WELCOME to Nest by Tamara blog

WELCOME to Nest by Tamara blog
Hi- It's Tamara. I'm happy you've stopped by, and since 2010 I've been sharing my passion for interior design, history, art, entertaining, travel & fashion. I am an interior designer, textile designer and writer living and working in New York City and East Hampton, Long Island. My musings have taken me to international design, art, antique and epicurean events and I have lots to share. I'm grateful to have been listed as the #1 top design blog, blogs to watch, top design blogs and named and awarded Rising Star of Design by the IFDA NY industry organization. Please feel free to reach out to our team for an interior design consultation at NestbyTamara.com -Tamara
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10 Stylish Hostess Gifts for the 2012 Holiday Season

9 Nest by Tamara's 
Top Picks for Stylish Hostess Gifts 
Holiday 2012


Well, here it begins-- the barrage of cocktail parties, 
dinner gatherings and all the Holiday Cheer!  After hurricanes and presidential elections,the festivities are a welcome relief from all the hand wringing.  Beginning with the spooky celebration of Halloween and ending with News Year's Day let's ring in the 2012 Holiday season.  
What's a guest to do, however, when pressed for time and running about from one party to the next in between work and holiday shopping?  I usually stock up on a plethora of gifts, unusual finds and quirky special novelty items to bring sparkle to the host's home.  Check out my special picks of 2012 Holiday season and many at a good price to boot. These are my Top 10 "GO TOs" for the season, and many can be ordered with the simple click of your keyboard keys.  

Pack a little fashion and style into your hostess gift 
with this box set of eight bubble gum flavored macarons 
from French patisserie, Laduree.  
The Parisian company paired with fashion label Lanvin to bring this little box of magic
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1. Alber Albaz creative genius of Lanvin illustrated a special set for Ladureé. Order up a cute little red nutcracker and bring it along with a bag of nuts - this red squirrel can sit front and center along with your Holiday decor.  Anthropologie's home line from wallpaper to table lamps is quirky and stylish.  
nesting, nest by tamara, hostess gift, interior design, new york city
2. Anthropologie Nutcracker-- Who doesn't love a beautiful coffee table book to inspire. Well, this year's top of the list for me is Slim Aaron's La Dolce Vita.  Paying homage to the beautiful, high-styled Italian life, the famous photographer captured it all offering us glimpses of celebrities in beautiful villas from days gone by.  Check out the slide show of the pages from La Dolce Vita as shown in last month's New York Magazine editorial 
nesting, nest by tamara, new york city, interior design, entertaining, tabletop
3. Michele Varian's gold urchin salt cellar
is one of those items you would use over and over again when setting your beautiful holiday table, but you may never buy it for yourself.  It will give you an excuse to pop into Michele's gorgeous shop in Soho. Michele Varian's gold urchin salt cellar

4. Excited to hear Williams Sonoma is pairing up with Blackberry Farm. This season you can pick up some delicious cheeses made on the farm at Williams Sonoma Blackberry Farm Cheeses at Williams-Sonom the Beall family run a Relais Chateau hotel on their 600-acre farm in the Smoky Mountain foothills.  
nesting, nest by tamara, new york city, tabletop, cooking, interior design
5. I love these kitchen papers by kitchen paper placemats from Cake Vintage Since this summer I've been stocking up on all these practical and cute designs from lobster and botanical motif paper place mats to holiday designs.
6. or the host who loves to cook, I usually bring a collection of salts.  These delectable salts have distinctive flavors and hail from exotic places. Dean and Deluca herb and salt collections.

7. Crate and Barrel sparkly votive collections
these vintage looking votive candles are a perfect gift, and for a reasonable price.

8. The perfect flower arrangement from Olive and Cocoa
Olive and Cocoa offer interesting and unusual floral arrangements and these succulents in all-white and green, yet in a rustic pine container, add a festive note
nesting, new york city, nest by tamara, interior design, tabletop, flowers

9. For custom designed homemade candy, I love the large lolly pops and bags of  beautifully hand cut artisan candy at Pappa Bubble.  When I am in for a fun,  sweet hostess gift I pick up  candy at the shop or online. 
Pappa Bubble in NYC
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 photograph courtesy of the New York Times

 Stop back soon for more design goodness
XO Happy Nesting