Christmas

With Christmas just around the corner, I wanted to give my top picks again this year for presents. Luckily, for those that have waited til the last minute, many of these places will still ship in time for Christmas.
 
For The Hostess:
 

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1. Crate and Barrel jar, $3.95, perfect for making your own infused olive oils to give as gifts
2. Signals “Home” or “Happiness” bowl, $14.95
3. William Sonoma Hot Chocolate and Marshmallows, $33
4. Crate and Barrel table runners, $27.95
 
For Her:
 

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1. Pandora rose gold diamond ring, $855
2. Signals bird cages, $44.95 for 6
3. Crate & Barrel pillow, $26.95
4. Signals customized hometown puzzle, $39.95
 
For Him:
 

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1. Cuff link hub watch movement cuff links, $50
2. Frontgate stainless steel wallet $69.50
3. Signals agate coasters, set of 4 from Brazil, $69.95
4. Catan: Cities and Knights board game, $50
 

For The Little One:
 
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1. Pottery Barn rocker $119
2. Pottery Barn animal trio, $24
3. Red Envelope Turtle nightlight, $29.95
4. “I want My Hat Back” book, $7.50
 

My Favorite Must Haves:
 
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1. Vintage 70’s inspired cape on Ebay, 86.50
2. Crate & Barrel headphones, $59.95
3. Signals Owl Pitcher, $29.95
4. Signals Bird necklace, $39.95

My Best Friend’s Bridal Shower

October 8, 2011
 
Carolyn and I had the fun honor of planning our dear friend Lis’ shower. It was a casual and simple shower with a small group of her close friends. We had the shower on an early fall morning, outside on my parent’s deck, with the bright sun, crisp air and the falling leaves. And, the occasional falling acorn or nut!

Carolyn and I had quite the adventures making the invites, buying the food, and realizing that mimosas have champagne, not vodka, in them. But, overall, it was a success and a great way to spend the morning in honor of my best friend.
 

Just in case you are thinking what are these… they are caramel apple music notes! The theme of the shower was vintage music.
 

My grandma’s china.
 









Draw Lis on her wedding day… on top of your head.
 

The beautiful bride to be and the lovely co-host Carolyn.

NYC: Fashion Week

September 8-11, 2011
 

I love fashion week. Being in NYC in September, the epitome of all fashion seasons, during not only Fashion’s Night Out but also Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is amazing.
 

This was my second time coming to NYC for fashion week where I had the opportunity to work backstage and help put on some pretty awesome fashion shows (like Monique Lhuillier).
 

If you check out the links at the bottom of this post, you will be able to see all the details of what I got to see.

Also, FNO was pretty fun. Major parts of lower Manhattan literally had streets closed and all the streets of Soho were blocked off and full of people. Only in NYC
 

PS: This time I did get to see Central Park!
 

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Check out the shows:
Falguni and Shane Peacock
Monique Lhuillier
Academy of Art University

(runway photo credits: Media Manager, Alessandro Viero, Amber Cornelio, Getty Images and myself)

Presto Pesto!

Things are going well with everything at js weddings and events. Summer has been busy with a wedding almost every weekend, and it wont stop until the end of October. While I am waiting patiently for pictures from the photographers of the most recent weddings, I thought I would update on my recent endeavour: making pesto.
 
My mom and I have been growing basil and we finally realized that it was starting to become as big as a bush. We decided to “harvest” it and make pesto. We loosely followed some directions, put it in ice cube trays and placed them in the freezer. After they hardened, we put the pesto cubes in zip lock bags and presto! Fresh pesto anytime of the year. Now I can be transported back to summer anytime of the year, even in blurry winter.
 
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Book Club

Once a month my mother’s book club gets together to discuss the book of month. This past Monday was my mother’s turn to host the book club, so she asked me to help her set up and make food. Neither of us are chefs by any means, but she had a baked brie recipe that looked pretty fool proof, so I helped her make that along with some other treats. I just added a little decorating and that was all that I had to do. The discussion was up to them.
 
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