Host Gift Ideas Inspired by The Salonniere 100

I was really inspired by "The Salonniere 100" list (released today) of the best party hosts in the United States. As the holiday season approaches, I read through the list envisioning the many soires that took place over the last year and how we can all get inspired by these uber hosts!

Lela Rose and Her Suspended Dining Table

The people recognized are as diverse as you'd imagine and one thing I love about the list is people hosting parties for strictly business reasons weren't considered.

The people recognized tend to be "diverse across a variety of factors, all on the list share a rare gift for creating warm, gracious and memorable experiences for others." (From Salonniere website)

So, being inspired by these hosts for the holiday season, I thought I'd share what I believe is a unique aspect of the holiday season: not how to entertain, but the host gift!

If you have the blessed opportunity to be invited to an intimate dinner or a "party of the year" type event, host gifts are the best way in which you can say thank you!

And the days of a bottle of wine for the host is O-V-E-R!

The Salonniere 100: Herb and Felicia Gray

Even Real Simple confirmed that host gifts should be unique and thoughtful!

Here are a couple unique ideas shared in Real Simple and helpful recommendation links I searched for you to purchase these unique host gifts.

Each recommendation is $50 or less:

Flowers 2.0
“Show your host that her parties are always a great ‘thyme’ by giving her fresh herbs growing in pretty pots.”
—Carla McDonald, founder of The Salonniere

My Recommendation from 1800Flowers:

Morning-after Kit
“Add pancake mix, two mugs, a bag of freshly ground coffee, and a bottle of Advil. Then wrap it in newspaper.”
—Michelle Bachman and Seri Kertzner of Little Miss Party

My Recommendations:

From Amazon: Click Here

#GettheLook: My Essentialism in Style Forecast

My day job work is in the business community and there has been much talk about the book "Essentialism" written by Greg McKeown. Even though the book was written in 2014 (and was an instant bestseller on The New York Times List and Wall Street Journal), it's continuing to have an impact on people's lives.

The book's central message is: "The Way of the Essentialist isn’t about getting more done in less time. It’s about getting only the right things done.  It is not  a time management strategy, or a productivity technique. It is a systematic discipline for discerning what is absolutely essential, then eliminating everything that is not, so we can make the highest possible contribution towards the things that really matter.  

By forcing us to apply a more selective criteria for what is Essential, the disciplined pursuit of less empowers us to reclaim control of our own choices about where to spend our precious time and energy – instead of giving others the implicit permission to choose for us.

Essentialism is not one more thing – it’s a whole new way of doing everything."


Ironically, I wrote about something similar a few days ago about Bill Blass believing in Reductivism ("A Reductivist...A What?")... He believed that true style and luxury was not about what you add but what you DON'T add.

My Fashion and Style Trend Forecast
You might not relate Essentialism or Reductivism to fashion but you should. Fashion has always been the creative outlet depicting what was going on in the world. Think of how powerful the grunge era was during its time or how the popularity of discount fashion retailers came in response to the economic downturn.

So what does Essentialism in styling look like?

Right as I asked this question I saw the following picture of Beyonce on the Harper's Bazaar Instagram site.

So besides her gorgeous dress and shades, I was particularly struck by her flat, easy clutch.

It stood out to me because Beyonce's assistant normally carries a huge bag on her behalf or Beyonce carries a larger bag herself (I'm a long time fan so trust me on this).

This picture is what I think of when I think Essentialism in styling...lightening the weight of your life, your career, your possessions to only those things that are (luxuriously) essential.

To get Beyonce's similar essential handbag look, India Hicks carries the clutch pouch in three styles and it's called the Flat Stanley.

Flat Stanley in Flamingo

Flat Stanley (with look inside) in Heritage

Flat Stanley in Bridesmaid Ivory

Lastly, here is a quote from McKeown: "The way of essentialism is a relentless pursuit of less but better. It means living by design, not by default. It's not I have to, but I choose to. It doesn't react to what's most pressing, but pauses to discern what really matters. It means pushing against social expectations. To do it well takes courage and compassion."

Wishing you much courage and compassion...

Inspirational Reminder: Your Life is Still #Unwritten

This is a kind reminder that it's never too late to chase after your dreams and goals...the rest of your life is still #Unwritten

Video for "Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield

So let this video remind you:

The full impact of your life on this world...it's still unwritten

Knowing how your life's purpose will play out...it's still unwritten

Forgiving myself for mistakes that have set you back...it's still unwritten

Having all the facts before you take that risk...it's still unwritten

Confused on whether you should choose love over confusion... it's still unwritten

Believing in yourself when you're scared...it's still unwritten

Checking that health issue... it's still unwritten

Creating that bucketlist to make sure you don't forget to live...it's still unwritten

Being courageous to say no to what no longer works or feeds your soul...it's still unwritten

Letting go of paralyzing fear to finally embrace who you can be...it's still unwritten

Starting that book that will heal others...it's still unwritten

Ending your internal fight and accepting your body for it's possibilities instead of it's size...it's still unwritten

Moving past grief to whole living...its still unwritten

No matter what, the rest of your life is still unwritten... Now go get 'em!

Gorgeousness for the Home with India Hicks & One Kings Lane

India Taking Over One Kings Lane's Instagram

In case you missed it, check out India Hick's curated sale of gorgeous items for One Kings Lane!

Like her new style company (I'm a Style Ambassador with India Hicks), her curated pieces include inspiration from her London roots and her Bahamian Harbour Island Lifestyle.

You can shop the gorgeous home collection pieces recommended by India Hicks HERE

My favorites from the collection...

Signed Copy of "Island Style"

Pineapple Salt&Pepper Shakers (Only $25!)

Rattan Table Lamp

French Country Basket (Perfect for Folded Blankets)

Flamingo MatchBox for those winter candles

Blue/White Ginger Jar

A Reductivist...A What?

Did the title of this blog post get your attention just from the word I user to describe it: Reductivist?

This word got my attention while reading the Architectural Digest feature written by Carolyn Roehm about her mentors Oscar de la Renta and Bill Blass.

In her description of Bill Blass, she described his aesthetic as being one of a Reductivist: "Bill, on the other hand, was a reductivist, and his house in Connecticut and apartment in New York City...—taught me how luxury could be lean without being cold."

A what?

Reductivist:  an art movement in sculpture and painting that began in the 1950s and emphasized extreme simplification of form and color

From Architectural Digest/Carolyn Roehm

Even though the definition emphasizes "extreme simplification", I was captured by the context being about intentional restraint...not about what you add but about what you don't add.

Developing this type of intentional restraint, especially when you have plenty of resources, takes an insurmountable amount of discipline!

And in our world of adding more storage facilities and buying bigger and bigger homes due to how much excess stuff we have, I really believe being a Reductivist is admirable and brilliant!

Thoughts on the Life of a Reductivist:
Instead of buying that holiday item that's used for three months of the year and in storage nine months of the year...buy something classic and multi-functional.

Instead of another cheap handbag that will need replacing in a few months, purchase the most elegant well made handbag you can afford.

Instead of continuing to add items in your bedroom that's creating a clutter nightmare, determine what is of the most useful that's been used in the past year and then get rid of the rest.

Instead of adding more surface level friendships to your life that require upkeep, decide which people you sense a strong connection to and spend quality time developing deep rooted relationships with them. (This is a key to well-being)

Instead of wearing yourself and your family out on activities and commitments, create a family plan of what's the most important to you to be happy and only commit to events centered around those things. (FYI: this is hard but you can do it!)

These are just a few musings and will differ for each person. The key is to be inspired by the life of Bill Blass through the eyes of Carolyn Roehm and let it empower you to create an authentic life by practicing the art of a Reductivist.

Authenticity... It's the Curva-Lish way!

#FierceFriday: Breast Cancer, Nipples & Tattoos

This is the first time I've featured a man for #FierceFriday. Read on and you'll understand why...

From the Today Show:

Robin Denny, who had a mastectomy in April 2014, reclines as Vinnie Myers tattoos a nipple on her reconstructed breast.

"Women need to know there's a better option than having a doctor tattoo you." she says about Myers and his work.

Once internationally renowned for his tattoo artistry, Myers is now legend in breast cancer circles for what has become his exclusive specialty: inking areolas and nipples so realistic they seem like genuine articles.

"When you're looking at those breasts, all you see are the scars, and all you're reminded of is cancer," Myers says. "So when you put this finishing touch on there, it distracts your eye from all those other imperfections because you have something to look at that's very pleasing, and it's an incredibly emotional finishing touch."

Read more about--and the women he helps--at TODAY.com.

For the month of October, in support of breast cancer awareness and prevention, we are donating 10% of the sale proceeds of the India Hicks "Hope" India Token to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Front:

"Hope" India Token (Gold or Silver Available)

Back:

"There's More in You Than You Know"

Shop the "Hope" Indi Token in Gold Here

Shop the "Hope"  Indi Token in Silver HERE

Thank you!!!!

Que

The Power of Women with Variety

Variety magazine has not only produced a special, power packed issue of their magazine focused on the power of Women but it's also overwhelmingly inspirational to say the least!

There's plenty of inspiration for Women but what makes this issue special is that it focuses on women who are in positions of power based on their influence as gauged by their deep desire to make a positive impact on the world. The catalyst that created their power is a sense of purpose.

"I am driven to all things by the one thing that is my brand. And my heart is my brand." -Oprah

Compare this to decades past where power was restricted to the male-dominated focus of making money by any means necessary...and definitely not connected necessarily to positive purposes that positively impacted the world.

You can also see the speeches of the power women highlighted at the Variety Awards Lunch site with videos from Oprah, Salma Hayek, Gwyneth Paltrow, and more!

Power of Women at Variety

Click Here for Videos to Variety Lunch

#FierceFriday: Slaying at an India Hicks Get Together

India Hicks had one of our Get Togethers at her dear friend Alicia B Fox's place showcasing our India Hicks Maddison May handbag (with the most gorgeous butter soft leather) in Burgundy with interchangeable red insert.

I thought Fox's whole outfit was so adaptable to take you on casual (but still HOT) dates, catching a happy hour with girlfriends, looking urban chic for a night on the town and much more!

* And don't forget you can have your own virtual India Hicks Get Together and earn this Maddison May and other great India Hicks products!

GET THE LOOK:
Sheer Peasant Top
* Style Hint: loosely tuck shirt in jeans for Fox's look

Also comes in blue and black

Dark Wash Skinny Jeans

Ankle Strap Heel

Badgley Mischka Heel

India Hicks Maddison May

Get it here