Category: Holidays

On this blog, I have written about my friend Leeann many times.. She is the one with whom, I have been friends with since middle school and a few years ago she moved to Maine for a HUGE career opportunity (even though all our lives, including college, we never lived apart for more than 45 minutes AT THE MOST from each other).

Well, Leeann is uber creative and pretty cool. She’s the type of person who calls Robert DeNiro, Bobby, and sat across a table from Lady Gaga, mentioning that they both went to Sacred Heart. She created a logo for her 50th birthday party and when building her house, designed a special DJ Booth for all future dance parties! The first time I saw it in action, I was honestly speechless!!! So when I saw the graduation party she threw for her daughter, Winnie, last weekend, I had to share…It was perfection and honestly I wish I had been as clever to have thrown it myself!!!!

All photos by the talented @digitalmacphotos

I love the bamboo place settings and navy cloth napkins…and notice the custom logo designed for the party!! And do not forget to check out the menu…5 families got together and provided all the food themselves….

The Farm To Table theme was perfection. The chambray runners were perfect with the gorgeous paper flower centerpieces with pearl and gemstone centers made by Susan McNeil, @petals.susan. She ships nationwide and her bouquets are fabulous. Def. on my mind for future gifting….

Leeann made sweet tea and served it in individual mason jars chilled on ice..

How fabulous are these?…Half orbs made completely from paper flowers at each of the graduate’s places in their college colors, which will also become a keepsake that they can bring with them next year to their college dorm rooms.

Now for my favorite part, look at this academic-themed giant candy bar…each selection of candy was cleverly named and labeled. See below, animal crackers “teacher’s pets”, $100 grand bars “college debt“, tootsie rolls “honor roll”, gummy worms, “book worms”, smarties “smartypants”, ring pops, “class rings”, etc etc. LOVE IT ALL!!

And lastly look at this incredible light show that she did for the dance floor with a combination of LED lights, paper lanterns, professional lighting, and of course in true Leeann style a huge disco ball. What a party...Leeann, I hope you plan my next one!!!

I really struggled with this year’s gift guide for Mother’s Day. I wanted to incorporate some self-care items, with some special goodies with a few luxuries thrown in. Really something for everyone. The past year has really taught us that less is more and the people in our lives and our home lives really are the most important. So I have a few special choices to really treat mom.

Cake// 1 Hotel Candle//Tunic Dress// Barista Keurig Machine// Pucci Top//Juicer//Godiva Gift Box// Milk Bar Truffles//Cube Diffusers//Gucci Bag//Bliss Bath Gem// Floral Bouquet// Shower Steamers//Baked By Melissa Cupcakes.

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I will be celebrating Easter this year by getting my second vaccine on Good Friday!!!!!! I am going to set an Easter Breakfast table for my family early this week just in case. I am still deciding on the menu but, as for most holidays, I am looking toward my favorite tabletop company, Back Country Mercantile for some inspiration. I have been friendly with Amanda, the founder and designer for a few years now and I am in awe of her talent. She has curated the most incredible glasses, china, vintage accessories, and more. This year I added a few of the little bunny-covered dishes to my collection. I love all the colors but Amanda recommended the pink, green, and chocolate swirl. I bought the most beautiful purple glasses that Amanda picked out for me this past summer but I do have my eye on the pink ones too…..Maybe for Mother’s Day!! All items are available on their WEBSITE and there is still time for local delivery in Greenwich and all the surrounding areas.

PS all the flowers are from Mcardles (going there first thing tomorrow)!!!

I know everyone loves Arthur Ave!!! And everyone also has all their favorite places where they like to do their shopping. A few years ago, in response to so many requests, I did my own Arthur Ave Shopping Tour and discovered so many good hidden gems. I definitely do not go there enough though and I really want to learn more about the area. My amazing Blogging friend Stacy Knows posted a great guide to preparing for Easter on Arthur Ave. I had to copy her and share the information with you. So here goes….

In advance of Easter, Sunday, April 4, the Belmont Business Improvement District (BID) is egg-cited to announce that a variety of merchants in Bronx Little Italy will feature a number of offerings available to help shoppers and visitors celebrate safely. The neighborhood features New York City’s best, authentic Italian restaurants, bakers, delicatessens, pastry shops, and specialty stores and is often owned and operated by the same families that founded them nearly a century ago.

Whether you’re filling baskets for little ones, creating an egg hunt or making a special dinner for your loved ones or your social distancing pod, local merchants will be offering specialty Easter bread, chocolate eggs, hand painted marzipan lambs, fresh lamb meat and roasts,  and more. There’s something for everyone to enjoy and be hoppy about this year with offerings available for shipping, delivery, or in-store purchase.

2021 Easter Offerings Include

Madonia Bakery and Addeo Bakery – Madonia Bakery and Addeo Bakery are both multi-generational, family-owned bakeries well known for their specialty Easter bread, which is a sweet Italian tradition. Baked in the shape of a wreath, the specialty bread is made with three pieces of dough braided together to represent the Holy Trinity. Both bakeries are open for takeout.

Vincent’s Meat Market – Family owned and operated since 1954, Vincent’s Meat Market has been providing high quality, fresh meat, and poultry sourced from reputable farms. Offering a variety of lamb roasts, a very popular and traditional meat to serve on Easter, Vincent’s Meat Market is open for in store shopping, delivery and shipping.

Artuso Pastry – Established in 1946, Artuso Pastry has become a nationally recognized culinary treasure through dedication and authenticity, one fabulous cannoli at a time. The shop manufactures 10 million cannoli a year and this Easter, customers can customize their own cannoli at the cannoli bar. Additional offerings include Struffoli, also known as honey balls, a staple on the Italian dessert table for Easter. The Neapolitan dish is made of deep fried dough with honey, among other sweet ingredients. Artuso’s is open for in store purchase and shipping.

Gino’s Pastry Shop – Celebrating over 60years in business, owner, Jerome Raguso, maintains the shops traditional roots and honors the recipes of his father, the founder. Every Easter, Jerome offers hand painted marzipan lambs, a traditional Sicilian delicacy that are hard to come by these days, as well as handmade Easter biscuits. Available for in store purchase and shipping.

Teitel Brothers & Cerini Coffee & Gifts – Leading up to Easter, shoppers can find a plethora of Chocolate Easter Eggs in a variety of chocolates, fillings, and even some with little toys. Perfect for filling Easter baskets or the dessert table, both stores are open for in-store shopping and available for shipping.