tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61019127387323300612024-02-18T21:32:33.380-05:00Olive KellyUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger91125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101912738732330061.post-50364933293122692562013-03-28T15:09:00.001-04:002013-03-28T15:14:33.580-04:00Reviving IreneWhen I think of legendary costume designers of old Hollywood, <span style="font-size: large;">Edith Head</span> immediately springs to mind. The clothes that she put up on the silver screen are mesmerizing and never seem to be dated. <br />
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<strong><span style="color: red;">Edith Head</span></strong></div>
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I have a new costume designing legend to admire. <br />
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My issue of <em>The Hollywood Reporter</em> arrives on Thursdays each week and this week there is an article about the reinvigoration of a clothing line created by another legendary Hollywood costume designer, <span style="font-size: large;">Irene Lentz</span>. <br />
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<strong><span style="color: red;">Irene Lentz</span></strong></div>
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Irene began her career as a silent film actress and then opened up a small dress shop. After her first husband died, she began designing costumes for the studios and dressed stars like <span style="font-size: large;">Lana Turner, Hedy Lamarr, Rosalind Russell, Ava Gardner, Ginger Rogers, Marilyn Monroe and Doris Day</span>. When she became frustrated by the limitations the studios placed on her designs (she wanted artistic perfection, the studio heads wanted economic savings), she started a mass line that was sold in luxury retailers alongside the latest Chanel lines. The line was a smash success and one of the most impeccably tailored, luxurious and modern lines of the <span style="font-size: large;">mid-twentieth century</span>. Irene pieces are hot commodities at the L.A. vintage store <em>Decades </em>and Tory Burch recently wore an Irene gown to a New York charity function. <br />
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<strong> Doris Day in <em>Lover Come Back</em></strong><br />
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<strong>Loretta Young in <em>Bedtime Story</em></strong><br />
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<strong>Ginger Rogers in <em>Shall We Dance</em></strong></div>
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<strong>Marlene Dietrich in <em>Seven Sinners</em></strong></div>
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<strong>Carole Lombard in <em>Mr. and Mrs. Smith</em></strong></div>
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<strong>Rita Hayworth in <em>You Were Never Lovelier</em></strong></div>
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Irene's success was marred by unhappiness late in life. Irene met a tragic end after drinking two pints of vodka and jumping from the 11th floor of The Knickerbocker hotel (the same hotel where <em>I Love Lucy </em>actor William Frawley was dragged after suffering a heart attack in the street). Irene's friend Doris Day, speaking of Irene's death in her autobiography, said that Irene had revealed to her that she had been in love with <span style="font-size: large;">Gary Cooper</span> who had died the year before Irene's suicide. Whether Cooper reciprocated those feelings is unknown. Irene's death may have been caused by unrequited love or a broken heart or mere unhappiness.<br />
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Whatever caused her end, her work is now being revived in a line by <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.ireneglv.com/">Greg LaVoi</a></span> with the blessing of Irene's surviving family and the results, while not on par with the real Irene designs, have made me want to rewatch some of my favorite old movies and think of the beautiful style and tailoring that will now have a <span style="font-size: large;">second act</span>. <br />
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<strong> Tory Burch in a Vintage Irene design purchased as Decades Los Angeles</strong>
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Incidentally, Irene Lentz was not the only famous Irene to make a name for herself in the golden age of Hollywood. Irene Sharaff, winner of 5 Academy Awards and 1 Tony award, was also involved in making clothes for some of Hollywood's biggest stars (and the two Irenes are often confused with one another...take <em>The Hollywood Reporter </em>article, an article that describes Irene Lentz designing for Barbra Streisand when Streisand dealt primarily with Irene Sharaff). </div>
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<strong><span style="color: red;">Irene Sharaff</span></strong></div>
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Sharaff designed costumes for <em>Meet Me in St. Louis, An American in Paris, Cleopatra, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Guys and Dolls, The King and I, </em><em>Funny Girl, </em>and <em>West Side Story. </em>In the spirit of designing Irenes, here are a few highlights from her career as well. </div>
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<strong> Judy Garland in <em>Meet Me in St. Louis</em></strong><br />
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<strong> Elizabeth Taylor in <em>Cleopatra</em></strong><br />
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<strong> Leslie Caron in <em>An American in Paris</em></strong><br />
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<strong>Gertrude Lawrence in <em>The King and I</em></strong><br />
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<strong> Barbra Streisand in <em>Funny Girl</em></strong><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101912738732330061.post-65195142824226106842013-03-04T11:24:00.000-05:002013-03-04T11:24:07.615-05:00Girl Crush: Sasha Adler<span style="font-size: large;">Sasha Adler</span> is a Design Director at Nate Berkus Associates and her style (<span style="font-size: large;">classic with a twist</span>...a description I feel is overused but is incredibly apt and seriously unavoidable when it comes to Ms. Adler) is <span style="font-size: large;">flawless</span>. Whether she is designing for others, designing her own home or picking out her outfit for the day, her personal <span style="font-size: large;">flair</span>
is always evident. For my first post post-exam and in honor of finally
being free to enjoy my own picture perfect New Year, a look into the <span style="font-size: large;">coffee-table book perfect</span> world that belongs to (one of) my girl crush(es), Sasha Adler.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101912738732330061.post-82742347102118679322013-01-15T15:24:00.002-05:002013-01-15T15:24:45.357-05:00Study BreakNo, I am not on vacation and no, I have not lost interest in you, dear readers. I am currently studying for a test and will not be logged on until it is completed at the end of February. Please return on March 1 when I resume my posts.<br />
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Thank you for understanding and until we meet again.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWRZRb97l_HYCzxZQ3hh5YqHcR-MuehfIHS3cDPpB7QLI2Ocu9g-NcbjLViBm6EYc8G6WJj8pzhHkQDBpisSl97IM-8we-9PMPbUG1hQOBlno4ZEYZ51UP1gw9p-ToxlXgN6pXkCFLwA/s1600/Grace+Kelly+glasses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWRZRb97l_HYCzxZQ3hh5YqHcR-MuehfIHS3cDPpB7QLI2Ocu9g-NcbjLViBm6EYc8G6WJj8pzhHkQDBpisSl97IM-8we-9PMPbUG1hQOBlno4ZEYZ51UP1gw9p-ToxlXgN6pXkCFLwA/s320/Grace+Kelly+glasses.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101912738732330061.post-65567211385911610972012-12-14T11:09:00.000-05:002012-12-14T11:09:48.546-05:00Thomas Crown Christmas List<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Thomas Crown stole what he desired from museums but you can have a piece of a museum as well by simply stopping by the museum gift shop either in person or online. My favorite museum gift shop is at the Morgan Library & Museum because I always find something unexpected when I am browsing whether its a fun children's book for my nieces, a thoughtful card for a friend or a beautiful coffee table book to give as a gift. Although online inventories are slightly more limited than the actual brick and mortar stores, the websites of these museums offer countless unique items that are perfect holiday gifts for a friend who seemingly has everything.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Morgan Library & Museum</span></b> </div>
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<a href="http://www.themorgan.org/shop/images/products/x3352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.themorgan.org/shop/images/products/x3352.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.themorgan.org/shop/shopexd.asp?id=623&bc=no">Jane Austen Cocktail Napkins</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.themorgan.org/shop/images/products/9781929154449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.themorgan.org/shop/images/products/9781929154449.jpg" width="259" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.themorgan.org/shop/images/products/9781929154449.jpg">Christmas Carol Original Manuscript</a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">MOMA</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://www.momastore.org/wcsstore/MOMASTORE1/images/products/93107_A2_Riedel_O_Wine_Glass_Tasting_Set.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://www.momastore.org/wcsstore/MOMASTORE1/images/products/93107_A2_Riedel_O_Wine_Glass_Tasting_Set.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.momastore.org/museum/moma/ProductDisplay_O%20Tasting%20Set_10451_10001_113576_-1_26669_11519_113593">O Tasting Set</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.momastore.org/wcsstore/MOMASTORE1/images/products/89550_A2_Dahlia_Placemats_Gold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://www.momastore.org/wcsstore/MOMASTORE1/images/products/89550_A2_Dahlia_Placemats_Gold.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.momastore.org/wcsstore/MOMASTORE1/images/products/89550_A2_Dahlia_Placemats_Gold.jpg">Dahlia Placemats</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Metropolitan Museum of Art</span></div>
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<a href="http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/whitneystore_2242_5592869" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/whitneystore_2242_5592869" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://store.metmuseum.org/content/ebiz/themetstore/invt/80009201/80009201_01_l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://store.metmuseum.org/content/ebiz/themetstore/invt/80009201/80009201_01_l.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://store.metmuseum.org/necklaces/cloisters-ground-ivy-necklace/invt/80009201/">Cloisters Ground Ivy Necklace</a></div>
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<a href="http://store.metmuseum.org/content/ebiz/themetstore/invt/80015947/80015947_01_l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://store.metmuseum.org/content/ebiz/themetstore/invt/80015947/80015947_01_l.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://store.metmuseum.org/bracelets/cote-divoire-cuff/invt/80015947/">Cote d'Ivoire Cuff</a></div>
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<a href="http://store.metmuseum.org/kids-books+media/this-is-new-york/invt/13140041/">"This is New York" Children's Book/Coffee Table Book</a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Victoria & Albert Museum</span></b></div>
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<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41mhZBBL2wL._SS385_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41mhZBBL2wL._SS385_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.vandashop.com/Cecil-Beaton-Vintage-Movie-Poster/dp/B009NVU854?field_availability=-1&field_browse=2140419031&field_product_site_launch_date_utc=-1y&id=Cecil+Beaton+Vintage+Movie+Poster&ie=UTF8&refinementHistory=subjectbin%2Cgeneric_text_9-bin%2Cgeneric_text_1-bin%2Cprice&searchNodeID=2140419031&searchPage=1&searchRank=salesrank&searchSize=12">Vintage My Fair Lady Movie Poster</a></b></div>
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<a href="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS52V2rw4eZfFxu_GYVJLke5khpCejBKf3yc28TNu2LI1I6ybz2OqBpzZC0OQ" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS52V2rw4eZfFxu_GYVJLke5khpCejBKf3yc28TNu2LI1I6ybz2OqBpzZC0OQ" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.vandashop.com/V-A-Enterprises-Edward-Bawden/dp/1851777156">Edward Bawden Diary/Agenda</a></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">British Museum</span></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.britishmuseumshoponline.org/content/ebiz/britishmuseumonlineshop/invt/F./P./4./cmcn426790/cmcn426790_master.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.britishmuseumshoponline.org/content/ebiz/britishmuseumonlineshop/invt/F./P./4./cmcn426790/cmcn426790_master.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.britishmuseumshoponline.org/small-wooden-backgammon/invt/cmcn426790/?stylecat=home_office">Backgammon Set </a></b></div>
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<b>(I know this inclusion means 2 backgammon sets, one week but I love the game and this one is so beauitiful!)</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.britishmuseumshoponline.org/content/ebiz/britishmuseumonlineshop/invt/J./M./m./cmcn432460/cmc-horse-bookends_productlarge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.britishmuseumshoponline.org/content/ebiz/britishmuseumonlineshop/invt/J./M./m./cmcn432460/cmc-horse-bookends_productlarge.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.britishmuseumshoponline.org/homeware/horse-head-bookends/invt/cmcn432460/?stylecat=home_office">Horse Head Book Ends</a></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Guggenheim</span><br />
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<a href="http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/guggenheim_2238_6334283" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/guggenheim_2238_6334283" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.guggenheimstore.org/modrocker2.html">Iglooplay Mod Rocker</a> </span></b><br />
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<a href="http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/guggenheim_2237_13821126" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/guggenheim_2237_13821126" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> <a href="http://www.guggenheimstore.org/govinodecant.html">Govino Wine Decanter</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Whitney</span></div>
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<a href="http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/whitneystore_2238_28764330" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/whitneystore_2238_28764330" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://shopwhitney.org/lomokinocamera.html">LomoKino Super 35 Movie Maker</a></b></div>
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<a href="http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/whitneystore_2242_5592869" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/whitneystore_2242_5592869" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> <a href="http://www.shopwhitney.org/anwamamomugs.html">Andy Warhol Marilyn Monroe</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Rijksmuseum</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.rijksmuseum.nl/images/shop/product/11971?shop/detail_big" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.rijksmuseum.nl/images/shop/product/11971?shop/detail_big" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/webwinkel/christmas/In-huis/%27Vermeer%E2%80%99-milk-jug?id=11971&lang=en">Vermeer Milk Jug Vase</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Smithsonian </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.smithsonianstore.com/assets/product_images/290x290/97977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.smithsonianstore.com/assets/product_images/290x290/97977.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.smithsonianstore.com/seasonal/ornaments/ruby-slipper-ornaments-97977.html">Ruby Slippers Ornament</a></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.smithsonianstore.com/assets/product_images/290x290/80198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.smithsonianstore.com/assets/product_images/290x290/80198.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.smithsonianstore.com/home-decor/kitchen/coca-cola-picnic-cooler-80198.html">Coca-Cola Picnic Cooler</a></b></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101912738732330061.post-54773862410538751242012-11-30T18:01:00.000-05:002012-11-30T18:07:36.375-05:00Best Finds from Today's Flash Sales: November 30, 2012One more time before December is officially here, a round-up of the best of today's flash sales for a little inspiration (Note: These sites were not the only ones I visited on both days but they had the best merchandise):<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Gilt</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.pedalcarsandretro.com/images/P/cr249-ta-367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.pedalcarsandretro.com/images/P/cr249-ta-367.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.gilt.com/home/sale/record-players-and-vinyl-featuring-crosl/158337333-crosley-deluxe-keepsake-usb-turntable">Crosley Retro Record Player</a></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.colemanfurniture.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/429x316/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/2/1/21120_viggo_bar_table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="http://www.colemanfurniture.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/429x316/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/2/1/21120_viggo_bar_table.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.gilt.com/home/sale/unexpected-treasures/165483192-sunpan-viggo-bar-table">Sunpan Viggo Bar Table</a></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>One Kings Lane</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://okl.scene7.com/is/image/OKL/Product_JYS10577_Image_1?$product$" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://okl.scene7.com/is/image/OKL/Product_JYS10577_Image_1?$product$" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.onekingslane.com/product/17558/875207">Jayes Umbrella Stand</a></b></div>
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<a href="https://okl.scene7.com/is/image/OKL/Product_OTP10062_Image_1?$product$" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://okl.scene7.com/is/image/OKL/Product_OTP10062_Image_1?$product$" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.onekingslane.com/product/12946/1054359">Vintage Copy of Anna Karenina</a></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Rue La La </b></span></div>
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<a href="http://s7d9.scene7.com/is/image/Barneys/501429746?$hero_small$" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://s7d9.scene7.com/is/image/Barneys/501429746?$hero_small$" width="192" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=FENDI+%22Peekaboo%22+Snakeskin-Lined+Large+Leather+Satchel&view=detail&id=245D5ED891897432FF60985D3C6989B49E36F1D6">Fendi Peekaboo Satchel</a></b></div>
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<b> <span style="font-size: large;">The Outnet</span></b><br />
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<a href="http://cache.theoutnet.com/images/products/170556/170556_in_xl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://cache.theoutnet.com/images/products/170556/170556_in_xl.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.theoutnet.com/product/170556">Lanvin Belted Leather Dress</a></b></div>
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<a href="http://cache.theoutnet.com/images/products/352323/352323_in_xl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://cache.theoutnet.com/images/products/352323/352323_in_xl.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.theoutnet.com/product/352323">Nicholas Kirkwood Pumps</a></b></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101912738732330061.post-43686149746447150022012-11-29T11:37:00.000-05:002012-11-29T11:45:31.015-05:00Best Finds from Today's Flash Sales: November 29, 2012Once upon a time, the sample sale was an event reserved for city dwellers. Today, the internet is filled with various flash sale websites for home, fashion and gift-giving. Here are some of the top finds in today's flash sale universe.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>One Kings Lane</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://okl2.scene7.com/is/image/OKL/Product_GLD11176_Image_1?$product$" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://okl2.scene7.com/is/image/OKL/Product_GLD11176_Image_1?$product$" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.onekingslane.com/product/17400/1023713">Jane Street Elinor Dresser</a></b></div>
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<a href="https://okl.scene7.com/is/image/OKL/Product_GLD11022_Image_1?$product$" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://okl.scene7.com/is/image/OKL/Product_GLD11022_Image_1?$product$" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.onekingslane.com/product/17400/927597">Jane Street Damin Table Lamp in Gold</a></b></div>
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<a href="https://okl2.scene7.com/is/image/OKL/Product_ROO01609_Image_1?$product$" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://okl2.scene7.com/is/image/OKL/Product_ROO01609_Image_1?$product$" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.onekingslane.com/product/17592/960404">Brass Pine Wreath</a></b></div>
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<a href="https://okl.scene7.com/is/image/OKL/Product_DEI10012_Image_1?$product$" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://okl.scene7.com/is/image/OKL/Product_DEI10012_Image_1?$product$" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.onekingslane.com/product/17592/483817">Chalkboard Cheese Slab & Knife Set</a></b></div>
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<a href="https://okl2.scene7.com/is/image/OKL/Product_FTD10683_Image_1?$product$" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://okl2.scene7.com/is/image/OKL/Product_FTD10683_Image_1?$product$" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.onekingslane.com/product/17592/1050116">Yours, Mine & Ours Carafe & Glasses</a></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Gilt </b></span></div>
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<a href="http://cdn2.gilt.com/images/share/uploads/0000/0001/5399/153996317/300x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://cdn2.gilt.com/images/share/uploads/0000/0001/5399/153996317/300x400.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.gilt.com/sale/women/essentials-fall-shoes">Winne Ballet Flat</a></b></div>
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<a href="http://cdn1.gilt.com/images/share/uploads/0000/0001/6598/165980272/300x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://cdn1.gilt.com/images/share/uploads/0000/0001/6598/165980272/300x400.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.gilt.com/sale/women/coat-rack-2104/product/144397872-cynthia-steffe-london-leather-trim-trench-coat">Cynthia Steffe Leather Trim Trench Coat</a></b></div>
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<a href="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?id=I.4642568389722752&pid=1.9" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?id=I.4642568389722752&pid=1.9" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.gilt.com/sale/women/lauren-merkin-5608">Lauren Merkin Sale</a></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.bellocoffeeshop.com/assets/images/086279014337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.bellocoffeeshop.com/assets/images/086279014337.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.gilt.com/home/sale/coffee-and-tea-event-3777/45559535-cuisinart-15-bar-espresso-maker">Cuisinart Espresso Maker</a></b></div>
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<a href="http://cdn1.gilt.com/images/share/uploads/0000/0001/6610/166106253/lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://cdn1.gilt.com/images/share/uploads/0000/0001/6610/166106253/lg.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.gilt.com/home/sale/kitchenaid-9453/163730837-kitchenaid-artisan-5qt-stand-mixer-with-pouring-shield">Kitchen Aid Mixer</a></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.popshopbags.com/image/cache/data/Mulberry1240-500x500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Rue La La</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.popshopbags.com/image/cache/data/Mulberry1240-500x500.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.popshopbags.com/image/cache/data/Mulberry1240-500x500.jpg" width="320" /></a><b> </b></div>
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<b> <a href="http://www.ruelala.com/event/61122">Mulberry Sale</a></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Outnet</b></span><br />
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<a href="http://cache.theoutnet.com/images/products/179912/179912_in_xl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://cache.theoutnet.com/images/products/179912/179912_in_xl.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.theoutnet.com/am/product/179912?cm_mmc=Email-_-JustIn-_-Thakoon291112-_-Product">Temperly London Dress</a></b><br />
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<a href="http://cache.theoutnet.com/images/products/254987/254987_in_xl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://cache.theoutnet.com/images/products/254987/254987_in_xl.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.theoutnet.com/product/254987">Thakoon Jacket</a></b></div>
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<a href="http://cache.theoutnet.com/images/products/176713/176713_in_xl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://cache.theoutnet.com/images/products/176713/176713_in_xl.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.theoutnet.com/am/product/176713?cm_mmc=Email-_-JustIn-_-Thakoon291112-_-Product">Burberry Brit Trench</a></b></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101912738732330061.post-24953284383856430912012-11-28T23:25:00.000-05:002012-11-29T09:44:59.170-05:00Hello, Friend<div style="text-align: center;">
I love to write my blog but I also love to <span style="font-size: large;">read the blogs</span> of other women (and a few men as well). Whether I find similarities or differences or simply something interesting to forward to a friend, I do not know what I would do without my daily routine of stopping by my favorite web addresses to see what my favorite bloggers have been doing or making or eating or coveting recently. Even though they are strangers that I will most likely never meet, all of these bloggers <span style="font-size: large;">feel like old friends.</span></div>
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Here are some of the <span style="font-size: large;">best blogs (in my opinion)</span> and in <span style="font-size: large;">no particular order</span> or rank:</div>
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<a href="http://cupcakesandcashmere.com/"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Cupcakes & Cashmere</b></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://theeverygirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/TheEverygirl_EmilySchuman_featureimage-229x229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://theeverygirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/TheEverygirl_EmilySchuman_featureimage-229x229.jpg" /></a></div>
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Emily Schuman writes Cupcakes & Cashmere where she covers the various elements of her personal style including fashion, recipes and even a little home decor. Every Friday she picks her five favorite things of the week, a wonderful and upbeat way to head into the weekend for both her (presumably) and you (definitely). She recently published her first book of the same name and she has several collaborations with major brands including a one-off design opportunity with Coach and an ongoing partnership with Estee Lauder.<b> </b></div>
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<a href="http://9to5chic.com/"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>9 to 5 Chic</b></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://sassyhongkong.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/9to5Chic+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://sassyhongkong.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/9to5Chic+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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9 to 5 chic specializes in city style for the professional woman (the blogger lives in San Francisco). The mix of high fashion (ahem, Celine tote) and high street fashion (lots of Zara) results in an office-appropriate look that does not sacrifice style or femininity.</div>
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<a href="http://www.garancedore.fr/en/"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Garance Dore</b></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://media.onsugar.com/files/2010/08/34/2/166/1668379/49d23d4043096759_Garance_Dore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media.onsugar.com/files/2010/08/34/2/166/1668379/49d23d4043096759_Garance_Dore.jpg" width="229" /></a></div>
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Garance Dore epitomizes French chic with a New York twist (she has finally become accustomed to and discovered the joys of American coffee!). The best parts of her blog (among the many, many amazing aspects of this blog) are her video interviews with stylemakers and her coverage of classic style items such as the white button down and the moccasin.</div>
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<a href="http://stylebykling.nowmanifest.com/"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Style by Kling</b></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://elinkling.nowmanifest.com/files/2012/11/ELIN-KLING-For-Marciano12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://elinkling.nowmanifest.com/files/2012/11/ELIN-KLING-For-Marciano12.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b> </b>Swedish blogger turned Guess capsule designer and model, Elin Kling is also a New York City transplant with a heavy dose of classic style. Elin's style tends towards classic black and structure with a little bit of edge. </div>
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<a href="http://tazaandhusband.com/"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Rockstar Diaries</b></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmufrgiTk16BtBKBJJlP8HfB50cji602zfV9JIwRkB8V2QGtuCplNDcpFVIvjJZP9xsJIHuHTgziFNFsMmdeAxCe081Hgy29pqHDhW28LW-icA9m0DVpYlouK_KdvwXsaP3TCKrvzUSj2p/s800/BLOGROME5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmufrgiTk16BtBKBJJlP8HfB50cji602zfV9JIwRkB8V2QGtuCplNDcpFVIvjJZP9xsJIHuHTgziFNFsMmdeAxCe081Hgy29pqHDhW28LW-icA9m0DVpYlouK_KdvwXsaP3TCKrvzUSj2p/s320/BLOGROME5.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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Naomi and husband met in New York City while she was a student at Julliard and he was a student at Columbia. One wedding, two kids, a dog, and two major moves later, they are still documenting their lives together. Stop here for a little fashion, food, advice and an endless array of fun family photos.</div>
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<a href="http://elementsofstyleblog.com/"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Elements of Style</b></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://5sprboston.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/erin-gates-267.jpg?w=600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://5sprboston.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/erin-gates-267.jpg?w=600" /></a></div>
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Erin Gates is an interior designer with a sharply honed fashion sense. She is also incredibly honest about issues such as relationships, self-esteem and the horrors of home restoration. Her blog is inspirational and just a really fun read.</div>
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<a href="http://paloma81.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>La Dolce Vita</b></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://twimg0-a.akamaihd.net/profile_images/1507179130/paloma_buckingham.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://twimg0-a.akamaihd.net/profile_images/1507179130/paloma_buckingham.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<b> </b>Interior design inspiration and a little fashion thrown in for good measure. Paloma used to be editor-in-chief of a digital shelter magazine and her editorial skills are demonstrated daily on this blog.</div>
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<b><br /><a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">Apartment Therapy</span></a></b></div>
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<a href="http://i-cdn.apartmenttherapy.com/uimages/chicago/summer03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i-cdn.apartmenttherapy.com/uimages/chicago/summer03.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
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This blog is the go to space for interior design in a small space. City dwellers should take note and submit their own spaces for inclusion on this webpage.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.lettersofnote.com/"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Letters of Note</b></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8292/7561906340_f90c5d5821_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8292/7561906340_f90c5d5821_o.jpg" width="320" /></a><b> </b></div>
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E-mail has all but replaced snail mail but that does not mean the written word is dead. This site collects letters from famous individuals and letters that are merely incredibly interesting and publishes them along with a brief description of the context of the letter. The site is always a fascinating read and commonly a lesson in pop culture, human nature and history.</div>
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<b> </b></div>
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<a href="http://apieceoftoastblog.com/"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>A Piece of Toast</b></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.fashionandafellow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/molly-and-sally.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.fashionandafellow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/molly-and-sally.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>
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<b> </b>Two sisters who live in Dallas share their sparkling fashion aesthetic and equally sparkling personalities.</div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandjeans.com/"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Dreams + Jeans</b></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandjeans.com/storage/LA_02.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1353989994835" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="158" src="http://www.dreamsandjeans.com/storage/LA_02.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1353989994835" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b> </b>Another fashion blog with enough personality to keep you coming back for more sartorial intel.</div>
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<a href="http://sousstyle.com/"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Sous Style</b></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.sohautestyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/pippa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.sohautestyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/pippa.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>
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<b> </b>Recipes! Fashion! Fashionable people cooking in unbelievably tiny kitchens! This blog is basically some version of my life.</div>
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<a href="http://www.thesartorialist.com/"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Sartorialist</b></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.thesartorialist.com/wp-content/themes/sartorialist/images/author.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://www.thesartorialist.com/wp-content/themes/sartorialist/images/author.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b> </b>Scott Schuman photographs individuals on the street and posts their look online to create the ultimate global street style blog. If you are not skimming this blog or the resulting books, then you are missing out on a gripping aesthetic and anthropological view of the world. Schuman's collaborations with fashion periodicals and fashion brands have been numerous including in the former category GQ magazine and in the latter category Kiehls and Gap.</div>
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<a href="http://www.toryburch.com/blog/torys-blog,default,pg.html"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Tory Burch Blog</b></span></a></div>
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Tory Burch has become a style icon in just a few short years. Her blog reveals the necessary components of iconic status including edited playlists by occasion, clothing choices for all seasons and travel for all corners of the globe.</div>
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<a href="http://matchbookmag.com/blog/"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Daily Spark</b></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/c0.0.403.403/p403x403/546933_436630759718290_1874934211_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/c0.0.403.403/p403x403/546933_436630759718290_1874934211_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b> </b>This blog is the blog relative to the digital magazine <i>Matchbook Magazine. </i>Peruse these posts for more in depth coverage of the magazine features as well as lists of items of interest whether cultural or commercial. See also, <i>The <a href="http://theneotraditionalist.com/">Neo-traditionalist </a></i>(same author, same aesthetic).</div>
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<a href="http://intothegloss.com/"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Into the Gloss </b></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://nozama.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ed05fc288330167610f7361970b-800wi" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://nozama.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ed05fc288330167610f7361970b-800wi" width="245" /></a></div>
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<b> </b>Emily Weiss is an NYU alum, former Vogue and Chanel intern and current "it" girl. Her blog covers beauty products and how to maximize one's own personal look. The best part of the blog is the "Top Shelf" column where style makers list their "can't live without"beauty picks. There are also various round table discussions (best lipstick, best deodorant) that are interesting to read if only to contrast with your own opinions on the subject.</div>
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<b>and, of course, there is this blog, <i><span style="font-size: large;">Olive Kelly</span>, </i>not in the same league as these lovely ladies (and gentlemen) but it IS<i> </i>a compendium of all things that I love and that makes it pretty special to me!</b></div>
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<a href="http://favim.com/orig/201106/14/black-and-white-charm-grace-kelly-life-lisa-larsen-roses-Favim.com-75529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="http://favim.com/orig/201106/14/black-and-white-charm-grace-kelly-life-lisa-larsen-roses-Favim.com-75529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Incidentally, <i>The Huffington Post </i>did name my <i>Olive Kelly </i>pinterest account as one of the top pinterest accounts to follow (the week it first appeared (<i>Nov. 12</i>) it was in <b>third place </b>out of the five selected) with the following photo and caption:</div>
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<a href="http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/253580/slide_253580_1739495_free.jpg?1352414921681" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/253580/slide_253580_1739495_free.jpg?1352414921681" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><a href="http://pinterest.com/olivekelly/">Olive Kelly</a>: If you love
Old Hollywood style, you've found your one-stop shop for all your
inspiration needs. This account shows you how to mix old influences with
modern touches (like the "<a href="http://pinterest.com/olivekelly/fade-to-black/">Fade To Black</a>" board which includes icons like Audrey Hepburn and Gwyneth Paltrow). </i></div>
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<b>When you are tired of surfing blogs, head over to check out some of my newly updated boards!</b></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101912738732330061.post-57565173128958404582012-11-28T13:33:00.000-05:002012-11-28T17:57:07.597-05:00My Little Obsessions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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Today is <span style="font-size: large;">Wednesday</span> or "Hump Day" and to make the mid-week lull a little more bearable, here are a few of the (many) <span style="font-size: large;">things I am currently obsessing over</span>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.heals.co.uk/content/ebiz/heals/invt/555102/555102_l.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.heals.co.uk/content/ebiz/heals/invt/555102/555102_l.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.shopbop.com/smart-phone-dock-jonathan-adler/vp/v=1/845524441955972.htm?folderID=2534374302188161&colorId=29105&extid=affprg-4441350">Jonathan Adler Smartphone Dock</a></b></div>
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<b>An old-fashioned look to solve a modern problem: the fact that my smartphone NEVER seems to be charged.</b></div>
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<a href="http://s7.jcrew.com/is/image/jcrew/99375_BR6683_m?$pdp_fs418$" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://s7.jcrew.com/is/image/jcrew/99375_BR6683_m?$pdp_fs418$" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.jcrew.com/womens_feature/NewArrivals/outerwear/PRDOVR%7E99375/99375.jsp">J. Crew Collection Toggle Coat</a></b></div>
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<b>A super chic coat that also looks incredibly comfortable.</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.groominglounge.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/1000x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/p/e/peppermint_shampoo_8oz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.groominglounge.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/1000x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/p/e/peppermint_shampoo_8oz.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.barneys.com/Malin-Goetz-Peppermint-Shampoo---16-oz./00505011537830,default,pd.html?q=malin%20goetz&index=5">Malin + Goetz Peppermint Shampoo</a></b></div>
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<b>Peppermint scented shampoo for the holiday season.</b></div>
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<b><a href="http://shop.mrboddington.com/collections/holiday/products/advent-calendar">Mr. Boddington's Studio Advent Calendar</a></b></div>
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<b>Advent calendars are usually sort of...well, ugly. I love this modern twist on the holiday tradition</b></div>
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<a href="http://s7d5.scene7.com/is/image/ToryBurchLLC/TB_41127218_920?$trb_detail$" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://s7d5.scene7.com/is/image/ToryBurchLLC/TB_41127218_920?$trb_detail$" width="279" /> </a></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.toryburch.com/Torys-Gift-Guide/gifts-most-wanted,default,sc.html">Tory Burch Backgammon Set</a></b></div>
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<b>Play backgammon on the go with style</b></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.toryburch.com/Torys-Gift-Guide/gifts-most-wanted,default,sc.html">Tory Burch Earrings</a></b></div>
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<b>I love green drop earrings and the malachite look of these earrings matches the face of my watch perfectly.</b></div>
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<b><a href="http://cn1.kaboodle.com/hi/img/2/0/0/13/f/AAAAAjs1ER0AAAAAABP5oA.jpg?v=1164419881000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cn1.kaboodle.com/hi/img/2/0/0/13/f/AAAAAjs1ER0AAAAAABP5oA.jpg?v=1164419881000" /></a></b></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/essential-oils-collection-winter-forest/">Williams-Sonoma Winter Forest Hand Soap and Lotion</a></b></div>
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<b>Whether in your bathroom or kitchen, washing your hands with this winter forest scent will put you in the holiday spirit even when you are doing the most mundane tasks.</b><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Hs4AUuZ9TKk?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
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<b>...and a song I have been listening to on repeat..</b>.<b>"<i>I've Got my Love to Keep Me Warm"</i> </b></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101912738732330061.post-75877602701479832192012-11-27T17:33:00.000-05:002012-11-27T17:33:35.598-05:00Up Close & Personal: A Gift Giving Guide<span style="font-size: large;">Gift giving</span>: that joyous task that accompanies the holiday season and that, once you reach an age past ten, does not generally include homemade items (unless you are an artist/furniture maker/vintner/as crafty as Martha Stewart). Eventually we reach an age where we have to PURCHASE gifts for our various friends and family members and, when you are in your twenties, purchasing something grandiose and fabulous is generally out of the question (but oh! the fun I have with the Vogue/Town & Country/Goop gift guides).<br />
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<b>(Princess Grace wraps Christmas gifts for her children</b>)</div>
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I find that meaningful gift giving in your twenties often involves something (a) personalized or (b) that can be actively experienced. Some examples: <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Personalized Cutting Board</b></span></div>
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<b> </b>Full disclosure: I actually got this idea from the aforementioned and otherwise very expensive GOOP gift guide. The personalized cutting board, however, is on the lower end of the GOOP pricing spectrum. Plus, a house ware can usually go to a <i>couple </i>making it two gifts for the price of one. I ordered <a href="http://themonogramshops.com/Web/MgSProductDtl.aspx?Id=400">this cutting board</a> from <a href="http://themonogramshops.com/Web/MgSIndex.aspx">The Monogram Shop</a> and, instead of just putting a family name or monogram, put the address of a family member who recently began to build their dream home (NOTE: monogramming is not included in the price and a longer monogram/phrase will, of course, be more expensive). They are personalizing an entire home and now they will have a cutting board that is made for their dream kitchen as well. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Monogrammed Anything</b></span></div>
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<b> </b>Necklaces with the initial or monogram of a friend or the initial of their child/children is always a beautiful gift to give (bangles work as well). Also, daily planners or makeup bags are great daily use items that can be personalized and that will keep you in your friends thoughts every time they use that item. If you have a friend who has a new apartment, give them a personalized throw blanket or hand towels. If you know someone who was recently married and loves giving dinner parties, linen napkins with their new monogram make a great gift. Also, there is the old monogram standby, the L.L. Bean tote, a practical gift that is also stylish and available in an array of colors (NOTE: If you have a friend who just had a baby/is about to have a baby, get the baby's name on one of these totes as a cute and casual diaper bag).</div>
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<a href="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?id=I.4623885279953476&pid=1.9" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?id=I.4623885279953476&pid=1.9" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.usmagazine.com/uploads/assets/photo_galleries/regular_galleries/1399-celebrity-style-must-haves/photos/1324502682_sarah-chloe-bangles-lg.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="129" src="http://www.usmagazine.com/uploads/assets/photo_galleries/regular_galleries/1399-celebrity-style-must-haves/photos/1324502682_sarah-chloe-bangles-lg.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Purchase Monogrammed Jewelry from <a href="http://www.markandgraham.com/?bnrid=1402101&cm_ven=BrandSearch&cm_cat=MSN&cm_pla=Exact&cm_ite=mark+graham">Mark & Graham</a>, <a href="http://www.sarahchloe.com/">Sarah Chloe</a> or <a href="http://delicateraymond.com/vintage-monogram-necklace.aspx">Delicate Raymond</a></span></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.potterybarn.com/products/tomlin-luggage-cosmetic-bag/?pkey=cgifts-personalized&cm_src=gifts-personalized%7C%7CNoFacet-_-NoFacet-_--_-">Pottery Barn Monogram Cosmetic Bag</a></b></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.markandgraham.com/products/gentlemans-dop-kit/?pkey=cpersonalized-cosmetic-bags">Mark & Graham Personalized Dopp Kit for the Gentleman</a></b></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.louisvuitton.com/front/#/dispatch">Louis Vuitton will Monogram Agendas & Cosmetic Bags</a></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.potterybarn.com/products/banded-knit-throw/?pkey=cmonogram-shop-accessories&cm_src=monogram-shop-accessories%7C%7CNoFacet-_-NoFacet-_--_-">Pottery Barn will monogram this throw as well as several other designs...</a></div>
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<a href="http://images.bloomingdales.com/is/image/BLM/products/2/optimized/1059952_fpx.tif?wid=300&qlt=100,0&layer=comp&op_sharpen=0&resMode=bilin&op_usm=0.7,1.0,0.5,0&fmt=jpeg&4msn=.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://images.bloomingdales.com/is/image/BLM/products/2/optimized/1059952_fpx.tif?wid=300&qlt=100,0&layer=comp&op_sharpen=0&resMode=bilin&op_usm=0.7,1.0,0.5,0&fmt=jpeg&4msn=.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www1.bloomingdales.com/shop/registry/wedding/product/avanti-monogram-letter-towels-white-gray?ID=478355">Bloomingdales Monogrammed Hand Towels</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.markandgraham.com/products/linen-satin-stitch-dinner-napkins/?pkey=cdining">Monogrammed Napkins</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.realbeauty.com/cm/realbeauty/images/Kg/rby-ll-bean-monogrammed-boat-tote-mdn-2910045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.realbeauty.com/cm/realbeauty/images/Kg/rby-ll-bean-monogrammed-boat-tote-mdn-2910045.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/504173?qs=3005078_pmd_msn">L.L. Bean Tote</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>"This Book Belongs to..." Stamp</b></span></div>
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My second eldest sister got married a few years ago and I was at a loss as to what to buy her for her wedding. She does not cook and does not really care about decorating her house (I have always insisted that we need to get genetic testing done to see if we are, in fact, related). The one thing she definitively loves is to read<b> </b>so for her wedding I bought her a personalized rubber stamp with a sail boat (her husband coaches sailing) and the words <i>"From the Library of (their married names here)". </i>The stamp was a big hit and she immediately went home and personalized her extensive library with her new name. Even if your friend is not getting married but just loves to read, a stamp like this one makes a great gift. If you have a friend who loves to read but with their iPad or eReader get them a case with the same words on it: <i>"From the Library of" </i>gives an old-fashioned twist to the modern technology.</div>
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<a href="http://img3.etsystatic.com/000/0/5240828/il_fullxfull.351992363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://img3.etsystatic.com/000/0/5240828/il_fullxfull.351992363.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /><b><a href="http://www.rubberstampchamp.com/category.aspx?categoryID=637">Personalized Rubber Stamp</a></b></div>
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<b><i>I bought mine from a local boutique (local to my hometown) in Stuart, Florida called <a href="http://matildasofstuart.com/">Matildas</a>. They sell these stamps at many stationary stores (usually anywhere you can buy wedding invites, etc.).</i> </b></div>
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<a href="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?id=CVxCJlWi%2fOhWYLg&pid=Commerce" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?id=CVxCJlWi%2fOhWYLg&pid=Commerce" width="256" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.usmagazine.com/uploads/assets/photo_galleries/regular_galleries/1399-celebrity-style-must-haves/photos/1324502682_sarah-chloe-bangles-lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<b>Personalized E-Reader or iPad Cases</b></div>
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<b>Example found <a href="http://www.neimanmarcus.com/p/Graphic-Image-iPhone-iPad-Cases/prod141980038/?ecid=NMCIShoppingFeed&003=5838899&010=prod137590085skuBLUE&srccode=cii_13736960&cpncode=30-91148965-2">here at Neiman Marcus</a></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Stationary</b></span></div>
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I have always believed that the ultimate in personalized stationary is by the company Mrs. John L. Strong (they made Brooke Astor's stationary!). However, there are tons of alternative options at lower price points and with just as much panache. Snail mail seems out of date? Head over to Paperless Post and get your friend a gift card: they can order their own personalized snail mail stationary to match their Paperless Post e-stationary.<b> </b></div>
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<a href="http://s4de71f1237791.img.gostorego.com/802754/cdn/media/s4/de/71/f1/23/77/91/catalog/product/cache/1/image/370x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/img_7858_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://s4de71f1237791.img.gostorego.com/802754/cdn/media/s4/de/71/f1/23/77/91/catalog/product/cache/1/image/370x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/img_7858_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Personalized stationary found <a href="http://store.walnutpaperie.com/stationery/stationery-002.html">here</a> and <a href="http://www.mrsstrong.com/home.aspx">here</a> and everywhere</b></div>
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<a href="http://assets1.paperlesspost.com/card_sides/carousel_wide/44018871/cc813b00e3de012f2410005056b72840-31-5721042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="http://assets1.paperlesspost.com/card_sides/carousel_wide/44018871/cc813b00e3de012f2410005056b72840-31-5721042.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.paperlesspost.com/">Paperless Post</a></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b> Photo Album</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://ts3.mm.bing.net/th?id=CTqgKjBxRPM6FoA&pid=Commerce" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ts3.mm.bing.net/th?id=CTqgKjBxRPM6FoA&pid=Commerce" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.orvis.com/store/product.aspx?pf_id=50G5&adv=105497&cm_mmc=AmazonAds-_-Prod_feeds-_-Prod_feeds-_-105497">Personalized Photo Album</a></b></div>
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<i><b>There are also many great options on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/search?q=personalized+photo+album&view_type=gallery&ship_to=ZZ&page=2">Etsy.</a></b></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Gym, Tan, Gift</b></span></div>
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My best friend loves Physique 57 and everyone I know loves Soul Cycle. We all know (even if we have to force ourselves to resist them most of the time) that those specialized gym classes are expensive so purchase a gift certificate for your friend to their favorite class or buy them a tanning package if they like to tan. A friend who loves facials? Buy them a new type of facial that they have never tried. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Wine of the Month/Cheese of the Month/Whatever Your Recipient Loves of the Month Club</b></span></div>
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You have a friend who is an oenophile or a cheesehead in the non-Wisconsin sports sense? Purchase a wine of the month/cheese of the month (I never understood why Liz Lemon was judged for this)/fruit of the month (Florida orange groves send beautiful citrus year round) membership for you friend. Harry & David has lovely packages as do many vineyards in Napa. </div>
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<a href="http://www.vivaterra.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/z/m/zm_slate-cheese-bd_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="http://www.vivaterra.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/z/m/zm_slate-cheese-bd_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I Always Wanted to But Never had the Chance to "X"</b></span></div>
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I have a friend who has always wanted to learn to ski, another who wants to take up tennis again and a third who always wanted to try horseback riding. You can fulfill their dream at least for a day by purchasing them a lesson (purchase a tennis lesson or ten at Chelsea Piers, buy a certificate for an afternoon of horseback riding in Central Park<b>, </b>or take advantage of the numerous Gilt specials for discounted ski lessons upstate).</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101912738732330061.post-15699588285840912502012-11-26T17:42:00.000-05:002012-11-26T17:42:14.362-05:00Cinema with Style: Black SwanThe tickets for the <span style="font-size: large;">New York City Ballet's </span><i><span style="font-size: large;">The Nutcracker</span> </i>finally went on sale last week and the new New York City Ballet Exhibit at the Foley Gallery opens this week.<br />
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Attending<i> The Nutcracker </i>ballet is a tradition my mother and I have had since I was five years old. We get dressed up, see the <i>Nutcracker </i>and go to a girls only dinner.<br />
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The <span style="font-size: large;">Foley Gallery</span> exhibit, <i><a href="http://nymag.com/thecut/2012/11/henry-leutwyler-new-york-city-ballet.html#">Behind the Curtain of the New York City Ballet</a>,</i> is a result of photographer <span style="font-size: large;">Henry Leutwyler</span> spending a year<span style="font-size: large;"> behind the scenes</span> at the ballet photographing various moments that capture the lives of the dancers and the choreographers. The exhibit is open from November 28th through January 6th. Hopefully, when my mom visits for the ballet we will have time to stop by this exhibit as well.<br />
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With all of the exciting ballet-filled activities on the horizon, I am yearning to watch one of my favorite ballet movies:<i> Black Swan</i>.<br />
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Although <i>Black Swan</i> is technically a horror film, the dance costumes by Rodarte and Natalie Portman's off duty ballet-inspired clothes are equally beautiful and always make me want to play the part of the delicate ballerina in the form of my street clothes and holiday party attire. "Ballerina" is a role even ten years of ballet lessons could not get my two left feet even remotely near achieving so, alas, I am left to play the role of ballerina through dress up with <i>Black Swan </i>as my inspiration.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Casual Dance Wear</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Inspires Casual Lounge Wear</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.yoox.com/us/39283219BO/item?dept=women&tp=11227#cod10=39283219BO&sizeId=">Jucca Cardigan</a></div>
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<a href="http://cdna.lystit.com/photos/2011/10/20/donna-karan-gray-stretch-cashmere-blend-leggings-product-1-2239710-226982937_medium_card.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cdna.lystit.com/photos/2011/10/20/donna-karan-gray-stretch-cashmere-blend-leggings-product-1-2239710-226982937_medium_card.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/333819">Donna Karan Gray Cashmere-Blend Leggings</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.theoutnet.com/product/180324">Kain Classic Silk Tank</a></div>
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<a href="http://demandware.edgesuite.net/aaff_prd/on/demandware.static/Sites-UGG-US-Site/Sites-masterCatalogUgg/default/v1353771924766/images/large/5819-GREY_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://demandware.edgesuite.net/aaff_prd/on/demandware.static/Sites-UGG-US-Site/Sites-masterCatalogUgg/default/v1353771924766/images/large/5819-GREY_2.jpg" width="287" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.uggaustralia.com/womens-classic-cardy-knit-boots/5819,default,pd.html">Ugg Knit Boots</a></div>
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<br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>White Swan </b></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101912738732330061.post-44235522473812349402012-11-20T13:53:00.001-05:002012-11-20T13:53:14.377-05:00 Essential Christmas Movies According to an Expert <u><b>The Classics</b></u><br />
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<b><i>Christmas in Connecticut (1945)</i></b></div>
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<b>Barbara Stanwyck stars as a single city girl and journalist who lives in Manhattan and writes a column about the perfect home life in which she pretends she is actually a young married mother of one who lives in Connecticut. When she has to be interviewed for the holidays, she borrows a Connecticut home, a husband and a baby. Hilarity ensues and a little romance as well. This movie is laugh out loud funny (the baby comes and goes) and way ahead of its time (as are most Barbara Stanwyck movies...cross-reference with <i>The Holiday </i>below where we are told that Stanwyck is the Hollywood star with the most <i>gumption </i>in her films).<i> </i></b><br />
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<b><i>It's a Wonderful Life (1946)</i></b></div>
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<b>Although it often bothers me that this is the movie that most of America knows Mr. Jimmy Stewart for (ahem...Vertigo? Rope? Rear Window?), I still enjoy watching it at least once every Christmas. The movie serves as a reminder that it really is a wonderful life (a corny yet true sentiment and a message that is universally overlooked) and the "lasso the moon" scene is one of the most adorably romantic scenes in cinematic history. </b><br />
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<b><i>Meet me in St. Louis (1944)</i></b></div>
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<b>I placed this movie in my "Comfort Cinema" post and it shows up here again. There are Halloween scenes and summer scenes as well but the climactic point of the movie occurs at Christmastime. This movie is, after all, a movie about the importance of home and family. The Smith family builds a family of snow people in the backyard of their St. Louis home and it is the fact that those snow people will be left behind to melt alone when they move to their New York City apartment a few days later that causes the Smith daughters to realize the enormity of their move. Also, several of the elder Smith girls get long-awaited marriage proposals at Christmas, Judy Garland wears a gorgeous red dress and we get our happy Christmas ending wrapped up in a bow. Perhaps the best part of the Christmas scenes? Judy Garland debuted <i>Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas </i>which thereafter became the classic Christmas melody we all know and love today.</b><br />
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<b><i>Holiday Inn (1942)</i></b></div>
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<b>Bing Crosby + Fred Astaire + Irving Berlin=Christmas</b><br />
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<b>The song <i>White Christmas </i>was written expressly for the film and the movie is worth watching just to hear Crosby belt out those notes as smoothly as freshly fallen snow. </b><br />
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<b><i>White Christmas (1954)</i></b></div>
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<b>Irving & Bing are back with White Christmas, the story of a successful song and dance team that partners with two sisters (including Rosemary Clooney) in order to save a failing Vermont inn at Christmastime with their Christmas revue. Of course, they sing <i>White Christmas</i>, the movie's namesake and the song introduced by the earlier Berlin/Crosby partnership, but my favorite song in the entire movie is <i>Snow (</i>as in "I'm gonna wash my hair, my face, my hands with snow!<i>"). </i></b><br />
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<b><i><span style="color: red;">Miracle on 34th Street (1947)</span></i></b><br />
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<b>The original Miracle on 34th Street has without a doubt stood the test of time. Natalie Wood plays the little girl and the parade is the actual Macy's parade (instead of the Cole's parade that appears in the later film). The film won several Academy Awards including Best Original Story and Best Writing but just missed out on Best Picture which went to <i>Gentleman's Agreement.</i></b><br />
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<b><i><span style="color: red;">The Year without a Santa Claus (1974)</span></i></b><br />
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<b><i>Did you ever hear of that terrible year, way back before you were born...when Santa Claus took a holiday on the night before Christmas morn...</i></b><br />
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<b>So starts <i>The Year without a Santa Claus, </i>a story that is part of the Rankin/Bass stop animation family. We learn that Santa Claus is sick and fed up with the lack of Christmas spirit and he declares that he will not be delivering presents for Christmas. Two elves, Jingle & Jangle, join forces with a new reindeer and Mrs. Claus to rouse up some Christmas spirit in Southtown U.S.A. and try save the holiday. Heat Meiser and Snow Meiser, the two sons of Mother Nature, make brief and entertaining appearances and these two original characters are some of the best created in a Christmas tale.<i> </i></b><br />
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<b><i><span style="color: red;">Santa Claus is Comin' to Town (1970)</span></i></b><br />
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<b>Another favorite of the Rankin/Bass film repertoire is this origin story of Santa Claus or Kris Kringle. The movie covers Santa's story from his early days as an orphan, to his career as an outlaw and eventually his status as legendary figure. Fred Astaire narrates. Mickey Rooney is the voice of Kris Kringle.<i> </i></b><br />
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<b><u>Contemporary Classics</u></b><br />
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<b><i><span style="color: red;">Elf (2003)</span></i></b><br />
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<b>The childlike naivete of thirty-year-old Buddy the elf, an individual who was born human but raised as an elf by Bob Newhart (here known as "Papa Elf") is endearing from the get go. He eats spaghetti with maple syrup, makes paper snowflakes, throws a mean snowball and joins his love interest in a rousing rendition of "Baby it's Cold Outside" without feeling any awkwardness that he is standing just outside of her shower. Although the Christmas feel-good messages of the importance of family as priority, caring for others and Christmas spirit generally are the same as so many other Christmas tales, this movie gives those themes a fresh spin and Will Farrell is perfection as the clueless but lovable Buddy the Elf.</b><br />
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<b><i>How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)</i></b></div>
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<b><i> </i>The animated version of this movie is great as well but is more suited for small children. The version starring Jim Carrey as the Grinch and Taylor Momson as a pre-eyeliner/hooker boot Cindy Lou Who (that's a description of Momson's later path...not Cindy) weaves the solid Dr. Seuss fable with a few adult jokes and some dazzling Who-ville set design. My favorite character is Martha May Whovier, mostly because every single time Christine Baranski is on screen as this character she does more than steal the show....she takes it to the top of Mount Krumpet and beyond.</b><br />
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<b><i><span style="color: red;">Miracle on 34th Street (1994)</span></i></b><br />
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<b>Usually I dislike remakes, but I love this version of <i>Miracle on 34th Street. </i>The movie itself is beautiful: the Santa suit, Susan's dresses, Dorey's crisp coats and leather gloves, and Dylan McDermott in a turtleneck. The story still resonates as well. I still tear up every time I see the scene where young Susan hands the judge a Christmas card with a dollar bill, causing the judge to realize that he can in fact rule in favor of Santa Claus (and save Christmas!).</b><br />
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<b><i> </i></b><br />
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<b><i>Home Alone (1 & 2) (1990 and 1992)</i></b></div>
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<b><i> </i>Most of my friends prefer the original to the sequel where Kevin is lost in New York City. I prefer the latter because nowhere is more beautiful than New York at Christmas and I always fondly recall the scene where his mother finds him at Rockefeller Center in front of the tree when I am walking to work at Rockefeller Center.</b><br />
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<b><i>Little Women (1994) </i></b></div>
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<b>Again, this movie made my Comfort Cinema post as well. The holiday season is about moments spent with family and there is simply no better family to spend it with than the March family (except, perhaps, your OWN family but you will have to turn to home movies/real life for that one). The opening scene in the snow where the girls are caroling always puts me in the holiday spirit. </b><br />
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<b><u>Childhood Favorites that Transcend Childhood</u></b><br />
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<b><i>Flinstone Christmas Carol</i></b></div>
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<b>Fred plays Scrooge in the local Bedrock production and it goes to his head. As a result of his <i>method acting </i>he becomes a real-life Scrooge. Predictable but enjoyable...</b><br />
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<b><i> </i></b><br />
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<b><i>Muppet Family Christmas</i></b></div>
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<b>The Muppets gather with their friends from Sesame Street (and Fraggle Rock, children of the 1980s and early 1990s) and spend the holidays at Fozzie Bear's family farm. Heartwarming and the jokes are sharp enough to entertain adults as well as children (at least this adult).</b><br />
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<b><i>Beauty & the Beast's Enchanted Christmas</i></b></div>
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<b>A Beast in a forest of evergreen trees, a staff that can throw together an elaborate party at a moments notice, and a story about a hideous creature who turns out to have a heart of gold create the perfect foundation for a holiday tale. The story is told through flashbacks back to the first Christmas Belle and the Beast spent together. An enchanting movie for Disney fans, it elaborates on the original instead of deviating from the traditional story (ahem, Cinderella sequels).</b><br />
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<b><i> </i></b><br />
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<b><u>Christmas Movies for Adults</u></b><br />
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<b><i>Bad Santa</i></b></div>
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<b>This movie does not start as your typical holiday fare (Billy Bob Thornton is in it, after all). He plays a man who poses as a mall Santa Claus during the Christmas season and then steals from the store once the season ends. An alcoholic and a generally not nice person, Billy Bob finds his heart when a little boy with a particular love for advent calendars and sandwiches takes him into his home and shows him a little unconditional love. Few movies can as effectively transition from heartless to heartwarming.</b><br />
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<b><i> </i></b><br />
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<b><i>Love Actually</i></b></div>
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<b>Colin Firth, Liam Neeson, Hugh Grant and a few of our other favorite Brits star in this multi-story tale about finding love at Christmas time. The movie achieves the impossible in making us care about each of the storylines. You will be rooting for each of these couples in the end. Be sure to look out for January Jones in her bit part as a girl in a Midwestern bar enamored with a young British tourist and his accent.</b><br />
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<b><i> </i></b><br />
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<b><i><br /><span style="color: red;">The Holiday</span></i></b><br />
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<b>I could talk endlessly about Cameron Diaz's outfits, Cameron Diaz's house, Ed Burns and Jude Law. There is also an endearing story here and a little Kate Winslet as well (although the casting of Ms. Winslet as the dowdy Iris challenges believability). If you are planning a ski vacation or simply want to feel as though you are on one, check it out for ski chalet clothing inspiration. Absent the sartorial splendor and architectural porn, <i>The Holiday </i>succeeds most at offering a warm holiday tale that delivers a happy ending with the unparalleled style that we have come to expect from a Nancy Myers film.</b><br />
<b><i> </i></b><br />
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<b><i>The Family Stone</i></b></div>
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<b>A quirky and tight knit Massachusetts family (ruled by matriarch Diane Keaton and that guy from the TV show <i>Coach</i>) meets their son's uptight Manhattan (works in finance) girlfriend (Sarah Jessica Parker). Unexpected hijinks ensue (and unexpected is hard to come by in most holiday fare). The entire cast of characters is entertaining and you will end up wanting to spend Christmas around their dinner table or at least wanting to spend a little longer watching their antics on screen.<i> </i></b><br />
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<u><b>A Category of Its Own</b></u><br />
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<b><i>Muppet Christmas Carol</i></b></div>
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<b>Greatest Christmas movie ever...and I am not alone in my praise. Top publications often include this movie as one of the best film interpretations of the Dickens classic. Michael Caine and Kermit the Frog star as Scrooge and Bob Cratchit respectively. People who are wary that it is (a) a children's movie and (b) a too often told tale always come away from this movie confirming that I am, in fact, right in my belief that this film is utterly fantastic and the best way to inspire a little holiday spirit.</b><br />
<b> </b><u><b> </b></u><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Happy Holidays!</span></b></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101912738732330061.post-52051235845979194252012-11-15T11:22:00.000-05:002012-11-15T20:05:58.399-05:00Dressing the TableHow to <span style="font-size: large;">dress the turkey</span> is not the only ritual of adornment required for a <span style="font-size: large;">holiday dinner</span>. <span style="font-size: large;">Dressing the table</span> and setting the general ambiance is just as important to setting the holiday mood (I voice this truism at the risk of sounding <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/11/06/pippa-s-simple-party-tips.html">Pippa-esque</a> in my excessive simplicity).<br />
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The perfect candles, dishes, flowers, table cloth and even apron can change the mood of the entire day. Here are some Thanksgiving decor tips on how to dress your table before (or after) you dress your turkey.<br />
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<b>Williams-Sonoma Champagne Flute</b></div>
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<b>Matching Wine Glasses Available as Well</b></div>
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<i>The gold rim gives these glasses a special holiday feel.</i><b> </b></div>
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<b>Williams-Sonoma Taper Candle Holders</b></div>
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<i>My mother always places these all around the table in addition to two larger taper candles in the center of the table. She does it at Thanksgiving and Christmas (and sometimes Easter as well) and the result is that the entire table seems to glow.</i></div>
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<b>Caspari Gold Taper Candles</b></div>
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<i>For the larger tapers in the center, the gold adds to the overall glow. I am sure I have listed these on this blog before but the Caspari gold tapers are my favorite for fall and holiday parties.</i><b> </b></div>
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<i> </i><b> </b></div>
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<b>Bernardaud China</b></div>
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<i>This china is basically my "reach" china in life but should I ever reach those heights, it would look beautiful on a Thanksgiving table.</i></div>
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<i> </i><b> </b></div>
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<b>Pottery Barn Carson Plaid Tablecloth</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/sites/files/marthastewart.com/images/content/pub/ms_living/2003Q4/la100435_1203_placecardht_l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.marthastewart.com/sites/files/marthastewart.com/images/content/pub/ms_living/2003Q4/la100435_1203_placecardht_l.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Rustic Placecard Holders </b></div>
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<b>Instructions Below Courtesy of Martha Stewart</b></div>
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<u><b><span class="subhead-level1">Tools and Materials</span></b></u><br />
Floral shears<br />
Evergreen branches (about the thickness of a pencil)<br />
Hot-glue gun<br />
Card stock<br />
Calligraphy or felt-tip pen<br />
Small evergreen sprigs<b> </b></div>
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1. With floral shears, cut slim evergreen branches into 4-inch segments.Trim off any nubs.<br />
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2. Holding two segments of about the same thickness, adjust them to fit together snugly -- this might<br />
require some twisting, turning, and further trimming.<br />
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3. Turn pair of branches over; run a line of hot glue across the pair's width, 1/4 inch from each end. Let dry.<br />
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4. Write a guest's name on a 1-by-2 1/2-inch piece of card stock.<br />
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5. Slip place card into holder; tuck a small evergreen sprig into one end.</div>
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<b>Cranberry Topiaries as Centerpieces</b></div>
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<b>Instructions Courtesy of Better Homes & Gardens</b></div>
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Using half toothpicks, skewer fresh cranberries
to various sizes of foam balls, available at local crafts stores. Cover
the foam completely with berries. Rest the balls on top of shapely
glass, silver, or mercury glass candlesticks to create statuesque
topiaries.<b> </b></div>
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<b>Transfer this simple gift wrapping look into a napkin ring concept</b></div>
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Tie a linen napkin with linen or twine and stick a sprig of evergreen inside.If you do not have the time to make the place cards, attaching a simple label to the ribbon or twine (as seen here) can serve the dual purpose of napkin ring and place card holder.</div>
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<b>Etsy Choisette Apron</b></div>
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In my opinion, the best hostess apron<b> </b>whether in the burlap shade or the more holiday appropriate red.</div>
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<b>Make edible holiday ornaments as party favors for your guests</b></div>
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You can use either a sugar cookie or gingerbrad recipe. I like these recipes from <b>Good Housekeeping </b>(they are the recipes my family uses every year!). Finish them off with twine to maintain the rustic holiday theme.</div>
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<b><a href="http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/recipefinder/sugar-cookie-cutouts-2634"><i>Sugar Cookies</i></a></b></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/recipefinder/gingerbread-cookie-cutouts-1675"><i>Gingerbread Cookies</i></a></b></div>
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<b style="color: red;"><i> </i></b><b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">Happy Thanksgiving!</span></b></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101912738732330061.post-49809641024873249592012-11-15T04:10:00.000-05:002012-11-15T04:10:00.496-05:00I Would be Proud to Partake of Your Pecan Pie<i>When Harry Met Sally </i>has numerous hilarious scenes, one of which is almost entirely improvised. The scene I am referencing is Harry awkwardly asking Sally out on a pseudo-date. He attempts to hide his awkwardness by turning the exchange into a lesson on how to speak in a funny accent that he tells her he has devised for them to speak to each other for the day. The phrase he uses to show her the staccato of the accent? <span style="font-size: large;"><i>"I would be proud to partake of your pecan pie"</i></span>. The phrase was Harry's inelegant way of asking Sally to a movie and the phrase will now also serve as my <span style="font-size: large;">inelegant way of introducing the promised pecan pie recipe.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Scene</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Pie </span></b></div>
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<strong><u>Southern Pecan Pie</u></strong></div>
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3 eggs</div>
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2/3 C. sugar</div>
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Dash salt</div>
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l Cup dark corn syrup</div>
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1/3 C. melted butter or margarine (I use butter)</div>
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1 C. to 1 1/2 C. pecans</div>
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<u>1 9- inch unbaked pastry shell</u></div>
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Beat eggs thoroughly with sugar, salt, corn syrup, and melted
butter. Add pecans. Mix pecans and batter. Pour into unbaked pastry
shell.</div>
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Bake in moderate oven (350) 50 minutes or till knife inserted halfway
between outside and center of filling comes out clean. Cool pie before
serving. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101912738732330061.post-87558177022744280562012-11-14T18:46:00.001-05:002012-11-14T18:51:55.815-05:00A Thanksgiving Appetizer<div style="text-align: center;">
No, this post is not about appetizers but the post itself is a <span style="font-size: large;">taste of the holiday to come</span> (next week already!).</div>
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<a href="http://media-cache-ec2.pinterest.com/upload/281475045431085641_QYMb8qB4_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="http://media-cache-ec2.pinterest.com/upload/281475045431085641_QYMb8qB4_c.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">(Classic Hand Turkey proving my role as a traditionalist)</span></b></div>
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I love Thanksgiving but I <span style="font-size: large;">pretty much hate Thanksgiving food</span>. Hate is a strong word. Thanksgiving food is not my favorite part of the holiday season with a major exception in the form of my grandmother's <span style="font-size: large;">pecan pie</span>. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-1S8MMyFnldjM_44aG4L-mgBv_hACzXofxtO9gS9ZVyeGtJ-uqBtMKEFFa62SnrjIUYF2kfgOzSS7IyvWd8713aUbBmC6aI0Lts2zOFFYVSQuj8ucpNiOyrXsSy3Jt5878HIkIw1D5NQ/s1600/201009-r-chocolate-pecan-pie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-1S8MMyFnldjM_44aG4L-mgBv_hACzXofxtO9gS9ZVyeGtJ-uqBtMKEFFa62SnrjIUYF2kfgOzSS7IyvWd8713aUbBmC6aI0Lts2zOFFYVSQuj8ucpNiOyrXsSy3Jt5878HIkIw1D5NQ/s1600/201009-r-chocolate-pecan-pie.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">(Pecan Pie Picture from Food and Wine...I promise my grandma's pie looks even better)</span></b></div>
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I am, however, a big traditionalist and I do not want to eradicate all aspects of Thanksgiving thoroughfare (and, after all, you can <span style="font-size: large;">walk it all off on Black Friday</span>).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlT3JNEvzdSxjgvRHi7Ra0XK42sEVBaLG6cnMEKbfahtbU9q2zsxYvQBSHh2nzzKkaOyAl3qMb-rFhxqisM6O8_TtV6hdWTsDyUkPvqhv2R11ilcdwUN6vG8Gm1Q49T6rxOY9RlZHGSFNH/s1600/blackfriday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlT3JNEvzdSxjgvRHi7Ra0XK42sEVBaLG6cnMEKbfahtbU9q2zsxYvQBSHh2nzzKkaOyAl3qMb-rFhxqisM6O8_TtV6hdWTsDyUkPvqhv2R11ilcdwUN6vG8Gm1Q49T6rxOY9RlZHGSFNH/s320/blackfriday.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">(A visual representation of Black Friday...or a soccer match...one of those)</span></b></div>
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Here are my ideas for a <span style="font-size: large;">Thanksgiving update</span>, keeping all of the tradition but eliminating the heavy gravy/mashed potato/I should have worn expandable pants and need to fall asleep now feeling (well, you might still feel the latter part but you will be significantly more satisfied). </div>
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<b style="color: red;">Warning: These dishes are not meant to be consumed in tandem.</b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #b45f06;">Food divided by the necessary flavors:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Butternut Squash (3 ways)</i></b></span></div>
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<i><b>Butternut Squash Lasagne </b></i></div>
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<i><b>Recipe courtesy of <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/butternut-squash-lasagna-recipe/index.html">Giada</a></b></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPsi7xK17PfEV_EuGZ68uQ1QKvrs9wofuOcE9g6PUr_Sp5Y7TOlYIabmZwm6XCqh0tn8BUmFzxREQtFLOkDbRSeOcn2KfCebZIr9b0LIlsyREFb7HvQ9i0pYYjotY0BSvmXi06RxA8-7MD/s1600/ButternutSquashLasagna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPsi7xK17PfEV_EuGZ68uQ1QKvrs9wofuOcE9g6PUr_Sp5Y7TOlYIabmZwm6XCqh0tn8BUmFzxREQtFLOkDbRSeOcn2KfCebZIr9b0LIlsyREFb7HvQ9i0pYYjotY0BSvmXi06RxA8-7MD/s320/ButternutSquashLasagna.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Eat pasta & squash & cheese and look like Giada! Ok, not really, but this Italian take on the fall favorite will be delicious even if it may not make you look delicious. I made it at my 2010 Christmas party and there was nothing left at the end of the evening.</i></div>
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<i><b>Parmesan Roasted Butternut Squash </b></i></div>
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<i><b>Recipe Courtesy of <a href="http://www.gourmet.com/recipes/2000s/2008/11/parmesan-roasted-butternut-squash">Gourmet Magazine</a></b></i></div>
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<a href="http://www.gourmet.com/images/recipes/2008/11/re-novpicks-butternutsquash608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.gourmet.com/images/recipes/2008/11/re-novpicks-butternutsquash608.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>The roasting aspect at least appears to make it slightly healthier and the Parmesan aspect certainly makes it infinitely tastier.</i><i><b> </b></i></div>
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<i><b>Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto with Sugared Walnuts </b></i></div>
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<i><b>Recipe Courtesy of <a href="http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/roasted-butternut-squash-risotto-with-sugared-walnuts-10000002012794/">Cooking Light Magazine</a></b></i><a href="http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/roasted-butternut-squash-risotto-with-sugared-walnuts-10000002012794/"><i><b> </b></i></a><i> </i></div>
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<a href="http://img4-3.myrecipes.timeinc.net/i/recipes/ck/10/10/butternut-risotto-ck-l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://img4-3.myrecipes.timeinc.net/i/recipes/ck/10/10/butternut-risotto-ck-l.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i>Still a side but with more layered fall flavors...</i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Turkey (3 ways)</i></b></span></div>
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<i><b>Turkey Osso Bucco </b></i></div>
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<i><b>Recipe Courtesy of Gwyneth Paltrow's <a href="http://www.goop.com/journal/make/200/feast">Goop</a></b></i></div>
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<a href="http://assets.goop.com/200/006/007.jpg?goop200006" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="http://assets.goop.com/200/006/007.jpg?goop200006" width="320" /></a></div>
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Allowing a change from the standard stuffed turkey, turkey osso bucco is still rich and decadent but with a simpler blend of flavors. </div>
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<i><b>Turkey Chili </b></i></div>
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<i><b>Recipe Courtesy of <a href="http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/turkey-bean-chili-10000002010993/">Cooking Light</a></b></i></div>
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<a href="http://img4-2.myrecipes.timeinc.net/i/recipes/ck/10/09/turkey-bean-chili-ck-l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://img4-2.myrecipes.timeinc.net/i/recipes/ck/10/09/turkey-bean-chili-ck-l.jpg" /></a></div>
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This turkey chili is incredibly light and with the addition of the lime and cilantro it is refreshing as well as comforting.<i><b> </b></i></div>
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<i><b>Turkey Bolognese </b></i></div>
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<i><b>Recipe Courtesy of <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/turkey-bolognese-recipe/reviews/index.html">Giada </a></b></i></div>
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<a href="http://img.foodnetwork.com/FOOD/2011/08/10/Thanksgiving-2011_EI0707-turkey-bolognese_s4x3_lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://img.foodnetwork.com/FOOD/2011/08/10/Thanksgiving-2011_EI0707-turkey-bolognese_s4x3_lg.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Full disclosure: this recipe is a personal favorite and as a bonus the ingredients are cheap and it is incredibly simple to execute (not to mention, it is DELECTABLE).<i><b> </b></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Cranberries (3 ways)</i></b></span></div>
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<b><i>Oatmeal, Cranberry & Chocolate Chunk Cookies </i></b></div>
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<b><i>Recipe Courtesy of <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/oatmeal-cranberry-and-chocolate-chunk-cookies-recipe/index.html">Giada</a></i></b></div>
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<a href="http://img.foodnetwork.com/FOOD/2011/02/02/GH0232H_oatmeal-cranberry-and-chocolate-chunk-cookies_s4x3_lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://img.foodnetwork.com/FOOD/2011/02/02/GH0232H_oatmeal-cranberry-and-chocolate-chunk-cookies_s4x3_lg.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Cranberry sauce is my least favorite part of the Thanksgiving meal (except for MAYBE gravy). Dessert is my favorite part. Forgetting about the sauce and putting that cranberry flavor into a dessert instead? Brilliant!</div>
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<b><i>Holiday Sticky Buns </i></b></div>
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<b><i>Recipe Courtesy of <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/holiday-sticky-buns-recipe/index.html">Ina Garten</a></i></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.smithbites.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/STICKY_8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://www.smithbites.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/STICKY_8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>...</i>Or have those cranberries as a decadently sweet breakfast (after all, you have to WARM UP for dinner)<b><i> </i></b><b><i> </i></b><b><i> </i></b></div>
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<b><i>Mixed Grain Pilaf with Cranberries and Pine nuts </i></b></div>
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<b><i>Recipe Courtesy of Williams-Sonoma</i></b></div>
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<a href="http://ab.wsimgs.com/wsimgs/ab/images/dp/recipe/201236/0018/img94l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ab.wsimgs.com/wsimgs/ab/images/dp/recipe/201236/0018/img94l.jpg" /></a></div>
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So you just HAVE to have cranberries with the main course? Put those cranberries in more of a supporting role with this simple Williams-Sonoma recipe (also check out that website's <i><a href="http://www.williams-sonoma.com/recipe/cranberry-sorbet.html?cm_src=RECIPESEARCH">Cranberry Sorbet</a> </i>which I resisted putting on here since that would be 7 dessert-like things).</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Stuffing </i></b></span></div>
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Is pretty good---if you want to splurge in an area that is not dessert, this food should be first in the running and perhaps (definitely) deserves its very own post.<b><i> </i></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Potatoes (3 ways)</i></b></span></div>
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<b><i>Crispy Lemon Potatoes </i></b></div>
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<b><i>Recipe courtesy of Gwyneth Paltrow's <a href="http://www.goop.com/journal/make/200/feast">Goop</a></i></b></div>
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<i>For those of you who still harbor some skepticism when it comes to GP's cooking prowess, you will be happy to know she has the official seal of approval from Jeffrey Steingarten, Vogue's food writer. So cease your "she's too skinny to know anything about food" comments and try these potatoes with a refreshing citrus-y twist.</i></div>
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<i><b>Sweet Potato Fries </b></i></div>
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<i><b>Recipe Courtesy of <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/sweet-potato-fries-with-basil-salt-and-garlic-mayonnaise-recipe/index.html">Giada</a></b></i></div>
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<a href="http://img.foodnetwork.com/FOOD/2007/02/21/ei0920_sweetpotatoefries_lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://img.foodnetwork.com/FOOD/2007/02/21/ei0920_sweetpotatoefries_lg.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I don't love fries or sweet potatoes (am I allowed to admit that publicly?) but I love these sweet potato fries and I am certain you will as well! These fries were also a hit at the aforementioned holiday party.<i><b> </b></i><i> </i></div>
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<i><b>Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Maple Cinnamon Sage Brown Butter </b></i></div>
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<i><b>Recipe Courtesy of <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/sweet-potato-gnocchi-with-maple-cinnamon-sage-brown-butter-recipe/index.html">Giada</a></b></i></div>
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<a href="http://www.gourmet.com/images/recipes/2009/10/re-sweet-potato-gnocchi-608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.gourmet.com/images/recipes/2009/10/re-sweet-potato-gnocchi-608.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So apparently I dream of being Italian but gnocchi is a pasta made from potatoes and this version includes the holiday-apropos sweet potato AND maple and cinnamon so this dish is basically Christmas on a plate (you're welcome).<i><b> </b></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Dessert (4 ways---the most essential part of the meal clearly gets an extra shout out)</i></b></span></div>
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<i><b>Maple Pecan Pie </b></i></div>
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<i><b>Recipe Courtesy of <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/maple-pecan-pie-recipe/index.html">Ina Garten</a></b></i></div>
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<a href="http://img.foodnetwork.com/FOOD/2012/10/03/FNM_110112-Ina-Garten-Maple-Pecan-Pie-Recipe_s4x3_med.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://img.foodnetwork.com/FOOD/2012/10/03/FNM_110112-Ina-Garten-Maple-Pecan-Pie-Recipe_s4x3_med.jpg" /></a></div>
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Not as amazing as my grandmother's pie (recipe to come as soon as she e-mails it to me/figures out e-mail), but Ina Garten will most likely not have to be banished from the Hamptons in shame. This pie is an incredibly delicious alternative to Irene O'Brien's original.</div>
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<i><b>Peanut Butter Cookies </b></i></div>
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<i><b>Recipe Courtesy of <a href="http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/peanut-butter-cookies/6aa18699-bad1-442a-97bf-388003acce2d">Betty Crocker</a> WITH a Variation (ADD SOME KISSES...CHOCOLATE THAT IS!)</b></i></div>
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<a href="http://www.itsfordinner.com/media/uploads/recipe/hershey-kiss-cookies/hershey-kiss-cookies_jpg_600x400_crop_q85.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="http://www.itsfordinner.com/media/uploads/recipe/hershey-kiss-cookies/hershey-kiss-cookies_jpg_600x400_crop_q85.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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These cookies are my favorite at the holidays (they are amazing as a side to pecan pie). Just make the Betty Crocker Peanut butter cookie recipe but instead of making the fork indentations, add the kisses on top as soon as they come out of the oven. The best result occurs if you do half the cookies with milk chocolate (for other people) and half the cookies with dark chocolate (for me). Also, it is VERY important to roll the peanut butter cookie dough balls in LIGHT brown sugar before you bake them because (a) dark brown sugar will cause the cookies to be too crispy and (b) if you are going to have dessert, do not skimp on the sugar.</div>
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<i><b>Double Chocolate Chunk Cookies</b></i></div>
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<i><b>Recipe Courtesy of <a href="http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/double-chocolate-chunk-cookies-54597.aspx">Kraft </a>WITH a Variation</b></i></div>
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<i><b> (ADD SOME MINT TRUFFLE HERSHEYS KISSES CHOPPED INTO LITTLE PIECES</b></i> <i><b>INTO THE BATTER--IT WILL TASTE LIKE A MELTED PEPPERMINT PATTY WITH EACH AND EVERY BITE--WHICH IS WHY I AM YELLING RIGHT NOW...THAT'S EXCITING!)</b></i></div>
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<a href="http://www.kraftrecipes.com/assets/recipe_images/Double_Chocolate_Chunk_Cookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.kraftrecipes.com/assets/recipe_images/Double_Chocolate_Chunk_Cookies.jpg" /></a></div>
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I think I said it all in the title except I created this variation as a gift to my little brother and that is why I am his favorite sister.<i><b> </b></i></div>
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<i><b>Pumpkin Ice Cream Pie</b></i></div>
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<i><b>Recipe Courtesy of <a href="http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/brandied-pumpkin-ice-cream-pie-with-malted-pecans-10000000363947/">Cooking Light</a></b></i></div>
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<a href="http://img.foodnetwork.com/FOOD/2004/01/28/ss1d42_pumpkin_pie_lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://img.foodnetwork.com/FOOD/2004/01/28/ss1d42_pumpkin_pie_lg.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, ice cream and brandy means that, yes, Christmas has come early this year.<i><b> </b></i></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101912738732330061.post-31500170955935473882012-10-30T22:41:00.000-04:002012-11-13T16:35:18.777-05:00Coming up RosesThe<span style="font-size: large;"> perfect scent <span style="font-size: small;">i</span></span>s one of the most personal aspects of a person's toilette. When it comes to choosing a scent, it is important to<span style="font-size: large;"> drown out outside opinions</span>. There are dozens of celebrity perfumes, mostly by people who do not seem like they would smell particularly lovely (I will not name names but you know who I am referring to...). There are the scents that have cult followings. Marilyn Monroe allegedly slept in nothing but <span style="font-size: large;">Chanel No. 5</span>. Estee Lauder's Youth Dew, Clinique's Happy and various Ralph Lauren scents all have a loyal fan base.<br />
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<a href="http://toutelaculture.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Chanel-No5-1950-marilyn-monroe1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://toutelaculture.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Chanel-No5-1950-marilyn-monroe1.png" /></a></div>
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Babies always smell deliciously of<span style="font-size: large;"> Johnson's Baby Lotion</span> & Baby Powder. My first perfume was Baby Soft, a powdery smelling drugstore fragrance designed for little girls. As I grew older, I experimented with popular fragrances of the moment: Davidoff Cool Water & Ralph Lauren Romance. When I was fifteen, I discovered my first scent that I identified as truly mine: <span style="font-size: large;">Michael Kors</span>. The scent avoided those overly floral, sweet notes that had dominated my perfume selections up to that point. My sisters liked the scent so much that they both purchased it as well. To make it more uniquely my own, I stopped at a lotion/perfume boutique in Martha's Vineyard one summer and had them mix the scent of Hanae Mori (another cult perfume) into a body lotion. The smell of the <span style="font-size: large;">Hanae Mori</span> diluted in the lotion mixed with the Michael Kors was divine. However, once I ran out of the lotion and was far from Martha's Vineyard, I could not seem to get the same ratio of the two scents by other means (even through the Sephora-bought actual Hanae Mori lotion).<br />
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<a href="http://www.hanaemoriparfums.com/20-62-large/hanae-mori-hm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.hanaemoriparfums.com/20-62-large/hanae-mori-hm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Around the same time, I was on vacation at the Breakers in Palm Beach with my family (I always seem to have my<span style="font-size: large;"> olfactory senses</span> heightened on vacation) and smelled something amazing in one of the stores on the grounds: <span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">Acqua di Parma Blue Mediterraneo in Mirto di Panarea</span>. It was light, not too flowery but still so memorable that over the next few days my mind kept wandering back to that smell. I purchased it on the last day and nearly four years later I wear it still. I am not certain if the Acqua di Parma scent is "the one", the scent for me for a lifetime. Some days I cannot smell it at all but people say that is the sign of a good perfume. Nonetheless, for now, it belongs to me and when my bottle runs dry later this month I will rush out to reclaim it as my own.<br />
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<a href="http://csimg.pagineprezzi.it/srv/IT/290114561449/T/340x340/C/FFFFFF/url/acqua-di-parma-blu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://csimg.pagineprezzi.it/srv/IT/290114561449/T/340x340/C/FFFFFF/url/acqua-di-parma-blu.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101912738732330061.post-23753695874106528712012-10-30T15:51:00.000-04:002012-10-30T15:51:00.613-04:00Oh Sandy: How you were Almost my GrinchThere are only two things I could think of the past two days:<br />
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<li>The song from the movie <i>Grease </i>"Oh Sandy..." that Danny Zuko sings. and </li>
<li>My Christmas Tree</li>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/rKfB4cn6tBU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<a href="http://s.shld.net/is/image/Sears/07177888000?hei=315&wid=315&op_sharpen=1&resMode=sharp&op_usm=0.9,0.5,0,0" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://s.shld.net/is/image/Sears/07177888000?hei=315&wid=315&op_sharpen=1&resMode=sharp&op_usm=0.9,0.5,0,0" /></a></div>
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In reference to number one: yes, there was a period in my life where I watched this incredibly cliched movie on repeat and made the children who lived next door dress up as <i>Grease </i>characters and sing along to the soundtrack with me. The <i>Grease</i>-obsessed phase of my childhood (I was eleven or twelve) is not something I often like to relive.<br />
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A part of my childhood I DO like to relive is my tendency to begin the celebration of Christmas in October. When I was younger (college-aged and below), I began to decorate around October 1st. As a semi-adult, I decorate around...well, now.<br />
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I put up my Christmas tree two days before Hurricane Sandy arrived and was scared the entire time that the window would be demolished and all of my ornaments would break (Nutcracker themed...with the exception of my Wizard of Oz ruby slippers ornament....2 other obsessions/remnants from childhood). Now that I can confidently report the survival of my tree AND its accoutrements, it is time to continue the Christmas decorating with the perfect holiday wreath...preferably something clean, traditional and modern to counterbalance the slight kitsch factor of having a themed tree.<br />
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<a href="http://img3.etsystatic.com/008/0/6854097/il_570xN.387885119_co5v.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://img3.etsystatic.com/008/0/6854097/il_570xN.387885119_co5v.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/112974377/preserved-boxwood-wreath-holiday-wreath?ref=sr_gallery_30&ga_search_type=all&ga_includes[0]=tags&ga_search_query=wreath&ga_page=5&ga_view_type=gallery">Etsy Boxwood Wreath </a></div>
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<a href="http://img2.etsystatic.com/006/0/6803100/il_570xN.372134058_81uw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://img2.etsystatic.com/006/0/6803100/il_570xN.372134058_81uw.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://img2.etsystatic.com/006/0/6803100/il_570xN.372134058_81uw.jpg">Etsy Red Berry Wreath</a></div>
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<a href="http://ab.weimgs.com/weimgs/ab/images/wcm/products/201239/0019/img13t.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ab.weimgs.com/weimgs/ab/images/wcm/products/201239/0019/img13t.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.westelm.com/products/felt-ball-wreath-c415/">West Elm Felt Ball Wreath</a></div>
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<a href="http://i.c-b.co/is/image/Crate/OliveWreath24inLLF10/$web_zoom$&/1007300904/olive-wreath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i.c-b.co/is/image/Crate/OliveWreath24inLLF10/$web_zoom$&/1007300904/olive-wreath.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.crateandbarrel.com/olive-wreath/s653741">Crate & Barrel Olive Wreath</a></div>
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<a href="http://cn1.kaboodle.com/hi/img/c/0/0/80/3/AAAADG5KiToAAAAAAIA20w.jpg?v=1257052158000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cn1.kaboodle.com/hi/img/c/0/0/80/3/AAAADG5KiToAAAAAAIA20w.jpg?v=1257052158000" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.potterybarn.com/products/lit-led-boxwood-wreath/?pkey=e%7Cwreath%7C24%7Cbest%7C0%7C1%7C24%7C%7C12&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH%7C%7CNoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-NoMerchRules-_-">Pottery Barn Lit Boxwood Wreath</a></div>
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<a href="http://a248.e.akamai.net/f/248/6062/6h/s7diod-isorigin.scene7.com/is/image/frontgate/62086_main" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://a248.e.akamai.net/f/248/6062/6h/s7diod-isorigin.scene7.com/is/image/frontgate/62086_main" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.frontgate.com/manzanita-branch-wreath/holiday-decor/wreaths-garlands/christmas-wreaths/456008?defattrib=&defattribvalue=&listIndex=12">Frontgate Manzanita Branch</a></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101912738732330061.post-13369742093041088752012-10-22T18:14:00.000-04:002012-10-22T18:14:35.650-04:00In Honor of Abandoned Blogs and BuildingsMy last blog post was over a month ago...how tragic! I hope you have not all left this domain name forever. In the spirit of the holiday season (and in returning to an abandoned place), I am including in this post a few costume ideas inspired by some of my favorite films. I will begin with <i>Rocky Horror Picture Show</i> (hence, the abandoned place reference) and end somewhere a little brighter to reflect the positive things to come:<br />
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<b>First & foremost, couples costumes I have always wanted to try:</b></div>
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<a href="http://theatreinreview2012.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/10-23-03-riff_janet_brad_elevator.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://theatreinreview2012.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/10-23-03-riff_janet_brad_elevator.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b> </b>Brad & Janet </div>
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<i><b>Rocky Horror Picture Show</b></i></div>
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<a href="http://static.tvguide.com/MediaBin/Content/120213/News/5_fri/120217misspiggy-kermit1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://static.tvguide.com/MediaBin/Content/120213/News/5_fri/120217misspiggy-kermit1.jpg" /></a></div>
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Miss Piggy & Kermit</div>
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<i><b>Assorted Films</b></i></div>
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<b>And if you are going solo:</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2accWOqaBdO2ACcaxhuepVlUQ863eNSHcDusJ_3-MW8Znu-RuRAoECXMPFhMWLZFYEYf5wQZ1_J-Bw5SCRAB-nbVksRqL7RQf_f7zsB0Bjyr-Q3W3eey2aE93DySx4lpstedzQ7vDv0Y/s1600/birds5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2accWOqaBdO2ACcaxhuepVlUQ863eNSHcDusJ_3-MW8Znu-RuRAoECXMPFhMWLZFYEYf5wQZ1_J-Bw5SCRAB-nbVksRqL7RQf_f7zsB0Bjyr-Q3W3eey2aE93DySx4lpstedzQ7vDv0Y/s320/birds5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b> </b>Melanie Daniels</div>
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<i><b>The Birds</b></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6HqvEVJbz4sNzhunfMO5YyMr87UYK3eGmBPJ9l19WvSW5MCl01riovvBe2G4jRhkBQmVFKSjc8u4ZR1H9RDxGIQvKGDnN-iejfDjQ6KpprD6yT4XF0v8fB6ntsf-cdMbRXHXw58c54yY/s400/Audrey-Hepburn-My_l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6HqvEVJbz4sNzhunfMO5YyMr87UYK3eGmBPJ9l19WvSW5MCl01riovvBe2G4jRhkBQmVFKSjc8u4ZR1H9RDxGIQvKGDnN-iejfDjQ6KpprD6yT4XF0v8fB6ntsf-cdMbRXHXw58c54yY/s320/Audrey-Hepburn-My_l.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Eliza Doolittle</div>
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<b><i>My Fair Lady</i> </b><i><b> </b></i></div>
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<b style="color: orange;">Or with a group of friends: </b></div>
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<a href="http://www.unexpectedelegance.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Troop-Beverly-Hills-Shelley-Long-Jenny-Lewis-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://www.unexpectedelegance.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Troop-Beverly-Hills-Shelley-Long-Jenny-Lewis-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Troop Beverly Hills</div>
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<i><b>Troop Beverly Hills</b></i></div>
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<i><b> </b></i></div>
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<a href="http://unfilmde.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/royaltenenbaums.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="http://unfilmde.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/royaltenenbaums.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><b> </b></i></div>
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The Tennenbaum Family</div>
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<i><b>The Royal Tennenbaums</b></i><i><b></b></i></div>
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<i><b> </b></i></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101912738732330061.post-54751320466000689822012-09-20T14:52:00.002-04:002012-09-20T14:52:38.873-04:00Dreaming a Dream of an Early Release Date for Les Mis<span style="font-size: large;">Tom Hooper</span>, the man behind <i>The King's Speech</i>, very well may be my soul mate. He knows how great<span style="font-size: large;"> Colin Firth </span>looks up on the big screen and he has seemingly made my dream of a well done <span style="font-size: large;">Les Miserables </span>movie adaptation a reality. The latest long form trailer released in preparation for the Christmas 2012 release date has increased my excitement level when I had previously believed my anticipation for this movie had reached its apex. I am a lifelong Les Mis fan: I sang <i><span style="font-size: large;">On My Own</span> </i>for all of my theater auditions during my theater geekdom days. Les Mis was also the first Broadway musical I saw at the age of thirteen and one of the first classic novels I truly loved. The score is one of the most hauntingly beautiful ever composed in my opinion and the French version is even more moving. I used to listen to the French interpretation of <i><span style="font-size: large;">I Dreamed a Dream (J'avais Reve d'une autre vie)</span> </i>on repeat while I studied for law school exams. Again, I am VERY excited for the arrival of this movie and in the meantime have only this trailer and the now classic songs to satiate me until <span style="font-size: large;">December 25th</span> (9pm, Eastern Standard Time....oh wait...that's another musical altogether)!<br />
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<b>Les Miserables 2012 Extended First Look</b></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101912738732330061.post-86558027342373704642012-09-19T09:23:00.002-04:002012-09-19T09:23:30.657-04:00Punk: Chaos to CoutureThe official member announcement for <span style="font-size: large;"><i>Punk:Chaos to Couture</i></span>, the new exhibit at the Costume Institute in 2013 was sent out today. The exhibit will open on <span style="font-size: large;">May 9, 2013 </span>and will remain open through August 11, 2013 (with member previews on May 7th and 8th).<br />
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<a href="http://f.email.metmuseum.org/i/19/132157162/PUNKComposite.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="http://f.email.metmuseum.org/i/19/132157162/PUNKComposite.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The official description of the exhibit is as follows:<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">"Since its origins, punk has had an incendiary influence on fashion,</span>" </i></div>
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<i>says Andrew Bolton, Curator of The Costume Institute. Featuring more
than one hundred designs for men and women, the exhibition will
include original punk garments from the mid-1970s juxtaposed with
recent, directional fashion to illustrate how haute couture and
ready-to-wear have borrowed punk's visual symbols. Presented as an
immersive multimedia, multisensory experience, the clothes will be
animated with period music videos and soundscaping audio techniques.</i></div>
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Cannot wait for the Costume Institute's next installment!</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101912738732330061.post-82322338376956293072012-09-18T13:25:00.001-04:002012-09-18T13:28:59.783-04:00Brooke Astor Speaking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;">Brooke Astor</span> was one of New York's elite and one of the <span style="font-size: large;">Metropolitan Museum of Art</span>'s most generous patrons. She was married to Vincent Astor (among others), eldest son of John Jacob Astor IV who died when the Titanic sank on its maiden voyage. After Vincent Astor's death she ran his Astor Foundation (until 1997 when it was liquidated) and served on the board of the Met, planning and paying for the <span style="font-size: large;">Astor Court</span> that is part of the Metropolitan Museum today. She also worked with the New York Public library extensively as well as The Animal Medical Center and expressed her philanthropic philosophy rather eloquently when she stated: <i> </i></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><i>Money is like manure; it's not worth a thing unless it's spread around. </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">The end of her life was marred by the elder abuse scandal that arose when it was revealed her son, Anthony Marshall, had been stealing her assets and<a href="http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/brooke_astor"> leaving her in squalor inside her Park Avenue apartment</a>. Her legacy as a woman of style, impeccable manners and a lasting philanthropic legacy will no doubt supersede the darkness & betrayal of her final years. At<span style="font-size: large;"> Sothebys</span> on <b>September 24th and 25th</b>, you can purchase a piece of that legacy through a series of auctions. On sale are portraits of her beloved dogs, jewelry, paintings, jewelry cases, coffee table books and luggage. The items are currently on display at <a href="http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/2012/property-from-the-estate-of-brooke-astor-n08890/overview.html">Sothebys Auction House in Manhattan</a>. </span><span style="color: black;">The proceeds of the auction (estimated to be more
than $9 million) will go towards some of Brooke Astor's charities
including the Met Museum.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Below are some highlights of the auction's exhibit courtesy of<a href="https://twitter.com/katiearmour"> Katie Armour</a>, Editor in Chief of Matchbook Magazine:</span></div>
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<a href="https://o.twimg.com/1/proxy.jpg?t=FQQVBBhNaHR0cDovL2Rpc3RpbGxlcnlpbWFnZTExLmluc3RhZ3JhbS5jb20vZjZkZWRjMDIwMWIxMTFlMjhlODMyMjAwMGExZDAxMmJfNy5qcGcUAhYAEgA&s=tBohXSkVIFBCYX5Y6hL4VwG7HK_mXh4ODIUxVsRWWCA" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://o.twimg.com/1/proxy.jpg?t=FQQVBBhNaHR0cDovL2Rpc3RpbGxlcnlpbWFnZTExLmluc3RhZ3JhbS5jb20vZjZkZWRjMDIwMWIxMTFlMjhlODMyMjAwMGExZDAxMmJfNy5qcGcUAhYAEgA&s=tBohXSkVIFBCYX5Y6hL4VwG7HK_mXh4ODIUxVsRWWCA" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://o.twimg.com/1/proxy.jpg?t=FQQVBBhMaHR0cDovL2Rpc3RpbGxlcnlpbWFnZTUuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS81ZjRlNGZlYTAxYjAxMWUyOGIzNTIyMDAwYTFlOWY4OV83LmpwZxQCFgASAA&s=Q6ot5TVt9wzia-bncRHoovmn14fOdTXSG5irMVwSXjg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://o.twimg.com/1/proxy.jpg?t=FQQVBBhMaHR0cDovL2Rpc3RpbGxlcnlpbWFnZTUuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS81ZjRlNGZlYTAxYjAxMWUyOGIzNTIyMDAwYTFlOWY4OV83LmpwZxQCFgASAA&s=Q6ot5TVt9wzia-bncRHoovmn14fOdTXSG5irMVwSXjg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://o.twimg.com/1/proxy.jpg?t=FQQVBBhMaHR0cDovL2Rpc3RpbGxlcnlpbWFnZTguaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9hZjYxNjBiYTAxYjIxMWUyODE1OTEyMzEzODE3ODk3MV83LmpwZxQCFgASAA&s=GwhyleFVoT2DFBG5BOY1i3mvUMdFWfSmlG0MF20ij_U" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://o.twimg.com/1/proxy.jpg?t=FQQVBBhMaHR0cDovL2Rpc3RpbGxlcnlpbWFnZTguaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9hZjYxNjBiYTAxYjIxMWUyODE1OTEyMzEzODE3ODk3MV83LmpwZxQCFgASAA&s=GwhyleFVoT2DFBG5BOY1i3mvUMdFWfSmlG0MF20ij_U" width="320" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101912738732330061.post-43251255796076271032012-09-18T10:22:00.001-04:002012-09-18T10:22:46.616-04:00Highlight ReelI first altered my hair color when I was in middle school. I used a boxed drugstore hair color for the first and only time in my life and dyed my hair red (I was a huge Lucille Ball fan at the time). My hair turned an orange-ish color and I had to rush to the hair dresser to fix it. I have never returned to my natural hair color and I have never returned to red. My hair has alternated between a caramel brunette, honey blonde, and the occasional foray into platinum locks (not a good look). Lately, in a quest to save money, I have been tempted to tilt more towards the brunette range (my natural color). That was until my friend told me that I only look good as a blonde (honest friends are...great?). The search for the perfect hair color (and the most cost effective) is one I know many women experience. I often flip through magazines for inspiration and today I have compiled a few of my favorite hair color looks in one place to give other "brondes" (blonde/brunette...what color is that hair?!) inspiration. Here are the highlights of hair highlights:<br />
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<a href="http://media-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/upload/60869032434129492_0vf2BYup_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/upload/60869032434129492_0vf2BYup_b.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b>Olivia Palermo</b></span> <b style="color: red;">(Bronde)</b></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;">Kim Sears</span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"> (<span style="color: red;">Bronde)</span></span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr style="color: red;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Unknown Bronde</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr style="color: red;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Unknown (Blonde)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache0.pinterest.com/upload/246712885807827168_AU2PKUeD_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache0.pinterest.com/upload/246712885807827168_AU2PKUeD_b.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: red;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Emma Watson (Brunette)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache0.pinterest.com/upload/257620041153953073_i76ZBXeI_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache0.pinterest.com/upload/257620041153953073_i76ZBXeI_b.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: red;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Jennifer Aniston (Brunette)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr style="color: red;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">I Know She is in a Tween Movie (Brunette)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/upload/192740059022798220_dulkAdZy_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/upload/192740059022798220_dulkAdZy_b.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: red;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Cameron Diaz (Blonde)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/upload/60728294945385564_5XvTtVv9_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/upload/60728294945385564_5XvTtVv9_b.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: red;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Julia Roberts (Bronde)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec5.pinterest.com/upload/28077197647040783_VzRdETnp_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec5.pinterest.com/upload/28077197647040783_VzRdETnp_b.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: red;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Olivia Palermo (Bronde)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/upload/183451384791371483_YuI6CsJ3_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/upload/183451384791371483_YuI6CsJ3_b.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: red;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Natalie Portman (Bronde)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec5.pinterest.com/upload/103231016428121003_8VyMhxSd_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec5.pinterest.com/upload/103231016428121003_8VyMhxSd_b.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: red;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Blake Lively (Bronde)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec2.pinterest.com/upload/71213237827587711_HAbEtBMX_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec2.pinterest.com/upload/71213237827587711_HAbEtBMX_b.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: red;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Rose Byrne (Brunette)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec5.pinterest.com/upload/104708760055861340_TZ9mbFJA_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec5.pinterest.com/upload/104708760055861340_TZ9mbFJA_b.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly (The Original Bronde)</b></span></span></td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101912738732330061.post-6702485951668736762012-09-11T15:43:00.000-04:002012-09-11T16:20:32.639-04:00This Weekend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>When people ask me what I did over the weekend, I am always at a loss as to how to describe it. I am never sitting still on the weekend but I never actually do planned, organized activities (exception for Soul Cycle on Saturday mornings and the U.S. Open on labor day weekend). I wander the city most weekends, walking anywhere from five to fifteen miles. </b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK9wGsEPoiEwWQvwWNxsWVCJwZF9R8CpOrsqOVY1Mln7uBGdztO-AM7Q-cp4SiwKQbH3VNUF6kp4U-rfxTulB0MTNuHyHLpEDVppRtQthtDMNLMQ4fUYqaNY7xPM8mc3X4TogACQWp7Vd0/s1600/00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK9wGsEPoiEwWQvwWNxsWVCJwZF9R8CpOrsqOVY1Mln7uBGdztO-AM7Q-cp4SiwKQbH3VNUF6kp4U-rfxTulB0MTNuHyHLpEDVppRtQthtDMNLMQ4fUYqaNY7xPM8mc3X4TogACQWp7Vd0/s320/00.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b>This past <span style="font-size: large;">Sunday</span> was one of the most beautiful days since I moved back to the city. The sky was <span style="font-size: large;">perfectly<span style="color: #0b5394;"> <span style="color: #3d85c6;">blue</span></span></span>, the weather was warm but still slightly breezy with very little humidity. I walked from my <span style="font-size: large;">Murray Hill </span>apartment up to the <span style="font-size: large;">Upper East Side</span> before any of the stores were open and before the streets were filled with tourists. I walked up to <span style="font-size: large;">Clydes Pharmacy</span> just as it opened and spilled a bottle of Nefertiti nail polish ( a sparkly gold), ruining one of my favorite pairs of shoes in the process, my bronze and gold monogrammed Jack Rogers sandals. An event like that would typically annoy or upset me but I just walked back outside and into the perfect weather. I stopped at <span style="font-size: large;">Eli Zabar's <span style="color: #cc0000;">EAT</span></span> for a coffee and a bran muffin and took a moment to read my <span style="font-size: large;">New York Times</span>. Then I went to the <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #741b47;">Met</span> </span>where I wandered through the <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Louis XIV </span>furniture</span>, one of my favorite exhibits before leaving to stroll through the park. In the park I walked to the <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Turtle Pond</span> </span>and then through <span style="font-size: large;">"The <span style="color: #674ea7;">Ramble</span>"</span>. I walked over to the <span style="font-size: large;">West Side</span> where I went to the Sunday <span style="font-size: large;">farmer's market </span>just above <span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Isabella's</span> and just west of the<span style="font-size: large;"> Natural History Museum</span>. Then I went to the local flea market and stopped for a coffee at the<span style="color: #3d85c6;"> </span><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">Muffin Cafe</span> and then...I wandered. I went in and out of shops, stopped to people watch, and then headed down to <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Lincoln Center</span> </span>where <span style="font-size: large;">Fashion Week</span> was in full swing. Outside of Lincoln Center, there were people distributing free fashion magazines and I grabbed one and sat down on the edge of the fountain, half reading and half watching the fashion week attendees pass by in their outfits. When I eventually left Lincoln Center, I got a free fashion week cloth bag that I will use for grocery shopping. Then I walked down to the <span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">Time Warner Center</span> where I stopped at the <span style="font-size: large;">Whole Foods </span>salad bar and bought the Lemon Baked Tofu in a to-go container. I left Time Warner and returned to the park to search for the perfect picnic spot. I usually stick to the West Side for picnics but Sunday I went to the <span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;">East Green</span><span style="color: #6aa84f;">.</span> I ate my tofu and people watched before heading back East towards the<span style="background-color: #741b47;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #741b47; font-size: large;">Neue Gallery</span>. There was a private event there so I did not go inside. Instead, I walk back uptown a while before eventually turning around and heading back towards my Murray Hill <span style="font-size: large;">home</span>. </b><br />
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<b>A perfect Sunday but an imperfect story to tell on Monday at work when I get the inevitable question: what did you do this weekend?</b><br />
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<b>My answer: nothing or everything? Whether these days classify as <span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">a whole lot of nothing or a little bit of everything,</span> I enjoy them immensely.</b><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101912738732330061.post-90563066794406288292012-09-06T18:03:00.000-04:002012-09-07T11:55:09.970-04:00Comfort Cinema<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: orange;">Fall</span> </span>always invites images of pumpkin spice lattes, changing leaves, sweaters, and pecan pie. The general theme of nearly everything related to fall is<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #cc0000;">comfort</span></span>. Comfort food in particular is often a topic of the season that is the launching pad to the holiday whirlwind.<span style="color: orange;"> </span><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">Comfort cinema</span> is another way to enjoy and appreciate those crisper fall days. Here are some ways to welcome the cool weather by snuggling under a blanket on the couch and turning up the <span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">nostalgia</span> factor with your remote control.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Comfort Cinema</b></span></div>
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What classifies as comfort cinema varies by season (ex. I love <i>Pride & Prejudice</i> and <i>Jane Eyre </i>but the former is a spring favorite; the latter a winter pick) and, of course, individual. These movies are just a few of the films that I seem to yearn for every time the weather changes. Watching each one is like visiting an old friend and I am always eager to see them again.<br />
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<b>Little Women (1994)</b></div>
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Even this image of the March sisters comforts me. I reread the book every fall and vacillate between believing I am Jo, Meg & Amy. I also would absolutely subscribe to the Pickwick Papers and accept any and all marriage proposals from Laurie (hence, the identification with Amy).</div>
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<a href="http://www.google.com/url?source=imglanding&ct=img&q=http://www.maydae.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/little-women5.jpg&sa=X&ei=1hhJUKW0Buf10gGv64Bw&ved=0CAoQ8wc&usg=AFQjCNH2ElB3T9k75GdTIYulL6oJ-T5uVQ" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://www.google.com/url?source=imglanding&ct=img&q=http://www.maydae.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/little-women5.jpg&sa=X&ei=1hhJUKW0Buf10gGv64Bw&ved=0CAoQ8wc&usg=AFQjCNH2ElB3T9k75GdTIYulL6oJ-T5uVQ" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Anne of Avonlea (1987)</b></div>
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What is more comforting than Gilbert Blythe and Anne Shirley finally pledging their love to one another in the midst of a day of apple picking? Really, try to find one thing...</div>
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<a href="http://www.google.com/url?source=imglanding&ct=img&q=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvRRbAWK-bCcQsrN7drFPDerC2gZbhGr5ygA58C5YI3c0B1NueiVkbh4rMXZIZSdL7HuMYiTEJ2dy16-76X9bsuuoW1D9ByLDsm3ljePHTpypYa-gWkTfb7r57u0BXj-4VCQtGOGMRwV-B/s1600/kiss.jpg&sa=X&ei=AgRJUMHSB4u90QG_pIDoAg&ved=0CAoQ8wc&usg=AFQjCNG_S05Ov9eVc7FeusN_aG5W8NsKAw" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvRRbAWK-bCcQsrN7drFPDerC2gZbhGr5ygA58C5YI3c0B1NueiVkbh4rMXZIZSdL7HuMYiTEJ2dy16-76X9bsuuoW1D9ByLDsm3ljePHTpypYa-gWkTfb7r57u0BXj-4VCQtGOGMRwV-B/s320/kiss.jpg&sa=X&ei=AgRJUMHSB4u90QG_pIDoAg&ved=0CAoQ8wc&usg=AFQjCNG_S05Ov9eVc7FeusN_aG5W8NsKAw" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>You've Got Mail (1998)</b></div>
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<i>I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address.</i></div>
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There are also references to twirling, children's books, pumpkins, Christmas trees with ruby slippers and repeated trips to Starbucks. I often try to recreate the feeling I get from watching this movie by visiting Cafe Lalo or wandering the Upper West Side. Sometimes (meaning usually), only the movie can do the trick.</div>
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<a href="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRrxqloAcG-fEeAnhvo3bnhm02YUT-Fd3MstgwjJp3lyr1HMks8PtxfY8qz" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRrxqloAcG-fEeAnhvo3bnhm02YUT-Fd3MstgwjJp3lyr1HMks8PtxfY8qz" /></a></div>
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<b>Rudy (1993)</b></div>
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I am not a huge football fan but I challenge anyone to watch this movie and not root for Rudy to make it onto the Notre Dame football field. I cry every single time and so does my father and I am willing to bet his tears are not a result of just really loving the game of football.</div>
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<a href="http://www.google.com/url?source=imglanding&ct=img&q=http://assets.nydailynews.com/img/2009/08/13/gal_movies-rudy.jpg&sa=X&ei=uhhJUI7YD8Ln0QGUhIGYAQ&ved=0CAkQ8wc&usg=AFQjCNFhcNuzQA5sfyX6QdyA7QheDpF_BQ" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.google.com/url?source=imglanding&ct=img&q=http://assets.nydailynews.com/img/2009/08/13/gal_movies-rudy.jpg&sa=X&ei=uhhJUI7YD8Ln0QGUhIGYAQ&ved=0CAkQ8wc&usg=AFQjCNFhcNuzQA5sfyX6QdyA7QheDpF_BQ" width="209" /></a></div>
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<b>When Harry Met Sally (1989)</b></div>
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<b> </b>This movie almost did not make the list but then I realized I was excluding it only because I had recently posted about both <i>You've Got Mail</i> and <i>When Harry Met Sally</i> for my Nora Ephron tribute. I could not delete a movie so deserving of comfort cinema status merely because it has appeared here previously. This movie made me realize that one of the most important aspects of finding someone to date in New York City is so that you have someone to help you lug your Christmas tree down the street.</div>
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<a href="http://www.google.com/url?source=imgres&ct=img&q=http://www.thecitrusreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/when-harry-met-sally-800-75.jpg&sa=X&ei=awxJULyPB6jj0QGxrIH4Dg&ved=0CAQQ8wc&usg=AFQjCNE0W79FsJZgxW-oPuwIBtlH-iMXzw" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.google.com/url?source=imgres&ct=img&q=http://www.thecitrusreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/when-harry-met-sally-800-75.jpg&sa=X&ei=awxJULyPB6jj0QGxrIH4Dg&ved=0CAQQ8wc&usg=AFQjCNE0W79FsJZgxW-oPuwIBtlH-iMXzw" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)</b></div>
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Yellow cabs, little black dresses, a writer who doesn't write, a cat named Cat...in writing it seems so bland but in reality it is as sparkling as the jewelry at Tiffanys and as comforting as Holly and "Fred"'s final embrace in the rain.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiARJwkLmcrzZeJ03AKg9ANQILVQwEs0QhAJnByUg7LCeXhciO7y96VkhNHCEFbobSJmoam7Pn5ySRFNpKPeQDSsXlppxEry5Qb9dw65-TmAmu3UUtNpaGDcq3MoRMs2v7czl7KcY66_3Yl/s400/Holly+and+Fred+chat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiARJwkLmcrzZeJ03AKg9ANQILVQwEs0QhAJnByUg7LCeXhciO7y96VkhNHCEFbobSJmoam7Pn5ySRFNpKPeQDSsXlppxEry5Qb9dw65-TmAmu3UUtNpaGDcq3MoRMs2v7czl7KcY66_3Yl/s320/Holly+and+Fred+chat.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>The Cutting Edge (1992)</b></div>
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Hockey star and ice princess: two different backgrounds and one Olympic goal. </div>
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My sisters and I used to watch this movie over and over again. The remakes and sequels are terrible but the original can brighten even the gloomiest day.</div>
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<a href="http://www.google.com/url?source=imglanding&ct=img&q=http://www.grouchoreviews.com/content/films/4234/1.jpg&sa=X&ei=xw5JUNzyJuPr0gHqqYHQDA&ved=0CAkQ8wc&usg=AFQjCNHf8vaAT4yFq7NRzZHD6mEUXs5mdw" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://www.google.com/url?source=imglanding&ct=img&q=http://www.grouchoreviews.com/content/films/4234/1.jpg&sa=X&ei=xw5JUNzyJuPr0gHqqYHQDA&ved=0CAkQ8wc&usg=AFQjCNHf8vaAT4yFq7NRzZHD6mEUXs5mdw" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken (1991)</b></div>
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Based on the true story of Senora Webster,a girl who participated in a carnival act during the Great Depression in which she dove from high towers on horseback into a pool of water below. The depression-era setting, the obstacles everyone in the movie must overcome and the love story that triumphs in the face of seemingly insurmountable adversity (it's Hollywood but it's <i>based on a true story</i>!) makes this a movie to watch over and over again.</div>
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<a href="http://www.google.com/url?source=imglanding&ct=img&q=http://s3.amazonaws.com/auteurs_production/images/film/wild-hearts-cant-be-broken/w448/wild-hearts-cant-be-broken.jpg?1295032775&sa=X&ei=ahlJUJSbCYen0AG1tYCwBw&ved=0CAkQ8wc47wE&usg=AFQjCNGbkhTD0fFzKpjH_dGCTAKsTHi4cA" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://www.google.com/url?source=imglanding&ct=img&q=http://s3.amazonaws.com/auteurs_production/images/film/wild-hearts-cant-be-broken/w448/wild-hearts-cant-be-broken.jpg?1295032775&sa=X&ei=ahlJUJSbCYen0AG1tYCwBw&ved=0CAkQ8wc47wE&usg=AFQjCNGbkhTD0fFzKpjH_dGCTAKsTHi4cA" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)</b></div>
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Judy, Judy, Judy...she met her future husband,Vincent Minnelli on this film and sang some of her most memorable songs (<i>ahem...Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas)</i> but she is not even close to the only reason to love this classic movie. Margaret O'Brien, long thought to be the scene stealer of the fictional St. Louis family in her role as Tutti, the brightly colored period costumes, the "gee whiz" language and a particularly amusing scene with a long-distance telephone call all make this movie a joy to watch again and again and again and...well, you get the picture. Garland did not want to make this movie because she felt there was no story but later admitted it was an amazing addition to her repertoire because although there is no action at the heart of it, there is a loving family living life and that element alone creates endless scenarios for the audience to relate to their own life (although perhaps in the real world we have less musical numbers).</div>
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<a href="http://www.google.com/url?source=imglanding&ct=img&q=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqXe2A_H4cuxS7pAQbcJ3RxnJKJ8TykYEYQ94HlyV6BndAoekpqntQsv0ZN1t0RvoFqJ6VsRlMtRu5uzrm1BWcm2u2w64JrTCuWvXPCAC-HDQNjec4Mze-7R0SEZ4R6XlhA4gZzCgsyHO9/s1600/Meet+Me+In+St.+Louis-07.jpg&sa=X&ei=iBhJUIfWJqLz0gHw64GYCg&ved=0CAoQ8wc&usg=AFQjCNEXa5AiFl5KgePZ8k5ODZLpG_b5wQ" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqXe2A_H4cuxS7pAQbcJ3RxnJKJ8TykYEYQ94HlyV6BndAoekpqntQsv0ZN1t0RvoFqJ6VsRlMtRu5uzrm1BWcm2u2w64JrTCuWvXPCAC-HDQNjec4Mze-7R0SEZ4R6XlhA4gZzCgsyHO9/s320/Meet+Me+In+St.+Louis-07.jpg&sa=X&ei=iBhJUIfWJqLz0gHw64GYCg&ved=0CAoQ8wc&usg=AFQjCNEXa5AiFl5KgePZ8k5ODZLpG_b5wQ" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Comfort Food</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b> <span style="font-size: small;">Gourmet Popcorn</span></b></span></div>
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<a href="http://img4-2.myrecipes.timeinc.net/i/recipes/ck/popcorn-ck-420375-l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://img4-2.myrecipes.timeinc.net/i/recipes/ck/popcorn-ck-420375-l.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"> <a href="http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/caramel-popcorn-10000000420375/">Recipe Here</a></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Butternut Squash Lasagna</span></b></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.google.com/url?source=imgres&ct=img&q=http://www.blogcdn.com/www.slashfood.com/media/2010/10/squash-lasagna-590.jpg&sa=X&ei=TRpJUOKZFKeZ0QG5lIGoDg&ved=0CAQQ8wc4GQ&usg=AFQjCNGIJcG6HloBhJiOhacuCezrij2nUA" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://www.google.com/url?source=imgres&ct=img&q=http://www.blogcdn.com/www.slashfood.com/media/2010/10/squash-lasagna-590.jpg&sa=X&ei=TRpJUOKZFKeZ0QG5lIGoDg&ved=0CAQQ8wc4GQ&usg=AFQjCNGIJcG6HloBhJiOhacuCezrij2nUA" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/butternut-squash-lasagna-recipe/index.html">Recipe Here</a> </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Pumpkin Fudge </span></b></span></div>
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<a href="http://img4-1.myrecipes.timeinc.net/i/recipes/sl/05/10/pumpkin-fudge-sl-1108208-l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://img4-1.myrecipes.timeinc.net/i/recipes/sl/05/10/pumpkin-fudge-sl-1108208-l.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/pumpkin-fudge-10000001108208/">Recipe Here</a></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Mulled Wine</span></b></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.google.com/url?source=imglanding&ct=img&q=http://www.thegoodwineguru.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Mulled-Wine.jpg&sa=X&ei=sRpJUNGOHPOK0QGZo4HQDA&ved=0CAkQ8wc&usg=AFQjCNEKd5gGiOI-LhOvE_afaq-I2nf4kw" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="http://www.google.com/url?source=imglanding&ct=img&q=http://www.thegoodwineguru.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Mulled-Wine.jpg&sa=X&ei=sRpJUNGOHPOK0QGZo4HQDA&ved=0CAkQ8wc&usg=AFQjCNEKd5gGiOI-LhOvE_afaq-I2nf4kw" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/mulled-wine-recipe/index.html">Recipe Here</a></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Comfort </b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Faux Fur Throw</span></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.google.com/url?source=imglanding&ct=img&q=http://lh4.ggpht.com/_5GI6Pyw8srE/TStN-wSpY6I/AAAAAAAAJ8U/J90l5dhtE_Q/Pottery-Barn-Faux-Fur-Throw_1186EB56%5B2%5D.jpg&sa=X&ei=BBtJUOWyGYPs0gH2j4GYAg&ved=0CAoQ8wc&usg=AFQjCNH-iC-5M7-4iG96Z-dKyj2ZYRQooA" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.google.com/url?source=imglanding&ct=img&q=http://lh4.ggpht.com/_5GI6Pyw8srE/TStN-wSpY6I/AAAAAAAAJ8U/J90l5dhtE_Q/Pottery-Barn-Faux-Fur-Throw_1186EB56%5B2%5D.jpg&sa=X&ei=BBtJUOWyGYPs0gH2j4GYAg&ved=0CAoQ8wc&usg=AFQjCNH-iC-5M7-4iG96Z-dKyj2ZYRQooA" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"> <a href="http://www.potterybarn.com/products/faux-fur-throw/">Purchase Here</a></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"> Slippers</span></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.google.com/url?source=imglanding&ct=img&q=http://www.gap.com/products/res/mainimg/herringbone-loafers-herringbone.jpg&sa=X&ei=lBtJUJ6LHJO60AGQ7IBA&ved=0CAkQ8wc&usg=AFQjCNFeqLfetDPTlSsxiBLgQlXeOaX9Mg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.google.com/url?source=imglanding&ct=img&q=http://www.gap.com/products/res/mainimg/herringbone-loafers-herringbone.jpg&sa=X&ei=lBtJUJ6LHJO60AGQ7IBA&ved=0CAkQ8wc&usg=AFQjCNFeqLfetDPTlSsxiBLgQlXeOaX9Mg" width="241" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=85615&vid=1&pid=253072&scid=253072032">Similar Here</a></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Pendleton Sweater</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://s7d3.scene7.com/is/image/PendletonWoolenMills/?$product_detail$=&hei=373&wid=280&op_sharpen=1&size=280.0,373.0&layer=1&src=PendletonWoolenMills/43642_1047&size=280.0,373.0" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://s7d3.scene7.com/is/image/PendletonWoolenMills/?$product_detail$=&hei=373&wid=280&op_sharpen=1&size=280.0,373.0&layer=1&src=PendletonWoolenMills/43642_1047&size=280.0,373.0" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /><a href="http://www.pendleton-usa.com/product/Women/SWEATERS/SWEATERS/HEROIC-CHIEF-CARDIGAN/169713/sc/1708/c/1708/pc/1815.uts">Purchase Here</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Pixie Pant</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://s7.jcrew.com/is/image/jcrew/31090_BK0001_m?$pdp_fs418$" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://s7.jcrew.com/is/image/jcrew/31090_BK0001_m?$pdp_fs418$" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b> <a href="http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/jcrewweekend/Bottoms/PRDOVR%7E31090/31090.jsp">Purchase Here</a></b></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101912738732330061.post-85611811421736455362012-09-04T11:12:00.001-04:002012-09-06T18:18:12.638-04:00Zelda Fitzgerald: Flapper, Muse, Cipher I wanted to share with you this <a href="http://thegloss.com/beauty/zelda-fitzgerald-biography-444/">fascinating article</a> about Zelda Fitzgerald and her life as F. Scott Fitzgerald's wife and muse as well as her life as an artist, dancer, author, and victim of tragic circumstance.<br />
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<a href="http://cdn.thegloss.com/files/2012/06/zelda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://cdn.thegloss.com/files/2012/06/zelda.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Check out the entire<a href="http://thegloss.com/tag/shelved-dolls/"> <i>Shelved Dolls </i>series </a>while you are there including the story of the real Holly Golightly!</b></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101912738732330061.post-69325336413891518102012-08-31T07:17:00.001-04:002012-08-31T07:17:31.140-04:00The One Thing I Love about FootballI have never been a huge football fan (or really a minor football fan either) but ever since I can remember <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Labor Day Weekend</span> was when my family would pack up the car and head up to my parents' alma mater to tailgate before the first game of the season. We would dress in team colors, set up a picnic in the grass near their law school and eventually walk over to the game along with a sea of fans with spirits high as the season got underway. I <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">will never love watching football</span> but I will always cherish those memories of going to games and I <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">will alway love our family tailgates</span>. For those of you tailgating this weekend or this fall here are some items that make a tailgate complete.<br />
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<a href="http://www.keepandshare.com/graphics/lp/football/nfl_athu_football_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.keepandshare.com/graphics/lp/football/nfl_athu_football_sm.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><b>A Football </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><b>...for those who are so inclined</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.louiesgiftshack.com/catalog/Florida.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.louiesgiftshack.com/catalog/Florida.jpg" width="289" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><b>A Team Mascot-Inspired Checkers game</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><b>...for those who are not "picked for the team (ahem)</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.tailgategame.com/img/florida-gators-decal-football-bean-bag-toss-game_5251_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.tailgategame.com/img/florida-gators-decal-football-bean-bag-toss-game_5251_500.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><b>A tailgate game for everyone to enjoy</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZNGt2J19ZikqBeQ51o8ldaxjFLaZ_yTJ4-bkxY55QaZF1WHel61d5N5QdktW1lvoSkuk7JXl5SGKMFnGhXPKNIfn5bWYP6n0E1hWYm6Q137qMw_vS6cyQwv934RpBEpKGMzr2uiekCc/s320/Blue+Hydrangea+1.JPG.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZNGt2J19ZikqBeQ51o8ldaxjFLaZ_yTJ4-bkxY55QaZF1WHel61d5N5QdktW1lvoSkuk7JXl5SGKMFnGhXPKNIfn5bWYP6n0E1hWYm6Q137qMw_vS6cyQwv934RpBEpKGMzr2uiekCc/s320/Blue+Hydrangea+1.JPG.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.thelittlememoryshop.com.au/images/FTIFeltRibbonOrange.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.thelittlememoryshop.com.au/images/FTIFeltRibbonOrange.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><b>Wrap blue hydrangeas with orange ribbon and put in vase</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://i.c-b.co/is/image/LandOfNod/Blanket_GeneralStore_BL?$web_family$" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://i.c-b.co/is/image/LandOfNod/Blanket_GeneralStore_BL?$web_family$" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><b>Blue striped blanket</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://images.replacements.com/images/images5/china/V/villeroy_boch_wonderful_world_orange_dinner_plate_P0000227669S0001T2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://images.replacements.com/images/images5/china/V/villeroy_boch_wonderful_world_orange_dinner_plate_P0000227669S0001T2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><b>Orange paper plates</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://platesandnapkins.com/media/catalog/product/cache/2/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/c/5/c508207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://platesandnapkins.com/media/catalog/product/cache/2/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/c/5/c508207.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://cdn0.doscheap.com:8080/inventory/images/resized/blue-polka-dot-lunch-napkins-paper_w300_h300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cdn0.doscheap.com:8080/inventory/images/resized/blue-polka-dot-lunch-napkins-paper_w300_h300.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><b>A mix of orange and blue polka dot napkins</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/92/Albert_and_Alberta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/92/Albert_and_Alberta.jpg" width="280" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><b>Happy Labor Day and Happy Tailgating!</b></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1