Unique Hostess Gifts

The holiday season is officially upon us, and that means it's time to prepare yourselves for the numerous sit-down dinner and cocktail parties you're sure to attend. A classy way to show your gratitude for being invited to the soiree is to present your hostess with a small gift. A typical gift is a bottle of wine or a bouquet of flowers. How boring! Stop by Trocadero to find unique gifts that are sure to impress your hostess (or host).

I like to stick to items meant for the home and not ones geared towards a specific person. Candles, books and vases are things everyone can enjoy. Red Flower candles come with a small heap of potpourri and are available in alluring scents like Italian Blood Orange, Indian Jasmine and Spanish Gardenia. Let her explore the homes of well-known Parisians in the book Paris Living Rooms, which is perfect for the coffee table in her living room. And Anne Black and Normann Copenhagen vases are simple enough to match any decor--and to hold the flowers that other guests bring.

Since your host or hostess has likely been slaving away in the kitchen, why not bring something he or she can use at the kitchen sink? Archipelago Pomegranate Hand Wash is one of our best-sellers. It smells absolutely delicious, but Malin + Goetz's Mojito Soap Set, a collection of three bar soaps in lime, rum and peppermint, is a great alternative. When the work is done, she can indulge in some MarieBelle. Trocadero carries three varieties of the dark chocolate bar: Mayan Chocolate, Aztec Hot Chocolate and Dark Hot Chocolate.

A John Derian paperweight would nicely contain that stack of bills and mail your hostess shoved in the corner. I particularly like the one that says "A Happy Home." Stationery is always something needed--and appreciated. These Cavallini Typewriter Thank You Notecards will come in handy when it's time for your hostess to thank people for their holiday gifts. Finally, who doesn't enjoy a fragrant home? A gift of Antica Farmacista home ambiance reed diffusers is sure to bring a smile to anyone's face.

So there you have it! Creative gifts you can bring with you the next time you're a guest at a party... and, lucky for you, they're all available at Trocadero!

Dressing Up the Holidays From Head to Table

Recently I have been on a holiday high thinking of ways to get into the holiday spirit. Baking sweet treats with friends, drowning in "pumpkin harvest & fall" air freshener, strolling through the mall and department stores ogling the seasonal decor- all great ways to boost the cheer factor. But the holidays are not complete without the perfect accessories, and that goes for your table as well as you.

With Thanksgiving just around the corner there's no better time than now to devise a plan of how to dress your table. Forget the typical cornucopia or tired turkey basket filled with fall foliage. This year, try adding some spice to your spread by using playful dishes and chic accents.

Luckily, the Troc has you covered with our collection of unique houseware items that are sure to impress all of your dinner guests.

Add a quirky yet stylish touch to your table with a forest votive (below) or crumpled porcelain platter from Roost. The fun texture will definitely add variety to the setting. Lorena Barrezueta's elegant dishes are also a great pick to add function and flair to your feast. These pieces are fashioned after tin food containers but are made in fine porcelain.

Light a Diptyque candle or sit out an Antica Farmacista scent diffuser and the sweet, powerful aroma will be the first thing your friends and family notice when they step foot into your home.

The presence of quality perfumes and oils in these products will leave a lasting impression on the olfactory senses and help create that cozy holiday mood.

With these touches of interior glamour the holidays at your home will go unmatched, but putting on a great dinner or party does not end there. Whether you are hosting or attending, you can't do the holidays without the perfect accessories for your special ensemble.

For a pop of color or pattern to a simple updo or a sleek straight look throw on a Jennifer Ouelette headband or a feathered creation from Pluma. For party-perfect locks try some of Paul Labrecque's praised luxury hair care products.

Don't let your look slip through your fingers. Paint on a coat of our Rescue Beauty Lounge nail color (left: Black Russian) for a completely polished look, and slip on a set of Alex and Ani mixed metal bangles for a little more shine.

Treat yourself to an early Christmas present and splurge on a pair of shoes to carry you through the endless parties of the season. A heel like one of Brian Atwood's fancy creations are perfect to give you a little boost and a dash of charm.

A pair of Anne Black's playful earrings is the icing on the cake for any outfit, with styles ranging to compliment every outfit from casual to cocktail.

You can't go wrong with any of these home, beauty, or accessory items. They will take care of leaving your friends and family visually satisfied, but satisfying their taste buds is up to you. Happy Holidays from all of us at the Troc!

Anne Black for Your Spring Flowers

There's an on-going feature in Trocadero Tidbits, our e-newsletter, called "45 Tips to Gear up for Spring." Last week we suggested you buy yourself some flowers to welcome the arrival of Spring. But now that you've purchased yourself some beautifully colorful flowers, like Anemones, Crocuses and Irises, where should you store them? Trocadero has the perfect solution: vases by Anne Black Ceramics. Handmade in Copenhagen, these small and simple Scandanavian-designed vases are fantastic vessels to display individual flowers. The purple and red designs available at the store were silkcreen printed and applied by hand. Perfect for everyday use, I think they look terrific when bunched together. Consider creating a lovely tableau on your dining room table with 3 Anne Black vases each with 3 flowers. Make sure you trim the stems even shorter than in the above photo so that the flowers sit just above the vase opening.

Hello, Spring!