Dachsies and Design

Reader Mail.

Dear D&D,

My friend's bday party is this weekend. I am at a loss for what to get her. I  am usually on the ball when it comes to gifts, but I am uninspired. She is an animal lover and enjoys a stiff drink now and then. I am not going to have much time to run around looking for the perfect gift, my schedule is pretty tight right now. Send me in the right direction? 

Thanks,
Gift less

Dear Gift less,

Since you don't have time for online shopping, here are some in-store options for your pal.

A pink martini shaker - and drop a cute necklace or bracelet inside to add a little somethin' somethin':

Or a cute summer gift - like a good beach read (I recommend this) and a funky towel:

Or a sweet little lunch tote? Everyone needs a chic bag to bring their salad to work!

Rug Burned.

I'm also pondering what rug I should get for the living room. These are my two favorites and they give off completely different feels for the room. I'm leaning towards one more than the other - what do you think? The Ultramarine sea oats from Company C or the Taksim tile rug from West Elm?

OR

HELP!!!

Lamp Lust.

I am going to be posting lots of questions about my new apartment - so please be ready to shell out advice. I am only making a few important purchases for my new crib, and one crucial element is adding a light source to my living room. I've always been in love with the Bauhaus arc lamp - but at $199, can I do better? What about this pharmacy lamp from Urban - only $68. Please help.

OR

HELP!!!

Be Prepared.

Last night a huge storm hit NYC. I was in a nail salon when it struck. I really thought that a tornado had hit because this enormous wind started up and the large glass front of the nail salon almost caved in. Me and all the ladies ran into the back to hide, and one woman that was leaving got hit by a sign and gashed her head open! We were all calling 9-1-1, I called my Mother...it was quite the scene. Once it was all over and the storm died down, I walked back to my friends apartment and they dubbed me "most-likely-to-be-the-worst-person-in-a-natural-disaster" - and it's true. I need to get more prepared for bad weather and scary situations. I'd be a horrible person to deal with in times of trouble. I think I might buy myself an emergency kit or read one of those survival handbooks.

Ask Dachsie!

Got a cute reader question in my inbox - here it goes:

I am seeing a friend soon and we haven't seen
eachother in a while...she is getting married in
October and I wanted to get her something in honor of
her engagement. I know her shower is not far away, but
I wanted to get her something little prior. Any ideas?
I was thinking of getting her something blue, she
doesn't have to wear it in her wedding if she already
has something but I thought it would be cute. help
me?!

D&D is on it! Some suggestions -

A tongue in cheek tshirt. Come on! She'll laugh! (Note: Do not purchase if she is a humorless woman).

A cute little book that can help her plan romantical trips with her hubby-to-be

Or something simple and blue - as you requested. She could even wear this on her wedding day - it is so simple and subtle.

New Apartment, New Start.

Well, my mattress purchase was a success. I ended up getting a Kingsdown pillowtop - so heavenly. Some of you emailed me with confusion about my new apartment and stuff, and without giving out too much detail about my personal life - I moved out of my apartment in Astoria a couple months ago and am moving into a great new place in Manhattan. I am very excited about this new chapter in my life - and I've got a new mattress to prove it! I'll post pics of my teeny bedroom as soon as it's remotely decorated. Thanks for all the well wishes and good advice. (I also have to thank my brother for helping me move in this past weekend - he's the best).

Polaroid print from MiaMagic

And I'm Off.

Wish me luck. I'm about to "take it to the mattresses". Get it?! Seriously though, I'm off to give Sleepy's another shot. Will report back tomorrow.

photo via

Helllllp!

Dear readers,
I need advice.
I have to buy a new mattress and I'm a total mattress virgin. I have never EVER bought one before. They've always been hand-me-downs or gifts from my parents. I went into a Sleepy's last night and ran out in cold sweats. Pillowtop or plush? Kingsdown or Serta? HELP!?! Can someone offer me some advice on how to pick and choose? Do I go to a department store or an Ikea? Or is Sleepy's the way to go? Not even Apartment Therapy is helping!

Dress Me.

I got an email from the delicious delish about advice on what to wear to a friend's wedding. Delish bought a cute linen dress from Old Navy (similar to this one) and doesn't know what to do with it. Well, I ain't no Tamron but I know a thing or two about lookin' classy without showing off the assy. Here are my suggestions:

Don't wear stilettos or big heels. You won't be able to dance and if you're outside, you'll sink into the grass. I love fancy sandals like this pair from Yellow Box - pair it with some sophisticated "diamonds".

If you don't go the gold sandal route - get a wedge (again, so as not to sink into the sand/grass/etc). I'm assuming your dress is solid pink - in which case I'd add another color in. How about a jazzy teal number? Pair it with some simple earrings.

Also, definitely avoid pashminas at all cost. Ugh. If I see another chick at a wedding in a shawl I'm gonna gag. Those should be reserved for Mother-of-the-bride only. Instead wear a longer white cardigan with a skinny gold belt. Oh so chic. I like this one at Victoria's Secret.

And of COURSE, you must tote your camera and lipgloss in a vintage white clutch.

White Out.

I need advice. I am looking to splurge on new bedding - and I want it to be all white. The only pillow that is going to be incorporated in the bedding is this beauty that I picked up at Target. I am going to re-decorate my soon-to-be new bedroom in yellows and grays. I don't care if that color combo is on it's way out. I love it forever. Here are the two bedding finalists. Which one do you prefer?

Ribbon Quilt from Brocade Home

or the organic pleated duvet at West Elm?

DISCUSS!