Friday Favorites

Happy Friday! What do you all have planned for the weekend? I'm crossing my fingers I get some of my Christmas shopping done.

As always, here are a few of my favorite links and segments from the week:

• On Texas Living this week, we had four stars from the original "Jersey Boys" Broadway hit. These talented guys have created their own music group and a show called "The Midtown Men." You can catch the fun segment here
• I am loving this gift guide our friend, Jon Bronson put up on his blog this week. I can't wait to share our gift guide with you next week!
• It's almost time to invest in a new calendar for 2013, can you believe it? I think these hand engraved calendar cards by Mrs. John L Strong would make the perfect addition to my desk. 
• Tomorrow, the legendary partnership between Neiman Marcus + Target will hit stores and it is sure to be a huge hit. You can preview some of the fabulous (and affordable!) gifts here on Texas Living. 

Be sure to check back in on Monday for a week of holiday gift guides! 

I ♥ Blue & White: Jessica Rust Designs

Have you heard about Jessica Rust Designs? I completely adore this line which carries custom tableware that is truly one-of-a-kind. Although it's hard to pick a favorite, I love the Birch tree design which you can personalize with the person’s initials inside a heart "carved" on the tree. A great gift for that special someone in your life. 

Birch

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.

Tablescape Tuesday: Make It Merry & Bright

With Thanksgiving behind us, it's time to start preparing for Christmas. 

That's right, Christmas is upon us. 

I recently shared my ideas for a Peppermint Party with Southern Living. These easy decorating ideas are sure to bring a little cheer to your tablescape this holiday season. 

 
Brightly hued chiavari chairs provide a luxe pop of color. We rented ours from POSH Couture Rentals, and they tied in our red-and-white theme perfectly.

Layering with ribbons will accent your holiday china without distracting.

To create this candy centerpiece just place a low bowl of roses in a larger bowl and fill in between with mints.

A gingerbread house trimmed in red and white candies gives a touch of whimsy to a sophisticated setting. 

Secure three mini candy canes with double-sided tape to make easels for place cards.

For a sweet send-off, treat guests to a grab-and-go candy buffet. 

Photos: Laurey W. Glenn Article: Caroline McKenzie

DIY Details: I cut a simple square of peppermint patterned wrapping paper from IKEA to line the bottom of my lucite tray to give it a customized holiday look.  I set up a candy buffet full of various red and white candies and then used these adorable "Sweet Christmas Wishes" tags from  Anders Ruff to embellish the chinese take out food containers that guests could fill with sweet treats.

You can read the entire article and get the full source guide here. Also, be sure to check out my Meet the Hostess feature on Southern Living, too! 

Monogram Monday: Clare Vivier

Dear Santa, this miniature Clare Vivier coin purse is just what I've been looking for. 

We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving- filled with family, friends, and of course, great food! 

If your like us, you have LOTS of leftovers. Luckily, Southern Living has given us some great new ideas to make the most of our Thanksgiving leftovers. BON APPÉTIT!

Style Icon- Diane Von Furstenberg

Tablescape Tuesday: Circle of Life Patrons Dinner Party

The Circle of Life Dinner Party was held on the evening of November 7th at my parent's home. 

The dinner included Council for Life’s donors, board members as well as our luncheon speaker, Ray Comfort. The dinner provided a more intimate atmosphere for the members to interact with Mr. Comfort and thank him for being a part of this year’s luncheon. The luncheon co-chairs, Becky Brodersen and Rebecca Lutz were also in attendance, along with Billie Leigh Rippy the honorary chairman.

The tablescapes were incredible thanks to the talented team at Todd Events, they certainly know how to set the perfect atmosphere for such a special evening.

Here's a little look at some of the details.

Monogram Monday: IOMOI Personalized GIfts

Iomoi is a go-to favorite of mine for all my monogramming needs. Whether it's their monogrammed tote or their monogrammed notebook, you really can't go wrong with their amazing selection. The process of customizing your item is also really simple and with prices starting at just $48, it doesn't get much better than that.

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! 

I ♥ BLUE & WHITE: Blu Biano by Vietri

Whatever the style of your table setting, Vietri makes it easy to find the perfect addition

with their exquisite hand painted blue and white collection, Blu Bianco. 

Which is your favorite piece from the collection? Do share! 

Style Icon: Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

Tablescape Tuesday: DIY Thanksgiving Placemat

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I wanted to share this DIY thanksgiving placemat I found on Oh My Deer. The DIY details look like the perfect, not to mention very original, way to express what you are most thankful for this year.

You can find the step-by-step tutorial here

Speaking of tablescapes, we were so lucky to have entertaining expert and author, Danielle Rollins, in the Texas Living Studio this week!
 Click here to see her gorgeous tablescape. 

Monogram Monday: Julia B.

Looking for that perfect gift for the man in your life? Well, look no further! 

Julia B.'s monogrammed men's handkerchiefs (75$ each) and pocket squares (45$ each) will make the perfect gift that will never go out of style.

Julia B.

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday, everyone!

It's been another busy week and I have so many favorite things to share with you today! 

• Yesterday was my husband's birthday, and my mother-in-law sent me this precious photo in honor of his birthday. 

• Make sure you check out Charm & Chain. They have some great products from popular designers. Through December 14th, they are offering a discount of 25% off any purchase. All you need to do is enter the code CC25OFF. Enjoy!

• It was such a treat to have the handsome V. Bruce Hoeksema of VBH bags on Texas Living. I cannot even begin to describe how absolutely incredible his handbags are. 

If you didn't get a chance to watch the segment you can watch it here!

• Don't you just love coming home to fresh flowers? 

These beautiful pink flowers are from my mother's house. And these tulips are in my foyer. 

• LUXELINER, the mobile (yes mobile!) clothing boutique, is rolling into Dallas and I am so thrilled! Started by five friends, Wendy Poston, Jennifer Clark, Capa Mooty, Charlotte Jones Anderson, and Alyson Griffith, this ingenious idea is sure to be Dallas' new favorite one stop shop! 

Photos Paula snapped at the launch party last night at the Lumen Hotel

Capa Mooty holding The Big O keyrings 

Our Business Director, Paula North and Jennifer Clark 

You can like their Facebook page here!

I ♥ Blue & White

Does it get any more glamourous than this Ek Thongprasert "Foxtrout" necklace? 

I found this stunner while perusing M'oda 'Operandi earlier this week and of course, it went straight to the top of my Christmas list. 

Style Icon- Iris Apfel

Vogue

Tablescape Tuesday- How to Decorate Your Table

We are loving this how-to story on Oprah about decorating your table for the holidays. 

Here are some of my very favorite tips from the story that you should keep in mind when you decorate your table this season. 

Skip the Sunset Tones

"If you're hosting a fall party, don't feel obligated to use the usual red, orange and yellow. Try unexpected pairings of khaki and rose, pomegranate and camel (seen here), amethyst and moss, chartreuse and chocolate or forest green and terra-cotta. The key is to balance a brighter tone with a duller one, at the opposite end of the color spectrum, in order to get a sense of the season without it feeling predictable."

—Danielle Rollins, author of Soiree: Entertaining with Style 

Invite Your China to Meet Some New Friends

"Mix and match your china and flatware. You can pair your fancier dishes with vintage plates, fun rattan chargers or melamine salad plates to have a colorful, fun look that doesn't feel too stuffy." 

—Cheryl Najafi, author of You're So Invited: Panic Less, Play More and Get Your Party On

Think Beyond the Dining Table

"For a warm and welcoming atmosphere, I decorate the dining table and the dining room. Greenery, autumn leaves, twigs, pumpkins and squash, accented with strings of tiny white lights, adorn the top of my china cabinet, bookcases and, most importantly, the mantel over the hearth. They create an overall effect that is both seasonal and hospitable—the perfect reception for guests!" 

—Christy Rost, author of Celebrating Home: A Handbook for Gracious Living

Top to Bottom Lisa Romerein, Carla Ten Eyck

You can read the entire story here

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?

Friday Favorites

TGIF. I don't know about you, but I am really looking forward to a weekend of relaxation! 

Here are my favorite picks from this week: 

Saw this on Elements of Style earlier this week, and had to share this great idea for a great cause. J. Hill Designs is selling special edition prints of New York and New Jersey with all the net proceeds going to the Red Cross . 

You can buy your print here

I had so much fun learning how to make dirt dessert on Texas Living with Christine Perrenot, the author of the kid's cooking book,  Jackson and Julie The Twelve Month Chefs.

You can watch the segment here, and try out the recipe for yourself this weekend! 

I dressed up as Katy Perry for Halloween. What do you think of my costume?! 

I hope you have a wonderful and relaxing weekend! 

GrandLuxe Magazine Feature

Happy November everyone!

It is such an honor to be featured in GrandLuxe Magazine and I am so thrilled to share with you a peek at the issue. 

Remember the tablescape featured in last week's post? If you pick up a copy of this issue you can see the full photo-shoot plus much more!

You can also browse the issue here