Top 12 Gift Ideas for Your Host

Are you going to a family or friend get together this holiday season? I know I am and I'm not the only one. Since Thanksgiving and the holidays are just around the corner, I've come up with my top 12 gift ideas for those who are hosting your get togethers (I couldn't stop at 10). You don't have to go crazy but if you want to give something more tangible than a bottle of wine or your highly talked-about casserole (although those can be great, too) then one of these gifts are a must!

1. 

Not gonna lie - this candle smells amazing and if you

don't have time to bake an angel food cake this is the next

best thing - other scents are available.

Boulangerie Jar, Tall // $26 // Anthropologie

2. 

This throw is so soft you may end up walking out of 

Pier 1 with two of them.

Fuzzy Throw - Sand // $44.95 // Pier 1

3. 

Who wouldn't love these gold-rimmed animal plates?

Gilded Dapper Animal Dinnerware Set // $12 // west elm

4. 

This carved box is a catch-all for almost anything - jewelry, 

recipes, keys, etc and is quite a steal at less than $20.

Hexagon Carved Soapstone Box // $14.99 // World Market

5. 

Just as functional as decorative, these measuring cups are cute 

as a button. I can't picture your host not loving them.

Matryoshka Measuring Cup - Set of 6 // $12 // Urban Outfitters

6. 

Everyone can use coasters and these make the perfect gift

especially because they're herringbone pattered mosaic tile.

Midas Coaster - Set of 4 // $19.95 // Z Gallerie

7. 

A cute gift for the couple hosting a meal or party. I think any 

one mug is a great gift for any occasion.

Mr. & Mrs. Muse Reversible Mug // $24 // Jonathan Adler

8. 

This bowl can serve more than one purpose - not only great for 

future events your host has but is some great eye candy as well

with its gold leaf design.

Nate Berkus Laurel Leaf Bowl // $29.99 // Target

9. 

I'm in love with this cheese board - of course, it's a map

of NYC. Could look great hung on a kitchen wall as decor when

it's not being used.

NYC Cheese Board & Spreader // $38 // CWonder

10. 

Not just your typical frame. This one serves as 

a decorative geometric object as well. 

Prisma 4"x6" Frame // $14.95 // CB2

11. 

Copper is stylish and classy. This tray can store items

anywhere and be a serving tray when company is over. 

Vanna Round Tray, Copper // $44 // Lulu & Georgia

12. 

Last but not least, I had to include my favorite smelling

candle. Each one of these candles are handmade from recycled

wine bottles to create a signature wine bottle candle. There are so 

many great scents but my favorite is the Rose which is pictured here.

You can find them at your local west elm or visit their very own site.

Rewined Candles // $28 // west elm, rewind candles

You really can't go wrong with any of these items to give as a special gift to your host 

or hostess. All of these sites have many other gifts as well - it was super hard picking just one from each site! Which one is your favorite? 

Xo,

Moments I Love In My Home

I brought a few items from New York back to my apartment in Cali and realized I had to shuffle some things around to make it work in my apartment. What's pretty awesome though is that most of the things I do have are able to work in different rooms or areas. I'm not talking big pieces of furniture either - just smaller items like candles, frames, and succulents. I really love having versatile decor because then if and when I move I know it will have a place. Here are some pics I took around my apartment of all these items in their new homes. Hope you like them as much as I do :) 

Air plant and framed art on a reclaimed wood display shelf.

{shelf - west elm, white frame - ikea}

Framed art I purchased in Soho and Union Square in NYC 

when I used to work there before I moved.

{gold leaf frames - west elm, black frames - target}

I love being able to move my pillows around the sofa

and still having them work with everything else.

{pillows and sofa - west elm}

This print is one my sister had made in art school and I just

had to bring it back with me since she was giving it away. I love it.

{lamp - west elm, candle - target}

An angled yet full view of the top of my entryway console. The 

clear, acrylic tray is perfect for catching my keys and sunglasses 

when I walk in. The framed print inside is a post card I got from NYC.

{tray, mirror & accessories - west elm}

These are just some moments in my apartment that I just love. I don't see this decor moving any time soon.

Xo,

A Touch of Gold: Using Gold in Interior Design

I've been seeing a lot of designs lately with a touch of gold leaving a space looking stylish, fresh and beautiful. I've always loved this look but it's something I've been seeing much more recently. I love all white spaces mixed with a little gold or antiqued brass - it really makes so much of a difference and adds interest to a room. It can be mixed with eclectic, chic, modern or any other design style you may love - it can just work. It doesn't have to be as feminine as you may think either - it can be just as gender neutral. Here are some pictures I found on pinterest that exemplify this exceptional style. 

Here the use of black, white and gold pillows adds a collection 

of patterns & textures to this living area.

{bloglovin.com}

I'm absolutely in love with this kitchen from top to bottom.

There's not a lot of warm tones other than the dark hardwood

so the use of brass knobs and copper tins on the counter is just 

the right touch.

{greigedesign.blogspot.com}

These gold pendants pull the whole look of this kitchen together. Stunning.

{decozilla.com}

A sophisicated yet fun dining space with touches of gold with

the rod and artwork. Gold, white & navy are an amazing combo in 

design, as you can tell.

{popsugar.com}

Absolutely love the rustic counters and wall mixed with gold & metal. 

The apron sink is the cherry on top.

{designsponge.com}

Pretty much loving everything about this bedroom. From the wallpaper

to the hanging pendant - it's so eclectic & unique.

{poppytalk.com}

An overall white space looks exceptionally put-together with 

some gold accents - don't ya think?

{stylemepretty.com}

I know, all these pictures are making you fall in love, right? 
I'm loving these spaces and as you can see it only takes a lamp, a lighting 
fixture, pillows, knobs, or a rod in a metallic gold to create such a look - no need to 
go crazy with it. Which space do you like the most? Happy gold decorating! 





Xo,