Coffee Break: Graphe Throw.
This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
I may be dating myself here, but when I realized this gorgeous throw blanket was by Christian Lacroix, I did a double take — because I primarily associate the name with the old British comedy Absolutely Fabulous. One of the main characters would run around in completely atrocious outfits, and whenever her more sedate daughter would ask her what the heck she was wearing, the answer was always the same: It's LACROIX, sweetie.
In any event… yes, this is what the brand is up to these days. But I must say, I love this and think it would be a total standout in an office, thrown over a visitor's chair, as much as it would be thrown over the couch at home. The throw is made of 100% merino wool, and the pattern has been digitally printed onto it. Gorgeous.
The throw is $495, at Neiman Marcus. I also really like this throw, “an abstracted interpretation of a 17th century map.”
(OH! And I just remembered — I also know that Lacroix is doing designer toilet seats! My husband and I were actually thinking about getting one but couldn't quite decide if it was funny, fabulous, or awful.)
Sales of note for 6/4/25:
- Nordstrom – The Half-Yearly Sale has begun! See our full roundup here. Lots of markdowns on AGL (50%!), Weitzman, Tumi, Frank & Eileen, Zella, Natori, Cole Haan, Boss, Theory, Reiss (coats), Vince, Eileen Fisher, Spanx, and Frame (denim and silk blouses)
- Nordstrom Rack – Refurbished Dyson hairdryers down to $199-$240 (instead of $400+) + Father's Day gifts up to 60% off
- Ann Taylor – 50% off dresses, jackets & shoes + extra 30% off sale
- Banana Republic Factory – Up to 50% off everything + extra 25% off
- Boden – 15% off new womenswear styles
- Eloquii – $19+ up select styles
- J.Crew – Up to 50% off women's dresses + up to extra 50% off sale styles
- J.Crew Factory – 50-60% off summer styles + up to 60% off everything + extra 60% off clearance
- M.M.LaFleur – Try code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off
- Rothy's – Up to 50% off last-chance styles
- Spanx – Free shipping on everything
- Talbots – BOGO 50% off everything, includes all markdowns
I 100% associate LaCroix with AbFab, and I also pronounce the canned bubbly water the same way, darling!
Little Gorgeous Things
Hahaha I love the reference. AbFab 4ever!! :D
I am specifically looking for a throw to put on my office chair but I hate these so much, even with the AbFab reference.
I’m not crazy about these either; maybe check Perigold’s selection for inspiration
I love all of it, throw and bubbly water included. I also can’t not say “it’s Lacroix, sweetie” whenever I’m drinking the bubbly water.
Re views thread from this morning. Any NC VA or SC spots of merit? Hiker who also loves beaches and I’d love some pretty spots for summer trips with my kids who need more nature (both in scouts, so we are OK with even having to backpack for views).
Crabtree Falls in Central VA or anywhere on the Blue Ridge Parkway
I agree that Crabtree Falls is beautiful. I just want to point out that dozens of deaths have occurred at this location and there is a sign at the entrance recording the current number. I’ve hiked it myself and really enjoyed it but this information is not listed on the trail’s NPS web page. Of course all outdoor adventures involve some risk but the profile for fatalities here is typically young people who step off the trail onto the rocks to take photos so I thought I’d point this out since the OP is taking her kids. But I fully agree the Blue Ridge Parkway has lots of great hikes!
Dolly Sods in Monongohela National Forest in WV is a wonderful area for manageable backpacking trips with varied scenery. Bogs with carnivorous plants! Hemlock Forests! Waterfalls and swimming holes!
Yes!!!! Dolly Sods is excellent and unlike any geography in this part of the country, high plateau looks more like Canada.
High recommend doing a 2-3 day backpacking loop, but expect plenty of mud.
Dolly Sods: risk of unexplored ordnance
WTF. Kids will live this, of course.
I think of waterfalls and caves in addition to beaches and views in this part of the country. I have only worked my way up to easy hikes (so in NC, Hanging Rock, Occoneechee, Pilot Mt). But there are beautiful views around Asheville even just from the car, so there must be great hiking there. As for nature, between NC, VA, and SC, I think you could also check off a pretty impressive list of entirely different types of forest, wetland, and coastal habitats.
I’ve never camped but y’all are making me want to. Are there any good resources I can read on how to prepare?
Car camping (easy) vs backpacking?
Car camping, easy mode, with a young child. I know myself, I will be looking at campsites with flush toilets and showers available
I’m a big fan of weekend car camping in state parks, and there is nothing wrong with flush toilets and showers! Camping with kids is great – we have wonderful memories of our (short, not terribly adventurous) trips over the years. I recommend borrowing equipment (from a friend or, if available, camping store or outdoorsy non-profit) to get started, to see if you like it.
Car
REI has some great “camping for beginners” articles.
https://www.rei.com/learn/series/intro-to-camping
Thank you!
Co-sign REI for stuff to read and humans to talk to (or at most other outfitters near you). Glamping is OK to see if you even like nature before you dump money into it.
+1 I prefer to take new outdoor-curious friends on an in-between trip before car camping or backpacking. You can have somewhere convenient and warm to sleep while adventuring all day.
For example, many national parks have rustic cabins or semi-permanent tents that usually contain at least a cot and a heat source.
There are some amazing glamping spots now. Also, Yogi Bera’s campgrounds can be really fun, especially if you have kids. You basically get a small bunkhouse. Maybe with a TV and electricity.
I’ve done a lot of camping, both car camping and backpacking, but if you just want to start spending more time outside, a lot of places have hotels or cabins that will make it easier. I like camping as its own thing, but it also takes a lot of effort dealing with logistics, and I like being able to just get up and go early in the morning without having to break camp. If you haven’t done a lot of outside stuff, start with day trips, and build from there. But agree that REI is a good resource, and it also helps if you have a more experienced friend to go with and give you tips.
I might start at a state park that has cabins or some structure to rent. If you do go the car camping route, find a place with kid activities like a pool or lake.
For a first time, either go with a very experienced friend, or get one of the places where you show up and the tent is assembled, and there is some sort of communal bathroom and shower.
Don’t do what I did, which was to borrow a friend’s tent, only to realise on arrival that there is a missing extra layer for when it rains!
Can anyone recommend a beach/pool bag? Bonus points if it comes in pink. So many are upwards of $100 and that just seems ridiculous for a bag that’s going to get wet and get sand in it.
IKEA bags are great for this IMHO
I love Boat and Totes from LL Bean.
+1 to the boat and tote bags. I have the Nor’Easter bag for smaller trips (few hours at the pool and don’t need much) and the large open top bag for when we’re going to be spending a whole day at the beach and need a bunch of stuff. All of New England can confirm, these bags last forever – my open top one is 15 years old and going strong.
I love mine but they do get heavy.
For just pure schlepping I have this one cotton tote from H&M, and highly recommend. You can throw it in the wash, the patterns are fun and it weighs nothing. https://www2.hm.com/en_us/productpage.1134173014.html
This one also looks super cute: https://www.asos.com/us/south-beach/south-beach-oversized-woven-shoulder-bag-in-pink-stripe/prd/207361256?affid=29453&_EAIaIQobChMI8MLw6cjbjQMV0EtHAR2UeCRXEAQYIyABEgKvEfD_BwE&channelref=product+search&ppcadref=22027062690%7C%7C&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=22027062690&utm_content=&utm_term=&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22037242720&gbraid=0AAAAADqFjODtMZwfkiJEZ_F9PjPJZ2SmX&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8MLw6cjbjQMV0EtHAR2UeCRXEAQYIyABEgKvEfD_BwE
I have a super lightweight nylon Cotopaxi convertible tote that I like for the beach. It dries quickly and is machine washable (although usually just shaking the sand out is enough).
Scout Bags pocket rocket.
I think of pocket rocket as something else so….
Yes. The names are cheeky but the pockets can’t be beat for sunscreen, snacks, sunnies, etc.
I have this one. Ordered 4 years ago and it is still going strong. It is mesh, so sand just falls out, also doesn’t stay wet. Lots of space inside and pockets on the outside. Comes in lots of colors, including neon pink:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MTYP1XG?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_22
Aloha bags. I don’t like canvas totes for the pool or beach because they get stained and are difficult or impossible to clean.
LL Bean Lightweight Everyday Tote.
For pink I’d recommend looking at Lilly Pulitzer. There are pacakble totes ($74 and full on pink available) and cooler bags ($65 and link is involved). I use a cooler bag for a pool bag. It has various pockets and such for organization. The quality is amazing for that price point.
Pink is involved. I hate autocorrect. I wish we could edit.