

{pretty hydrangeas in Sag Harbor}

Fall has flown by.  I went home quickly for an OU game in October and just returned from OKC for a nice Thanksgiving with my fam. My mom and I posed for a pic before going to an OKC Thunder game last Saturday:

Celebrities spotted this year:

BJ Novak going in to The Bowery

Ice Cube sitting down the bar from me at Irvington 

Amy Poehler pushing her son in a stroller in Clinton Hill

Jesse Tyler Ferguson eating across the restaurant from me at Javelina

Zosia Marmet (Shoshanna from Girls) walking her dog in the Upper West Side

Kelly Ripa in my East 83rd Soul Cycle class (girl can ride a bike)

Dorinda Medley getting a coffee at my neighborhood Starbucks, Romana Singer all over the Hamptons, Luann de Lesseps at the bookstore in Sag Harbor, Bethanny Frankel at Crows Nest in Montauk

Not pictured: The millions of cocktails and dinners out I consumed this past year.  It was fun to look back through all my photos and remember those moments, but I wanted to spare you from looking at too many plates of food and cheers-ing drinks.  Many thanks to the people who made my year so wonderful and special- you know who you are!

Here's to hoping 29 is as memorable as 28 certainly was.

XOXO,

Sam

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Gift Guide: For the Dads

This week's Christmas gift guide is for the dads.  I find my own dad is the hardest person to shop for.  I always end up getting him some sort of lame gift card because of my own indecisiveness and failure to plan ahead (or failure to do something creative).  That's why I love Uncommon Goods, Mark & Graham, and Urban Outfitters for gifts that really go outside the box.  Whether your dad is a sports-lover, a fashionisto, or just lazy- I've got you covered:

Shop Dad Gifts:

Yeti Sidekick $35/Portable Charcoal Grill $50/Scotch-Infused Toothpicks Gift Set $35.95/MVMT 45MM Leather-Strap Watch $95/Harry Benson: The Beatles Coffee Table book $70/Personalized Titelist Pro V1 Golf Balls $40/Chuck Taylor Navy Leather Sneakers $89.95/Crosley Harper Bluetooth Speaker $79/Men's Warming Slippers $48/Mini Poker Set $79/

For the outdoorsy dad:  The waterproof Yeti Sidekick attaches to your Yeti Cooler and is perfect for holding your phone, keys, and wallet while keeping them dry.

For the die-hard tailgating dad: The Gibson Portable Charcoal Grill will make your dad the most popular guy at his next BBQ or tailgate.

For the scotch-loving dad:  Scotch-Infused Toothpicks Gift Set

For the fashionable dad: 45MM Leather-Banded Watch & Chuck Taylor Navy Leather Sneakers

For the music-loving dad:  If your dad is anything like my dad, he LOVES the Beatles (my dad still hasn't forgiven Yoko).  Harry Benson's hardcover coffee table book features a collection of iconic as well as rarely-seen photos of the Beatles. 

There's a million bluetooth speakers on the market, but none as nostagic or stylish as the Crosley Harper speaker, available in mint or cream.  

For the golfing dad:  Personalize a set of Titelist Pro V1 Golf Balls to make them extra special.  Here's to hoping he doesn't lose them all after 1 round.

For the homebody dad:  Men's Aromatic Warming Slippers- Heat these babies up in the microwave to warm your feet at the end of the day.  The insoles are filled with aromatic lavender buds and thermally conductive flax seeds.

For the gambling dad: The Mini Travel Poker Set is perfect for traveling and entertaining at parties, and the leather case can be monogrammed/inscribed!

See other 2016 Gift Guides:

For Your BFF

For the Host/Hostess

For the Guys

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Needing, Wanting, Loving: Mushroom Lamps

As I've mentioned a few times before, I'm currently in the midst of watching all 7 Mad Men seasons.    While I love the show's various story lines and character development, I'm fascinated by the set design.  It's mid-century mod at it's finest, and I love spotting design classics like the Knoll Saarinen Executive Chair, the Saarinen Tulip Table (Roger's desk shown below, after his second wife Jane redecorates his office), and the Artemide Nesso Table Lamp:

{Buy the original design here}

This lamp is also often referred to as a "mushroom lamp" for it's shape, and there have been several iterations of this design since it was first released in 1964 by Italian designer Giancarlo Mattioli.   In 1971, Louis Poulsen released the Panthella Table Lamp, which certainly took inspiration from the Nesso:

Louis elongated the shape, streamlined the top, and gave it a tapered base, similar to the Saarinen tulip table base:

I love France & Son's replica in chrome:

I love the bold feminine hues in this bedroom, designed by Kelly Wearstler.  The brass mushroom lamp is fab, too:

{A similar table lamp can be purchased here}

Kelly Wearstler designed her own version of the mushroom table lamp last year for Visual Comfort & Co. The Melange Table Lamp has a straight cylindrical base with an alabaster top, and comes in two finishes.  It is worth noting that her design also clearly took inspiration from the Bauhaus Table Lamp, which is similar in form to the mushroom lamp but features a straight base and perfectly domed top.   Here is the Melange in bronze:

{Kelly Wearstler}

And the antique-burnished brass:

Mattioli's original Nesso "mushroom" lamp is part of Moma's "Design Classics" collection, and can be purchased from their store here.

Friday's Worthy Links- 11.25.16

Friday's Worthy Links:

-40 Gorgeous Powder Rooms.  My favorite one features ikat silk walls. - House Beautiful

-I think this will be my new favorite holiday drink. And I'm dying to make this dish. -Gray Malin

-There are only three types of friendships - which are yours?

-Who else is feeling like a back home baller this weekend?  (love ya, mom & dad) - SNL

-Obama Reckons with a Trump Presidency. I LOVED this article- very well-written and provides some great insight.   - The New Yorker

-17 Famous Movie Moments that were actually improvised. - BuzzFeed

And, a few CRAZY good Black Friday sales...

-J Crew: 40% off site-wide with code HOLIDAY at checkout (YES- 40%!!!!).  I'll take this (in electric red), these, and this, please.

-Nordstrom: 20% off select sale items- I'm loving this Marc Jacobs handbag.

-Madewell: 25% off site-wide - who doesn't need embroidered jam jams, a monogrammed tote, or a lace-up sweater dress?

-West Elm: Up to 30% off with code SAVENOW at checkout.

{Thanksgiving tablescape via Apartment 34}

Happy Weekend!

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving turkey heads!!  What's there to be thankful for?  Lots of people seem to feel that 2016 is a year we are better off forgetting- but I'm not so sure of that. If anything, the world continues to spin in New York and I have a collection of iPhone snapshots to prove it...  

{the view from the east side of Jackie O reservoir in Central Park}

{Washington Square Park}

{Central Park boat pond}

{an Upper East townhouse with a particularly festive stoop}

{the view from lying down one Sunday afternoon in Central Park}

{Saint Jean Baptiste Catholic Cathedral}

{"Subway Therapy" wall at Union Square Station}

{Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, seconds after spotting Amy Poehler with her adorable son}

{Another view from Central Park}

{my brother and me, at Thanksgiving circa 1989- this one was taken by my mom, of course}

And the world spins madly on...

Hug your loved ones tight, and it wouldn't be a Thanksgiving if I didn't post this movie scene (I think I mainly just love the Neil Young song mixed in)...

XOXO,

Sam

Gift Guide: For the Host + Hostess (All Under $50)!

Happy Hump Day!  It's been a crazy few days so I apologize for my delayed weekly gift guide.  I'm back with gift ideas for the host and hostesses in your life- whether it's a Thanksgiving host, a Christmas host, or simply a dinner party host- these gifts work for all occasions. Although the easiest and safest bet for a hostess gift is a bottle of champs (if you come to my apartment, let me be clear that this is what I'd prefer), everyone loves the person who thinks outside the box and gives a unique, thoughtful gift.  Here are a few of my favorites: 

Shop Hostess Gifts (Top to Bottom, Left to Right):

Bamboo Picture Frames $15 or $22/Chrome Ice Bucket with Lucite Handle $55/Nest "Pumpkin" Candle (BEST FALL CANDLE EVER!) $32/Sugarfina "Happy Holidays" Candy Bento Box $65/Monogrammed Linen Satin Stitch Coasters $40/Cravings Cookbook by Chrissy Teigen $40/Graphic Image Leather Clutch w/Tassel $49/Tassel Loafer Slippers $26/Mr. and Mrs. Christmas Cocktail Glass Set $26/

I recently became acquainted with a cute online boutique that deserves to have it's own "Chic Shop Alert" post- Establishment Home.  Launched by two Atlanta friends, Stacie Morrison and Alexa Simpson, the shop features interesting accessories, art, and home decor.  A few of my favorites from their site:

{Zebra Large Pouch $64}

{Meghann Throw Pillow $150}

{Coral Burst Plateau Basket $60}

{Vintage Gold Rimmed Wine Glasses w/ Floral Motif $40}

Stacie and Alexa have generously offered all Peak of Tres Chic readers 20% off their purchase with code TRESCHIC at checkout.  Happy shoppin'!

Need more gift ideas?

Shop My 2016 Gift Guides:

For Your BFF

For the Guys

more to come....!

XOXO,

Sam

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Fashion File: Everyday Clutches

With holiday parties in the works, I'm needing to trade out my MZ Wallace tote for something a little more chic (and compact).  I love that a well-designed clutch can transition from day to night:

{gal meets glam}

{damsel in dior}

Here are 6 of my favorite clutches for winter: 

{Halston clutch}

{Rebecca Minkoff Clutch}

{Clare Vivier Leopard Print Foldover Clutch}

{Elie Saab}

{BP Tonal Stripe Foldover Clutch $25}

{BAGGU Leather Clutch $54}

TGIF! Have a great weekend, everyone!

XOXO,

Sam