the moment the weather turns cool, i start craving warm, comforting scents like cinnamon, clove and winter fruits.  short of keeping an oven full of pie at all times, my best shot for maintaining those classic fall scents in my home is via candle.  so, i’ve taken it upon myself to run an exhaustive test, and i’ve come up with my list of favorites for this fall season.

the new joya collection at barneys has my undivided attention.  i haven’t stopped burning their fantastic candles since they arrived.  they’ve collaborated with one of my favorite ceramic artists, sarah cihat, to develop candles that smell amazing, last forever, and are housed in truly gorgeous containers.  my personal favorite is the pomegranate white pepper ($48), which has the deep sweetness of pomegranate, but the snap of white pepper, ginger and cardamom keeps it from being too cloying. 

i know it’s a second pomegranate scent, but the pomegranate noir from jo malone ($65) is so different,  they’re both worth loving.  in the jo malone version, the pomegranate is more prominent, probably because of the raspberry notes in the background.  but by adding patchouli and frankincense, this turns into a much more complex fragrance.  overall, if you’re after a true pomegranate, i’d go with the jo malone…but if you’re after just a generally light sweet scent with a hint of spice, the joya is for you.

i have to admit to some work bias here, but honestly, pacifica’s tibetan mountain temple ($20) is my hands-down favorite for homey, spicy scents this season.  it’s not intended as a holiday candle, but the scents of ginger, orange and vetiver combine to make this as comforting as a scent can be.  i can’t get enough!  archipelago’s gingered grapefruit ($24) is another great option, but the grapefruit makes this one much sharper - a great candle for day to keep you awake, where the pacifica is a night-only burn for me…it just makes me cozy, warm and relaxed.

for something really different, i’ve been obsessively sniffing the new agadir candle from tocca ($36) since it arrived.  it smells exactly like sweet pipe tobacco, a scent i’ve always secretly loved, especially when the air outside is crisp.  the particular beauty of this scent (besides the gorgeous trademark tocca packaging) is that this is a scent your other half can’t pass up…it’s as manly as a candle gets.

what’s your favorite cold-weather scent?

today’s weekend read is a little unorthodox…it’s actually a catalog. but it’s my absolute favorite new addition to my bookshelves, so i had to share.

the rug company’s new design catalog is one of my best new resources for fab home decor tricks. with its stunning silver hardcover binding and more than 250 photos of fully-styled rooms, you’ll completely forget it’s not just your latest find in home design lit…in fact, mine has been center stage on my coffee table since it arrived. i’ve been using it like mad - it’s a fantastic resource of ideas for mixing color combinations and patterns, accessorizing a room, and decorative accents.

with exclusive rugs, cushions and wallhangings designed by everyone from vivienne westwood to diane von furstenberg, the rug company really is the ultimate source for these amazing home accents - it’s no wonder they’re relied on by chic homeowners everywhere, as well as celeb designers like kelly wearstler and allegra hicks. in fact, you might remember seeing several of their designs in the sex and the city movie (including that fab paul smith “love” tapestry we were all raving over.

true, the prices are steep - quality rugs never come cheap. but the designs are amazing, and always exclusive to the store. just another reason i love their catalog: i can ogle their entire collection to my heart’s content for a measly $30.

to order, head to the rug company’s website - that’s the only place to pick it up. happy ogling!

it’s been a while since we had an etsy feature, but this seemed like the perfect excuse.  how fabulous are these felt applique pillows by karen hilton?!  my only problem is choosing which one, but i think i’ve settled on that adorable little bassett hound….though i’m loving these colorful union jack cushions too (between that and the queen elizabeth silhouette, hopefully you’re having no trouble guessing the designer’s country of origin).  prices range from $55-70, which makes these about half the price of the pillows i usually lust after.  that’s practically a bargain, right??

thanks to the lovely victoria of sfgirlbybay, i came across a stunning new site featuring loads of the best wares latin america has to offer.  my travels south of the border have been limited to the usual cabo/mazatlan cruise circuit, but i can tell you that even that limited exposure showed me that this is one occasion on which it’s better to buy your souvenirs from the comfort of your couch than from the roadside haciendas outside the cruise dock.  every piece is beautifully crafted, inspiringly colorful, and otherwise just plain wonderful.

sfgirlbybay’s finds are amazing, but i thought i’d show you a few of my favorites as well:

i just received the gorgeous new sofa i ordered back in may, which means i’ve been a little throw-pillow-obsessed of late.  all of the pillows at lama are making me happy, but i love the childish, fun vibe these animal pillows ($120) radiate.  my fave is the llama, but that little burro is running a very close second.

and i can’t think of anything more perfect for my next summer barbecue than to dress the table up with one of these gorgeous oilcloth tablecloths ($40) - i love the vibrant summer colors and the low-maintenance ease.  with this much style on the table, i’m pretty sure i could serve KFC, and no one would notice.  i’ve seen these before, but this version has a contrast-finished edge, which makes it much more stylish than others i’ve come across.

all of the ceramics on the site are divine, but i can’t get this lovely little vine bowl ($160) out of my mind.  the piece is definitely pricey, but amazingly intricate - i can hardly believe it’s only 6 inches across.  it would be the perfect place to store your most-used pieces of jewelry.  i’m also completely in love with this bright turquoise bird tray ($75) for the same purpose…and it could easily double as a drink tray or something else wonderful when you’re entertaining.

i could go on and on, but well…you’ll find it all on your own.  just make sure you don’t miss the eva peron storage boxes, the gorgeous mexican striped laundry basket, the…  well, you get the idea.

that’s right - starting today, bay area locals have access to one of only four CB2 stores in the country.  time to rejoice! 

for those who aren’t familiar, CB2 is crate & barrel’s younger, hipper little sister.  it’s one of my favorite stops for chic, modern home goods - usually at astoundingly good prices.  seriously, where else can you get dishes designed by andy warhol for $1.50 each, stark industrial lighting for $80, or that lovely striped highback loveseat pictured above for $900? 

so, for those of you lucky enough to be in the ‘hood, check out the new CB2 store at stockton & ellis, so you can finally check out the goods in person before you buy.  and be sure to let me know what fab goods you bring home!

more random than random, i know.  but i saw this picture from the owners of something’s hiding in here, courtesy of a sneak peek into their home over at design*sponge on monday, and haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since.  there’s something so fun and unexpected about a porch swing in the middle of a room.  i have some huge bay windows i’m trying desperately to make more functional, and right now, a porch swing facing them is sounding really good.  ooh, or maybe a hammock!

what do you all think about using outdoor furniture indoors?  am i onto something, or slowly losing my mind?

saw these new gocco prints on orangebeautiful’s stunning blog, and then over at their etsy shop.  remember those horrid “motivational” posters that were so popular in the 90s, and have since been knocked off in every possible incarnation, but always in the worst possible taste?  

yeah.  these are nothing like that.  gorgeous design, completely hip, and dead-on sentiment for any office.  oh, and only $12 each (or $40 for all 4).  god but i love etsy.

they’d also make an ideal gift for at least 3 people i know and love…let alone all the people i know and violently dislike.  be honest:  you know you can think of at least one person at your office whose cubicle you’re dying to hang one of these in…anonymously, of course.

i swear, the next time i renovate a kitchen, a pair of these fantastic teacup hooks is going in. i can’t say enough about these beauties…in fact, i’m wondering if you can commission someone to successfully remove a single tile from a backsplash, so that it can be replaced with one of these. or, heck, just attach it to a blank wall…it’s still incredibly sleek, stylish, and the type of design that borders on art.

i love the multi-use potential of this hook, but from a purely aesthetic perspective, i think this would be so darling filled with teabags, with another teacup dangling from the hook below. or, run a series next to a stovetop, and fill with fresh herbs or flowers. the possibilities are endless.

pick them up for $30 each at design glut, and heck, maybe grab a pair of egg pants while you’re there.

wedding season is officially upon us. and if there’s one thing i learned during my engagement, it’s that there’s a reason couples register. the world is full of terrible, horrible, no good, very bad wedding gifts. that said, i always hate buying off the registry…it just sucks the fun out of the gift-giving for me. fortunately, most of my friends trust me to select gifts they’ll love.

if you have someone who trusts your taste saying their “i do”s this summer, surprise them with a set of these gorgeous birch mugs from rust designs. look closely - those beautiful birch trees have a special touch: a heart with initials carved inside, like something right out of any cheesy romantic movie you’ve ever loved. best of all, they’ll customize each mug with the happy couple’s initials inside that heart, so the effect is stylish, one-of-a-kind, and incredibly thoughtful, all at once. not bad for a gift under $50.

order at rare device, one of my favorite stops for thoughtful gifts of all shapes and sizes.

as i gushed yesterday, i’ve been obsessed with the apartment makeover in SATC ever since i saw the movie. thank goodness for the internet - one of my darling readers (thanks, j!) sent over this link to an interview on casasugar with jeremy conway, the production designer on the set - aka, the great mind behind the stylin’ digs.

if you’re into the hows and whys, definitely head over and check out the full interview - casasugar did a fantastic job! and i’ll do you one better by suggesting the chicago tribune’s interview with the set designers as well.

but if you’re just in it for the gory details, here’s what i know:

* that stunning paint color is benjamin moore’s “electric blue”.

* as for those lovely settees flanking that amazing shelving unit (above), well, you’re out of luck - they were custom-designed. but the upholstery fabric you can have. it’s called amanda lee, and can be yours for $110/yd from the silk trading co.

* the coffee table is vintage, so sourcing doesn’t help. but i did just see a freakishly similar version in june’s elle decor, which you can find here for $1,950. or, check out this knockoff version at horchow, for under $500, proving once again that sometimes close enough is okay. you could also go old-school and pick up the version from her original apartment, which you can find at room and board (actually designed by them to match the table in the series - how cool is that?).

* the lovely eggplant-and-cream rug in the center of the room comes to us courtesy of the rug company - the design is called overleaf, and it’s by marni. pricing runs about $80/sf.

* update! that fab neutral rug in the seating area is also by the rug company - the design is called ‘palazzo,’ and it was created by one of their founders, suzanne sharp.

last, but most certainly not least: for J, who was kind enough to find me these stunning pics, i’ll return the fave by granting her wish.

“After watching the Sex in the City movie, I am in LOVE with Carrie’s apt remodel. I know you saw the film & I am hoping you caught a glimpse of the amazing LOVE print she had framed and leaned against the wall at Charlotte’s baby shower. Can you suggest a version for my home?”

well, J, i can tell you that the “real” version from the movie is called “love too”, by veteran design guru paul smith. it’s handwoven wool and silk needlepoint, measures right around 3′x4′9″, and retails for $2,550, and can be yours by contacting the rug company. if you’re crushing on this piece as much as J is, do a search on the rug company’s site for “paul smith,” and you’ll find loads of other needlepoint lovelies, plus all of his fantastic rugs.

and if you can’t quite spring for the original, here are a few prints on etsy that might tide you over: from artsyschmartzie, bellabella and jennifer ramos.

so, that’s what i know for now…naturally, i’ll keep you all posted if more info comes my way.

(credit where credit is due: photos courtesy craig blankenhorn/new line cinema ©2008 via casasugar, the chicago tribune and the rug company.)