After the Cake, We Open Gifts...

There's always light on the very first birthday or a baby shower. Aside from the candles that glisten on the scrumptious cake, the innocent sparkling eyes of the child or the glistening eyes of the soon to be mother reflects the joy of coming of age into the world. Especially after the cake, the act of opening presents reflects this feeling of joy; these gifts help share the understanding of love. As they venture into the first chapter of their lives, any child should do it as much as possible in luxury and style. With these cute gift ideas, you won't have to ponder too strenously about how to ensure you're giving and promising adventure and love. Whether it'd be a birthday or a baby shower, let it be known that style also runs in adorable.

1. Eau de Senteur. Any baby smells swell, but this added spritz just finalizes the scent we love to keep smelling...a little bit of French fresh.

Smell like a Belle. $74.

2. Pretty Flower Clips. Crafted by Real Housewives of NJ star, Teresa Giudice, these flowers are elegantly crafted. With the two toned purple or pink small flower clip, this makes the perfect accent gift for babies, toddlers, and even big girls. The flower is accented with a gemstone center and comes attached to a lined alligator clip with a non-slip strip. The flower measures about 2 1/2 inches.

Passionate Pink Clip. $15.

Majestic Purple Clip. $15.

3. Blossom Coverall. With elegant design, high quality materials, and classic style, these coveralls would suit any new blossoming child into the world. Comes in three different colors; Chocolate Brown, Ballet Pink, and Snow White.

Delicate & Dainty. $59.

4. Baby "Driving" Mocs in Silver. Modern and handmade,these silver mocs would make any child have happy feet. With nubbies on the soles, comfortable is always in style. The mini version of the JP Tods that are in our closets. Comes in white, pink, and blue.

The Silver Lining. $57.

5. Cute Fur Lined Suede Boots for Infants. Try something different than Uggs. These cute furry footers will surely provide any little one with a sense of adventure, especially in these comfie footsteps. Comes in Black, Brown, Tan, Espresso.

Take a Hike! $34.

6. Baby Shoe. With the cute signature pattern, a little bow, brown leather trim, and the most adorable buckle strap around the tiny ankles, how can anyone not say...

Gucci Gucci Goo! $225.

Traces of Dreams

Change is good. Something new is good. Pictures are worth a thousand words. Here are some beautiful inspirations to bring into your lives today ~ things I wish for you ...:

1. The most gorgeous flowers to brighten your day.

2. A big ice cream cone for you.

3. A moment of pure relaxation by yourself.

4. An enchanted meal with the best of friends and closest of families.

5. Bows & ribbons, feathers & smiles - a leap back to a happy childhood memory.

6. A spontaneous getaway to a place where no one knows your name.

Give Thanks to the Summer Host

Even though most of our summer days have been spent rainy and some cold, and it’s August and near the end; it doesn’t mean we stop throwing parties or attending parties for that matter. And with parties, there’s always a classy and appropriate way to show appreciation to your host/hostess. Whether it's a casual gathering at a friend's home or a summer-themed bash, never attend empty handed or leave your host with 50 extra bottles of wine. Here are some ideas for hostess gifts:

1. Tupelo Honey. Bring something sweeter than wine. A bottle of artisan honey paired with fresh cheese or fruits can savor any taste buds. Tupelo Honey- Flute is my favorite brand of honey.

Oh, Honey. $24.

2. Peugeot Rechargeable Electric Wine Opener. For the wine loving host, their wine collection is probably extensive enough and it might be hard to open up all those bottles of wine. Here is a little bit of unnecessary (or necessary?) luxury they might love to make their wine drinking days easier. Open Sesame! $119.95.

3. Freshly baked bread. Bread is always a nice, thoughtful gift. A loaf from a local bakery and a bottle of top-grade olive oil for dipping can be saved for a light, elegant dinner, or panned out for the party’s events.

4. Monogrammed Oval Soap. A hostess with the mostess would adore these Personalized Soaps. $49.



5. Teas from Fine Estates. Have you heard of "drink tea, live healthy, be happy?" This is something I couldn't live without. A Little Tea for the Soul. Prices start at $19.

Shower 101

We all love showers. Rain showers, calm refreshing showers after a stressful day of work, showers of hugs and kisses from loved ones, and one of the best type of events a girl can have; the baby shower/bridal shower. Sometimes it’s stressful to throw a shower because of so many things that need to be done, so listed below, I have some helpful tips on how to plan and throw a classy and simple shower.

Give guests plenty of notice- Always send a “Save the Date” email at least 3-5 months ahead of time and it can be very informal, just do this so that guests can be aware of your event. When the hostess/host knows more of the details, then invitations can be sent at least 3 weeks before the event--people can’t be sitting around waiting for you!

Don’t ask the guests for money- It’s very déclassé because if you take on the responsibility of being a hostess/host, because when you throw a shower it’s your financial responsibility too. Another considerable option is to ask a bunch of girlfriends to co-host with you.

Guests, Check for registered items- The guests should find out where the hostess/host is registered, but it’s also important for the hostess/host to notify guests of registration through either emails, or a small card in the invitation.

Thank you notes- The hostess/host should assign someone before hand to record gifts for thank you notes so that they can be sent out in a timely and orderly fashion.

Party favors!- It’s the right thing to do to thank your guests for coming to your event. Just a small token of appreciation would suffice and could be as simple as a cookie in a bag.

Co-Ed showers?-There are no restrictions to having just girlfriends at a special event, however, it usually depends on the guest of honor and their preference. Anything goes!

Bring a green aspect to the shower - Ask for gifts unwrapped or wrapped in newspaper or magazine pages. It's fun and you are saving the environment.

Affordable Diamonds

I went to a Denim & Diamonds Charity Dinner last night benefiting Project Ladybug (see post below). For this event, I took out my best diamonds, including a butterfly diamond cuff my mom had custom made for me for my wedding. I had intended on wearing a dramatic diamond necklace, but I am a sucker for taking off my diamond cross that I’ve had forever. I feel naked without it … but that was too simple for the event. And then my good friend Ramona Singer, you may know her from Bravo’s Real Housewives of NY, called and then I had an idea. Ramona has designed some of the most fabulous looking jewelry and I rummaged through my jewelry boxes and layered her diamonds on top of my cross and there – look was complete and I had numerous people come up to me last night oohing and ahhing over my choice of jewelry.

Ramona is really brilliant. You see the fun side of her on the show but she’s so brilliant that I am loving her more and more every time you see her jewelry. She is brilliant enough to designer a high-end jewelry collection that is estate pieces inspired in real diamonds and perfectly cut gems … the best part – I don’t have to shell out $5000 for her pieces. Her prices are so affordable they cost less than Louboutins!! The first time I saw the pieces on Ramona was at Rebecca Taylor’s fashion show and I couldn’t take my eyes off of them. When I took the chance to ask where she purchased them from and how much – I almost fell off my seat when she told me her pieces cost a couple hundred dollars. A COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLARS?! For real diamonds? The stones are impeccably cut. They remind me of pieces of jewelry my mom would bid on at auctions.I especially love her rings and earrings. They are simply divine.
Ramona will be on HSN tomorrow, June 3^rd (Wednesday) at 9PM. Click HERE for a preview.

A Salute to Children, A Salute to Dina.

Most people who know me and have been following this blog knows that I do not involve my social life here. But for once, I'm breaking the rules and introducing you to someone whom I've developed a great admiration for, for her amazing work and efforts in charity. I can go on and on about how so and so donated thousands of dollars sponsoring a gala and got their name plastered on all the programs and invites ... or so and so who sits on the host committee and advisory board of certain charity every year just so she can play dress up in Dior with her friends for a night ... I can go on and on about gossip of people I see everyday and the things they do. But I won't, instead I want to talk about this girl (who happen to look like real life Barbie), who is not only signer of many checks that went to good use but did the dirty work from posting stamps to setting the tables before an event. What sets her apart is, in return she expects nothing - not a picture at the VIP step and repeat, not a dress sponsorship by Oscar de la Renta, not even recognition. She is my friend, Dina Manzo, founder of Project Ladybug and most of America will soon know her as one of the Real Housewives of New Jersey.

She founded Project Ladybug before she was part of Bravo's history. She was simply just a mom, a sister, an aunt ... someone that cooked for her daughter, liked to dine with friends and lived a comfortable lifestyle. And rather spending her days clearing Chanel and getting photographed everywhere she went, she decided she needed to help under-privileged children that are devastated by terminal illness. It's a cause people tend to overlook. When you think of children and babies, you think of new beginnings and good health. But some of the battles these children fight, are greater than anything you or I have ever gone through. As a participant to several charities, I saw this as something worthy. But it never hit me as to what grand things Dina is doing until I heard the stories of what these kids are going through ...

At a spa recently with Dina and Caroline (Caroline is Dina's sister, who happens to be another Real Housewives of NJ), Caroline described to me to story of this little boy: He had cancer of the heart and miraculously, he beat it. But soon enough the doctors found cancer in his shoulders and so they operated on his shoulders and took out much of its muscles. So he walked around lopped-sided, unable to use his bad shoulder. (Honestly, if that were to happen to me, at that point I'd be crying in bed brooding over how unfair this is and what a horrible life Im having ... ) But what this boy did was use his one good arm and held and rocked his crying baby sister and said "I am the protector of her". Even in such pain and such battle, a little boy could have a better attitude then all of us would ... that's beyond words. Dina also showed me a picture of a little girl who wore a hat that said "Cancer Fears Me". It just makes me cry. Hearing about these children brings me back to reality about all the things that I worry and complain about everyday ... how come I can't lose that 5 pounds; I don't have enough shoes to wear; I have one grey hair that isn't going away ... they are all so superficial and so trivial. The battles these children fight everyday are experiences that no children should go through but yet they do it with a smile and a giggle. They are my heroes and what Dina and Project Ladybug are doing for them ... well, it's just phenomenal.

In this tough economic time, I know that charity is the first thing out the window for many families. But please consider donating a service or products (if you have your own business) as Project Ladybug often hosts events big or small in hopes to raise more funds. If you can perhaps make a commitment to give up Starbucks a couple times a week for a month and instead write a check (big or small) ... it can make a huge difference in the lives and well-being of these young children. Email Project Ladybug for more donation info: LadybugFoundation@Gmail.com

Mom's On My Mind

When you were young, she was your chauffeur, your teacher and your cook. She wiped tears off your face and picked you up when you fell. She relentlessly told you right from wrong even though you thought you were a know-it-all. Now in your adult life, she is your friend, your guiding light and your cheerleader. She never fails to stand by your side. Most of all, she's your mother. Mother's Day is less than a week away. Don't forget her this year ... get her something amazing that would bring a smile to her face (best part, you don't have to break your budget to do that). Here are a few fabulous ideas:

1. Nest Candles & Burn Voyage Candles. You don't have to buy her a plane ticket to transport her to somewhere fun. Nest candles are made with fun scents like Bamboo and Moss & Mint. They are unique and the candles are poured in beautiful decorative tumblers that can be reused as a vase! The smaller Burn Voyage candles are made with an exotic combination of scents to transport mom to "Greener Pastures", "Purple Mountains", "Azure Seas" (my favorite) and more. What I love about these candles is the packaging. So pretty. Pretty. Pretty.

Nest Candles $32. Free shipping at any price.
Burn Voyage Candles $26.


2. Memoire Liquide. If you are in California, visit the Studio Beauty Mix counter at Fred Segal or pop into Bloomingdales 59th Street in New York City to custom mix your own fragrance. This is the perfect way to recreate a certain memory, time shared between mother and daughter or a childhood dessert always made by your mother ... The possibilities are endless. If you are out of the New York and LA areas, there are over 160 scents you can purchase online to mix and match according to mom's moods. See my link below.

Memoire Liquide $ 35-65.


3. Unconditional Love by Philosophy. Consider the oppurtunity to love the greatest of all blessing. Need we say more with a gift called "Unconditional Love"? In fragrance form or other body care, it's a perfect combination of beauty and a message. And through Philosophy's sister site, you can send a personalized card and download songs ... perfect for Mother's Day.

Unconditional Love Spray Fragrance $40. Free shipping with purchase of $50 or more.
Unconditional Body Products $22-$45.


4. Coco Luxe Truffles & Madeleines. Inspired by destinations around the globe, these handmade truffles are named after places like Capri (made with balsamic and sea salt), Bombay (curry and coconut milk), Tulum (spicy peppers) and more. The madeleines are (taste just like Paris) made in original flavors or with elegant ingredients such as edible lavender, English Roses, and Kyoto Green Tea. Chocolat de Luxe is so exclusive and in demand that for now, they are taking orders by email and by referrals only (tell them I sent you).

Coco Luxe Truffles $8.75-$42.
Coco Luxe Madeleines $3-$8.



5. Stearling Silver Crystal Hearts by True Faith Jewelry. What woman doesn't like jewelry? Designed by Bravo's Real Housewives of New York, Ramona Singer. Her jewelry collection has impeccable craftsmanship and great attention to details. She's worn both all her designs throughout the show. Hear are my two favorite pieces:

Filigree Heart $199.
Heart with Rose Crystal Flowers $129.


6. Tracy Stern Beauty Teas & Tea For You. Tea Maven and New York society hostess, Tracy Stern, has developed the most unique line of teas that are proprietary blends of the best quality teas from the finest estates around the globe. Included in her tea collection is a line of beauty teas such as Awakening Beauty, Toxic Beauty, Sleeping Beauty and even Slimming Beauty. Fabulously packaged (her teas come with an infuser), Tracy is showing the world that big girls and moms can have their own tea parties too. Reccently, Tracy also published her second book called Tea For You which talks about the art of blending your own tea.

Beauty Teas $19-26.50.
Tea For You $12.76. Free shipping when you spend $25.

Mommy and me.