Let there be Leontine

The MoS girls can never resist a lovely monogram, but one thing we've come to realize lately is that there are monograms and then there are MONOGRAMS. We've recently spotted some eye-catching monogrammed bedding in our favorite magazines that makes what you see in Horchow look practically snoozeville. After you've checked out the bedding and monogrammed items offered by Leontine Linens, it's hard to get excited about anything else!

We also love the story behind the company. Founder Jane Scott Hodges was disappointed by the lack of custom fine linens when she was shopping for monogrammed linens in anticipation of her upcoming wedding. When returning home to her native Kentucky, she found a small company of talented female artisans that had been making fine linens since the 1920's. She started selling some of their items to clients in New Orleans. But when the company almost went out of business, Jane stepped in and took it over. We love hearing stories like this in which people follow their passions!

We could blog for days on end about all of the amazing linens Leontine Linens offers, but here are a few highlights.

Aerin Lauder's bedroom (House and Garden via Leontine Linens).

Aerin Lauder's son's room. Lucky boy! (via Elle Decor)

Not just bedding- Leontine partners with several designers for truly one of a kind decor pieces. Brenda Kelly Kramer Interiors (image via Leontine Linens).

More from Brenda Kelly Kramer.

Above and below, Miles Redd's bedroom features a Leontine Linens sham (photo via New York Social Diary). We love how the company offers monograms that run the gamut from ornate/feminine to simple/masculine. There's something to please everyone!

More masculine shams in Lee Joffa Creative Director Stephen Elrod's Manhattan apartment (Traditional Home via Lenotine Linens)

These lovely shams in an uptown home in New Orleans have the delicate look of vintage linens (New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles via Leontine Linens).

Proving they really can do anything, Hodges worked with Phillip Gorivan to design a whimsical skull and crossbones motif for a Hamptons Showhouse (Traditional Home via Leontine Linens)

Amazing bath mat & towels- we love how the Asian-inspired red monogram plays off of the blue and white porcelain (image via Habitually Chic).

There are dozens of styles of monograms and appliques to choose from (view the entire selection here, the variety is truly breathtaking), but here are our favorites (Santa, can you hear us?):

Monograms (left to right): Alexander, Dorea, Sebastian, Lee

Appliques (left to right): Abigail, Maxwell, Camille, Christopher

We can't get enough of the sunny colors and bold monograms from the Rayford Collection ($80-565).

We love the classical lines of the Fretwork Collection ($150-925)

How fantastic are these Blaise Towels? $75-210

The throw of all throws: Penelope Throw ($1,200-$1,610)

We love this handy Jewel Round ($135). These types of items make great bridesmaids gifts!

The colors in this Tie Bib ($50) are superb. What a fabulous baby gift this would make!

The Leontine flagship store is in New Orleans, and they also have an Atlanta showroom. I don't know about you, but I know where I'm headed next time I find myself in the Big Easy!

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Smokin' Chic

We all know that smoking is no longer the expression of chic-ness that it once was. When we see pictures from the 1950's and 1960's, it is obvious that so many of the most elegant of women smoked, so of course if they were going to smoke, they were going to do so in style! Enter: fabulous sterling silver cigarette cases. All the stylish ladies who smoked stored their cigarettes in these gorgeous cases.


You may be thinking, "What would I do with a cigarette case?" MoS Washington had a brilliant idea (or rather, saw someone else with a brilliant idea last year and decided to follow suit). Coincidentally, cigarette cases just happen to be the exact same size as one thing that today's chic women do carry around- credit cards! A cigarette case fits about 5 or 6 cards comfortably, which is perfect when carrying a clutch or small bag. And the good news is that now eBay is chock full of them! There is a huge range in prices- but you can find sterling ones for anywhere between $50 and $3,000.






MoS Washington recently purchased her fabulous antique silver case from eBay for a song. It even has her own initials on it! It is the perfect size for holding an ID, credit cards, and some cash- all you need for evening when you don't want to lug around a big wallet. The cases are much flatter than we expected, so they really will fit into any bag. Her pretty card case even attracted the attention of someone at another table at dinner Saturday night!

Here are a few pretty cases we found on eBay. But go look for yourself! You might even find one with your own initials on it! And we can't think of a more stylish way to carry your cards!

Isn't this filigree pattern just stunning?!

We love the art deco style of this case!

If you love monograms, how pretty is this case? Even if it isn't your monogram, we think antique or vintage pieces with monograms are just so chic!

Do you have a brilliant use for an "out of date" item? We'd love to hear your ideas.

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Leontine for Less!

We have posted before about our love for Leontine Linens- the colors, the styles, and the fabulous monograms.  The only thing stopping us from covering every bed in our house in Leontine has been the price. 

Leontine Fretwork, $925 for king comforter

Today I was browsing Z Gallerie, and look what I came across in the Clearance section! 

Solano Bedding in Orange, $100 for king comforter

Solano Bedding in Indigo Blue, $100 for king comforter

You could easily take it to your local monogramming store and have your initials added to it a la Leontine.  Is the cotton as fancy?  Probably not.  Is the monogram as fabulous?  Doubtful.  But for 1/10 of the price, you can get pretty darn close to the same gorgeous look! 

I wish I had a place for one of these!!!

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