TRUE & WESSON Philosophy # 46

Image Found via imgfave.

LSW

Adding a little sparkle to your step!

With the Holidays swiftly approaching us, we are all manically searching for that perfect party ensemble. I am seriously obsessed with anything sparkly and fortunately for me this season, every store is offering a whole lot a bling!

Sequined tops, glitter heels and beaded skirts line the racks but what about the legs?

I fell absolutely in love with this DIY post from Corocosa!

Check it out as it is perfect for the Holidays as well as any fabulous bride walking down the aisle!!

I also love Park & Cube's DIY interpretation of Doo.Ri's tights.

It's so simple and yet so fun.. I can't wait to add a little sparkle to my step!

LSW

Decorating for the Holidays... Modern Christmas

I just adore the pink tree that Making it Lovely purchased this year for her living room. It is beyond fabulous, now if only it came in yellow it would be perfect for the Red House! Even though almost everything about our holiday decor is purely traditional, passed down through our families, a story behind almost every ornament, I am thinking I may have to incorporate some modern accents this year. Inspired by this post my wheels are spinning!

Monday Typefaces...Hooks

We are slowly starting to get our house decorated for the Holidays!!

Image found via Swiss Miss.

Alphabet created by Jeffery Tribe.

LSW

Creative Packaging to inspire you to shop!

Does the design put a smile on your face? Does it make you think? Does it exude an energy of that particular company? Well, when all these components come together as one, then that is when I know that the design is right. At Chocolate Creative Design, I have come to realize over the years that this is the definition of my company as well as the type of designer that I am. Because life can be messy, hard and overwhelming, so why not have fun, laugh a little and

enjoy the ride.

Image found via Hip Candy.

Image found via Hip Candy.

Images found via Hip Candy.

Images found via The Dieline.

LSW

Friday Wine Tasting... Holiday Entertaining, Bodegas Alto Almanzora Este

Wine of the Week
Bodegas Alto Almanzora Este
$8.69

I recently picked up this wine on the recommendation of my friend at Marlborough Country Roads, to test for an upcoming holiday cocktail party and I must say it is really yummy! It has an interesting complexity, great body, nice fruit, and pairs nicely with hot hors d'oeuvres. Also makes a great hostess gift, and it is under $10.

Tasting Notes:
Powerful aroma , clean, elegant and complicated. Ranges from flowers (violets), black fruit (blackberry, currents etc) until a touch of dry mountain herbs on a mineral base and toffee. Lots of red fruit (cherries, blackberries etc), well integrated with the wood (Vanilla, toffee). With volume, good structure, well balanced and rounded. Fruity after tastes, long and very agreeable.

A blend based on 60% monastrell, with tempranillo, granacha, cabernet sauvignon, syrah and merlot.

Holiday Gift Giving Guide... Jennie Fresa Beauty Library

Spa Room at the Beauty Library

I can hardly believe it is officially holiday season and we are into the first week of December. This year flew by faster than I think any other year, although I seem to be saying that more and more as I get older and busier. I think with all that is happening, the hustle and bustle of our routines, crazy schedules, work, family, commitments... life is it just blowing by. I often forget how important it is to find time for me, time to take a moment to read a magazine, time to forget about the outside world and just be, and time to truly be pampered.

Yesterday I was treated to one of the most fabulous spa treatments I have ever had at the Beauty Library, and it reminded me how to do all of those things. Specially designed by the uber talented Jennie Fresa, The Fassage, is a combination of all of her favorite spa treatments (pedicure, facial, massage, all in one) and is totally blissful. It would make the most perfect holiday gift for all the ladies on your list.

She also has an incredible line of makeup with the most fabulous lip gloss collection that is the perfect stocking stuffer. Since I know sister reads the blog this is a hint for you. I love the pomegranate gloss, perfect shade of coral/pink/red.

Happy Shopping!

About the Fassage:
Introducing the FASSAGE: Available exclusively at the Beauty Library.

.....A few years ago, every evening at 6:30, Jennie would find herself briskly walking up Lexington Avenue. Jennie found her stride here, working with makeup maven Trish McEvoy. Often, as Jennie pushed along passed the bakeries, boutiques, and shops that line the blocks from Saks Fifth Avenue to her 80th street studio apartment, she would detour into a quaint, neighborhood salon. A neck massage would melt away the stresses of the workday. A pedicure could empower her for a night on the town. Or, a luxurious facial transformed the working gal into the glamour girl. Often, Jennie fantasized about combining all of her favorite indulgences into one specialized treatment. And, so, the Fassage was born!

The FASSAGE: $90 Holiday Special: $72

A head to toe experience- 1 hour treatment includes a soothing foot soak with essential oils, paraffin hand treatment, deep cleansing facial with enzyme mask, and stress-relieving massage of the feet, legs, hands, arms and decoltee.

20% off all services at the Beauty Library, including the FASSAGE, Makeup Lessons, Brow Shaping and JF Mineral product purchases of $100 or more.

Offer good through December 27th, 2009

Gift Certificates are available.

A bag of many talents...

So it's officially the start of the Holiday shopping season. So why not get a great bag to hold all those great finds! Well, look no further...Check out this great bag created by melangerienyc on Etsy. Not only does it make a great tote for shopping but can also make the perfect wedding shower gift. Why not fill it with the bride's essentials for her honeymoon, a great beach towel, travel kit, sunscreen..the possibilities are endless!

LSW

TRUE & WESSON Philosophy # 45

Image found via imgfave.

Philosophy # 45 is dedicated to the most talented and amazing people that I had the pleasure of working with yesterday, to bring to life a dream that I had in my head. Thank you for allowing me to have "glittering eyes" to see how beautiful and giving the human spirit really can be!

LSW

Advent Calendars...The magic of December 1st!

I will never forget the day that December 1st changed my life forever. It was the 1970's, and a box had mysteriously arrived on our doorstep for me and my little brother. It had come ALL the way from California and was absolutely Ginormous (personally we were just happy with the box and where it had come from). Inside this mysterious box were two very large (the size of a door) fuzzy felt panels with 24 felt pockets in brilliant shades of red and green. Lovingly handmade by our Aunt Peggy, we couldn't believe our eyes as our Mom carefully hung them up on each of our doors. "What was this crazy contraption?

Then we looked at the bottom of the box....to our amazment, there were 25 little wrapped packages, each numbered, which magically fit into each pocket. We honestly thought we had hit the gold mine! Every morning, as the days and weeks went by, we were awakened with one of these wonderful miniature gifts. Sometimes it was a tiny set of Hello Kitty colored pencils and other times it was as simple as a red bouncing ball. No matter what it was, it was deeply loved. I had even created a custom little box that held these magical little treasures. Personally, I think it had made our Mom happier than us, as it controlled our exuberance for the upcoming Holiday.

So this post is dedicated to our Aunt Peggy, who changed our lives, gave us a little magic and who can still make me excited for December 1st!

Thank you!

Advent Calendar Pouches by Nuvonova on Etsy.

Some can be store bought...

Elf Advent Calendar from Garnet Hill.

Hats and Mittens Advent Calendar from Garnet Hill.

Buckets of Joy Advent Calendar from Garnet Hill.

Some can be handmade...

Christmas Countdown Kit by Sweetwaterscrapbook on Etsy.

Heirloom Personalized Advent Calendar by TheSweetcushion on Etsy.

Advent Calendar by Pilosale on Etsy

Matryoshka Advent Calendar by Thymbydesigns on Etsy.

You can't forget Martha!

Advent in a box by Martha Stewart.

LSW