Merry Christmas from The Embellished Life

I hope you all woke up this morning to traces of Jack Frost on the window and cookies crumbs left over from Santa...but even if you didn't MERRY CHRISTMAS from The Embellished Life! I was up early this morning to Las Vegas for a much needed vacation with my family. When you live in NYC you don't get to see your family often and the break from the rushing city life will be a welcomed zen moment.

Source: themeadowbrookblog.blogspot.com via [maisontwenty3} on Pinterest

What are your Christmas traditions? This is our family's first Christmas without my Grandma alive, we normally would all gather at her house for a feast. Santa would come and give the children one present each and we would have her homemade Krumkaka (Norwegian cookies...I'm half Norwegian) and rice pudding...whoever finds the hidden almond wins the prize. I never won. This year we are stretching our wings out to the West. I am very excited!

Source: somedaycrafts.blogspot.com via Kirsten on Pinterest

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a savior, who is Christ Jesus                 - Luke 2:11

Merry Christmas from The Embellished Life

NYC Digs: Gaga's Workshop Barney's New York

 During my lovely weekend touring my friend around for Christmas in NYC, we made sure to beeline over to Gaga's Workshop at Barney's New York for an adventure. I was blown away by the amazing merchandising, you were literally swept away into the world of Lady Gaga, it was awesome...and a little scary.

Even the Barney's New York storefront has been transformed for Gaga's Workshop. Lady Gaga is like a giant carnival attraction welcoming you from Madison Avenue and then the massive centerpiece in her workshop.

Every station has a sculptural piece as avant garde as Lady Gaga herself. 

At Gaga's Workshop you can buy clothes, accessories, Christmas ornaments, candy and more! 

Here is the Belgian Dark Chocolate Armadillo Shoe that Lady Gaga is so famous 

for rocking from the late great Alexander McQueen. 

Barney's New York has curated quite an experience at Gaga's Workshop and I thoroughly enjoyed the adventure. If you are here for Christmas in NYC be sure to stop by and see for yourself the crazy inner working's of Gaga's Workshop!

Happy Holidays!

NYC Digs: Death & Co the Hip Lower East Side Hang Out

This weekend I scouted out another hip NYC Digs for you to discover mes cheris! The hip Lower East Side hang out is discreet and well designed from the front and just as inviting on the inside. Death & Co keeps an ambiance of a day forgotten where cocktails were as stylish as the people making them and the bar crowd was just as intriguing.

Born from the spirit of the Prohibition, when alcohol was considered evil and bars were often called Death & Companies, came the revived art of exquisitely crafted cocktails at Death & Co on the Lower East Side.

The Grass Kilt drink, above, was my favorite!

Keep up on your NYC Digs so you can know all the cool places to take your friends. And if you ever find a new place that you think should be featured let me know!! I love finding new places to check out! Death & Co will certainly be a place I return to. The hip Lower East Side hangout that is stylish, artful, and tasty is well worth many return visits.

Have you tried Death & Co?

What I Did This Weekend: Christmas in NYC

I had one of my dear friends from back home in Charlotte come visit me this weekend. I was so excited to take her around and see Christmas in NYC which is such a magical experience. Here is what I did this weekend in some fast and fabulous photos... what did you do this weekend?

Last Minute Shopping: Holiday Dresses

We are almost a week away from Christmas and I can't believe how fast the time has flown. The last minute shopping is kicking into overdrive...have you been browsing the holiday dresses? Have you found the perfect one? Here are the holiday dresses that are catching my eye.

This beauty was spotted during some last minute shopping on Gilt Group.

Source: gilt.com via Jessica on Pinterest

The back is simply stunning.

Source: gilt.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Forget holiday dresses, this may be my favorite Little Black Dress ever created.

Oasis dress   (see more black sequin cocktail dresses)

Of course you can't go wrong with red, draped, and elegant.

Donna Karan dress   (see more one shoulder party dresses)

And as a red head, I can't help but be drawn to Kelly Green holiday dresses. I've had this dress burned in my brain ever since Kiera Knightly's stunning performance in Atonement. I would totally rock this at a ball.

Source: sidewalkready.com via Kara on Pinterest

My favorite kind of last minute shopping is the kind that involve holiday dresses, because then everything you look at is girly, pretty, and involves you being whisked away in your carriage!

What dress is your holiday party 

ensemble this year?

I can pack for that... Las Vegas

Las Vegas in December? Yours truly is headed there for an epic family vacay for Christmas! Here's a little packing how-to for traveling to Las Vegas in December. It will be slightly chilly but still glittering like all the lights on the strip. Las Vegas... I can pack for that!

I can pack for that... Las Vegas by fashiondiva304 featuring antique jewelry

I am excited since this will be my maiden voyage to Las Vegas. I've got fabulous plans to have a great time, and now I can pack for that!

Do you guys have any 

suggestions for Las Vegas fun?

Gift Guide for the Geek Guy

As you continue in your holiday shopping I hope you are finding all you need for your loved ones. But if you're anything like me, sometimes you may need a little inspirational gift guide or two when it comes to shopping for guys. Here are some ideas when you shop for your geek guy.

Retro Telephone iPhone Dock: Add some style while that phone is parked for $195!

Touch Screen Gloves: You know they need to be connected even in the cold weather and on sale for $31.50 ain't bad.

Bamboo Keyboard and Mouse: To stay stylish while he works for $58.

Whiskey Stone Ice Cubes For the whiskey aficionados that take their On the Rocks, seriously, and on a budget for $20!

Good luck shopping for the adorable geek guy, I hope this gift guide has given you some inspiration to go forth and prosper ;) or just get an awesome gift that your geek guy will love!

DIY Decor: Glass Bottle Fireplace

I am a firm believer with being just as fashionable in your home as on the street, I.E. decorating your home to be as fabulous as you are. DIY decor is an easy way to channel your inner creativity and have a beautiful home in the process. Many people (myself included) love glass bottle fireplace decoration...or any decoration with your wine and liquor bottles, so here is how you can do that without risking a college dorm room mishap.

1. Start by stripping your collection of bottles.
You can do this easily by soaking them in hot water for 30 minutes. The labels will peel right off.

2. Clean out your fireplace of any debris or tacky dated accessories.

3. Carve the base of the candlesticks to fit the opening of each bottle.

4. Arrange the bottles, place in the fireplace, and light the candles for ambiance. 

This is a pretty simple DIY Decor project on the scale of 0 to Martha Stewart, you can be quite a novice. A glass bottle fireplace looks so nice to give a focal point to your fireplace without burning a fire (some of us may not be allowed to use our fireplace). 

How will you light your fire?