Just another confirmation that dogs are the best. This article was in The New York Times Magazine this weekend and is great on so many levels. I highly recommend reading it.

I’m really excited about our Valentine’s event “A Floral Affair” happening this weekend. The lovely and talented Amy Merrick will in-store creating floral arrangements from 12-7 Saturday the 11th, 1-6 Sunday the 12th and 12-7 on Tuesday the 14th (Valentine’s Day!).
A perfect idea for Valentine’s or just to spruce up your home, because who doesn’t need flowers around this time of year? We will be taking pre-orders as well as walk-ins all weekend long so let us know if you’d like to gift someone with flowers. Arrangements will start at $100 in addition to small bouquets for $25. We will also be delivering for $25 below 23rd Street. If you have any questions please feel free to contact us at ladies@castorandpolluxstore.com.

On the left is a sample arrangement for the event. Beautiful, right?

Visiting the Prada store in Tokyo is so inspiring. The building is designed by Herzog de Meuron and stands tall and proud in the small and elegant neighborhood of Aoyama and is graced with geometric windows flanked by thick molded concrete; it’s a beautiful shrine to modern architecture. Inside, the windows create magical light patterns across the floor depending on the time of day and everything is done to perfection–the racks are covered in fur, the floor is thick, luxurious (and spotless!) carpet, the sales staff  are beautiful and helpful. A lovely combination of grace and service inside makes the experience truly special.  Add it to your list of places to see while in Tokyo, you won’t be disappointed.

I spent this weekend taking in all the beauty, compassion and upstairs/downstairs relations that Downton Abbey offers. I was convinced that John wouldn’t want to watch it, too much Masterpiece Theater as a kid, but when I noticed him watching out of the corner of his eye, I realized that he might just want to get involved. Which he did and we proceeded to devour the whole series in two days. What a fantastic show! I can hardly wait for the second season to start, this Sunday, January 8th. So much drama, intrigue, gorgeous clothing, beautiful home–it’s all just so exquisite and complicated. I highly recommend it if you haven’t already started watching, I think you’ll be happy to have it in your queue.

Homemade root beer, popcorn and an inspiring movie. It truly is vacation.

Today’s “See” segment of Loving’s Five Senses is dedicated to the mid-century husband and wife design powerhouse, Charles and Ray Eames. The documentary Charles & Ray Eames: The Architect and the Painter will be broadcast nationally, today, Monday, December 19 from 10-11:30 p.m ET on PBS and is narrated by, none other than,  James Franco!

The IFC Center has been playing this documentary for a couple of weeks now and I got a chance to see it last Saturday. So inspiring! Despite being the inventors of my most prized possession (an antique leather Eames Lounge Chair) I knew very little about Charles and Ray. Go figure. Turns out this documentary is the only film that explores the link between their artistic collaboration and marriage since the death of Charles Eames in 1978. The documentary utilizes a full range of films, love letters, photographs & artifacts to create a nearly complete picture of the most influential designers in post-World War II America. It fully exposes the pro & cons of living and working together as a creative team.

For your daydreams, me Lady, here is a picture of the incredibly comfortable baseball-glove-like lounge chair mentioned above. Its pure heaven to sit in. Enjoy!

One of our regulars, Pearl the French Bulldog, has a full page spread in Paper Magazine this month. We are surrounded by the loveliest dogs ever.

We are firm believers in enjoying this time of year with friends and family instead of shopping for presents that nobody wants, so we are going to let you in on a little secret that will simplify the process for you.

Our secret is the Playing Mantis, a magical old-fashioned toystore at 32 North Moore Street in the cobblestone streets of Tribeca.

This magical store is a quiet, safe haven for the tired masses. The relaxed and easy atmosphere makes you want to stay inside for hours, fiddling with instruments and reminiscing about long sun-soaked afternoons in the children’s room at your grandparent’s house.

There are moss-covered gnome houses, dancing puppets, miniature kitchenettes, wooden chessboards and birdhouses, colorful multi-ethnic dolls, heroic archers and swordsmen costumes, beautiful old-fashioned storybooks and hand-made mobiles that lull the most anxious child to sleep.

What’s more, the toys and crafts are all handmade from around the world, inspired by stories of heritage, culture, and a passion for artisanal craftsmanship. Nothing in this place will be thrown in a corner after 5 minutes by the child in question. Rather, the child will most likely cherish and protect the toy and eventually want to turn it into an heirloom someday. Just what we love here.

Store Info:

Playing Mantis is on 32 North Moore Street, New York, NY 10013.

Tel: 646-484-6845

Open to everyday until 7pm; except for Fridays and Saturdays until 8pm.

Anniversaries are celebrated by exchanging gifts made from a material that represents the years counted. First year is paper, second year is cotton, third year is linen. You get the idea.

I imagined that the ten year anniversary, which we are celebrating here at Castor & Pollux, would have something great to offer up. Not the case. Ten year anniversaries are commemorated with tin. Yes, tin. Maybe the car association of America sponsored this one, I’m not sure, but I wasn’t exactly excited about this “gift.”

So we decided to celebrate with something more glamorous and beautiful than tin, something fantastic to represent the last ten years here at Castor & Pollux. And what’s more fantastic than a super-model? Enter Helena Christensen.

Helena embraces the Castor & Pollux aesthetic perfectly. She indulges in life and lives it beautifully–from clothing to animals, food to music, fragrance to travel. She’s smart, gorgeous and kind and her style is evident in all that she touches. In short, she’s exactly our kind of Lady (and quite an upgrade from tin). Thanks, Helena for being a part of our anniversary. Cheers!

Photo by John von Pamer

Favorite recipe?
A good, hearty Tuscan pasta with lots of parmesan cheese on top and a lovely bottle of wine.

Last great book you read?
The Genius and the Goddess by Aldous Huxley. It is such an incredible book. I read it in a day and felt like a changed person afterwards.

Winter drink of choice?
Gloegg. It’s warm, cozy and gives you a pretty nice buzz.

Your Animals-names and breeds?
We have a bearded dragon lizard named Luna and a really old, grey baby hamster named Oliver.

Do you exercise? What do you do, if so?
I box, do some ballet and play tennis by the Hudson river.

Salty or sweet?
Salty.

Who inspires you and why?
So much inspires me. Movies, music and books more than individual people, though. Nature inspires me enormously too.

Pool or ocean?
Ocean and lakes. I love swimming in dark, cold lakes hidden away in forests. But the ocean, forget it, if I could I would live in there.

Favorite city?
New York and Copenhagen. I live in one and am from the other, how lucky is that?

Last great vacation?
Harbour Island with my son catching lizards.

Favorite tv show?
Spongebob, i-carly and Family Guy.

Weirdest job you’ve ever had?
How about my entire career?

Favorite restaurant?
My Mom’s kitchen. She is from Peru and is an awesome cook -  my family is obsessed with food!

Favorite object in your home?
My home is stuffed to the brim with a myriad of objects. There are literally no free surfaces left and I love every single one of them.

Favorite piece of clothing?
A little rainbow colored Sybilla dress.

Favorite blog or website?
None. I never go on any. But I do have a secret little blog with my girlfriend called Frankie Star. I guess it’s not so secret anymore.

Something you’re scared of?
My mind, sometimes… and cockroaches.

Favorite record?
Oh man, that is impossible to answer. Just impossible. But I do love jazz, classic music and the 80’s. Dépêche Mode rules and always will.
At the moment I have TV on the Radio’s ‘Forgotten’ and Panda Bear’s ‘Slowmotion’ playing quite a bit on my ipod.

Favorite popsong?
Is Toxic with Britney spears a popsong? Sweet Dreams with Beyonce? Both songs are such guilty pleasures.

Your Ideal day?
On the beach side in the north of Denmark. In a bikini all day with my son, a great book and lots of food and wine.

Favorite gift you’ve ever received?
An antique rose gold ring with lapis, diamonds and a flower insert.

Favorite flower?
Leper lily and peonies.

Favorite scent (perfume)
Rose 31 by Le Labo or most scents by Serge Lutens. I adore perfume bottles in and of themselves.

Astrological sign?
Capricorn. Born on Christmas day.

What do you do for a living?
Photography and modeling.

Where do you live?
New York.

Your lucky number?
19. But it isn’t a lucky number, it’s just the most beautiful number I know.

What piece of art would you buy if you had absolutely no budget?
An Egon Schiele painting or any piece by Picasso. Both truly magical artists that continue to amaze me with their otherworldly talents.

I am crazy for beautifully artistic films, ones that provoke thought and elicit deep emotion and provide impeccable imagery to guide you through an adventurous journey. Stories of love and heartache, of travel, enlightenment, and finally attaining one’s dreams. Surely you’re expecting a recommendation for a masterful foreign or independent film right now…but what I have for you is even better. A movie that offers everything that I have previously mentioned…and more. Ratatouille. Yes, the animated and amazing 2007 flick about a French rat who has absolutely captured my heart. This picturesque Disney & Pixar creation portrays the most vivid description of French cuisine and a true appreciation of it.

I suggest curling up with this wildly feel-good movie this week. It’s sure to warm your heart.