Hey everyone!  I hope your week is starting off well.  The new issue of Lonny Magazine is out, and of course it is full of stunning spaces and inspiring ideas.  Great way to start the week off huh?!  I am so glad that this magazine was created.  If you haven’t checked it out yet click here, you will not be disappointed.  Here are some of my favorite images from this issue.  Enjoy!

For those of you in the DC area, tonight is Third Thursday.  Which means, select local shops on 14th and U are open late and are offering special deals and sales for the late night shoppers.  This is a great chance to get some great deals on those items you have been eying

Here’s a list of participating shops :

• Redeem at 1734 14th Street: Take an additional 10% off already marked down winter goods all day at Redeem (noon to 9 p.m.)
• Rue 14 at 1803 14th St: Winter Clearance Sale! Take an extra 20% off already reduced prices. Savings up to 75%!
• go mama go! at 1809 14th Street, NW: 20% off all merchandise except consigned artwork.
• pulp at 1803 14th Street: Customer appreciation bowl, where customers can draw a slip to receive discounts or a small gift at the register.
• Home Rule at 1807 14th Street: The fabulous annual white sale continues
• Treasury at 1843 14th Street NW, 2nd Floor: 15% off coats and dresses!
• Logan Hardware at 1416 P Street: 20% off all purchases from 6 to 9 p.m. (excludes power tools and appliances).
• DEKKA at 1338 U Street NW: We are having a huge party, “Art Club,” with DJ, BYOB, live art!
• Passport Clothing at 2003 11th Street NW
• 4NXC at 1019 U Street NW
• Stem at 1410 U Street NW
• Zawadi at 1524 U Street NW
• Caramel at 1603 U Street NW
• Nana at 1528 U Street NW
• RCKNDY at 1515 U Street NW
• Lettie Gooch at 1517 U Street NW
• The Joan Hisoaka Gallery at 1632 U Street NW
• Greater Goods at 1626 U Street NW
• Habitat at 1512 U Street NW
• Pink November at 1534 U Street NW
• Junction at 1510 U Street NW
• ACKC Cocoa Bar at 1529 C 14th Street NW
• The Bike Rack at 1412 Q Street NW
• Bang and Olufsen at 1604 14th Street NW
• Miss Pixies at 1626 14th Street NW
• Green Pets at 1722 14th Street NW
• Pulp at 1803 14th Street NW
• Cork Market and Tasting Room at 1805 14th Street NW
• Palace 5 at 2216 14th Street NW

List via Borderstan

I first came across the designs of Preston Bailey over a year ago while watching a show featuring someone’s wedding (I can’t remember who).  I was amazed at how he was able to transform an average unremarkable room into a dynamic jaw-dropping space. Preston Bailey is very well known in the design world, and his list of clientele is like no other.  Walking into a space transformed by Preston Bailey is like taking a step into another place in time, which in my opinion is the true measure of a successful event designer.  I would LOVE to have him design any event of mine.  Pictures are worth a thousand words, so here are some from Preston Bailey…

While most of us in the US are freezing right now, many companies are revealing their spring collections, which really helps me to think of warmer days .  CB2’s spring collection definitely does not disappoint.  Not only are their designs fresh and colorful, they’re also very affordable.  With the addition of just a few items from CB2, you could change the look of any room for spring!

Wishing you all a wonderful and blessed New Year!!!

Got plans for New Years? Here are a few fun cocktails that your guests are going to LOVE.

1. The Velvet Edie
3 parts Martini & Rossi Bianco Vermouth
1 part lemon juice
1/2 part simple syrup
2 raspberries
2 mint leaves

Gently muddle 1 raspberry and 1 mint leaf with simple syrup in the base of a martini shaker. Add remaining ingredients and ice. Shake well and strain over ice. Garnish with lemon slice, raspberry, and mint leaf.

2. Dijon Sidecar
2 oz. Hennessy VS cognac
1 oz. good-quality Crème de Cassis de Dijon (preferably Mathilde)
1/2 oz. fresh lemon juice.

Shake ingredients together and strain into chilled martini glass; serve with lemon twist.

3. Grown-Up Grape Soda
1.5 oz. Belvedere
1 oz. lemon juice
1 oz. simple syrup
3 oz. white cranberry juice
6 oz. Veuve Clicquot
20 red and white grapes, frozen

Add frozen grapes to the pitcher. Combine vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup, and white cranberry juice in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and pour into pitcher. Top with Veuve Clicquot and stir. Serve the pitcher with a fun stirrer and glasses garnished with 3-4 grapes

4. Crouching Tiger
2 thin slices fresh ginger
4 fresh mint leaves
1.25 oz. Stoli Ohranj
3/4 oz. SOHO Lychee Liqueur
1/2 oz. fresh lemon juice
1/2 oz. simple syrup
1/2 oz. apricot nectar

Rim the martini glass with lemon‐ginger sugar. Muddle fresh ginger and mint leaves in shaker. Add remaining ingredients and ice and shake vigorously until well blended and chilled. Strain into glass and garnish with an orange corkscrew and a slice of candied Ginger.

5. Bonbon of the Vanities
1.7 oz Russian Standard vodka
.85 oz. banana liqueur
.85 oz. peach liqueur
2.7 oz. orange juice
.33 oz. Grenadine

Fill 1/3 shaker with ice before adding ingredients. Shake for 3-5 seconds, add 3 ice cubes to a highball glass, and strain the mixture over ice. Add Grenadine and garnish with an orange slice.

See more recipes here

All images courtesy of Marie Claire

With the new year approaching, I am already looking forward to warmer weather.  Sisters Leona and Hasna Erziak have created a collection of handbags that are inspired by their Belgian-Moroccan culture, their world travels and their parents, who are also artists.  These handbags are sure to catch your attention with their bold color and unique craftsmanship.  I just love how they are not afraid of color at all!  Take a look at few of the handbags from Lena Erziak…

Here are a few more of my favorites, with the bag’s name

All images courtesy of Lena Erziak