Lighters and Matches

I’m Rachel Hollis, and I’m a collector.

I’m not a hoarder mind you, I don’t have 3,300 unopened Barbie Dolls or shelves filled with unused gallon jugs of mayo (Daddy I’m looking right at you!) but do like to collect two things in particular. The first of which is vintage lighters (which I store in this giant apothecary vase in my dining room). Subsequently I started a little collection of cool matchbooks in the vase next door just to balance it out.

Strike a Match

Match Point

I love the matchbooks because I only take them from my favorite places: the bar in Cabo, poolside in Spain, Mozza for Dave’s 35th birthday… they’re all great memories.

Vintage Lighters

Two of my favorites

I started collecting vintage lighters years ago at a flea market. It started with a gorgeous silver Japanese lighter from the 20′s and has grown with interesting pieces, gifts and family heirlooms ever sense. I choose only pieces that are truly unique and special and it’s always a conversation piece when guests visit my home. My absolute favorites are the ones with inscriptions. The one above says “Julia, I love you more today than yesterday but less than tomorrow”. Perhaps if Julia’s lover had been more original or highlighted less awkward words this lighter wouldn’t be in the hands of a total stranger.

My second collectors item is totally obscure… so obscure in fact that I only have three pieces. I collect birds with broken beaks!

The Trophy Bird

This little guy started my collection. My mom won him in a sewing competition back in the olden days when people actually competed to win small earthenware poultry. He always sat somewhere in the house, and he was ALWAYS missing his beak. It just made him interesting. When I moved to LA at 17 he was one of few things I asked my mom for, having him around just made it feel like home.

Both of my other broken birds came from the clearance rack of fancy stores that thought they were ruined. I however squeal with delight whenever I discover one.  Anyone can collect a menagerie, I choose to collect the wounded variety (which PS is also very similar to my person life, but that’s for another post).

Do you collect anything?? Tell me about it, the more obscure the better!!

Black Bird Singin'

The Little Cherub

If you’re “in the biz” meaning, the event biz… prepare to have your world rocked!

Have a Seat

At least, that was my reaction when I heard about Found Vintage Rentals. I am firstly OBSESSED with vintage anything. I am secondly, always searching for something new to show my clients (one more chivari chair and I’ll gag!) So, to find out those two dreams have married and had a little baby, and that little baby is Found Vintage makes me one happy event planner.

Just imagine of the possibilities… patina stone wear, Victorian chairs upholstered in burlap, rusted iron gates. Your decor possibilities just quadrupled! I mean, doesn’t this just make you want to throw a French inspired baby shower or a shabby chic wedding?

Swwwwooooonnnnn.

Know When to Fold 'em

Green with Envy

Outside the Box

First Impressions

I found KnockKnocking on Etsy this morning and I’m so obsessed wtih artist Agnes Blum’s work.

During almost every holiday season you will find the door of my home (and sometimes my office) decked with a wreath. I love the warmth it ads to greet guests and the statement it gives to passersby THIS HOUSE CELEBRATES HOLIDAYS WITH GUSTO, BE FOREWARNED!

I have feather wreaths and sparkly wreaths, egg wreaths and wreaths of twigs, I even have specialty tupperware containers to store the wreaths and keep them looking perfect between their yearly stint on my door. But it wasn’t until today though that I’d ever seen a yarn wreath or considered using a wreath during the “off season”. Agnes’ work is so precious and whimsical, it seems like the perfect way to deck your door and keep the holiday spirit up year round!

Dahlias are one of my favorite flowers to design with. They come in a million colors and sizes and are really hearty. You’ll see them popping up in my decor over and over again.

Pretty Pastels

Here are some pretty pastels at a wedding. This is a design anyone can create: dahlias mixed with herbs and greenery in various mason jars… so pretty!

Deep and Brooding

These deep maroon beauties were perfect for a birthday party bar piece… the use of deep reds and purples lent it’s self to our whimsical and feminine design.

Hot Pink Lady

This hot pink dahlia with white tips added the perfect bit of texture to our vibrant summery centerpiece at a beach wedding.

These flowers are so easy to use, you have to try them out!! You can place a bunch in a vase, or cut off the blooms and float them in a low dish for an instant centerpiece!!

Summer Salad

We did this set up a couple of years ago for an outdoor wedding, but I continue to use it time and time again whenever I want to serve a light lunch.

We set an 8 ft table and draped it with a vibrant silk table cloth. Two different kinds of salads (spinach and mixed greens) were pre plated for each guest. The end of the table was filled with bowls overflowing with salad toppings: various cheeses, olives, grilled vegetables, beans etc as well as artisanal breads and butters.

It was a beautiful buffet, it was efficient (guests had their salad course in a matter of minutes) and most importantly it was customizable to each guests taste.

This would be so easy for you to pull off at your next baby shower, ladies luncheon or potluck.

Flower Power

We use this little trick all the time at weddings, but it’s an easy way to add a bit of elegance to your next dinner party.

Print up your dinner menu on heavy card stock (even if you’re just having meatloaf, it’s nice to see a menu printed out). Then insert the menu into the pocket fold on your napkin.

Tuck a hearty bloom in the corner of the napkin (orchids work great as do gerber daisies, succulents, feathers… anything pretty that doesn’t need a ton of water to survive).

This is completely inexpensive and a lovely accent to your already beautiful table.

Matching Monograms

I found this photo today as I was pulling pictures for my slave drivers (otherwise known as publicists). It’s been so many years since we did this wedding, I’d forgotten all about this cool monogram. It was fairly simple… letters carved into particle board covered in seed paper and then attached to the gates that guests entered the party through.

The branches, hanging amaranthus, moss and callas were added to enchant the peep holes in the gates and clusters of similar pieces were placed along the walk way. It was such a precious way to welcome partygoers.

I wanted to share this with you Chic Readers because I think it’d be a lovely way to knock your guests socks off at your next gathering. Imagine doing it with your street number or a descriptive word like “Fete”. Also, because it’s made from wood you can store it and pull out every year for your annual party. Love it!!

Season's Greenings

Now that Turkey day has trotted, let’s talk Christmas. While Thanksgiving is notorious for overcooking, Christmas is the holiday for overspending. On Thanksgiving we waste food. On Christmas we waste, well, EVERYTHING. This year, Chic Readers, let’s each try to find one area where we can cut back and NOT WASTE ANYTHING. I have 3 ways to do this.

I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas...

1. Make your own wrapping paper. Get a few brown paper bags, cut open the seams so that you have one big flat piece. Flip to the blank side that has no writing or logos. Cut a kitchen sponge into the shape of a star. Dip in gold/red/green paint. Stamp sponge on paper. Repeat. Allow to dry. Voila! Beautiful and Eco-Friendly wrapping paper.
2. Decorate your tree using only found objects. Take a walk through the park. Collect sticks, pine cones, dried leaves, and sprigs of berries (preferably non-poisonous if you have kids, pets, or curious significant others). Take your goods home and spray paint a few items gold or red for some color. Use wire ornament hooks to hang your eco-ornaments on your tree.
3. Buy charity gifts. Visit Charity Choice and choose from over 100 Charities to donate to. Put the donation under your receiver’s name and they will receive monthly updates about the progress of their cause. Make sure to tailor the cause to the gift receiver. For example, Ivan likes cats so I would donate to Alley Cat Allies in his name. Prrrrowww…

Happy Green Holidays Chic Readers!

Sphere Genius!

It sure is. I’ve seen these spherical wonders at a few boutiques around town and then imagine my excitement when they popped up at my local Anthropologie?! The original EcoSphere is the world’s first totally enclosed ecosystem- a complete, self-contained and self sustaining miniature world encased in glass. Or, in layman’s terms…a living thing that takes care of itself!

adopt a pet shrimp!

These EcoSpheres make great office pets, favors, and gifts! Trust me, your sister will totally appreciate it when you give your niece an EcoSphere and not a hamster for her birthday. EcoSpheres require no cleaning and only minimal care and the little shrimp inside can live to be 7 years old! They can keep you company for years to come without robbing you of your freedom to take a spur of the moment weekend getaway.

EcoSphere sitter? EcoSphere kennel? Nope.

EcoSphere love? Absolutely.