Thanksgiving is one of my favorite Holidays. In addition to all the yummy food that comes with it, I'm a fan of any occasion that makes me stop and think about all the things for which I am so very thankful. This year, it's all about family. 

This year, I'm particularly thrilled because my entire (gigantic) extended family (on my mother's side) is going to be celebrating Thanksgiving together - dozens of aunts and uncles and cousins and even a few new babies that have arrived this year are all flying down to Florida, and my mother (being the saint that she is) is hosting Thanksgiving dinner for 40 people at my parents house. You heard me - 40 people. 

I'm not sure which genius on staff is responsible for this lightbulb moment, but I'm sure glad they came up with it. It's reason enough to start your holiday shopping early this year and avoid that last-minute mad dash to the mall...

Once in a while a girl has got to pamper herself. What better time than late in the year, as the impending holiday craziness looms near!

On my recent trip to Napa, I paid a visit to the Spa Villagio at the Vintage Estate in Yountville, and I can say that it was - hands down - the best spa experience I’ve ever had.

Last week, I went on the best vacation I’ve had in years. I spent four days and five nights ignoring emails, voicemail, and all work-related thoughts. I stayed in a beautiful French Country-style Inn, slept in a plush king-sized bed in a room with a fireplace and terrace, enjoyed luxurious spa treatments and Swiss-style showers, ate ridiculously good Italian and French food, and drove through the countryside visiting gorgeous vineyards and drinking the delicious product of local winemakers.

No, I didn’t just win the lottery.

I also didn’t take a long and pricey trans-Atlantic flight to Provence or Tuscany, or stay with close personal friends who own a Chateaux (none of my friends own a Chateaux, sadly). I simply planned and saved, then took myself on a blissful trip to the Napa Valley - right here in the USA. Why blog about it? Because I’m always writing here about Holidays and Celebrations, and I want to encourage my readers to actually take a holiday and celebrate something. I’m always asking friends about their travels - where they stayed, what they ate - so that when I finally take a trip to that place, I’ll be in the know. So here you go...

If you're like me, Halloween is one of those holidays that just tends to sneak up on you. Thanksgiving? Weeks of advance planning, grocery shopping, and meal-prep. Christmas? I'm already starting my gifts-to-give list. But Halloween is just one of those occasions that seems to creep up and make me exclaim - "It's already the end of October?!"

Real Simple to the rescue! Read on for last-minute DIY costume ideas, ways to celebrate without spending a dime, ideas for how to host a Pumpkin-Carving Party, and some must-see classic Halloween movies for a night in with the fam.

It's time for fashion and home products to make their debut for the holidays... no doubt you've already seen the holiday sections popping up in stores near you. Would you like a sneak peek of the Urban Outfitters Holiday Gifts Preview today? My contact at UO sent over a disc with tons of images for us to enjoy, but with over 90 new products I can't possibly share them all so I've selected 14 of my favorites from their collection. Would you like a first glimpse? So many great gift ideas!

Once in a while, you have to give a gift to "the person who has everything." Just such an occasion arose recently when I stayed with a friend and her husband for a few days in Boston, and wanted to thank her for having me. She had joked with me about what a mess the bottom of her closet was - a jumbled mountain of shoes. Because I do organizing and decorating makeovers for a living, it only made sense that I'd offer up a mini-makeover as a "thank you" gift; so my brave friend turned me loose on her closet. I didn't have to spend much money, and it only took a couple hours from start to finish. And it has transformed my friend's closet! Here's what transpired:

Messy mountain of shoes...

I'm beyond excited that today marked the launch of a much-anticipated new publication - Lonny Magazine. It's an online magazine - created by a very talented former domino editor and her photographer business partner - and you can see all 195 pages of the premiere issue at lonnymag.com. What to expect? Gorgeous photography, a laid-back writing style, inspirational home features, new products, and expert tips on everything from gardening to entertaining.

Free from the page-count restrictions of traditional print publishing, Lonny is offering up features flush with photos of real homes with impeccable style. Normally when I fall in love with a feature in a magazine, I'm wishing I could see more. Problem solved! Every nook and cranny is explored in the subject's home, and it's jam-packed with do-able ideas and practical design tips that you could actually pull-off.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and "pink" products are popping up everywhere I look - from cookies to socks to skin creams. This makes me happy for 2 reasons:

People often ask me for recommendations when it comes to choosing an invitation for a special birthday party, bridal shower, or other such event that merits more than an Evite.

Don't get me wrong, I love Evite - especially since they came out with these.

But there are certain times when a party calls for a mailed invitation, and you want that mailed invitation to say something about just what a splendid party it is going to be! What can I say - I'm a bit old fashioned in this regard - the invite sets the tone for the occasion.

When it comes to Birthday gifts, it's really the thought that counts...and if you're like me, those thoughts count even more when they involve delicious, homemade baked goods!

My mother Ginny has a very sweet tradition (pun intended) I wanted to share here: every year, for her best friend's birthday, she bakes a cake from scratch and delivers it by hand to her friend's house, usually presented on a beautiful cake stand.

I'm always impressed and inspired by women with an abundance of creative energy and their own small businesses that utilize their unique talents and ideas.

I was introduced (virtually) to one such individual this week, and wanted to share her work with you here.

Check out Shandells, the creative home of Susan Schneider, a "longtime collector of things vintage with a passion for recycling them into things that make you smile."

Chances are there was at least one occasion this summer (and probably several) upon which a friend or relative hosted you in one way or another. Maybe it was a small dinner party at their house, or a round of golf on them, or maybe they threw you a bridal shower. Perhaps they even let you stay a week with them at their beach rental - lucky!

No matter how someone hosts you, it's a wonderful - and usually quite appreciated - idea to send a gift in thanks. Here are four great gifts for the summer host/hostess - at four very different price points.

Well who wouldn't enjoy a delightfully refreshing soup with a name as cute as this?

A cucumber fool is the perfect starter for a "stretching out the summer" dinner party, and could become one of your go-to recipes for a healthy, delicious brown-bag lunch for the office this fall.

Who doesn't love Labor Day Weekend? The bitter sweetness of a final "summer fling" - time spent relaxing with family and friends, enjoying the outdoors, eating good, casual meals on the patio, drinking ice cold beverages. I'm getting excited just thinking about it.

In my household, Labor Day Weekend usual means a big beach picnic dinner with about 10 to 15 close family friends. The key to success? As usual: Keep it Simple. Everyone pitches in and brings something, we don't fuss over tableware and fancy presentation, and the attire is relaxed casual.

While we haven't firmed up the menu just yet, I'm getting inspiration by perusing the following helpful and clever online features:

I've been hearing more and more from friends who are diagnosed with gluten allergies and/or celiac disease. Since I am a girl who likes to eat everything under the sun, I can't imagine how challenging it would be to modify my diet (for the rest of my life) to accommodate for this kind of food allergy. I admire those who face this challenge head-on with optimism and creativity. Take Betsy, for instance, who authors two blogs for "Gluten Free Foodies" offering recipes, restaurants, and helpful advice for those who must avoid gluten on a day-to-day basis.

As we all try to stretch out these last lingering days of summer, I'm doing everything I can to make the most of relaxed schedules, friends dropping by, and fresh farm stand produce. There's nothing better than throwing together a meal at the last minute and having it turn into a veritable "dinner party." Whether you're serving two or ten, you can mix it up and have some fun with fresh ingredients and some creative serving techniques. Before the fall bustle begins, take some time to stop and smell the heirloom tomatoes!

I attended an event this week and have been dying to share the best part of the party right here with you: The Raw Bar Boat. I thought it was the most charming and delicious aspect of the evening, and would be just perfect for a seaside wedding reception. Here are a few pictures: