Archives for 2017

New for the holidays, from Brady Rymer and the Little Band that Could! Revvin’ Up the Reindeer

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It will soon be that time of year again, as the days grow short and the nights warm up to candlelight, good food, family and cheer. The season of high hopes (and high anxiety) is also the time when music fills the air.

 

This year, three-time Grammy nominated and nationally touring Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could releases a fresh album of 13 cheery, all-original holiday songs, Revvin’ Up the Reindeer. Brady’s music echoes holiday classics with exuberant instrumentation and arrangements.

 

In their ninth album for families, Brady and his band reflect the festive jumble of the season, with caroling harmonies, brass and bells. Every track is inflected with the band’s rootsy, feel-good sound, recalling beloved seasonal standards yet with Brady’s distinctively fresh and engaging style.

 

The title track is a 50’s rock ‘n’ roll romp, imagining Santa with a souped-up sleigh; the ska-beat “Holiday Jam” is a humorous take on the many ways we cope during the busiest time of the year; lyrical accordion embellishes the Klezmer-inspired “Rainbow Candles;” the hopeful sing-a-long “Christmas Wishes” radiates  with a children’s choir “The Fa La Las;” and the band rings out the old and swings in the new in raucous, Dixieland jazz fashion with “Baby New Year.” Indeed, whispers of holiday standards weave cleverly throughout, conjuring up the magic of the holiday season.

 

“The holiday season is my favorite time of year. It’s like the whole world is singin’, shinin’ and sayin’ hi!” says Brady. “After miles of twinkly lights untangled, menorahs lit with love and more than a few eggnogs poured, we couldn‘t be more excited to share these songs. I hope they’ll find a place on your family’s holiday playlist for years to come!”
Brady Rymer and the Little Band that Could will celebrate the album release with several all-ages concerts this fall, including the Music Center at Strathmore (Bethesda), the Sparta (NJ) Boardwalk, Growing Stage (NJ), and at libraries and schools. For details and updates, visit BradyRymer.com

New sing-along music videos are being released every Friday: https://www.youtube.com/user/bradyrymer
Credit: Sugar Mountain PR.

LA Zoo’s Reindeer Romp Features Live Reindeer, Holiday Crafts, Keeper Talks, Photo Ops

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The L.A. Zoo presents the only opportunity in Los Angeles to see a herd of live reindeer at its Reindeer Romp holiday celebration, which debuts Friday, November 17, 2017, and runs through Sunday, January 7, 2018 (except Christmas Day), 10 am to 4 pm. Guests are invited to make the most of the holiday season with a full day of fun and adventure at the Zoo, an especially beautiful and enriching place to spend quality time with kids and extended family during the holidays.

The season is highlighted by a rare chance to visit with reindeer in their charming “Reindeer Village” habitat also featuring fun reindeer facts and holiday photo ops daily. Weekend activities include make-your-own antler crafts, reindeer keeper talks at 11 am and 2 pm and a rotating schedule of animals unwrapping “gifts” of their own. Visits with Santa Claus in a whimsical North Pole setting (for a nominal fee) take place on weekend days, November 18 through December 17, 11 am to 3 pm, with a variety of photo packages available. For a great value, all Reindeer Romp activities, except Santa photos, are free with paid Zoo admission. Also included with paid Zoo admission are daily close-up “Animals & You” encounters, intriguing shows, talks and guided experiences, training demonstrations and more.

The landmark Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens, drawing nearly 1.8 million visitors each year, is home to a diverse collection of 1,100 animals representing 250 different species, many of which are rare or endangered, as well as a botanical collection comprising over 800 different plant species with approximately 7,000 individual plants. Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), whose members meet rigorous professional standards for animal welfare, the Zoo has achieved renown as an international leader in the preservation of endangered species and a conservation center for the care and study of wildlife. Its responsibility toward wildlife conservation not only encompasses safeguarding the animals in its care but also actively participating in the preservation of some of the world’s most critically endangered species and their habitats. Its many conservation successes include having led the charge in saving California condors from extinction and restoring populations of these critically endangered animals to their native habitats. The Zoo’s lush grounds on 113 acres feature Rainforest of the Americas, an extraordinary collection of endangered and exotic mammals, reptiles, fish and amphibians living in spaces that exemplify their natural habitat in the rainforest biosphere; Chimpanzees of Mahale Mountains, home to one of the largest troops of chimpanzees in the United States; Red Ape Rain Forest, where visitors can walk among orangutans; the LAIR (Living Amphibians, Invertebrates, and Reptiles); Elephants of Asia; Campo Gorilla Reserve; and one of the largest flocks of flamingos in any zoo in the world. Among other highlights are an extraordinary, hands-on Hippo Encounter and face-to-face Giraffe Feedings; the Winnick Family Children’s Zoo and Muriel’s Ranch animal contact area; the Tom Mankiewicz Conservation Carousel; a variety of daily opportunities to learn more about animals, including close-up visits, special feedings and intriguing talks; and much more. The private, non-profit Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA), which has supported the Zoo in partnership with the City of Los Angeles for more than five decades and provides funding for and operates seven essential Zoo departments, has 60,000 member households representing more than 240,000 adults and children. As evidence of the Zoo’s popularity, GLAZA attracts one of the largest membership bases of any cultural organization in Los Angeles.

Zoo admission, which includes all Reindeer Romp activities except Santa photos, is $21 for general admission (ages 13 to 61); $18 for seniors (ages 62+), and $16 for children (ages 2 to 12). No ticket is required for children under age two. Admission for Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association members is free.

The Los Angeles Zoo is located in Griffith Park at the junction of the Ventura (134) and Golden State (5) freeways.  5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA  90027. Free parking is available.  For additional information, contact (323) 644-4200 or visit www.lazoo.org/reindeerromp.

Credit: The Los Angeles Zoo. Photo Credit: Jamie Pham.

Join MAM and the United Nations Foundation in helping give children a Shot@Life this #GivingTuesday

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MAM has a commitment to providing products that ensure the healthy development of babies everywhere. Which is why they’ve teamed up with Shot@Life this #GivingTuesday and pledged to match all donations up to $25,000!

The fifth annual #GivingTuesday, November 28, follows Black Friday and Cyber Monday and is a time for families, businesses, and charities to come together to celebrate generosity and to give. This #GivingTuesday, the Shot@Life campaign will be rallying support for UN agencies and partners working to deliver lifesaving vaccinations to children in developing countries; and efforts to advocate, fundraise, and raise awareness on their behalf.

“Despite progress in combating vaccine-preventable disease on a global scale, 1.5 million children still die each year from diseases we know how to fight including polio, measles, pneumonia and diarrhea,” said Martha Rebour, Executive Director, Shot@Life campaign. “With support from MAM, we hope to raise funding and awareness for these lifesaving vaccines.”

2017 marks the fourth year of MAM’s participation in #GivingTuesday. In previous years, MAM helped support Shot@Life’s efforts to provide thousands of pneumonia and polio vaccines to the children that need them most.

MAM is committed to ensuring the healthy development of babies everywhere. They’re matching all #GivingTuesday donations up to $25,000.

http://thndr.me/Ub4Flz

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About Shot@Life

Shot@Life is a United Nations Foundation grassroots advocacy campaign that champions global childhood immunization, a crucial component to achieving UN Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 which aims to end preventable childhood deaths by 2030. We rally members of the public, members of Congress, businesses, and civil society partners—through public education, grassroots advocacy, and fundraising—to support the cause and invest in global childhood immunization programs. Shot@Life’s 350,000 supporters and 1,400 core grassroots advocates in all 50 states strive to decrease vaccine-preventable childhood deaths and give every child a shot at life no matter where they live.

About MAM

MAM’s mission is to combine the best in technological innovation, medically sound function and contemporary design to help give babies the best start in life. Founded in Vienna, Austria in 1976, today MAM is a global leader in the baby care category, selling approximately 50 million products every year in over 60 countries. MAM works closely with teams of engineers, medical experts and studio designers to develop pacifiers, bottles, teethers and toothbrushes of unmatched quality. All MAM products are 100% baby safe: BPA-free, PVC-free, lead-free and CPSIA-compliant.

Follow MAM

Facebook: facebook.com/MAMbabyUSA

Twitter: @MAMBABY

Pinterest: Pinterest.com/MAMUSA

Instagram: mam_usa

About United Nations Foundation

The United Nations Foundation, a public charity, was created in 1998 with entrepreneur and philanthropist Ted Turner’s historic $1 billion gift to support UN causes and activities. The UN Foundation builds and implements public/private partnerships to address the world’s most pressing problems, and works to broaden support for the UN through advocacy and public outreach. Through campaigns and partnerships, the organization connects people, ideas, and resources to help the UN solve global problems. The campaigns reduce child mortality, empower women and girls, create a new energy future, secure peace and human rights, and promote technology innovation to improve health outcomes. For more information, visit www.unfoundation.org.

How to Balance Your Master of Liberal Studies Program While the Kids are Home for the Holidays

When you enrolled in your online master in liberal studies, there’s a good chance you picked an online program simply because it worked best with your schedule. An online MALS degree means you’ve got the flexibility to study and do your assignments when it is convenient for you, which is exactly the kind of schedule busy parents need.

There’s a good chance your schedule is finely tuned, allowing you just the right balance of studying time, with parenting time, and possibly even a job as well. So what happens when that schedule is suddenly thrown completely out of whack thanks to the Christmas holidays? Suddenly that quiet time you have to devote to your studies disappears and now you need to figure out a way to balance everything until the kids head back.

Here are some tips you may find helpful and that will keep you on track with your online MALS program from a top school like Rutgers Online while keeping your sanity about you.

Easy on the Socializing

Obviously, the holidays is a time for socializing with family and friends, but with that said it’s also important to keep the amount of socializing in check. There is absolutely no reason you should feel pressured into saying yes to every invite that comes your way.

You still have your own daily responsibilities to look after, so making sure you leave time to get stuff done is imperative. It will also help you to relax and enjoy the socializing you do say yes to since you know there’s nothing else you “should” be doing.

Have a Sit-Down with the Kids Ahead of the Holidays

It will help to have the entire family on the same page as far as what your schedule requires. What this means is having a little sit-down or family meeting before the holidays begin. You can discuss the plans for the holidays, events you’ll be attending, and anything special you want to plan.

At the same time, it’s important to let the kids know you still have a very busy study schedule to attend to. Sure with online studies you can study any time of the day or night, but obviously you don’t want to be up until midnight each night simply because you ran out of time during the day.

Create Quiet Activities for the Kids

Another tip that can help is to do a little pre-planning and pick up some activities that the kids can work on while you study. Things such as arts and crafts, reading, watching Christmas movies, playing board games, working on puzzles, and word searches can occupy the kids for a decent amount of time. This allows you to focus without interruption and all kinds of background noise.

Ask the Kids to Join You

Lastly, you may find that the kids can actually work as fabulous study partners. Because liberal studies encompasses so many things such as history, social science and philosophy, it can be an enlightening experience for the kids to take part in discussions with you. This obviously works best with kids who are a bit older.

Holiday Bucket Full of Toys from Sniff & Barkens/Hartz

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Imagine a holiday gift that will delight dogs … and their two legged parents!
Envision a 5-gallon easy-to-open, yet dog-proof reusable Bucket covered with delightful dogs created by TADO and celebrated designer, Paul Budnitz, sure to become a collectors’ item.
Visualize this Bucket is filled with six favorite dog toys from Hartz!  The toys include the Hartz Tuff Stuff Nose DiversQuackersSqueakerZDura Play BallDura Play Bone and Chew ‘N Clean.

What you’ve imagined is Barkens Bucket, a Bucket full of goodies named for one of the signature dogs in possibly the fastest growing dog-focused social media platform in the last two years: Sniff & Barkens.

“Our passion for pets is at the forefront of everything we do and we are excited to partner with Sniff & Barkens on this Holiday Bucket, which will benefit the Pilots ‘n Paws Rescue that helps animals in need,” said Stacy R. Kisla, Senior Director of Marketing for The HARTZ Mountain Corporation.
10% of the proceeds from each Bucket helps save innocent displaced animals!

Sniff & Barkens, along with presenting sponsor Hartz, created this Bucket full of toys as a unique holiday gift that also helps save dogs’ lives.  This $50+ value is being offered to Sniff & Barkens’ millions of followers for $34.99, with a portion of the proceeds going to Pilots N Paws, a nonprofit organization that provides life-saving transports and rescue missions for dogs.
 “Our goal is to bring joy to furry family members while supporting an organization that helps save the lives of other dogs,” said Joe Pappalardo, founder of Sniff & Barkens.  “We’re delighted Hartz came on board as our presenting sponsor, helping us raise funds for Pilots N Paws, which provides invaluable services, especially in times of crisis like the recent hurricanes that devastated communities and displaced not only thousands of people but also thousands of dogs.”

The Barkens Bucket will be available for order at https://shop.SniffandBarkens.com/ until December 10th.
Credit: Sniff & Barkens/Hartz. I may have received samples to facilitate this post.

Make Thanksgiving more Flavorful with Pereg Natural Foods

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This Thanksgiving, Pereg Natural Foods wants to help you “wow” your guests with some mouthwatering recipes served with delicious flare.

Try using any one of their many quinoa varieties – tri-color, white, and red, among others – in this harvest vegetable and quinoa recipe served in a whole pumpkin, for a starring role in your Thanksgiving meal.

All Pereg Quinoa is pre-washed, all natural and contains no MSG or preservatives. They are OU and CRC Kosher approved, as well as Gluten-Free and Non-GMO verified.

For your Gluten-free guests, try baking with any one of Pereg’ six varieties of Gluten-free flours to help you whip up breads, muffins, desserts and pie crusts.

Season your turkey and vegetables with Pereg’s vast array of exotic, fresh and all-natural spices, sourced from around the world. They offer more than 60 spices and spice blends, known to be the true secret among chefs for bringing out the full flavor in cooking. Try Pereg’s brand new Pumpkin Pie spice blend, great in sweet and savory dishes alike.

Are you ready to cook all-natural, delicious and “clean” this Thanksgiving…? Pereg wishes you and yours a wonderful and healthy Thanksgiving, surrounded by friends, family and good food! Hearty Appetite!

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RECIPE: HARVEST VEGETABLES with QUINOA Served in a WHOLE PUMPKIN

INGREDIENTS:

1 Whole Sugar Pumpkin

4 whole carrots, peeled and quartered (large pieces halved)

1 1/2 cups (~115 g) quartered baby yellow potatoes

2 Tbsp (30 ml) maple syrup, divided

2 Tbsp (30 ml) olive oil, divided

Healthy pinch each sea salt + black pepper

1 Tbsp (3 g) chopped fresh rosemary (or dried)

2 cups (176 g) halved Brussels sprouts

Pereg Natural Foods Pre-Rinsed QUINOA – 1 cup (184 g) white quinoa

1 3/4 cups (420 ml) water

Pinch sea salt

OPTIONAL SAUCE:

1/2 cup (120 g) tahini

1 lemon, juiced (~3 Tbsp or 45 ml)

2-3 Tbsp (30-45 ml) maple syrup

Garnish: Fresh herbs (parsley, thyme, etc.); Pomegranate arils

INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (204 C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Add the carrots and potatoes to the sheet and drizzle with 1 Tbsp maple syrup, 1 Tbsp olive oil, salt, pepper, and rosemary. Toss to combine. Then bake for 12 minutes.

In the meantime, heat a saucepan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add Pereg quinoa to lightly sautée before adding water to evaporate leftover moisture and bring out a nutty flavor.

Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently. Then add water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a low boil over medium-high heat. Then reduce heat to a simmer and cover. Cook for 18-22 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy. Then open lid and fluff the quinoa with a fork. Tilt the lid, remove from the heat, and set aside.

When the veggies are at the 12-minute mark, remove pan from the oven and add the Brussels sprouts. Top with remaining 1 Tbsp oil, 1 Tbsp maple syrup, and another pinch each salt and pepper. Loosely toss to combine.

Return pan to oven and roast for 10-12 minutes more or until Brussels sprouts are golden brown and the carrots and potatoes are fork tender. (This ensures that the potatoes and carrots are cooked through and the Brussels don’t get too soft.)

Lastly, prepare dressing by adding tahini, lemon juice, and maple syrup to a small mixing bowl and whisking to combine. Add 2 Tbsp (30 ml) warm water at a time and whisk until thick but pourable. Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more maple syrup for sweetness or lemon juice for acidity.

COOK THE WHOLE PUMPKIN

Place the pumpkin in a glass baking dish, and transfer to the oven to roast for 45-60 minutes, depending on the size of your pumpkin. The pumpkin is ready when the flesh is darker, and the skin can be easily pierced with a fork. Cut the pumpkin top off, and allow to cool for 20-30 minutes, until cool enough to handle.

To serve, mix the quinoa and vegetables into the whole pumpkin. Top with garnish of choice, such as pomegranate arils or fresh herbs. Place Pumpkin top back on the pumpkin and serve with sauce on the side.

RECIPE – PEREG NATURAL FOODS GLUTEN-FREE BUTTERNUT SQUASH PIE

INGREDIENTS:

2 – 20 oz. boxes of frozen squash

1 stick melted butter or margarine

1 cup sugar

4 beaten eggs

1/2 cup non-dairy creamer such as Coffee Rich

½ cup Pereg Gluten Free Almond Flour & ½ cup Pereg Gluten Free Coconut Flour

2 unbaked 9″ pie shells –

DIRECTIONS:

Mix all the ingredients together using an electric mixer. Pour into pie shells (there will be enough to fill two pie shells); Sprinkle with Pereg Natural Foods cinnamon and bake at 350 degrees for one hour.

Recipe: http://fountainavenuekitchen.com/almond-flour-pie-crust-gluten-free/

PEREG NATURAL FOODS – FALL SPICES

Allspice – Allspice is earthy and aromatic. Use it on vegetables including cabbage and turnips, beef and lamb, and in soups, breads and desserts.

Cinnamon – This sweet spice is delicious when cooking chicken and lamb, vegetables and fruits including squash, sweet potatoes, apples and pears, and in some bread recipes.

Cloves- Cloves are rich and earthy making them a great complement to lamb. They also taste great on apples, beets, squash and sweet potatoes, as well as in curries, soups and breads.

Nutmeg – This sweet spice pairs perfectly with lamb, and taste great on broccoli, cabbage, carrots and cauliflower, as well as rice, stuffing and sauces.

Mexican Crushed Chili – Spicy and smoky, this spice goes well on beans, chicken, beef and fish, as well as corn, tomato, cauliflower, green beans and squash. It also adds unique flavor to dry rubs, marinades and salad dressings.

Za’atar – Tangy and warm in flavor, this Middle Eastern spice enhances most meats including chicken, beef, lamb and fish, and enhances the flavor of eggplant, onions and carrots as well as dry rubs, soups and salads.

New! Pumpkin Pie Spice Blend – A delicious blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger and cloves, this aromatic blend can be used in desserts and savory dishes alike to enhance them with lots of flavor. No additives, preservatives or MSG.

For a complete list of Pereg spices go to www.pereg-gourmet.com

I actually received a sample and love the Pumpkin Pie Spice Blend! Planning to use it this Thanksgiving holiday!

Self Disclosure: I received a free sample to facilitate this post. Recipes and images were also provided. 

Credit: PEREG NATURAL FOODS.

Pereg was established in 1906, and is based in Clifton, NJ. They first became known for their vast variety of pure and natural spices and spice blends, more than 60 in all, from traditional favorites to exotics from around the culinary world.

Today Pereg produces an array of all-natural products that includes ancient grains and ancient grain blends, gluten free pasta, couscous, rice, gluten-free cereal and much more. Pereg Natural Foods products are available at select retailers throughout the US and Canada, and on their website, www.pereg-gourmet.com.

Pereg manufactures all its products from start to finish, controlling the quality from the sourcing until the product is packed and ready for the consumer. All Pereg products are kosher certified by both the Orthodox Union (OU) and CRC, are dairy and lactose-free as well as all natural, with no additives or preservatives. Many products are also certified gluten-free and non-GMO. Follow Pereg Natural Foods on Facebook.com/peregnatural, Twitter @pereggourmet and Instagram @peregnatural.

Refresh your Fall Routine with Mario Dedivanovic & Colgate Optic White!

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To help you with your beauty routine this Fall, Colgate is excited to share a few exclusive glam tips from their makeup guru, Mario Dedivanovic, below.

One of his go to products is the latest addition to the portfolio – Radiant Toothpaste by Colgate Optic White – which helps whiten your teeth inside and out to reveal your most radiant white smile. It also includes a Pro-Oxide Complex, which contains hydrogen peroxide, the professionally recommended whitening ingredient to both whiten below the tooth surface and remove surface stains.

 I also had the opportunity to try this and I love how well it works! It keeps my teeth looking whiter and my smile brighter! 

Beauty Tips from Celebrity Makeup Artist Mario Dedivanovic

  1. A lot of my clients usually brush their teeth before I apply their lips. I make sure to pack my Radiant Toothpaste by Colgate Optic White in my kit just in case someone needs it. There’s no better confidence booster than a radiant white smile!
  2. For the ultimate radiant natural looking glow from within, dab a bit of petroleum jelly onto the cheekbones and blend with fingers or a damp beauty blender. Use translucent powder only on the T-Zone area.
  3. Use cream shadows on eyelids instead of powders to create a velvet-like texture for smoky eyes that lasts all night.

Credit: Tips and images were provided to facilitate this post. Thanks to Colgate and Mario Dedivanovic! Free samples were also provided.

Brentwood Home celebrates the holidays with 15% off sitewide through November 29

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Brentwood Home, California-based designer of healthy, luxurious, affordable home essentials is offering 15 percent off its entire site November 21-29 using code CUDDLEUP.

Give the gift of better zzz’s with Brentwood Home’s top picks this holiday season, including:

Better for your baby mattresses, starting at $349  

Perfect for new or expecting parents, the Wildfern and Poppy 2-Stag Crib Mattresses are handcrafted with only the best materials, offer the right amount of support for infants and toddlers. Best of all, Brentwood Home crib mattresses are free of any chemical fire retardants, are PVC, lead and phthalate free. Learn more here and  here.

For furry friends – a new pet bed, $125-$185   

The Runyon Pet Bed is designed for orthopedic support, easy maintenance, and classic style; it checks all of the boxes for the perfect pet bed. Details here.

For the yogi – Crystal Cove Yoga Collection, $169   

The Crystal Cove Bundle that comes with Brentwood Home’s top-selling yoga bolster, meditation cushion and Pranayama pillow. Made with a beautiful combination of natural and non-toxic materials like buckwheat and GOTS certified organic cotton, each item includes box-stitched carry handles for easy transport from home to class, an adjustable fill for unique needs, plus a removable and washable outer cover. The Crystal Cove Collection is a must have to wind down after a long day or for a restorative pre-bedtime practice. For more info, click here.

The gift of a better night’s sleep, mattresses, from $795

Make your loved one’s dreams come true, literally, with the gift of a new mattress shipped directly to their door. The eco-friendly Cedar,  top-selling Oceano and premium but affordable Ojai are the highest quality mattresses available for purchase online.  All handcrafted in Los Angeles and come a zero-risk guarantee. Shop here.

For the in-laws, grandparents or new homeowners – Pillows, Quilts, and Sheets, from $79

Did you know pillows should be replaced as often as every six months? Brentwood Home’s Helena Latex pillow is filled with 100 percent latex ribbons and organic cotton fibers plus an organic cotton cover for sweet, eco-friendly dreams. Pair with Brentwood Home sheets or quilt for a luxuriously thoughtful gift.

Credit: Brentwood Home.

Stay tuned! I will be featuring Brentwood Home this holiday season!