Notes From: A Birthday

The photos from Sunday's dinner speak for themselves: it was just as warm, full of light, good food and good company. . . a birthday I and the Mr. will remember. So simple, but spectacularly lovely, you know?

Swell Sip: Ginger Cheer

This, friends, is a very special SWELL SIP for a very special mister—the one and only Mr. Goicochea,of course. A fantastic fellow (and a perfect pop to the pups and cats), I am honored to call him the peas to my carrots and the pep in my step. In short, he makes life grand! And being so stylish and snappy, smart and sweet, this ginger-apple-vanilla concoction suits him perfectly. Ian, cheers to your day of birth and to many years to come! I love you, good sir. 

6. Gant Rugger Blazer 7. General Pants Expedition Boot 8. Swaine Adeney Brigg Flask Umbrella

9. Topshop Resin Segment Collar 10. Scoth & Soda Japanese Styled Scarf 11. Peter Jensen Pintuck Dress

Gift Guide: Birthday Boy

1. Uniform Wares Watch 2. Apolis Indigo Chore Jacket  3. Cutler and Gross Square Frames 4. What Katie Ate Guinness Cake 5. Linus Roadster Classic 6. Zzegna Scarf 7. J.Crew Flask   8. Toast UK iPad Case 9. Unionmade Notebook 10. Zuriick Nico Boots

Gift Guide: Birthday Feast

1. Lackluster Co. Vintage Hanging Sign 2. Huset Shop Iittala Sarpaneva Casserole Pot 3. Confetti System Meteorite Pinata 4. Jayson Home and Garden Athena Tray 5. One Sydney Road Cook Towel 6. Anthropologie Dot & Zig Serving Spoons 7. Terrain Salt & Pepper Cellars 8. Ferm Living Remix Black Napkins 9. Toast Candle Lantern 10. The Future Perfect Mini Pedestal

Notes Fom: La Luna Negra

You're sensing a pattern here, I know. An obvious Spainophile, I promise this is my last post about tapas and flamenco for a bit. La Luna Negra, a Pasadena Spanish eatery with soaring ceilings and live music, is a good post-flea market stop (next Sunday). I can only recommend eating the alcachofa once in a (black) moon as it is deliciously dripping in warm butter and champagne, but once you've gandered at goods by foot down every aisle at the Rose Bowl, you can dive right in sans guilt. Tomorrow? My favorite birthday gifts both for others and yourself! In turning the big 2-9, I can't help but wonder where has the time gone? (That's a photo of my third dogger, Delila, who makes an excellent lunch date).