Victoria Amory has done it again. Besides her wonderful soups and meals she has introduced a line of gourmet condiments to make entertaining “effortless” at home. This is a wonderful gift for the foodie in your life or just to keep in your pantry for parties this winter and spring. Head to her website for recipe ideas and of course to purchase. – Lynn Butler Beling
When you want to give a small token gift or favor, honey always makes a sweet gift and is usually loved by all, man or woman. For Valentine’s Day honey is an appropriate gift for co-workers, teachers or friends. For a wedding it makes a wonderful favor for guests. Giving a honey dipper along with the honey is extra sweet, I sell beautiful wood ones on my shop. We also have a nice jar of honey candies from France available. By printing out a verse and wrapping it around the jar or bottle (and affixing it with double … Read more
A few years ago a friend of mine took me to a new store called Monograms Off Madison, located in a beautiful old townhouse off Madison Avenue on 93rd Street in New York City, and I loved it! I recently went back and they have even more fun things for kids and wonderful gifts for men, women and the home. Although they don’t offer very many things online, if you are in New York it’s worth the trip up town to see this shop. There of course are lots of pink and green and preppy items like tote bags, … Read more
What a wonderful idea! Gail Brill of Gail Brill Design can create a gorgeous monogram for you and turn it into small sheets of 11 x 17 wrapping paper. Black and white or color can be printed. It’s a $35 set up fee and $2 per sheet for black and white and $3 per sheet for color. Have your own initial or Gail did my husband and my initials together for this gorgeous paper you see above. Gail has many fonts but her most popular is her “Brill Script” which I’ve included below so you can see each letter. The … Read more
Anchors are appearing everywhere this season-from gift items to tabletop to wrapping paper. We’re seeing most in a classic navy paired with leather, browns, creams, while some accessories are shown in bright red. This inspired our color palette this week with two classic paint colors above from Benjamin Moore. We’ll be covering anchors all week for weddings, interiors and paper but we thought we’d start you off with a few gift items. Above, Mark and Graham’s Anchor Canvas Tote which you can personalize and below their Anchor Key Fobs, Anchor Paperweights, Acrylic Tumblers and Napkins. … Read more
Father’s Day is fast approaching, it’s Sunday, June 16th! We thought we’d put a gift guide together for you in case you are stumped on what to get Dad. Here are a few suggestions that we’re loving right now: For the adventurous dad, how about surf or kiteboarding lessons from Main Beach Surf and Sport in the Hamptons. Dad can learn a new sport or the whole family can spend the day learning together. The Salted Caramel’s Big Top Sampler is perfect for the dad with a sweet tooth. Flavors like bacon bourbon caramel corn or salted bourbon caramel marshmallows … Read more
My friend that is a total “foodie” came to my house this past weekend with the most incredible orange bread in tow. She was a food stylist for years (so she is very discriminating when it comes to food) and loves frequenting Eataly in New York City for it’s fresh market and also the 7 restaurants it offers. This had to be the best bread I’ve ever tasted. It had large orange bits baked in and although I looked online for a recipe to link you to, none of the recipes I found included large chunks or almost candied … Read more
Last week I wrote about Bonnie Hoye and her beautiful illustrations. I suggested that a portrait would be a wonderful present. My father had this portrait done of my mother in Italy in the 1950’s as a gift to her. And even though we have so many ways of taking pictures and videos now, a portrait still seems so romantic and timeless. But having a photographer come and take professional photos of you and your family is a great idea too. They don’t have to be so formal, as you can see below by one of the photographs Philippe … Read more
Mother’s Day is right around the corner, Sunday, May 12th. Wouldn’t it be lovely to have your Mom’s (or loved one’s) portrait done as a gift? I know I would love it or a portrait of me with my two daughters and I know just the artist to do it- the exceptional Bonnie Hoye. Now you don’t have to rush to have it done before Mother’s Day. You can always write a sweet note that you have commissioned her portrait and wrap up the note in a box with a bow. Then mom can work out with Bonnie a convenient … Read more
I’m honored to know the effervescent and talented Victoria Amory. She is a celebrated cooking and entertaining expert. Victoria’s Spanish roots growing up between Madrid and Sevilla with her parents the Count and Countess de la Maza and their gracious way of entertaining certainly influences all her endeavors. Now splitting her time between Palm Beach, FL. and Greenwich, CT. with her husband and three boys she somehow finds time to contribute to many publications, do TV appearances and is working on her third book (really it’s her fourth book, since she was a co-author of Palm Beach … Read more
