A Holiday Wish

Our holiday cards this year were designed with love by Paper Moss

Wishing you all Peace, Love, and Happiness this holiday season!! We are taking a couple of days off to enjoy the holidays with our families but will be back on Monday. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Holiday Gift Guide Day 10 Running by Sarah True!!

Check out Miss True's Gift Guide on Running over at Glitter, Glue and Fireflies!!!

Only 2 more days left of the guide!!

Macs and Photography are tomorrow!!

LSW

Friday Wine Tasting... 2009 Toad Hollow Unoaked Chardonnay

Wine of the Week
2009 Toad Hollow Unoaked Chardonnay
$10.99 (Stew Leonard's Wine Shop)


This weekend is a big holiday party weekend and we are hosting two on Saturday! (I am still hoping Santa will send me a few elves to finish up the list today.)

One of the best places to get great deals on wines is Stew Leonard's and while I was there doing my shopping I decided to pick up a few favorites and to try a couple of new bottles for the weekend. This chardonnay by Toad Hollow is one of my all time favorites and the perfect wine for an afternoon cookie swap or evening cocktail party. Happy Friday Everyone! Cheers!

winemaker's notes:

There is no wood of any kind in this wine! No chips. No sawdust. No planks.
Disclaimer:
No trees were harmed in the making of this bright, clean, crisp and full-flavored Chardonnay.

This beautifully balanced Chardonnay has hints of mango, melon, mineral and incredible acidity. The nose is delicately perfumed with citrus and green apple. This Chardonnay is a treat for your senses with a mouth feel that is rich and creamy while still displaying crisp and clean flavors that we have come to expect from the Mendocino Chardonnay

The Best Gifts are the Ones you Give... A Connecticut Christmas

This past weekend Abby and I volunteered for "A Connecticut Christmas" with a bunch of super talented, amazing people (including Heather Colby, Carol Dahlke, Ann Nyberg and Anna Rubino, the four women behind this incredible event) to raise money for Tiffany Farms (A Connecticut dairy farm since 1841 suffered a barn fire in September and are in need of replacing all of the hay for the animals as well as the barn) and The Connecticut Food Bank. Together with over 50 vendors, (fresh produce, arts, ornaments, olive oil, clothes, toys, biscotti, soaps, desserts, coffee...) donating 15% of all sales to Tiffany Farm, we were able to raise 3 tons of food for the CT Food Bank and several thousands of dollars for Tiffany Farm. It was a day of coming together as a community, and truly a special day that reminded us all of the spirit of Christmas! For those unable to attend the event you can still make donations directly to Tiffany Farm and the Connecticut Food Bank. To me this is the best gift of all, the gift of giving!

Friday Wine Tasting... Pretty Red Cocktails

Tis the season for holiday parties and events and tonight we have our first holiday party to attend at our good friends' house. I am still trying to decide what I will wear but know exactly what I will be bringing for all of us to toast with, a pitcher of "Oprah's Pomegranate Martinis." Happy Weekend Everyone! Cheers!

Recipe: Oprah's Pomegranate Martini

• 1 1/2 cups pomegranate juice
• 2 ounces Absolute Citron vodka or white tequila
• 1 ounce Cointreau liquor
• Cup of ice
• Splash of sparkling water (optional)
• Squeeze of lemon (optional)

Directions

Shake ingredients in a shaker and put in chilled martini glasses. Put pomegranate fruit into glass as garnish.

It's Christmas Time in the city... Union Square Market a must shop!

One of my absolute favorite things about the holidays in NYC are the winter markets that pop up throughout the city. Last night I had the chance to browse through 100's of vendor booths set up in Union Square, I could browse through there for hours (jewelry, hats, scarves, loose tea, ornaments, skin care, pottery, artisan chocolates, artwork, etc). I love how unique the gifts are and how talented the artisans are that set up shop for the holiday season. A few of my favorite vendors at the market I thought I would share with you all as you finish up your holiday shopping. Most of these vendors also sell online so if you can't make it into the city you can still shop.

Bailey Doesn't Bark- a contemporary home and life accessories™ company inspired by memories, dreams and nature, offers handmade tableware, home accents, jewelry and locally produced paper goods.

This was one of my favorites! A post card mug that you can customize the message on.

Wonder Warmers- Instantly activated reusable heat pads.

With the cold temps we have been having in the Northeast and after walking around in the city for a few days, these were a must buy! They are so warm and toasty, and last forever, you just have to reboil after you use!

Craftspring- handmade ornaments and gifts designed and handcrafted in workshops started and run by women entrepreneurs, using 100% natural, locally produced wool in Kyrgyzstan.

The most adorable, handmade ornaments!

Vivo- Dead Sea Salt
I was on my way out of the market when a woman from the corner booth got my attention and convinced me to try this sea salt while rubbing it between my two hands, rinsing it off with warm water. As I did I was not convinced that this would be any different than other sea salts I have tried or body sugar, but this was unbelievable. My hands were silky smooth and so soft. I couldn't resist. This is a luxury gift for someone that deserves a little pampering.

Holiday Gift Guide......

It's finally arrived!!! Check it out here.

LSW

The Posh Princess... Local Gifting

Handmade custom bows

"True Event" Line

One of the littlest shoppers, I want her tutu!

A close friend of mine recently launched a business, The Posh Princess, that I just had to share with all of you this holiday season. In keeping with my holiday shopping goal of trying to support local vendors this is a lady you will want to meet. Her handmade custom bows, barrettes, hair accessories and ribbons are super fabulous! And because I love everything girly, having to do with accessories, ribbons and bows I had the hardest time deciding which ones to get for the little girls in my life. There were so many to choose from including a line that she dedicated to True Event with lots of yellow, black and white bows. I have to be honest I almost bought one for myself. In addition to the in stock bows you can also custom order bows to match any outfit!

For more information and ordering you can contact Jennifer Raccio, carbeez@aol.com.

Friday Wine Tasting... A by Acacia Pinot Noir

Wine of the Week
A by Acacia Pinot Noir 2008
$14.99


Last night we got together for dinner with two of my favorite people in the industry, Yumiko (Hana Floral Design and Jennie, Jennie Fresa Beauty Library and their husbands for our first traveling dinner and I was introduced to a new gem of a wine!! This one is a must try this holiday season if you are looking for a nice bottle to bring as a hostess gift this is one they are sure to LOVE! Definitely a new favorite of mine!


Tasting Notes, from the Winery:
Our 2008 Pinot Noir opens with fragrant rose petal and toasted oak aromas lifted by bright cherry and ripe plum. Across the palate, the tantalizing cherry-berry flavors continue, balanced by good acidity and round, well-integrated tannins. The supple texture and smooth, approachable style pair well with a variety of foods, such as roasted pork tenderloin or stuffed guinea hen.