
The Nutcracker, a holiday classic! I look forward to this ballet every season. What are some of your favorite holiday traditions... or ones you would like to start?

Every year, I say that I want to spend New Year's somewhere warm and sunny and every year, I spend it in cold New York. Except for the year I spent it in even colder Stockholm but that's a story for another day. After seeing Oscar and Annette de la Renta's Punta Cana house in the Dominican Republic, I feel like trying to finally make this dream a reality! While I can't stay at their not so humble abode seen in these photos, I could make do at the also chic Puntacana Resort. Anyone else want to come?
I started decorating for Christmas this weekend and one of my favorite traditions is making pomanders. Pomanders are clove studded oranges, or in this case clementines since they looked better than the oranges at the store. They fill the house with a wonderful holiday scent and look pretty displayed with greenery and pine cones. I used to make these with my mother growing up and I've continued the tradition since moving away. What are the holiday traditions that you grew up with that you carry on today? Is there anything you've changed? Anything that you would never do again? I'd love to hear your stories!
Have you started to deck the halls for Christmas yet? I can't wait to visit the flower district tomorrow to pick up a wreath, garland and a few Amaryllis bulbs! There was a dark cloud hanging over my holidays last year due to my job loss but now that life is good, I want to enjoy every day of this joyous season! Happy Holidays! 