Traditions

In a world that spins faster and faster every day, there’s no greater luxury than slowing down to a pleasurable pace. Especially during the celebratory seasons when everyone’s hustling and bustling all over the place.

We do our best around here to slow things down a bit all in the honor of traditions.

Over the years we’ve come to know what we like best.  What brings back the best memories, which makes us the most comfortable, and what makes us the most grateful. My children say that Christmases past is among some of the happiest times of their lives.

I am grateful.

These memories start to stir in September. Welcoming the change of weather I tuck away the lighter linens and bring on the layers. Come November, fresh candles, fresh greens, and baskets of pine cones ease us into the traditions of Thanksgiving. The evenings come earlier now. The aroma of comfort foods come from the kitchen and a big roaring fire change the pace and encourage lingering.

I am grateful.

December is a time to celebrate and a time to shine. Glossy holiday issues of my favorite magazines have arrived and I’m drawn in by the cornucopia of beautiful decorating, joyous entertaining, and thoughtful gifts!  I have learned a great deal from the talented stylists, photographers & designers who every year, bring a fresh look to our treetops, tabletops, and time-honored traditions. They inspire me to try new ideas, add my personal touch and make them my own.

I am grateful.

I do my best to decorate for the holidays and graciously pass these traditions along, even if it kills me!

Despite the best of intentions I somehow manage to get caught up in that hustle & bustle that I spoke of earlier and preparations run amok.

The Drummer is way too loud. The Piper has a sore throat. The Lady is still out dancing.  The Maid has quit and the Geese are quite frankly just not in the mood. Thank goodness the Lord leaps in and reminds me that there’s always next year.

These are our traditions and yes, I am grateful.

I hope the start of the holiday season finds you hustling & bustling at a pleasurable pace!

Look for The Lisa Porter Collection annual directory of Holiday Gift Guides, coming soon!

A Gift.

A gift bag with a signature bow.

A chic cream box.

Embraced by a pretty ribbon.

An exquisite jar of pampering nestled within soft black tissue.

Infused with the most delicious scent of orange blossoms.

To take me on a sensorial journey.

To remind me that he thinks of me when he’s away.

Thank you, sweetheart.

{pssst…he reads my blog}

Photos | Lisa Porter

~ My apologies ~

A lost & found story.

 Reposted today.

LP 

Best of the Best

When I’m looking for the best of the best for Mr. Porter, one place I like to go to is the Robb Report online.

It’s a great source for all things new & noteworthy especially for men with great style!

Tonight I was looking at the Robb Report’s The Best of the Best 2011 for advice on picking the best cigars. On occasions when the MR. is allll relaxed & enjoying a late evening out on the patio with friends, he loves to enjoy a really good cigar.

Shhhhh…..I want to surprise him to celebrate a recent accomplishment. Padron Family reserve No. 46 might be just perfect!  Hmmm, natural or Maduro?

Now, look at who else I found relaxing on the patio.

The incredibly talented outdoor furniture designer Richard Frinier and his Drift Collection. 

What a perfect combination.  I think the only thing missing from this fabulous setting is the MR. & Me, good friends, and the Padrons!

These beautiful sectional lounge chairs, matching ottomans, and cocktail tables also from Richard Frinier’s Drift Collection are produced from plantation-grown and weathered teak. 

I first wrote about Richard & his wife Catherine here.  Catherine Frinier is principal and managing partner of  FrinierAtelier and the Richard Frinier Collection.

Like I said, the best of the best!

Just one more new & noteworthy mention.

There is another MR. PORTER!

A fabulous website!

I loved reading The Report: High Flyers about ABC’s new show, Pan Am.

Grab your Samsonite & your Ray-Ban’s and before you go, enjoy Mr. Porter’s very swell video!

Dorie Greenspan's Meyer Lemon Curd

April showers created the perfect afternoon for catching up with you all & sharing some goodies that I recently discovered. Grab a pencil!

You know I love lemons, and in my previous post, I showed you why Yellow is currently my favorite color!  But for now, I want to tell you all about Dorie Greenspan's Meyer Lemon Curd!  It is out of this world! 

I discovered Dorie Greenspan while writing a story about Sarabeth Levine of Sarabeth's Kitchen.   I was baking my way through Sarabeth's Bakery: From My Hands to Yours & was looking forward to Dorie's latest book, Around My French Table. 

The evening that I brought it home, I didn't drop it off in the kitchen where I would dive into it the next morning. Instead, I brought it up to my bedside table and by midnight....well, let's just say that Dorie & I had become best foodie friends.  You can be foodie friends with me & Dorie too.  She will hold your hand & tell you great stories & you will learn how to confidently prepare her superb renditions of the great French classics, but home-style!

Last night I was listening to a podcast with Dorie Greenspan at Authors' Answers Series from Leite's Culinaria hosted by award-winning food writer David Leite. They both had me smiling from the start. I love her wonderfully encouraging voice that comes through in the interview & in each and every one of her incredible books! 

Dorie Greenspan has written 10 award-winning books & she also writes the lively blog,  In the Kitchen And On The Road With Dorie! 

I love this quote, “Sarabeth wants to see you. I think you’ve got the job.” from a wonderful story that Dorie shares of how she first met Sarabeth Levine.  

My Francophile friends will enjoy Paris By Mouth, a beautiful collaborative website, edited by Dorie Greenspan & other established food writers, that is changing the way people find and appreciate delicious things in Paris.

I'm getting to the Meyer Lemon Curd.  Good things come to those who read on...I promise!

Many of you know I'm a foodie but I'm no food writer.

Eat Boutique to the rescue!

Maggie Battista founded Eat Boutique in 2007 in order to celebrate handmade food experiences.  She thinks nothing of driving long distances for one amazing night with a great chef, farmer or host.

"We’re a tiny business that shares handmade food stories, curates handmade food gift boxes, and offers handmade food experiences...We believe each bite should be worth it...We believe a great meal is worth driving an extra mile (or ten), especially if the cooks pop out to say hello and thank you...We think indie chefs and restaurateurs are amazing, but so are home cooks and farmers."

Have a look at this wonderful Spring Handmade Food Gift Box from Eat Boutique! 

What a nice Easter gift to give...and to receive!

Now, I'm happy to tell you that Maggie Battista and her team at Eat Boutique are as crazy about lemons as I am!  How about some Meyer Lemon Liquor... 

Or maybe you would prefer Meyer Lemon Liquor with Lavender, Cardamom or Thyme... 

Orrrr Meyer Lemon Marmalade with Booze ;)

 You must try my absolute favorite...Meyer Lemon Curd!

Shelby Larsson is a great food writer and member of the team at Eat Boutique.  Certain that her hubby had forgotten all about Valentines Day, she purchased Around My French Table for herself and fell in love with Dorie Greenspan's Meyer Lemon Curd.  Read more about this melt-in-your-mouth goodness right here!

Shelby also loves cheese and pop culture. I've been reading about her eating adventures over on her blog, Lady Gouda. You'll love her blog & ya gotta love that name!

I hope you enjoy all the goodies!

Dorie Greenspan lives in New York City; Westbrook, Connecticut; and Paris. Be sure to read all about her food adventures in these and other places at www.doriegreenspan.com. 

Inviting all you stylish bloggers to join in on the fun!

photo: Chris Everard

I'm gathering gifts & holiday cheer from stylish blogs around the world!

We would all love to know what's on your list too!

Send me your link & join the other bloggers on my sidebar for the best of holiday giving!

xo Lisa

Gifts for you, for me, for everyone!

It's the most wonderful time of the year

& it's the most wonderful time of the year to be a blogger!

Blogging inspires, connects  & continues to feed our curiosity and nourish our souls. You are an amazing & talented bunch & I am so grateful that you all take the time to stop by.

I have also discovered some really nifty stuff that I wanted to share with you all.

Here is a shortlist of just a few of my favorite things to give & to receive this holiday season.

 Enjoy!

As I mentioned last week, iomoi makes sending your latest & greatest emails newsworthy events when you use your own custom-designed

e-stationary!

Click on the monkeys & they will show you

the way to design a free sample for yourself!

And to keep the art of  handwritten notes

alive and well, just look, iomoi offers the best

selection of stocking stuffers around!

Check out Jen Ramos' collection of iomoi goodies I found at Made By Girl.

Back to emails for just a second...

How much fun would it be to send

  snazzy e-stationary on a

iPad...

Way fun!

This gal looks like a happy blogger!

To learn more about the amazing things

that you can do on one of these,

check it all out at

Apple!

How sweet it is ...

that these two are still

making beautiful music together!

Carole King & James Taylor

are still singing the songs we loved back then

& these days they sound better than ever!

Do you love the scent of fresh-cut privet...

A privet candle from

 Hound Hill Design

fills the air with that crisp green earthy scent

I crave on the coldest days of winter.

Speaking of earthy, the day I discovered

My Sparrow was the day

I fell in love with Henry!

The Henry Woven Bench from My Sparrow is all about comfort and bringing things into your life & home that make you smile.

Did I mention that I would adore having all of this beautifully wrapped by Sande Chase at a

Gift Wrapped Life?  Well, I would.

Smile & look fresh as a flower in a suit or t-shirt & jeans sporting a hand-stitched bloom on your lapel from

Emerson Made.

Each bloom Emerson makes is one of a kind, varied, and has its own unique character and soul.

Kind of a flower soul mate! 

Speaking of flowers...

Indulge yourself with the scent of clementine leaves sparkling in the morning dew

above a heart of orange blossom

and water lily with the

   Jo Malone

Orange Blossom Gift Set.

I don't know about you, but during the holidays I actually look forward to spending time in the kitchen.

It's where everyone loves to gather & I love reading old family recipes even though I know them by heart. So why not wear something pretty while I whip up something gourmet!

Ashley over at Ice Milk Aprons

has designed

a gourmet line of heirloom aprons

that will keep this hostess looking

crisp and pulled together.

  All of Ashley's ideas make for a meaningful

gift-giving experience!

Now, let me ask you, do you know how much

 I love bicycles?

I've had my favorite beach cruiser from our California days forever. I'm not selling it...way to sentimental.However, I'm thinking that my cruising days are behind me and that I would do swell on this Classic Ladies 3-speed from Schwinn

 . It's a beauty! 

And last but certainly not least...

Planting a tree

is a beautiful way to honor someone!

Seeds of Life

is a delightful farm that specializes in growing trees that can be given as a gift and planted to honor a special friend or family member.

A tree or seedling suited for a special teacher comes beautifully wrapped and is the perfect way to say thank you for helping our children to grow & learn.

A living tree symbolizes strength and endurance

as these kinds of gifts have the potential

to last centuries.

So... there you have it, my friends,

the makings for an enjoyable holiday season.

Start your day on a bike ride with your kids.

  Around the block or through the park,

just get outside and play!

Send a festive invitation to friends on your iPad

using your e-stationary. Fill your home with music

from James Taylor & Carole King

and fill the air with the scent

of fresh-cut privet. As you prepare

to greet your guests, put a dab of orange blossom

behind each ear

and a beautiful flower on your lapel.

Tie on an heirloom apron

& Serve a gourmet dinner in the kitchen

that everyone will remember.

Look forward to giving & receiving gifts beautifully wrapped by one of our dearest of friends.

Then sit back

and relax with Henry & friends.

You deserve it!

Sounds to me like a

 a lovely way to celebrate

the holidays.

I look forward to reading all of your

wish lists & gift-giving ideas 

that many of you are famous for!

Happy giving everyone...XO Lisa

I also want to thank one of my

SoCal friends, Christina Fluegge, for inviting me

to share my gift list at greige!

I just love Christina's stylish responsibility,

which makes greige design

and her My Sparrow, two of my favorite places to land.