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November 03, 2016

The Holiday Collection | Timeless Classics for Your Home | Small Luxuries



Welcome to The Holiday Collection

When I look back to my favorite classic images of Christmas homes, tables and trees, I always find myself gravitating toward those that feel timeless, with warm colors and lovely natural elements as the centerpiece.  My perfect Holiday Home is filled with big, over abundant fresh greenery, warm gold tones, rich velvet and satin ribbons, natural elements of acorns, fruit and pinecones, tall glowing taper candles and kraft paper packages, all settled into worn wood antiques, neutral upholstery and accents.  I've tried to translate that feel into this Holiday Collection, which includes simple ways to incorporate all of those feel good images for your Holiday, and little treasures and ideas for stocking stuffers and creative hostess gifts.

This view probably feels familiar by now.  I love to show you how just adding a couple of elements each season, your home can gracefully evolve with each season.  The essential elements are the same (Wood Block Print Cushion CoversThe Softest ThrowsGold Frames), but the accents bring the sense of season.



Above : The Rustic Bells, Set of 3, sold out quickly this morning, but have now been restocked.



It is a bit too early for us to have an actual Christmas Tree, but this Antique Fir Tree Print brings a bit of classic christmas cheer to this corner.  The prints are so inexpensive ($4-6) that it is easy to switch them out every season.




I have been so excited to get these candles in stock.  I carry them every year and give them to my friends and family as gifts at Thanksgiving.  Only available during the holiday season (the candle company only makes one batch!) they are my favorite hostess gift to give during the holidays.



The natural scent that these candles have from the Bayberry is warm, earthy and just a bit spicy.  If you've ever visited Nantucket, the scent of the Bayberry shrubs greet you as you get off of the fairy - completely nostalgic and comforting. The candles were among the most prized candles in colonial America because of their clear, consistent light and warm scent.

The card that is enclosed with the candles tells the history of using Bayberry Candles at Christmastime :


"These tapers are handcrafted using the purest bayberry wax.  Bayberry wax is the rarest and most prized of all candle waxes, and has a warm, earthy, spicy aroma.  According to tradition, to bring good luck, you must burn a Bayberry Candle on Christmas Day.  If the flame burns bright and the light shines clear, then heaven will bless you throughout the year."















Sledding Lumbar Hooked Pillow, $45
















Holiday Gift Wrap & Tags
































Holiday Entertaining Collection









Bits of fresh fruit for color.


Mix and Match, Old + New Silver, always my favorite.



Holiday Baking

















We always make an effort to incorporate the Christmas Story into as many of our Holiday activities as we can.  Sometimes with all of the visits to Santa, decorating the tree, and parties, the true meaning of Christmas can easily get lost in the bustle, especially for children.  When I saw this very special collection of Copper Cutters in the form of a Nativity scene, I knew that this would be a great "Nativity" set for my kitchen window sill.  
I'll look forward to spending some time with Emma as we make and decorate these - it might be a fleeting moment of a brief story, but incorporating it into our Holiday tradition, then passing these cutters down to her, will help her continue the tradition.






All sizes of the Baking Baskets are back in stock.  I have some great ideas for these that include wrapping them in parchment, then in a tea towel and ribbon that I think will be my favorite Hostess Gift for the season.  Stay tuned...  speaking of gifts...



This is another departure from my typical product selection (as were the wraps last season), but more and more I realize that this store is really just a collection of my very favorite things.  

My friend introduced me to these earrings in college and they've been a staple in my wardrobe since.  I get endless compliments on them - most people think they are real ; )  They are perfectly understated, with just the right amount of sparkle.
This is the style that I've been wearing on a daily basis lately.  I wear them everyday and they look perfectly delicate and special with anything and everything.  They wrap all the way around the earlobe, making them so sensible and comfy for everyday, too.
Gold or Silver available in most styles.


Each pair comes packaged in a muslin sachet, tucked in a slate grey jewelry box, and tied with a Small Velvet Ribbon... perfect on size fits all stocking stuffers for the girls in your life.  They are affordable enough to be a great Hostess Gift for a special dinner and are always the best birthday present for a girlfriend.





As I've mentioned before, I have a very simple closet with mostly basics.  I rely on classic accessories like wraps and jewelry to take me from dressing up to down, and season to season.  These Crystal huggie style earrings are my dress-up earrings that can make a white oxford shirt with flats look dressy enough for a festive party.  They are also my to-go for formal events, and they look completely classic with satin or silk.




Of course, when placed in this lovely Oval Trinket Box ($40) it turns the earrings into more than just a stocking stuffer.  





These are so luxurious.  Truly.  Heirloom quality, classic hues.  Put this on your Christmas list - only for the very nice.







November 01, 2016

Repost : Pecan Tart | A New Twist on a Classic Pecan Pie Recipe




It is not Thanksgiving without multiple dessert options. Everyone has a pumpkin pie, of course. Pecan is usually a close second. Instead of a second pie at the feast, I like to make something a little different, either Mini Deep Dish Pecan Pies or this Pecan Tart in a Round Fluted Tart Pan.



Based on the Barefoot Contessa's recipe for Pecan Bars, I altered it to make a tart.



I used Mini Leaf Cutters to make the leaf edge - no skill required and so charming.  You can buy them here.

I featured this recipe at my Thanksgiving Workshop and to make it even more festive, I added a maple leaf boarder from pie crust.  I just used store bought pie dough and cut out maple leaves with a cookie cutter.  Then, after I poured the pecan filling into the crust, I placed the dough cutouts around the boarder, then baked it as instructed.

Pecan Pie Tart
with shortbread crust


Crust
12 tablespoons of butter (1 1/2 sticks) at room temp
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups flour

Filling
12 tablespoons of butter (1 1/2) sticks of butter
1/3 cup of corn syrup (light or dark)
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup heavy cream
2 cups pecans

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

For the crust, mix together butter and granulated sugar in mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Add the egg and the vanilla. Add flour with the mixer on low speed until just combined. Press the dough into an ungreased Round Tart Pan ($12) making an edge around the outside. Flour your hands to make it easier to press into the pan. Bake for 10 minutes.

For the filling, combine the butter, corn syrup, brown sugar in a saucepan. Cook over low heat until the butter is melted. Cook until bubbly - then let cook for 3 more minutes. Remove from the heat. Add heavy cream and pecans. Pour into the crust. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Cool. Refrigerate until cold before cutting with a hot knife.


The Holiday Collection Preview | Thanksgiving & Christmas | Launch Thursday!



And so it goes, now that Halloween is over, we are onto Thanksgiving.  While I do relish in the fun and playfulness that is Halloween, my favorite holiday is Thanksgiving.  Today, I'm taking down bats and clearing out spiderwebs, and re-Fallizing the house in preparation for the Thanksgiving and Holiday products photoshoot tomorrow.

Both the Thanksgiving & Holiday Collections will be launched together on Thursday morning at 8am (eastern).

With Thanksgiving and Christmas so close together, it is hard to give each holiday its fair due.  I love Thanksgiving, I can't skip it and just move on to Christmas after Halloween.  Increasingly, I find myself looking for Holiday decorations that seem appropriate for both Thanksgiving and Christmas.  When I look back to my favorite classic images of Christmas homes, tables and trees, I always find myself gravitated toward those that are filled with big, over abundant fresh greenery, warm gold tones, rich velvet and satin ribbons, natural elements of acorns and pinecones, pewter bowls of citrus fruits and nuts, tall glowing taper candles and kraft paper packages, all settled into worn wood antiques, neutral upholstery and accents.  The new collection will include all of these things, and little treasures and ideas for stocking stuffers and creative hostess gifts.


Acorn Thanksgiving Inspiration

So many of you invested in my Wood Block Linen Collection last season so I thought it would be wonderful to show you how to add to those linens and pillows and renew them for the Holidays with the addition of festive, rich tones and textures.  I hope this will help you gracefully transition your home from Thanksgiving to Christmas without feeling like either holiday didn't get its fair turn.  So, instead of just doing an entire collection of red things and calling it the "Holiday Collection," we'll bring in brass bells, gold ribbon, fresh greenery and classic hooked pillows to the staples you already own and transform your home for Christmas.

Here is a Thanksgiving board that I love inspired by the Acorn Block print.  Below, I've added some Holiday touches, showing you how just a couple of items can change the same look into a festive Christmas home.


Here is one example of how the Acorn Print can be used for Thanksgiving, then reinvented for Christmas with a few special touches in the same color scheme.

I'll share some more inspiration boards and tips for using small touches to make your home festive this Holiday season.  And... I'll see you "in the store" Thursday morning at 8 AM (eastern) : )

The Holiday Collection Preview | Thanksgiving & Christmas | Launch Thursday!



And so it goes, now that Halloween is over, we are onto Thanksgiving.  While I do relish in the fun and playfulness that is Halloween, my favorite holiday is Thanksgiving.  Today, I'm taking down bats and clearing out spiderwebs, and re-Fallizing the house in preparation for the Thanksgiving and Holiday products photoshoot tomorrow.

Both the Thanksgiving & Holiday Collections will be launched together on Thursday morning at 7am (eastern).

With Thanksgiving and Christmas so close together, it is hard to give each holiday its fair due.  I love Thanksgiving, I can't skip it and just move on to Christmas after Halloween.  Increasingly, I find myself looking for Holiday decorations that seem appropriate for both Thanksgiving and Christmas.  When I look back to my favorite classic images of Christmas homes, tables and trees, I always find myself gravitated toward those that are filled with big, over abundant fresh greenery, warm gold tones, rich velvet and satin ribbons, natural elements of acorns and pinecones, pewter bowls of citrus fruits and nuts, tall glowing taper candles and kraft paper packages, all settled into worn wood antiques, neutral upholstery and accents.  The new collection will include all of these things, and little treasures and ideas for stocking stuffers and creative hostess gifts.


Acorn Thanksgiving Inspiration

So many of you invested in my Wood Block Linen Collection last season so I thought it would be wonderful to show you how to add to those linens and pillows and renew them for the Holidays with the addition of festive, rich tones and textures.  I hope this will help you gracefully transition your home from Thanksgiving to Christmas without feeling like either holiday didn't get its fair turn.  So, instead of just doing an entire collection of red things and calling it the "Holiday Collection," we'll bring in brass bells, gold ribbon, fresh greenery and classic hooked pillows to the staples you already own and transform your home for Christmas.

Here is a Thanksgiving board that I love inspired by the Acorn Block print.  Below, I've added some Holiday touches, showing you how just a couple of items can change the same look into a festive Christmas home.


Here is one example of how the Acorn Print can be used for Thanksgiving, then reinvented for Christmas with a few special touches in the same color scheme.

I'll share some more inspiration boards and tips for using small touches to make your home festive this Holiday season.  And... I'll see you "in the store" Thursday morning : )

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