Perfect Pairing: Riedel Crystal and Living Beyond Breast Cancer

The Riedel company is one of the world's authorities on wine glasses and decanters and for the third year, Riedel has created a special, limited edition glass to benefit Living Beyond Breast Cancer. Riedel will donate 15% of the proceeds from the sale of this glass to support those dealing with the devastating diagnosis of breast cancer and life beyond.



The first two glasses in the series, the Pink “O” wine tumbler (2005) and the Pink “O” Champagne glass (2006), sold out in record time, providing a donation of over $100,000 to Living Beyond Breast Cancer in the U.S. This year the glass is a Pink Vinum Rosé Glass with its soft pink stem and clear bowl. (above: Riedel Pink O Champagne glass, set of 2, $26.99; Riedel vinum pink rose, pair, $49.80. Both available at Bed, Bath & Beyond).



Wine decanters make a great wedding gift. Whether your friends have handcrafted redwood racking in their temperature-controlled cellars or simply enjoy a glass of wine with dinner now and then, any newlywed will gratefully receive these decanters. Real wine aficionados will especially appreciate that Riedel makes these decanters. They feature different sizes and shapes that are carefully designed to bring out the best qualities in wines.



These decanters are proof that with Riedel, you can always expect the unexpected—in dramatic fashion.

(Decanters shown above: Pomerol wine decanter, $249.00; Amadeo lyra decanter, $287.95; Pomerol wine decanter , $249.00; Crystal Dove wine decanter, $179.95, Tyrol wine decanter $156.95 ; All available at the Wine Enthusiast).

Gaia & Gino puts "Turkish delight" in tableware!

One of the things I really love about blogging is the ability to meet "new" people from all over the world. She's in Istanbul and I'm in New York City; the ocean may divide us; but this incredible medium brought us together. Please allow me to share an email that I received from Eda Suner from Turkey recently:

"Hi Sarah I'm from Turkey Istanbul. I like your post I see it everyday :) This is for you... This link is about me and my husband (If you want to write it of course you can. :) - xoxo Best Regards, Eda Suner ".

Eda, thank you for visiting Toast and Tables and thank you for sharing the links. Eda's site is fantastic, darn I wish I could read turkish!!! (Eda you're going to have to translate some of your site for me, especially the toasted message and the bandana table runner, smile). - p.s. did you and your husband register at Pasabahce?



(above: The designs of Pasabahce, shows the taste for decoration is alive today. The brand is loved for its affordable finds and limited-edition glassware alike. Their shop is the spot for Turkish brides to register).

I wanted to take some time out to show a lot of love to Istanbul. This city is being reborn as a hot spot for shopping, dining, and modern design and one of the companies leading this rebirth is Gaia & Gino. I saw Gaia & Gino at the New York Gift show this summer and was stopped dead in my tracks, the product is unbelievable!!!! (pictures can not do it justice). Creating future design classics, Gaia & Gino is an award-winning Turkish home accessories brand with unconventional, innovation and emotional products.



(above: CALI - A gestural line that consists of 3 small budvases inspired by Ottoman calligraphy which can be seen in Turkish museums and mosques) .

Gaia & Gino - - - named for founder Gaye Cevikel's nickname and her dog Gino is known for creating gorgeous objects within a traditional context and has resulted in partnerships with some of the world's foremost design influentials.



(above: CEREMONY - Flower sticks made of Pyrex tubes. These sticks help you to have flowers at home at any time, filling the vase).

Designers such as Andree Putman, Arik Levy, Karim Rashid and Yves Behar were asked to translate the turkish forms into a sophisticated, innovative and intelligent product.



(above: LUCKY - Inspired by the patterns of the old Turkish figurative arts. The famous clove shape has been cleverly converted into a beautiful porcelian vase and bowl set. Shown with "Galactica'' centerpiece and "Creemy" tea and coffee set).



(above: WIKKED - A glass encased flame that playfully sits on the table. With its ever changing shape from every point of view it captures the viewer’s attention and radiates within the room. One hole is nice; but two holes are wikked. This candle also comes in black and can't you imagine this on a "halloween" themed table setting! Shown with ''Volcano" glasses).



(above: GIANTS - Created from clear crystal and named after natural crystal formations, take your pick from Herkimer and Heliodor. Heliodor is a yellow variety of beryl found near Rossing, Namibia and is prized as a gemstone. Herkimer is an exceptionally clear quartz crystal from Herkimer County, New York State, USA. The Giant Giants Mega Heliodor 8 shown above is exclusive to Moss. Shown with ''Snob'' glasses).

For more on Istanbul, House & Garden magazine does a incredible profile on the city in this month's issue, click here to check out the slide show and Vivre has also put together a deco guide full of Turkish delight.

A cut above the rest: Laguiole knives

They're beautiful, feel great in your hand, cut effortlessly and will definitely be on my wedding registry. Table knives by the French firm Laguiole (pronounced "layole") have a handle on the hottest shades, horn or wood. The blades are as elegantly crafted as they are beautiful to behold.


(above: Laguiole steak knife set, $98.00, Anthropologie)

Laguiole is one of the oldest and best respected names in French cutlery. For over two centuries, craftsmen of Laguiole have been making distinctive knives known to the world as Laguiole Knives. Laguiole knives are pocket knives often with a small corkscrew. The style has evolved and led to a range of some of the most handsome cutlery to be found anywhere. There are Laguiole table knives, Laguiole carving sets and, of course, the Laguiole corkscrew, also known as the sommelier knife.


(l to r: Laguiole spreaders, set of 4, $39.00, Williams-Sonoma; Laguiole steak knives, $350.00 Dean and Deluca)

These days, they've become a symbol of uber-style among those who are attuned to such things, due perhaps to the neat bas-relief bee that sits at the point where blade and haft meet and an appreciation of the nifty mechanism which forces the blade to collapse. A Laguiole knife is presented to each president of the French Republic. Sonia Rykiel is said to own one. And Philippe Starke, who seems unable to leave the slightest thing untouched, has refined the design for the 21st century.



(l to r: Laguiole Steak Knives $330.00, Horchow; Laguiole exotic wood handles, set of 6 $570.00, Moss).

Ooohh so many choices, what’s a girl to do?

(image at top: Laguiole Wilmotte, set of 6, $670.00, Moss)

Pillow Talk: Ankasa is more than fluff

Ankasa created embroidery for fashion’s top houses; they are known for their exquisite embellishments for Oscar de la Renta, Escada and Vera Wang, to name a few.

It comes at no surprise that they have been able to implement the same precision to detail from the world of fashion, into a luxurious home décor collection.


While at the gift fair I was able to view first hand their elegant pillows and bedding. Ankasa showcases elaborately executed handiwork that ornaments in uncommon style. The collection debuting next season is all about glamour. Honing in on their obvious fashion roots, the collection features crystal-encrusted pillows and the hot color combination of pink and black, which serves as a stylized counterpoint to the more masculine-influenced look of the croc-stamped leather pillow.

He asked... I said "Yes"!

Last week was extremely busy for me, so please let me apologize for not posting regularly. Not only was I hosting my parents here in New York for a week; but last Tuesday, after seeing a great off-Broadway show my boyfriend proposed while we were at dinner.

It was perfect and the fact that he asked me to marry him in front of my parents made it extra special.

For the rest of the month, I will be exploring great wedding registry ideas. Choosing and registering patterns for a lifetime, is an experience that I’m looking forward to sharing with Chip, my fiancé. In choosing patterns, we are blending together family traditions and our own tastes while setting the tone for a lifestyle that we will be creating together.

(l to r: Crystalline toasting flutes, Crystalline red wine glasses, s/2, $375.00, Swarovski).

(l to r: Diamond paperweights, s/3, $98.00, Bloomingdales; Diamond napkin ring, $25.99, Vivre).

Chip presented me with a gorgeous, pave-style diamond engagement ring, similar to the ring shown above. In celebration of my rock, this post is dedicated to “glittering gifts” - - - flatware, drinkware and coordinating pieces that add flair and serious sparkle to your table.

(l to r: Orrefors bracelet Collection, vase, $250.00; low bowl, $95.00, Nordstrom).

(l to r: Christofle Malmaison classique flatware wide, $18,600.00, Vivre).

(l to r: L'Objet platinum garland with white Swarovski crystals, s/4,$103.95, bedding.com; L'Objet link napkin rings, $85.00, Gracious style).

(l to r: L'Objet platinum white crystals picture frame, $143.95; L'Objet platinum plated frame with white swarovski crystals, 4x6,$122.95, bedding.com).

(top row: cork opener, coasters, Magppie).
(middle row: champagne bucket, boston shaker, Magppie).
(bottom row: tong, bottle opener, Magppie).

The Well-Dressed Picnic Table

One of the joys of summer is to pack a picnic lunch and head for the beach, mountains or even a nearby park to savor delicious food in the open air. Spotted in June’s edition of Elle Décor, this Goyard picnic trunk comes equipped with everything you’d need for a well-dressed picnic table at the beach – preferably on the French Riviera! Silver cutlery, porcelain plates, crystal tumblers and more are tucked into a leather case in the brand’s signature print. A girl can dream right!?!?




The longstanding European tradition of dining al fresco is a relaxing way to enjoy light, satisfying food and refreshing, chilled drinks. Can you image a better way to create the ultimate champagne experience than with this trunk created by Pinel & Pinel for the House of Krug. Someone wake me up!??!

Goyard and Pinel & Pinel represent the epitome of luxurious picnic dining but not all table creations fetch a king's ransom. When dining at a picnic table, add small touches of unexpected luxury by using a tablecloth, real china and silver. Here are a few of my favorites:
"Cornish Blue" picnic basket: A unique specimen from Great Britain: this willow picnic basket contains the famous blue-and-white-striped ceramic crockery "Cornish Blue", which the Derbyshire potters in England have been producing by hand for over a hundred years.

Picnic trunk at Neiman Marcus.

With Wedgwood fine bone china and crisp white linen this really is the elite in picnic baskets and is presented in a trunk style basket. Each basket. Contains: 4 china plates. 4 wine glasses. 4 cups and saucers. 1 food cooler. 1 wine cooler. 1 tablecloth and napkins. 1 cruet. 1 corkscrew. 1 liter stainless steel flask. 4 stainless steel forks. 4 stainless steel spoons. 4 stainless steel knives.

Wine Lover's Picnic Basket @ William-Sonoma.

Al fresco dining is one of the many pleasures that summertime offers, and one that can be adapted to accommodate a variety of budgets, locations and guest lists. Get creative with your cuisine and accessories and take the party outside...la bella vita awaits!