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Exotic Decor at Our Dallas store

Exotic Decor at Our Dallas store

We are fortunate enough to go on several trips a year to such exotic locations as India, China, and South America. During our journeys we stumble across unique items that might be vintage, antiques, or even the last one left. So, every trip, we're sure to bring our empty suitcases to fill with these rare finds so we can carry them back home.

Our Employee’s Home: Paige’s House

Decorative table accent

What is your role at Wisteria? I am the Senior Creative Manager, I manage all the photography for the catalog and web. I direct and edit the photography at the photo shoots and the styling on set.

Handmade Books in Jaipur, India

Making Books by Hand

This company was started when three young friends rented a booth at a trade fair 14 years ago to sell books and bags made of handmade paper. This Indian artisan has grown great lengths since then and now specializes in handmade paper, bags, books, and leather products. They are located in Jaipur, India and also have a small group of designers and workers from a small village outside of Jaipur.

 

As we sit here in the office talking about everyones New Year’s Eve plans, we have come up with a few ideas depending on what you are in the mood for! From staying home with friends and family to the traditional fireworks.  Here is our take on New Year’s Eve…enjoy!

alice

Staying  home. We have invited friends and their children over to celebrate.  We are going to have all the topings to make your own pizza, smores in the oven, Saint Germaine and champagne cocktails for adults and Izzy (served in champagne glasses, of course) for the kids.  Followed by lots of laughs playing Pictionary and trying to make sense of the circle with lines coming off of it…a coconut!  

jordan

A girl with an outfit and no plans because no one can agree on exactly what to do! Her ideal NYE night out is to go see Girl Talk at the Dallas Convention Center, which by the way, would be my worst nightmare!  Of course, I had NO idea who this was, so had to be told a band with a “hip hop, electric, pop vibe.”  To be 24 again…fun music, the energy of a crowd and lots of friends all around you! 

ryan

For the college student on a budget…starting the night out with a few drinks at a bar downtown and then dinner and drinks at a friends apartment.  As civilized as this sounds, I was told that last year the party was at his place and he spent days cleaning sugar off the walls from the champagne that was flown around. Needless to say, he will be partying the night away at someone else’s place this year!

Wishing everyone a safe and Happy New Year!  

xo

 

Alice
 

At the end of the year, I always like to reflect on a few great highlights to remember the wonderful things each year brings. Plus, it gives me something positive to think about before I have to start making the dreaded new years resolutions! In lieu of the coming new year, I thought it would be fun to share some of our best moments of 2011.

Katie:

One of my most notable moments was scuba diving in Cozumel, Mexico. It was my first real dive after getting certified at Clear Springs dive park in Terrell (which is a misnomer for that lake, to say the least). I saw puffer fish, barracuda, eels, sea turtles, and a myriad colorful fish and coral. It was truly a wonderful experience.

Peter:
Flying on the peak of a 14,000 foot snow mountain in southeast China!

Emily:
The best part of 2011 had to be my trip to NYC. I’ve always wanted to visit since I was a child and I finally got to visit for my 24th birthday. Best part: I was in the city for the 10 year anniversary of 9/11. Being in the city that day was a great reminder of how proud I am to be an American! Later that day, I went to see the Dallas Cowboys play the NY Jets!

Casey:
Well, this year has been especially awesome. I got married on October 9th to my beautiful wife Amanda. We went to the Dominican Republic for our honeymoon and had an amazing time. On 11/11/11 we found out that Amanda was pregnant so the Smith clan grew to 3!

CaseyAmanda_DominicanRepublic

 

What a wonderful year! What made yours extra-special?

Mister-Ry
 

 

Annual Winter Sale.

We like to start every new year with a big Annual Winter Sale. Starting this week, we have marked down select furniture, accessories, mirrors, and much more, all up to 50% off. The sale only lasts until January 22 so make sure to check it out now! http://www.wisteria.com/Annual-Winter-Sale/departments/1527/

Nikki
 

As the holidays come to an end and we start to put away the decorations, take down the tree and get ready for a new year, I secretly start to get excited! The hustle and bustle of the season gets me anxious; by the end of December, I am ready to start cleaning up and organizing for the New Year! The one thing everyone needs to get organized is a good set of baskets! My favorite is our Linen Lined Wire Baskets, which can be used to store everything from all of the new toys the kids got for Christmas to organizing the kitchen cabinets and store only the healthy food!

 

Alice
 

Two things that I love about New Year’s: 1) Shiny outfits and 2) Champagne. For those of you who share a particular enjoyment for this bubbly refreshment, here is my recommendation for your festivities. And for those of you who are playing the designated driver, don’t worry. I have something for you too (a Mocktail, if you will).

Alcoholic:

“Champagne Cocktail”
This drink originated and became popular in New York around the 1930s. Once you try it, you’ll know why! This recipe is measured per drink.

  1. Soak one sugar cube in about two or three splashes of Angostura bitters at the bottom of a champagne flute.
  2. Fill slowly with sparkling wine.
  3. Garnish witha lemon twist.
  4. Bottom’s up!

If you want some color, just add a bit of Campari!

Non-Alcoholic:

“Guava Champagne Punch”
This is a good punch-bowl drink. It’s really easy! The recipe serves 16-20.

  1. Combine two quarts of guava nectar and two bottles of sparkling grape juice in a bowl.
  2. Garnish with several slices of guava or peach.
  3. Should be served on ice.
Mister-Ry
 

One of my favorite Christmas movies is Charlie Brown Christmas. The best part is when Linus clarifies Christmas in the midst of all the madness. It’s short, sweet, and to the point. And Charlie Brown’s response is exactly how I feel after I hear it; he smiles and seems to have his sense of wonder and excitement renewed.

So, here’s wishing you a very Merry Christmas. Enjoy being with your family and friends and celebrating this wonderful time of year!

Britt
 

Noodle on the Dog Blog
What’s your favorite pastime?

My favorite hangout spot is in front of the fireplace. I know it’s a bit of a cliché but it’s a great look out spot where I can keep an eye on everyone. Plus it has nice cold tiles on my belly when I lay out like a frog.

What’s the one thing that really makes your hackles stand up?

Really intense games of “Hide-and-go-seek” that my Dad and I play. I have to sniff him out in the house. Sometimes I find him in closets, behind sofas, or behind doors. One time I ran into the bedroom and he jumped out from behind the door, and then we wrestled it out… I won of course.

What’s your favorite toy?

Pretty much anything that I can chew on and make noises with… sometimes I like to run around the house at full speed and squeak my toy as many times as I can. This gets everyone’s attention!

Who’s your favorite snuggle buddy?

This is a toughie… Dad loves to use me as a pillow while watching TV, which I don’t mind at all, and Mom gives great belly rubs when we are hanging out.

Favorite treat?

ICE CUBES! No matter if it’s hot or cold out I can’t get enough of these things. I can hear the ice dispenser from any room in the house, and I make sure to coming running so I can get in on a little snack. For some reason they call it “Happy Hour” time.

What is your favorite kind of mischief to get into?

My neighborhood friends and I are in a covert operation to dig holes under all the fences so we can all play together whenever we want.  I think they are on to me though, because my nose gets really muddy when I dig my holes!

Mister-Ry
 

This month’s D Home features our new Fabrique Boutique, located inside our Dallas store. If you are in the Dallas area make sure to stop in and see all the different fabrics.

December cover for D Home.D Home featured our Fabrique Boutique in the December issue.

Nikki
 
Menorah Blahnik Hanukkah Cards

Fun Hanukkah gift ideas for the gourmet, the children and the fashionista…Happy Hanukkah!

Alice
 

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookies for Santa.

With so many options of cookie recipes, it’s always difficult to decide which one will be Santa’s favorite. This year I decided to stick with the classic Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookies. This recipe makes soft and chewy cookies which are my favorite so I can only assume that Santa will like them as well. Feel free to substitute raisins or anything else for the chocolate chips. I originally found this recipe from The Joy of Cooking cookbook and have been using it for years. Enjoy!

Ingredients

1 3/4 cup flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 lb butter softened
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup chocolate chips (or any kind of dried fruit you choose)
3 1/2 cups rolled oats

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. Sift flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg into a mixing bowl.

3. Beat butter, brown sugar, sugar, eggs, and vanilla with a hand mixer at medium speed.

4. Sift the flour mixture into the butter mixture and mix well.

5. Fold in chocolate chips and oats.

6. Spoon 1.5 inch balls on to a non-stick cookie sheet

7. Bake at 350 degrees for 6 to 9 minutes, rotating half way through baking. Cookies should be lightly firm in center when done. These are very easy to over cook.

8. Leave out on a plate with milk for Santa to enjoy. You may want to try them first to make sure Santa won’t get sick.

Nikki