give instant gratification

When sifting through registries, I always want to get friends something that they can use immediately. To me, there is nothing as fulfilling as instant gratification! Living in New York City, this always presents some obvious challenges due to space constraints. One way to achieve this is to find an item that you can “upgrade” for immediate (and functional) use. For example, purchase a beautiful bread board like this one from Simon Pearce. It’s an ideal companion for entertaining. To go from in a drawer or on display to on the table in minutes, give a monthly membership to an artisanal bread or cheese club. We received a membership to Zingerman’s – the bread is easily freezable and when we cook it, our apartment fills with the aroma of freshly baked bread. It's amazing. If you have a cheese lover in mind, send the gift of Cowgirl Creamery – a San Francisco gem. Insert wine and voila - instant entertaining and enjoyment!

via pinterest

locket love

Now that our wedding has past, I wanted to share one of my favorite finds throughout the process – jewelry from the incredibly talented Kelley Solomon. She is the mastermind behind local Connecticut jewelry shop Aquinnah. She makes pieces that are absolutely perfect for daytime casual chic, date night and formal affairs.

For my sister and Maid of Honor, I was immediately sold on getting her Aquinnah’s locket bracelet. I gathered digital photos that represented her family and printed them very, very tiny to include in the many lockets dangling from her wrist. It’s the perfect piece to spruce up any outfit and the best part is that it’s filled with so many happy memories.

In addition to her one-of-a-kind locket items, she has an incredible selection of bracelets, earrings and necklaces made from various jewels and stones. She’s a dream to work with and can customize pretty much anything. To see her latest and greatest creations - visit her site today. I'm swooning over the new bright colored necklaces for Fall!

vintage lockets via aquinnah jewelry

limited edition vintage, lemon milk glass bib necklace via aquinnah jewelry

shower bliss

This past weekend, my nearest and dearest threw me an absolutely incredible bridal shower. I loved every second of it. I felt so lucky to be surrounded by such great family and friends. We got so many thoughtful and perfectly curated gifts. There were a few gifts that I was absolutely shocked by (in the best way) that I had to share - both are great for group presents. First, one of my bridesmaids and besties had collected recipes from everyone invited to the shower and created a spectacular cookbook. All of the recipes look so delicious and I was beyond touched to receive such a thoughtful and timeless gift. The book was made through TasteBook - the end product looks like it's off the shelf at a store - simply perfection! My brand new (copper!) Kitchen Aid will certainly come in handy with tons of the recipes. 


Second, all of my bridesmaids collectively purchased me my wedding day shoes (Jimmy Choos!)  - a complete indulgence and I couldn't be happier. I'd be lying if I said that I haven't been wearing them around the house to break them in. I love that I will have a "something new" from my closest friends. What a brilliant idea! If you're in a bridal party, both of these gifts are so perfect. Any bride would be thrilled. 

cheers to the couple

It's peak engagement time during this time of the year, so when I came across this, I absolutely had to share it! Through Wine for a Wedding, you can custom wine crates for the couple's 1, 5 & 10 year anniversaries. It's completely customizable - you select the design and pick the perfect bottles to complement the couple. You instantly create a thoughtful and memorable gift that will be cherished for years to come. Simply love it. 

on the rocks

Now that all of the holiday gifts have been given, I wanted to share one of my favorite gifts that I gave that can be great for New Years. When heading to a Christmas Eve party, I wanted to bring the hosts something a little different since I knew that they already had endless bottles for the night. I came across the "two of a kind" engraved double Old Fashioned glasses from Kate Spade. The "his" and "hers" glasses are perfect for a couple that enjoys a little night cap together. I added a set of the whiskey rocks to make the gift complete. 

kate spade two of a kind glasses $50

more bubbles please

No, I’m not talking about Veuve. I am taking about the amazing SodaStream. It's life changing and was one of my most sought after items on our wedding registry. I absolutely hated lugging seltzer bottles home from the store and the amount of space that they took up in our apartment. If you're looking for a functional housewarming gift, look no further. It’s easy to use, takes up barely any space, plus it’s environmentally friendly. There are a number of different options and a variety of colors. I'd recommend the Genesis or Fizz models. If you want to create a perfectly paired gift, add the Crate and Barrel Ona Pitcher - now you have a simple way to present your homemade seltzer (add a lime or lemon for visual perfection). This pitcher also looks great on display. 

If you act quickly, Crate and Barrel is offering 15% for Cyber Monday and if not, free shipping through December 21 for orders over $99. Bed Bath & Beyond is also offering free shipping for a limited time with purchases over $99. 

genesis model $100

large ona pitcher $26.95

registry a no-go

Ever wait until the last minute to purchase a gift from a wedding registry? Don’t panic, I can help. You can tell a lot from a registry. If they like a particular brand (i.e. Simon Pearce, Kate Spade), but nothing is left (either in inventory or in your budget), search the site for other items by the same brand. If the couple has registered for wine glasses, get the matching decanter or wine bottle coaster. If they registered for linens, purchase complementary monogrammed ones - the newlyweds will be thrilled (see Serena & Lily throw below). Another great option that I am obsessed with is the Celebration bowl from Simon Pearce. It’s a classic. You can personalize the bowl with the couple’s name and wedding date. Since you don’t need to give wedding gifts the day of, you have time to go the extra mile with the personalization (which is what makes it so great). If a couple is registered at Simon Pearce, shipping is free. Who wouldn’t love a little Simon Pearce New England charm? 

Simon Pearce Celebration Bowl $295

Serena & Lily Alpaca Throw $148