Beautiful Life and Style

Monthly Archives: December 2011


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Let’s Party

I am so excited to have just bought my first piece from 20×200.com! I guess I’m a little late to the party of how amazing this website is, but how oh so glad I am to have found it. The piece is “Let’s Party” by Jessica Craig-Martin:

Taking unique snapshots of the New York City social scene, Jessica Craig-Martin focuses on a different subject than the average high society photo. Here, no famous faces are revealed, but instead the camera is skewed to the scene around the person of interest. It becomes more than a party snapshot-it is art. The composition reveals the secrets behind the glossy pages- the fake tans, the alcoholism, the wrinkles, and the ridiculous levels of opulence.

Her photos have been featured in Vogue and several museums including MoMA and the Whitney Museum. To think that this caliber of art is made available at an affordable and accessible level is fabulous. What I love about “my” new piece is the composition, the colors, and of course- how I can completely relate to the scene shown. Who hasn’t woken up on the couch after a night of partying with desserts and booze telling the embarrassing tale of the night’s escapades?

It’s going to hang in my closet. And I can’t wait.


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What are you (wearing) New Years Eve???

Saturday is New Years Eve, and it seems everyone has had their itinerary pinned down for weeks. I still am not sure what I am doing, which usually means wine and cheese on the couch while watching Anderson Cooper cover times Square. But whatever I choose, I plan on ringing this new year in with style. So I’ve assembled these three outfits for any scenario I might face .. well .. something like them.

New Year's Eve

New Year’s Eve by erika-g

What are you wearing?


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Artwork by: Wolf Kahn

English: Example glass powder painting using t...Today I hung up my 2012 calendar (can you believe it!) and I was happy to remember that the one I had selected featured the amazing artwork of Wolf Kahn. A German born, American artist, Kahn is best known for his colorful landscapes. Using either pastels or oil paints, he creates a sense of lightness that defines his masterful style. His amazing work is bold yet light, expressive yet restrained. It is very hard to pinpoint under one category- and has been described as part of Abstract Expressionism, Realism, Modernism, American Impressionism, and more. I’ve put together a collection here for you to decide what you think for yourself.

this one is my favorite

One fabulous fact is that Kahn is still alive and still painting (probably until the day he dies). This means that these beautiful pieces are still available at realistic market prices. (well- $10,000 for the paintings, but $900 for the pastels!) I would give an ARM to have one of these guys hanging up above my bed. I could spend all day staring and getting lost in between the brushstrokes. There is almost a mystery to each painting that makes it so captivating.

Do you see the forest through the trees?


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On the second day of Christmas…I got this for myself

20111227-112620.jpgI hope that everyone reading this had a happy and restful Christmas. I was so lucky to have my family come visit ME for a change- although it was stressful to host a holiday for the first time! One thing I think I certainly took for granted was the amount of servingware- platters silverware and glasses- that my mother has that I DO NOT. I guess all these things come with time but as someone who is not married and has not had that wedding registry gift giving-I now realize how important these things are in being the hostess with the mostess.

So today I compiled a little wish list that I hope to fulfill before the next holiday I host.

1. A tea set.

When the night is winding down and everyone is preparing for that cold trip home, the comfort of tea is just what your guests need. While pouring hot water out of the kettle into mismatched mugs is OK, what would be even better is a beautiful matching tea set.

2. A platter big enough for a roast. My mom lent me a cute hand-painted Santa one- but it certainly would be nice to have my own.

3. Enough silverware for 12 people. On a day to day basis I have about 6 mismatched dinner forks- well you should have seen the scramble for more! Nick ended up going to the store for plastic ones- so embarrassing!! A really nice silver set is definitely on the list for next year.

4. A wine decanter. Yes. You can pour straight from the bottle. But any wine aficionado will tell you that the wine has been closed up in the bottle, oxygen deprived for 5+ years and it needs time to aerate. This is the whole purpose of a wine decanter. In fact you should start decanting the MORNING of a dinner party. The wider the bottom the better (aka maximum surface area exposed to air). More than one would be ideal- since lets face it- you are going to drink more than one bottle of wine!!

5. Cake cutter and server. If you have any tricks for getting a pretty slice of pie or cake without one let me know!!!

Despite the “missing” items, I would say it was a successful party and a fabulous Christmas. What’s on your list for next year?


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Piquing your Interest in Pinterest

Are you on pinterest? Me too! It is quite possibly my newest favorite online obsession (besides blogging of course) I spend a good amount of my time online finding new favorite things and pinterest provides a fabulous cataloging system. (Bookmarks are so 2010….) Now all of my favorite links are not only grouped into categories of my choosing, but also show a picture from each website! Its also a great benefit that I can access it from any computer AND a great way to “waitlist” some items I would like to feature here someday.

I would love for you to follow my boards here. Let me know and I will follow you too! Also message me if you would like an invitation. So far I’ve created categories for Gardens, Dream House, Books worth Reading, Architecture and Christmas Goodies.

And in the spirit of the season- check out this awesome recipe from epicurious I pinned today! These adorable little treats certainly give that “wow” factor for such an easy recipe!

Peppermint Meringues
  • 3 large egg whites, room temperature
  • 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/8 teaspoon peppermint extract
  • 12 drops red food coloring

Preheat oven to 200°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using an electric mixer, beat egg whites and salt on medium-high speed until white and foamy, about 1 minute. With mixer running, gradually add sugar in 3 additions, beating for 2 minutes between each addition. Beat until firm peaks form, about 2 minutes longer. Add powdered sugar and peppermint extract; beat to blend, about 1 minute.

Dot coloring over surface of meringue; do not stir (the coloring will form swirls when piped). Spoon meringue into a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2″ tip. (alternatively, spoon into a plastic freezer bag, then cut 1/2″ off 1 corner.) Twist top; pipe 1″ rounds onto prepared sheet, spacing 1″ apart.

Bake meringues until dry, about 2 1/2 hours. Let cool completely, about 1 hour (meringues will crisp as they cool). DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Store airtight at room temperature between sheets of parchment or waxed paper.

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