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With all of the holiday giveaway hullabaloo it’s been awhile since I’ve posted some classic content or the wisdom of a guest blogger. But this morning I snuck out of the house at the crack of dawn and left daddy to make hot cereal for my girl so that I could infuse a little additional holiday spirit onto these pages.

First up is a guest post from Lara Kulpa of Crooner Culture who offers solid tips on how to throw a swank holiday party….Enjoy!

How to Throw a Swank Holiday Dinner Party
By Lara Kulpa
The holidays are filled with three “F-words” – Family, Friends, and Food! What’s better than sending the kiddies to the grandparents or the sitter and having a little “grown up time” away from the maddening crowds of the mall?

Part of what makes the holidays so magical is the atmosphere we create. The sparkling miniature lights, the gold and silver on the mantle, the special touches that really set the tone for the season. So make sure that you give yourself at least one full day to do nothing but “set up” your home, because inevitably you’re going to find an old string of lights that doesn’t work, or that most of the glitter has fallen off last year’s tree topper. Get everything out from the basement and make a list of what you’re going to need to replace, and do it.

Now, for the actual evening:

• If you don’t have solar or battery powered walkway lights already, invest in them, especially if you have more than one entrance into your home. You don’t want guests coming in through the garage or side door, but rather you want them to take in the glamour of your sparkly, cinnamon-and-orange-scented foyer! Take your guests’ coats, and don’t put them on the bed, but rather in a closet (even if you have to clear out the kids’ snowsuits first!)

• Keep the appetizers to an elegant minimum. Think about canapés (check the frozen foods section at your local supermarket for some really great choices that won’t eat up a ton of your time in preparation), a cheese platter and a small bowl of various olives. Place little bowls of nuts around the gathering room, but keep it the same type – almonds are always a good choice. If you’re feeling adventurous, try some pâté and big flat round crackers.

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• If you have been storing any special vintage wine or champagne, open it as soon as the first guests arrive. They’ll know early on that this night was the “special occasion” you were saving it for. If not, any nice bottle will do.
• There’s no need for a large “bar” area at any point during the evening. Offer some ginger ale or lemon-lime soda for designated drivers or non-drinkers, or even cranberry juice and club soda with lime wedges. A nice array of wines and some champagne will suit just about everyone else. The bonus to serving drinks without heavy liquor is that guests will tend to drink less, and you won’t wind up with anyone wearing lampshades on their heads!

• Don’t forget the music. Have your guests chat over the hors d’oeuvres and a mix of The Rat Pack, Bing Crosby, and Ella Fitzgerald. Keep the music low, and hide the sound system somewhere so you don’t run into issues with that one guest who has a secret desire to be a disc jockey and taking over your “mood music.”

• Regardless of what you decided to make for dinner, serve it in this order: small bowl of creamy soup with crusty bread, the main entrée, then either the salad (made with fancy greens, some cucumber slices and halved grape tomatoes with a light oil-based dressing) or a cheese and fruit plate (try thinly sliced wedges of parmesan reggiano with some purple seedless grapes, figs, or apricot slices, and don’t forget the mint leaf for some greenery). After dinner, bring guests back out into the “gathering room” and serve something rich, like a couple chocolate truffles or chocolate covered gelato bonbons with coffees and maybe some cognac. Something small and rich leaves them with just the right taste in their mouths.

• Don’t forget to thank your guests for coming and making the evening truly special. After everyone leaves and you’ve finished cleaning up, relish in the fact that you just threw the most swank party in the neighborhood, kick off your shoes and go back to your flannel pajamas and elf shoe slippers… no one will ever know but you!

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Now that the months of outdoor living has officially been replaced by nesting season, it’s time to turn attention to the home, and ways to make it extra comfy and bright through winter’s darkest and chilliest days.

Girl Meets Glamour blog author Kate Berezich makes it easy with this guest post. The Northern California interior designer, who is currently knee-deep in sheetrock and blueprints due to her own remodel, offers up her favorite sources for fabulous online interior design finds.

And not a moment too soon. With the holidays around the corner, any new decor necessities are best addressed now, before they become yet another item on your never-ending shopping list.

Even if you can’t afford to splurge now, check out the following sources–and Kate’s blog–for inspiration.

Kate and her pup Dottie

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Top 10 Online Sources For Fantastic Home Decor
By Kate Berezich

Being an interior designer, I guess you could say that I shop for a living…and in turn I make a living to spend it shopping. See, it’s all about having balance in life, am I right?

Some of my days are filled with shopping–nonstop mouse action: point, click, buy. Other days I actually have to leave the office and take it to the streets to find what I want. I know, poor me. But it actually can be a challenge to find that perfect piece for the job. Sometimes, 50 or more odd companies could be used to furnish a home, not to mention accessorize.

Where to go? What to do? Well, there are some online shops that I frequent more often than others, so, narrowing down my ‘huge’ list, I selected 10 to share with you, that are not only places to find the latest and greatest, but places that are not just exclusively for designers only.

Here they are in no particular order (they are so amazing, who would dare rank them anyways). Hope you enjoy!

1st Dibs – More than 100 vendors from S.F. to Paris, offering premium antiques and vintage finds all under one website. A site so easy to navigate through, including a great search engine too. It’s like the google of vintage decor. Want something canary yellow? Just type it in and see what comes up…

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Canary Yellow Swedish Dresser from Gustavo Olivieri on 1st Dibs

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Chapman Radcliff Home - Owner Ruthie Sommers has an impeccable design eye and a unique sense of style. Her beautiful West Hollywood showroom attracts celebrities, but online you can find the same beautiful refurbished goods without leaving the house.

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Just some of the offerings from Chapman Radcliff Home

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Pieces – A major contributor to Atlanta’s up-and-coming design community, owner Lee Kleinhelter uses her interiors background to select items for her boutique that are sure to fit any environment. Oh, and there’s even something for you pup; see the very posh pet accessories section.

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Faux Bamboo End Table available at Pieces

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Oly Studio – Vintage modern pieces that are affordable!!! No, I would not toy with you, it’s true. They feature prices the “average” shopper would feel comfortable with (check their site to see a list of retailers). Another great thing about Oly is the selection of upholstery for their pieces, choose from hemp to faux zebra.

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Sophie Lounge Chair shown in faux zebra from Oly Studio

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Eboniste – Offers product from retailers that are typically for designer’s only, from Emeco to Bungalow 5. Shop here to find a variety of hand picked items, including “green,” planet friendly furniture.

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Berkeley 3-Drawer Brickfront from Bungalow 5 offered at Eboniste

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House Eclectic – Can you say: “I’ll take one in every color.” If you want that Chinese Chippendale chair in a lacquered lime green, you can have it! Here you’ll find a great variety of casegoods and an even better variety of available colors, offered exclusively online.

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Xia Li Chair in Lime Green from House Eclectic

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Woodson & Rummerfield’s House of Design – Located in the heart of L.A., this store is “glamour” with a capital G. Owner’s Ron Woodson and Jaime Rummerfield have combined forces to offer an array of stylish goods including Florence Broadhurst wallcoverings and fabrics!

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Florence Broadhurst’s Sunspot Circles and Square from Woodson and Rummerfield’s

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Plantation LA – Custom designer furniture, and it’s only one click away. Not to mention, a great online accessories store that will offer you at least 10 great items for your holiday shopping list.

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R & Y Augousti Hammershell Tray from Plantation LA

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Anthropologie – Funky finds. That’s all I have to say. Well, and that there isn’t a single item in their “for your home” section that I haven’t thought about buying at one time or another. If your looking for a bold print, then look no further.

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Astrid Chair in Native Tropical from Anthropologie

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Ebay – When all else fails, or when it doesn’t visit Ebay. Here’s the trick, use the right keyword search (I use: “Hollywood Regency”), and understand that what you buy may need a personal touch (like some new paint).

With a lil white paint this mirror will be fab, available on Ebay (seller name: saviorofmine )

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As I mentioned before, these are just a few of my most frequented shops. I could have easily done a list of my top 300 online stores, but then I’d still be writing this. I hope you enjoy these picks and happy shopping!

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I was so excited when Joanna Goddard, editor of Bene Magazine and a design blogger for Cookie, agreed to divulge her top resources for fantastic affordable art.

I was even more thrilled when she sent in the following piece. Her recommendations are so exceptional–and affordable–that I jumped online and instantly snatched up a trio of fantastic photographs–for just over $100, including shipping.

So, break your credit cards out and get ready for a spectacular online art tour.

Heeeeere’s Joanna:

Joanna Goddard’s Favorite Affordable Art Sources

When I was a senior at the University of Michigan, my then-boyfriend would throw art-unveiling parties. He would commission paintings from local Detroit artists. Then he’d invite friends to his apartment for a cocktail party from 12 to 2am. (It was college, after all.) To set the mood, he’d play French pop music, serve gin and instruct all the guests to wear black. At the stroke of 1am, he would make a toast and dramatically pull off a cover-up black sheet to reveal his new painting.

It was fun and hilarious. I desperately wished I could collect art, too, but, alas, I worked at a coffee shop where I barely made enough to afford the coffee drinks I served. The art world seemed exclusive and expensive–even the paintings my boyfriend bought in Detroit cost hundreds of dollars each.

Luckily, after six years, I’ve grown older and wiser. Art has become more affordable than ever, and if you know where to look, you can find gorgeous collectible artwork for less than a Gap sweater.

Here’s a well-rounded group of pieces that would make any apartment feel pretty. Take a look…

Limited-Edition Photographs and Prints

This fall, New York gallerist Jen Bekman launched an online shop, where she offers gorgeous photographs and prints in editions of 200 for only $20! That is insanely inexpensive. Check out the photo above and the one at the beginning of this article, within a rapidly growing collection.

Watercolor

Marcel Dzama made this cheery print from watercolor and root beer. Isn’t it funny, whimsical and just a little spooky? Last year, McSweeney’s released a set of 32 Dzama prints for just $42–an amazing deal. Purchase your set on Amazon.

Concert Posters

Concert posters can be very cheap–and very cool. Find posters, like this rad Wilco print, for only $15 to $25, on designer Nate Duval’s website.

Polaroids and Prints

I’ve never been to Albuquerque, but doesn’t this photo make you want to go? Polaroids and prints by Matirose are just $20. E-mail her for details through her website.

Drawings

This evocative drawing on an old book page is $95, but seems worth the splurge. The artist is Olivia Jeffries, who lives in the UK and is energized by “earl gray tea” and “loud music.” Find her work here.

More Drawings

This funny little owl can be yours for a mere $12. Bernadette Sipkes, the New Zealand-based artist, is inspired by Marimekko and vintage wallpaper, and you can see those inspirations reflected in her drawings. Check out her etsy shop.

Nostalgic Photography

Artist Alicia Bock “strives to create photographs that evoke memories of our favorite days.” And who doesn’t love a lazy afternoon bike ride? Find this $35 photograph, plus other beauties, here.

Too Cute Print

Last but not least, do you remember this cuter-than-cute print on the cover of Domino a while back? It looked great in a white frame and captures the funny, whimsical, emotional side of being a girl. Just $35 here.

I hope you like these pieces. Good luck art shopping and hunting around these links — your apartment will thank you for it!

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FYI, Joanna lives in New York City’s West Village with a roommate, a trusty bike, and two sleepy kittens. If you want more of her wisdom and whims, you can also check out her personal, A Cup of Jo, which highlights contemporary art, photography, fashion, and design.

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Now that I’m a mom I truly understand how hard it is to juggle childrearing and a career. I also understand the emotional, practical, and financial allure of taking a break from the workplace to focus on the hardest and most underrated job of all: raising children.

While my workaholic tendencies, passion for my job, and steep mortgage deter me from going on a permanent play date from the workaday world, I know plenty of woman who have done just that–and also found it hard to find their professional footing once the kids are in school and they’re ready to launch their own lives again.

Enter YourOnRamp. This supercool site, which I’ve featured before, is a one-stop shop for “onramping,” or getting out of the playground and into the boardroom or wherever you’d like to be.

YourOnRamp cofounder, mother of four, and self-professed OnRamper Catherine Clifford has generously agreed to offer 10 tips on how to get back into the game–with a career that may allow you to clock out in time for the afternoon’s Little League game.

Welcome, Catherine…..

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Guest Blogger Catherine Clifford on How to Get a Family-Friendly Career
When Erika asked me to do a guest blog for Glam.com it didn’t take long for me to figure out what to write about: my favorite topic, OnRamping. The challenge was communicating how Glam-orous, fun and hip OnRamping can be. Here goes…

The kids are headed back to school. Is this the year you’re ready to OnRamp? I know you love sitting in car line, making lunches and endless hours volunteering at your child’s school, but maybe you’re ready to take a journey that’s yours alone. No one said you have to go back to your 80 hour/week investment banking career. Maybe you’re ready to write a book, pursue that career you always wanted, or make a difference at a nonprofit, The choice is yours. Explore the range of possibilities–this should be fun, not scary! It is worth the effort! BUT, You’ll need a plan…

YourOnRamp recommends:

1. Clear the decks! Deliberately set aside time and space where you can focus without the multitude of interruptions that often cloud your days. (Mom, I forgot my homework…!). Spend focused time every day on YourOnRamp “project.” That means dodging the e-mail black hole, saying no to volunteer requests that do not contribute to your effort, and outsourcing non-essential chores.

2. Gather the right tools. If you don’t have the cool new iPhone, Blackberry or the equivalent, now is the time to invest in one. You want to be organized, efficient and up to date on the technology that is now ubiquitous in the workplace.

3. Devote time to complete a Self Assessment. This is often the deal stopper. Don’t let it trip you up! This is a valuable opportunity to recognize what you enjoy doing and when you feel the most successful and fulfilled. We have great tools to help you understand yourself, how you define a balanced life and where you will best contribute.

4. Develop an Elevator Pitch. This is your 1 to 2 minute description of yourself and your job objective (if you have one). It is an essential tool for networking.

5. Build a Network. This is the most important aspect of your onramp effort. Your chances of getting a job are much better when you know someone at the company. We make networking easy.

6. Get Educated. Research ideas, industries, companies, people, you name it, there is unlimited information available with a few key strokes. YourOnRamp, is a great place to gather information. Learn about Back to School programs at top business schools. Visit our newsroom and library. Our blog and discuss topics are all designed to help you get up to speed.

7. Compile your Resume. Need help presenting your work and volunteer experiences in a meaningful and effective way? We can help turn this chore into art. You should also compile a list of references.

8. Craft Cover Letters. Yes, you need them! They go hand in hand with your resume and are an essential communication tool, persuasively matching your prior experience to your future career goals.

9. Prepare for Interviews. Preparation is the key to successful interviewing. What questions will I need to answer? How should I explain my time away from the workplace? What if my skills are outdated? Look the part. Ditch the 1980s Brooks Brothers suit and update your wardrobe (what a great excuse for that new fab outfit!)

10. Ask for the Order. E-mail a prompt thank you highlighting your interest and qualifications for the job. If you want the job, ask for it and tell them why you’re the one for the job. Don’t be shy.

Follow our plan and in no time you’ll be on your way to a new flexible career that works for your life.

For more ideas on how to onramp, offramp or just manage your day-to-day at home or at work please come visit us at YourOnRamp.

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We here at Glam love Apartment Therapy so much we were jumping up and down when Lisa Brand, founding editor of the Apartment Therapy: San Francisco, agreed to ante up a guest post featuring 10 tricks for transforming your living space.

The San Francisco-based design writer, creative director, yoga teacher, and mommy recently left to do her own thing. Meanwhile, she reminisces her Apartment Therapy past with these superb tips.

Lisa Brand

Ten Easy Tricks for Transforming your Living Space
by Lisa Brand

Not all of us have the proverbial room with a view, so to keep things lively on the inside, here are ten easy tricks for transforming your living space:

1. Repaint, with color: Like music, color can work some major mojo. Generally speaking, warm shades (reds, oranges) are energizing and cool shades (greens, blues) are calming. Don’t stress about whether you’ve got the exact right shade; you won’t really know how a color makes a room feel until you lived with it for a while. If you decide it isn’t right you can always paint over it. Or, limit the color to a single wall, playing it off the neutral white of the rest of the room. Some paint collections that take a bit of the guesswork away: Yolo, Martha Stewart/Lowe’s, and Devine.

from Martha Stewart and Lowes

2. Throw away as much as possible. Clutter is the undoing of many a wonderful space. Cull through your stuff and have no mercy. If you have trouble deciding what to get rid of, make a dated list of the items you’re unsure of, stash them in a closet or basement, and keep the list on your fridge as a reminder. Anything you’re not pining for after a year should be freecycled or offered up on craigslist.

3. Add wheels: Mount your furniture on wheels so that you can reconfigure a room on the fly. Casters come with a wide variety of mounts and in a wide array of styles, materials and colors. Some great sources: the House of Antique Hardware, Cool Casters.com, Mockett.com. and Closet-Masters.com.

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from CoolCasters.com

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4. Play with light: Add plug-in dimmer attachments to fixtures so that you can dial the mood down at night. Add atmosphere with a light sculpture like Adam Frank’s Lumen Tree or Bitters Co.’s Basket Lamps. And if the room has a flat-panel TV, make it work double-time by tricking it out with a screen that will turn the picture into a dancing pattern. Try TV2Art.

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Bitter Co’s Basket Lamps

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5. Organize artfully: make sense of paper, magazines, and odds and ends by organizing them in open bins that are attractive enough to keep out and at hand. Give a prized collection its due by devoting some wall or shelf space to it, and then light it well with spots. Some attractive organizers: Mio SoftBowls, Ikea’s Knuff Bins, and Umbra’s Crunch Baskets.

6. Think outside the frame: there’s nothing like large-scale art on your walls to add drama. You don’t need a month’ salary for a huge canvas: try blowing up a photo or illustration using The Rasterbator (the cheap way), or photo2canvas (the more expensive way). Or, get inspired by the amazing creations of the UK’s Surface View, and add a mural. Make it easier by using stencils (try Stencil1 or The Stencil Library), removable vinyl stickers (try Domestic Wall Vynil), or a combination.

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Surface View Stencil

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7. Slipcovers: To add color or the energizing splash of a print to upholstered furniture, use a staple gun to re-cover chair cushions. Very high quality upholstery fabric in remainder sizes for small projects can be had for a song on eBay. For larger projects, use custom slipcovers made by a local tailor or off-the-shelf Bemz (if you have Ikea upholstery). Another cheap trick: a collection of throw pillows in interesting textures and colors. A good online source: Pillows and Throws.com.

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Bemz Slip Covers

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8. Add living things. Instantly refresh a room by bringing in potted trees, easy-to-care-for succulents, and bowls and vases of fresh flowers or leaves.

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9. Make a single bold move. A room filled with many small items like pillows, knick-knacks and photo frames can create a feeling of internal mayhem. Anchor the room by creating a single focal point out of something that you love: a huge mirror, a vintage find, a large- scale piece of art (see #6), or even an accent chair upholstered in a very strong print or color. A bold gesture will focus the eye and infuse the room with warmth and new personality.

10. Lighten up the floor plan. Can you move about the room easily? Is there room for quick little dance if the mood strikes? Scale down both the amount and size of your furniture. Empty space gives us room to breathe.

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