Friday, December 31, 2010

Remember 2010

Make it a wonderful New Year My Darlings!
Here's is to 2011!!



More White Holiday Decorating
Promise this will be the last of the holiday
decorating focusing on white. The point is made !
You have to admit.  The options in white are
endless especially when the season has such a demand for red and green.







 The 2010 Princess Margaret Showhome is a showstopper. 
Inspired in part by Diane Keaton's Hamptons house in the filmSomething's Gotta Give, Lynda Reeves designed a home that captures the essential elements of seaside living without slavishly copying them. Working closely with renowned architect Gordon Ridgely, builder PCM and landscape designer Ronald Holbrook, Lynda and the H&H team created a property that blends seamlessly into the suburban neighbourhood while still capturing the picturesque beauty of New England homes. Browse this gallery for a tour of the space, plus get tips for bringing Hamptons chic into your own home!

     Sitting peacefully on a leafy corner in Oakville, the 2010 Princess Margaret Showhome is inspired by seaside destinations such as the Hamptons, Cape Cod and Chester, N.S., where cedar-shingle exteriors, inviting verandas and gabled roofs define the picturesque houses.


 



Hefty Doric columns support the covered porch, creating a classic yet casual first impression. With oversized coach lights on either side of the front door and stained cedar shakes, the showhome presents a classic, refined façade. The porch's natural wood will weather into a beautiful patina.

 he library exudes a sense of comfort and luxury. The handsome built-ins, weighty drapes,                                           leather chairs and brass lighting keep the space classic and masculine.












Bright Center Hallway

A heavy mid-sized table sits comfortably below a rustic light fixture.

Ivory white walls play off ebony-stained oak floors in the centre hallway near the Showhome entrance. A bleached-oak pedestal table and black iron hanging lantern define the space.


The lower-level living room has a youthful, casual style. Touches of chocolate brown, soft grey and cream dominate the space. An Ikea sectional and chair, as well as upholstered bench cushions, bring high contrast to the room while offering ample seating.

Rachel Zoe Style



Rachel Zoe

 Rachel Zoe (born September 1, 1971) is an American fashion stylist best known for working with celebrities, fashion houses, beauty firms, advertising agencies, and magazine editors. In 2008, the first season of her Bravo reality television series The Rachel Zoe Project debuted. She is married to Rodger Berman, with whom she went to college at The George Washington University, in Washington, DC.
Born Rachel Zoe Rosensweig, Zoe was raised in Millburn, New Jersey.  She has a sister Pamela Rosenzweig. Rachel studied sociology and psychology at George Washington University. Before working as a stylist, Zoe worked at Gotham and YM magazine















In September 2008, Zoe's reality series, The Rachel Zoe Project, debuted on Bravo. The series follows Zoe, her two fashion associates, Brad Goreski and Jordan Johnson, James Foix as well as her husband/business partner Rodger Berman. The series' second season premiered on August 24, 2009. Bravo announced they would be picking up a third season of the show[ The series follows Zoe, her two fashion associates, Brad Goreski and Jordan Johnson, as well as her husband/business partner Rodger Berman. The series' second season premiered on August 24, 2009. Bravo announced they would be picking up a third season of the show which premiered August 3, 2010 and covered the departure of Zoe's longtime assistant Taylor Jacobson, while introducing her new assistant, Ashley Avignone, who no longer works for Rachel Zoe.

Zoe officially announced that she will be releasing a clothing line, with the intention of turning it into a full lifestyle brand. The line is set to come out the fall of 2011 and Zoe is in the search now for a design teamZoe intends on wearing the brand, which is completely different from her QVC line which she launched earlier in the year   Her line is intended to contain "accessories, shoes, and apparel, including fur vests, and maybe home items in the future", if all goes well and as planned. Zoe is married to investment banker Rodger Berman. She announced on November 17, 2010 that they are expecting their first child due early April 2011.

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Christmas window displays in NYC are without a doubt
magical!  There is still plenty of time and different ways to take it all in!
Get information about what to do in New York City during the Holidays 

Building an Italian Villa
This company builds modern Masserie farm houses 
in Puglia.  Masserie are vast, walled dwellings that surround a courtyard.
This dwelling was scaled down to suit modern lifestyles
 The central part of the house is a cavernous long space with high vaulted
ceilings that incorporates a kitchen and dining area and study




Happy Holidays 
May all your wishes come true  in 2011!

Hallways with Style









My Best Friends Tadoll recipe
We made these delicious cookies  in high school
after school in Margaret's kitchen!
They were her Aunt Suzie's Italian Tadoll recipe
Sprinkle with powder sugar!  They melt in your mouth!
Aunt Suzie's Tadolls
2 sticks of the best butter you can buy ( i get rolled amish butter )
Melt it and put in bowl
Add 1 cup of coooolllldddd water
1 cup sugar
1/4 tsp salt
2 tbls vanilla
3 eggs ( brown preferably )
1/2 tsp bake powder
Beat with electric mixer and add 5 to 6 cups of self-rising flour (the less the better)
Add 1/2 tsp bake powder
Lightly flour surface of counter or cutting board, take a small ball (size of a meat ball l) and roll it the size of a thick pretzel  then make the shape of a circle with end over end.
Put on ungreased baking sheets and cook at 350 for approx 10-15 minutes. You have to keep a close eye on it though, depending on your oven.  You want them to be slightly golden beige. Sounds like a dress :-)
It has an optional glaze that you can put over it once the cookies cool but I never put it on. It's just a mixure of confectionary sugar and milk. (Powdered sugar is great on top)
carm i love ya and am thinking of you with each tadoll i put in my mouth. lol lol lo
Thank You Marg, Happy Holidays my Friend!

Lauren Bush and David Lauren

The Feed Bag By Lauren Bush
Lauren is recently engaged to Ralph Lauren's son David
Feed projects co-founder Lauren Bush was the unchallenged belle of the ball at the charity’s third-annual fund-raiser at the Urban Zen Center Tuesday night. Bush was constantly besieged by a thick circle of friends and well-wishers, most of whom pointedly admired her most recent accessory: a large diamond solitaire engagement ring that matched her aptly chosen diamanté Ralph Lauren dress. Whether or not Bush’s beau, David Lauren, had something to do with his fiancée’s sartorial selection, he definitely had a spring in his step. He posed for photographers with one arm brandishing a Feed canvas bag and the other around Bush’s waist. His grin reached practically from ear-to-ear. 
The fee bag is now sold at all gap stores! The proceeds go to help feeding  the hungry around the world!

Holiday Decorating
Just can't seem to get  the color white out of my mind. The hue reminds me of  a blank canvas and everything else is a surprise. So I found these wonderful photos from a Canadian Home Style magazine and thought I'd share them.  Just imagine if you added touches of color !
Classic entrance with only a touch of Silver 



White, Gold, Silver

The  classic silver ball ornaments



Set of porcelain Birds


Happy Holiday Decorating


The  White Shirt
Wanted to share a classic that never goes out of style.
 Around the holidays we all get so busy.  There in our closet is the crisp white shirt waiting like an old friend.  It looks great we everything.   What better  to wear with your  glitter skirt or gray slacks
 The best treat is when the white shirt is waiting with the dry cleaner tag still attached.  
Here are some favorite photos













Ice Box Cake 
 Easy and Delicious
Icebox Cake
Adapted from The Magnolia Bakery Cookbook
3 cups heavy cream
3 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 (9-ounce) packages chocolate wafer cookies [or, make your own!]
Unsweetened cocoa (or chocolate shavings)
In a large bowl, beat cream, sugar and vanilla with an electric mixer on high speed until soft peaks form.
On a flat serving plate, arrange 7 cookies side by side in a circle, keeping 1 cookie in the center.
Spread with 1/2 cup whipped cream, making a 7-inch circle. Repeat with remaining cookies and cream, making 11 layers of cookies and ending with a layer of cream (there will be a few cookies left over). Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
To serve, dust top lightly with cocoa powder or chocolate shavings.




  Dessert Time

Ina says: "One of my favorite holiday desserts, Eton Mess, doesn't require any baking at all. It's made with crushed berries, whipped cream, and crumbled meringues. Served in decorative glasses, it wows adults, but kids love it, too. The dessert began life at one of England's most famous boarding schools, Eton College. It's easy, elegant—don't let the name fool you!—and sodelicious."


Another look at Chanel Collection 2010 RTW

Karl Lagerfeld 





















Narciso Rodriquez Collection
Love the simplicity of Narciso's Collection
mixing straight lines with poof shirts . The
jackets are all very wearable, either with slacks or skirts









Frances Palmer Handmade Pottery


Weston, Connecticut based potter Frances Palmer's passion is to create irreverently shaped white tableware and accessories. Frances offers both custom works, which she throws by hand in her studio one at a time for private clients, and the Frances Palmer Pearl Collection™, a line cast from her handmade molds by century-old Buffalo Pottery. The hand-thrown process leaves a good deal of the outcome to fate. Frances revels in this serendipity, and is fond of saying that the clay “has as much to say about itself as I do.” She also loves the randomness of the transformation in the firing process. “As it dries, it moves. And when it is fired two or three times, it definitely changes. The best part is seeing what emerges after the kiln is opened.”

  

Custom Pottery


Holiday Gifts from Mrs Pringle

 www.mrsprindables.com


Ralph Pucci
Ralph Pucci Gallery Nine Showroom
Paper dress Sculpture  Designs
Students at Pratt
44West 18th St 9th Floor NYC
Dec 8th-10th
Ralph Pucci International  December 9th, PRATT+PAPER & RALPH PUCCI.

A very exciting project with the School of Art + Design at Pratt Institute. 20 of the best students were chosen to dress our new mannequin collection and create sculptures in paper. The top 3 will be awarded with a custom 12" mannequin.
http://www.blogger.com/goog_1730399004


Pen Art




The Art of The Pen
It absolutely floors me to see the workmanship and style of simple pens.
Penmanship was something I practiced for hours in Catholic school. It was so very important to 
get each letter perfect.. And than I realized you can be creative and design your own script.
Now we can  develop our own font and incorporate it to our word documents. http://www.fonstruct.com/, http://www.yourfonts.com/ 
For the pen fasination,  a favorite place to shop is
Art Browns International Pen Shop










donnayoung.org
Penmanship



Let's Go Skating!
Ice Skating Rockefeller Center NYC
212-332-7655  Skate rental $8 to $9.00
Weekdays 11:30 to 10PM Weekends 10:00 to 10PM

Bryant Park
Between 5th &6th at 40th and 42nd
http://www.bryantpark.org/

Wollman Rink
Central Park
http://www.wollmanskatingrink.com/


Vogue Best Dressed  Lady Gaga #10 

Jessica Biel #4
Caroline Sieber # 6
Wearing Jason Wu

Alexa Chung #5







 Reminder: Tree Lighting Rockefeller Center, November30th




Oreo Cream cheese Ball
These are so delicious and look beautiful for the holidays!
www.food.com/recipe/oreo-balls-52035




1/4 cup chopped frozen spinach, thawed
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
2 Tbsp Cream Cheese
2 tsp. fresh garlic chopped
1 can crescent roll dough
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. In blender or food processor blend spinach, cheeses, and garlic. Put mixture in small bowl and set aside or put in refrigerator.
Remove cold dough from can and unroll. Divide the dough into the eight predetermined triangles. Cut each triangle in half so you have 16 smaller triangles. Form dough balls out of each triangle by rolling them with your hands. Place each dough ball on a lightly greased baking sheet.
Make an indent with your thumb in the center of each dough ball and fill with a small amount of the spinach filling. Bake until golden brown about 12 to 15 min. Serve and enjoy these crescent roll appetizers!




Madison Takes you to Market
Interested in advertising here e-mail: mailto:www.madisoncreativeservices@gmail.com



Holiday markets in New York City offer shoppers a great opportunity to see lots of gift options quickly and easily. The festive atmosphere at these holiday markets in New York City can make holiday shopping fun rather than a chore and enable you to check off many people on your gift list with ease.

Surrounding The Pond at Bryant Park, The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park offer a wide variety of items for sale, including many selling handmade goods. 

The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park: 
Open Friday, November 5, 2010 -                       Sunday, January 2, 2011    Hours:Monday - Friday: 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Sunday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

One of New York City's most popular Holiday Markets, the Holiday Shopping Market in Union Square offers shoppers a variety of items including handcrafted jewelry, fine art, clothes, handmade ornaments, and toys. 

Holiday Shopping in Union Square: 
Open November 19 - December 24, 2010Hours:11 a.m. - 8 p.m. daily Closed Thanksgiving Day
The Grand Central Holiday Fair has one distinct advantage over all the others -- it's housed inside of Grand Central Terminal, making it a great choice no matter what the weather might be doing outside. Check out this list of holiday vendors to see the variety of goods being sold by the vendors. 

The Grand Central Holiday Fair: 
Open Monday, November 15, 2010 - Thursday, December 24, 2010 (closed Thanksgiving)
Hours: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. daily
Located on the southwest corner of Central Park at Columbus Circle, the Holiday Market at Columbus Circle has 120 vendors selling a wide variety of gifts.Holiday Market at Columbus Circle:
Open December 1 - 24, 2010
Central Park (59th Street and 8th Avenue)
Hours: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. daily
2010 marks the 7th year for the Holiday Gift Shops at St. Bart's.

The Holiday Gift Shops at St. Bart's:
Open November 15 - December 24, 2010
On Park Ave. at 50th Street
Hours: 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. daily


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