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happy new year... i have some exciting news





Just a short note to wish you
"Happy New Year!"
 ... and to give you some exciting news... 

Is your New Year's Resolution to get organized? Well, I'm going to help!

I have a 30-Day Challenge set up for you.
I'll be back Monday, 01/02/2012 to start a month long Quick Tip Series
'Get Clutter Free in 30 Days'

Each day during the month of January, I will share an easy Quick Tip to help you get your home (and life) organized. (You can check out more of my Quick Tips by clicking on the links over there on the right hand side of this page.)

Want to take the 30-Day Challenge? 
Check back Monday and let's get started - until then....


on a personal note: Merry Christmas, everyone!




My children are coming into town for a couple of days to celebrate the holiday, so I will be spending some time away from my computer - Quality Family Time with My Babies (...my favorite thing in the WHOLE WORLD and my BEST Christmas present). No plans, but I can guess that we'll be sleeping late, watching movie marathons, playing board games, experiencing dining room shenanigans and maybe even going on a crazy shopping trip or two. 

I'll be back in a couple days... So, until my return, I wish you a joy-filled Christmas season.

to you...

a heart-felt thank you...

being new in blogland, these past couple of months have been wonderful - meeting new friends and sharing so much love and inspiration.
my world is a more beautiful place because of you.

may your Christmas be cheery and bright - jalon


join me for a Tiffany & Co. new year's eve




Do you have any plans for New Year's Eve? Me neither!
Why don't we make it a long "weekend" and take a trip to New York City?

I don't want to fight the crowds to watch Ryan Seacrest and Dick Clark drop the ball on Time Square (we can watch that on the flat screen), but... how about we stay in a new 5-star hotel suite and I know exactly where to make our reservations. The Tiffany Suite at the St. Regis 2 East 55th Street, New York, New York (with a cost of only $8,500 a night).

The glistening suite on the 14th floor of the legendary St. Regis New York is both whimsical and luxurious, reflecting Tiffany’s modern aesthetic and contemporary vision within the deeply elegant and historical walls of The St. Regis.

Designed in conjunction with Design Director Emeritus of Tiffany & Co. with John Loring, the Tiffany Suite is 1,700 square feet in size and features a serene and sophisticated range of subtle neutral colors including whites, beiges, charcoal grey and silver, with the signature Tiffany blue as an accent color throughout the suite.



The Tiffany Suite Floor Plan

The Tiffany Suite consists of an entryway foyer, one bedroom, full bath, a large dining room and a living room complete with a fireplace and large windows overlooking Fifth Avenue and Central Park.
 

Acording to the St. Regis Hotel, this suite is a glamorous setting... An exquisite jewel box. A storied hotel that Marilyn, Dietrich and Dalì called home. Handmade silver leaf wall coverings, unexpected touches of Tiffany Blue and a shimmering palette that catches the light like a brilliant diamond. In this elegant aerie, watch the sun set on the verdant crown of Central Park from the floor-to-ceiling windows. Toast each other with the clink of Tiffany crystal, feast under the glow of a magnificent chandelier... With a 24-hour butler at your beck and call, you may never want to leave—nor have to. 


I can just picture it



We pack your weekender bags... we pack light
(which I, of course, am not capable of doing)
because we will shop once we are there.








Fair warning, I will go a little crazy @ Chanel...


sorry - back to our departure...



Here's your ticket.




Our departure goes off without a glitch....

 



Arrival - safe and sound... look what the concierge at the St. Regis Hotel sent to the airport for us to ride into the city!




... with roses and champagne, our favorites.



We're here!
The St. Regis Hotel, just off Fifth Avenue... only a few blocks from Tiffany & Co.'s flagship store.  HOW CONVENIENT.


We walk through the revolving door to be welcomed immediately by the bellhop, who makes us feel right at home.


He says, They have been expecting us... all we need do is check-in and we are set for the weekend.




 Up to the 14th floor  - The Tiffany Suite is behind door 1403.
I'm getting excited, how bout you?

Ready?



The door opens to find the foyer featuring a Tiffany-blue glass beaded and silver leafed handmade wall covering, which enhances the stunning architecture of the entryway. The entry console’s design is a subtle reference to one of Tiffany’s most iconic pieces, the engagement ring. Accent pieces include an intricate jewel-shaped mirror hanging on the wall over the silver leafed table.



Yum - everything down to the sweets awaiting us are Tiffany's themed and quite delicious.


 The bedroom has an expansive porcelain flower installation; a bright, contemporary floral patterned love seat; a Tiffany blue upholstered headboard, and a lush white comforter.

 

Tiffany knows, "Design is... All in the Detail" - right down to the bed's accent pillow.



The nightstand is furnished with Tiffany & Co. accessories. So beautiful.



Remember, "Design is... All in the Detail!"



The bedroom is complete with a collection of Tiffany's crystal perfume bottles on the lady's makeup vanity.


 The Master Bath leaves nothing to chance... we will have no 'wants or needs' this weekend.


Now let's check out the Dining Room - maybe we will plan a small dinner party for New Year's Eve?

The stunning dining room has been created to resemble a signature Tiffany blue box. The walls and ceiling are painted a Tiffany blue, and the crown moldings and doors are a contrasting crisp white. The 10-seat dining room table is a glossy white, and the chairs are  upholstered in a luxe silver fabric. The crown jewel of the room is a shimmering and sparkling crystal chandelier, which resembles dripping gems.



An ideal setting for hosting a glamorous soiree or chic dinner party, the Tiffany Suite Dining Room features Tiffany china, silverware and classic barware.
They have everything ready for us.


The complete Tiffany Bar set awaits our Happy Hour.




Everything has the Tiffany signature of approval - even this t&co plate.


Now off to the Living Room...


The living room, with a fireplace, showcases the suite’s floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Fifth Avenue with views of Central Park. The furnishings mix modern, deco and classic pieces, including precious Macguire jewel shaped armchairs, a contemporary coffee table and desk with white lacquer and chrome accents and mirrored side tables.



There's a desk for all our correspondence needs... we have to get on our laptops and blog about this place!


 


Our view from the large Living Room windows overlooking Fifth Avenue up to Central Park.


What more could a girl want?




Well... what's in that little blue box?


the one & only


A Bed for The King

how to: build a safe fire



Click to Play While You Read



Whether it's Christmas time or just a cold winter's day, if you have a wood burning fireplace, you should build a fire!


Here are a few basic tips on how to build a perfect fire

Step 1: Make sure the damper is open. (The damper is inside and up beyond the fireplace opening at the beginning, or throat of the chimney.)

Step 2: Place your kindling or your fire starter under the andirons toward the back of the firebox. Andirons or metal grates are important because they elevate the firewood, providing air circulation underneath.

Step 3: Start off with two or three pieces of firewood and place them on the back of the andirons (or metal grate). Next, crumple a piece of newspaper and place it on top of the logs.

Step 4: Light the newspaper first, and then the kindling. The burning newspaper will help create a draft to draw smoke up the chimney. With the blaze set, replace the fire screen, and sit back and enjoy the glow.

Here are a few basic tips on how to prevent hazards when building a fire
  1. Do not use flammable liquids to start or accelerate any fire.
  2. Have your chimney inspected annually and cleaned if necessary.
  3. Never burn charcoal indoors, for it can give off lethal amounts of carbon monoxide.
  4. NEVER close your damper with hot ashes in the fireplace. This can cause the ashes to heat up again and will force toxic carbon monoxide into the house.
  5. Do not use excessive amounts of paper to build raging fires in fireplaces. It is possible to ignite creosote in the chimney by overbuilding the fire.
  6. Keep a glass or metal screen in front of the fireplace opening to preventing embers or sparks from jumping out.

a Ralph Lauren Christmas




If you come across me window shopping during the holiday season, I'll let you in on a little secret... I’m also checking out the store decorations to inspire my Christmas decor.

One outstanding store's display that always catches my eye (year long) is Ralph Lauren, especially his New York City flagship at Madison Avenue and 72nd Street, the flamboyant French Renaissance Revival mansion built in 1898 for socialite Gertrude Rhinelander Waldo. (hmmm... Looks like a great subject for a future blog!)

 
It’s impossible for me to choose my favorite Home Furnishings designer... but I can tell you one who is in the running. A leader in the design industry; from children's clothing to home furnishings; from men and women's fragrances to polo sporting apparel; Ralph Lauren's usage of gorgeous reds and greens, tartan plains and ageless styles help him lead the way during the Holiday Season.