Taking My Holiday Salutations To The Next Level With Paperless Post

I always sent holiday cards when I lived in the States. Growing up it was a big deal as my parents had a very long list.  They would also enclose handwritten letters to our family in the Caribbean.  I loved sending and receiving cards.  This was a tradition I hoped to continue once I moved to Italy.I was so naive back then.  So naive!I heard that the Italian postal system was not the most efficient.  However, I was surprised to receive Christmas cards in March, April, etc. or not at all.  I mailed my cards in November just in case.  It didn't matter, half my cards would show up long after the holidays were over.Then there's the cost.  It's two euros/two dollars and thirty-five cents for a single stamp to the United States or to the Caribbean. It was annoying spending money on cards that did not arrive on time or were lost.A lot of my friends in Hollywood use for invitations, announcements, and cards.  I've personally never used the brand but adored what I had received. I say this as a person who's a hardcore stationary fan.  When Anagram Interactive asked me if I would be interested in using their client's website, I was excited to try it out for myself.Paperless Post's website is very easy to use.  Hello, nobody has time to decipher websites that are more complicated than filling out a tax return.  There's a wide variety of cards to choose from. Some of the cards are free and cards can be customized for a small additional cost.  Paperless Post has collaborated with several designers (including some of my favorites) as well as having an in-house design team.With so many options you'd think it would be overwhelming to make a decision. Nope, there are filters to help you narrow your selection by color, designer, card shape, greetings, etc.  Below are some of my picks for the cocktail party I'm not having thanks to a leak in my apartment (long story).Here are some of my picks for holiday cards:You also have the option of adding your own photo, or photos, to a card:Paperless Post started selling both digital and paper versions in 2012 after receiving many requests from their customers.  Brilliant idea, especially for those customers who are sending wedding invitations. They may have relatives or family friends who prefer paper invites.It's clear that the young founders of Paperless Post have put a great deal of thought into the design of the cards and the site in general.  They've combined beauty and function. Very impressed.Note: I've been given this product to review in collaboration with Anagram Interactive. All opinions remain my own and I was in no way influenced by Anagram Interactive or Paperless Post. 

Life in Rome – Rome Luxury Suites, Via Babuino

Buon giorno!Life has been nuts these past few weeks between signing new clients and moving. I still have twenty-five boxes of books and magazines to unpack.I hope to publish a post on this blog the first and third Wednesday of the month, at least. I need get it on a schedule or else it will end up like Jeb!’s presidential campaign. Seriously, what’s happening there? He must be very annoyed. This is one of most unusual American presidential races I've ever seen, but I digress.While Rome is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, finding a hotel here can be tricky especially once you get out of the five-star range.I tend to prefer smaller boutique hotels, so I was excited to check out Rome Luxury Suites on Via Babuino. I was invited, along with a few other guests, to tour the hotel followed by an aperitivi on the new rooftop. You know how I feel about terraces, more on that later.The location couldn’t be better. Via Babuino is in the Trident area, close to the Spanish Steps and Piazza del Popolo. The sidewalks were recently widened. During the day there's a lot of pedestrian traffic as this street is a popular high-end shopping destination. At night, it’s quiet. There are no bars, or clubs.The hotel has twenty-four rooms. They are stylishly decorated without being too “done”.  On some floors it’s possible to connect rooms, creating a private suite. Perfect for a family.This is a great place for someone who likes the idea of renting an apartment but would like the services of a hotel (concierge).One of my favorite rooms was the Babuino Suite which has its own balcony.Now back to the roof terrace. It’s available for guests only. This was my favorite part of the hotel. I know that’s not logical but what can I say? I love a good roof terrace.For more about the hotel (they have two other locations in the neighborhood) you can check out their website HERE.

Weekend Inspiration - All of the Lights - Campo de' Fiori

For me the day after Thanksgiving has nothing to do with shopping. It means I can start playing Christmas carols.This probably comes as a shock to people who don't know me well, as I appear to be a person who loves to shop.  It's even part of my job.However, the whole Black Friday thing always left a bad taste in my mouth.  While Short Hills Mall is one of my favorite places in America, I'd rather listen to Izzy Azalea on a continuous loop than go there on the day after Thanksgiving.We don't have such a thing in Italy and I don't see it happening anytime soon.  The concept of standing/waiting in line is completely foreign, even in places (like the post office) where we're supposed to.One thing that is also popular here, are street lights.  This week crews were putting them up all over town.In my neighborhood, Campo de Fiori, we have these:I adore the simplicity of them.Now, I'm off to play some of my favorite holiday jams.Buon weekend! 

Merry Christmas - Buon Natale!

It's not easy to be thousands of miles away from my family on this day.   While we did celebrate Thanksgiving, it's not a Caribbean holiday or tradition.  Christmas on the other hand, is celebrated big time on the islands and my parents brought their traditions with them to America.It wasn't really about the presents. However, I did flip out the year when one of my gifts was an Easy Bake Oven from "Santa" ( those cakes were gross but my family pretended to like them).   It was the decorating, the food, the music, and having our entertaining extended family over that made Christmas so fun and memorable.Every year we went to midnight service.  Every year after church we would plead with our parents to start the tradition of opening one gift before bed.  Every year they said, "no."   They were very consistent.I won't be in the Caribbean today saying, "compliments of the season" but I will be there in spirit.   Here are few of my favorite Christmas songs.As a kid I watched this special on CBS every Christmas.  One of the best Christmas (and jazz) albums ever.[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4qe7oLlizs&w=420&h=315] It wasn't Christmas in our home until my dad busted out his Nat King Cole album.[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRfLl5OEDy8&w=420&h=315] Love this rendition of Mariah's song, with the Roots and jimmy Kimmel.  The kids are too cute![youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWEfszb9h8Q&w=560&h=315] Does anyone else remember the group The Waitresses?  This came out in 1981.[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARq6uYSsUq0&w=420&h=315] Kirland and Baryhnikov, another yearly staple back in the day, on PBS.  So weird that he's better known now for being the uptight Russian dude Carrie dated during the last season of SATC.[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6NCE9GlU7s&w=420&h=315] A  Motown classic from my first crush.[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCEZEOYdfwo&w=420&h=315] Donny Hathaway.  That voice.  He died way too soon.[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkqjjYP53vQ&w=560&h=315] This falls under melancholy Christmas songs.  Perhaps I shouldn't have listened to it this year.[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5g4lY8Y3eoo&w=420&h=315]