A Modern Day Christmas Carol

Hello there! Merry Christmas to you!  

Who are you celebrating with this year?

It's time to get the party started.

Where is my Love?

It looks like it's just me and my books.

The lesson I learned this year is that we should be coming home and cooking and eating dinner with our families instead of working so much overtime.

We should be enjoying life instead of Instagramming every second of it.

We should spend more time cuddling in each others arms instead of always being too busy.

 You don't want to miss out on what really matters in life, finding love and happiness with the person of our dreams:)

Don't waste time, you only live once!

Dress: Vintage
Photography: Kendra Blair
Set Decoration: Joanna Joy
Decorations: Michaels and Jo-Ann

Holiday Celebration Table Decor from NgLp Designs

Founders of NgLP Designs: Nathalie Gluckstein and Letizia Petti

Hello!  I have the fabulous duo Nathalie Gluckstein and Letizia Petti from NgLP designs on the blog today.  Thank you for sharing your time with us today. When I first saw your beautiful selections of table décor on Instagram, I had to stop and scroll. I’ve never seen such unique designs. 

What types of table décor do you offer and who designs them?

NgLp Designs offers;

• Bespoke Placemats
• Desk Laurels 
• POCKET  for The Table — Decorative for message inserts and napkin holder.  
• POCKET - Decorative holder for storage of makeup brushes
• DESIGN Gift Bags —  for wedding gifts, bonbonniere, hostess gifts, or as a pretty wine, shoe, garment or lingerie bag.

 We are the exclusive designers of our products. We source all our fabrics, appliqués; design and oversee production for all our products with our talented team of trades.

Tell me about yourselves and how you started NGLP designs?

NgLp Designs is the design team of Nathalie Gluckstein and Letizia Petti. Nathalie's brings her love for interior design, décor, skill and experience; owner of Nathalie Gluckstein Interiors.

Letizia brings her graphic design expertise, interior design, social media and digital marketing; owner of Letizia Petti Design Inc.

We came together for the love of table décor. 

In 2012, we launched our first line of bespoke placemats at The DelecTABLE Design Show held in Toronto, Canada.
This was our first opportunity to showcase a dining installation among other Toronto Designers.

The Thanksgiving holiday is coming up and I know you are based in Canada. What traditional or family dishes do you serve at your Thanksgiving table, and what is your favourite Thanksgiving dish?

Given our cultural backgrounds, Canadian, Israeli and Italian, as well as being influenced by our Neighbours to The South, our Thanksgiving menu changes from year to year.

To us, Thanksgiving is about coming back to the table, enjoying that time with those seated with us, giving thanks for our many blessings received over the year.

Decorating the Harvest Table is important to us — thoughtful design sets the tone and carries the overall experience in a different direction from year to year. It conveys that we value those gathering with us; that they are important and that is why we put in the extra effort. We do set our table with love, on many levels and our Design is reflected in our setting and throughout our dishes and display.

We posted this Thanksgiving message that resonates with us;

Wherever you gather at the table to give thanks, 
may you be surrounded with love, kindness and the warmth of togetherness.
Happy #thanksgiving from our table to yours
#setthetablewithlove #thankful 

What is your favourite part of celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday?
      

Because Thanksgiving falls during the changing of the seasons, taking in all of Autumn's splendour is what both of our families enjoy most. Seeing beautifully decorated tables, enjoying long walks after a wonderful dinner,  the atmosphere of a warm fireplace, being surrounded by the warmth and joy of family and friends, the acceptance of another good year coming to an end; the fruits of our labour.

I saw that you posted a lovely pink Instagram post about an anti-bullying campaign that reads “In a world that you can be anything, be kind.” 
Can you tell me a little more about that?

Kindness is full-circle — when you treat people with respect and kindness, life has a way of returning in kind.

Our Instagram post was in support of Pink Shirt Day (Anti-Bullying Day) when people wear a pink shirt to symbolise taking a stand against bullying (in schools, communities and online). This idea originated in Canada 11 years ago when two Nova Scotia high school students, David Shepherd and Travis Price (Founder of Pink Day, Bullying Prevention Advocate) decided to take a stand against bullying in their own school.

We believe in supporting people who champion worthy causes. When we can, we participate in fundraisers which are near and dear to our hearts.

{ Photo Suggestion — 

• Reuse the anti-bullying graphic

• Photo of Nathalie Gluckstein w/ Eugene Levy — Parachute Canada bringing awareness to preventable injuries and saving lives. #momswhocare for their #kidswholovesports!

#parachutegala 

#braininjury

#concussion

Where do you draw inspiration from?

From everyday living — our personal experiences, through travel, Mother Nature and her beautiful colours; from other talented designers, architecture — all fields in art + design. 

One of our favourite quotes:
"Creativity is the way I share my soul with the world." (Brené Brown) 
"Creative isn't the way I think, it's the way I like to live." ( Paul Sandip)

What do you feel is the most important aspect of working as a team of women entrepreneurs?

We recently posted to our Instagram account that which best represents our view of a team;

We are not A TEAM because we work together.
We are a team because we respect, trust and care for each other.

As women entrepreneurs, we are both working mothers who love what we do and enjoy the balance of work, play and lots of laughter and creativity.
We express our love for design via our own custom luxe table mats + accessories, all handcrafted in our metropolitan city of Toronto; utilizing modern faux skins and high-grade textiles that we source from all over the world.

What is your favourite memory of working in décor so far?

The launch of NgLp Designer Placemats at the Toronto DelecTABLE Design Show, where it all started.
That show connected us with media, subsequently being recognized and published in Style at Home Magazine, Style NEWS, December 2012 Entertainment issue.

Jessica Waks writes: “When it comes to holiday entertaining, add drama and polish to your table settings with texture, shape and patterns. Handmade placemats by NgLp Designs are embellished with grommets and other design details, are wipeable for easy cleanup.”

Players Penthouse for World Cup of Hockey in 2016 — meeting invited media, hockey players and their families at undisclosed downtown Toronto location.

Letizia Petti and Joe Thornton from the San Jose Sharks NHL 

Our Trunk Shows are a lovely way to represent our new product lines and to mingle with those who appreciate setting a beautiful table.Being recognized by our Clients, Boutiques and Showrooms that love and carry our merchandise.

Letizia Petti and Frederik Anderson from the Toronto Maple Leafs

Letizia Petti and MaxPacioretty NHL Vegas Golden Knights 

Letizia Petti and Brent Burns from NHL San Jose Sharks 

Where can we find you?

We love the Instagram community and wonderful support they have given us over the years,
the best platform to illustrate our work and connect with the community.

Instagram: nglpdesigns
Web Site:  www.nglpdesigns.com

We’ve had exceptional opportunities and the good fortune to have high-end stores carry our collections over the years. 
La Compania
Hillhome
Papergrafix

SouthHill Home

A & F Inspired Holiday Decor

Photo By: Joanna Joy

Awesome Red and Gold Sequin Christmas Tree Decoration
Photo By: Joanna Joy

Photo By: Joanna Joy

Photo By: Joanna Joy

Photography: Franz Swantko

Makeup: Elizabeth Jones

Gazebo Styled By: Joanna Joy

Jacket: Abercrombie and Fitch

Pants: J Brand

Boots: Uggs

Hello!  How is your weekend going?  

This is my Part 2 Holiday in Review Post.  Today, I wanted to show you the inspiration for the decor in our gazebo.  One of my favorite jackets to wear in the winter is this A and F jacket with a furry hood.  I bought this jacket years ago and can't seem to part with it.  This jacket is so comfortable and warm and is perfect to stay cozy inside of the gazebo.

My inspiration for the inside of this gazebo came from the inside lining of this A and F jacket (featured in the hood above).  I wanted to make it look and feel like the inside of and A and F jacket :)  

What do you think?  Are you feeling it?

This is one of my casual cold weather looks.  I've been wearing my cozy Uggs constantly this winter because it has been cold and raining so much in California.  Uggs are a winter essential in my opinion.  Rain rarely happens, but I am so glad to see it because we are in a severe drought and we definitely need it.  How do you feel about wearing skinny pants? Corduroy skinny pants are some of my favorite pants to wear when it's cold because I like the fact that they easily be tucked into knee high boots.  These pants are from J Brand and I really like the fit.

This was one of our last photos of the night, so we had a little toast to end the evening.  

Cheers to another creative year of blogging and self-expression!

Fairmont Hotel San Francisco Inspired Valentine's Day

*This is a sponsored post

Outfit

Heels: Pelle Moda

Dress: Handmade in Los Angeles

Earrings: Eliot Danori

Beaded Evening Bag: Vintage

Hair: Drybar-Carissa H. in Newport Beach, CA

Makeup: Blushington-Jerilynn in Newport Beach, CA

Photography: Franz Swantko

Decor Styled By: Joanna Joy

Champagne: Veuve Clicquot

Champagne Glasses: Tuesday Morning

Champagne Bucket: Bed Bath and Beyond

Lights: Cost Plus and Tuesday Morning

Chocolate Hearts: See's Candies

Feather Wreath: Gift

Handwriting: Mason Hall

Vase: Michaels Craft Store

Floral Arrangement: Pier 1 Imports

Veiled LED light Bouquet: Styled by Joanna Joy

Candle Holder: Bed Bath and Beyond

Tiered Platter Stand: Handmade by Joanna Joy

Hello!  How did your Valentine's Day go? This year I wanted to do something different and create a decor and look inspired by what I would wear to a glamorous and glimmering  candlelight evening at the classically elegant Fairmont Hotel San Francisco for Valentine's Day.  Since I have a sweetheart, I thought I'd dream up this romantic dining scene in "Fairmont Style".  I chose to style a long elegant white gown for this evening, and thought it would be perfect to pair it with crystal earrings and shoes.  I am in love with this unique scalloped beaded vintage bag too.  I can still see how beautiful it is, even today.  

Fairmont Hotel San Francisco is located on the top of Nob Hill overlooking the bay and is home to 592 guest rooms and suites with fine dining restaurants and impeccable service.  They even harvest their own honey for their Afternoon Tea and are committed to serving local, organic, sustainable cuisine.  Delicious!  Fairmont Hotel San Francisco opened its' doors in 1907 and is considered the crown jewel of the city.  Every year, they throw Memorable Weddings and set the stage for Important Corporate Meetings and Grand Gala Events. They also provide several Special Offer Vacation Packages from Bed and Breakfasts to Family stays.  You should see their Beautiful Guest Rooms and Spacious Luxury Suites and Specialty Rooms that feature both classic elegance with modern amenities.  Top Notch!  An event that is of particular interest to me is the Oscar de la Renta: Retrospective Package which gives you two VIP tickets to the world premier of Oscar de la Renta the Retrospective at the de Young Museum which features 130 pieces of his work over several decades.  Sounds fabulous!

This outfit post was inspired by one of the many spectacular events that happen throughout the year here.  This year, they threw an amazing Valentine's Ball for Single Professionals.  That sounds like fun!  What do you think about a single professionals Valentine's Ball?  Would you attend? If so, what would you wear?

XO Joanna