Boys Gift Guide

Shopping for my nine year old son has gotten so so hard this year!  He asked Santa for money to buy baseball cards so I'm going to have to get creative and find some things that he doesn't even know he wants!

This Fatboy Lamzac  is the coolest and perfect for camping or hanging out!  It can be folded down into a small pouch and then you just scoop up air to fill it up!  So cool!

Baseball Cards are the only things on JR's list!

I think JR will love these Monogrammed Nike Sneakers. They can be completely customized!

A friend of mine told me about the Anki Overdrive set of remote control cars that are operated by iPhone or iPad.  

JR doesn't like to have to pull sweaters over his head so this zip up NorthFace Jacket will be perfectly cozy for him.

Because he has to take a Water Bottle to school every day, he loves to get new ones!

We love these big National Geographic books and the Brain Games Book will be a great addition to his collection.

Because he is asking for money, I thought maybe a kid-friendly Safe would be a good idea!

I hear that these LongBoards are loads of fun. Don't forget to get the pads and helmet to go with it!

He loves filling my cart on Amazon so I think he would enjoy an Amazon Gift Card!

I'd love to hear what your young guys are asking for!  Please reach out or comment here and let me know! 

Dog Treat Wreath

Are you heading to a home with a dog for the holidays?  Don't leave them out!  You are sure to get ooohs and aaahs when you show up with this wreath on your arm – the perfect holiday hostess gift for any dog lover!

This simple creation starts with a circular piece of cardboard the size of the desired wreath. A Milk Bone biscuit and a Pup-Peroni, cut in half, are paired up and affixed to the cardboard base by snuggly lacing and wrapping a festive ribbon around the treat pairs. There is no glue involved, so when the holidays are over, you can easily remove the ribbon and let your pup indulge. 

See here for more detailed instructions from PetSmart on this DIY holiday project!  

 This post was created in partnership with PetSmart, a brand I love! 

Friday Favorites - Christmas is Coming

Love this idea from Maison de Pax - use a curtain rod to hang your stockings from your mantle!

Trying to be the best guest?  Check out my tips in this magazine.

This is on my Christmas List!  - And so is this. Fingers Crossed!

Such a gorgeous Hostess Gift!

Perfect party dress!

If you have any Christmas Spirit at all, you need these!  Beyond cute!

Just ordered this for holiday and I love that it can be worn into Spring!!!! 

Soooooo cute!  Mills and JR need these!

I have collected these over the years and I hope you have too!

Perfect present to have on hand! Neutral and Nice!

It's Spode Sale Time Again!

Last year about this time, I posted about a major sale on Spode!  Much of it is 75% off!  I didn't want you to miss the sale this year so I'm making sure that you are among the first to know that it is back!

Click here to get your hands on these Christmas treasures!  

Please Join Me!

Alright, yes, I do know that it is going to be in the 90s today but, in spite of the temps, I'm still so excited about the holidays!  I love them all but Christmas is by far my favorite!

I hope you will join me on October 10th at Dillard's Northpark for a presentation of some of my favorite holiday recipes and holiday decorating tips so that you can get a jump start on your holiday planning.  

Doors to the seminar will open at 10:30 and my first presentation will begin at 11 with a second seminar at 2!  We are going to have loads of fun and I want you to be a part of it!

Time to start your Christmas Shopping: Moda Operandi's Home for the Holidays

I had such a great time "shopping" Moda Operandi's Home Collection for my gift suggestions.  Big thanks to the LSD for asking me to create a gift guide for them! I hope you like my suggestions.  They have TONS of wonderful gift ideas and I know that you, like me, will not be able to leave the site with out adding something to your own letter to Santa.

For the Family:  Bernard Maisner Partridge in a Pear Tree Puzzle

For the Hostess:  L'Objet Malachite Candle

For the Dog Lover:  Artel Double Old-Fashioned Dog Collection

For that Special Someone:  Peter Byworth Vintage Cartier Wood, Gold and Sapphire Cardholder

Friday Favorites

Happy Fall Y'all!

Name your poison! 

Never heard of "Cape Dutch Style" decor?  Get ready to re-decorate once you fall in love with this gorgeous home!

This molded baking pan makes the most adorable gingerbread men (and women!) Even I could make these!

I obviously have the holidays on my mind - Loving these cutie cutie cute Christmas jammies for the littles!

Loving Jan Showers new line of rugs.

Use the code FALLSALE for up to $100 off on your Club Monaco purchase this weekend.

Perfect gift if you are being hosted for Halloween!

Great Gift with Purchase at Macy's right now!

Pumpkin ideas for your front door.

I hope you will click here to watch my holiday gift guide 

featuring 

the perfect presents from

Thank you to elements and their wonderful team for this sponsored video.

It's Almost Time!

I can't wait to stuff my son's stocking this year!  It took me five years, but I finally completed the needlework on his stocking!  Yay!!!!!!  

I'd love to know what kind of stocking you stuff! 

Paperless Post Christmas Cards

Although I do look forward to receiving Christmas cards in the mail, I've got to say, these Christmas greetings from Paperless Post are a great alternative to snail mail. And in true Paperless Post fashion, all of the cards are chic and stylish making it easy to find the perfect card.

Make sure to check out the "Send for Good" holiday cards, too. For every ASPCA charity card you send, Paperless Post is donating 15¢ to the ASPCA to help end animal cruelty. The animal lovers in your life will truly appreciate it.

Friday Favorites

It's Friday!  Can you believe that Thanksgiving is next week? 

We had a full week at Whitman Media.  It started out at the Dallas Art and Antique Fair.  Look at the 

amazing pen and ink drawing of Maria Antoinette one of the dealers was presenting.  She was in her early 20s when this was done.  The script reminds me of the work of my favorite calligraphy artist, Bernard Maisner who created the artwork for my websites.  

Also at the art fair, I found a few things my husband really ought to buy for me.  Wink! Wink! The list includes this Gorham Silver 258 pc set circa 1897.  The photo doesn't do it justice.  It is unreal!

We were all about getting ready for the biggest holidays of the year, Thanksgiving and Christmas, at the Texas Living studios this week! 

• Click here to check out D Moms Magazine Executive Editor's ideas for the perfect kids table for your big family meals.  Her ideas were awesome and she put it all together for under $20!

• This tablescape by Todd Events featured on Texas Living, is big on impact and easy on execution! 

• Incredible ginger bread house. Four Seasons made it and it will be auctioned off at the GingerBread Stroll in Highland Park Village to benefit Community Foundations.

• Chi O Christmas' gingerbread house. Roofing made out of frosted mini wheats- brilliant! 

• I loved this segment with Christy Rost.  Her recipe for a cranberry tart seems like something even I could do!

• I also learned how to make a Strawberry Jalapeno Glaze for the Turkey that I know you would love!

• Today on Texas Living, Chef Dean Fearing showed us how to make amazing tortilla dressing for Thanksgiving. You can get the recipe here. 

• Lastly, I am SO thrilled to share with you a sneak peak at the Neiman Marcus Christmas window! They don't open until tomorrow, but you can watch the exclusive reveal here!

I'd love to know what you have planned for your Thanksgiving.  Do you have some holiday traditions you look forward to year after year?  Are you trying something new this year?

Do share! 

Monogram Monday: Personalized Photo Albums

The holidays will be here before we know it, and I think it's never too early to start a Christmas list! 

These personalized photo albums from Graphic Image are on my list this year. What better way to store and display some of your most treasured memories than a chic leather photo album?

Are you finished with your Holiday Shopping?

Now it is time to wrap!  Check out my tips for fun and easy gift wrap ideas on the Today Show!

Holiday Mantle Decor at the Nate Show!

I love visiting Nate on The Nate Berkus Show and I was thrilled to be able to decorate a mantle with silhouettes and Tartan this year.  Watch it today or click here to watch it online!

Stocking Stuffers on Today Show!

Stuffing the stockings is my absolute favorite thing to do at Christmas.  I loved presenting Today's Stocking Selections under $20.  What are you stuffing your family stockings with?

Guest Book Garland

Click here to watch my video about the Guest Book Garland!

Tablescape Tuesday: Dessert Buffet

Justin and I love to host our friends during the holidays but it is often so difficult to find a night that suits everyone's schedules.  After battling the busy holiday calendars we all have, Justin and I settled on hosting a Saturday night dessert party that started at 9 p.m. and continued on until midnight.  It was a great way to meet up with friends after they had attended the dinner parties, office parties and children's parties that they had committed to.  Here are a few of the details:

We decorated our dining room table with Vintage Santa Claus figures in shades of pink and red.  They are so charming!  We also wrapped a candy covered garland around the various desserts.

I filled silver bowls and serving pieces roses in shades of pink, red, and peach and also stuck giant Christmas Lollipops into the oasis as if they were a natural part of the arrangement. 

Vintage Christmas trees, some in pink and some in green, were scattered down the middle of the table for height.   Various sizes and heights of serving pieces were used to display all of the desserts which ranged from pies and cakes to candies and cookies. 

Christmas crackers were handed out at the door.  They were filled with candy (as if our guests needed any more sweets) and good luck charms. 

A big bouche de Noel was added to honor my husband's French heritage. 

Holiday Gift Guides: The Personalized Gift

I love ordering personalized gifts for the ones I love on my Christmas list.  There is really nothing like it!  I appreciate that it forces me to go through my list early and check some names off of it.  I also think it shows the recipients that I put careful thought and consideration into their present.  Here are few of my favorites:

These monogram Wellies might just be about the cutest things I have ever seen! If you know your friend's shoe size, they would make an awesome gift! p.s. I am a size 8.5  ;)

Personalized Post-It Notes:  My mom gave me these in my stocking a few years ago and I just love them!  They come in so handy and I think of my mom every time I open my drawer and see them. (10 pads for $27)

These notes, with patterns on the corners, make a fantastic gift for a friend or teacher.  (12 pads for $40)

I love monogram necklaces and I have always wanted one!  I hope my husband reads this!  Some of my favorites are:

The large monogram necklace from West Avenue Jewelry.  They come in Silver or Gold and you can select from lots of variations on style.  

I love Heather Moore's personalized charms for necklaces and bracelets.  She is coming to Ylang 23's amazing boutique in the Galleria soon!  Sign up for my email campaigns to get an invitation to meet her and get her advice on designing your necklace!

Aren't these pillows adorable?  They are made for indoor or outdoor use and I love the colors!

Smythson products are a favorite in my family.  My sister's and I are obsessed with their notebooks and have been using them for years.  I adore the color of this fantastic luggage tag.  Smythson stamps their products.

I would love to give these personalized toiletry bags (isn't the shape just perfect?) to all of my girlfriends!

Personalized Stationery is always a hit!  I love these Chevron Stripes from Boatman Geller.

Boatman Geller's note-tote is so great for the gal who has everything! 

These adorable playing cards would make a great stocking stuffer.