CasaSugar

Gift Guide: Serving Trays For the Party Girls

CasaSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:00:24 -0800

Since I'm a design fiend, I think my friends expect to receive decorating gifts from me. But it really can be just as hard to shop for décor gifts as it is for clothes. Year after year, I struggle to find something that appeals to their tastes and lifestyles.

I think I'm onto something, though. A few of my friends are big party girls, in the sense they that they are constantly hosting get-togethers and cocktail parties of all sorts. I've decided that a serving tray would be a great gift for these ladies. It's obviously great for entertaining, but can also be used as wall art or to organize knickknacks day to day. I've rounded up a wide range of serving trays to fit the aesthetic of every party girl you and I know. Take a look!

Roundup: Designer Ornaments

CasaSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:00:22 -0800

It's no wonder that these three Mouthblown Glass Bell Ornaments ($30-45) are drop-dead gorgeous: they were designed this year for the MoMa by none other than world-renowned industrial designer Eva Zeisel - who turned 103 years old last week! I'm absolutely in love with them. I almost feel guilty for owning drugstore variety ornaments. I think there should be a balance though; a few basic ball ornaments mixed with handmade and designer ones sounds like a ideal balance to me. To give your tree that luxury art element, I've rounded up a few more designer ornaments for you.

DIY: Advent Calendars

CasaSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:00:40 -0800

The anticipation of Christmas facilitated by my mother's advent calendar was always my favorite part of the holiday season growing up. (These days, it's mulled wine.) But I've never been a fan of those store-bought advent calendars where you opened a little paper door each day. They're cute, but certainly not as fun as a calendar filled with treats or activities. The possibilities for making your own advent calendar are endless, but I thought I'd round up a few DIY projects to inspire you (and woo you away from the drugstore variety).

View Slideshow ›

Happy Holidays!

CasaSugar — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 10:30:55 -0800

However you're celebrating the season, I hope you spend happy days relaxing with your loved ones over this extended weekend. Whether you're whipping up some homemade eggnog, visiting extended family, or taking in the must-see holiday movies, here's wishing the very best for you and yours. Even if the weather outside is frightful, I hope all of you readers are enjoying the day, perhaps by a fire that's so delightful. And of course, I hope you've decked the house with a festive dose of holiday décor - and that Santa leaves you what you asked for under your Christmas tree. Let it snow!

Open House: Your Christmas Eve Plans

CasaSugar — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 09:00:00 -0800

For Karen Spiegler, "'Twas the night before Christmas, when all thru the abode, only one creature was stirring, and she was cleaning the commode." OK, perhaps you won't be mopping this Christmas Eve, but I'm sure you've got something on the schedule tonight, whether you'll be entertaining guests, wrapping gifts, lounging by the fire, or baking some goodies for Santa. Tell me what you've got planned by commenting below!
Source

Do Carolers Come to Your House?

CasaSugar — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 11:00:43 -0800

While they may not be dressed in traditional Ukrainian garb like these girls, carolers do frequent neighborhoods across the US. Has your home ever been visited by carolers? Source

Gift Guide: $50 and Under

CasaSugar — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 11:00:55 -0800

This week, I showed you some gift guides for items at small price points, from $5 to $25, which are great for co-workers, neighbors, or distant family members. Today, I've collected a handful of super-stylish gifts for $50 or less. While more expensive, $50 is also a reasonable and customary amount to spend on close friends and family. And thanks to the rampant sales and reduced prices these days, if you're willing to spend it, you really can get a lot of bang for your 50 bucks. For the rest of my finds, including this recycled balloon vase, read more.

Su Casa: A Christmas Mantel Shelf

CasaSugar — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 04:30:45 -0800

Since we're not all fortunate enough to live in our dream houses, we have to be innovative with what we've got. Su Casa member JenLovesGreen certainly subscribes to this train of thought. As much as she would love to keep cozy by a warm fireplace in her own living room, her current digs are lacking in that department. So, she's made the best of things this holiday season by bringing in an alternative: a shelf. "Although my substitute mantel doesn't frame a cozy fireplace," she says, "it does allow me to decorate for the holidays." She's festively dressed her faux mantel with an arrangement of elegant white pillar candles, cranberry garland, and two Christmas stockings to boot. I think this is a great alternative for all CasaSugar readers who want to hang stockings, but don't have a fireplace mantel - it's a brilliant solution. I can almost see those logs burning; can't you?
Source

The Card Shop: Gift Givers

CasaSugar — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 11:00:06 -0800

As facile and affordable as your pharmacy variety gift tag stickers may be, they're a little lacking in the humor department. That's why I'm refreshed - and your giftees will be, too - by the Shine Box Print Gift Givers Tag ($6.95). These gag gift tags come with the requisite "To" and "From" fields, but they're given a dose of light-hearted humor with wry one-liners like, "I made this myself, in China," and "No elves were harmed in the making of this gift." Gift shopping is hard, and so is paying the bills on time at month's end. But this part is easy.

Nice and New: John Robshaw Christmas Stocking

CasaSugar — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:30:54 -0800

Not to be a brat or anything, but my family has been using the same gigantic Christmas stockings for more than 20 years, always filled to the brim with lots of goodies. So, at 12" x 21", the John Robshaw Block Printed Holly Stockings ($70 each) won't do for me, but they're certainly stylish enough to hang on the mantel simply as décor in my home. Available with a mistletoe, candy cane, or peppermint pattern, they're quite festive and would also make a wonderful gift for anyone you know who's building up their collection of holiday décor. What do you think?

GG Collection - $245.00	Faux Python Skin Trays - $22.00
Red Pagoda Serving Platter - $67.00	Inlaid Bone Flower Tray - New! - $199.00
Bird's Eye View Garden Wall Art - Single Tray - $89.00	Mammy / Punch - $65.00
Barneys New York Large Rectangular Tray- White/Black - $195.00	Rectangular Platter (13x9x1-in.) by Le Souk Ceramique - $28.95
NEW - $59.00	Rioja Platter - $32.95
Atticus - $120.00	BÄrbar Tray - $5.99
Indonesia Wooden Giftware, Galaxy Collection - $40.00	A di Alessi Ba-ball, Round tray - $132.00
notNeutral - Triton Laquer Tray - $117.00	Fornasetti Occhi Wood Tray - $758.00
Medium Rectangle Mariposa Tray by Fringe - $37.50	Horchow Antique Floral Tray - $135.00
Juliska Pewter Small Platter - $48.00

Michael Aram - $39.00	Jonathan Adler Pop Bird Ornament - $28.00
Kimberly Wolcott - $48.00	Jay Strongwater - $125.00
Jonathan Adler Dove Ornament - $24.00	Kimberly Wolcott Amazing Love Christmas Ornament - $45.00
Michael Aram Golden Pear Ornament - $39.00	Arthur Court Christmas Ornament, 2.5" Peace Symbol - $20.00
Jonathan Adler Pop Giraffe Ornament - $28.00	Michael Aram - bellflower ornament by michael aram - $29.00
Michael Aram Pine Cone Ornament - $39.00

Lace Shopping Basket - $24.99	Recycled Glass Balloon Vases - $39.00
Martha Stewart "Mercury Glass" Vase, 12" - $60.00	4"x6" Ireland Picture Frame by Fringe - $40.00
Botanical Notepads - $42.00	30,000 Years of Art - $49.95
Thomas Paul Brocade Cotton Twill Pillow - $44.00	Trish McEvoy Scented Candle Trio - $45.00
Areaware Mini Chat Pillow - $36.00	Organic Cotton Knit Throw - $49.00
Nanda Clock in Aqua - $50.00