next up in favorite things, colleen from things colleen wants to do and one half of coco & leroy. colleen and i have been friends since high school and she has always had fantastic taste! although i don't get to see her that often since she's in new york, i love keeping up with her via her blogs. here are colleen's favorite things of 2011:
- for the food lover - morris kitchen ginger syrup is a perfect gift for any food lover. it's beautifully packaged, and has a million and one creative uses: homemade ginger ale, a delicious cocktail ingredient, glaze on vegetables and meats, in salad dressings, etc. added bonus: it's made in small batches by some superfabulous folks right here in brooklyn. ginger syrup's new sister, boiled apple cider syrup, is pretty sweet too. info on where to purchase ginger syrup can be found here.
- for the crafter - hudson colored chalkboard paint is the perfect gift for the crafty lady or gent in your life! there are endless projects to tackle with this wondrous product- chalkboard walls, mirrors, tabletops, picture frames, etc. and hudson paint offers the most amazing array of colors. hot kolor and bakery green are my current faves.
- for your best girlfriend - i love the kate spade sparkler "gia" pouch because it adds just the right amount of holiday zhuzh without being fussy. it can be used as a wallet, a cocktail party clutch, a makeup case or an extra place to store your smaller bits and bobbles. plus, its' namesake is one of my all-time favorite little ladies.
favorite charity/organization: I regularly volunteer with an elderly woman through the Stanley Isaacs Senior Center in Manhattan. I meet with her every few weeks, keep her company, take her out to lunch or go for walks with her. I first met her almost 5 years ago when I moved to New York, and I know I get as much out of our little friendship as she does, if not more. I think it's awesome that so many people make efforts to donate to charities and to those in need during the holiday season, but I also feel strongly that this should be a consideration year-round. There are so many ways we can each help in our own way, all year long, whether it involves sharing our skills, clothing, books, money or time with others who may not be able to afford basic privileges otherwise. Volunteer Match is a great place to start researching opportunities in your area. And this is a great article listing specific charities that make particularly good use of your financial donations.
thanks colleen! i love that clutch and it is such a fantastic thing that you volunteer on a regular basis. i know you are making wonderful difference in someone's life.
up next...courtney from the good eater!
yay! thanks so much JOAT! xoxox
Posted by: colleen | December 15, 2011 at 04:44 AM