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Entertaining

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Hostess Gifts
Gifting & Ettiquette

Holiday Gift Guide 2014: For the Hostess

If you’re attending a flurry of holiday parties this season, don’t forget to pickup a little something to show your appreciation to the hostess! When it comes to giving a great hostess gift, I prefer to bring a stylish yet useful keepsake for the home. Something the person likely wouldn’t buy for themselves but would use often and that reminds them of me every time they use it. Here are a few go-to ideas that are sure to be a hit with the hostess at your next holiday party!

1. Scalamandre Zebra WINE Stopper / 2. Illume Bar Soap / …

GIFTS THAT GIVE BACK
Gifting & Ettiquette

Holiday Gift Guide 2014: 10 Gifts that Give Back

The holidays are all about the spirit of giving which is why I loved curating this gift guide of products that give back by donating proceeds to worthy causes. If you have someone in your life that has everything, or is difficult to shop for, a gift that gives back is especially perfect because everyone can appreciate something that helps others!

1. 100 Good Deeds Bracelet: Proceeds support the 100 Good Deeds foundation which transforms communities by empowering women and spreading kindness.

2. Kiehl’s Since 1851 Limited Edition Norman Rockwell Creme de Corps collection: 100% of Kiehl’s net …

Holiday Gift wrap Ideas
Gifting & Ettiquette

Stylish Holiday Gift Wrap Ideas

When it comes to holiday gift wrap, I love the idea of coordinating the color of your gift wrap with your tree ornaments and other holiday decor for a cohesive look. This year I used silver and mercury glass ornaments on my tree and had gold and ivory accents throughout the rest of my home so the gift wrap I chose, shown above, reflected this color palette in a mix of stylish patterns. Rather than wrapping all of my gifts in the same paper, I like to mix and match a few different styles that coordinate together using patterns with …

Nicole Gibbons Holiday Decor
Holidays & Celebrations

A Peek Inside My Home for the Holidays with Balsam Hill

During the holidays when I was growing up both my mom and grandma went over-the-top with their Christmas decorations. We’re talking little Christmas villages, santa figurines, garlands up the staircase, twinkling lights indoors and out, and of course, the most beautiful Christmas tree ever. Having grown up with an appreciation for creating a beautiful and festive holiday atmosphere, decorating my own home for Christmas is something that I look forward to each year. Living in New York, however, the process of getting a tree and decorating can be a huge hassle. Once you buy the tree, you have to figure …

Decadent Hot Chocolate Recipe3
Food & Recipes

Heavenly Hot Chocolate

When I was a kid one of the things I looked forward in the winter was hours of playing outside in the snow then coming inside to a cup of hot chocolate topped with marshmallows that my mom would make. And as an adult, I still crave a good cup of hot chocolate when it’s cold out. There is a place in New York that everybody here knows called City Bakery that is known to have the best hot chocolate in NYC. It’s like the hot chocolate you get in France … thick and creamy, made from pure chocolate … …

Post Thanksgiving Detox
Food & Recipes

Post-Holiday Detox: Beet, Apple & Mint Juice

If you stuffed yourself silly during your holiday celebration here’s a great video tutorial via Everyday Food for a delicious and detoxifying beet, apple and ginger juice. Beet juice is incredibly high in antioxidants and help aid digestion, helps eliminate toxins in the liver and helps improve blood flow as well as lower blood pressure. The mint helps aid digestion and can also help sooth stomach irritations while the apple, thrown in for sweetness and flavor, are rich in Vitamins A and C. Watch the tutorial below and also shop some juicing essentials. I own a Breville Compact Juicer. It’s …