HOLIDAY BLACK AND WHITE

The holiday season is here and what to wear is the question. It's always fun to sparkle just as bright as the lights or there is the subtle, simple, timeless and dependable choice that consistenly works - black & white. We don't always have time in our busy lives to allow the time we'd like for getting ready. Having a few white tops and black pants in your closet will keep your look elegant and chic. 

Helmut Lang Leather Pant  / There are so many great black leather pants to choose from. You can dress them up or down, wear with your flats, heels or your boots.

Fiat 500 / My favorite car I have ever driven!  

This holiday season I hope you have a great time when you're out & about. Don't forget to enjoy  the moment while you are with your old friends and... meeting new ones.

What goes great with black & white?   Red Lips  After meeting Linda Rodin and admiring her, and her red lips, I couldn't wait to break out my favorite Red "Mucho-Mucho" by Valerie of Beverly Hills. If you haven't been to Valerie's, stop by. She has great things to choose from.

Valerie Beverly Hills  Mucho Mucho (Red Lipstick) Walk out of your home and feel fantastic, and remember YOU are beautiful.

And a sequin skirt is a great addition to sparkle and shine at a holiday or black tie party. Alice & Olivia  /Black Sequin Skirt / Chanel Top / Gianvito Rossi / Pump. New Year's Eve is right around the corner.

 Gianvito Rossi / Pump

In the words of Coco Chanel: "Women think of all colours, except the absence of colour.

GIFT GIVING IDEAS

It's that time of the year when our attention is focused on the holiday ritual of gift-giving. We scurry about, getting caught up in the hustle & the bustle looking for the right gift for those special people in our lives.  Giving a gift is a universal way to show love, appreciation, and gratitude, and it also brings us JOY.

Make your holiday shopping fun this year. Here are a few stocking- stuffers  & gift ideas for the special people in your life. 

Linda Rodin is such an inspiration in the fashion and beauty industry, she's ageless chic. Maybe you have a friend, mom, a daughter or sister (in-law)...Her yummy lip balm, cleanser and jasmine perfume just might be the feminine touches she needs. 

How about Restoration Hardware cozy Faux Fur Slippers with matching Neck Scarf for your mom, grandma or mother-in-law?

Dr. Lancer has a new product out - Dani - Glowing Skin Perfector- An illuminating skin finisher and skin treatment that brightens, and perfects all skin tones in one setp.

How about a few fun stocking stuffers - Can't go wrong with these beautiful glitter nail polishes. She'll be ready for her New Year's Eve Party and that special Valentine. Butter / OPI / Deborah Lipman /

Don't forget about the Golfer in your family...Restoration Hardwares Golf Ball Personalizer - Everything you need to emboss you name or initials right out of the box.

I've recently discovered these unique candles. After Party Candle Co. Especially for those champagne lovers in your life, an Incredible gift for a hostess. Beautiful champagne bottles from the best bottles of bubbley to well-known favorite brands. After your candle is finished, you will want to keep it for a vase with fresh flowers, or what-ever you choose. 

Does someone in your life need a little pampering?  Maud's of Beverly Hills is a charming boutique that offers stunning lashes, nails, and brow service.  Here she can relax, unwind and feel beautiful. 

AMERICAN TEA ROOM has the most delicious teas. Their is a huge range of green, black, and oolong teas. Their gift wrapping is lovely. On your way to a holiday party or your need a simple elegant gift, you can't go wrong. Three favorites I keep in our home -  Victoria Organic Black Tea - Earl Gray Shanghi, and Madame Bergamot Organic. You can find any tea to your liking online. Beautiful teas, beautiful flavor.

Violet Grey is an incredible boutique filled with highly curated luxury beauty products. It's located here in Los Angeles on Melrose Place. If she loves beauty products, you will be a rockstar if she receives a gift certificate or a favorite product from Violet Grey. You will find everything for her cosmetic wardrobe you need online or in the store. This foundation is FANTASTIC. Koh Gen Do - for flawless skin. If you live here in L.A. be sure to take a minute and experience a true beauty boutique.

Restoration Hardware's Leather Watch Holder is great for your on-the-go guy. It's a rich chocolate color, soft leather, and lightweight. Also great for storing your watches safely.

 Whether you're 3 or 53 you'll find Diane Muldrow's little golden book full of life's lessons, and remember what you were taught along the way.  It's always nice for a humorous "guide to life" for grown-ups!  or great advice for your little one. It's pretty much everything that really matters about life in this simple little book.                                                                                                                       Celebrating You (and the beautiful person you are) Read about your kind heart, your spirit, generosity, your laugh, and your glow. You can't help feel joy and loved if you receive this little book. For all ages. 

A gift card from his or her favorite studio or gym is a great idea. Harmony Studios is located here in West Hollywood, and the instructors are very focused on you being your best healthy self.  Here you can have private or group instruction and a full mind-body connection. You'll feel welcomed the minute you step in the door. If you live here...check it out. You will get in shape and have fun at the same time. NO matter where you live, a gift card to jumpstart a healthy body is always a great gift of life. 

And most of all...The Gift of Time. Spend time with those you love, give your time to those who are in need. Take the time to be Grateful.         

Doesn't it feel satisfying when you see the joy on the face of the person you're giving the gift to? How about being a Secret Santa...Maybe pay for someone's coffee, or breakfast. Don't forget the people who help us in our everyday errands. I love to give to the guys who help me at the gas station, José, who helps me load groceries.  Fedx, UPS - We always depend on Tom...our fantastic mailman. He delivers the mail everyday, with a smile on his face... Enjoy the process and may your heart be filled with joy this holiday season.  

               We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” 
― Winston S. Churchill                                                                                                                                                           

ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE

'Tis The Season... The holidays are here, and what a special time to be Grateful. It's the perfect time to gather your friends and family, and share great food, wine, and of course laughter. We have soooo much to be grateful for, we have freedom, we have choices.  Let's start off with  I Am Thankful For....

 Thank you Mother Earth - Mother Nature for these beautiful flowers! We have a Pavilions nearby, and they always have a large variety of colorful flowers and greenery. Here I chose Tulips - Roses - Calla Lilies - Peonies. If you live in the West Hollywood area, ask for David! He's the best...

You can also buy long stem leaves and decorate the inside of the vase for an elegant touch to your arrangement. While arranging your flowers say "Thank You"...tell Mother Nature how grateful you are for her flawless beauty she has provided for us.

Tulips have so many leaves, just take and wrap those extra leaves around your stems for that 'Wedding Bouquet' look. 

I love the vibrant orange, perfect for a fall color.  Tulips love a little light, in just a few minutes they will open up as the light shines through the window.

Beautiful pink Tulips and Peonies, and the peonies have a soft...light fragrance as they begin to open. 

White Peonies, White Roses... 

I find groupings of three, to work well. Choose different vases, and heights for that artistic feel.

Simple Calla Lilies...Simple Vase... Elegance.   We all have many things we can be grateful for. If we can stay in a state of gratitude for just a few minutes a day, our hearts will change, we will feel lighter, and the longer we can say "Thank You" the Universe will recognize our gratitude. We can always be of great service to ourselves and others when our heart says "Thank You"

    "Choosing gratitude is akin to choosing forgiveness. It is to create forward and healthy           movement within the individual expressing it"       Reverend Keith Cox...my friend

  Thank you to my followers for being supportive and taking the time to read my blog, The Grateful Gardenia. I hope everyone had a beautiful Thanksgiving, and you were able to share the day with your friends and loved ones. During this season let's envision laughter, hugs and a heart full of gratitude.   

                                    Make someone's day special today... it matters