It may not be spring yet, but we wouldn’t know it from this lush table setting. The rich colors and butterfly accents are a great antidote for January blahs.

Here’s how to get the look:

What is about those Italian guys, always so smooth, suave, and charming?

It might have something to do with the shave: Italian men take shaving very seriously.  The Romans were cleanly shaven and regarded everybody else barbarians — literally, someone with a beard.  During the Middle Ages, barbers in Italy were trusted confidants and advisers, like the barber in Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia.  Today, shaving is truly an advanced art form in Italy, and it shows.  Just look at what a great shave these famous Italians have:

Silvio Berlusconi from DealBreaker.com

The traditional Italian shave is a complicated ritual involving, of all things, olive oil.  Fortunately, Proraso has made this into a simple system for the rest of us.  Here’s how the modern Italian shave works.

First, you dampen your face and apply the Pre-Shave Cream, which softens the beard and helps the razor to slide smoothly over the skin.  Let it rest for a bit and really sink in.  The distinctively refreshing Menthol tingle that Proraso is known for ought to make the little time-out quiet pleasant:

Then, apply your choice of  Shave Cream …

 

… Shave Foam –  this is a smooth and rich foam with just the right consistency, and with it my Gillette Mach 3 is giving me a much closer shave than I’ve ever had before.  Plus, after shaving, it doesn’t leave a thick residue in my razor like my old shaving gel did:

or Shave Soap.

For a truly Italian shave, we recommend the Shave soap, which must be applied with this simple little brush:

Next, wash your face and apply the After Shave, but doesn’t “Lozione Dopobarba” make it sound better?

Proraso also makes specialized products for those of us with sensitive skin

Or who have a beard, “Barba Dura” — masculine yet refined in that Italian way:

Try it, and let us know if your face says “Grazie!”

Sleek, elegant, and not a floral pattern in sight – this stunning table setting is perfect for a modern home or event.

Here’s how to get the look:

We’re featuring more items than ever in our first sale of the new year, with discounts of up to 75% off!  Quantities are limited, so shop early for the best selection!  Here are a few highlights:

To see the entire range of items on sale, click here.

We just love the way the cheerful yellow of the charger accents the mushrooms of the dinner plate in this setting. It would make a wonderful table presentation in the spring or fall.

Here’s how to get the look:

Start with a lively yellow charger from the Anna’s Palette collection.

Add a whimsical dinner plate from Alberto Pinto’s Sous Bois pattern.

Throw in one natural linen tablecloth…

…and a couple of pieces from the Antique Forest Leaves collection by Anna Weatherley, and enjoy!

Trois Ors Red dinnerware is decorated with a stunning floral and leaf pattern, and finished with gold. We love it in this simple yet elegant table setting.

Here’s how to get the look:

A touch of red and gold makes this dinnerware so elegant.

Amber-colored champagne flutes echo the gold tones in the plates.

A natural linen tablecloth provides a subtle touch of luxury.

A set of gold-handled flatware adds just the right amount of sparkle, but isn’t over the top.

…and it smells wonderful!

We’ve been getting in the holiday spirit by burning a NEST Elton John Holiday Candle while getting out the decorations. The blend of evergreen and balsam fir needles combined with rich woods and sparkling citrus is just perfect for the holiday season.

The 8 oz candle burns for 60 hours of cozy ambience. It’s a special limited edition scent from NEST, so get yours now – we predict they will be going as quickly as slices of Grandma’s pumpkin pie!

We also love the Birchwood Pine and Classic Holiday fragrances.

Whether you’re attending a holiday party or spending several days staying with family or friends, one of the best ways to express your thanks is with a thoughtfully chosen hostess gift. Here are some of our favorites this season:

From our favorite designers at Sferra, these stately napkins and placemats will be much appreciated. Create the perfect autumn inspired place settings with this sophistcated palette of European-woven linen for celebrations with beautiful style. From $8

Show your love with these whimsical mixing bowls. Handmade in the USA by Simon Pearce studios, they will add charm and versatility to any kitchen. From $85

Our luxurious woven throws are extremely soft and warm yet lightweight. In more than 40 beautiful colors, in both solids and classic herringbone.

Moroccan amber, sweet patchouli, heliotrope and bergamot are accented with a hint of eucalyptus. The scent lasts for about 90 days, so this is a gift that will last!

Layered in 24 kt gold, these tiny bird placecard holders feature hand-set, purple Swarovski crystals. Each measures 2 x 2 inches. The set of six birds is presented in a luxury gift box that includes 25 cards.

For many more hostess gift ideas, see our gifts section here.

Beat the chill and the winter blahs with some brightly colored scarves! You can never have too many scarves – they’re the perfect update for any outfit. They also make wonderful holiday gifts.

Here are a few of our favorites:

Follow the link for even more luxurious scarves.

What’s your favorite holiday jingle?

Ours is I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas, because it makes us laugh every time we hear it.  In the song, 10-year-old Gayla Peevey sweetly asks for a hippopotamus for Christmas, promising she’ll take good care of it in her parents’ two-car garage.  Who could say no?  Not her listeners: The local station that played the song in 1953 raised enough money to present her with a real baby hippo named Matilda.  Peevey then wisely donated it to the city zoo, where her hippo lived to a grand old age of nearly 50.  The song was such a big hit, it was even on the Ed Sullivan show:

If a real baby hippo (weight: 500 lbs) is too much on Christmas morning, here are a couple of stylish alternatives for you to have and enjoy:

Jonathan Adler’s Brass Hippopotamus Sculpture makes the normally rotund creature look graceful, almost aerodynamic.  Perched on a marble base, he should fit in nicely with the rest of your chic family.

Daum’s crystal Hippopotamus Paperweight, on the other hand, is proud of his heft–and for good reason too.  He has the all-important job of guarding your secret papers, and his mighty jaw opens wide to scare away those bills from your inbox.

Chic or fearsome, we hope you’ll experience of the joy of seeing a hippo this Christmas morning!