The perfect dress for that special day (and night)

By Sue Baldani

Thoughts of Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, and Lauren Bacall evoke images of class and elegance. These are the impressions and feelings that Sareh Nouri focuses on when designing her wedding gowns.  

“My dresses are for those timeless, elegant brides who love fashion,” says Sareh, who lives in Essex Fells. “They are wearing it on one of the most important days of their lives, so you’re a big part of their day and it’s something that stays with the bride. This is their wedding dress and they’re always going to remember that dress and the designer.”

After not being able to find the perfect fairy tale dress for her own wedding, she decided to design one of her own. She used her background in art and graphic design to create an unforgettable gown, and was so thrilled with the result that she decided to make other brides’ dreams of that perfect dress come true as well.

Today, Sareh Nouri New York is an international brand that sells to over 60 stores around the world. In June of 2020, she opened her flagship store in The Mall at Short Hills. It’s a bright and airy luxury boutique with impeccable personal service. Her team, from the front desk to her sales staff, is welcoming and knowledgeable. “We want everyone to feel comfortable and not intimidated,” she says. “It’s intimate, quiet and serene.” Brides come from all over, including Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Washington, DC.

In addition to wedding dresses, there are veils, bridal jewelry, boleros, and luxury bridal robes. “The same lace used in the wedding dresses is used in the robes, so that’s what makes them so special,” says Sareh.

Not only does the store carry her signature wedding gowns and accessories, which are all made right here in New Jersey, but it also has a wonderful selection of evening gowns. “They are all made to order, and come in a sea of colors,” she says. “If someone wants to customize a gown and change the neckline or something else, they can do that. We offer alterations in our design studio in Rutherford, so clients get to work with the actual people who made their dresses.”

The price point for the evening gowns is usually between $2200 and $4000, but, she says, you get what you pay for. “These are not off the rack – they are going to have a really good fit. Someone who has that budget understands that.”

Fabrics are sourced from all over the world, including Italy, Spain and Asia. While her dresses look amazing standing still, it’s when they move that you get that “wow” effect. The flow of the fabric is incredible, which you can see from the videos on her website. “It’s all about construction and the fit of the dress and good quality fabrics,” says Sareh. “I’m not into very shiny fabrics and I’m not a fan of flimsy dresses.

“I love working with fabric and texture. Picking the fabric, draping it and designing are my favorite parts of the process. When it comes to life and you see it on the models, and even better, the brides, it’s very inspiring and motivating.”

For bridal services, she recommends making an appointment at least a year in advance, especially with COVID creating shipping issues. She also recommends an appointment for purchasing evening gowns, although you don’t necessarily need one if they aren’t busy.

Although Sareh spends most of her time in her design studio, she does go into the salon at least once a week. So, there is a chance that the bride will actually get to meet the person who has designed her dress. That itself will make for a memorable day!

To learn more, go to https://www.sarehnouri.com/.

Written for Chatham & Short Hills Lifestyle magazine in NJ.

By Sue Baldani

As with her previous books, B.A. Paris’s latest novel, “The Therapist”, does not disappoint. Released in July of 2021, it’s full of the intrigue and mystery for which she is famous. Her latest tale will keep readers in suspense from beginning to end.

Alice Dawson has just left her life-long home in the country to move into a newly renovated house in London with her boyfriend Leo. Although the home is spacious, beautiful, and bright, something about it gives her an uneasy feeling. At first, she blames it on living in a strange place, but as time goes by, she begins to realize there’s something more to it. And, the neighbors in her exclusive gated community of The Circle, although friendly enough, seem to be hiding something.

With a tragic past of her own, and no family to speak of, Alice is desperate to make friends, especially with Leo being away so often on business. But, when she learns of the horrific history of the house and the fate of Nina, the female therapist who used to live there, she quickly realizes that everyone in The Circle, including the man she loves, has been keeping secrets from her.

At first, she feels betrayed and angry, but as she starts to uncover more and more of the buried secrets of the people around her, including Leo’s, she doesn’t know whom she can trust. When she discovers that someone has been entering the house at night and leaving unusual and sometimes frightening gifts behind, and with what she now knows happened in the house two years prior, she begins to fear for her life. As she makes plans to leave The Circle and Leo and return home, little does she know that someone intends to stop her – for good. And it might be the person she least suspects.

Filled with twists and turns in every chapter, with interesting characters who keep readers guessing, “The Therapist” makes it hard to pin down who is friend, foe, or even a killer. When the truth finally comes out, it’s even more shocking than imagined.

B.A. Paris is the internationally best-selling author of five previous novels, including “Behind Closed Doors” and “The Breakdown.” She lives in the UK with her husband and is hopefully busy writing her next unforgettable story.

Written for The Felixstowe Magazine published in Felixstowe in Suffolk, England.

By Sue Baldani

Metastatic breast cancer, which is cancer that has spread to other parts of the body, does not have a cure. However, there have been incredible strides in helping people affected with this disease live longer. While six months or six years may not seem like a lot of time to most people, every extra moment to make lasting memories with family and friends is precious to people diagnosed with this devastating disease.

“When you know that something like this will eventually take your life, every amount of time you can gain is incredibly valuable,” says Rick Dunetz, co-founder and executive director of the Side-Out Foundation located in Fairfax, VA. “More time means more birthdays, anniversaries, holidays and weddings.”

Side-Out was founded in 2005 by Rick and his father, Bryant Dunetz, after Gloria Dunetz, Rick’s mother and Bryant’s wife, was diagnosed in 2004 with metastatic breast cancer. The foundation focuses on using precision medicine to help people with metastatic breast cancer live longer with progression-free survival, which gave Gloria an extra six years of life.

“That meant something to her,” says Rick. “My mother wanted to see me get married and to see the birth of her grandchildren. She was able to witness those things because of precision medicine.”

With precision medicine, researchers determine the biological makeup of someone’s cancer and test different drugs and drug combinations on the tumors to find what works on them. “We share that with a tumor board consisting of oncologists and scientists. My mother was actually patient number one in our first clinical trial.”

Standard level of care, says Rick, works at some level for a good percentage of patients. Precision medicine should precede standard level of care to ensure that the oncologist is making an informed decision.

“We try every FDA approve cancer treatment on cancer tissue we collect from each patient and this will show which treatment solutions will have a significant effect on a person’s disease.”

Side-Out has a one-of-a-kind metastatic breast cancer biomarker database and it shares its data with the oncology and scientific communities.

The name, Side-Out, is a volleyball term which means regaining control of the ball. It’s extremely appropriate since volleyball has been the vehicle through which it’s raised funding.

In addition to his full-time role at Side-Out, Rick has been a part-time volleyball coach in the local community for many years. “In 2004, when I took over the West Springfield High School volleyball team, it was struggling; the head coach had resigned. And the day that the head coach resigned, I learned of my mother’s diagnosis.”

After a while, the stress started to take its toll and he decided to let his volleyball team know what was happening in his life. This conversation was a catalyst for all that came after and the spark that started the foundation.

“After that, the team made a decision that they were going to play in honor of my mother. They started to win.”

During the district playoffs, his mother, who was in a state of depression, showed up to watch and the team ended up beating an incredible volleyball team to win the district championship. After that his mom continued to attend games, and that team went all the way to the regional semifinals.

 “I believe my mother wouldn’t have made it two years had she not been moved to take on the disease. That team inspired her.”

In total, the Side-Out Foundation has raised $16 million so far, and Rick wants to see that number go way up. “Up to this point, volleyball has funded it all, which is pretty incredible. But now we want to open the floodgates.”

What many people don’t know, says Rick, is very little (about 7%) of the funding that is raised in the breast cancer arena goes to metastatic disease. That’s why the Side-Out Foundation specifically focuses on this aspect.

Of course, it’s important to raise money year round, but since October 13^th is Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day, Rick would love to see a Northern-Virginian-wide effort of businesses and individuals to raise funds for Side-Out.

For every $2000 raised, the foundation can serve one patient. “The more patients we serve, the more data we’re going to collect, and the more we’re going to learn about the disease and be able to give folks living with metastatic breast cancer more time.

“My dad was the architect of our research,” says Rick. “He was the one who got it all started, and now at 86, he’s passing the torch to me. Our new research endeavor has my fingerprints on it. Having an impact on people’s lives is something that drives me every day.”

To find out more or get involved, go to https://side-out.org/.

Written for The Business Voice Magazine in Virginia.

Beauty doesn’t have an age limit

By Sue Baldani

In 2014, at the age of 66, Ellen Jamison was in a salon when her whole life took a turn for the dramatic. “I was discovered!” says Ellen. “A woman walked up to me while I was getting my nails done here in Westlake. She said she had a friend who was a commercial agent, and she thought he would be very interested in me.”

That friend was Jon Strotheide, the founder of JS Represents, a boutique talent agency in Hollywood. Right after she emailed him some pictures, he asked her to come to his office. “And the rest is history!” she says.

Today, at age 74, Ellen is in hot demand. Jon is still her agent, and Jami Wrenn, from Wrenn Management, is her print agent. Over the years, she has done print ads, billboards and commercials for many well-known brands such as Apple, Samsung, Lyft, Prada, and Lexus.

 “I’ve done about 35 commercials, and my very first one was for Las Vegas – ‘What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.’ I really didn’t know what I was doing, but I learned quickly. They flew me to Las Vegas, and my husband, Dick, was so proud. “He started calling me ‘Miss Hollywood.’”

With her luxurious mane of white hair, red lipstick and large-framed black glasses, Ellen makes quite a striking picture. She has always embraced her look, and never tried to change it artificially. “My hair started turning white when I was 17 and I never dyed it,” she says. “I was getting senior discounts in my early 20s and it didn’t bother me at all. I was saving money, so I thought it was great.”

Through the years, she’s continued to embrace her evolving appearance. “The reality is we all get older, and I have never had cosmetic surgery or anything; I think aging is beautiful. If you take a little time to put on makeup and do your hair, it’s fun. Every time I go out, I like to dress up. I dress up to go to Trader Joe’s. Don’t give into your age – enjoy it.”

To her, age is just a number and not a timeline of how you should live your life. “It used to be, when I was growing up, when someone turned 60 they threw in the towel and became a ‘senior’.”

In addition to her attitude, Ellen believes a healthy lifestyle also helps keeps her young. “I don’t eat any sugar. I was a real sugar-holic and it took me about two weeks to get it out of my system. That was 20 years ago. And up until COVID, I was dancing three or four times a week. Now I walk and do other things to stay fit, and I eat very healthy.”

Modeling, for her, is a whole lot of fun. She did a campaign for TKMaxx (the European counterpart of TJMaxx), and for one ad, they asked if she would mind getting on a float in a pool while wearing a designer dress. She was all for it, so they lifted her onto a big seashell float and took pictures. “They loved that I was willing to do it.”

For another commercial, she says they dressed her up like the fun-loving woman she is who’s going out on the town and getting into a Lyft car. “They even had me in shorts [she does have great legs from all that dancing] and it was so much fun, even though we shot all day and into the evening. Here I am, 74 years old, and I’m living my second childhood,” says Ellen.

“I feel so blessed that later in life I have a whole new career. There’s a group of us older models and we all kind of promote each other on Instagram. When I see their pictures and what they’re doing, I’m so happy for them. And they’re so happy for me. There’s a camaraderie there.” 

Today, she still gets a kick out of people recognizing her when she’s out and about. “I did a commercial for BEHR Paint and I was walking in L.A. and heard, ‘That’s the BEHR Paint lady!’ I was shocked!

“I’ve kind of been reinvented. And now there are so many women who have been energized in their 60s, 70s and 80s. It’s refreshing.”

To follow Ellen’s career, and to see pictures and videos, check out her Instagram page @ellenjamisonofficial. Like her, it’s fun, beautiful and uplifting.

Written for Conejo Valley Lifestyle magazine in California.

COVID Fatigue

People are tired. Tired of being afraid, of wearing masks, of hearing the word COVID. Many of us thought the pandemic would be over by now, but no, it’s still here, and it’s draining our physical and mental resources.

Pandemic fatigue is real. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines it as being “demotivated” and exhausted with the demands of life during the COVID crisis. This fatigue can lead to a deep sense of anxiety, depression, less productive work environments and other negative consequences. It may make some people less willing to comply with health regulations, which can prolong the pandemic for everyone. So, what can we do to cope?

First, accept that what you’re feeling is normal and many other people are experiencing the same thing. We haven’t lived through this type of crisis before, and everyone is doing their best to get through it. But, like with many other mentally challenging situations, it’s important to take steps to promote our physical and emotional well-being.

Here are some ways to do this:

• Maintain a regular routine whenever possible. For example, eat meals at the same times every day and stick to regular wake and sleep times.
• Focus more on long-term relationships. Stay in close contact with those you feel close to and who can provide a sense of stability. Talk about happy memories or plan to make new ones. Doing this will give you a greater sense of connection with the outside world and help you look towards the future.
• Be mindful about relying on alcohol and other short-term fixes. This can easily lead to addiction, which in turn will lead to even more isolation, stress and anxiety. Instead, practice meditation or yoga and do deep breathing exercises. Find an exercise you enjoy, such as walking or running, which will allow you to breathe fresh air while enjoying the calming sights and sounds of nature. Leave your phone at home, or turn it off.
• Limit news coverage. Get the facts you need, but don’t let COVID chatter become a constant background in your life. And only pay attention to reputable sources.
• Get professional help, if necessary. Let an expert guide you and give you the resources you need to get through these challenging times.

Written by Sue Baldani, a lifetime member of the Scotch Plains Rescue Squad, in Scotch Plains, New Jersey.

By Sue Baldani

To bring some beauty into your life, why not hang a bird feeder nearby? Depending on where you live, you’ll have birds of every type and color flitting around your window or yard. The feeder doesn’t have to be fancy or large, or even store bought. Building one from scratch is easy and fun and something you can do on your own or with your kids.

There are many do-it-yourself instructions available online, from the very simple to the truly elaborate. For example, you can just cut some small holes into a plastic soda bottle, slide a long wooden spoon handle through the holes from one side to the other, fill with bird seed and hang. On one end, the birds will have a perch to eat the seed from the hole, and on the other side they can rest on the spoon handle and eat the seed that has spilled out onto it. This and other versions, such as one made from an old saucer and cup and even a Lego feeder (which kids would definitely love to build) can be found at https://blog.manomano.co.uk/10-simple-ways-make-diy-bird-feeder/.

For those living in colder climates, bird feeders can sometimes mean the difference between life and death. It’s difficult for many birds to find adequate food supplies when the trees are bare and the ground is frozen. During the worst of winter, you can also put out suet, which with its high-fat content and nutritional ingredients can help fill and sustain our feathered friends for a longer period of time. You can buy suet relatively cheap, or once again, you can make your own. A great recipe can be found at https://www.audubon.org/news/make-your-own-suet.

If you live in an area that stays warm year round, the local birds will also appreciate the ease of finding sustenance. Maybe include a small container of water or a bird bath close by as well to keep them hydrated and clean.

Nature can always use some human help when it comes to feeding its wildlife. Bird feeders are a way to help one species while at the same time giving us the pleasure of watching these beauties right in our own backyards.

Written for The Country Register newspapers published around the country.

Treat yourself and others this holiday season (and all year round)

By Sue Baldani

Splurge Bakery in Millburn is gearing up for the holidays, creating unique and delicious items for you and your family to enjoy. Whether you’re looking to celebrate with lavishly decorated cakes, amazing pies, and/or beautifully decorated cookies, they have it all. And, it’s all “home-made.”

“We do a lot of custom orders, so when people come in, we can make their dessert dreams come true,” says owner Julie Winer. “We bake with the highest level of ingredients and everything is made from scratch. We don’t use mixes.”

Husband Stephen and daughter Raquel also help out in the bakery whenever possible, so it’s a real family business. When pie season gets underway, Stephen actually travels to local farms to bring back the best apples and other produce to use in their pies, saving customers from making the trip themselves.

“Our pies always get great reviews,” says Julie. “We have apple pies with cinnamon-sugar crumb toppings, pecan pies, key lime, pumpkin, coconut cream, and banana cream pies in Nilla wafer crusts.”

All of the pies are sold in glass Pyrex^® dishes, so when you put it on your table, it looks like you made it at home. During COVID, Splurge Bakery also started working with schools and nonprofit organizations on fundraising, and created a special fundraising apple pie. “It’s a little smaller and in a traditional tin,” she says. “We offer it at a very good price so they can mark it up and sell it for a reasonable amount to raise money for things they need.”

Cookies are also a huge seller year round, and you’ll find Halloween and holiday cookies for Thanksgiving, Hanukah, and Christmas. Their amazing cakes will include Star of David and Christmas tree cakes along with holiday-themed cake pops.

They’ve also created something truly unique with Cake Buddies. About the size of a softball, they come in vanilla and chocolate, and are filled with candy. There are witches for Halloween, turkeys for Thanksgiving and many other fun-themed Buddies.

For the holidays, Julie recommends ordering at least two weeks in advance, if possible, to make sure you get what you want when you want it. Orders can also be placed online at https://www.splurgebakery.com/ for pickup, or they can be delivered or shipped.

In addition to ready-to-buy bakery items, Splurge also offers kids’ classes and parties in its beautiful backyard space, as well as inside. They usually hold Halloween parties, gingerbread house decorating classes, and cookie and cupcake decorating classes. There are also do-it-yourself kits to take home.  

“We care about our customers and have a lot of repeat customers,” says Julie. “We‘re like a family here.”

So, during the holidays, and all year round, join Splurge Bakery’s family of customers. You won’t be disappointed!

Written for Chatham & Short Hills Lifestyle magazine in New Jersey.

Serving those who have served their country

By Sue Baldani

After serving four years in the U.S. Navy and being medically discharged after an accident in 1992, Ginger Miller had a difficult time transitioning back into civilian life. Joining the military right out of high school left her unskilled for many employment opportunities.  

“I did not transition well,” she says. “My husband, a Marine, who was discharged before me, was suffering from severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and we ended up being homeless.

“I knew no other woman veterans. I was feeling down and out and ashamed of being homeless after serving my country. Even if I would’ve known where to look for help, I don’t know if I would have been strong enough to ask for it.”

Miller ended up working three jobs, raising two young sons, and going to school whenever she found the time. Eventually earning a B.A. in accounting and an M.A. in nonprofit and association management, her life today is dramatically different. However, she never forgot those struggles and has committed herself to making the transition smoother for other female veterans.

“I initially founded John 14.2 Inc. in 2009, a nonprofit organization that focused on veterans like my husband who suffered from PTSD, not realizing that I also had my own issues as a woman veteran.”

In 2011, when she was the Commissioner and Chair of the Outreach and Education Committee of the Maryland Commission for Women, she decided she wanted to do something to specifically help women veterans and founded Women Veterans Interactive (WVI) under the umbrella of John 14.2. It blew up so large that it eventually became its own nonprofit in 2018.

“Back in March of 2012, I organized a Women Veterans Empowerment and Unification Cruise and over 200 women veterans registered within 30 days. That showed me that I wasn’t the only woman veteran who had struggled or was struggling.”

She knew the Veterans Administration (VA) was having a hard time reaching female veterans, so she reached out to bring them on board so they could talk to these women about the services they had. That started a lasting partnership between WVI and the VA that continues to this day.

One of WVI’s programs, Operation Safety Net, is the heart of what they do, says Miller, providing everything from security deposits and rent to healthy food. It also works to stop evictions and utility disconnects.

Its Workforce Development programs help female veterans find employment. “For every three out of five women veterans that have issues with homelessness, their real issues are unemployment and underemployment.”

The struggles that female veterans have can be much more complex than their male counterparts. “A lot of corporations and foundations have funding and programs that support veterans and military spouses, but women veterans often fall through the cracks. That’s why we’re here.”

As of today, WVI has supported over 5000 women veterans and has members in approximately 25 different states. When Miller was given the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce, the B3 Group was in the audience. “Small businesses are some of our biggest supporters, and the B3 Group has made a commitment and has stuck to their commitment. To have an ally like the B3 Group is amazing.”

Another supporter of WVI is actor and producer Tyler Perry, who heard about the organization through the great work it does. Along with a $20,000 donation, he also gave a private tour of his new Tyler Perry Studios to approximately 25 female veterans, which also included Tyler Perry Studios swag bags. The following year, he sent 150 T-shirts for its annual Women Veterans Leadership and Diversity Conference.

To join in the support for this amazing organization, people can make a donation on its website at http://womenveteransinteractive.org/, become a member, or email Miller directly at gm@womenveteransinteractive.org for more information. They can also follow WVI on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

“There’s no wrong door at WVI,” says Miller. “I don’t care if you’re homeless, if you’re hungry, or if you’re doing great. We’re here for everybody. For those who don’t need help, they want to give help back to their own communities by starting chapters. This is what makes us so special.”

As the founder and CEO of WVI, she was recently selected to tell her story about being a woman veteran who experienced homelessness for the Obama Presidency Oral History Project, which she calls a once in a lifetime opportunity. Among many other awards, Miller was also presented with the White House Champion of Change Award for Woman Veterans in 2013.

And she isn’t done yet! The Women Veterans Interactive Foundation will launch in July and will build upon the work Miller and her members have already accomplished with WVI. It’s also going to have its own research department and provide annual data on women veterans. To find out more about this new initiative, go to http://womenveteransinteractive.org.

Written for The Business Voice Magazine in Virginia.

Colorful and fun collections of candies and more

By Sue Baldani

Like most kids, 10-year-old Henry MacLane loves candy. Unlike most kids, Henry decided to turn his love of sweets into a business and created the Chocolate Fat Fish Company.

“I started this company three years ago when I had an idea,” he says. “I package our mixed candy in clear little cellophane bags and color code it by separating each bag into different colors.” Depending on the order, it usually takes him about a week to prepare 75 to 100 packages. One order alone was for 144 packages!

There are red, orange, yellow, green, blue, pink and purple packages and each one weighs about two ounces. “They’re great birthday party favors and kids love them,” says Henry.

When Henry first started his business, he planned to package unwrapped candies such as gummy bears, but was told he needed a license to sell unwrapped candies. At that point, most 10 year old kids would’ve probably quit. But not Henry.

“He asked how he could sell in stores and decided to iterate and create a medley of these colorful pre-wrapped candies, package them and rebrand,” says dad Jared MacLane. “And lo and behold, that landed him in stores.

Henry, adds his dad, operates the entire business on his own from developing the website, designing the logo and packaging, to conceptualizing the product and how it should be displayed in stores. He also initiates the meetings with store owners and conducts the sales meetings, etc.”

“Henry is a born leader, and has an incredible amount of drive and perseverance,” adds mom Katherine Petty MacLane. “To say I’m proud is an understatement. He has a gift for business. Even at the onset of Chocolate Fat Fish, he would ask for ingredients for a lemonade stand to accompany his candy, calculate his profit and pay me back immediately because he didn’t want to owe anything.” 

Today, in addition to his website, his colorful packaged candies can be found at Katie’s Hallmark stores in Brentwood and Belle Meade. And candy isn’t the only thing that Chocolate Fat Fish sells. There’s everything from fun T-shirts and towels to tote bags in its online store.  

Go to www.ChocolateFatFish.com to shop and find out more about Henry, his candies, and other cool merchandise.

Written for Brentwood Lifestyle magazine in Tennessee.

Bring beauty and joy to your home this season

By Sue Baldani

Let’s make this holiday season as festive as ever. A beautiful tablescape is a great place to start.

Nicole Ragolia Gaba, senior general manager at the Short Hills Williams Sonoma store, gives us some great ideas for beautiful settings.

“The holidays are quintessentially what we are known for since we are all about food and setting up your entertaining to be spectacular,” she says. “Even more, we’re really known for our customer service. The level of engagement that comes from our team’s knowledge, whether it’s trying out new products, tasting food items, or going to their homes to decorate, is so far beyond other retailers.”

When you walk into the store, says Nicole, there will always be three or four tablescapes on display so you can visualize some of the arrangements you can create at home. “What we show with all of our holiday tablescapes is a layering effect,” she says.

For example, one table is set with their ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas dinnerware collection and matching napkins. These are then layered with Glitter Burst chargers and accompanied by red Pinecone glassware. Alternatively, this collection can be interspersed with their core French white porcelain dishes and Panto Gold glassware.

“So you can pair the white porcelain with our holiday dinnerware,” says Nicole. “You don’t have to buy the whole holiday line – which is stunning – all at once, but instead purchase parts and add to it every year from our various collections.”

Another wonderful table showcases their silver and white color combination with blue napkins for Hanukkah, which can be changed out for other celebrations too. The New Year’s Eve table shows off more French white porcelain layered above sparkly silver beaded placemats. Sorrento Jacquard napkins with crystal square napkin rings and Fiore cut crystal glassware complete this tablescape.  

It’s also fun to carry the same theme into other areas of your home. A mantle is a great place to add accents, such as garland or colored candlesticks, that replicate the colors in the tablescape. “We also have beautiful magnolia branches which can be draped over a door frame or bookcase,” she says.

Since scent is also a big part of the season, simmer some cider on the stove with their Mulling Spices mix. Then, serve it to your guests!

Of course, most parties wouldn’t be complete without special cocktails. Another festive display features their Whiskey Sour Cocktail Mixer. Drinks can be served in Fiore crystal glasses, chilled with gold-plated Whiskey Cubes, and placed on festive antique brass trays.

Williams Sonoma offers complimentary in-home design services and personal shopping as well. So, if you need help setting up your décor or getting your shopping done, just ask and you will receive.

Check out what else Williams Sonoma has to offer at https://www.williams-sonoma.com/.

Written for Chatham & Short Hills Lifestyle magazine published in New Jersey.