Let your imagination grow..Holiday Cards...

This year, I created a few Holiday Cards for others (sadly not myself) but in no way did any of mine compare to this one. This is by far the Rockingest one EVER! Created by Daniel Bjugard, this combo Christmas and New Years card is simply out of this world! 

 So look out for next year...Mr. Bjugard has certainly inspired my imagination to grow....

        

Thursdays are for Mood Boards...New Year's Eve 2011

Paris When it Twinkles by French Essence

Today is a momentous occasion as it will be my very first true blue Mood Board on Glitter, Glue and Fireflies. With that being said, I couldn't help but bring in the New Year with a very exciting, new and important color, Honeysuckle by Pantone. Pantone has chosen Honeysuckle as their color of the year for 2011. Now, one might look at this color and think Spring but not here at GGF. In honor of one of my favorite Sparkling Wines at Sparkling Pointe Vineyards, Topaz, I figured a New Year's Eve board was exactly what we needed! Pink, Black, White and Glittery Metallics are the perfect combo for a momentous occasion such as New Year's Eve. So dust off those Tuxes, pour that pink bubbly and strap on your glitteriest of shoes for a night to remember!

1. Ballon image found via weheartit

2. Vintage Christmas Image found via peppermintbliss

3. Pink Champagne image found via designsponge

4. Pink Ornaments image found via weheartit

5. Kate Spade Charm Sandal

6. Men's Shoes image found via marthastewart

7. Lanvin for H & M

8. Balloon omage found via savidgetales

Many Many Many Thanks!!

I truly believe that THE most important thing in life is the love and support of family and friends. To think you can make it on your own is absolutely and positively crazy. 

I think the quotes below explain it perfectly:

"Here is the basic rule for winning success. Let's mark it in the mind and remember it. The rule is: Success depends on the support of other people. The only hurdle between you and what you want to be is the support of other people."

David Joesph Schwartz

"The support of one’s personality is friends. A part of one’s self and a real foundation and existence."

Katharine Butler Hathaway

I am a very very lucky lady because I have a wonderful group of supporters that come in the form of friends or family and it was positively evident in the recently posted Holiday Gift Guide. I cannot begin to describe how touched, honored and amazed by the generosity and creativity that came from this fabulous group of people.

So from the bottom of my heart to the tippity top..

Thank you

Thank you 

Jennie Fresa, Yumiko Fletcher, Anna Sawin, Erica Cyr, Sarah Loomis Crawford, Margaret Farrell, Amy Graver, My Hubbie, Linda Sample, Anna Lathrop,

Jacin Fitzgerald, Heidi Heublein, Adrienne O'Connor, Chad Freeman, 

Erin Ethier, The Monster, Paige Wesson, Sarah True and Crista Taylor.

A huge special thanks to Erica & Mike Cyr of Buzz Media and Amy Graver of Elements Design who wrote the most fantastically thoughtful and wonderful posts on their blogs about the Holiday Gift Guide. 

You must read them as they seriously brought tears to my eyes!

Buzz Media, Elements Design

And lastly but not at all least, to the many many readers out there!! Thank you for your fabulous support. For some who may not know, Blogspot has added a little doohickey called Stats that I simply adore. It allows me to see which parts of the world is tuning in...I have become quite obsessed with it as it allows me in some crazy way to travel to these places in my mind..

In honor of all of you....

Dziekuje, Spasiba, Hvala, Merci, Xie_Xie, Multumesc and Muito Obrigado!

But this is not the end my friends....I have already started brainstorming for next years Holiday Gift Guide and honestly need my readers help on this one..

Sooo...Please please don't be shy...let me know what you loved about it, what you disliked about it and what we could add on to it for next year...

Ahhh so many ideas yet so little time but an exciting New Year is approaching to realize all these fantastical and magical dreams...

Hopefully with many more friends and family by my side.

Chocolate Therapy #5

Image found via FFFFOUND

Tuesday Typeface......Your Name in Lights...

Image found via weheartit

A little glitter to start your week...

Well, we may have not had a white christmas but we certainly had a white snowy day after christmas in the Northeast. Personally, I think it allows the magic to last just a little bit longer..

Right after Christmas, I seem to have visions of glitter instead of sugarplums dance in my head..

New Year's Eve is the only time where it's totally acceptable to wear lots and lots of glitter!

I found this Vintage 70's dress from The Olive Shoppe on Etsy for $52.00.....These days, I am not feeling the sleeveless look, so I thought that this would be the perfect substitute ..not to mention chock a block full of glitter!

Only problem...I am not an xs...but a girl can dream can't she!! Maybe someone out there just happens to be!

So I put together a glittery ensemble just in case.....

1.Urban Outfitters Faux Fur Jacket- $29.00-ON SALE

2.Endless Sequin Clutch-$133.00

3.Gold Sequin Skinny Scarf

4.Forever 21 Glitter Tights-$7.80

5.SM Glitzi Pump-$99.95

6.Forever 21 Knotted Earrings-$5.80

7.Forever 21 Cuff-$10.80

Classic me...Earrings and shoes are always something I hem and haw about...

I couldn't help but share all the others I found on my search..

Can't a girl have a few changes per evening??

1.Piperlime Sequin Vine Earrings

2.Forever 21 Teardrop Earrings

3.Banana Republic Symphony Earrings

4.Banana Republic Julia Earrings

5.Banana Republic Cascade Earrings

6.Tinley Road Fringe Earrings

7.Piperlime Sequin Coin Fringe Earrings

8.Banana Republic Dazzle Earrings

9.Forever 21 Knotted Earrings

Shoes are definitely my downfall...Do you stay safe or try and be a little adventurous!

1.Mojo Moxy Venus Pump

2.SM Glitzi Pump

3.Via Spiga Opal Mary Jane

4.Max Studio Strappy High Heel

5.Saks Dolce Vita Tavi Jeweled Pump

6.Nordstrom Dolce Vita Sandal

So how glittery will you be this New Years Eve??

Merry Christmas!!

Found via ffffound


Wishing everyone a very very Merry Christmas!!


Perfect day for a winter walk..might just have to wear my brand new sparkly Chucks..
Thank you Miss Sawin!!

All the stockings were hung by the chimney with care...

Image found via weheartit


He's almost here.....

Holiday Gift Guide Day 12 Charity by Crista Taylor

As the Holiday Gift Guide has finally come to an end, there seems to be room for just one more. My favorite thing about the Holidays is the fact that we finally slow down( a bit)and try to think of others besides ourselves. Yes, there is the spirit of giving and I can't tell you how impressed and inspired I was by all the amazing gift guides. But there is another type of giving, and that is for those that are in desperate need of help. Now...One thing I absolutely despise is when people make you feel bad because you haven't given time or money to a particular cause. I, my friends, am not going to do that...All I am going to do is offer some ways (only if you want) to give back.

In my opinion..there was only person that I thought would be perfect for this guide...Not only is she absolutely gorgeous but she has a soul and a personality to match. She makes me laugh till I snort, loves the Monster like her own, and is there for anybody in need. She is one who will show up at your house with chicken soup,a magazine and some crazy herbal concoction when you're sick in bed. She has been at our local elementary school every day this week helping with the kids, all the while forgoing her Christmas shopping. I am truly blessed to have her in my life..She is crazy, fun, giving, loving, thoughtful,and feisty.

She is one of the few people that we can agree to disagree and remain friends in the process.

Who is this fab woman you say..well it's none other than Miss Crista Taylor!

She certainly knows about giving and charity as she has worked for the Make a Wish Foundation. But just because you work for one doesn't necessarily mean you are a charitable person...She is definitely someone who on a daily basis does something good for someone else. Some things are small and some things are big but isn't it about the day to day?

So..without further adieu..my dear friend..Miss Crista Taylor..

I think there's a part of every person that wishes they could do something more to help make the world a better place.  There's such a deep sense of accomplishment and self worth that comes with knowing that you helped someone or something in need.  Unfortunately you sometimes feel that there's so little to give that you might as well not bother at all.  Before you click to the next blog in order to avoid the impending guilt post, hear me out.  I have a good solution.

Believe me when I say that  I am well aware that this is a hard time for people to find the extra money to give to charities but what about the gift of time?  Nonprofit organizations work tirelessly to raise funds for their causes and their hearts are dedicated 200%. They rely on the help of volunteers and financial or in-kind donors to help carry out their mission.  You'd be amazed at the number of hats these offices need to wear to get the job done each day and something as simple as 2 hours of envelope stuffing can make all the difference.  "I am already overbooked!"  "I don't have an extra penny to my name, especially at Christmas!"  Look, I say it, too.

Then there's also THIS problem...

What in the world do you get for the person who has absolutely everything?  How about the person whose taste you just can't seem to figure out?  What about the yearly struggle of finding that last minute gift that doesn't have the generic feel of getting pulled from your re-gifting closet AND shows that you really care?  As much as I love to receive sparkles in pretty packages with ribbons and bows, to really blow me away all you need to do is give to a charity that is close to my heart.  If you think a small donation here and a small donation there won't make a difference, think again.  Every little drop in that bucket counts!  What if you were to take that $25 or $50 that would've been spent on a gift and instead give the money in honor of that person to a charity that has somehow touched their lives?  Put a handmade card in my stocking letting me know that a donation has been made in honor of moi... (or in memory or tribute of a loved one of mine) and  I will instantly become a puddle of sweetness.  For those of you who don't know me, that isn't my usual mood. 

There are millions of worthy causes out there in need of support.  So how do you choose?  

I've been the recipient and giver of two different scenarios... some people give based on their passions with hopes of raising awareness and creating a wave of aid and others give based on the recipient's life experiences and passions.  I love, love, love children and animals and can think of oodles of ways to help, but if a loved one has a passion to help a different voice to be heard there always seems to be a non-profit angel out there that can help.  In my eyes, both ways of approaching this type of gift are pretty darn great.

Since I've mentioned my loves, I'll give you a few examples of ways that I can give... and help.

When it comes to children I can truly think of no better organization than the Make-A-Wish Foundation.  Most states have their own chapters and some are grouped into regions, but if you don't have a specific area to support, the National Chapter is a great way to go.  The Foundation grants wishes to children with life threatening illnesses from the age of 2.5 to 18 years old.  I had the immense pleasure of working for this foundation in my previous life (before mommyhood) and saw firsthand the joy and hope that it brings.  You can donate online (google your state and 'Make-A-Wish' for the local page or click the link above to locate a chapter) and have instant notification to your recipient sent via email or by printable card.  If you do have the time to volunteer, there is nothing cooler than becoming a wish granting volunteer.

As far as our four legged friends go, the first local charity that came to mind is  The CT Animal House.

The super-fabulous Chris Lamb started this amazing organization where she provides various services for mostly dogs living in CT pounds and shelters, some deemed "un-adoptable."  Whether it's grooming, de-worming, improving its nutritional state, or all three services and more, she focuses on giving them the best chance for adoption.  Imagine a gorgeous, rescued Mastiff whose been used as a breeder for "fighter" puppies and then turned out onto the streets once her job was done.  Although giving her to your dog-lover hairdresser may not be appropriate, consider making a donation in his/her honor so that she may eventually find the loving home she deserves!

Once these pups are no longer skin and bones, had a few "good citizen" classes and are ready to join a new family, in steps Go Dog Days.  These wonderful people host adoption events in cities and towns throughout the state to assist the local rescues and shelters in finding forever homes for many dogs at risk of euthanasia.  For example, one of their past events in Guilford, CT placed 160 dogs with loving homes.  Why give?  These events are free of charge to the shelters and rescues and all events are paid for through the efforts of fundraising.

 For our feline friends, check out Borough Cat Tales.  Miss Lucinda Wesson is the proud new owner of a Borough kitty, a great success story.  This organization is as generous and helpful as can be.  Not sure about having a kitty for the next 15 years?  Become a foster parent!

a few other notable organizations worth checking out...

Animal Welfare League

CT Pet Shelters

Want to check out more?

Look here

Whatever charity you choose, it's the perfect choice.  For more suggestions, ask your local library, school or hospital and ask your friends!  Ask Oprah or google!  Everyone knows of a place where help is needed.  Skip the fruitcake for your neighbor or the coffee mug for the teacher and let them feel the satisfaction of knowing that for their gift this year, they helped someone, something out there in our big, beautiful world.  

Merry Christmas  xo

Holiday Gift Guide Day 12 Wine by Adrienne O'Connor

Just as food is extremely important in the Holiday festivities, so is wine....I loveee wine..Sadly, wine does not love me back. So many times I feel I get left out of the party...However, I know the perfect person who just so happens to plan parties to steer you in the right direction....

The Super Delish Miss Adrienne O'Connor of Ruffles & Tweed.

She has very thoughtfully broken down some yummy choices into wine as gifts and wine for dinner!!

Happy choosing..if you can...

The Lovely Miss Adrienne O'Connor..

FOR GIFTS

1. Toasted Head Chardonnay and West Elm Platinum Rim Stemless Drinkware

2. Coppola Cabernet Sauvignon and Anthropologie Magnolia Jacquard Tablecloth

3.Sparkling Pointe Topaz Imperial & ZGallerie Bling Wine Coasters

FOR DINNER

4.Coppola Votre Sante Chardonnay and Crate & Barrel Jewel Wine Charms

5.Ravenswood Sonoma County Merlot and Soiree Bottle-Top Wine Decanter

6.Simi Sauvignon Blanc and Skybar Wine Bottle Cool Cover

7. Cupcake Pinot Noir and PlatyPreserve Wine Storage

Chocolate Therapy #4

Image found via weheartit

1st Day of Winter....

Image found via vi.sualize.us


Can you believe it...it's the first day of Winter already!!
We had a few flurries this morning..maybe just enough to make a Snow Angel??