I think it’s finally safe to say that fall has arrived. Time to roll out your sweater boxes from under your bed, ladies! I know, it doesn’t sound very exciting. This is definitely the time of year when you want a new sweater the most. The crisp temperatures plus the thought of looking through my sad, worn cardigans from last season is all it takes to get me into the stores (too bad I have ZERO money!). But maybe you do, so here are my favorite cardigans for fall 2009. I guarantee adding any and all to your wardrobe will yield limitless outfit options. You really can wear the cardigans below with everything!
Clockwise from top left: I love, love, love J Crew’s new mohair souffle cardigans (and they’re a deal for $88). The grey is super versatile, but they also have some really great colors like acid green and hot pink. They’re chic worn over dark skinny jeans and boots, or belted at the waist with a pencil skirt or wide leg pants. Vanessa Bruno’s dark navy cashmere cardigan is embellished with chain and gems–great for throwing over a cocktail dress at night, but could also be dressed down (definitely an investment piece at $550). I cannot aptly express how badly I covet this fern green Marni cardi. The color is unbelievable, would be magnificent peeking out of just about any coat or jacket, and is a great representation of the fantastic prints Castiglioni did for fall. I don’t even want to tell you how much this one costs. And last, but certainly not least, the queen of stripes has come out with another nautical-inspired cardigan ($235) we could all add to our closet. It’s one of those basics that if you don’t already own, you better get on it. Lucky for you, Cardigan by Lynne Hiriak is giving all GBGP readers 30% off all fall merchandise. Happy fall! – L

At Home magazine sponsored its second annual “celebration of style” event last week in Greenwich, Connecticut. Event sponsors included HB HOME, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, Mis en Scene, Nanz-Remains Lighting and Waterworks. Since many of these sponsors have stores literally across the street from one another on East Putnam Avenue, I was able to poke my head in and gather some inspiration the afternoon before the actual event took place. It was a private tour, when all of the vendors were showing their best. For me, ideal. I made a couple of observations…(below, the main seating area at HB HOME)
1. White upholstered pieces with jewel tone accessories were plentiful. By jewel tones, I mean, lots of green, red, orange, and golden yellow. These colors all compliment each other beautifully, and they are perfect for the upcoming seasonal accessories surrounding Thanksgiving and the Holidays. The white sofa draped in a bold red blanket below at Mis en Scene was killer cool.
2. No trims, frills, little excess. All of the rooms were relatively simple-and lovely. Pillows were used to add color and interest. Not surprisingly, pillows are a relatively inexpensive accessory. Below, a beautifully styled vignette at Mis en Scene. Those pillows are fab; Lauren loves them.
3. It’s all about the table top vignette. We like to study these carefully stylized table tops to learn from the pros. Thankfully, gourd lamps are still in fashion! HB HOME displayed many and my favorite was this one (below), in sky blue.
4. HB HOME hung these great Slim Arrons prints. I thought they were very Mad Men.
5. Using one very architectural piece in a room like this rocking chair is a must. We love using gourds as accessories, too (see our DIY Harvest tray post!). As you can see, HB HOME really had it together.
It’s always good to get out and see what the market is showing at the beginning of each season. Once you have an idea in your head of what you like, and what the trends are, it’s much easier to find vintage replicas or less expensive versions when you’re out shopping. Though as we all know, the ideal room combines both new and old pieces. – S

This week, at the invitation of a dear friend, I attended the annual Katonah Herb Festival for the first time. The festival takes place for one day only on the grounds of the John Jay Homestead State Historic site, on Route 22 in Katonah. We arrived to find hundreds of gardening enthusiasts (many wearing festive hats- sorry no photos of them!). On hand were some of the most perfect examples of herb varieties I have ever seen. Nothing enhances a recipe better than just-picked herbs, and there were wonderful baked goods prepared with the herbs grown on the property being sold too. The smell under that tent was amazing! It inspired me to continue to try to cook with the freshest herbs and produce possible.
The herb garden walk at the John Jay Homestead is open for visitors all year round. The garden is beautifully maintained.  Who knew that herbs alone could be so beautiful?
For me, the most interesting crafter of all was this wonderful herb wreath maker. She started making each wreath with lots and lots of varieties and then tied them on bunch by bunch with wire to a circular metal ring (available at craft stores). These finished wreaths were beautiful to look at, and they smelled magnificent. They dry beautifully and last forever.
It’s all just inspiration for living a colorful and healthy lifestyle. Have a great weekend. – S

At the Brimfield Antique Show this fall, we were stopped dead in our tracks by this pile (below) of interesting wood and metal objects with a wonderful weathered patina. In talking to the dealer, we learned that they came from a chicken coup on a farm in Maine. At the end of each drawer was a placeholder where the farmers inserted labels to differentiate the varieties of hens and their wonderful eggs. Finding new uses for utilitarian pieces like this is something we love to do, and on the way back to the car, schlepping our two $8 trays, we brainstormed all of the cool things we could use these trays for. The real beauty of this story is not just that these Maine harvest trays have found their way into our everyday lives, but that whenever we use them, we’ll always think of that beautiful fall day at Brimfield, when we hung out together, sharing our passion for collecting. And then of course, we’ll remember all of those hens!
Below, the tray used as centerpiece on our dining room table. What could be easier than assembling an assortment of pumpkins and gourds? Visit your local farmer’s market in the coming weeks. Later they can become the basis for your outdoor Halloween decorations.
No home can have too many trays; breakfast trays, coffee table trays, you name it. This one will come in handy when carrying food and tableware out to the backyard. The size is great and the trays hold a lot more weight than you might think–we were surprised by their sturdiness.
And finally, Lauren came up with the idea to use the metal wire mesh drawer to display her costume jewelry. Clever, no?
Can you guys think of any other cool ways to use these drawers/trays? Have you found any great old pieces lately that you’ve found new uses for? We’d love to hear about it! – S

Click here to see all the latest fall styles. We’re crazy for the tissue merino stripe sophie bateau top and the sophie reversible wraps! So cozy! – L

Fur is definitely a big decorating trend for 2009 (and, according to Lauren, fashion trendspotters are also in agreement…think fall 2009 collections from Miu Miu, Isabel Marant, and Lanvin). Everywhere we turn, we’re seeing pillows, throws, bedding, seat cushions, fabrics and rugs being offered in both fake fur, and the real thing. PETA loyalists will be happy to know that there have been many recent enhancements in fake fur materials; they look more realistic than ever before. Originating in the late 1950′s, fake fur was made of acrylic polymers, and over time mixed with other polymers to create modacrylic fabrics. Unlike their real counterparts, modacrylic fabrics can be dyed. They’re also easy to clean, lighter in weight, and are even resistant to insects! Real or fake, fur is a warm and cozy accessory to any room, and now you can enjoy it guilt-free (if you choose). We found some really great faux fur and fur pieces on display at Dovecote, one of our favorite design stores in Westport, Connecticut. You’ll also find great examples of pillows from Pottery Barn, and rugs at Ikea. Happy hunting! (wink, wink)

Clockwise from top left: vintage lucite stool with cowhide top, $350 at Dovecote in Westport, CT, Ikea faux sheapskin, $39.99, Leigh Harmer Sheep by Sam Brown, Tibetan sheapskin ottoman, $650 at Dovecote in Westport, CT, Austin sheapskin pillow, Tozi Home lux brown faux sheared beaver throw, $159 (Lauren has one of these in white at the end of her bed and it looks so fab!). – S