Rowayton Tree Lighting

Join the Rowayton Civic Association to Light Up Rowayton on Sunday December 1st! Festivities begin at Pinkney Park around 4:30 with caroling by Brien McMahon's Holiday Chambor Choir followed by the lighting of the Christmas tree. Stroll Rowayton Avenue to view window decorations by local merchants and warm beverages and snacks compliments of Rowayton Market. 

Be sure to check out the 9th annual Rowayton Egg Nog Contest! Enter your favorite egg nog recipe or just come to taste and vote on your favorites. Tasters must be 21 or older. To enter email Stuart Weismiller at stuart5100@aol.com - participants need to bring 3 gallons of your favorite egg nog recipe; tables, chairs and cups will be provided. The perfect way to get in the spirit of the holidays! 

Also notable is the 19th Rowayton Arts Center Holiday Gift Show. Offering unique holiday gifts, decorations and collectibles from some of Fairfield County's finest artists and craftspeople this is a great spot to look for unique gifts! Show opens Saturday November 23rd and continues through Tuesday December 24th. 

Roasted chestnuts and cider will be served from 5-6:30 during the tree lighting. Admission to the RAC Gallery is free. Open Saturdays 10-5 and Sunday, Tuesday - Friday 12-5. 

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

The Christmas season hasn't officially arrived without seeing Santa and his reindeer ride down Greenwich Avenue! Come see them November 29th around 2pm as they make their way into town and down to McArdle's Florist & Garden Center. You'll be able to visit them there until December 24th as well as have your photo taken with Santa. The perfect time to pick up your Christmas tree and other beautiful holiday decorations from McArdle's. 

December 7th kicks of Greenwich Holiday Stroll weekend with over 100 participating merchants offering holiday promotions and refreshments. Free parking on Saturday. Horse drawn carriage rides, professional ice sculpting demonstrations, bouncy castles, food trunks, holiday singing performances, letter writing to Santa and much more! $5 of every photo package will be donated to one of our favorite local charities, Kids in Crisis during this weekend. Also be sure to check the Giving Tree at McArdle's during the month of December to benefit Kids in Crisis as well. 

Visit www.greenwichreindeerfestival.com for more details! 

Gift Guide: Monomoy Designs

Looking for the perfect holiday gift for someone who has everything? How about a gorgeous custom painted nautical chart from Monomoy Designs! Below is the Nantucket Rainbow Fleet at our house last Christmas - on loan from our cousin the artist...I sure wasn't happy to see it make it's way to a gallery after the holidays! 

Some nautical Christmas magic!

These charts are hand painted by artist Kyle Bartlett to reflect some of their most iconic destinations - Cape Cod with Stage Harbor Light, Martha's Vineyard with Edgartown Light, Nantucket with the Rainbow Fleet or Brant Point Light. Any nautical chart can also be customized to feature your favorite boat, summer house, wedding destination and more!

Many original paintings available for the holidays - visit www.monomoydesigns.com or contact monomoydesigns@gmail.com for more information on paintings and custom opportunities. 

All paintings available for viewing on Facebook as well! 

Cape Cod Chart with Stage Harbor Light - Sold 

Cape Cod Chart with view from Chatham Bars Inn - my personal favorite! 

Kyle working away...

Martha's Vineyard Chart with Edgartown Light 

Martha's Vineyard to Block Island Race 

Nantucket Chart with Brant Point Light 

Custom Projects:

Greenwich Shoreline with Ticonderoga 

Fishers Island Chart with clients home and boat 

Give Thanks in Style

We are communally hosting Thanksgiving this year in Chatham so we're keeping it super low key since we'll be in a rental - paper plates anyone?! But it's fun to daydream about how you'd celebrate if you were pulling out all the stops. Maybe I'll find a way to bring a few of these details up with me! Happy Thanksgiving to all! 

For the centerpieces:

I adore everything about this arrangement - especially the birch vase

Pheasant feathers always play heavily into my moms holiday decor - I think she'd love these

For the placecards:

Loving these gilded mini pumpkins - so chic!

Rosemary always reminds me of Thanksgiving {and how much I hate it}
but these placecards are too cute

Show your family you are thankful for them - I love this idea!

Use these as placecards or send your friends and family home with a party favor!

For dessert:

These just make me smile 

Mini apple pies - darling!

I would make these as my own personal dessert
as a reward for hosting :)

To remember what matters:

Start a great table conversation 

All images thinks to Pinterest - and my "Fall for Fall" board 

Run Like A Turkey!

Run like a Turkey! Get in the Thanksgiving spirit with these great Fairfield County Turkey Trots! Help raise money, gather donations or just burn some calories before you dig in for dinner! These turkeys will be trotting in Chatham for the holiday week! Gobble gobble! 

New Canaan Turkey Trot - Sunday, Nov 24th 11am
5K run/walk
http://newcanaanturkeytrot.com/

Pequot Runners Thanksgiving Day Race - Southport, Thursday Nov 28th 8:15am
5M run, 2.7m walk
Info!

Rowayton Turkey Trot - Thursday, Nov 28th 9:30am
5K fun, 1M fun run/walk
http://www.rowaytonturkeytrot.com/

Shippan Turkey Trot - Stamford, Thursday Nov 28th 9:30am
4K fun run
http://shippanturkeytrot.blogspot.com/

The Great Turkey Escape - Redding, Thursday Nov 28th 8am/9am
5K run, 1K fun run
http://www.thegreatturkeyescape.com/

Greenwich Alliance for Education Turkey Trot - Saturday, Nov 30th 9:30am/10am
5K run, 1M fun run/walk
http://www.greenwichalliance.org/events/a-turkey-trot-2013/

Gift Guide: Lisi Lurch Jewelry

Time to start our holiday gift giving posts! Looking for a great gift for your best girlfriend, your sister, yourself? I just learned about the cute costume jewelry of Lisi Lurch at the Serendipity event and they will fit the bill perfectly! 

I snapped up these awesome Turquoise drop Hilary earrings {for myself!}, they were the perfect accent to my all black outfit for the next night. These will definitely be a holiday staple for me. 

I love the below earrings as well - all priced from $45 to $98, a great price range for holiday gift giving!

KWM caught in the act! 

Visit www.lisilerch.com to see all styles! 

Dough & Co to the Rescue!

Let Dough & Co take care of all of your holiday baking needs! Locals, place your order by Monday Nov 25th and pick up your Thanksgiving treats at Flea on Thursday Nov 28th btw 10am-Noon. 

Looking for treats to send to your loved ones around the holidays, check out the items available to ship as well (my favorite featured above!)

Also be sure to swing by Flea in Rowayton to check out their adorable gifts!

Thanksgiving menu!

Treats to ship!

New Canaan Holiday Market

The Young Womens League of New Canaan hosts their very popular Holiday Market this week. Kicking off with a Preview Party on Wednesday night from 6:30pm-9:30pm you can enjoy entertainment, appetizers and cocktails, featuring "A Taste of New Canaan" with local restaurant specialities and a wine tasting bar. Thursday offers a full day of shopping from 9am-4pm, some of our favorite vendors include B Draddy, Bird Dog Bay, Lizzie Izzie & James, M Milestones, Moe's Monkeys, Shell Stories, Small Field Papers, Splurge, The Pink Mink and Three Islands. See all show vendors online.

Tickets to the Preview Party are $50, $55 at the door {which includes admittance into Market Day}
Tickets to Market Day are only $10 online or at the door
Purchase tickets here!

This years theme is "Help A Child...Change A Community" with all net proceeds being granted to local charities that better the lives of children. It's so much better when you can shop for a cause so kick off your holiday shopping in New Canaan this week!

Waveny House
677 South Ave, New Canaan
http://www.ywlnewcanaan.org/holidaymarket

*So many great things going on in FFC this holiday season so we'll be posting more than once a day when we have lots to say so be sure to scroll down for all daily posts*

Juliska Party Recap

I had a great time last week at the Juliska Holiday Hostess event featuring blogger Catherine Tompkins of My Life in Parties! Tasty treats from Dough & Co. {more details on their Thanksgiving orders tomorrow}, beautiful flowers from Greenwich Orchid, great gift giving ideas from Juliska and fun paper goods by Catherine. Here are some of my favorite photos from the night! It was also really fun to finally meet Lindsay from Vineyard Loveknots! We realized we were buying all the same adorable gift tags and notecards from Catherine, see below! {I also just saw her post on this event when I linked her blog and realized we pretty much wrote the exact same thing about each other : ), hi Lindsay! Her photos are also much better so check them out}

Amazing flowers from Greenwich Orchid. I loved the elephant place cards and the mix of Julikas bamboo styles with the feather napkin rings, perfect for Thanksgiving!

Mmmm, Dough & Co cookies! {more details tomorrow}

Another great table setting, I especially loved the furry owls!

One of my favorite vignettes, the guys gift guide - such a good idea and great gifts for the men in your life. Didn't think you'd find guy gifts at Juliska right?

Christmas is coming! Love the burlap with plaid placemats, the charming Juliska holiday china and the cute pillow in the background!

Letterpress stationary - stocked up on gift tags and notepads! Available at Juliska while supplies last. 

Juliska will be putting their amazing Christmas ornaments out this week as well, a must shop! 

465 Canal Street, Stamford CT 

www.juliska.com 

Calling All Brides!

A not to be missed bridal event this week! My favorite bridal boutique is hosting a sample sale with up to 90% off select samples - amazing! So if you're a bride to be and a sample size get yourself up to Westport Wednesday or Thursday night from 5-9pm. This makes me want to buy a second wedding dress just cause I love my first one so much : ) Tell Allison FFC411 sent you! 

The Plumed Serpent 

295 Post Road East, Westport 

203.226.9868 

www.plumedserpentbridal.com

My dress from The Plumed Serpent <3

The Enchanted Forest 2013

Help support one of Greenwich's largest fundraisers - The Enchanted Forest! This years theme is Celebration of Sweetness and it's sure to bring many sweet treats to all who attend. Enjoy breakfast with Santa, tea with Clara, a gingerbread workshop, sweet soriee cocktails, biding on beautiful Christmas trees and much much more!

One of my favorite events is the Friday night shopping preview from 6-9. Leave the kids at home, free entry and plenty of libations! Enjoy shopping without anyone yanking on your leg and get a jump start on your holiday gifts! There will also be early access to the trees and gingerbread houses for sale this year. 

Another highlight is the Saturday night event - always with a wonderful silent auction, signature cocktails, live band and plenty of delicious food. Grab a group for a fun night out. Last year we left with blue brothers sunglasses for all, plenty of hysterical photobooth film strips and a ski house for ten - party success! 

Learn more at www.jlgreenwich.org. All proceeds help fund the charitable works of the Junior League of Greenwich. 

Best Books of November

Some great books that I've recently finished on my quest to 52 books. So if you're looking for something to cozy up by the fire with this weekend check out some of my favorite pics!

The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes - a love story about a painting, World War I and fighting for what you love. I love books that alternate time periods - I couldn't put it down.

Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman - "Steel Magnolias meets The Help", a coming of age story in the 1960s in Savannah. You'll fall in love with all the strong female characters and the beautiful imagery of the low country. Made me smile and cry and then do it all over again.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak - the ads for the major motion picture had caught my eye and I realized I'd missed reading this great best seller. The extraordinary NYT #1 bestseller set in 1939 Nazi Germany and narrated by Death tells the unforgettable story of the ability of books to feed the soul. Seems like the perfect book to end my year of reading.

Donahue's Madison Beach Grill

Looking for a fun weekend road trip to enjoy some football and tasty treats? Head north to Madison CT and the new location of an old Darien staple, Rory's, at the Donahue's Madison Beach Grill. 

A big bar with tons of great booth and hightop seating and plenty of TVs to view all your favorite sporting events - hmmm are you in Giants or Patriots territory? 

Great appetizers for sharing while you enjoy some afternoon cocktails - crab cakes, pub nachos, popcorn shrimp and the cannot miss beer battered avocado fingers {top ten most delicious things I've ever eaten!}

Start with french onion soup, chili or clam chowder. Amazing burgers, meggin, french connection or steak sandwich. Or if you're in the mood for seafood try the fried oysters, fish & chips or one of the many fish entrees. Everything is just as delicious as the original Rory's and you'll have tons of room to spread out and enjoy a leisurely afternoon!

The perfect guise to take the hubby out to watch football and perhaps you'll just stumble across the Clinton Crossings Outlets on your way : ) 

1320 Boston Post Rd, Madison CT

203.318.8362

http://donahuesmadisonbeachgrille.com/

Shopping Wednesday!

So many great shopping event on Wednesday that are not to be missed! With the short time between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year it's important to get your shopping started soon! I will admit as I walked down Greenwich Ave on Saturday it felt like the holidays and I loved it! I even purchased my first Christmas gift - this girls ready!

For some daytime shopping hit up this great group trunk show with some of my favorite friends in Darien from 11-4:

To get a kickstart on the holidays join Juliska and Catherine Tompkins to see their best gift ideas along with holiday entertaining ideas - enjoy food, drinks, gift bags and door prizes! Don't miss this fun event in Stamford from 6-8:30 which also supports Neighbor to Neighbor:

For girls night out be sure to check out the Serendipity event at The Loading Dock in Stamford. A great  fashion show with philanthropic models, plenty of great shopping, food, wine and cocktails! Proceeds benefit Canary Kids. In Stamford from 7-10, buy tickets ahead of time for a discounted price:

I'm going to try to really get my shop on and hit all three! 

Month in Review

As most of your know I'm trying to read 52 books this year and in order to make it I've been using almost all my free time to read - I'm on my 48th book so I think I'm going to make it! {side note I might be one of the most boring people to live with - although my husband said it's ok cause I talk less : ) }

Figured I'd do a month in review of photos to catch you up on where we've been...then on to the good stuff! 

My bestie had a baby  - HJL! <3

A great trip to Newport and cocktails at Castle Hill

My first trip to Little Lake Sunapee - so pretty!

Golf at Baker Hill in NH

Wooden Bridge hunting in VT

Lots of laughs (and bad Dispatch singing!) at the Greenwich Food & Wine Festival

Columbas Day Weekend at CBI

Gorgeous Fall golf weather at EHCC

Cheering on our friends at the New York Marathon!

Raising money for Movember!

Can't believe it's already "Movember" - this fall is flying by!