My favorite last little bit o' Christmas

The Adoration of the Magi, Peter Paul Rubens 1577 – 1640
Musée des Beaux-Arts, Lyon

Western Christians have celebrated January 6 as the Epiphany, or the arrival of the Magi, for centuries. Growing up Catholic, for me January 6 signified that and the last chance for presents. Need I say what garnered greater importance for me at age 10?

My mother who is a full-blooded, hot-tempered Italian and a good Catholic - also incorporated La Befana into our holiday. For those who may be unfamiliar, La Befana is an Italian folklore figure - cross between a witch and a sweet granny. She leaves all the good children candy and toys, while the bad children get coal. For some reason, we always got three books. Hmmm...

Long story short - the Magi asked La Befana for directions to find the Baby Jesus. (That's a myth...ask for directions? Please.) She couldn't help them but offered shelter for the night.

When they departed, the Magi invited her to join them on the journey to find the Christ child, but she declined, saying she was too busy with her housework. (Typical Italian granny.) She later changed her mind and tried to search out the Magi and the babe, Jesus. Unable to find them, she now continues her search for the baby Jesus on the eve of the Epiphany.

Consider me your blogging La Befana - minus the granny part. (Wish I couldn't lay claim to being called a witch once or twice, but you knew better...)

Three of my favorite books for you:



Saints: A Year in Faith and Art. Beautiful book with interesting, brief descriptions of saints corresponding with their day of beatification and incredible art. Even if saints or art are not your thing - it will make my mom really happy if you crack the binding.


Ahhh...more familiar territory - sinners. Sin in the Second City: Madams, Ministers, Playboys, and the Battle for America's Soul is a great book about the most famous brothel in American history, the Everleigh Club of Chicago. (My mom would not approve.)

My Misspent Youth: Essays - Not my autobiography, but witty and dripping with sarcasm. Love her writing.

I know this was long. Thanks for hanging in there for this last little bit o' Christmas.

Now, bring on the king cake!

Mrs. News Readin'

Coastal Christmas: A Photographic Review

Disclaimer: I am not a very good photographer. My apologies.

Christmas at the Cloister



We attended 7:00 pm church services and then headed to the hotel for dinner in 100 Hudson.
During dinner, the Yule Log Ceremony began in the Lobby. It's quite the event usually, but this year there were significantly fewer guests. (I think we all know why...) See the program below.


Yes, the yule log ceremony would have made for a great photo op - but I was three vodkas deep and well, you know how that goes.


The tree in the lobby was gorgeous. My pictures definitely do not do it justice.




The tree in the solarium was my favorite - decorated with nutcrackers and beautiful handpainted balls.



There was a massive gingerbread house in the center of the lobby. It was adorable, but wasn't nearly as over-the-top as what they have had on display at the Lodge in years past.

(Somebody was hungry.)

The nativity scene is pretty close to being life size and is really beautiful - especially at night when illuminated.



Ahhh...Christmas Eve on the marsh's edge.




Christmas Day Beach Bound

Christmas morning, my mother-in-law invited me (read: dragged me out of bed at 8:00 am)
to her rumba class at the Cloister Spa. Have to say - it was awesome. We shimmied and shook to Rhianna, Britney and Madonna. Made me feel a lot better about my cheesecake from the night before...

(Lucy is wearing a shirt that said "I ate Santa's cookies." Kinda cute.)

Putter and her cousin, Lucy donned their matching collars and were looking for a little more excitement. To the beach!


I just loved this garden gate on our way to the beach. Casa de encanto - House of Enchantment.



Looking down the beach toward the new beach club.



You have never seen a happier dog than this exhausted, water logged Lab with her sandy tennis ball.


Santa shops at the Infamous Sea Island Sale

In early December Sea Island has an insane sale where they offer everything from linens and silverware to golf club covers to clothing and shoes at a 60 - 80% discount. Basically they unload all their excess - first to employees and members, then to the general public.

My mother-in-law has scored some great buys in years past and usually these purchases end up underneath the tree. (I'm not complaining.)

While admiring her holiday tablescape, I noticed some new additions - in particular beautiful gold and green chargers.




Ummm...hello...fabulous. Wedgewood. $1.00 a charger at the infamous sale. (Mr. News Readin' has already staked claim for estate purposes.)

She also picked up these beauties for $4.00 a glass. They're heavy and gorgeous.


Oh, the table runner pictured...that would be one of the wraps my bridesmaids wore. Interesting re-purposing, no?



And to all a good night!

Coming soon: TIBI outlet scores and an inside look of Frederica's new clubhouse. (It's to die for...)

We apologize for the technical difficulties...

From Room Service Home

The Breaking News Team is back from a coastal Christmas celebration.

I had every intention of an in-law play by play for your reading pleasure, but forgot that the in-laws don't have wireless and being secluded in their computer room for hours claiming work, was not an option. (Mr. News Readin' has grown a wee bit tired of the iBook that seems to have become an appendage.) So - holiday hiatus.

Not like you didn't have other things to do. Christmas cookies - sifting through the endless Pottery Barn "It's not too late" eblasts - making five "last trips" to Target - cutting off Aunt Barbara from the Chardonnay - swearing to workout tomorrow...

I'm not Santa, but I know what you were doing.

Billable hours call, but I've got lots of great pictures of the Cloister decorated for the holidays and a sneak peak of the club house at Sea Island's newest development, Frederica.

Can't wait to share!

Oh, the winning holiday frock:



From Nordstrom. For $158.00, more reasonable than some of my other options and simple enough to get a lot of wear.

Attention Mr. News Readin'...See, I care about refraining from frivolous spending.


Hope all was Merry and Bright for your holiday celebrations!

Mrs. News Readin'

Santa was here...Now prove it with pictures!

As a child, I was convinced that Santa had been to our house simply because all the cookies were eaten and that nice glass of Macallan we left him was empty. (Our Santa drank highland single malt scotch whisky. What of it?) And there were presents.

Kids today are smarter than that. They have cell phones and Wii's. All I had was a Muppet album and a Jem doll that had little lights for earrings. Technologically advanced? Not exactly.

If you are going to keep running this Santa charade for as long as possible, better figure out a way to make your minis really believe. (I hear that the whole..."I'm going to tell Santa" has excellent behavioral modification results.)

Here's your weapon of choice: Capture the Magic.

Snap a picture of your Christmas tree setting. Upload it to the website and drop in one of their many Santa options and voilà! Photographic proof that Santa had indeed slid down your chimney.

Here are some examples:





Disclaimer: I haven't used it, but a co-worker said it was so simple a monkey could do it. Which made me think it could be kind of tricky because monkeys are actually highly intelligent. But, then I remembered the co-worker is not that smart...so it should be a freakin' breeze.

Merry Christmas!

Mrs. News Readin'

Christmas on the Coast

The in-laws pulled the short straw and unfortunately have to put up with me for the holidays.
So, we are packing up the car and headed to the Golden Isles of south Georgia. (I know, poor us.)

More importantly - I am headed to the TIBI outlet store, where deals and heaven share the same space in a shopping plaza.

The Breaking News team will be checking in with live, up to the minute coverage of The Holidays from the coast.

Stay tuned. More at 11.

Ridiculous Gift of the Day

There are tons of classic television shows that have proved pop culture inspiring; I Love Lucy, Happy Days, Murder She Wrote (trench coats sold like wildfire during the height of its popularity), Gilligan's Island, Three's Company. Hell, even Little House on the Prairie provided fond memories and a Halloween costume or two.

But, Knight Rider? Knight Rider?




A friend's husband requested a Knight Rider GPS by MIO for Christmas.


It has flashing red lights on the sides, just like the KITT car. And...it will give directions in the original KITT voice.

She thought he was kidding. Man, is he going to be disappointed.



Washed up television star with an inordinate amount of chest hair - not included.


What's the most ridiculous thing you've seen this season?
Do tell. I could use a little humor this morning.


We'll continue to cover this late breaking story...

Holiday card recap

Just in case you were wondering...(Don't worry. I know you weren't.)

Being that we couldn't rustle up any children for our holiday card picture, we went in a new direction this year.

Holiday Ivy Pattern Red from Iomoi

I love most of Iomoi's design work. Fun colors - very Hollywood Regency with a preppy flair.

Have to tell you though, I was fairly disappointed in the weight of the stock. Additionally the envelopes were slightly larger than the card and were printed with a cream and brown Iomoi logo design interior. (Sort of clashed with the pattern of the card.)

If I had read the full description, I probably could have saved myself the Debbie Downer moment. Oh well. The upside is I only did a limited quantity.

Because after we snapped this beauty of Putter - there was no way she wasn't getting a photo card!

Mr. News Readin' insisted that Smug Marrieds with children were to receive the non-picture card, except for family. All others received the Shutterfly special of us and the gorgeous creature you see above. (Please do not let Sneaky Kitty know she did not make the cut for the Christmas card...she's vindictive and I like my furniture.)

Now I have an excel sheet with 120 names on two different worksheets for picture and non-picture recipients. Seriously. Because life is not complicated enough.

They made it into the mail - hand addressed, all personalized and with a stamp lovingly adhered by Mr. News Readin'. What a good elf.

My good elf has informed me that under no circumstances will we be sending a picture card without children next year.

Hmmm...That might explain all the mistletoe he's hung around the house.

More at 11.

Color Me Happy

Still in need of gifts for a few little girls in your life?

Rather than give into the toy hysteria, I'm seeking alternatives.
(Because I flat out refuse to buy a Bratz doll...and my mother thought Jem was racy!)


For the little francophile in your life:
From Pomme. Color Paris monuments and learn the French word for pigeon. Mon dieu!


Get her started on that travel abroad fund:


From MetKids. Silhouettes, How to Cut for Fun & Money. Love it!



Learning about American Royalty is important, as is how to behave while traveling abroad:




From Amazon. One Special Summer by Jacqueline and Lee Bouvier. A fun read - you'll want one for yourself!


Teach her to think big. And color bigger.



From FredFlare.com. Big colored pencils for little hands. So fun!



Her Bratz doll will be the only one in red carpet worthy frocks.



From MetKids. Designed by You: Formal Fashions. Because Georgina Chapman can't live forever.


Plant the seeds of creativity this holiday season. You never know what might bloom!

Mrs. News Readin'



"All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up."
- Pablo Picasso

Gifting Simply

Gift giving is an art form and for me, one of my favorite things to do. I love giving gifts that people might not think to buy themselves. And I would really prefer to spend the money on something that will not be outgrown or find its way to a Junior League Bag-A-Bargain Sale. So the answer to that...make it personal and unique to that individual.

Which is why I L-O-V-E Simply Silhouettes. They have completely modernized the centuries old practice of silhouetting and made it fresh with cute colors and thoughtful applications.

I had seen their melamine plates in stationery stores, but had no idea that their website had such a wide array of great gifts!

How cute would this throw pillow be for a big girl bed or even a parent or grandparent:

(Image courtesy of Simply Silhouettes)

This canvas would make for a fun gift for Mr. News Readin's godson:

(Image courtesy of Simply Silhouettes)

Another wall decoration...Putter would look so chic in black and white:

(Image courtesy of Simply Silhouettes)

This mousepad would be a great addition to any desk:

(Image courtesy of Simply Silhouettes)

These cards are a nice alternative to the standard Christmas picture card:

(Images courtesy of Simply Silhouettes)

They also had a silhouette on their site of a man and a woman kissing in a heart, which I think could be darling as a Save the Date or thank you note.

Their site offers lots of different options, but it does take about a month for some items. If you are thinking about Christmas gifts like I am, better get to shopping!