SPRING CLEANING - A FRENCH WAY!

CHRISTOPHE POURNY - PH: Jason JobsonFrench antique restorer Christophe Pourny has added two new scents to his family of organic furniture care collection.   Cedar and Sandalwood join his bouquet of essential oil infused Tonics of Rosemary, Lavender, and Bergamot.  Pourny says the scented tonics are top sellers, with Lavender CHRISTOPHE POURNY - CEDAR SCENTED FURNITURE TONIC -$16.00leading the bunch (pardon the pun).   Sandalwood and Cedar appeal to musk lovers and those who appreciate the scent of those beautiful woods. Actually, who doesn't love the smell of a cedar closet or of anything Sandalwood! 

Mixed in small batches in his DUMBO-Brooklyn studio, the team has shipped Tonics to every state in the U.S. and across Canada via their popular web-store.   Fine home stores like Mecox Gardens, abc Carpet & Home, Hammertown, & Privet House also carry the line.  A string of segments on the Martha Stewart Show in 2010 (4 in 3 seasons) made PournyCHRISTOPHE POURNY FURNITURE TONIC - ESSENTIAL OIL SCENTED! a household name beyond the cloistered crowd of Park & 5th Avenue that already had his number.  

A recent profile by NYC&G Magazine has his studio buzzing with a few new projects. That's in addition to his usual list of well heeled seasonal cients getting weekend houses ready.  You know those Hampton houses have to be in perfect condition before Memorial Day!  Click around now - these tonics will get you all ready for the guests headed your way this Summer. 

WEST ELM HELPS WHO..WHO? - St. JUDE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL!

WEST ELM - ST.JUDE MERCURY OWLS - $9.00-$13.00 If you are top of your holiday shopping, then hopefully you have noticed the St. Jude Children's Hospital logo in some of your favorite retailers window.   If you didn't see it - ask if they donate.  If they don't, click over to the stores website as soon as you can and request they join the "Thanks & Giving" holiday program with St. Jude next year.   This hospital is dedicated to all aspects of research of children's Cancers and treatment of children afflicted with cancer.  No child is ever charged and the treatment is absolutely free to these families suffering.

I was so happy to see the St. Jude logo in the window of West Elm as I was doing my own holiday shopping. MORE SILVER OWLS Benefiting ST. JUDE This home decor store has come-along-way-baby in the last few years.   What was once a refuge for students and recent grads on a budget is now a destination for everyone from urban style mongers to suburban soccer moms looking for that perfect accent piece!  From bedding to flooring, to living room furniture - West Elm has it.   The company has a great program of partnering with artists to create capsule collections showcasing their work in the West Elm retail environment.WEST ELM CERAMIC OWLS

Mercury Glass is a perennial favorite for the holidays or any time of year.   The reflective objects add a sense of glamour or neutral color to many different color palettes and decorating themes.  

*The store also has a terrific range of ceramic owls - which has become the stores defacto mascot or symbol.  Check them out in all shapes, sizes, and colors.   Click on image to shop WEST ELM or the St. Jude LOGO to find out more about this fantastic organization.   MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

STARBUCKS HOME BREW ADVANTAGE - VERISMO

VERISMO - AVAILABLE AT MACYS FOR A SPECIAL HOLIDAY PRICE! CLICK PHOTO TO VISITIf you enjoy a triple venti latte with an extra shot, then you owe your daily caffeine indulgence to Starbucks.   That's right, because even if you get your brew from an independent, grungy, anti-big corporation, anti-Manhattan coffee "place", you still owe that "large pour over" to Starbucks.   Before Starbucks now CEO became obsessed with European style cafe in a cafe, coffee in America was relegated to luke warm diner slop or a beverage you got to go with the bagel or buttered roll at a cart on the way to work.   Not to mention, the genious of Mr. Shultz being able to create a demand for a beverage we already knew, but was still able to turn it into a gourmet experience at dedicated place at a premium price.   Not that long ago the concept of spending more on a beverage than breakfast would have been laughable, but now it can be the meal.   So even if you prefer Joe's Coffee, Intelligentsia, Think  Coffee, Irving Farm, Cafe Grumpy, or the hundreds of brands that now exist from coast to coast - give credit where credit is due.   I know many girls reading this prefer Dunkin Donuts, but I'm guessing the guys in your life don't understand why. 

Starbucks latest creation is the home brew machine known as Verismo.  The company that created the concept of traveling for coffee in America - has come full circle.   In the unavoidable world of Nespresso and Keurig, Starbucks has made the move of creating the machine to make the coffe that you already love.  The other brands are manufactuers, as the coffee came second to the machine.  It makes sense that Starbucks would cut out the middle man and offer us the machine to go along with the sustainable coffee.   What sets the Verismo apart from all the other machines you might have is combination of coffee, milk, and flavor cups that you combine to create your favorite drink.  While you might not be able to compete with your local Barista, the system is easy to understand and not intimidating at all - even if your prior coffee making experience is limited to a Mr. Coffee. 

To find out more information about the Verismo depending where you live, click accordingly -  The U.S., Canada, the U.K.  For Europe, South America, Asia, or elsewhere -click-VERISMO.   Readers in the U.S. that love the magic of Macy's - click Starbucks at Macy's for a special deal this holiday!