OUT OF THE SNOW AND INTO THE SUN...

 (Image: AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

Like most New Yorkers, I've been digging myself out of the snow since Sunday. While things are finally starting to get back to normal in the city, I'm taking the rest of the week off to escape the snow and enjoy a little sun in Belize.

I'll be back on 1/4/11 with a ton of new vintage items over at Octavia & Brown and some exciting new changes here.

Stayed tuned and I'll see you in the new year! (Have a happy and healthy New Year's Eve!)

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

 (Image courtesy of Max Wanger)

I'm finally done my Christmas shopping (phew!) After a little christmas wrapping, a delicious dinner prepared by my brother, I'm looking forward to sitting by the fireplace tonight with a glass of wine and a little Frank Sinatra.

 

Warm holiday wishes to you and yours from Octavia & Brown. Here's hoping for an exciting and wonderful new year!

UNDER THE TREE

It's last minute shopping frenzy here in NYC. The stores are packed and I'm hoping to spot a few last things and then I'm off to PA tomorrow to celebrate the holidays with my family. Here are a few of the things I hope Santa brings me this year...

16" Canvas Mason Bag

Lomograohy Diana+ Camera

Midas Collection

 Perpetual Wall Calendar

 Singing Parakeets Clutch

 Hungry Bowls, Set of 2

The perfect shade of red in my mind, Nars Lipstick "Heat Wave"

 

I hope this little piggy is waiting for me, Harry Allen Pig Bank

Lalana Sheer Wool Scarf

A FABULOUS TIME...

While I am going to be traveling for New Year's this year, after looking at Kevin Sharkey's Housewarming Party over the weekend, a part of me wishes I was going to be in NYC hosting a fabulous party.  There are so many fun ideas here, I definitely think I'll be setting up ping pong at my next party. Enjoy!

Kevin used Channel lipstick to make colorful frames on the mirrors around the house.

I love the idea of clearing off the dining room table to make way for a lively game of ping pong.

 The Channel lipstick comes in handy again as a way to keep score.

 

A great idea for the next party. Fill a tub with ice to keep wine and champagne cool all night. 

 I can't get enough of this fantastic bar set-up with ping pong paddles and balls underneath.

 A stacked oreo cake served with milk makes a perfect dessert.

What an awesome party!  To check out more photos, visit the link HERE.

CHANNELING JACKIE...

Is it me, or has December just flown by? Between buying new items for Octavia & Brown, shipping gifts to customers, holiday parties and shopping for family and friends it's been a busy month! I definitely need to channel some of the grace and poise of Jackie O. to make it through next week.

Here's a sneak peek of some new items that will be coming to Octavia & Brown today/ tomorrow...

Are you ready for the Holidays?

{TAKING IT ONLINE }

Casa Sugar is currently polling their readers asking about their favorite online design magazines. There have been so many that have launched in the past year that it's hard to keep up. Here are my thoughts on the Casa Sugar's top six (and a bonus)...

Rue Magazine
Now on their second issue, Rue Magazine has already become one of my favorites. I love their clean, airy photography and fantastic layouts. Definitely a place to spot inspiration for my apartment.

 Images courtesy of Rue Magazine

Ivy & Piper
A newbie in the online design magazine world, Ivy & Piper has already started to make a name for themselves. Based out of Australia, I hope they continue to feature and showcase international designers.

Images courtesy of Ivy & Piper

Lonny Magazine
My go-to since Domino shuttered it's doors. Rather than just a duplication, Lonny brings a fresh take on interiors and has featured fantastic interviews and home tours with designers like Miles Redd, Eddie Ross and Lulu deKwiatkowski.  Love it!

Images courtesy of Lonny Magazine

Nesting Newbies
In truth I don't know a lot about this online magazine, but checking in checking it out for this post, I already love the range of articles in each issue from entertaining and decorating to recipes and crafts. 

 

Images courtesy of Nesting Newbies

Sweet Paul Derived from the "wildly successful" blog, Sweet Paul, Sweet Paul Magazine is chock full of delicious and beautifully shot food, recipes and crafts. To me it feels like a modernized version of Martha Stewart. I would love to see this online magazine continue on.

Images courtesy of Sweet Paul

Pure Green An online design magazine dedicated to sustainable style. The photos are beautifully shot and I can't get enough of the vintage and industrial chic style thrown in too!

Images courtesy of Pure Green

Matchbook Magazine  While still in the process of launching, I'm already excited about the arrival of Matchbook: Field Guide to a Charmed Life, arriving in January 2011. If the photos I've seen and the pedigree of co-founders: Katie Armour of The Neo-Traditionalist and Jane Lilly Warren of Lox Papers
are any indication of what's to come, it's definitely going to be one to watch.

Images courtesy of Matchbook Magazine

Any new online mags that you love?

SHOPPING DELIGHT

Have you ever gotten a gorgeous shopping bag from a store and instead of throwing it away, stashed it away to use at a later date, i.e. bringing an item to a friend, or carrying gifts home for the holidays? I am certainly guilty of this. It's not so much about the brand, but the great design and gorgeous colors that draw me in.

I was thrilled when I spotted a new use for bags over at Design Darling. Why not hang these beautiful bags as pieces of art on the wall?

COLOR MY WORLD

As the days are getting shorter and it's starting to snow (ack!), I've found myself craving touches of sunny yellow inside.

 Apartment Therapy

Image found via {Black.White.Yellow}

Source Unknown

Domino Magazine

Image found via Pinterest

Image found via Design is Mine

Source unknown

Image found via {Black.White.Yellow}

Source unknown

Anything you're craving now that the weather is changing?

COCKTAILS, ANYONE?

I just finished my final project for the semester yesterday (yay!), so now I can get back to doing the things I love during the holidays like spending time with friends, baking (and eating!) cookies and drinking festive cocktails!

On Wednesday night, I invited some friends over for  a holiday cocktail party at my apartment.  I skipped the plastic plates and cups and served drinks in vintage glasses and food on vintage trays. To save on time, I picked up some fantastic cheeses, fresh bread, almonds, cookies and truffles. Here are a few items I'd use for a classic cocktail party.

 This vintage art deco chrome tray would be perfect for serving grapes or truffles.

These vintage punch cups would be great for a signature cocktail.

 This vintage chrome and glass cocktail set is perfect for guests to help themseleves. 

 I'd add some winterberry branches in these black glass vases for a pop of color.

This vintage chrome and bakelite tray would be perfect for a trio of olives, almonds and spicy walnuts.

These vintage gold rimmed glasses are just perfect for champagne. Enough said.

These vintage gold rimmed glasses are classic for a signature cocktail.