Luster » holidays

Happy Mother’s Day

Luster — Sat, 07 May 2011 18:27:00 +0000

I love these photos by Mark Shaw on 1st Dibs of Jackie Kennedy, her husband, and childen taken at Hyannis in the 50′s.

Wishing all mothers and mothers-to-be a Happy Mother’s Day weekend! And….a special Happy Mother’s Day wish to my grandmother and mother, two amazing ladies that I fiercely admire and love dearly. xo

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::: Happy Valentine’s Day! :::

Luster — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 20:53:39 +0000

Wishing you a wonderful Valentine’s Day! Hope it’s filled with joy, sweet treats, and the ones that you love. We’re going out for sushi and making chocolate covered strawberries when we get home. If you missed my Valentine’s Day post from a couple of weeks ago, you can catch it here

XOXO

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Images: Cover photo Timo Elliott photography | Be my Valentine, cupcake, and fabric stuffed hearts via Ashley Meaders | All you need is love poster via Poppytalk | hand carved love sign

Be Mine {Valentine}

Luster — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 20:23:08 +0000

It’s getting closer to Valentine’s Day and I’m smitten with all these lovey dove items…

Polaroid Heart by Warren Heath via 79 ideas

Sequin heart pins & shoe clips at Ban-do

Love Greeting Card set & Valentines Letterpress Card from In Haus Press via Creature Comforts

Can’t wait until February 6 when I’ll be making Valentines with my dear Remy at Spacecraft in Williamsburg via Viva Snail Mail {images via Valentine’s Day Crafternoon Party}

Valentine treats for you & your sweeties X and O Smores | Hot chocolate with marshmallow hearts | Pear Raspberry heart pie | Conversation Heart Cookies

and…bags designed by Twig and Thistle to carry them in. You can download and print the design right here

{Top image: Fabric Hearts by Ashley Meaders, photo by Our Labor of Love}

{Happy Holidays!}

Luster — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 06:00:33 +0000

Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and a bright, sparkly new year!!! xoxo

1. Red fox in the snow via flickr, | 2. Living room via House and Home | 3. Papercut deer via Emma’s designblogg | 4. Snowflake curtain via flick | 5-8. Living etc, December 2010

{‘Twas the night before} the night before

Luster — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 19:57:43 +0000

I cannot believe it’s Christmas Eve tomorrow! The presents are wrapped, the cookies are baked & iced, work is almost over, and I am heading home to CT to celebrate. I am excited for what is {supposed} to be a White Christmas in New England this year. I’ll be taking a break from blogging for the holidays, and resuming posts in January. Here are some of my favorite Christmas tunes to keep you jolly leading up to the big day.

photo via photodonuts

{Home} gift guide

Luster — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 07:23:12 +0000

Pretty picks for the home in silvery blues and greys.

1. Curtis Jere Urchin Wall Sculpture {Contact Dealer for price} | 2. Palace glasses $22 | 3. Agate plates and coasters $59-$65 | 4. Dotted Trellis Charcoal Pillow $62 | 5. Distressed European Wall clock $59 | 6. Beetle Oval Platter $225 | 7. Oversized Zinc Letters $98 | 8. Faux Fur Throws $99 {This is amazingly soft and cozy. I was lucky enough to receive this last xmas} Sold out online from Pottery Barn sorry! check PB later, they carry them every year | 9. Black Orchid Pitcher $195 | 10. Cire Trudon candles $75 Click here for retailers {and for a tour of the stunning new NYC Store click here} | 11. High Neck Vase $36 | 12. Ittalia Toikka Ruby Glass bird $170 | 13. Sly fox doorknocker $24 | 14. Pyrite heart $52 | 15. Snow globe $25

{Foodie} Gift Guide

Luster — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 23:50:49 +0000

1. Enchanted Buck measuring cups $48 | 2. Marble Salt and Pepper cellars with brass spoons $108 {white salt cellar not shown} | 3. Castle Key Bottle Opener $12 | 4. Jme Mulled Wine Syrup $15 | 5. Kiss under the Mistletoe Apron $32 | 6. Dean & Deluca Spice Rack $95 sml $165 lg | 7. Cuddle with Cider Sachets $7 | 8.Turquoise Tunisian Tagine {non-cookable} $49 | 9. Raw crystal bottle stoppers $55 | 10. Acorn salt and pepper shakers $58 | 11. Maggie’s Harvest $125 | 12. Recipes from an Italian Summer $26.37

1. Hot chocolate by Jacques Torres $18 | 2. Penguin Maple Syrup $22 | 3. 12 bottle wine rack in Ebony $61.99 | 4. Nudo Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil $16.99 {For the ultimate splurge: Adopt an Olive tree at Nudo’s grove in Italy. You receive olive oil straight from your tree. For more info click here} | 5. Plyboo US States cutting boards $40 {Update Dec 13: Plyboo is all sold out already for the holidays, so sorry} | 6. Macarons from Bisous Ciao {for Macarons that ship domestically click here and here} | 7. Laguiole cheese knife set $32 | 8. Writable Artisan Cheese Markers $21 | 9. Set of 4 Honey gift set $49 | 10. Morris Kitchen Ginger Syrup $13 {once you try this, you’ll be hooked} | 11. Cast iron apple pot $120 | 12. Hands down, the best Peppermint Bark $26.50 | 13. Heart measuring spoons $44 | 14. Pipette Olive Oil & Vinegar serving set $89.99 {includes tray, not shown}

{Mens} Gift Guide

Luster — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 22:21:38 +0000

1. Woolen blankets from locally raised sheep $225 | 2. Beard Oil Dude no 1 Mens Fragrance $65 | 3. Airplane vintage money clip $48 | 4. Mustache mug $12 | 5. Decoded by Jay-Z $18.88 | 6. wood block perpetual calendar $35 | 7. World Globe $69.95 | 8. Ray Ban plastic Aviator $135 | 9. Hudson Four Grain Bourbon Whiskey $43.99 {hand bottled, numbered and labeled, small barrel process. only Bourbon of its kind on the market} | 10. Rugged twill travel bag $168 {Update 12/10: Just saw this is sold out already. Sorry. J.crew has a couple of other twill bags for options} | 11. Music Hall USB 2 speed turntable $249 | 13. Daptone Gold compilation $18.99 Vinyl $10.99 CD Mp3 $7.99 | 13. Brooklyn bridge letterpress oak box stationary set $55 | 14. ‘Bottoms Up’ Leather Flask $34.50 {because who doesn’t need an extra drink around the holidays}

{Gold} Gift guide

Luster — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 02:23:12 +0000

Today I am rounding up a dazzling array of metallic gift ideas. I named this blog after my love of all things shiny and pretty, and nothing says It’s the Holidays like a dash of gold glamour. So go ahead and get glitzy.

1. Acquamiki Suspension Lamp $700 | 2. Wall Flower Art $45-85 | 3. Crackled foil gold luggage tag {this an amazing deal. I saw it in London for 4 times the price} $10.50 | 4. Glitterati party clutch $59.50 | 5. Gold bowls & Teacups {on my wishlist for ages!} $56-$122 | 6. Tiled Capiz box $23 | 7. Palomino teacup and saucer {Horses + Gold: amazing} $30 | 8. Distressed Squares Pillow $48 | 9. Gold wishbone $48 | 10. Gilded Herringbone Toms Classics $54 | 11. Beignet Pouf $2920 {for a much less expensive alternative click here} | 12. faceted bracelet $78 | 13. Organic Facet Studs $38 | 14. Decorative pinecones $12-$14 | 15. Twirl by Kate Spade $80 | 16. Bijoux dots pillow cover $34 | 17. Due Ice Oro Flatware $115 {I should have registered for gold flatware, sigh } |18. Diamond pattern votive holder $20 | 19. Oval cut shiny gold ring $115

1. Twirl Larabee Dot Fete mini saucers $75 | 2. Mr. and Mrs. Cocktail Tumblers $18 {i love these!} | 3. Winter Tree Ball Ornaments Set of 3 $14.85 | 4. Midas Tree Lamp $398 | 5. Gold Elephant Candle $85 | 6. Celestial Trivet $48 | 7. Forget me not ring $54 | 8. Sue London Slipper $168 {Always on my wishlist. Hard to find lately, Wink sometimes has these, or contact Sue directly} | 9. Crystal encrusted creviche hinge bracelet $250 | 10. Manzanita Tree Jewelry holder $175 | 11. Crochet Bib chain necklace $88 | 12. Tassel swag necklace $58 | 13. Last Dance dotted blouse $110 | 14. Antique reproduction telescope $150 | 15. Python metallic passport cover $22 | 16. Butter London West End Wonderland Nailpolish $22 {I did a post in September about why this nailpolish is a safer choice, click here} | 17. Cakeplate with gold plated bamboo base $295 | 18. Chinese stool $129 | 19. Color pencil and Brass holder set $65 | 20. Kosta Boda Glimmer Vase $150 | 21. Gold Lomo fisheye camera $49

{Personalized} Gift Guide

Luster — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 21:45:51 +0000

‘Tis the season and the start of the holiday gift buying madness. I personally love hunting for the perfect gift, so I thought I would kick off the holiday season with a series of gift guides over the next week covering everyone on your shopping list. With the short season already in full swing, I thought we should start with personalized gifts so that you can order them right away and they are set to arrive on time. Here are some ideas to make your loved ones feel a little more special by giving them a little something made just for them.

1. Loyalty & Blood Letter Tote bags $22 {I gave these to my bridesmaids at my wedding} | 2. Zodiac charm necklace $70 | 3. 14K Gold initial pendant $250 {I have the gold plated version and wear it all the time} | 4. vintage blue personalized book plates $15.95 | 5. Lucite trays $200 {For the hostess who has everything} | 6. Modern Alchemy Zodiac Candle collection $18 {this is such a lovely gift with bonus gift box} | 7. Classic Terry Monogrammed Robe $69 | 8. Silver plated breakfast tray $79 | 9. tiny text bowls $22 | 10. Bright leather luggage tags $23 {Your black suitcase will always stand out from the crowd} |11. Zebra Initial Melamine Plate $22 | 12. Jonathan Adler Zodiac Pillows $98 | 13. Floral Monogram Cards $18 {Check out all the other beautiful personalized items from Rifle too!} | 14. Monogrammed playing cards $55 | 15. monogrammed mugs $6 | 16. Custom perfumes by CB I Hate Perfum, contact for price | 17. monogrammed sachets $18

Preserving photo memories tops the list as the most treasured gift to receive. In the past few years, I have made my loved ones very happy using these companies to make everything from cards, calendars and books. The process is very easy: just upload your photos, use their streamlined templates to design your item, and order away. The finished product has always impressed me. Here are my favorite sources for all your photo gift needs: 1. Make your own photo books with Blurb $12.95-$83.95 {I have made several books using Blurb including a Wedding album} | 2. Photo books, cards, and calendars from iPhoto by Apple | 3. Tastebook cookbooks $29.95+ {If I have time this year, I want to make one of these!} | 4. Silver plated engravable frames $29-$49 | 5. Set of 2 frame ornaments $7.90 {So simple, yet people love these every time} | 6. Photo book by Lulu $44.95