Tag Archives: holidays

Holiday shopping in New Preston

November 18, 2013

A colorful and welcoming holiday greeting as you walk in the door at Privet. It makes you feel like shopping.Slideshow

Privet House is one of my favorite shops for home accessories. From table linens, vases, trays and cutting boards to an occasional scarf and fabulous vintage finds, there is always something tempting for yourself or your hostess. The shop has recently moved from the hamlet of Warren, CT to the stylish village of New Preston to join other delightful independently-owned stores. Each one has its own personality with an ever-changing assortment of wonderful things.  With the holiday bearing down on us all, I took some photos of what it is like to shop in beautifully stocked and merchandised places where the sales associates are mature, friendly, helpful and knowledgeable.

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It's Holiday Time

November 4, 2013

You can never go wrong with a fabulous bouquet of peonies.Slideshow

I simply cannot believe it is time to think about the holidays: Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and the New Year. Where did the year go?  With that said, it is time to stock your gift closet with a stash of holiday hostess gifts. It is so much more relaxing to have something well-chosen at hand rather than have a last-moment panic attack when you have to run out to find the “perfect” gift. So, do your thinking and shopping now.  And when the holidays are actually here, you can focus on enjoying the spirit of the season.

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Holiday Gift Giving

November 5, 2012

These open weave baskets made of the dried stalks of the Water Hyacinth plant are hand woven by skilled craftsmen. Their durable leather handles make them the perfect container for carrying laundry or towels to the beach. The smaller containers are great in the kitchen.Slideshow

I agonize for weeks to find just the right gifts for family and friends, colleagues and business associates. The children in my family are easy, especially the girls (clothes for all), and I can usually find just the right accessory for adult family members by visiting one of my favorite antiques shops, George Champion Modern in Woodbury, CT or calling the extraordinary bookshop in LA, Lead Apron. But, hostess and good friend gifts give me the most angst. I try to be not too clever or deliver anything too ubiquitous. An ordinary bottle of wine won’t do nor will a box of chocolates, even if they are hand made. So I decided to to thoroughly explore the Waterworks assortment to find five thank you gifts to deliver to friends who have been by my side during this year that had a number of challenges. From a gay couple to an older single woman with funky taste to a very conservative couple, I have been able to find just the right degree of sentiment for each. I hope that my selection helps you in your search for the “perfect” gift.

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