Goodbye California...Hello Hawaii!

I'm off to Maui this afternoon with my husband and his family - our Christmas gift from his parents, which I am ever so grateful for! It feels a little strange to be packing up my summer dresses, sandals and bathing suits in the middle of December...but this vacation couldn't have come at a more perfect time - I need to get away and relax! I'll be away all next week but have a few exciting blog posts scheduled so please do visit. I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season so far and I wish you all a happy weekend. Be back soon :)




P.S. - The brand new December issue of Lonny is here! It's packed with all kinds of great stuff so check it out when you have a chance!

Chic Gift Ideas for the Hostess or Entertainer

Tis the season to entertain and party! One of the best parts about the holiday season is the chance to get dolled up and attend a cocktail or dinner party (and hopefully more than one!). My husband and I just hosted our annual Christmas party last weekend and it was a success - great friends, good food and drinks, and the chance to wear my new mini cocktail dress from H&M. If you'd like to show your appreciation to the hostess at the next party you attend or if you're looking for gift ideas for a friend who love to entertain, here's a round-up of some fun and affordable options. Cheers!

Huset

• Bengt & Lotta Cake Dish - $85; this playful cake stand is made of laminated birch wood from Sweden in a festive "candy" pattern
  

Anthropologie

• Cupcake Wrapper Apron - $38
• Taste-Test Recipe Book - $28; the pages of this book are both lined for writing down new classics and slotted at the corners for tucking in old favorites from mom and nana.
• Matryoshka Measuring Cups - $28 / set of 3
• All Sorts Dish Towel, Spoon - $16
  

Modern Chic Home

• Keep Calm Guest Towel - $9
• Chloe Guest Towel - $8
• Crochet Flowers Guest Towel - $15
  

Ruby Press Etsy Shop

• Magenta Blossoming Flower Coasters - $9 / set of 8; letterpress printed on recycled paper
  

LAMA

• Salt & Pepper Shakers - $36; happy & sad hand glazed shakers imported from Argentina by artisan Lola Goldstein
• Teacup with Cherries - $30; also created by Lola Goldstein, imported from Argentina
  

The Spoon Sisters

• The Chefs Set - $5.95 / pad of 375 flags; page flags to identify recipes! So much more appetizing than torn pieces of paper... just peel off the flag and stick to the recipe page. Flags cover the entire meal: Appetizers, Meats, Seafood, Vegetables and Desserts

Jonathan Adler

• Elephant Bottle Stopper - $18; these adorable earthenware stoppers come in (3) other styles: bird, fish and squirrel
  

Pure Modern

• Handmade Ceramic Cheese Plates - $76 / set of 6; gift boxed

Quote of the Week

"Home is the ongoing story of a person...to shape a sense of place, you need to stand back from the relentless pursuit of a look. Try things out...forget about restraint, good taste, and what the neighbors will think...in short, home is a canvas for self-expression."

- Ilse Crawford, Home is Where the Heart Is