Track Santa

Young and old alike will love seeing Santa's progress today as he flies around the globe making his special deliveries. Watch videos as he flies high above famous cities and see a count down to his next stop. You can also see updates on Santa's journey on NORAD Tracks Santa's facebook page or download the mobile app for Santa tracking on the go!

As they say "If you don't believe, you won't receive."

A very Merry Christmas Eve to all!

http://www.noradsanta.org/en/index.html?!2d

Jolly Dessert

I've been on the lookout for a fun dessert to bring to Christmas Eve that all my little cousins would enjoy as well as the adults. I usually bring Icebox Cake (yum!) but this year I wanted to do something a little more festive. Warning - if you're a member of my family who will be at Xmas Eve this is a spoiler alert : )

How devine are these Santa Hat Brownies??

These appear to be all over the blogisphere so I'm not sure who to credit as the originator but I found mine here - http://daisyt13.wordpress.com/2011/12/04/santa-hat-brownies/

I can't wait to whip these up on Saturday! 

Great Gifts Under $40

The shopping buzz word this holiday season seems to be "C. Wonder" - I'll be honest, I'd never heard about this company until three weeks ago. However they seem to have taken the Christmas gift list by storm. And just our FFC luck, they now have a store in The Westchester Mall! If you're out and about shopping still take a look at their great gift list under $40! Plenty of darling trinkets for everyone left on your list.

http://www.cwonder.com/gift-guide/give-for-under-40/

Elephant Charm Notecards - $8

Turquoise Elephant Plate - $38

Horn Cheese Spreaders (4) - $34

Alphabet Mug - $8

Tortoise Tumbler - $12

Citrus Bliss Signature Candle - $24

Holiday Card Display

My favorite craft project last season was creating this fabulous display for all our holiday cards. This season we have received WAY more cards than we ever have in the past (I just love checking the mail in December!) so only the first ones made it onto the wreath. I think next year I'll have to make a second one. It's such an easy project - run out and make one today!!

PS How cute are our family and friends??

You can find the directions on how to make the wreath from Martha Stewart here - http://www.marthastewart.com/273148/pinup-wreath

And a special thinks to Monograms and Martinis for teaching me about this cute idea! 

On a Non-Christmas Note

We got some exciting news today - my beautiful wedding bouquet by Patrice Milley is going to be the cover of Southern New England Weddings 2012!

You can reread my post about her here

And see our cover here...yay! Congrats Patrice, Amy and all the other wonderful vendors featured in our write up. On newsstands this week!

Last Minute Gift Idea

Still need a last minute gift?? Turn to Darien local Grant Tankoos, founder of Soundview Millworks. The perfect present for anyone on your list - these will be loved by your holiday hostess or your favorite grillmaster. Operational until Saturday and making local deliveries, these guys could just save your Christmas!

Visit them at:
Soundview Millworks

To place a holiday order contact Grant at:
843-324-5186

New equestrian bit boards 

Coaster Set, $30 - a great stocking stuffer!

Add a cute cheese knife - the perfect hostess gift! 

For the dad who has everything 

Paul Tudor Jones Lights Display

It wouldn't be the holiday season without a trip to see the Paul Tudor Jones Christmas Light Spectacular! (my name for it :) ) Located in Belle Haven next to the Belle Haven Club - ask for directions at the first guard house, there will be off duty cops to guide you along your way. The average wait is about an hour (we've tried early, late, weekend and after work all to the same outcome) but it's totally worth it. The show begins at dark and runs until roughly 9pm. However with an hour wait they will start turning cars away around 8.

Eight cars at a time pull up in front of Jones's house to see the light show synchronized to music on 90.5FM. The show runs about 5 minutes and features new designs every season. If you live in the Greenwich area I highly recommend making the trip between now and Christmas.

If you don't live in the area you can sneak a bootleg peek (filming is not allowed) at this years show with Do You Hear What I Hear, sung by Jones' daughter. But if you are going to check it out do yourself a favor and don't ruin the surprise by watching this link!

http://www.businessinsider.com/watch-billionaire-hedge-fund-manager-paul-tudor-jones-spectacular-light-show-2011-12

New Canaan Restaurant Opening

Honestly who wants to cook dinner this week? You've been battling the malls, wrapping up a storm, stalking UPS for that last missing package, maybe even preparing to cook a big feast this weekend. So treat yourself and go check out a new restaurant opening in New Canaan tonight.

Carpe Diem, a popular UES restaurant, is coming to 26 Locust Avenue. Carpe Diem "boasts sophisticated Italian food including delicious pasta and meat dishes and a variety of fresh seafood options, all served with a personal touch in an elegant yet relaxed setting."

A recap from Patch
http://newcanaan.patch.com/articles/carpe-diem-owner-seizes-opportunity-in-new-canaan

A peek at their NYC menu - looks tasty!!
http://menupages.com/restaurants/carpe-diem/menu

Also listed in the "We Hear" column of the NY Post...must be a restaurant worth checking out!

First Married Christmas

I've been a busy elf over here in Greenwich trying to get all organized for our first married Christmas! Top on the list was sending out our first real Christmas card. I was so excited for this project until I realized what a project sending out 115 holiday cards is!! This ate up about a weeks worth of blogging. Note to self - do not attach address labels late night after a dinner party with your girlfriends - this will result in having to peel most of them off and redo the next day. I loved how they turned out and was so excited to get them in the mail!

Cards - Small Field Papers (Sweet Pea Designs)

Address Labels - Pikme Papers

Next on the docket was getting our first "grown up" tree set up. Unfortunately we picked out our tree in the dark and it was a little big for where we usually put it. We moved around some furniture and voila - I think I like this years placement the best! 

Lastly I've been trying to get all our holiday gifts wrapped. Our dining room which recently was looking like this...

Now looks like this...

Can we pull it all together by Saturday. We'll soon find out!

Thrown in with a few great holiday parties, a trip to Boston, my first dinner party and some other fun activities this quickly filled my three week absence!  

Light Up Rowayton

One of my favorite holiday event is this Sunday, Dec 4th. Join Rowayton locals for Light Up Rowayton from 4:30-6:00 in Pinkney Park. Festivities begin with a tree lighting and carolers, then take a stroll down Rowayton Ave to see holiday decorations and join in on the 7th Annual Egg Nog Contest. Kicking off at 5:15, guests can taste submissions for best local egg nog. If you're like any of the men in my life then be sure to bring a little flask to spice up your cup. If you'd like to submit a recipe you can still do so until today! See information below. Last year Santa made a guest appearance via fire truck and we had a great time kicking off the holiday season!

http://www.rowaytonct.com/LightUpRowayton.html

Shop til You Drop

As it is the holiday season, everything interesting that comes across my desk these days seems to be about shopping! Here is another great Pop Up store joining the ranks in Darien. Everything Is Rosey was formerly located where Spree now resides, and also had a great booth at our Junior League Holiday Boutique. Some of the hits of the show were her decoupage buckets, adorable tunics, rubber ballet flats, trinket trays, and much more! Be sure to stop by tomorrow night for some wine and snacks with Rosey, she's a sweetheart!

EVERYTHING IS ROSEY 

POP UP STORE

1015 BOSTON POST ROAD 

(pink house next to Griebs)

Rosey will be here for the holiday season!!

~~lots of great gifts for 

everyone on your list~~

Grand Opening is Thursday, December 1^st 

at 7pm~~join Rosey for wine & nibbles

Soft Opening is Wednesday, November 30^th from 10 am to 5:30 pm

Periwinkle Trunk Show

I've emerged from my post Holiday Boutique stupor - I honestly wasn't even that tired after my own wedding - to realize that there are only 27 days until Christmas! Eeks. Good thing a lot of my shopping was done already. If you need a jumpstart then be sure to check out this great trunk show. As you know I love Periwinkle, Carrie's stuff is so cute and there are lots of items that would make fab gifts. So get shopping...only 27 days left!  

Periwinkle Trunk show

 

Tuesday, November 29th

5-7 pm Sipping and Shopping 

and

 Wednesday, November 30th

9 am to 4 pm 

at Whitney Lancaster's

88 Half Mile Road, Darien

Just in time for the holidays!   We have TONS of new things that you can only see at the show! The best silk dresses ever, gorgeous jewelry, divine holiday dresses, tunics, chic totes and handbags, sweaters and everything mother-in-laws, teachers and husband gifts galore!  Almost everything can be taken with you...something for everyone special on your list!

I will be there and hope to see everyone...Hope you can make it!  Friends welcome!

xo, Carrie

It's Finally Here!

I feel like it's Christmas morning - the big day has finally arrived! (What I really want to say here is that the newest Twilight move is out!!!) But what I'm actually talking about is The Junior League of Greenwich Holiday Boutique opens today! After months of hard work everything comes down to the next three days so PLEASE come out and shop for a great cause. We have so many fabulous vendors and so many great events throughout the weekend. We hope to see you there!

The Boutique is also open Saturday from 9-5 and Sunday 10-5. 

I'll be celebrating being a free lady again by going to see Twilight on Monday : ) 

BYOB Bistro

We enjoyed a great dinner this weekend at Nicholas Roberts in South Norwalk. The sister location to Nicholas Roberts Fine Wines in Darien, this cute 24 seat cafe serves contemporary American cuisine while you bring your own wine or beer. Corkage fee is $5 a bottle but if you buy your wine at Nicholas Roberts Fine Wines there is no corkage fee. No reservations and cash only, everything about the restaurant says casual bistro.

On our order was the Rosemary Sauteed Fresh Shrimp with radish and watermelon salad; Arugula and Parmesan Salad with pancetta, olive and lemon vinaigrette; Organic Chicken with potato latke and sauteed spinach; NR Cheeseburger with caramelized onion, mushrooms, bacon, cheddar and (AMAZING) french fries; Mustard and Herb Crusted Pork Loin with Maker's Mark mac & cheese and brussel sprouts (4 of us had this and everyone left with a clean plate!); and lastly the homemade Coconut Crusted Carrot Cake -mmm!

Their breakfast menu also looks amazing, I definitely plan on heading back to try that soon. BYO mimosas? Yes please!

www.nicholasrobertsbistro.com 
75 Main Street, Norwalk
203.229.0035

Pop-Ups are popping up everywhere!

Two new holiday pop-up shops are now open in FFC.

Flamenco, located at 188 Sound Beach Avenue in Old Greenwich, will be in town from November 15th thru December 15th, Monday to Saturday 10-5. They offer fun one of a kind novelty clothing from Spain. www.flamencochic.com 

They will also be hosting an opening party tonight from 6-8 with vino, tapas and music. All welcome!

Next in South Norwalk you can visit SCOUT by Bungalow's first ever pop up store. Located at 136 Washington Street they will be open only for the holiday season so be sure to get there before they're gone. Offering over 2,000 square feet of SCOUT you're sure to find some great gifts for everyone on your list! 

www.bungalowco.com

For your favorite techy

For your wine loving girlfriends

For your lunch toting coworker

For your favorite overnight guest 

With Christmas just around the corner it seems to be all shopping all the time at FFC 411! 

Happy Shopping New Canaan!

One of our favorite New England stores is coming to New Canaan, with a grand opening party tomorrow night! Island Outfitters has stores in all the towns you'd like to visit - Newport, Osterville, Watch Hill and Edgartown. And now there will be two in Fairfield County, one at 1189 Post Road in Fairfield and their newest location at 80 Main Street in New Canaan. 

Be sure to stop by on Wednesday from 4-8pm to help welcome IO to the neighborhood! 

Chic Bridesmaids Jewelry

When I thought about the bridesmaids dresses for my wedding I decided to be practical - can we all be honest here, no one ever wears a bridesmaids dress again, period. No matter how cute it is, how trendy the style, how fabulous the color, once you wear it in a wedding you'll always look at it and think 'bridesmaids dress'. So instead of agonizing over finding something I could kid myself into thinking they would rewear I decided to pick a simple dress and gift them with awesome jewelry instead! Because let's be honest, they will wear these again. One already wore hers to another wedding, one looked darling wearing hers at work, and ones already loaned hers out to friends to borrow. So do your bridesmaids a favor and treat them to something special from Olipant Designs to thank them for putting up with your bridezillaness : ) 

Cara from Oliphant was amazing to work with. We brought her the swatch of our dress color and she created custom necklaces for us and helped us find the perfect earrings to compliment them. I even added extra earrings to thank my sister in law and reader. They make the perfect gift! 

Cara's jewelry also makes a fabulous holiday gift! She'll be at our Greenwich Junior League Holiday Boutique this weekend at the Hyatt and she is always one of the most popular vendors. Come check out her beautiful pieces in person or send your husbands on Friday night from 5-9 and we'll help him pick out something you're sure to love! 

Visit oliphantdesign.com - she just updated her website and it's darling! You can see alternate color options of my bridesmaids jewelry under her 'wedding' section.

Thanks Cara for this special addition to our wedding! xx

Save the Date!

A great event is coming to the Greenwich area and you're invited! The Junior League of Greenwich is hosting our annual Enchanted Forrest Nov 18-20. Yours truly is co-chairing the Holiday Boutique this year and we have so many fabulous vendors joining us! If you can only make it to one event I hope you'll join us Friday, Nov 18th for our Sneak Peek at the Holiday Boutique! From 5pm-9pm we will have complimentary admission (usually $10), passed appetizers, a signature holiday drink, massages courtesy of the Equinox, music and a fabulous drawing!! Enter to win a day of pampering - including a haircut and tan from Warren Tricomi, a manicure from Coco Nails, a $200 gift certificate to Togs boutique, earrings from Oliphant Designs, a bracelet from Devon Baer Designs and more! 

You can also shop with us Saturday from 9-5 and Sunday 10-5. For more information please visit our website. Here is just a "sneak peek" at the vendors who will be joining us. Hope to see you there!

ASHA, Baby Box, Bird Dog Bay, Carrie Dunham, Chalk Talk Sports, Devon Baer, Diana Kelly, Diane James, Elizabeth McKay, Francesca Joy, Liquid Flow, MIJA Jewelry, Oliphant Designs, Robert Redd, Small Field Papers, Smathers & Branson, Tracy Negoshian and many more! 

vineyard vines Friends and Family!

Exciting news for all you vv lovers out there - our Friends and Family sales starts today! With promotional code adkihq you'll receive 25% off everything on our entire website. This is the most all encompassing discount we'll be offering between now and the holidays so it's a great time to stock up on gifts for your friends & family! Feel free to share the love. Offer expires Monday at midnight. 

www.vineyardvines.com 

Happy shopping! 

PK's Turkey Chili

With snow in the forecast we figured it was time to break out the hubby's chili recipe. I didn't think I liked chili - I would never order it by choice or eat it at someone else's house but I figured if I helped make it and knew exactly what was in it I might get on board. And low and behold it was delicious! 


Serve with shredded cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips and corn bread! I had to use the old staple - Jiffy corn bread mix. Cook according to directions, then spread butter over the top of the corn bread and let cool. Yum! In all honestly, I think I really just liked the chili as a vehicle for toppings and sides : )

Turkey Chili 

Serves Four:

1 lb. ground turkey

1 garlic 

1 sweet onion 

1 red bell pepper

1 box of sliced mushrooms

1 tbsp chili powder

1 can whole tomatoes

1 can tomato sauce

1 can tomato paste

1 bag frozen corn 

1 can black beans 

Brown 1 lb. ground turkey, drain and set aside.

In a large heated pot, add olive oil, salt, pepper and lots of garlic (we used 1/2 a garlic). Saute a couple of minutes.

Add 1 slice of jalapeno pepper (we used chopped jalapenos), 1 chopped sweet onion (we used 1/2), 1 chopped red bell pepper and a small box of sliced mushrooms. Saute over medium heat for five minutes or until soft.

Add 1 tbsp chili powder, and cook another five minutes over medium heat.

Add turkey, 1 can of whole tomatoes with water, one small can of tomato sauce, and (one small can of tomato paste…optional.) and cook for a few minutes over medium heat.

Add a bag of frozen corn and 1 can of black beans (drained) and a handful of chopped parsley, then add salt and pepper to taste.

Simmer for 20 minutes

If you like it soupy add one cup or more of chicken broth.

If you like it hot add more jalapeno or hot sauce.


Enjoy! I got too excited about eating it so this was the only picture I got...

Hunter Habit

Even though the old ones are pretty much indestructible I've been finding it a necessity to add a new pair of Hunter boots to my collection every fall. They're so versatile and I've gotten so tired of ruining all my nice shoes when a sudden rain shower pops up or a muddy lawn gets in your way. This season I'm in love with the Hunter Regent Carlyle. How cute are these? They totally look like they could be Tory Burch and at $195 a much more reasonable price. I love my Quilted Regents from last fall, a slimmer slightly chicer version of the Original Hunter, so I know these will be a hit!

Available online at Zappos

Also call the following stores for availability 

Darien Sport Shop - 203 655 2575

Saks Fifth Ave - 203 862 5300

Shoe Inn - 203 227 9246

Pikme Papers

Another fabulous component of our wedding was the wonderful custom paper products from Pikme Papers. After contacting Kirsten at Pikme and letting her know the theme we were working with she painted the most beautiful watercolored scallop shell. It was the perfect icon for our wedding! We went on to use this beautiful shell on our welcome bag tags, stickers, drink cards, escort cards, menu cards and our thank you notes. We were worried it would be shell overload but her beautiful painting really added so much to our big night. It made all the details seem to tie together in a perfect way. And Kirsten was a doll to work with, putting up with what seemed like hundreds of emails and questions. Her beautiful line of paper products are available to view at www.pikmepapers.com with tons of images to choose from. But if you don't see exactly what you're looking for contact Kirsten and she'll be able to work with you to create just what you need!

Pikme Papers
Essex, CT
860.767.7440
pikmepapers@gmail.com

Gift tags for our welcome bags 

Stickers for our chocolate cranberries

Cards for our signature drinks

Escort Cards

Menu cards

Thanks Kirsten for this amazing addition to our wedding! xx