Just Add New Years Eve...

Stephen Webster

The 12 Days of Tootsies....

Houston Moon

It was super cloudy in Htown last night, but some how we managed to see this through a tiny break in the clouds! Anyone else catch the late night lunar light show?

Retail Resolutions

My first "gotta have" items for 2011? Anything by Claire Pearse. Really anything.

Muse Boutique Hosts Drive for The Women's Home

Muse Boutique is spreading holiday cheer by partnering with The Women’s Home to give back to Houston women in crisis. During the month of December, Muse will host a wish drive to collect clothes, accessories and handbags for The Women’s Home. Any shoppers who bring gently used items from the wish list to Muse will receive 15 percent off their purchase.

On December 16 from 6-8 PM, complete your gift list and join Women’s Home supporters for a holiday shopping party at Muse. Enjoy festive drinks, treats and a door prize. Wish list donations will also be accepted at this time.

Shamaine Klein 5 Days of Bling!!

Shamaine Klein Design is hosting "5 Days of Bling" (or 5 days of 20% savings) on a selection of her gorgeous pieces. Click on the flier above, to see which pretties are discounted each day.

Crap-Free Christmas Gifts

"Where's all the clutter?" -Ladybug
Berry Holiday Capelette by Bugduds

Here's an oldie but goodie for today:) Enjoy.....

12/16/09

As an organizer, I hear confessions on a regular basis. I've heard about the food that's been in the pantry since the '90's, the authentic disco pants that still make appearances, and the most common confession of all, "Beth, I just own WAY too much crap!" As Americans, we ALL own too much crap. So lets do each other a favor! With that, I bring you the 2nd annual Crap-Free Christmas Gifts.

Tickets
Give the gift of an experience. Season tickets are the gift that keeps on giving!

• Astros/Rockets/Texans Tickets
• Gym Membership
• Concert Tickets
• Dinner Theatre Tickets
• Season Tickets to the Houston Zoo
• Baby sitting tickets - to give to a busy mom to "cash in" whenever she'd like

Consumables

Anything that will eventually be used up in some shape or form.

• Edible Arrangements - their chocolate covered strawberries are to die for
• Homemade Yummies - Martha has some great packaging ideas!
• Meat of the month clubs -how we Texans love our red meat!
• Handmade Bath Fizzies
• Homemade Lip Balm
• Bath Snowballs
• Basket of Tea or Coffee items
• Honey Baked Ham
  

Lessons
Couldn't we all stand to learn a little more?

• Cooking Lessons
• Spanish Lessons (If you are shopping for me, please buy me this..I no habla any espanol)
• Ballroom Dancing - guys..your woman would be floored if you got them this
• Self-defense class
• Continuing education classes
• Flying lessons - how cool would that be?
  

Gift Certificates
Not all gift certificates have to be boring! Here are a few that will be greatly appreciated!

• Custom portraits (great for families!)
• Car Detailing
• Bed & Breakfast - a 1 or 2 night getaway
  
• A local greenhouse gift cert - present it in a beautiful pot eager for a new plant
  
• Maid Service (for a month or even a year)
• Netflix or Blockbuster Online - my brother got me netflix last year, and it could be the best gift I've ever received!
• Spa services - massage, manicure, facial, etc. (this is a repeat from last years list...it's that important)
  
• Image Consulting or Professional organizing service from Tres Chic Designs (teehee)
  

Monique Lhuillier Trunk Show

Jonathan + Beth= Best Friends Forever

...okay, not quite. But I did in fact meet Mr. Adler a couple of weeks ago when he came to Htown on his whirlwind book tour. Love him, love the striped shirt, love the book..love everything! I bought one of his newest releases Jonathan Adler on Happy Chic Accessorizing. It is one of the best design books I have ever read! Gorgeous pictures, fresh ideas, and a treasure trove of decor info. I'm only half way through, but here are a few of my fav tips so far:

• 95% chic + 5% happy - his whole deal. Chic, but with personality. Lay the foundation of good decorating, then punctuate it with a "dash of levity."
• Remove book jackets to make spines harmonious - basically, covers look messy
• Conformity is a bore - learn the rules of decorating, then have fun breaking them
• Weird Works: Design around things you love, no matter how odd or idiosyncratic they may be
• Don't neglect pillows - they are the exclamation points of your house

So add that book to your list for Santa, as well as his other newbie Jonathan Adler on Happy Chic Colors . If you leave cookies and milk, you might even get both.

Wire Hair?

A completely different take on a wire haired dachshund. I want one.

Medor Sculpture, Vivre.com

Chamila Style Celebration Event

Wanna meet Desperate Housewives stylist Cate Adair tomorrow at The Magnolia House from 3-7 p.m.? Me too! She has partnered with Chamilia Jewelry to host a ”Style Celebration” event. Guests will get tips from Cate on building customizable bracelets, necklaces and earrings to help express personal style all while raising money for Be The Match. While I'm there, I'll get some hot fashion tips from Cate to share with you guys next week. Hopefully I'll see you there:) B!