Pamper My Holiday Party

To piggy back off of our recent Pamper My Party post (as seen below), we are going to talk today about how to pamper a holiday party!  I am having 30 of my nearest and dearest over tomorrow night for cocktails, hors devours and festivities and I wanted to share with you my tips for making your party stand a part from the rest!  

☆ Pamper My Holiday Party! ☆

First off, then entrance.  Be sure to use a beautiful arrangement right up front, it's important to make a statement when your guests walk in the door.  I am using my favorite florist over at Harlem Flo and asked for an arrangement with an architectural feel to compliment the modern lines in my apartment.  Try to be specific with your florist, while still giving them creative license.  Don't be shy about asking for what you want!  

Here is my inspirational bouquet, taken from the Harlem Flo website.  

Next up, drinks!  For those of you who read every week, you know I love my cocktails.  My crew is not a beer swigging kind of bunch, so I worked with my caterer, Sam Kim of Skim Kim to come up with some wonderful holiday cocktails.  More on that later - wouldn't want to ruin the surprise for my guests!  Having trouble thinking of fun holiday refreshments?  

Check out this wonderful recipe from We Are Not Martha, for a Cranberry Mojito.  

Next up, the food!  

Always remember to be thematic.  Holiday parties can have a LOT of alcohol!  So, use comfort food to soak some of it up.  I worked with Sam to come up with a truly incredible menu for tomorrow night.  (Again, no spoilers here, but I will post the menu after the party!)  

It won't be bikini season again for a few months, so indulge a little and offer the goodies that everyone is too shy to eat the rest of the year.  I like to serve comfort food favorites in bite size portions, so you get the goodness without all the grief.  Also, have healthy options for the health conscious.  If nothing else, a plate of fruit and vegetables arranged beautifully is a wonderful go-to.  Lastly, don't forget about dietary restrictions.  Without fail, you WILL have a vegetarian/celiac/kosher/vegan at your party, so have option of two for them.  This way everyone feels pampered!

Be sure to read down and view all my tips on how to throw a pampered party.  I'll be sharing pics of my little soiree, and maybe even some video!  

So check back soon, have a wonderful week and don't forget to pamper yourself! 

......................

At Pamper My Style, my luxury gift set company - we are preparing our sets for 2013 already!  We are working hard to curate sets like Pamper My Valentine, Pamper My Mom, Pamper My Garden and Pamper My Party.  

So, on this windy Monday I thought it might be a nice time to sit down and plan a party or two.  There are many ways to throw a pampered party and here are some of my favorites!  (Check out our Pinterest board for even more pictures and inspiration :) 

1) Throw a Spa Soiree!

A few years ago I decided to have a Pampered Pool Party!  I invited over some of family members and my best girlfriends.  It was absolutely wonderful!  We had such a great time that everyone is always asking when I am going to throw another.  Soon ladies, I promise! 

Here are a few pictures from that wonderful day:

A Professional Masseuse was there to lend a hand! 

The weather certainly agreed with us.

My Nannie enjoyed the day so much!  Such a special memory.

My tricks for throwing such a successful party, like with anything else, is attention to detail! 

Serve up these Ginger Fizz's from Yum Sugar.  Click here for the recipe.  

Photography courtesy of Yum Sugar

The medicinal benefits of ginger compliment the health focus of the party.  So, think through the goal of the party you are throwing to make the experience all it can be for your guests!

I also found this clever idea for a snack on Pinterest.  The dip is made out of avocado, with cucmbers for eye masks and a red pepper cut into the shape of lips!  The hair wrap looks like some kind of fondant...any other guesses??

One thing to never forget for small get togethers like this is the take-away bag.  Loved this idea I found on Etsy.  The item is no longer available, but it's easy a great DIY project!  

Pamper your party with little surprises.  Like put a gold token in one of your guests goodie bags and give them a special prize, like a gift-card to a mani/pedi at a local salon!

2) Afternoon Tea

Next up, we are getting a little more sophisticated (just a little) and putting together a Proper Pampered Tea Party!!

Pinterest is overloaded with cute decorative ideas for this one.  Encourage your guests to wear hats and their most beautiful Chanel inspired suits and pearls and have fun with it!  

We all know a tea party is really all about the snacks, but don't skimp on the tea.  Be sure to have a wonderful selection of teas for your guests.  You can highlight different regions, tea types and flavor profiles to make the experience both beautiful and educational.  

My favorite local tea spot is Sullivan St Tea and Spice Company in NYC's Greenwich Village.  You just can't get more adorable than this little shop tucked away on one of the sweetest blocks in Manhattan.  

Can't make it downtown?  Check out David's Tea, the Canadian company taking the tea world by storm with their inventive flavors like Forever Nuts (with Almonds, Apples and Beetroot) and Red Velvet Cake Tea (5 calories per serving!).  Check out their website to order online. 

The snacks for tea time are light, lady-like and sophisticated.  Food Network has this extensive list of 50 Tea Sandwiches.  There are just so many, I don't know which to choose!

3) Wine and Cheese Tasting

While purusing Pinterest I also found great ideas for a wine and cheese party.  

This Chalkboard Contact Paper can be turned into a table runner.  This great idea is from Jackie Fogartie's blog and is available on Amazon.com.  

Pamper everyone's pallete by having great snacks.  This spread from Natasha In Oz shows some great ideas, and the set-up is just gorgeous! 

Even make it a pot-luck and have everyone bring a bottle and a dish to compliment.  

A few more helpful sites:

Squidoo has a huge list of party ideas for grown-ups.  No kid's craft parties here!  So check it out and get creative!

Don't skimp on decorations!  Check out these great guide to the best NYC based florists from Gotham Magazine.  

OK, that's all for today my Pampered Party Planning Proteges.  Have a wonderful time and don't forget to pamper yourself!

Pamper My Closet

Here at Pamper My Style we want to inspire you to pamper all areas of your life.  With the guidance of lifestylist, Pam Pollak - we  share with you the little tips, tricks and products on how to live life luxuriously.  So, make yourself a cup of your favorite tea, sit back and relax as we journey into the world of all things pampered.

♦Pamper My Closet♦

 It's that time of year....the summer is coming to a reluctant end, days are getting shorter, nights are getting cooler and the smell of Pumpkin Spice Latte's are in the air.  One of my favorite parts of the change of season is clearing out my sandy summer threads and getting the boots, sweaters and scarves out of my vacuum sealed bags.  

In this weeks post is about what I call closet pampering!  You may be thinking, what the heck is that?  Well - I'll tell you.  Here at Pamper My Style, we strive to make every corner of your life filled with more love, care and attention.  That means making something even as menial as choosing your outfit in the morning a pleasant and pampered experience.  So, come along with me as I share with you some of my favorite closet pampering touches and learn how you can wake up and be excited about the start of your day! 

Recently, our Pampered team took a trip to West Hartford Center, CT with Lisa Woodingham of Kimberly Boutique.  Here she  gives us her tips on how she likes to pamper her closet:

The most essential part of pampering any space, in my opinion, is the scent.  Smell is one of the most dynamic and intense senses that we have as humans and surrounding yourself with pleasant scents that nurture your soul is of the upmost importance.  

I have such vivid memories of being a young girl and smelling tearose lotion on my grandmothers skin when she held me close.  To this day, it is an aroma that I absolutely love and try to infuse it anywhere I can in my life.  

I found these beautiful tea rose satchels from Lichen-Z Farm.  They have wonderful scents like Lavender, Chocolate and Pumpkin Spice - so pick a satchel that speaks to you and place it somewhere in your closet.  Every time you open the door, the scent will linger and you will smile (promise!).  It will also lightly infuse your clothes with the scent of your choice and allow you to carry it with you throughout the day!  

Tea Rose Satchel, Available at Lichen-Z Farm ($3.49)

To piggy back off of what Lisa says above - I couldn't agree more....Organize, Organize, Organize!  A neat and tidy closet makes your mornings easy and getting ready a breeze.  

Of course, NO WIRE HANGERS, ladies! Check out some of these great hanger options.  

Bamboo Hangers, Available at Only Hangers (Starting at $61.95 / 25pcs)

Real Simple Hangers, Available at Bed Bath and Beyond ($9.99 / 12 pieces)

Then there is always the question of what to wear.  Here are some of my favorite looks for fall, courtesy of the Pamper My Closet board on Pinterest:

Polyvore is a wonderful resource for putting fun and in-style fall outfits together.  You can buy just the piece, or get the whole look.  It's really a great resource!  

I find it best to buy 3-4 quality staple piece, non-trendy, good quality and pamper yourself with pieces that will never go out of style.  

Then, have some fun with it!  Buy a great scarf, fun pair of flats and - of course- some great jewelry!  You will have the staple pieces for a long time and the fun stuff will keep your look modern and stylish.  I love InterMix for the trendy threads and a classic like Bergdorf Goodman for the staples.  

Most of all, have fun with you style and don't take it too seriously!  Your wardrobe should be reflective of who you are and who you want to be.  It should be a scrapbook of your travels, a collection of memories you hold dear.  

If you want to find out how to pamper a specific area of your life, let me know!  E-mail me: Pam@pampermystyle.com and last but not least "Don't forget to pamper yourself!"

Happy Organizing!!!

Pamper My Party

At Pamper My Style, my luxury gift set company - we are preparing our sets for 2013 already!  We are working hard to curate sets like Pamper My Valentine, Pamper My Mom, Pamper My Garden and Pamper My Party.  

So, on this windy Monday I thought it might be a nice time to sit down and plan a party or two.  There are many ways to throw a pampered party and here are some of my favorites!  (Check out our Pinterest board for even more pictures and inspiration :) 

1) Throw a Spa Soiree!

A few years ago I decided to have a Pampered Pool Party!  I invited over some of family members and my best girlfriends.  It was absolutely wonderful!  We had such a great time that everyone is always asking when I am going to throw another.  Soon ladies, I promise! 

Here are a few pictures from that wonderful day:

A Professional Masseuse was there to lend a hand! 

The weather certainly agreed with us.

My Nannie enjoyed the day so much!  Such a special memory.

My tricks for throwing such a successful party, like with anything else, is attention to detail! 

Serve up these Ginger Fizz's from Yum Sugar.  Click here for the recipe.  

Photography courtesy of Yum Sugar

The medicinal benefits of ginger compliment the health focus of the party.  So, think through the goal of the party you are throwing to make the experience all it can be for your guests!

I also found this clever idea for a snack on Pinterest.  The dip is made out of avocado, with cucmbers for eye masks and a red pepper cut into the shape of lips!  The hair wrap looks like some kind of fondant...any other guesses??

One thing to never forget for small get togethers like this is the take-away bag.  Loved this idea I found on Etsy.  The item is no longer available, but it's easy a great DIY project!  

Pamper your party with little surprises.  Like put a gold token in one of your guests goodie bags and give them a special prize, like a gift-card to a mani/pedi at a local salon!

2) Afternoon Tea

Next up, we are getting a little more sophisticated (just a little) and putting together a Proper Pampered Tea Party!!

Pinterest is overloaded with cute decorative ideas for this one.  Encourage your guests to wear hats and their most beautiful Chanel inspired suits and pearls and have fun with it!  

We all know a tea party is really all about the snacks, but don't skimp on the tea.  Be sure to have a wonderful selection of teas for your guests.  You can highlight different regions, tea types and flavor profiles to make the experience both beautiful and educational.  

My favorite local tea spot is Sullivan St Tea and Spice Company in NYC's Greenwich Village.  You just can't get more adorable than this little shop tucked away on one of the sweetest blocks in Manhattan.  

Can't make it downtown?  Check out David's Tea, the Canadian company taking the tea world by storm with their inventive flavors like Forever Nuts (with Almonds, Apples and Beetroot) and Red Velvet Cake Tea (5 calories per serving!).  Check out their website to order online. 

The snacks for tea time are light, lady-like and sophisticated.  Food Network has this extensive list of 50 Tea Sandwiches.  There are just so many, I don't know which to choose!

3) Wine and Cheese Tasting

While purusing Pinterest I also found great ideas for a wine and cheese party.  

This Chalkboard Contact Paper can be turned into a table runner.  This great idea is from Jackie Fogartie's blog and is available on Amazon.com.  

Pamper everyone's pallete by having great snacks.  This spread from Natasha In Oz shows some great ideas, and the set-up is just gorgeous! 

Even make it a pot-luck and have everyone bring a bottle and a dish to compliment.  

A few more helpful sites:

Squidoo has a huge list of party ideas for grown-ups.  No kid's craft parties here!  So check it out and get creative!

Don't skimp on decorations!  Check out these great guide to the best NYC based florists from Gotham Magazine.  

OK, that's all for today my Pampered Party Planning Proteges.  Have a wonderful time and don't forget to pamper yourself!

Pamper My Hurricane

☂ Pamper My Hurricane ☂

So, as Sandy is dancing her way over to NYC I've been thinking about the best way to #PamperMyHurricane.  It's really no different then pampering any quiet night at home...hopefully!  

Here are a few quick ideas to make the time at home more pampered.  Whether you're braving the storm with family and friends or a glass of pinot and a good book, here are some great ideas to keep entertained.  

**********

1 - Pamper My Face

  

1) No cabin fever here!  I turn nights like these into a spa getaway.  There are so many great recipes online for DIY beauty products.  I did a little improvisation on this concoction from Garden of Beauty and looked at what I had in my fridge to come up with this recipe.  Try it out and e-mail your thoughts to Pam@PamperMyStyle.com - can't wait to hear! 

Pumpkin Face Mask

•  tsp pumpkin puree (see below for instructions, or substitute with canned pumpkin)
• 1/2 tsp honey
• 1/2 tsp milk (I substituted this for Almond milk)
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon spice (Note: while this can be nice astringent for some, it can also create a mild allergic reaction in others. To be safe, conduct a skin patch test — if it burns, leave the cinnamon out of this recipe.)

Mix the ingredients into a paste and apply to a freshly cleansed face. Let dry for about 15-20 minutes and rinse off with water.

For the puree: Cut pumpkin and reserve just the flesh — seeds, stringy matter and skin discarded. Steam pumpkin for about 15 minutes, or until a fork goes in smoothly. Puree in a food processor or blender until smooth, but not watery.

**********

2 - Candlelit Yoga 

I got this idea from the classes I take at Sacred Sounds Yoga in NYC.  Every night of the week they have a beautiful class lit only by candle glow. 

Create the same feeling in your own house by turning down the lights (or losing power :), and rolling out your mat.  Just freestyle a few poses.  I also like to Pamper My Mind and do some meditation.  For more on that check out last week's blog post.  

**********

3 - Get Organized

You may not think that cleaning out your closet as a good way to pamper yourself.  However, Lisa Woodingham from Kimberly Boutique in West Hartford Center explains here why it's the perfect activity! 

Check out this video we made for our Pamper My Closet post for Lisa's advice:

So, clean out and clean up...just leave the bag of donation clothes by the door until it's safe to go outside again!  

That's it for now...until I think of more fun ways to pamper the night away!  Best of luck to all my #pamperedproteges, stay out of harm's way and here's to an easy storm.   

Pamper My Mind

❧ Pamper My Mind ❧

This week I want to talk about all the tools I use to challenge myself and grow mentally.  So often we get caught up in the lull of everyday routine and forget how important it is to confront our thoughts your grow our intellect.  I know, I know - may seem like just another thing to add to your list of "to-do's" but the tips I am going to share in todays post have helped me expand my mind in ways I never thought possible.  In turn, these realizations have helped me deal with my day to day life in a more effective and serene manner.  So, it's really time well invested. 

So, keep an open mind and let's get it pampered! 

1. Volunteer-ism!

One of the most meaningful parts of my week is the volunteer work I do at Hunter College with their Jumpstart Program.  You can read more information about the program here. Giving back to my community and teaching young people life lessons is an incredible way to grow mentally and spiritually.  It keeps me grounded and I learn so much from the young people with whom I work.  

To learn more about volunteer opportunities in your area, check out Volunteer Match.  They will help you find the right type of volunteer work for your location and interests. 

2. Read a Good Book 

Pampering your mind is all about giving reverence to those whom you respect.  There are so many wonderful books on spiritual and mental growth and I'd like to share with you some of my favorites here.  If you click on the picture below, it will link directly on where to purchase a copy for yourself.  Also, be sure to check out Audible.com to download them on your phone/iPod and listen to them on the go.  A great way to pamper your morning commute!  

    

I also recently attended the Fashion Forward conference here in NYC and sat next to the author of Falling Apart in One Piece, Stacy Morrison.  It felt as if this book was written for me personally.  The eloquence that Stacy portrays in her writing is incredible and I identify to so much of her story.  Part of the reason I started Pamper My Style is to empower myself in this new, post-divorce, life.  Stacy explains her empowerment process and more in this touching memoir.  Pick up your copy today!  

3. Take a Class

Weather it's art, pottery, computers or theatre - find a local studio or school that is offering classes in something you find interesting and sign up!  I just started taking acting classes at John Pallota Studios and it has been a great addition to my routine.  I get to meet people who share my interests and learn about something great in the process.  

Not sure where to start your search?  If you don't live in NYC, it may seem intimidating to find what is offered. Check out your local community college, the Y or your local Chamber of Commerce!

4. Get Your Om On!

I was introduced to Yoga and meditation years ago and since I have started the practice, I can't speak too highly of its benefits.  When home in The Hamptons, I visit Ananda Yoga in Southampton.  They do a wonderful retreat every year and their intensive workshops keeps my practice fresh and fun.  

I also try to make it to a Yoga retreat once a year with Mary Angela Buffo, owner of Ananda Yoga.  This year we are off to Puerta Vallarta for Yoga, Sun, and all-around relaxation!  Learn more about the workshop here.  

Or check out Yoga Journal's events website to research yoga and retreats being offered by studios near you! 

As for meditation, a lot of yoga studios will either teach a meditation course or will be able to tell you where to find one.  I try to meditate for 5-10 minutes everyday, even if it's just in the shower.  Taking those few moments in your otherwise hectic day to center yourself and ask for guidance is an invaluable part of my routine.  

5. Write It Down

Sometimes just the simple act of getting words down on paper helps you see everything so much clearer.  When I am dealing with troubling things in life, or even to document my happiness I like to sit down and journal.  

But - there is a way to pamper your writing....of course!  

Get a notebook you REALLY love.  It will make the experience of putting pen to paper that much more enticing.  Leave the notebook by your bed, or in your nightstand and commit to jotting down the events of that day before bedtime.  

Here are some of my favorites:

Customizable Travel Journal from Etsy.com ($30.00)

Simple, Elegant and in my favorite color!  Available at  Time Traveler ($15.00)


Ok #PamperedProtges, that's all for today.  But, please keep in mind that I want to learn from you just as you learn from me.  So please, reach out and let me know your favorite ways to expand and explore to keep your mind fresh and growing!

Thanks for reading and don't forget to pamper yourselves! 

  

http://www.amazon.com/Falling-Apart-One-Piece-Optimists/dp/1416595562