Appearance is key.....

We all know were guilty of it...We never put any thought or love into the wrapping of a gift.  I usually just throw it into a bag with some tissue paper, write my name on a card and call it a day.


When really the wrapping is the first thing you see...It's like a first date...you see the appearance of the person first and how they present themselves...how can a gift get any credibility if it is not wrapped beautifully?!

Lets start with some unique and hand made name tags...look at how great these are!  These are much more elegant than the usual holiday sticky name tags, that have the picture of a snowman or a Christmas tree.  Imagine what the receiver will think before even seeing the gift! (Images via ETSY)

The name tags usually attach or are in the general area as the bow.  Bows are so tacky and ugly looking.  Sticking a big red bow on a gift just says BORING.  How about placing a nice flower, or even a little snowflake instead of a bow.  Looks so beautiful with the name tags! (Images via ETSY)

 

And look at this wrapping paper that is out there! These are hand drawn/painting paper! Move over boring old Santa, snowflakes, and Christmas tree wrapping paper!  This wrapping paper is sure to catch every eye it crosses! (Images via ETSY)

Put a little more effort into the wrapping of the gifts you give your loved ones, and do something different!  It's sure to make a long lasting impression! 

I hope everybody has a wonderful holiday! 

Enjoy!

RR & AW

What are you thankful for.....

Well, Thanksgiving is just 2 days away, and as usual we are PROCRASTINATING with everything!

My hubby and I are having 14 people over for the traditional Thanksgiving dinner, and we have a list of things to get done.  I have stuck him with all the cleaning while I get all the fun tasks!

We need some “fallesque” center pieces.  I’m not totally crazy about the centerpieces you buy and just throw on the table.  I feel for holiday’s like this it is fun to be creative and make the centerpieces!

Pumpkins are the traditional fall coordinate, however look at this simple yet traditional centerpiece.  I love the white pumpkins versus the standard orange pumpkins you see everywhere!  The bronze plate underneath brings in the brown from the pumpkin stem.  Simple, but beautiful! (Image above).

I love fall for a lot of reasons, but one of the main reasons is the beautiful color palate that comes with the season!  The greens, rich reds, oranges, and soft browns look fabulous together!  This centerpiece uses all of the staple colors, and combined with the Lucite vases and beautiful ribbon it can make any table look complete!  Combining the Lucite vases with fresh candles and leaves is a great way to bring some of the outdoors in! (Images below).  

Everybody always has extra pumpkins that either didn’t get carved from Halloween, or are just for decoration.  A great way to get the last little bit of life out of the pumpkin, and a great art project for a four year old, is to add some glitter to it!  My little 4 year old LOVES arts and crafts and was a great way to show off the 2 pumpkins sitting on our front porch.  I purchased just some simple brown satin ribbon for the bow and they were complete! (Image

below).

I hope everybody has a wonderful Thanksgiving!  Enjoy!

RR & AW 

Tis the season...

Can you believe that the holidays are almost here! This year has flow by, and it is, yup you guessed it..THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN!

With the holiday's fast approaching, I am starting to pull out the decorations, cook books, and all the goodies that come along with the festivities.

This post is to help everyone get in the holiday spirit! I found some great new decor that i just LOVE! Time to start shopping for the house... Just one of the perks to the holidays!


I love this Happy Holidays ribbon from POTTERY BARN (Image Above). It has the perfect combination of classy and elegant...the feeling that is captured in my home.


Every girl like diamonds, well in this case rhinestones...whats not to love about a rhinestoned ornament on a Christmas tree! Available at Pottery Barn (Image Above).

It is so difficult to find a sleek looking Christmas tree skirt. Everything I see is red, green, has designs, ect..nothing is simple. Look at this beautiful white skirt. You bet this is the first thing I'm going to pick up for the house this year!

These hand made ornaments bring a little sense of "home" to the tree. Still sophicitated, yet fun for all ages! Available at WEST ELM.

We all know we love to purchase new holiday nick nacks..why not have them be stylish too!

I hope everybody has a blissful holiday!

Enjoy!

RR & AW

Wonderful Weekend..

A Life in Design...

One of my all time favorite designers, That Hayes has a book "The Tailored Interior" that features 21 of the most spectacular houses.

Clean, sharp, and elegant are theperfect way to best describe his designs.

Hayes who is also very well known for his ability to embrace both the period and the modern, significant objects and simple ones, furniture he finds and furniture he designs, finds a nice balance between transitional and modern styles.

Images via Thad Hayes, The Tailored Interior.

Unpretentious and yet coolly sophisticated is the work of this well known New York designer.

Hayes' interiors are wonderful demonstrations of aesthetic sensitivity to nuance and style.

Go grab his book..I promise it will be well worth it!

Hope everybody is having a beautiful Wednesday!

RR & AW

An Affair To Remember....

One of my all time favorite magazines, Interiors, featured a house designed by Barbara Waltman.

They captured a beautiful transitional feel, that one hundred years from now someone could walk in and it wouldn't feel dated. The calming decor parallels the quality of light on the island of Nantucket, Massachusetts .

They explained, some of their best memories are of winter gatherings, not summer fetes.

And it is still love at first sight each time they visit. That is true design!

Images via Interiors Magazine.

Hope you enjoyed this, as much as we did! One of our favorite designs!

RR & AW

Look..Oliver Stone...

I was browsing through the November issue of Architectural Digest, and ran across Oliver Stone's NY apartment overlooking the Hudson River.

Designed by Geoffrey Bradfield, he opted for a natural feel (I think he captured that feel pretty darn good).

I love the mix of blues, reds, and cream colors! They look beautiful together, and really bring the feel of the outside in!

The ultra contemporary rug, ties the Kravet Sofa and club chairs together perfectly!

Look at the decorative pieces on the entry console (Picture Below)...they're SOCKS! How great is that!!




Over in the dining area, the blue fabric on the chairs, combined with the rich brown wood trim is STUNNING! Again, check out those gold hands in the middle of the table..Love that! What a breathtaking view!! ( Picture Below)



His bedroom is simple, yet masculine, but still warm and cozy. The black furniture pops right off the sleek white walls. (Picture Below)




Wouldn't mind stopping by to see the apartment in person!



Images courtesy of Architectural Digest


Enjoy!

R & A - The Glam Design Girlz