Pagoda Party

I just can't enough of two different things and I found the perfect entertaining product that combines both.  I love pagodas and I love linens so these fantastic finds from Z Gallerie are on my shopping list.  The best part is that they are on sale now!  They come in two colors, Celadon Green and Red, and in two sizes, Cocktail napkins and Dinner Napkins.  I want them all!  The Cocktail napkins are marked down to $9.89 and the Dinner Napkins are on sale for $15.56.  Order yours now and take advantage of this fantastic sale.

Thanks You Notes with a Personal Touch

I have spent a lot of time focusing on the trend toward Personalization this year and I can't think of a better way to let people know that you are really thinking about them than to give them a truly personalized gift.  I was touched and thrilled to open up a recent gift from my friend, Carol Bell.  She sent me a new set of stationery from Allie Munroe personalized with my name across the top in the most feminine and elegant script but in a fun and quirky style.  You must check out their website and order a set for yourself.  The paper is thick and scrumptious and the lettering is stunning and chic.  Although it maintains the caliber and quality of days gone by, this is certainly not your grandmother's stationery.  This is truly one of the best gifts I have ever received.  

Recording the New Year

I love looking back through my ten year journal and reminiscing about days past.  It is also a fun way to record goals and keep yourself accountable.  The pages are organized in the most fantastic way. Every day of the year is given one page and each year is given about four or five lines per page.  That is the perfect amount of space for someone like me who wants to keep track of the days activities but doesn't have the time to write long essays.  The problem with my ten year journal is that I have not ever been able to find one that is very attractive!  I often give the ten year journal away as a gift but it doesn't exactly make the best impression visually!  When I saw Pottery Barns fantastic Monthly journal set I was thrilled because, even though it has simple lined pages, it can still be used in the same way that the ten year journal is used.  Simply write a date at the top of each page (January 1, January 2, etc....) and write the year down the left side of the page every time you make an entry.  You can go back and write in it year after year and then look back at what you did on January 1st 2009 while you are writing about January 1 2010!  The beautiful colors will inspire you to keep note of all of your special days and will also look fantastic on your desk or bedside table.  Best of all, it is now on sale for only $69.  Don't miss this chance to record your New Year and the best moments of the years to come.

Holiday Parties Get Personal

Holiday Parties get Personal this year. The big trend it toward adding little personalized touches to your event.  You don't have to spend a lot to make a big impact.   Watch this short video to catch a few of my ideas.  Remember, it is not about the money that you spend but the thought you put into the little touches for your guests.  Happy Celebrating!

Make your list and check it twice!

There is nothing like Christmas time in New York.  From the tree in Rockefeller Plaza to the Rockettes, you just can't celebrate Christmas with greater spirit anywhere else.  Of course, it is also the best city in the world to finish your holiday shopping in!  I was thrilled with the results of my In Store Event at Bloomingdale's last week.  The Nescafe Dolce Gusto team gave Tablescapes: Setting the Table with Style as a gift with purchase to any customer who purchased one of these fantastic single cup coffee systems.  The sample stations were certain popular spots for shoppers to sit and sip for a moment. They were also pouring over their gift lists!  I know a lot of lucky people who will be unwrapping a Nescafe Dolce Gusto this Christmas (and I also met a lot of people who following the "one for you - one for me" rule with this gift!)  Order your today!  It is the perfect entertaining tool and the perfect gift!  My souvenir was the ornament pictured above. I had to add some sort of memory of my special days at Bloomingdale's to my tree.

Holiday Entertaining with Wm Sonoma Home

Yesterday was a cold one in Frisco but my gratitude goes out to the many people who braved the icy roads to come to my book signing at the beautiful Wm Sonoma Home Store.  Honestly, it was hard for me to stay in my seat signing books because the store is full of quality furniture and tabletop items.  Everything from the table linens to the picture frames were tempting me!  Of course I left some time at the end for a little bit of shopping.  I left the store with a fantastic new tray and some charming little blown glass Christmas ornaments of a church and Santa.  My favorite items in the store for the holiday table are pictured here.  The tartan screams English Elegance and the Red and Cream stoneware inspires a warm dinner on a cold night.  You must find the Wm Sonoma store closest to you and run there.  You won't leave empty handed, I promise!

Holiday Guest Book

I am always thinking of new ways to make my guests feel welcome when they enter our home or party and I love the idea of giving them something fun and interactive to do.  This year, we are going to start a new tradition and set up a three-dimensional guest book.  By setting up a pre-lit tree and placing a bowl of solid color ornaments and paint-pens on the table next to it, I am giving my guests a way to contribute to our tree!  I will ask each guest to select and decorate an ornament with their name and the date and hang it from the tree.  Every year, I plan on brining these ornaments back out and reminiscing about the visit and then adding more from our new guests.  Let me know what your ideas and traditions are for a Holiday Guest Book.

Fa la la la la la la la la!

I love turning on the Christmas Carols at my house.  My husband rolls his eyes because I start playing them even before Thanksgiving!  I sing along at the top of my lungs with a smile on my face and joy in my heart.  I firmly believe that this qualifies me help you select your 2009 Christmas playlist!

My first recommendation is Josh Groban's NOEL.  The entire album is rich and warm but "Thankful" is really my favorite.  I just used it as the background music for a little video I made of my son.

I also love Faith Hill's new song, "Little Drummer Boy."  She sang it so beautifully at the lighting of the Christmas Tree in Rockefeller Center in New York City.  She had a choir behind her and it was so touching.  

Mariah Carey and Frank Sinatra both have fantastic Christmas Albums out that are perfect for parties.  Tony Bennet's new release, "A Swinging Christmas," is a great party album as well.

When my family comes over on Christmas Eve I am going to play "What Child is This?" by Kristin Chenoweth, "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" by Straight No Chaser, and Sarah Brightman's "A Winter Symphony."  All of these are new releases for 2008 and I can't wait to add them to our playlist from last year.

For something with a little more of a folk touch I like "Coventry Carol" by Gretchen Peters or "Emmanuel" by Loreena McKennitt.

Have fun Caroling!

Wake Up Call!

Every coffee lover out there is melt when they get a chance to taste any of the eight different drinks that the Nescafe Dolce Gusto can make!  They are Delicious with a capital D!  Check out the Holiday Entertaining Tips I created for the Dolce Gusto team on their website...www.dolce-gusto.us.  They are both festive and budget friendly.  Happy Holidays and enjoy don't forget that the Dolce Gusto makes both the perfect party tool and a great gift!

The perfect tool for your holiday tablescapes has arrived: The Fruit Candle Carver for Tea Lights. I know it sounds a little bit corny but just take a look at the beautiful results this nifty little tool can help you achieve.  It is a great tool for this season because you can truly save money by skipping the expensive florals and just carving out some fruit.  It is fun (I tried it!) and easy (If I can do it, so can you!) so please invest in this handy little tool and let your imagination go wild.  Send me photographs of your fantastic creations!

Gifts with a Purpose

This season, more than ever, I feel inspired to give gifts with a purpose. I have been on the hunt for the perfect philanthropic present and I think I have hit the jackpot with a pair of TOMS shoes!  Their one for one program is saving the lives of men, women and children in Ethiopia.  For every pair of shoes you purchase, a pair is given away.  For more information, watch their fantastic video at www.tomsshoes.com.  It is less than a minute and you will truly be inspired.  It is the perfect gift because, not only are you helping a great cause, you are also giving a fashionable and fun gift.  Don't forget to get a pair for yourself!