2014 Gift Guide

A little FFC411 gift guide for anyone panicking! Ho Ho Ho!

For your favorite ladies - everyone loves a pretty desk calendar, and with the great gift box and gold stand this one is my go to!

Lobird $49.95
http://lobird.com/pages/lb_calen_seaside.html

For your debonair husband - spice up his wardrobe with these eye catching shoes. We love the colored soles and super comfortable fit. They also have classic leather and suede styles for the more subtle dresser. However we say go bold or go home! 

Austin Heller $195

http://www.austenheller.com/

For the new homeowner - save them from writing their address 3247 times next year, treat them to an adorable return address stamp! Be sure to include a pretty ink pad as well. 

Pure Joy Paperie $38 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/PureJoyPaperie

For the host or hostess - the perfect cutting board for the person who loves to entertain. Steak boards, cheese boards, chopping blocks - something for everyone, in every size! 

Soundview Millworks - price varies by item 

http://www.soundviewmillworks.com/

For the picnic lover - these duraclear stemless wine glasses are awesome for the beach, picnics or everyday use. In heavy duty plastic they are a must have for the wine lover on the go! Add a monogram for a personalize touch. 

William Sonoma $77.95

http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/monogrammed-duraclear-outdoor-stemless-white-wine-glass/?pkey=ctabletop-duraclear&cm_src=tabletop-duraclear||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_--_-

For the traveler - fulfill their sense of wanderlust with a map of their favorite destination. With tons of custom colors and lots of new locations to choose from, this is also a great gift for a newlywed! We love their signature crests. Email for web access. 

Bank and Surf - prices based on size and frame 

http://www.bankandsurf.com/

For your favorite little ones - these plush animals are just about the cutest new thing I've seen this holiday season. Add some whimsy to their nursery - a gift mom will love as well! 

Rikshaw Design $48-$58

http://rikshawdesign.com/gifting/plush-animals/

For the boater - get your favorite yachtsman ready for summer with one of these awesome cooler bags and bottle openers. Cooler bag keeps ice for up to 24hrs and comes in a size for every outing! Add a boat name, initials or coordinates for a custom touch. And don't forget to include a fun speciality bottle opener!

MW Coastal Goods - $40 

http://www.mwcoastalgoods.com/

Polar Bear Cooler - price varies by size 

http://www.polarbearcoolers.com/

For the guy who has everything - but 400 thread count boxers. The best part of these boxers is the product card that comes with them. Good for a Christmas morning giggle!

Royal Highnies $82 for a pack of two pairs

http://www.royalhighnies.com/shop/his/royal-highnies

For the preppy redneck - most guys these day love a great trucker and these are the perfect blend of sporting and prep, a fun stocking stuffer! 

Duck Head $30 

http://duckhead.com/shop/trucker-dh-circle-embroidery/

For the party hopper - we're always on the hunt for the best "road soda" cups and these are definitely them. Bring a cocktail to your neighbors, the beach, on your bike. Another great stocking stuffer! 

Roadie Cups $20 

http://www.roadiecup.com/roadies/

You have sixteen shopping days left - no sweat! 

Hope Lights Lives

One of my favorite nights of the holiday season is the Hope Lights Lives luminary display. Not only is it beautiful to drive around and see all the flickering luminaries amongst the Christmas decorations - it's also a fundraiser for a fabulous cause and makes me give pause and thanks during the busy holiday season.

Hope Lights Lives is Family Center's annual fundraiser to benefit the bereavement and critical illness support offered through the Center for HOPE and The Den for Grieving Kids. All throughout Fairfield County residents will place these luminaries on their lawns to remember those we've lost or those coping with a critical illness or life-altering circumstance. Please don't miss this opportunity to support a wonderful cause in town and shine a little light of hope over the holidays!

Towns participating are Darien, Fairfield, Greenwich, New Canaan, Norwalk, Rowayton, Southport, Stamford, Weston and Wilton.

This year's luminary lighting will take place on Saturday December 13th at 5pm {with a rain date of December 20th}.

You can buy your luminaries online here but don't delay, it's already right at the order deadline!

Luminary kits are $25 and include 12 tea lights, 12 white luminary bags and 12 candle holders. All proceeds benefit the Center for HOPE and the Den for Grieving Kids.

Learn more about these special programs, opportunities for support for you or your loves ones or ways you can get involved on their website
https://familycenters.isecuresites.com/The-Den-for-Grieving-Kids
https://familycenters.isecuresites.com/Center-for-HOPE

I'll be wishing for snow on the 13th to make it an even more beautiful night!

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas!

It's starting to feel like Christmas with the chilly weather, holiday decorations popping up and 300 catalogs in my mailbox every afternoon! But I couldn't be more ready to kick of the season - would it be too soon to put a tree up before Thanksgiving??

If you're in the Christmas spirit too I have a great event to make you feel even more festive! The Enchanted Forest in Greenwich is visited by over 7,000 people as they enjoy an amazing holiday experience - beautiful gingerbread and Christmas tree forest where all items are for auction, a holiday boutique with over 50 vendors to jump start your shopping, gingerbread decorating workshops and my personal favorites - a Santa breakfast with the jolly man himself and tea with Clara the ballerina from the Nutcracker! There is also a girls shopping event on Friday night with cocktails, beauty treatments and lots of door prizes!

The most fun event of the weekend however is the Saturday Night Jingle Bell Bash - a night of live music with the Short Bus, lots of festive cocktails and delicious dinner, wonderful silent auction items {a week rental in the Vineyard, a year membership to the Hermitage Club, tickets to to Lady Gaga/Tony Bennett concert and so much more!} And at only $125/ticket it's one of the most reasonable tickets in town.

All proceeds from the weekend go to benefit the amazing works of the Junior League of Greenwich supporting those in need in our community! It is by far their largest fundraiser and supports almost a year of their work so please come check it out - bring your kids, your family and your friends! You can buy tickets below or make a donation if you are interested. It's a truly magical weekend and I hope to see many of you there!

Friday Nov 21 - Sunday Nov 22: times for all events listed below

Hyatt Regency Greenwich
1800 East Putnam Ave
Old Greenwich

http://www.jlgreenwich.org/?nd=ticket_list&fundraiser_id=56

Pure Joy Paperie

Just before we moved into our new digs Liz Joy from Pure Joy Paperie shared this adorable Rowayton poster on her Etsy site! We decided it couldn't have been a more perfect way to share that we were moving to our favorite town!

Photo from Pure Joy Paperie

But we wanted her to tweak it just a little to fit better as a 'We've Moved' card and it came out so perfectly! We also got her anchor address stamp and couldn't have been more thrilled with the way the whole thing turned out! We're also getting a big Rowayton print to hang in the new house. 

Address removed - but you get the idea : ) 

Liz is also now offering custom home watercolors which are super adorable - check out her new home renovation journey on her blog Pure Joy Home. 

Photo from Pure Joy Paperie

And just in time for the holidays she's launched a line of holiday greeting cards and until Thursday she is offering 25% off! If you don't have your photo chosen yet you can still order your cards and decide on the photo later by emailing lizjoycreative@gmail.com. It's never too early to start getting organized for the holidays - get this checked off your list and it's one less thing you'll have to worry about so you can kick back and relax in December {yea right!}. 

I've got my eye on this one - to stick with our anchor theme. Check out all her offerings for holiday cards here! Be sure to check out the custom return address stamps as well! 

Happy Shopping! 

Pimento Cheese Spread

This time of year everyone needs easy appetizers to bring to parties or to serve their visiting friends and family. This pimento cheese spread is one of my favorites - easy to keep on hand and whip out a quick snack when needed! 

1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, room temperature

1 cup grated sharp cheddar

1 cup grated white cheddar

1/2 cup Hellmann's mayonnaise

1/4 teaspoon sea salt 

1/8 teaspoon white pepper

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

2 to 3 tablespoons pimentos, smashed

1 teaspoon grated scallions

Pinch cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce 

Mix cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth. Add all other ingredients and mix until well combined. Serve with toasted bread or crackers. Or make a sandwich with white Wonder bread! <3

Christmas Stories

Need to put your feet up and decompress a little during the holiday season? Grab one of these adorable Christmas stories and cozy up by the fire. They'll have you back in the holiday spirit in no time! {My 2013 resolution is complete - finished my 52nd book with 2 weeks to spare! I'll be sharing the full list soon}

A Nantucket Christmas, Nancy Thayer

Blue Christmas, Mary Kay Andrew

Christmas Bliss, Mary Kay Andrews

My favorite spot to cozy up with a good book!

She La La Discount

Blogging's been hard since I don't want to ruin my Christmas gifts for anyone so I can't share anymore gift ideas until the New Year! But I have some great ideas for everyone for 2014! 

We did get our tree up and running - I think we should have Christmas trees up year round, they make everyday so much happier!

One great shopping deal I wanted to share was from Suzy Said - 30% off any single item at She La La in New Canaan or Westport. {Valid until 12/19, just mention Suzy Said} I love this store for gifts for the girls in my life: great home goods, jewelry, fun accessories, monogrammed items and so much more! Even gifts for children, babies and pets! 

Two locations: 

120 Main Street New Canaan 

And their new location, 

Playhouse Square, 281 Post Road East, Westport 

Now open Sundays 12-5 as well! 

www.shopshelala.com

Love this cozy window display

All ready for holiday gift giving! 

UCNS Holiday Trunk Show

Support the United Church of Rowayton Nursery School {my alma matter!} with this holiday trunk show Thursday and Friday, December 5th and 6th at the Meeting House, behind the church. Favorite vendors include johnny-O, Seaside Delights, Soundview Millworks, Sail to Sable, Snapping Turtle Kids, Bling, Moes Monkey and KEP Designs. We're excited to check out the other new vendors as well! 

I think Thursday night shopping followed by a delicious dinner at Rowayton Seafood sounds like the perfect girls night! 

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