It’s Monday – what mood are you in?
A Bistro by Schuyler Samperton
Polished
Pronunciation: \ˈpä-lish\
Brought to a highly developed, finished or refined state
Photo from Schuyler Samperton
Archive for November, 2010
Monday Mood
Monday, November 29th, 2010Carnation Creations
Friday, November 26th, 2010With Thanksgiving come and gone, it’s not too soon to think of holiday decorating (for those of you who, like us, wait until the very last minute to get your tree up!) Each year, we try to choose a theme that we carry from the front door throughout the house… whether it be a color (silver, apple green, purple, why not pink!) or a trend (rustic, Hollywood or The Nutcracker).
Our Red Period
We recently read in The Wall Street Journal that the inexpensive carnation is back in style (after all, even if the recession is officially over, we’ve implemented austerity measures) and our creative juices started flowing.
What in Carnation?
When last week we heard from Eddie Ross, lifestyle expert extraordinaire, that he actually loves these humble flowers, especially when massed, “their ruffled edges form[ing] a beautiful texture that looks lush and rich,” we knew we had to explore a carnation Christmas.
Lush and Lovely by Eddie Ross
We’re in good company. Carolyne Roehm celebrates carnations in centerpieces…
Carolyne's Carnation Centerpiece
and Martha Stewart makes wonderful wreaths.
A Beautiful Carnation Creation
We think they would make pretty garlands and kissing balls, too.
Garlands Galore!
Pretty Pink Pomanders
Just a thought…
Photos from yours truly, The Wall Street Journal, Eddie Ross, Carolyne Roehm, Martha Stewart, Heavenly Blooms and Wedding Flowers
Feeling Grateful…
Wednesday, November 24th, 2010For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy Goodness sends.
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
We’re making the beds….
Suzani Shams and Coverlet
and setting the table…
Les Maisons Enchantees by Hermes
Beautiful Bouquet by Ariella Chezar
Beverly Fleur Brown Place Cards
Real Simple Illumination
wrapping gifts…
Nothing Like a Little Pre-Scent!
and feeling grateful!
Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving…
Photos from Williams Sonoma Home, Hermes, Flower Magazine, Beverly Fleur Brown, Real Simple, Country Living and House Beautiful
Monday Mood
Monday, November 22nd, 2010It’s Monday – what mood are you in?
Dish and Dat
Ready
Pronunciation: \ˈre-dē\
1. Prepared mentally or physically for some experience or action
2. Prepared for immediate use
Photo from Country Living
An Office Do-Over
Friday, November 19th, 2010
Making Music with an Accordion Calendar
Something about this time of year makes us want to be highly organized and despite all our valiant efforts, we still scramble at the last minute to get things done. Inspired by this post on The English Organizer, we reached out to the lovely Pauline to see what she could do to help us scratch at least one thing off our to-do list by the end of the year: to create an office environment that speaks to our high-end florals and clientele.
Katie Ridder Loves Purple
Pauline started out as Struggling To Be Stylish but given that we think she’s pretty darn stylish (her posts on her kitchen remodel and her master bedroom makeover will attest to that!), we were thrilled to read that she’s started down a new path as a Professional Organizer. Needless to say, we grew up with a very efficient (and pretty scary!) English governess so when we had the chance to work with this British expat, we jumped at the chance. Without further ado, here’s our office before…
The Buzz's Desk
The Buzz's Bookcase and Books
and after!
Blooming Office Mood Board
OK, so technically the picture above is a mood board but we love all of Pauline’s suggestions. She even took into account that our first retail client was Bergdorf Goodman in the city and stuck to a purple theme.
Bananas for Bergdorfs!
There’s much more that goes into organizing an office so click here to read the entire post. Now that we know what to do, we better start cracking to get it done… Thank you, Pauline, for such great advice and inspiration!
Photos from Snow & Graham, La Dolce Vita, The English Organizer, Bergdorf Goodman and yours truly
Do You Rue La La?
Wednesday, November 17th, 2010
Ooh La La
Well, we promised you another opportunity to get your hands on our new Diane James Home Signature Scent Candle and guess what? It’s come sooner than we thought!
Luxe Home Gift Boutique
We were told by our friends at Rue La La that the Luxe Home Gift Boutique would launch this Friday, but perhaps they wanted to get the holiday shopping season off to an early start.
Fabulous Finds
We were thrilled when Rue La La requested an exclusive design to highlight in this one time shopping event. For those of you who have yet to discover this invitation-only, private sale website, you’re in for a treat. Rue La La offers a well-edited collection of luxury offerings – from home decor and tabletop, to fashion and travel, and of course, gifts.
Diane James Home Bouquet and Candle
For a limited time only (until 11 a.m. Friday, November 19), you can get your hands on our new candle and a white peony and rose bouquet… for the very special price of $249. We know where we’ll be headed to pick up some fabulous finds for the holidays!
Photos from Rue La La
And The Winner Is…
Tuesday, November 16th, 2010
Signature Scent Candle
A very big thank you to Sue at The Zhush for hosting our holiday giveaway and for allowing us to join in on the fun! While you can still enter to win one of our beautiful orchids on The Zhush, we’ve already randomly picked a winner for our first signature scent candle and the winner is…
Traci Zeller from Traci Zeller Design
P.S. Stay tuned for another opportunity to get your hands on a free candle this Friday on The Buzz!
Photo from Diane James Home
Monday Mood
Monday, November 15th, 2010It’s Monday – what mood are you in?
Feeling Thankful for The Bounty in Our Lives
Bountiful
Pronunciation: \ˈbaun-ti-fəl\
Liberal in bestowing gifts or favors
P.S. We’re feeling bountiful today so visit The Zhush for a special giveaway – just in time for the holidays…
P.P.S. and supporting our friends Aspiring Kennedy, Pretty Pink Tulips and PVE in a job Well Done to help a young student raise $5,000 for charity:water. If every reader of our blogs would donate just $5, he could reach his goal by the end of the week. So if you’re feeling bountiful, too, just click here to help!
Photo from Country Living
Simply Stylish Settings
Friday, November 12th, 2010
Magnificent Magnolias
While we don’t tend to think too much about our own holiday decorating until right after Thanksgiving (that’s because we’re so busy with everyone else’s floral needs!), we did get into the holiday spirit early this year with an event at Nielsen’s Florist in Darien sponsored by our great friends at Connecticut Cottages & Gardens.
The James Girls Ringing in The Holidays
Along with Simon Pearce and Home James!, we created beautiful tables in the greenhouse for every setting, from glamorous to garden, city to country…
Glamorous
Garden
City
Country
and proceeds from a fabulous raffle benefited A Better Chance, which provides academic scholarships and housing in Darien to six highly motivated minority high school girls from inner city areas.
Lovely Ladies from ABC
A great time was had by all, feasting on delicious tidbits and toasting with Nicolas Feuillate Brut Rose – and the beautifully styled Christmas trees added the perfect festive touch. None of this would have been possible without the amazing staff at Nielsen’s and the support of wonderful friends – what a stylish way to start the holidays!
Ed and Annmarie from Simon Pearce
P.S. For more pictures of the event, visit our new blogging friend, the lovely Stacey, at Quintessence!
Photos from yours truly
Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice…
Wednesday, November 10th, 2010Two weeks and counting before Thanksgiving is upon us and we get to savor the most delicious pumpkin chiffon pies (alas, the recipe’s an ancient family secret that we’re not allowed to share!) But there is one recipe that we heard of on the radio that had us salivating and almost driving off the road… Pumpkin Stuffed with Everything Good, one of Dorie Greenspan’s favorite dishes in her new cookbook, Around My French Table.
How to Cook French, with Shortcuts
The recipe came by way of a French friend’s sister who lives in Lyon. As the story goes, this sister’s husband grows pumpkins on his farm and when the pumpkins are very small, she goes out into the fields with her children and they carve their name in the pumpkins. When the pumpkins grow, their names grow, too, so that they each have their own pumpkin to make this dish.
Pumpkin Stuffed with Everything Good
Caution: the recipe above includes butter, bacon, heavy cream and Gruyere cheese so for those of you who (like us!) are watching what you eat before the big day comes, you might prefer these (lower fat!) pumpkin pretties.
Decorative and Pretty Pumpkins
Light Up a Pumpkin Candle
Pumpkin Peel
A Lovely Pumpkin Soup Tureen
Pumpkin Saffron Macaroons
Photos from Dorie Greenspan, Cohn-Stone Studios, Gracious Home, Peter Thomas Roth, Charlotte Moss and Tartlette
