The Style Insider is into nesting now. We have taken down the tree and put away the way-too-many boxes of decorations, and we’re ready to do something fresh and new. January is the traditional month for white sales, so we’re presently enchanted with comforters and duvets and about 100 pillows, maybe even some Euro shams tucked in the back. And if you’re feeling frugal, come along anyway — we’ve found some very pretty ensembles that have the looks of their big-city cousins.

(more…)

This is the wondrous season when angels peek out from html code and snowflakes glisten in .pdf files everywhere you look. We know the words “winter wonderland” weren’t written to describe the online shopping landscape, but we swear we’re just as enthralled.

And if you’re waiting to find the perfect holiday decorative decor touch, you’d better get moving. Here are some suggestions to get you started.

(more…)

The lights are twinkling outside, the tree is sparkling in the window. You love decorating for Christmas, and so do we. So let’s not stop simply because we’ve taken care of the basics.

Imagine these three angel musicians gracing your mantelpiece, or working their way up the stairs with Christmas beauty. Each handcrafted, handpainted angel stands nearly 20″ tall, wears an exquisite fabric robe in berry, green or gold, and holds a musical instrument. Halos and wings float behind, looking very much like the real thing. At Horchow ($200, above).

(more…)

Thinking of adding a touch of whimsy to the tree?

We love these handcrafted glittery glass ornaments from Poland, fashioned in the shapes of a giraffe (avec polka dot bandana), a cat (with her own Santa hat), a frog (bundled up against the winter), a monkey (sporting a big bow at the neck) or a somewhat floral dog with floppy ears.

Each is about 8″ long, which would give your tree the illusion of colorful critter icicles. At Horchow ($65 each).

You know how right before the Super Bowl, all the jocks and party-givers start thinking about buying a new television? A really, really big, expensive one with high def and picture-in-picture and all the bells and whistles? For a single football game?

OK. Now, focus. Thanksgiving is game day. It’s the big one. You’re the jock of the table, the duchess of all party-givers. And you need your big-screen TV: You need new dishes!  And while we love white too, what we want here is color, style and, well, high definition.

(more…)

We are thinking that the dessert table may be the perfect place to throw a party this holiday season. It can be its own affair entirely, and it doesn’t have to abide by rules for a meal. You can buy incredibly pretty dessert plates that don’t match anything else in the china closet. And you can serve exquisite desserts that say, as much as anything else, this is a truly special day.

(more…)

There are wine glasses for sipping Chardonnay on the patio, and they can’t cost much or you wouldn’t take them outdoors. There are large wine glasses for when you’ve had a tough day at work, though we prefer to call them tumblers. And then there are wine glasses for the Thanksgiving table, which can be all exquisite shimmer and delicate shape.

Make that holiday toast to good health and thankfulness among your family and friends a beautiful one with some striking stemware.

(more…)