Last night at around 12:35 I thought to myself ” 2012 is the best year ever! All I’ve done all year is drink Champagne, eat cake, and watch black and white movies!”. A bit tongue in cheek? Yes. Quite Champagne induced? Oh yes. But it was also technically true, and that is what I love about New Year’s Eve, everything is still perfect and lovely and we haven’t had any time for mishaps or blunders.
On New Year’s Day I always remember a book I read as a little girl about a boy who finds out that whatever happens on New Year’s Day sets the tone for the whole year so you had better do all of your favorite things and make sure everything turns out just right. He actually has a horrible time of it the entire day (what can I say, European children’s books don’t shy away from telling little kids that sometimes life sucks), and I don’t remember the ending. But I always thought what if that was actually the case? If the whole rest of the year was determined by what things were like today, what would I want that to look like?
I try to live each January 1st as if that book was true (so far so good, there’s already a half empty bottle of wine and the house is crazy clean), but this year I’ve decided to do my best to live each day that way. When people tell me to live each day as if it were my last I don’t think they realize my last day would consist of drinking gin, eating nothing but steak and dessert, and not wearing sunscreen. And we know that won’t do as a life philosophy. But I think asking myself, “would you want things the way they are today for the rest of the year?” just might work.
Here’s to an amazing 2012, I hope each and every one of you have a very happy and successful year! Thank you for sharing this space with me every day, I appreciate you all more than you’ll ever know. I hope to spend many more happy moments with you, celebrating every day as if it were New Year’s Day!
As the days fly by and the holidays are thisclose, it is time to welcome holiday visitors! Of course you’re already providing them with cozy bed spreads and piles of fluffy towels, but with just a few extra accoutrements you can make them feel like kings of the castle. Not to mention securing the title of best hostess ever!
1. Every time we visit my parents there is a vase of fresh flowers by the bedside, and now every time we have guests flowers are at the top of the shopping list (these gorgeous blooms will last forever!) // 2. A cheeky sleep mask to make sure they are well rested even in unfamiliar surroundings // 3. Nobile Fir scented candle to make everything romantic and cozy // 4. Piles of reading materials, I especially like to leave international editions of magazines by the bed, they’re always a huge hit // 5. A gorgeous pen for the crossword puzzle // 6. Water carafes are essential for the bedside // 7. Lots of extra blankets (a few around the house as well) // 8. Travel size Kiehl’s bath and body essentials // 9. Save them from hunting for outlets with this amazing charging station // 10. A cute alarm clock to make sure they don’t miss breakfast // 11. Velvet hot water bottle to cozy up to
Is there anything better than a roaring fireplace, a spiced cider in hand, and holiday music filling the air? I think not. Here are my top 25 holiday tunes, some make me cry, some make me dance, and some make me sing with entirely too many decibels and crazed enthusiasm! I’ll let you decide which cause what reaction.
P.S. If you only check out one song on this list make it the Kay Starr remix of Everybody’s Waiting For The Man With The Bag, you won’t be disappointed!
Every Thanksgiving I struggle with opposing tastes. On the one hand I crave a rustic, woodsy, fall mood, but on the other as soon as Santa comes out the at the end of the Macy’s parade my brain signals the start of the holidays and I get an immediate urge to throw on some sequins! Here’s hoping a mix of glitzy gold and nature inspired leather and feathers will satisfy both sides this year. Have you planned out your Thanksgiving decor yet?
1. Isabel Marant Feather Cuff / 2. Twig Twinkle Globe / 3. Rondo Gold Cutlery / 4. Serefina Mini Feather Earrings / 5. DMK Coffee Cup / 6. Vince Sequin Top / 7. Cantwell Decanter / 8. Eugenia Kim Felt Fedora / 9. B&B Italia Candelabras / 10. David Stark Wood Slice Dinnerware / 11. Dolce & Gabbana Plaid and Leather Lace-up Boots
No matter what mode of transportation you are using to get home for the holidays, here’s hoping it is as comfortable and fun as possible! May we all reach our destinations safely and soak up every minute of sweet time with our friends and family.
Seasoned travelers know the best you can hope for on a flight is to stay healthy (21 Drops Immunity Essential Oil), pass the time with a bit of entertainment (an audio version of F.Scott Fitzgerald’s This Side of Paradise, or share a movie with your honey using the iLuv iPad splitter), and get some rest (Sofia Cashmere Travel Set). If we are really lucky we might even get off the plane looking semi-presentable (with a little help from the most amazing lip balm, Nuxe Reve de Miel).
There are few things as romantic as a train ride! Enjoy the view while playing a friendly card game (Jonathan Adler Card Set), pack a delicious picnic feast (Moore and Giles Picnic Tote), get a head start on that holiday correspondence (Rifle Paper Co. Holiday Cards) , and finish off with a bit of sweetness (Williams Sonoma Chocolate Bars).
If you are on a road trip to grandma’s house don’t forget to fuel yourself as much as your car (Harney and Sons Holiday Tea, Baked Granola, On the Road Thermos), stay comfortable but keep those feet light on the gas (Eddie Bauer Driving Mocs), keep your eyes on the road (Marc by Marc Jacobs Aviators), pass the hours with a classic book on tape (Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol), and maybe even consider taking the scenic route (America National Parks). And don’t forget rule number one of a stand still traffic jam, turn up the radio and sing! Fact: the louder you belt it out the quicker you’ll get moving again!
