From the yearly archives:

2010

Breaks & Promises

December 28, 2010

Via Adski Kafeteri’s LiveJournal

Readers, please excuse a momentary pause in regular 5thjoy programming.  I’m taking a break this week for a little R&R with the Mr.  Come Monday I’ll be back at it with refilled wells and renewed vim and vigor.

Do you press the recharge, assess and reset button after the holidays?  Are you feeling the annual pull of resolutions?

This time of year I’m reminded of a New York Times article about willpower.  The gist: our willpower reserves are limited, and while we can grow our well of steely resolve over time by exercising self control, we’re wise not to undertake too much self-denial at once.

Moderation in all things, even moderation.

Whatever your resolutions, may they be kind and may your New Year sparkle.   I’ll see you on the other side.

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5th Ave’s Holiday Windows, Part 2: Bergdorf’s Masterpieces

December 24, 2010 Flotsam

{Oscar de la Renta dress and cape.} {My favorite.  I could accessorize my whole house with the contents of this window.} {Judith Leiber minaudieres.} {Check out those peacock feather heels.}

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5th Ave’s Holiday Windows, Part 1

December 23, 2010 Flotsam
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{This Saks’ window had an unmistakable La Cité des Enfants Perdus vibe.} {Gaga is everywhere.} {Van Cleef & Arpels’ small wonder.} {Oh, the orchestra pit!} {Tiffany’s went fairytale.} {I’m looking for a chandelier like that for the drawing room.} {Paper lanterns printed as luggage at Louis Vuitton.} {Stay tuned tomorrow for Part 2: Bergdorf’s masterpieces.}

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How to Roast Chestnuts, Two Ways

December 22, 2010 Food
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No sooner did the vow to post twice a day pass my lips than my mom and I snuck off for an impromptu New york jaunt.  (I’ll get to posting twice a day, I promise, beginning regularly in January and fitfully between now and then.) We’ve seen the Morgan Library stuffed to the gills with [...]

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Travel and Blog Changes

December 17, 2010 Flotsam
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{From Rock Candy via A Whole Lotta Love’s Pinterest.} Good mornin’, good mo-o-ooohrnin’!  I’m traveling today.  The Mr. and I get home this afternoon just in time to whip the house into shape, change clothes and pour fizzy drinks for our guests. I’m also joining Joanna of A Cup of Jo in her week-long No [...]

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The Life-Changing Napkin

December 16, 2010 Feathering the Nest
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{MyDrap cocktail napkins, $29 for a roll of 25.  Available at Bloomingdale’s and online here.} My friend came back from Paris with a spot-on present that has me positively giddy: disposable, reusable cotton napkins on a roll. Disposable and reusable.  Sounds like a contradiction, right?  These made-in-Spain babies are 100% cotton and completely biodegradable.  The [...]

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Drawing Room Dreams: Leather Club Chairs

December 15, 2010 Feathering the Nest
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{ 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. } There are a lot of new readers this week (hi, you!), so let’s let them in on the Drawingroom Dreams series. Come January, Amy Meier will begin her design magic (Did you see her work in our Den Before and After? Check out her [...]

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LAVISH Takeaway: Design*Sponge’s 22 Tips For Tasteful Blog & Biz Promotion

December 13, 2010 Flotsam
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{There were people at Lavish, I swear.  Lots of ‘em.  But I couldn’t bear to shove a camera in their faces right after saying hi.  So instead, feast on the Rue Magazine party space styled by Anora Grey.} Happy Monday, dear readers.  This weekend I went to LAVISH, a conference for lifestyle bloggers.  I came [...]

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Friday Flotsam: Holiday Tunes

December 10, 2010 Flotsam
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{Our front door. As you can see I ran out of decorating steam (though we do like to keep the outside simple.} Today’s travel schedule, with its puny 30-minute blocks of free time, prevents the regularly-scheduled weekly dose of Flotsam. In its place, here are some of my favorite uncommon holiday tunes. I’m assuming you [...]

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The Halls Are Decked!

December 7, 2010 Feathering the Nest
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Yesterday design-minded Tweeters flocked to the weekly #DesignTV chat (hosted by Amy Beth Cupp Dragoo and Jonathan Legate) to share holiday decor ideas.  Photos and tips flew fast and furious – thank goodness for the transcript.   If you’re scanning it, keep an eye out for Jonathan’s pictures of Christmas pasts in show houses and [...]

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