Heavenly Scents.

I'm a firm believer in never having too many candles, but trust me when I say not all candles were created equally. I've burned through my share of both high-end and affordable candles alike, but I think I've finally happened upon my new all-time favorite and wanted to spread the word (it is gift-giving season, after all.)

LAFCO New York's AVENUE Collection features gorgeous soy candles named after the most famous streets in the world, featuring incredible scents characteristic of each city.



While I was initially drawn to the Ginza 'Cherry Blossom and Peony' candle (my favorite flowers ever!), I quickly became entirely obsessed with the Regent Street candle and opted for that one instead. With notes of bergamot citrus, black tea leaves, honey and neroli--it's seriously heavenly!
$48 at www.lafcony.com.

Currently Obsessed with...

Just opened my gift bag from tonight's soiree, and was thrilled to find this heavenly candle from jewelry designer Solange Azagury-Partridge. It's called 'Stoned' and showcases an amazing blend of patchouli, Italian bergamot, classic rose, jasmine, labdanum, benzoin, tree moss, heliotrope, musk and vanilla bourbon.



Ahhhhh-mazing.

Currently Obsessed with...

I recently had a (dare I say it) delightful experience at Stark Waxing Studio in Silverlake, thanks to a gratis appointment set up by PR. I don't spend a great deal of time on the east side, but I was pleasantly welcomed to a bare, clean, uncluttered space with an undeniably delicious scent wafting throughout the studio. Their treatments are truly top notch, which made for a fantastic experience...but I couldn't get the incredible fragrance out of my mind hours after I departed.

Turns out, their signature soy candles are responsible for the minimalistic ambiance and awesome aroma. And much to my extreme delight, I came home to a surprise soy candle (in their new palm frond scent) of my own today and I lit it up with zero hesitation.



Heavenly! Truly the perfect gift.

$24 at www.starkwaxingstudio.com

Haute Home

Cynthia Rowley is rolling out super-cute knick knacks for the home.


Now if only I were handy...

Housewarming Gift...

...to myself!





I have literally had a pink bed of some variation for every year of my life, so the fact that I am ushering in a soft, rumply ruffled Tiffany blue duvet cover ($198 from Anthropologie) into my living space is kind of major. I think it channels soothing sophistication, but most importantly, this sleeper is startlingly different ( at least for me.)

Here's to new life changes and new, fabulous energy.

Liberty of London for Target

If you haven't heard about Target's latest line launch, Liberty of London, you're missing out...literally. The kitschy cute collection (including clothing, home decor, home & garden and more) dropped this past Sunday, and has been flying off shelves ever since. Most stock online is unavailable, but depending on what you're looking for, you just might be in luck. Run, don't walk to the nearest Target if you want to nab some of these fun floral goods.

Pretty Plates

I am loving these preppy chic personalized plates from La Plates. Quirky cute patterns and playful fonts for every taste. A fabulous wedding or housewarming gift idea!

Bittersweet.

My home interior haven, Shabby Chic, has filed for bankruptcy this year and is closing all of its boutiques and liquidating stock.





Really very sad news, considering the major following behind Rachel Ashwell's feminine line; but, on the other hand, a serious sale on her fabulous furnishings is a mighty happy ending for her most loyal fans (ah-hem, me.)

Sweet Scents

Back when I was an editor at InStyle, a lovely publicist sent me an Antica Farmacista room diffuser for my office. I set it up immediately, and pretty soon staffers were swarming my office wanting to know where the delicious scent invading the hallway was coming from. Within days, word had circulated around and we put in a mass order for all of our work spaces.

These diffusers still rank as one of my all-time fave gifts to give (to my mom, especially)--and for good reason. There are plenty of other 'knock-off' diffusers out there, but I've found that these (made from top-of-the-line essential oils and natural ingredients) are superior to all the rest.

Thanks to Daily Candy, now you can score 25% off your order with code ANTICA25.



All of the scents are heavenly, but my fave is the grapefruit.

PB Takes It Up a Notch

I've been meaning to blog about this for quite some time, but the latest from Pottery Barn shows an increased sense of style (think: Hollywood Regency meets modern living) that they definitely seemed to be lacking before. I usually find everything in there so drab that I walk on by without looking twice, but this season, I was pleasantly surprised to find a few things that don't make me...yawn.






In fact, the other day I actually nabbed a few pillows for my couch and am contemplating a few other little pieces to add to our new condo (!!!!) in the near future.

I'm in the midst of moving madness right now (so please pardon the infrequent blog updates for this reason), but I'm literally bursting with creative energy to get settled into our new place with a few fresh pieces that pack maximum style. :)

Design Ideas

Spent another long day pounding the pavement (okay and by that, I mean sitting in traffic and parallel parking on crowded residential streets) hunting for my perfect new apartment. I've got a few strong leads so far, but I haven't found anything I'm 100% about, just yet.

The more I think about my new pad, the more excited I get about decking it out with my sister. We're still clashing a tiny bit on the overall vision, but I think we'll be seeing eye to eye once we nail down an actual new home for ourselves.

Just a few decor ideas for inspiration...

Bins, $25 each from The Macbeth Collection

Rhinestone Picture Frames from The Paris Apartment



Cushy Lounge Sectional, $599 at PBTeen.com

Lily Juliana Chandelier, $4,350 at Shabby Chic

Betsey Johnson's Bedroom


Clara Wall Mirror, $139 at JCPenney.com


Montenego Cannisters, $49.95-79.95 at ZGallerie.com



Mirage Coffee Table, $349 at ZGallerie.com



Leopard Print Rug, $499 from HomeDecorators.com



Gold Ceramic Stool, $195 from JaysonHomeandGarden.com


Custom Tissue Boxes, $40 from The Macbeth Collection


Enchanted Roses

Oscar de la Renta Candle, $65 at OutBlush.com

Fancy Frame Pinboards, $19.99 at PBteen.com


Shabby Chic Bedroom