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Category: General

The Prom on Broadway……a perfect gift for Christmas

Are you looking for a new play to give as a Christmas gift for your teens, college age child, or a feel show for your family?  The Prom on broadway is the next big hit from the geneses of Mean Girls, Aladdin, Elf, The Book of Mormon and MORE!!!  We have tickets for The Prom on Broadway, on Sunday, January 13th at 3:00.  The orchestra seats are $140 each.  Please Email me to save your spot.  Flyers will be available for you to wrap under the tree!!!

What happens when four stars leave the bright lights of Broadway and take leading roles in a small-town controversy making national headlines? Big drama. Bigger laughs. And the biggest musical showstoppers in years! You’ll agree with Variety, The Prom is “musical comedy heaven!”

Here is the REVIEW from the New York Times…..

And a clip of the show that was preformed at the Thanksgiving Day Parade….

Book Club Monday

Are you gearing up for Holiday cookie exchanges?  Both of my girls have them next week.  That means that 4 dozen plus cookies will be coming out of our kitchen.  And, it might take us a few days because we need to practice, no body wants an ugly cookie!!!!! I recently saw a recipe for Christmas Cracker Stackers (which someone told me was the best cookie they ever had BTW!!!!)…from the book Out Of The Box Holiday Baking by blogger Hayley Parker.  This book is now on my list for all my fam and friends who love to bake, esp. easy baking, including my own daughter!!!  Here is the summary…every recipe looks amazing…you have to check it out…..

By starting with cake or brownie mixes, ready-made dough and crusts, and other make- it- simple head starts, Hayley Parker makes holiday baking a breeze. She transforms everyday ingredients into one- of- a- kind desserts and puts new twists on flavors like spicy gingerbread, cool peppermint, and creamy eggnog. Here are candies, cookies, cakes, cupcakes, pies, bars, and more, including: 

  • White Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes
  • Homemade Chocolate Hazelnut Truffles
  • Eggnog Pie
  • Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

From the blogger who makes “even novice bakers feel like pros” (POPSUGAR), these sweet treats are perfect for holiday gift-giving, parties, and unexpected guests―even Santa will be impressed! – Amazon.com


For more information or to purchase this book, click HERE.

image Amazon.com


More of My Favorite Gifts

I cannot tell you how many times people stop me around town or text me that they LOVE the Amazon gift guide.  I have a whole bunch coming your way in the next few weeks (oh and some non Amazon too!!!).  I hope you enjoy this week’s favorite gifts.  There are some real winners here!!  Bon Weekend!!!!
image raindropsofsapphire.com

These festive napkin rings are perfect if you are hosting a Christmas dinner or for anyone who likes to entertain!


My son actually pointed this out to me…perfect for a teen age or college age child!!!!!


I love these beaded ornament kits….it would be so much fun to get a few and have your girlfriends over for an ornament making party….


There are so many designs to choose from!!!!


They also make a great gift for all ages…this one is sooo gorgeous!!!!


Can you tell I am obsessed!???!??!?!


I read that this sleep aid is on top of many people’s wish list….


This is so great as a teacher gift!!!!


My girls are going to LOVE this necklace!!!!


I have seen this “IT” bag on other sites for triple the price….it also comes in so many fun colors!!!

Holly Jolly Punch

It’s time for some Holly Jolly Punch!!!  If you are running around shopping, decorating and wrapping you are truly ready for a rest and a cocktail and this is the one for you!!!!  Bottoms Up!!!!

image The Cocktail Project
adapted from The Cocktail Project

1 part DeKuyper® Triple Sec Liqueur

  • 2 parts Pinnacle® Original Vodka
  • 3 parts Cranberry Juice
  • 6 parts Ginger Ale
  • 2 parts Orange Juice
  • Cinnamon Allspice
  • Nutmeg
Add ingredients to a punch bowl and stir. Slowly stir in orange juice concentrate as it melts. Add spices to taste, and garnish with orange slices.

Home Goods Holiday Re-Cap

I know I owe you a Home Goods re-cap.  I thought I would do one focusing on Holiday decor.  My Home Goods was full of items.  Things do really go fast but they are replenishing everyday.  I think I am going to have to go back next week!!!  Everything was found at the Home Goods in Port Chester.  This store seems to have the best selection, second to Westport!!!  Happy Shopping…Let me know what you end up buying, I’d love to hear!!!


I have been looking for this faux fur garland for 2 years now….It is so beautiful on a tree.   I bought one and could not find another….Lucky for you they had a whole end cap full!!!!

I love these decorated felt trees.  They had larger ones too but this trio caught my eye...

These storage baskets are so chic!!!

You know I cannot resist bar accessories!!!

Or anything hair calf!!!
There were tons of items for a Hot Chocolate Bar!!!  We will be setting one up soon!!!!  Def a highlight of the Holiday season!!!!

There were a bunch of decorative santas and Christmas trees.  I loved this metal tree (there was a pair) and this is the cutest white fur Santa..I cannot believe I left him there!!!

There was also a ton of Le Creuset in every shape, size and color!!!  They really do make the best gifts.

They had these evergreen centerpieces again this year….If I didn’t have a round dining table, one would def have come home with me…the one with the gold antlers is my favorite!!!

How cute are these Hermes orange colored storage boxes……such a great gift!!!

I LOVE these trees…they would make such a statement placed on either side of a fireplace…
Also these mercury glass red trees are incredible and there were sooo many..I love the way all the patterns look together!!!!

How great is this xlarge candle?!?….another fab gift!!!!  I love the color!!

These bar stools are gorgeous..I wish I had a place for them!!!!!  The gold legs are perfect.

I am really into mixing plaids this year on my tablesetting…stay tuned!!!!

These red crystal glasses would enhance any beverage!!!!!!

Another regret…my son would LOVE this lucite Jenga game…..I should have bought it.

There was the most gorgeous selection of napkin rings…

These reindeer and rattan trees are so fabulous!!!  A great neutral decoration.

The Importance Of A Lighting Plan

A lighting plan can make all the difference in home decor.  Most people do not know how important it is.  Having the proper mix of overhead lighting, wall lighting and table lighting can change the entire mood of a room.  I recently visited the “Light Lab” at Patdo Lighting and was so impressed with all the elements they can add to each room in your home.  Partner’s Mari Lou Nania and Gary Novasel are truly experts in their field.  I was able to sit down with Gary and have him explain exactly what creating a lighting plan can do.  Whether it is a new construction or simply just sprucing up one room, they can certainly lend a hand!!!!

One of the most enjoyable parts of being a Lighting Designer is when I work with a new client who has never used a lighting designer before. Throughout the design and specification process they are constantly amazed at the depth and breadth of the information and factors that we need to get into to create a proper design. There are questions about life style and family activities, artwork and collections (and protection from UV) , flexibility, furnishing style, finishes and placement, texture, wall, floor and ceiling finishes, structure and plenum, insulation, Electrical, Energy and Life Safety Codes,  lighting’s effect on color, color rendition (CRI), color temperature, energy savings, dimming and control, flexibility, drama, functional and shadow free task lighting, the psychological factors of light, construction details and constraints, craftsmanship, budget, product lead times, fixture size, aperture shape and glare control, maintenance, environmental impact, security, and on, and on, and on…..It is this depth and  diversity of  required information that I think best defines the process and practice of Lighting Design.

“I had no idea!” Clients say, “ I  just thought you just went to the Home Center and put a light in the middle of the room or have the Electrician go to the Supply House and install a couple of downlights in the corners”. This is what I call, “Lighting as a Commodity”.

Lighting is THE most powerful, yet UNDER-UTILIZED  design tools available.   When we treat lighting as a “commodity” we miss out on enormous opportunities to transform our environments as well as the joy of living and working in  properly lit environments.  

It is  when our client’s projects are complete, furnishings and artwork are in place and Patdo has aimed and adjusted all of the lighting, that we get to hear the BEST comments, “Wow, I had no idea how beautiful my home could be.”  I will NEVER build again without a Lighting Designer on board!”  “I’m going to tell all my friends not to DARE do a project without Patdo.”

Frank Lloyd Wright called lighting, “the great revealer of form”. He made this statement  in the context of the very crude and early  lighting equipment  available to him in his day. Just imagine the power of lighting now with today’s amazing new LED technologies and products at our disposal!