I'm so excited about the new benches that Verdi Blu is now offering!

Who doesn't want a fun, patterned bench for the end of your bed or sitting in front of your sofa?

http://www.verdiblu.com/collections/benches-ottomans

The benches and ottomans will be available for delivery in early February. Place orders now and you can have a new beautiful accent in your home just as the Spring Decorating (much nicer than Spring Cleaning) arrives. Greek Key footstools (18 x18 x 8) are priced at $205 and Larger benches (47 x 23.5 x16.5) at $540.

One of my favorite cookies! Every holiday we would make these meltaway goodies! We would call them "sandies" but they are more often known as "mexican wedding cookies"

Make sure to double the batch because these quickly disappear! 

• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter 
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 cup pecans, chopped into small pieces 

Allow the butter to soften at room temperature. In a large bowl, mix the softened butter along with 1/2 cup of the powdered sugar along with the vanilla and stir vigorously until well blended. Add the flour slowly - stirring with each portion added. Then add the chopped pecans and continue to mix well. 

Divide dough in half; form each half into ball then flatten the ball slightly. Wrap separately in plastic; chill until cold, about 30 minutes or as long as overnight.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Sift the powdered sugar if possible, but not necessary. Working with half of the chilled dough, roll dough by 2 teaspoonfuls between palms into balls. Arrange balls on large baking sheet (using either parchment paper or a silpat mat works great) spacing 1/2 inch apart. Bake cookies until slightly brown on bottom and just pale golden on top, about 18 minutes. Cool cookies for about 5 minutes on the baking sheet. Then gently toss warm cookies in the powdered sugar and coat completely. Transfer coated cookies to a backing rack and cool completely. Repeat with remaining half of dough. (Cookies can be prepared 2 days ahead. Store in an airtight at room temperature. However, they won't last long so you might need to hide the container.

Verdi Blu is ready for gift giving! Have you made your lists and checked them twice? We have gifts for everyone on your list!

Mom: She would love Loren Hope's versatile gold chain necklace.
 http://www.verdiblu.com/collections/accessories/products/lindsey-convertible-chain-necklace

Dad: A handsome acrylic tray, personalized with his initials.  http://www.verdiblu.com/collections/trays/products/lucite-square-tray-awning-by-boatman-geller-designs

City-girl Sister: More bracelets of course! http://www.verdiblu.com/collections/accessories/products/copy-of-sophia-bracelet-by-loren-hope

Collegiate little Brother: Lemon-Line's bracelets are perfect (sis will love them too)!
http://www.verdiblu.com/collections/accessories/products/chatham-chevron
http://www.verdiblu.com/collections/accessories/products/newport-in-navy-kelly

Make sure you don't forget those amazing friends that are hosting Thanksgiving dinner, http://www.verdiblu.com/collections/ice-buckets/products/copy-of-lucite-ice-bucket-boatman-gellers-bristol 

Your cute cousins http://www.verdiblu.com/collections/books/products/fill-in-the-blank

And of course your nana would love these perfect pillows for her new beach house! http://www.verdiblu.com/collections/pillows/products/lobster-stripes, http://www.verdiblu.com/collections/pillows/products/seahorse-with-dots

If you cannot decide... a Verdi Blu Gift Certificate is a wonderful choice!

HAPPY SHOPPING! and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I barely know what to say after the week we just experienced in New Jersey. In Northern Jersey, we were the lucky ones. The majority of us were without power until last night - 9 days. (and several parts of local towns are still out). Trees down everywhere. (The one above was estimated at 120 years old and that root/ground pictured is 12ft high. This tree belonged to my next door neighbor) Schools still not back in session. Gas is rationed and you may wait several hours for $20 - $40 worth or get to the front of the line and be told there is no gas left.

And now the next storm is upon us. Heavy, wet snow is coming down steadily and the wind is picking up. Power just went out again! Just as I replaced a few groceries and started to enjoy the warmth of my home. (I still have some power on my phone and iPad - at least for a little while)

But we are still the lucky ones. We didn't lose lives, homes, businesses, or pieces of our memories like so many in our area. Photos and trinkets that once seemed to mean everything. Now we know that what is important is that we have each other. We are a resilient bunch. Neighborhoods have come together. People have opened up their homes, their cupboards and their wallets.

Also, let's use this as a teachable moment for ourselves and our children. Let's be a little more patient, a little more thoughtful when planning our errands in order to conserve gas, a little more understanding and less judgmental of our government leaders and with the efforts of our first responders, and most of all be a little more thankful.

Please take a moment to thank a first responder, a utility worker, or aid volunteer today. Send your donations for the victims of Hurricane Sandy to the Red Cross.

http://www.redcross.org/hurricane-sandy

Great signage - not always vintage but always clever

What kind of signs capture your attention? Is it color? Size? Lettering? Novelty?

I love the design and detail that went into signage of the past! And today there are still clever examples of this. During a recent trip to Nashville and Franklin, TN, there were a number of wonderful pieces.

Is summer really coming to an end???!!! I refuse to put away my white jeans nor will I put away my flipflops just yet! But it is the start of fashion week and all those beautiful new designs will arrive! 

Even though the sun will shine a little less when that first crisp morning arrives, I will happily put on my ballet flats, dark jeans and keep a little summer with a beautiful bright color on top. The buoy's from the beach are always full of life even though these are the "washed-up" ones. The jumble of colors have always made me smile and I intend to always keep a little pop of brightness in my wardrobe. This Fall the stores are brimming with bright colored jeans, handbags and jewelry. I look forward to adding some great new pieces!

While shopping on Etsy recently I noticed that I'm not the only one that likes color. There are some amazingly, talented people across the country that are creating beautiful pieces for your home. Those pops of color are everywhere. There is no need for boring in any room or with any outfit. Don't forget to check out Pinterest for great inspirations of all kinds! Follow Verdi Blu's boards and see what and who we are finding our inspiration from. We are using many of these inspirations and creating many new (and colorful) pieces for our Fall Shopping Event. You will LOVE them! 

Tonight is Fashions Night Out and many cities across the country are holding events! Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to mingle with celebrities, designers and tastemakers. Many of your favorite stores are holding one of a kind give-aways and special events. Some of my favorites are keeping their doors open late tonight. Check out this New York Times article from yesterday. 

Happy Shopping! Happy September!

Decorating with color. If you love your white walls and just cannot make the leap to color, then by all means use color in a bold way in your furniture and accessories.

Today I discovered a great Etsy shop, JaysWorld http://www.etsy.com/shop/jaysworld?page=3 This wonderful vintage book shop will put together a collection of books by color. What a great way to fill your shelves!

The Launch

The Launch... Verdi Blu is the culmination of decades of loving and living with blues and greens.

Whether its the green of nature, those lush spring greens or rich deep greens of winter or in the blues of nature found in the island's turquoise water or the clear blue summer sky.

When it comes to clothing, there is nothing better than a navy blue tunic and my favorite white jeans. Not even that little black dress can come close to the navy options in my closet! And beautiful kelly green that looks great on everyone and flatters every skin tone and eye color!

Home is where you go to relax and spend time with family. What better colors than soft blues and greens that allow the outdoors to come inside to reflect that calm. And pops of bright - corals, yellows look amazing paired with greens and blues. And of course the clear, crisp white best enhances the favorite hues and always seems to show up in moldings, vases and accent pieces.

Welcome to Verdi Blu  - where I will remind you to take a moment each day and reflect on the colors around you. Color DOES affect your mood and I hope Verdi Blu can help bring you cheerful and warm reactions to all your rooms.