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Showing posts with label Christmas decorating. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas decorating. Show all posts

Keep It Simple, Stupid. A Very Minimalism Christmas.




Keep it simple, stupid. I try to tell myself this all the time but it just does not sink in. I don’t think I could ever be at minimalist. It’s not in my nature. I never keep anything to a minimum…not my decorating, not my shopping, not my brilliant advice to Gracie, not the amount of friends I have, not the amount of times I call David a douche bag each day, not the amount of perfumes I have, not the amount of gilt mirrors I can stuff into one household, not the amount of Cheetos or gummy bears I can eat, not the amount of times I check Instagram, and certainly not the amount of reality TV that I watch. It’s just not who I am. I like stuff. The more the merrier to me. I like excess. More is more.

However, I am not such an ignoramus that I do not appreciate minimalism. I like to look at it but for God sake I’m never going to do it. I applaud those who can. I applaud those who can refrain…from anything. I totally get minimalism and I respect it. But why put such limits on yourself? Why hold back? I’m starting to think that restraint is a near impossible virtue. I don’t think a minimalist would like to be friends with me. I talk too much, judge too much, buy too much, eat too much and would drink too much if I could. I imagine a minimalist with short hair and perfect lipstick. That’s not me… I am a lot of hair, Carmex as lipstick kind of girl. Don’t confuse a minimalist with a perfectionist though. I am a perfectionist in a weird way. Like, I will throw a mini fit if my gray cashmere sweaters are not folded according to hues of gray. Lots of them. I think a minimalist would throw a fit as well but only with three of them. See the difference?

As much as I would like to just once in my life have a minimalist Christmas… It’s never going to happen for so many reasons including the main reason which is that Gracie would kill me. However, I do love it… Take a look…

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


See! How chic is that! God I wish I could do that. Simplicity is sublime. If you want to see more chic simplicity, check out my Pinterest board Have Some Decorum A Very Minimalism Christmas HERE!

*Something you don’t know about me? Maybe it’s time I explain my husband. He is no shrinking violet and an absolute character. It takes a special person to love David. I secretly “stalked” my husband, David, from the time my daughter was in second grade to the six grade. Just ask Yolanda, she witnessed the whole thing. I never spoke to him and I never even knew his name. He would drop his children off at the same school my daughter went to wearing a gray tailored suit with tennis shoes and would be screaming on the telephone in French the entire time. He was so handsome and arrogant it was disgusting. I waited patiently for him to get a divorce. Just kidding, no I’m not. Finally, the day I met him in 2006, I froze. I could not utter a word to him. FlashForward eight years later, and that man is now blowing my nose, putting my pajamas on, feeding me through a feeding tube and loving me more than humanly possible. Want to hear more? Stay tuned for tomorrow’s blog…


C'est fini! The Christmas book!



It’s finally finished! The Christmas book is finally finished!

The book is titled, A Very Chic Christmas. I thought the subtitle should be “How Not to Have a Tacky Christmas” but I thought that would be a little rude…but just so you know, that’s what I mean. Christmas decorating can go so wrong…so fast. You know what I’m talking about…those crazy Christmas people. Those crazy Christmas people who think that elves are a proper Christmas theme. Those crazy Christmas people who wear Santa hats. Those crazy Christmas people who think containers of cheddar cheese popcorn is a good idea for a Christmas gift under the tree. Those crazy Christmas people who think it’s okay to put an inflatable Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer on the roof. Those crazy Christmas people who serve Lil’ Smokies at a Christmas cocktail party. This book is not for them…they are too far gone and set in their ways. This is a book for people who already “get it.” This is a book for people who will not be offended when I tell them not to use faux garland. This is also a book for borderline tacky people who want to make the leap to the chic side. God, that sounds so rude of me but I mean it in a welcoming way. :-)

This book is twice as long as the last one. It is chock-full of my Christmas stories, some gentle/not so gentle rules and reminders of Christmas, my favorite Christmas sources, tree trimming guidelines and the best part… Recipes! So many recipes! I have broken the recipes down into six menus…Christmas Cocktail Party, Christmas Eve Casual Dinner, Christmas Eve Fancy Dinner, Christmas Morning Breakfast/Brunch, Christmas Dinner and New Year’s Eve Cocktail Party! These are the menus and recipes that my family has been using for generations with a few modern kicks. Some of the recipes are quick and easy and some are a bit more complicated but they are all worth it! I have also added our favorite Christmas cocktails…hot and cold.

Like the last book, I have also included my mother’s email address in case you have questions. She is an expert on all things Christmas…decorating the house, trimming the tree and all things cooking! She loves loves loves helping people with decorating and cooking. Don’t be offended if she answers your questions “with a tone.” She does this to all of us because she expects people to be born knowing how to make a Beef Wellington. So don’t be too sensitive and just follow her advice and everything will look gorgeous and tastes fantastic!

So, voilĂ , A Very Chic Christmas! As always, a portion of the proceeds will go to ALS research.

To purchase A Very Chic Christmas in a softback version and have it delivered to your door click HERE.

To purchase A Very Chic Christmas in an e-book version and have it delivered instantly to your iPad, click HERE.

Pre-Christmas Jitters!


Just a quickie today! I know, I know, I know… I know I shouldn’t talk about Christmas before Thanksgiving but I saw something so absolutely charming today and I couldn’t wait to share it with you all. They are coming from London so I want you all to have plenty of time to order before Christmas (It’s called preparation!). They are Christmas Sacks! Look look look…













 
Aren’t those absolutely the most charming things ever for Christmas! And the best part is that you can have them monogrammed! I mean, seriously, how cute are these! I’m going to order one for Gracie right this second! Don’t worry, it will still be a surprise for her because she doesn’t read my blog (She says I’m too “overly enthusiastic”). The Christmas sacks are coming from a company called Not on the High Street (notonthehighstreet.com). They ship internationally so order early to ensure delivery before Christmas (make sure you contact the seller to make sure of delivery schedules.) I think the Christmas sacks will complement any Christmas decor and can be used year after year. So Christmasy, so old-fashioned and nostalgic! Any child would be so excited to see this under the Christmas tree. I’m excited for them, for God sake!! Love love love love love!

*Something you don’t know about me? I’m going to have a super exciting day tomorrow… Stay tuned! And also… Best news ever… We have a reservation to Ralph’s restaurant at Ralph Lauren in Paris for Thanksgiving! Thank you everyone for all of your help. I will blog about the whole adventure the day after Thanksgiving!