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5/21/13 - A Season of Blue

The color blue has always fascinated me. One of the beautiful things about this color is the myriad of characteristics contained in its various shades. Navy is classic and elegant, as sleek as black but slightly warmer. Peacock blue is exotic. Tiffany or Sky blue are sweet and innocent (and the reason why I named my son Sky) while Moroccan blue is bold. The list is as endless and vast as the color itself. Blue has soul that can transport you instantly to memories of beautiful oceans and exotic, far away places.

Almost all cultures have incorporated blue as a mainstay of their artistic identity. Asia has a long history of blue and white china going back to the 14th century, Morocco and Islamic cultures have their own unique take and The Dutch have created beautiful Delft Blue pottery.

Though blue is a particularly fashionable shade right now, this color transcends time and trends. Much like a navy skirt or a man’s navy jacket will be the core of a persons wardrobe forever, a blue and white plate will never be out of style. As a person who loves blue, the question is never if it is in season or out, but rather which shade of it have I fallen in love with this time. Right now I am in love with strong Moroccan blue as well as dusty, bluish lavender shades like Hyacinths.

Whatever color blue speaks to you embrace it and fall in love, you’ll be happy you did. Here’s to a great summer season…Natasha.

5/7/13 - Mother’s Day Breakfast Bliss

In our lifetime as mothers, we will prepare roughly 6500  breakfasts for our families assuming that our kids leave our nest at age 18 to go off in to the world.  That’s 6500 early mornings with mad dashes to get the most important meal of the day on the breakfast table, pack about 2700 school lunches, get school backpacks ready, rush our beloved kids through the house in the attempt to get them to school in time for the total of 14 years…all within a general time span of 1 crazy morning hour between 7am and 8am.

 It is for that reason, that on Mother’s day once a year, my idea of bliss is having breakfast presented to me by my loved ones in a decadent and elegant fashion that defies all the other days spent rushing and hurrying.  We all fantasize of the notion of time and leisure.  One of my good friend’s frequently likes to remind me that the only thing you can’t get back in life,  is time.  So on this mother’s day, let’s take a moment to consider the possibility of honoring our moms by giving her time, leisure and love and especially,  a beautiful breakfast.  Whether you present this as we have in our picture with  beautiful Hermes china and Puiforcat silver and vintage linens or you set a simple table outdoors in the garden with some handpicked flowers to honor her, be certain that these decadences will be thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated…. Happy Mother’s Day.


4/29/13 - The Scents of Cire Trudon

We’ve all had the experience being instantly transported us to another place by a simple scent. With one inhale you find yourself standing in your childhood back yard playing in fresh cut grass, or winding through busy market streets in a distant land or  wrapped in your favorite blanket with sunday’s crossword puzzle. Scent has the amazing power to unlock our memories, uplift our heart and calm our spirit which is why here at MONC XIII we are proud to carry Cire Trudon’s full line of home fragrance candles. Not only are the candles beautiful to look at in their handblown glass tumblers, but each unique scent is rich, personable and beautiful disperses through a space. Their scents enhance, not over power a room, which allows the scent to become part of the space and part of your world. Whether it’s invoking memories or creating new ones the scents of Cire Trudon are to cherished for a myriad of occasions and moments in our lives.        

1/25/13 - Interview With Bruce Budd

We’ve really been enjoying Mark D. Sikes blog lately and want to share with all of you. His latest interview with Bruce Budd is fantastic. Check it out at www.markdsikes.com and let us know your thoughts.

9/18/12 - PURPLE RAIN


We love the purple color way we received in today from Geoffrey Parker. A fitting addition to any library or games room $3,250 Made In England

9/5/12 - DREAMY DUNBAR


Our new work space on a rainy Fall day…Dunbar sofa covered in Vicuna 100%linen

9/5/12 - HOLM SWEET HOLM


We love the Holm Soreusen desk from the 1950′s that arrived instore… perfect for any study. Outstanding condition…

9/5/12 - Star Star Bright…

 
StilNovo Flush mount light just arrived in our store last week. Stilnovo the italian light designer from mid 20th Century…tres chic!

8/18/12 - Backgammon good times..


last night we held our first ever backgammon tournament. It was a lot of fun to say the least! The winner walked away with a large Sol&Luna leather covered cooler. The “less winner up” won too!

8/14/12 - FORGET HUNGER GAMES IT’S ALL ABOUT OUR BACKGAMMON PARTY


This Friday the 17th of August we are having a backgammon party in store. It will be a fight to the death as 16 players knock it out for the title of MONCXIII CHAMPION. The games commence at 6:15, drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be flowing….stop by if you can!