Life in the Slow Lane

Is it just me, or do you too always pick the slowest line at Target? It is a phenomenon that, when contemplated calmly and logically, does not seem possible, and yet while I have no idea how it happens, it does - every single time. It's as if I walk through the automatic doors and enter some strange wrinkle in the space/time continuum. Even when I try to be thoughtful about which check out line I select, I inevitably end up behind some poor soul who would like to pay in Canadian pennies, or has actually been 'saving a spot' for their extended family of 12. I've experienced this so many times that I've decided to now base my exit strategy on selecting the most competent looking Target employee and hopping into that person's lane. I'll let you know how it goes.

Domestic Glam's Holiday Gift Guide

In these troubled economic times it's just not reasonable to ask Santa to bring you a new Louis Vuitton bag for Christmas. But here at Domestic Glam, we believe that you can be just as fabulous on budget. Here are a few suggestions for fantastic, unique, and affordable holiday gifts perfect for giving or receiving.

Lotta Jansdotter 2009 Fabric Calendar

You can purchase this fabulous calendar by designer Lotta Jansdotter at www.designpublic.com. It retails for $28 and is available in orange, blue and green. The calendar is 19" w X 19" l and made of 100% linen. According to the designpublic website these calendars "sell out in lightening speed every year," so start shopping!

The Notebook Set by Thomas Paul

Thomas Paul is one of my favorite home accessories designers, so imagine my delight when I learned he has recently released a line of desktop stationery and accessories. You can find this set of three 100-page notebooks at www.velocityartanddesign.com where it retails for $18. The notebooks' dimensions are 6" x 8" and you'll note that each of the three notebooks included in the set feature a different interior paper: blank, graph, or ruled. The sets come in five fun, graphic color combinations.

The Vinotagz Designed Set by Modern-Twist



This may well be my gift of choice this year for my fellow lovers of wine and chic design. The Vinotagz Designed Set from Modern-Twist combines all the elements of sleek chic that I love best: innovative design; beautiful graphics; and genius packaging. These silicone stemmarkers come in a set of six and are available in either retro prints or solid colors. You can actually write your guests' names on these stemmarkers with ballpoint pen and, when the evening is done, wipe them clean with a damp cloth for use at your next soiree. Even better they are packaged in a convenient plastic box that fits nicely on the neck of a wine bottle. Priced at just $14 for the set, you can purchase this fabulous gift at www.velocityartanddesign.com.

Owl Serving Pitcher

The ceramic Owl Serving Pitcher from Burke Decor is perfect at $38. At 9" high, it's a charming accent for your brunch table. Or, fill with fresh flowers in an unexpected burst of color, tangerine or chartreuse, and place on a bedside table. Visit www.burkedecor.com to order.

Boom - Hive Wine Rack

Inspired by nature, the Hive Wine Rack is made from natural walnut harvested from sustained forests in Thailand. The wine rack will hold six bottles of your favorite varietal and look fabulous while doing so - can be oriented vertically, as shown, or horizontally to fit your design aesthetic. This is a fantastic green gift with a budget-conscious price tag, only $35. To order, check out www.2modern.com.

Nordstrom 2008 Shopping Bag Ornament

Nordstrom's 2008 edition of their holiday Shopping Bag Ornament is perfect for the fashionistas among us. Its whimsical design and sparkly, hand-painted touches are sure to warm hearts everywhere this holiday season. At only $18 you could purchase two: one for you and one for me! www.nordstrom.com

Christmas Under Construction

You should be impressed. I've used remarkable self-restraint and no winter-themed decor has made it out of the attic thus far. Thank you to J and J for both writing that they too were entranced by visions of sugarplums and eagerly counting down the days until snowflakes, nativities, and the big man himself can make an appearance in their homes.

I have been working on a winter themed craft project for my children's playroom and thought I would share a quick pic of my progress. I cannot claim that the inspiration for this project was all my own - I did find outside inspiration in the form of a Land of Nod catalog - but I am thrilled to announce that no new crafting materials were purchased for the construction of this project.

Each of the mittens and trees is approximately 5" tall and constructed from felt, with hand stitched details using embroidery floss. The pieces are deliberately 'rustic' in their finishing. I plan to affix them to black grosgrain ribbon at 5-6" intervals and then string the garland somewhere in the playroom. Accompanying the garland will be two 25' strands of multi-colored ceramic C7 lights, as well as paper chains in coordinating colors. My vision is for something primary, colorful, and playful for my little boys. If it all goes well, I'll post pictures of our winter wonderland. If it doesn't go well, we will never speak of it again ;)

The Final Countdown

Wouldn't you know it? I woke up Saturday morning bright eyed and bushy-tailed, and ready to put up Christmas decorations! I contented myself by working on my mitten and Christmas tree garland, but I wasn't the only member of the family who suggested getting out even a few tinsel-tinged decorations this weekend. We exercised great restraint, however, and instead listened to a few holiday tunes in preparation for the big event. Check out this week's poll and tell me when you think it's safe and sane to start decorating for Christmas.

Archive 10.25.08 - 10.31.08

Poll Results

The Halloween Costume Poll has come a close with the following results: It's a Tie! Your favorite childhood costumes were Princess and Witch.

*Archived Recipe*
Delicious Dish of the Week: Autumn Mac & Cheese

Thanks to some fabulous friends for sharing this delicious dish and inspiring me to make it again... Autumn Mac & Cheese
Step 1: Toss diced Butternut Squash with olive oil, sage, garlic, and pepper. Roast for 20 minutes, or until tender, at 450 degrees.
Step 2: Cook up as much bacon as you can handle in one dish. Make sure it's not too limp, but not completely crisp. Crumble and set aside.
Step 3: Prepare 3/4 box of Piccolini (mini Penne pasta) per box directions.
Step 4: Prepare a white sauce. Just as the sauce begins to thicken, add a generous portion of your favorite shredded Italian cheese, ie Parmesan or Romano...or both!
Step 5: Toss cooked pasta, roasted squash, crumbled bacon, and white sauce until completed mixed together. Transfer to your most glamourous casserole dish and sprinkle with a little extra cheese. Heat in oven at 350 until heated through.

Serve this delicious dish with a beautiful green salad tossed with homemade dressing and a bottle of 2005 merlot. Make it extra special by having a candlelight picnic with your sweetie or better yet, include the whole family.