Elements of Style Blog

Got some ladies on your list? Guaranteed. There are a few brands that are a go-to for me when looking for girly gifts and Kate Spade New York is one of those! Here are some holiday gift ideas from them along with a look back at some of my favorite ad images from the brand:

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While we’re on the topic of Kate Spade, I waned to gather a collection of some of my most favorite ads from their past.  They have such a strong artistic edge, I simply LOVE them. Some of my favorite ads of all time.

(can I be friends with this couple? no, can I BE this couple?)

*This post is sponsored by Kate Spade New York. Opinions and selections my own.

I was delighted to be asked to be featured in the Boston Sunday Globe Magazine again, this time for tips on decorating for Christmas!  My guy Michael J. Lee shot the pictures (and most of my book) and since only two of them were in the article I wanted to share the rest with you (and get a little glimpse at my house in it’s final stages!)

And look little Oliver had his 15 minutes of fame! GO OLLIE!

I seriously LOVE this shot. LOVE LOVE LOVE. It warms my little, black Ebeneezer Scrooge heart. That eBay chair and re-upholstery job was so very much worth it. The greek key drapes are custom made by my main man, Manny Makkas but you can get similar ones here too.  The brass rods are from West Elm!

We got to show up a piece from my line with Jill Rosenwald in this shot, the monogrammed Ritz Tray- a PERFECT gift if I do say so myself!

I delight in my bar bust, and I got her ALL gussied up for the holiday in black and white plaid ribbon and a strand of my pearls! The star ornaments are from Crate & Barrel and I luuuurve them.  (P.S. Find a Rosemary Cranberry Sparkler recipe like in these glasses at the end of the post!)

My wrapping scheme for the year matches the house with black, white, gold and green…. and even leopard! The malachite paper is left over from the wallpaper job I did on the interior cabinets of the bar, but I found another version that IS wrapping paper on Spoonflower!   The stripe paper reverses to the gold dot for double the wrapping fun!

And would you believe it- a reader (and the owner of Pecan Pie Puppies) posting this stack of dog collars inspired by my gift wrap on Instagram?! To say I died is a complete understatement! MALACHITE DOG COLLARS!?!?!? Also bow ties? Ones that match Andrew’s party pants for Xmas? I’m far too excited about this!!!

But for you, a fun cocktail to serve your family and friends:

Rosemary Cranberry Sparkler

1 Cup Cranberry Juice

½ Cup Vodka

2 Tablespoons of Rosemary Simple Syrup

Champagne

** Combine cranberry juice, vodka and syrup into a shaker filled with ice. Shake to combine and pour into desired glasses. Fill each glass about half full and then top with Champagne. Add desired garnish.

Rosemary Simple Syrup

I cup water

1 cup sugar

few rosemary springs

** Combine water and sugar in a pot and put on medium heat. Once the sugar is partly dissolved put the fresh rosemary sprigs into the mixture. Bring mixture up to a soft simmer and reduce heat to low to allow the rosemary flavor to infuse into the syrup. Let mixture cool after steeping in syrup for 5-10 minutes, depending on the strength you prefer. Strain the rosemary from the syrup and store in the refrigerator until ready to use.

SHOP THE POST:

I’m sure a bunch of you are hosting parties, dinners and family gatherings in the coming weeks and so we’ve partnered with Kate Spade New York to show off their fantastic tabletop and paper goods new for the season! All the black, white, gold and stripes are right up my alley, of course, and coordinate so well with my house we decided to decorate for a party!

Parties take a lot of prep. Fuel up with breakfast and get ready to run all your errands.

(How amazing are these Castle Peak bowls? And mugs? And creamer and sugar bowl?)

Time to jet out of the house with your cute planner, shopping prep reminders from this awesome sticky pad set, a fab travel mug full of caffeine to keep you going and maybe, just maybe, my favorite Kate Spade heels.

After shopping, get wrapping with this ADORABLE reversible paper (black and white stripes to gold dots- hello, perfection). I mixed in some leftover wallpaper scraps in a malachite pattern to add in a pop of color, but a bold color ribbon would look gorgeous too!

After all the party preparations you have just enough time to slip on something cute and sparkly like this jewel necked dress- no need for a necklace! I also love this simple black one as well, and this sparkly skirt!

Bottoms up! Pour the champagne and welcome your guests to your home!

These adorable striped coasters reverse to cute script-y sayings (cocktail napkins available too) and this adorable candle would make a great gift!

These striped acrylic straws are re-usable and add SUCH pizazz to any simple cocktail.

Coupe style champagne glasses are so elegant, and setting the table with this modern dinnerware set adds a little “edge”- a sprig of fresh rosemary tucked into the napkins whets the appetite with it’s yummy scent!

You don’t have to go crazy with table decorations, a great vase filled with one simple type of flower surrounded by glittery ornaments is easy and festive!

These cute confetti-like place cards lets people know where to plop down, avoiding any musical chairs!

Ready for a great meal and lots of laughs! (And yes, we invited Ryan Gosling to our party.  Sadly he was a no show.)

Post party it’s time to write your thank you notes like the gracious hostess you are, these monogrammed, striped lovelies do the job just fine.  And frame a snapshot in a matching acrylic frame.

Parties sure are exhausting, aren’t they?

Some fun Kate Spade New York events coming up in a town near you!

This post sponsored by Kate Spade New York.