Cold and rainy weather will soon
be here making it the perfect time to stay inside and play family board games. I
grew up playing epic, marathon games of Monopoly with my sister Joanne
and brother David. As young children we spent many countless happy hours
playing this game of skill, luck, and strategy, which was permanently installed
on the games table in the family room of our home. When I learned that Top Trumps USA Inc. was
introducing a new Monopoly
Greenwich (Connecticut) edition, it brought a smile to face and my
heart raced with anticipation of playing their new game. For the Greenwich
edition, Monopoly has replaced the famous properties of my youth with Greenwich
landmarks.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
If you love wine, history,
and formal dinners, you are going to love the book Wine and the White House: A History by Frederick J. Ryan,
Jr. I fell in love with this stunning book filled with
interesting anecdotes about the Presidents of the United States of
America from President George Washington through President
Donald Trump, and provides an in-depth look at the history of wine
served at the White House through the years. For gastronomy
lovers, the book is also interesting as it includes menus from the dinners and
the wines that accompanied each of the courses. More than a gorgeous coffee
table book, it is also a wonderful reference book for yourself or to give as a
gift.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
High-quality extra virgin
olive oil, affectionately known as EVOO, is like liquid
gold for professional chefs and dedicated home cooks. With a rise in the
organic farm movement we were thrilled to find The Trentasette Collection Organic EVOO,
which is USDA Organic certification, OU Kosher certified,
and is Non-GMO imported from Italy by the company, Italian Products & Beyond that is the perfect complement to your organic farmers
markets finds. Used for dipping, drizzling, cooking, sauteing or finishing, we
loved the results using this very tasty EVOO.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Chocolate is one of
life's delectable sweet little pleasures, and New York-based Chocolatier
Maribel Lieberman owner of MarieBelle New York
shares her passion with her luxurious chocolate offerings. Whether your chocolate preference is dark
chocolate, milk chocolate, or white chocolate, MarieBelle New York has the
perfect chocolate to appeal to diverse palates. We loved sampling our way
through the tasty offerings.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
As professional
chefs and home cooks know, a great source
for high-quality culinary ingredients is worth its weight in gold. We
recently found and fell in love with the company Italian Products
& Beyond that is an incredible resource for high-quality
culinary ingredients. Their extensive collection of EVOOs,
vinegars, truffle products, pates, pesto,
tomatoes, coffee, fish, salts,
nuts, sweets, and so much more, are the stuff of
culinary dreams! We especially love the Italian Extra Virgin Olive
Oils (EVOOs) from Gonnelli 1585, Frantoio Di Santa Téa Olio Extra Vergine Di Oliva. Happy
Cooking!
|
|
Read more...
|
|
During a
visit to Southampton, New York, we discovered Plain-T and The T Loft, a
company dedicated to the art of exceptional tea, founded by Tathiana Teixeira and her husband Alessandro Teixeira. As avid tea drinkers, we always appreciate learning about nature's special bounty
and meeting with Tathiana Teixeira was like getting a PhD in tea! Passionate about her exceptional line of high-quality whole leaf tea products, she shared
her vast tea knowledge with us and told us about their diverse product line of
85 teas. There is a tea for every palate and Tathiana is a perfect tea
sommelier to find the right tea for you as we discovered during our tea
experience.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
Love spending
time in the Hamptons and wish you could bring its essence home with you? Hamptons
Handpoured, founded by Hamptons native Brittany Torres,
deftly captures of the spirit of the towns that comprise The Hamptons of Long
Island, New York with her beautiful hand-poured candles. Made with
love in small batches, Hamptons Handpoured candles are made with 100% American
grown natural soy and high-quality, plant-based fragrance oils, with cotton
wicks, zero additives, that are phthalate free, vegan, and have a 40-hour burn
time. While you may not be able to spend as much time in The Hamptons as you
would like, you can enjoy the experience anytime you like with these beautiful
candles.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
 Looking for a great gift for your favorite wine lover or wine enthusiast? As wine lovers know air is the nemesis of wine. Once a bottle of wine is opened and is exposed to air, it must be drunk immediately. Air will spoil the wine, so in the past people tried to recork the bottle or used systems to pump the air out. Now, along comes Savino Wine Saving Carafes and a new and stylish way of preserving wine is born. Made in the USA, Savino Wine Saving Carafes elevate style with function. The best part is that they actually work and keep wine stored in the carafe fresh for up to a week. |
|
Read more...
|
|
 Food has the power to transport our senses, first visually, then through the sounds of cooking, to its fragrant aromas wafting in the air, and then finally delivering the much-anticipated flavors and textures on our palates. The cookbook, Hong Kong Food City by Tony Tan published by Murdoch Books takes the reader on an incredibly beautiful and flavorful journey of the senses to Hong Kong. This cookbook is a perfect gift for your favorite cook or for the armchair traveler. |
|
Read more...
|
| |
|
 I just read the most amazing book, How ALS Saved My Life until it didn't by Dr. Jenni Kleinman Berebitsky, Joyce Kleinman, and Elizabeth Flynn. I came to "know" Jenni when I saw the documentary short film Grateful - the Jenni Berebitsky Story, during the Greenwich International Film Festival 2019 (GIFF) held in Greenwich, Connecticut. Intrigued after speaking with her mother, Joyce Kleinman, Director Paul Nethercott, and Producer Amy Pauszek, I wanted to learn more about this incredible woman, and read Jenni's book. It was inspirational, at times humorous and sad, with lots of wonderful tips, tools, and techniques for people coping with ALS, and a great resource. |
|
Read more...
|
|
 Casa do Vidro in Bonito, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil is a creative initiative that reuses discarded glass and repurposes them into objects of beauty, all of which are for sale. The brainchild of founder Carlos Cardinal, the focus of Casa do Vidro is to reuse, recreate, and repurpose everyday discarded glass bottles, jars, and other glass objects into new, usable and attractive decorative and functional designs. In an area renowned for sustainable ecotourism, Casa do Vidro is a shining example of what can be achieved with inspiration and initiative. |
|
Read more...
|
|
 Thirsty®Towels is a family owned business and is more than a towel company. In addition to their line of Turkish Towels made in Turkey, they carry a gorgeous line of Bathrobes and Plus Size Robes, Shower Wraps, Beach and Resort Wear, Throws and Blankets, Spa and Hammam Accessories, Shower Curtains, Slippers, and artisan crafted Soap. They also have a Children's line of robes, towels, and blankets, so the whole family can experience Thirsty®Towels. Enjoy luxury, celebrate life. |
|
Read more...
|
|
 The book, The Statues of Central Park by Catarina Astrom and June Eding published by Hatherleigh Press is a perfect gift to remember a special trip to New York City or for those planning a trip to the Big Apple, the book will be a delightful guide to the famous statues of Central Park. When I read the book, I thought it would be great fun to bring it with me on my next visit to Central Park and use it to learn more about its famous statues; a mini-adventure and a history lesson all rolled up into one book. Happy exploring! |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
 The Cocktail Companion: A Guide to Cocktail History, Culture, Trivia and Favorite Drinks by Cheryl Charming is the perfect gift for you or for your favorite cocktailian. Published by Mango Publishing, the book is part educational, part reference book, part fun and games, has great recipes,and is all around fabulously entertaining. |
|
Read more...
|
|
 Tis The Season New York by Betsy Pinnover Schiff, published by Schiffer Publishing, Ltd is an iconic book of photographic images celebrating the vibrant and colorful holiday season in New York City. This beautiful book is a love letter to New York City with its series of stunning photographs that together with short captions capture the New York festive spirit. Tis The Season New York by Betsy Pinnover Schiff makes a delightful book for your favorite New Yorker or as a gift to remember a special vacation in the "Big Apple." Happy Holidays! |
|
Read more...
|
|
 Afternoon tea has always been a time-honored and cherished ritual in my family, so I loved reading, Tea & Taste, The Visual Language of Tea, by Tania M. Buckrell Pos, published by Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. The book is beautifully written and is a treasure of information into the history and etiquette of tea along with stunning photographs, gorgeous artwork, and even recipes to stimulate your appetite. The book makes a perfect gift for your favorite tea afficionado. |
|
Read more...
|
|
 Christmas by Design: Private Homes Decorated by Leading Designers written Patricia Hart McMillan and Katherine Kaye McMillan, published by Schiffer Publishing, Ltd is a stunning book to inspire the holiday spirit. If you are like me, the Christmas season brings out my inner decorator and I love to create different festive, warm and inviting looks each year to welcome guests. What I love about the book, Christmas by Design, is that it has gorgeous photos and wonderfully inspired ideas shown in private homes across America. Whether used as a "go-to" reference book for design ideas, as a holiday coffee table book, or as a special gift, this book is sure to be a year-after-year hit. |
|
Read more...
|
|
 I love the look and the feel of well-crafted, luxurious leather products, and the American company, Slate Collection has a wide selection of products that make a big impact as a special gift for your favorite executive or as a well-deserved reward for yourself. They have a full line of accessories that are perfectly at home at your desk or traveling around the world, that make an impressive statement. |
|
Read more...
|
|
 Author Ron Rothman tells the interesting story of The Harmony Guitar Company in his gorgeous 176-page hardcover book, Harmony - The People's Guitar, 1945 - 1975, published by Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. During those 30 years of production in Chicago, Illinois, the American company "rocked" the world of many professional and amateur guitarists. In addition to the history of Harmony Guitars there are great photographs of the guitars and the guitarists who played them including Keith Richards, Jimmy Page, Pete Townsend, Richie Valens, Dave Davies of the Kinks, John Sebastian, to name but a few. Harmony - The People's Guitar 1945 - 1975, by Ron Rothman makes a great gift for your favorite guitarist or vintage guitar collector. |
|
Read more...
|
| |
|
|
 When it comes to sweet decadence, chocolate stands head and shoulders above other candy confections with its delightfully smooth, rich, and creamy sweetness that can only be achieved by using high quality chocolate. Neuhaus has been making luxurious chocolates in Belgium since 1857, and as my mother always says, practice makes perfect. Sumptuous gorgeous gems of chocolate presented in the impressive Neuhaus Holiday Premium Box may be the perfect gift for the chocolate lovers on your gift list. You may want to buy for an extra box or two for yourself though to ensure that the recipients receive their gift boxes fully intact. |
|
Read more...
|
|
 Passionate about beautiful linens, I recently "discovered" Attiser, a company that makes gorgeous handcrafted bedding and linens, and was thrilled to make their acquaintance. Founded by Seema A, head designer and creative director in Menlo Park, California, Attiser linens are handcrafted in India and designed to appeal to the senses and draw compliments from guests. I love how I can change the "personality" of my indoor and outdoor dining spaces by simply dressing the table with linens to match my theme of the moment, and Attiser has a rich diversity of high-quality offerings.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
 Indian Cuisine Diabetes Cookbook - Savory Spices and Bold Flavors of South Asia written by May Abraham Fridel for the American Diabetes Association is 140 tempting recipes to take your palate on a culinary adventure of India by discovering its vibrant culture, colors, aromas, flavors, and textures through inspired and traditional Indian recipes.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
 Switch It Up - A Fresh Take on Quick and Easy Diabetes-Friendly Recipes for a Balanced Life written by chef and holistic health and nutrition counselor Corinne Trang for the American Diabetes Association features a mouth-watering collection of 50 recipes for Salads and Vegetables, Soups, Whole Grains and Legumes, Eggs, Seafood, and Meat, and Fruit, Cheese, Nuts, and Seeds. Designed especially for diabetics, this cookbook will also appeal to non-diabetics with its enticing and tasty, easy-to-follow recipes. Bon Appetit! Healthy eating was never so easy or so appealing.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
 Young fashionistas will love the Beckmann of Norway "Lerke" Rucksack Nursery School 12L backpack with its pretty pink, purple and teal pattern and cute little bird design, while the high quality and the level of practical details will appeal to adults. Fashion and function are two of the key elements of Beckmann of Norway, a company that has been making high-quality backpacks since the 1950s with an emphasis on backpacks for school-age children.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
 While you may not be able to jet off to Switzerland on a whim, you can
easily indulge your taste buds with Cailler
chocolates, home of Swiss chocolate since 1819. We
had the opportunity to experience the brand during Cailler's United States tour
at a pop-up event in New York City and were happy to learn that these exquisite
chocolates are now available for purchase online via Amazon.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
