Live Bella Luxe: December 2007

Friday, December 28, 2007

Resolutions: Eat Clean Food

Dear Readers,

Need I say it? Choose local and organic -- for many more healthy years to come!

More to come in 2008! Have a stylin' New Year!

xox

Resolutions: Be Charmed

Charm bracelets are so hot and playfully hip. Your kids definitely will get these iconic, fashionable touches. I just love the snow boot and cuckoo clock from J. Couture. So Swiss ski lodge!

Resolutions: Be Gorgeous on the Go

Conceal, brighten, lighten, smooth, and tighten. It's all in the perfectly compact realness of concealness kit from benefit.

Heaven.

Even when you're up to your eyelids in kids' stuff (lunch boxes, homework, construction paper and paste), take a bit of inspiration from Paul Smith. Easy detailing -- a gold belt, a fitted pinstriped vest -- can take you from feeling frumpy to dazzlingly fabulous.

Bring in the New Year: Mini Milkshakes

Kids will flip over fancy little milkshakes. Blend your fav gelato (or ice cream) and locally-produced milk. Then simply serve in your favorite shot glasses, like these from salviati. So cute!

{ For an over-the-top experience, kids can add a dot of whipped cream on top. Then, cut plastic straws into thirds, stick into the mini shakes, and serve! }

Resolutions: Keep Diapers from Disarray

Finally! A seriously sultry ruched tote bag that can hold your spare diapers, snack bars, juice boxes, chapsticks, lipsticks, bottles, binkies, and blankies, too. Someone please pinch me.
From Alexis Hudson.

Bring in the New Year: I Scream!

Oh my.
Oh my.

While you and your fabulous friends are sipping sake, the wee ones can delight in their own ice cream -- I mean, GELATO -- bar. Hello!

Jealous? Make them share the Zabaione, Strawberry, and Lemon Curd from Ciao Bella. Or just keep the Pomegranate Champagne sorbetto to yourselves!

Inspiration: Baking for the Soul

Local writer and soulful sister Isabel Allende said:

"The poet and the baker are brothers in the essential task of nourishing the world."

You said it!

So, before the year ends, nourish your family with a wild and warm day of mixing, kneading, and baking bread. Then you can bring in the new year with souls soothed and bellies full! (Don't forget the honey butter!!)

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Fun with the Family: Beautiful Fish

It has to be the right time for added responsibility, but if you're looking for a collection of gorgeously quiet pets, consider getting beta fish (all the same color, each in its own bowl). Place them in a straight line down the center of your table. The kids will love them. The look is so modern. And, seriously, what a flourish for your sake bash!

Food/Fashion: Runner for Sake's Sake

How perfect is this silky runner (and love the koi!) for your sake party? Inspired! From Gump's.

Food/Fashion: Glasses Like Jewelry

A little folksy, a little frilly, a little rock-n-roll. Love these hobnail glasses from NM.

Food/Fashion: Runners are Like Scarves

A hand-crocheted runner adds folksy charm to your table. I love the combination of the cozy fabric and the deep berry colors. From Garnet Hill.

Food/Fashion: Scarves are Like Runners

Table runners are accessories for your table, adding a touch of your own style with ease. Same goes for scarves. This scarf from Edun is enough urban fashion melded with poetic justice. (It's scrolled with a poem from Rilke. I just love it.)

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Fun with the Family: Japanese Couture

Prepare to be dazzled by the irresistibly sleek lines and restrained luxuriousness of the dresses at the Asian, on exhibit right now through Jan. 6. (Your husband and sons may want to skip this one out -- but your daughters will love it!)

It Idea: New Year's Sake Party

And here's the Riedel sake glass which will let the nuances of the sakes soar! How fun is this?!

It Idea: New Year's Sake Party

Then add a collection of these Sake candles, from fresh, to create a modernly chic atmosphere. So hot!

It Idea: New Year's Sake Party

Champagne (and local sparking wines) are treasured stand-bys for thundering in the new year, but why be ordinary?

This year have a sake bar! Zexy! Include premium sakes with varying characteristics -- and try them all! (Chilled is best.)

Joto Sake produces lovely eco-sakes. So cool.

Bring in the New Year: Betsey Johnson Rules

Nothing says sassiness like Betsey Johnson's sweet frocks! Perfect for your New Year's bash! (Bonus! As saucy as these are, these dresses won't break the bank.)

Get Ready for 2008: Gorgeous Eco-Scent

Just as you're peeling the last bits of tape and wrapping paper from the carpet, the new year is nearly here! It's OK because you'll be oh-so ready to bring in 2008 with this absolutely to-die-for citrus-touched-with-honeyed-vanilla eco-perfume from Tsi~La Organics. Wow!

Sunday, December 23, 2007

Happy Holidays!

Wishing you and your families the very best!!

xoxoxo, Lisa

Holiday Dreams: Cassandra C. Jones

Aren't these just so very? Looks like child's play as Cassandra C. Jones creates kaleidescopic tongue-in-cheekiness glam. Hilariously indulgent.

Holiday Dreams: Melinda Hackett

Before I sign off for the next few days, I wanted to leave you with a little holiday gift of fine art to appreciate with the entire fam. (Check them out on the web. Ask your wee ones to name colors and shapes, and to imagine themselves swimming in these paintings.) These underwater works, by NY artist Melinda Hackett, are so organic luxe. So fab!

Saturday, December 22, 2007

Entertaining 101: Twist on a Classic

Pomegranate Tange-RINI

No Christmas should be without this holiday-inspired twist on a classic! Divine!

{ Serves 4 }

2 oz. fresh or bottled pomegranate juice
2 oz. fresh squeezed tangerine juice (or orange)
Splash of fresh or bottled lime juice (Rose's is fine)
4 oz. your favorite vodka
Crushed ice
Tangerine twists and fresh pomegranate seeds, for garnish

Pour juices and vodka over ice in a shaker, shake, and strain into Martini glasses. Garnish with tangerine twist and a few fresh pomegranate seeds. Oo-la-la!

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Photo credit: Sasha Gulish

Entertaining 101: Twist on a Classic

Mulled Cranberry Cider Mocktail

Here's my youthful-yet-seasonal twist on the traditional mulled wine. Designated drivers and kids will love this warm drink, too!

{ Serves 6 }

3 cups apple cider
3 cups cranberry juice
1/4 cups mulling spices
Cinnamon sticks and fresh cranberries, for garnish

In a sauce pan, combine juices and mulling spices, bring to a boil. Turn off the stove. Let cool. Strain spices and pour into mugs, garnish with a cinnamon stick and three floating cranberries.

{ For a cocktail } Substitute a full bodied red wine (in place of cranberry juice) for the livelier version!

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Photo credit: Sasha Gulish

Friday, December 21, 2007

Best Last Minute Downloads

So saucy!

(All of the Afterdark collection is very loungy, luxey.)

Best Last Minute Downloads

Best of Christmas Cocktails album is so hotly divine, so download from iTunes for a quick holiday fix!

Best Cookie Cutters: A Gingerbread Family

You get three cookie cutters in this set. That means, you can make sisters, brothers, moms, dads, grandmas, grandpas -- a whole village of gingerbread people. So funny!

Best Book about Being Flat

Here's the original vintage version of Flat Stanley! A perfect read after making gingerbread men together.

Kids in the Kitchen: More Cookies

Make a change from ordinary, flat cut-out cookies. (Remember the book Flat Stanley?) These cookies really come to life. Your kids will play with this food! From Hearthsong.

Fun with the Family: Pressed Cookies

Remember the delight when, as a kid, you squeezed Play-Do through a press? This is better! Your kids will love helping you squoosh dough through this stainless steel Wilton cookie press -- and you will, too. (Plus, the cookies look great enough to give away as last minute gifts.)

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Last Minute! Cocktail Clothes for Him

For some irreverent tongue-in-cheekiness, this holiday sweater from Modern Amusement trades the iconic polo player for a black crow logo. Hilariously hip.

Last Minute! Cocktail Clothes for Him

Brilliantly proportioned and a groovy attention to detailing. These are such yummy jeans, from Kasil.

Last Minute! Cocktail Clothes for Him

If the electra-jazz is humming and you're sippin' ultra luxe cocktails with your generation, Toms shoes -- like these in gold stripes -- are just the sweetest kicks.

Note from Reader

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I'm looking for a last minute gift for my principessa who adores pink.

But not another tutu, puhlease!

Vivi F., Potrero Hill

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Does this count? (Look at that tulle ruffle!) This princess apron and poofy chef's hat will keep her happily helping in the kitchen. Just so cute. From Batter Up Kids Chef Wear at NM.