Christmas Dinner... The 3 C's

Our Christmas dinner is the perfect balance that ultimately summarizes what the holidays are all about: heavy on comfort with a bit of indulgence and a whole lot of fun! We call it the 3 Cs... and not the Cartier c's. No cut, clarity, or color involved here. Cheeseburgers, caviar, and champagne. Seriously, does it get better than that? It's the ultimate trifecta of high-low culinary perfection: the humble, yet freakishly delicious, cheeseburger paired with a flute of bubbly and a side of caviar. Done and done. Here are my favorites:

Toasted brioche. Grass-fed beef. Applewood bacon. Grafton Village cheddar. Lettuce. Tomato.

Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs

Choose a bottle that's significant to you. I like picking one that's associated with a special memory. We served this champagne at our wedding.

Petrossian Royal Transmontanus Caviar

Certain things in life seem suspicious when they're discounted. Medical procedures would be at the top of the list and caviar would be right behind it. The Royal Transmontanus Caviar is farm raised in California, yet similar in texture to the more luxurious Royal Ossetra. If you are feeling up for a deep indulgence, than treat your taste buds to the Royal Ossetra. When I am serving Caviar for a crowd I opt for the Royal Transmontanus.  Don't forget to pick up a few blini's and crème Fraîche. 

Wishing you a Merry Merry! 

GDS Gift Guide

Nothing is worse than elbowing your way through crowds on Black Friday to rummage through a bin of mass-produced goods shipped over from China. But the truth is, it's a lot less intimidating to grab that  crowd-pleaser door-buster deal from a big box store, knowing that their generous return policy will at least buy you a get-out-of-jail-free card if your grateful recipient isn't pleased with your grand gesture. But you're better than that. And even if gift-giving isn't your thing, we're here to help. We pulled together a grouping of our favorite, most thoughtful gifts from small shops and online stores.

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 

1. Placemats from Holly Stuart Designs are made with Farrow & Ball's paint colors

2. Pendant from Erica Wilson

3. Plush quilted slippers from Loro Piana

4. Custom Griffin Design Source telephone table available in many colors and finishes. We love topping it with grass cloth! 

5. The ultimate carryall. Perfect for a market tote, gym bag, or roomy work bag

6. Fine jewelry from The Woods.  Interchangeable baubles add whimsy.

7. Equestrian-inspired cuff from Kendall Conrad

8. A cozy throw from Maine-based blanket maker Swans Island

9. A versatile clutch from Kendall Conrad gets an extra dose of style with a tassel

Faux Fir

Frontgate Fraser Fir

I love Christmas. I am a huge fan. The day after Thanksgiving I can’t wait to tune into the “easy listening station” which plays Christmas tunes 24 hours a day from the day after Thanksgiving through Christmas. 

The songs, cooking for friends, wrapping presents and yes, the holy grail….decorating the Christmas Tree. I moved to Denver, Colorado in 1997. When I moved here, I had no idea how dry it would be and what that meant for, my Christmas tree.  


Before I was married I always had a tree. I loved going to buy the tree, the challenge of how I would get it home, up 4 flights of stairs, and into the stand.  And then all the watering and dust-busting the dropped needles. Sometimes the trees would even be dead before Christmas, posing a horrendous fire hazard. But nevertheless, I enjoyed the process. 

In 2006, my husband ruptured his patella tendon the week before Christmas and I was 7  and a half months pregnant.  He was bed-ridden, leaving me to deal with procuring the tree that year.  In Colorado it dumped so much snow that I couldn’t even get my car out of the garage to take my large self to a lot to pick out the perfect Fraser Fir and then beg the man to deliver it to me.  So I did what any resourceful girl would do.  Yep, Frontgate. I broke down, and ordered a pre-lit tree and it was delivered to my house 3 days later.  I was sure that I had committed purist suicide, but I had limited choices that year. 

Here she is. Don't knock it before you rock it. 

I hired two college kids to come over and set it up. Twenty minutes later I plugged her in and voila! My faux Fir was a stunner. She was perfect and did not need any water nor would she drop a single needle on the floor!  My then 1-year-old son and I decorated the tree and it was ultimate perfection. I didn’t utter a word to my friends. I just smiled as they commented on how perfect and beautiful my tree was.  The secret to my faux-fir….The Thymes Fraser Fir candle, potpourri and scented spray. A shot or 2 every few days keeps the “pine scent” flowing. 

The secret ingredient for Faux Fir bliss. 

I’m not sure I’ve ever going back to a real tree. I don’t miss the blanket of pine needles covering my floor or dealing with a deceased conifer weeks before Christmas Day. Although I am purist I have fully embraced my love for my Frontgate tree. Seven years later we are still going strong. I hope underneath my faux-fir will someday be a real fur!  For now, I’ll settle for my fakie. Here is a link to the Frontgate “look book” for 2013.  You won’t be disappointed!

Deck the Halls: Accessorizing Your Fir

I collected Christmas ornaments and held on to them for years. Every year I buy a few ornaments throughout the year, especially when they all go on sale post-Christmas.  I pick them up in my travels and hope to be able to hand both my children ornaments when they have their own trees someday.  Here are some of my favorites: 

Classics

Macaroons! 

Pom Pom Garland from The Paper Source, $19.95

Plaid Tree Skirt from Garnet Hill, $128

Boxwood Wreaths from Garnet Hill, from $48 

Here's to you and your Fir of choice!

Our beloved Faux Fir in all of her glory.

Blanket Statement: Our Top 10 Throws

When the temps drop, nothing beats curling up in your favorite spot with a super-soft throw with a cup of hot chocolate and an easy afternoon read. Plus, they're great to have on-hand for a last-minute gift that anyone would love. From the classic camp blanket, to pom-pom fringed, and cable knit, we've
rounded up our 10 must-have throws.

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10 

The Tulip Table, Blooming Since 1958

Designed in 1958, by Eero Saarinen,  the tulip table is a timeless classic. This table has adorned homes for decades and has become an iconic classic. Vintage versions are sold on some of our favorite websites for great retro-finds such as Circa Who and Objects in the Loft.  Do some serious treasure hunting at their retail outposts if you're in Palm Beach. Knoll furniture continues to sell the table in various finishes and 2 base colors. 

Though it's more commonly seen in a modern setting accompanied by tulip chairs, this table does equal justice to simple slipcovered ones. Whether having dinner with your family or entertaining friends, your Saarinen tulip table is easily dressed up or down. Here are some of our favorite place settings to adorn your table:

I paired texture-rich linen slipcovers with this tulip table in my kitchen dining area for a rustic/modern contrast. I love the intimacy that you get from a round dining table-- there's never a bad seat in the house!

Lisa Perry Dot Placemats, $25 each

Scully & Scully Placemats, $105 for 4

Holly Stuart Designs Placemats, email GDS to order

Roberta Roller Rabbit Placemat, $25 each

Garnet Hill Boxwood Placemat, $38 each

Easy, Breezy Decorating Ideas for Summer

The mercury is rising and things are finally heating up, which has officially put summer smack dab in the middle of our radar. If you're like us, the only way to scratch that itch is to add some warm weather wares to our home. Take a peek at some of our new summer must haves:

Sister Bag, $110; Sister Parish Design

My go-to summer accessory is usually a simple, oversized carryall that can double as a beach bag or market tote. I love this classic canvas option from Sister Parish Design. Plus, it's lined in one of their prints.

Coffee Table Book, $58; Barnes & Noble

No one embraced summer with abandon quite like Slim Aarons. Bring a splash to you coffee table with this must-read book.

Lulu DK Pastel

Popsicle Fine Art Print by Evan Robarts; Tappan Collective

Lots of new art sites are cropping up, featuring limited edition prints from hot, up-and-coming artists. It's a great way to find affordable art on a whim. I love this melted popsicle photo from the Tappan Collective.

Beach by Mario Tama, 20x200

20x200 is another wonderful limited edition print site, similar to the Tappan Collective and this print of beach-goers dotting the sand is particularly one of my favorites. 

Glass Bottles; Lostine

These oversized glass bottles are perfect for summer. Use them as a vase or a juice carafe for a casual Sunday brunch.

Montauk Melamine Plates, $34 for 4; Pottery Barn

We do lots of outdoor entertaining and dinners during the warmer months. With kids running around, it's nice to not worry about your china so I always have a stack of melamine plates ready to go. These are simple but the blue and white has a slight nautical vibe. 

Perennials Pillows

New from Perennials (one of my go-to outdoor fabric sources): outdoor embroidery. So excited about their newly released pillows finished with weather-proof trimmings.

Get even more summer lovin' and follow me on Pinterest. Check out my Beachy Keen board for more seaside style.