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