add more sparkle

I just had to add a bit more glitter and sparkle today because, well, who doesn’t like a touch of sparkle when ringing in the New Year?

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Festive Frocks to Ring in the New Year

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all that glitters: highs & lows

1. Alice + Olivia Gown  |  2. Kate Spade Belt  |  3. Jimmy Choo Pumps  |  4. Ashish Skirt  |  5. Giles & Brother Cuff

6. French Connection Dress  |  7. DVF Jacket  |  8. Jimmy Choo Ballet Flats  |  9. Kara Ross Clutch  |  10. Rachel Zoe Necklace

 

1. Top Shop Skirt  |  2. Old Navy Ballet Flats  |  3. Vince Camuto Bracelet  |  4. Kenneth Cole Pendant

5. Worthington Pumps  |  6. J.Crew Belt  |  7. Top Shop Bow Clip  |  8. Dorothy Perkins Dress  |  9. J.Crew Top

Scenes of Christmas

There’s nothing like Christmas in New York.  The lights adorning the trees that line the crowded streets; poinsettias, wreaths and Christmas trees transforming every single office building – mine excluded, of course.

I’m overwhelmed with happy, warm feelings walking through the otherwise cold, crowded and bitter streets.  I tend to try and take it all in around the holidays because once January 2nd rolls around, those streets will be back to their bitter, cold and crowded selves.

Our adorable little Christmas tree

My favorite house on the block

Mike’s Jell-O shots cluttering his fridge

Festive holiday party frocks by Elie Tahari & Madison Marcus

Festive feet by J.Crew

Park Avenue office buildings getting into the Christmas spirit

A few of my favorite Christmas cards

City scenes

A Christmas Carol in Northport, LI

Presents hang from the ceiling at Barbounia

Home sweet home for the holidays

Pre-Christmas dinner

Thymes Frasier Fir – my new favorite winter scent

add a dash of red & green

Whether I’m adding a bit of sparkle or a touch of red and green here and there (or tartan…), I always try to be festive during the holidays.

Some may say it’s cheesy, but I say, why not?

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Frasier Fir

We may have upgraded to a slightly larger – although not nearly as perfect – tree than last year, but I owe the authentic Christmas tree scent that is currently permeating our apartment to the Thymes Frasier Fir candle that I purchased while vacationing in Florida.

This candle is seriously incredible and you’d never know that it wasn’t coming straight from your very own real-live frasier fir. My apartment feels 10x more Christmas-sy once this baby is lit and I am loving every minute of it.

With Christmas just one week away, I promise all of these products are worth the price tag.

$50 & under for Him

1. Titleist Golf Balls, $39.99  | 2. Vineyard Vines Hat, $20  |  3. J.Crew Boxers, $14.50  |  4. Smith Ski Goggles, $40

5. LL Bean Slippers, $39.95  |  6. ChapStick Original, $0.50  |  7. “50 Things Every Young Gentleman Should Know”, $32

8. Kiehl’s Men’s Starter Kit, $39.50

 

9. J.Crew Wallet, $29.50  |  10. iHome Mini Speaker, $19.99  |  11. Patagonia Beanie, $25  |  12. LL Bean Unshrinkable Tee, $16.95  |  13. Patron Silver Tequila, $40 

14. Mark Owen’s “No Easy Day”, $18  |  15. Vineyard Vines Belt, $49.50

 

16. J.Crew iPhone Case, $38  |  17. The North Face Fleece Pants, $45  |  18. Leather Key Chain, $12  | 19. REI Croakies, $6

20. LL Bean Duffle Bag, $49.95  |  21. Calvin Klein Tie, $40.99  |  22. The North Face Gloves, $35

23. Vineyard Vines Coozie, $5  |  24. LL Bean Sunglasses, $49.95  |  25. J.Crew Flannel Pajama Bottoms, $45

belles of the ball

Attending Z100’s Jingle Ball in my mid-twenties gave me an entirely new outlook on life…  OK, not exactly, but it did give me a whole new appreciation & respect for my Dad.  Those tweens and their screams, I tell you.  I don’t know how he did it.  And to think I was one of them!  Hyperventilating at the mere sight of Mark McGrath and Justin Timberlake – embarrassing for me, yes – but absolutely terrifying for a father.

The Jingle Ball lineup was tween heaven – One Direction, Taylor Swift, Fun., The Wanted, Jason Mraz, Ne-Yo, B.O.B., JUSTIN BIEBER & a few other acts I’d never heard of.  A tween’s dream, really.  The shrieking and squealing that took place before we even entered the doors of Madison Square Garden were deafening… one can only imagine what those escalated to once Justin Bieber took the stage and yes, took his jacket off.

We witnessed tweens making music videos – both of themselves and of the various acts – tears of joy that could fill the Hudson River, big smiles exposing braces and crooked teeth and lots & lots of camera flashes.  We witnessed lots of parents, earplugs in, trying to enjoy themselves.

And then… there were the four of us….  The oldest people at the concert who didn’t have a pack of kids fainting behind them – who were over served (in forms of both beverages & cotton candy) and having the time of our lives.  Mike and Andrew had their arms wrapped around each other, swaying to Jason Mraz’s “I Won’t Give Up“, and Alyssa and I were too busy dancing and singing to today’s top hits to even notice the people around us – let alone our boyfriends and their budding bromance.

Makes me wonder how my Dad did it…  The long commute home from work only to then attend a concert with ear bleeding cries and boy band mania.  All I can say is, I hope my kids don’t catch the Bieber Fever – or I suppose whatever the equivalent may be 15 years from now…

The crowd anxiously awaiting their entrance into MSG.

Mike:  Who are these 1D kids, anyway? They’re like twelve.

Andrew:  Yeah, but look at them.  They’re so awesome.

Mike:  God, you’re so right…

Red confetti everywhere following Taylor Swift’s performance.

Just having the time of his life.

Feeling the Fever during the finale.

under $25 additions

More adorable & affordable gift options from Ann Taylor here & here.

25 Gifts for $25 and Under

1. Z Gallerie Concerto Frames, $8-$14  |  2. Bauble Bar Bib Necklace, $20  |  3. Z Gallerie Grace Candle, $20 

4. C.Wonder Wine Stopper, $22  |  5. Fresh Sugar Perfection Duo, $22.50  |  6. Inslee by Design Hydrangeas Print, $15  

7. Design Darling Leather Card Case, $14  |  8. J.Crew Bangle, $22  |  9. J.Crew Pocket Datebook, $25

10. Essie “Leading Lady”, $8  |  11. Ashley Brooke Designs Zebra Notecards, $18

 

12. CB2 Snack Bowls, $19.95  |  13. Rubber Stamp, $8.50  & Ink Pad, $7.75 |  14. Anthropologie Chalkboard Spice Jar, $12  

15. Graphic Image Mini Notebook, $24  |  16. Retro Camera Poster, $10  |  17. Z Gallerie Lacquer Tray, $20

 

18. Philosophy Candy Cane Lather, $16  |  19. ASOS iPhone case, $14  |  20. Thymes Frasier Fir Candle, $18.50  

21. Mark and Graham Linen Wine Bag, $15  |  22. K.slademade Keychain, $18  |  23.  Andy Cohen’s “Most Talkative”, $16

24. ASOS Earrings, $21  |  25. Crate&Barrel Bedside Carafe, $19.95