Relaxed Reading
… to all of you, our lovely readers, who encourage us every week to keep adding to The Buzz. We started on this journey of saying thank yous on the first Thursday in January and have thanked many throughout the year… but we’re saving the best for last.
Rushed Reading
So this one’s for you… Thank you!
Rover Reading
Photos via Pinterest
Beautiful Blogs
… to Stacey from Quintessence and Ridgely from Ridgely’s Radar for hosting a festive get-together (aptly named #JingleTweet) last week at the amazing showroom of Audiocom in Norwalk.
Tweet, Tweet!
Not only did this dynamic duo deck the halls with Christmas carols and It’s a Wonderful Life, they gift-wrapped 25 presents to be given away as door prizes.
Presents with Presence
Best of all, we got to hob nob with local bloggers like May December and Summer is a Verb and meet darling designers like Sam Allen! For more on this fun event, visit our hostesses with the mostest (see links below.)
P.S. A big thank you to our computer guy, David, who was able to get us a new computer while on vacation in Florida… Now that’s service!
Photos via Quintessence and Ridgely’s Radar
The Medieval Sculpture Hall Transformed
… to Loretta Hines Howard, who along with her daughter and granddaughter, created the largest collection of 18th century Neapolitan creche figurines, now on display at The Met Museum. Every year, we try to visit the Angel Tree, a 20 foot blue spruce decorated with cherubs and angels, which serves as a backdrop to this amazing nativity scene. And every year, we delight in its beauty and artistry…
The Nativity Scene
Angelic Art
Photos via The Metropolitan Museum and ArtDaily
Gourmet circa 2004
… to one of our cooking idols, Ruth Reichl, who along with her then staff at Gourmet Magazine, sifted through 50,000 recipes to come up with a collection of 1,200 which we refer to as the “yellow Bible.” One of us (Cynthia) would not be the culinary goddess that she is at Thanksgiving (and throughout the year!) without it.
Green Beans and Roasted Squash
The recipes for Green Beans and Roasted Squash with Sherry Soy Butter and the Sausage Fennel Stuffing have become holiday staples at her house and these dishes never disappoint… So much so, there are never any leftovers!
Sausage Fennel Stuffing
Do you have a “go to” cookbook or kitchen Bible?
Photos via Speak Up and epicurious
Winter Blues
… to Serena & Lily for not only dressing our beds but now, our tables! We adore the direction Serena and Lily are taking the company and totally agree that “great entertaining is about creating a world where everyone feels warm, welcome, at ease.” Who wouldn’t want to gather around a beautiful table layered with linens, lots of candlelight and pretty platters? “The best parties are usually anything but perfect. It just has to be done with love.”
Marvelous Marbella Collection
Magnificient Mombasa Collection
P.S. Hop on over to Decor Arts Now for a special 20% discount code at Serena & Lily… holiday shopping with a global impact!
Photos via Serena & Lily
Large Spring Bouquet
… to Beth Dempsey at Images & Details for inviting us to showcase some of our new Spring/Summer 2012 bouquets at the first To The Trade Market Day hosted by New England Home’s Connecticut magazine and the Wakefield Design Center in Stamford.
Hydrangea and Orchid Bouquet
Not only did we get to see a presentation of Martyn Lawrence-Bullard’s new fabric collection for Schumacher (you know how much we love him!) and hear Kyle Hoepner, the magazine’s Editor-in-Chief, speak about getting published, but we were wined and dined by The Restaurant at Rowayton Seafood and caught up with fellow designers and bloggers – what a treat!
Phalaenopsis Orchids in Glass Vase
A great afternoon spent in a beautiful showroom surrounded by fabulous fabrics, amazing art and fantastic furniture… We do hope this event is an annual one!
Photos via yours truly
Loving These Luxuries
to Sue from The Zhush for including our Hummingbird Soap in her Holiday Gift Guide for Women for the latest edition of House of Fifty and…
Orchids for Sandra Morgan's Room
to Stacey at Quintessence for her mention of Diane James Home in her post on the People’s Project.
Let There Be Light!
Last but not least, a big thank you to NYSEG for finally restoring one of life’s little necessities… we’ve had dark, chilly days without it!
Photos via House of Fifty, Quintessence and Pinterest
Enchanting and Stylish
… to Tina of The Enchanted Home
Eclectic and Unique
and Barbara from Haus Design
Very Versatile
for bestowing on us the Versatile Blogger award. We wear many hats running this business and being versatile is definitely a plus! Needless to say, we’re honored to be part of such a fabulous group of bloggers. Now, we know we’re suppose to write seven things about ourselves in order to accept this award but since we’ve been blogging for quite a while, you probably know enough about us.
Halloween Boys
So here’s one more thing: we’re the proud mothers of five boys (Carolyn has two and Cynthia has three including a set of identical twins!) and we couldn’t resist sharing this picture taken around this time years ago. To all the versatile bloggers out there (and you know who you are!), this one’s for you!
Photos via The Enchanted Home, Haus Design and yours truly
P.S. If you really would like to know more about us, read this post and this one!
The Lovely Chef Leslie
… to Leslie Lampert, owner of Cafe of Love in Mt. Kisco, NY, for creating a cozy escape from the every day hustle and bustle where French Provincial decor meets local farm fresh ingredients. With a seasonal menu that captures the imagination and a friendly and attentive staff, Cafe of Love has everything you’d want in a restaurant. And best of all, it’s just around the corner – a perfect place for a girls’ night out!
Farm-to-Table Fresh
Sensational Scallops
P.S. Click here to read Leslie’s Love Letter and featured recipe – spiced pumpkin soup!
Photos via Woman Around Town and Cafe of Love
Fabulous Flora
… to Flora Grubb, the San Francisco-based garden designer and nurserywoman and her talented staff at the Cutting Garden, for creating the most wonderful plantings and bouquets that require little maintenance (which we love since we’re such black thumbs!) Her unique touch and playful sense of color and texture are perfect for outdoor walls and indoor table settings… and every space in between.
Plant "Painting"
Best of all, Flora’s favorite creations (like spiky succulents in footed aeriums and grape wood tillandsia gardens) are available online through her web store!
Succulent Settings
Photos via County Living and Flora Grubb