Holiday Gift Guide:: For the Culinary Gifted

You know and love them - the culinary gifted. This person can spend all day in the kitchen and they are at their happiest when they are mixing, beating or blending confections for others to eat.  They are constantly tuned into the Food Network or Cooking Channel and they save every issue of Bon Appétit.  Why not spoil them with something like a tortilla press or pasta dryer?  Here are some of my picks for the cook in your life.  

Treats Truck Baking Cookbook / Provencal Stripe Apron

Hedgehog Measuring Cups /Pasta Dryer

Staub Mini Round Cocottes / Cupcake Boxes

Goldentouch Nonstick 3-Piece Cookie Bakeware Set

Fluted Cookie Cutter Set / Sanding Sugar

Holiday Gift Guide:: The Eternal Hostess

You know her, the eternal hostess who is always ready to throw a soirée.  She has a knack for sending out beautiful invitations, creating an inviting ambiance through heavenly scented candles and knows how to create the perfect cheese plate, not to mention an amazing cocktail. This holiday spoil the hostess in your life with one of these ideas!

Voluspa Candle / Vintage Cocktails / Bird Glasses / Stationary / Cocktail Napkins 

Jadeite Mixing Bowls / Butter Dish / Thanks Card / Slate Cheese Board

Valentino: Master of Couture

If you are venturing over the pond, make sure that you check out the Valentino: Master of Couture exhibit at the Somerset House in England. There you will find a collection of the couturier's finest pieces that have been worn by the likes of Grace Kelly and Penelope Cruz.  I can't seem to take my eyes off of that first dress, it is just stunning.  

Holiday Gift Guide:: For the Crafty

You know her, she always has a glue stick in hand and glitter trailing somewhere behind.  You might refer to her as the next Martha Stewart since she is as clever as her in coming up with brilliant crafts that make you say, 'You Did That?' Make the crafter in your life happy this holiday season with stamps, DIY paper flowers, colored pencils and glitter.  Happy Friday!

Stained Glass Paper Punch

24 Piece Glitter Pack

Oil Pastels

Gold Leaf Set

Decorative Paper

Mechanical Colored Pencils

Poulain Tape Dispenser

Sweet Treats Rubber Stamp

Bakers Twine Gold & Black and Natural & Gold

Mosaic Coaster Mold Kit

Lotus Flower Paper Kit

Lounge Here, Where That:: Resort 2012

I can't believe that we are already into December! This time of the year always seems to creep up on me and then goes by in the blink of an eye.  We haven't started winter yet, but boy is it cold here in New York and this year they say we are in for a real winter. After last year, I was starting to not mind the months of February and March as both greeted us with much warmer temperatures than in years past. Even though we are decking the halls and have shopping lists that long, it is nice to drift off into resort land, as most of the collections are hitting stores now.  Wouldn't you love to escape to the Maldives?  This five-star resort located on a tiny private island is brimming with all of the alluring details that make me want to close my eyes and just appear there.  If that were to happen, I would like to be wearing these pieces below from the latest resort collections.  Happy Monday!

Silk Dress / Printed Tee / Striped Dress / Flat Sandal

Reversible Swim Suit Top & Bottom / Yellow Flats / Floral Platforms

Coral Lipstick / Bronzing Powder / Sunscreen

Image from Hotel Angsana Ihuru - Male, Maldives