Gaga Gives Back

As you all may know by now, Lady Gaga is Vanity Fair's December cover girl. Inside the magazine are two very special photos of Gaga. One taken by Annie Leibovitz, and one sketched by Tony Bennet. What is even more special is that as of today, you can bid on these and other items from that shoot on Ebay.com/Celebrity. Bidding runs until Monday December 19th and all proceeds will benefit Exploring The Arts (ETA), and the Born This Way Foundation. ETA is the foundation started by Tony Bennett and his wife in 1999 to strengthen the arts programs in schools, and the Born This Way Foundation is a non profit organization founded by Lady Gaga in partnership with the McArthur Foundation and Harvard University and focuses on youth empowerment through self confidence, well-being, anti-bullying mentoring and career development. Shop for two great causes and make a Gaga lover VERY happy in the process!

LADY GAGA, CHARCOAL ON PAPER, 18" X 24", © 2011 BENEDETTO/BENNETT

Accessories up for auction are these Mercura sunglasses, House of Lavande earrings, and Alexis Bittar ring.

 All auction items include:

- The original signed artwork by Tony Bennett, signed "Benedetto" his given name, which he uses to sign all of his original art work.

- Accessories that Gaga wore during the shoot including earrings from House of Lavande, Sunglasses by Mercura, a ring by Alexis Bittar, and heels by Brian Atwood.

- The original cover shot signed by Annie Leibovitz

- A Poster of the cover signed by Lady Gaga

- A first edition copy of the book Lady Gaga X Terry Richardson signed by both artists

- A personalized, autographed copy of the book Tony Bennett in the Studio, which features images of Tony's artwork and also a cd.

- A limited edition print of Tony's painting Gondola, Venice

- Top quality brush and acrylic set signed by Tony

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Holiday Gift Guide- For Everyone on Your List

Getting gifts for all of the people in your life can often times be a bit of a challenge. What do you get your cousin who is a sophomore in college? Or how about your father, or man in your life who has everything and wants nothing? Well we are here to help today! A gift guide with specific people in mind, and just overall fun ideas for things to give!

1. Vintage Cuff Links for the golf lover: House of Lavande $98
2. The Dreaming Tree Wine: By Dave Matthews and Steve Reeder $15 bottle/ $150 case
3. Custom made coasters for the perfect hostess gift: Haute Papier. Fifty coasters, $58
4. Iphone case: Get Uncommon $34.95
5. Sterling silver vintage bangle: House of Lavande $1,148
6. Natural foods cookbook: Super Natural Everyday, Anthropologie $23.00
7. Vintage locket and chain: House of Lavande. Locket $448, chain $398
8. Cube Aerium as a center piece or a desk decoration: Flora Grubb Gardens $22-$75
9. A Real Hoot Canister: Anthropologie $68
10. Whiskey Stones: Uncommon Goods $19-$58 Tweet

Food For Life

Getting friends together for fun holiday time gatherings is usually reserved for after dark soirees, but why not switch it up and host a fabulous Sunday morning Holiday brunch? Stick with fresh, healthy, all natural ingredients to guarantee everyone leaves feeling satisfied and happy! Here are a few recipes to get the ideas flowing!

Banana Oat Waffles:

What you will need

1 ripe banana, smashed
2 cups of water (or soy, rice or almond milk)
1/2 cup of rolled oats, uncooked
1 1/2 cups of whole wheat flour
2tbs of baking powder
1 tsp of cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
vanilla extract to taste
2 tbs of maple syrup
1 cup of pecans, chopped

Soak the oats in water or non dairy milk over night. Mix together the mashed banana and oat mixture, then add in the remaining ingredients and mix, leaving some lumps in the batter. Cook on a waffle iron (this batter also works as pancakes). Top with fresh fruit and syrup.

Tofu Omelet: 
(Courtesy of the Post Punk Kitchen)

What you will need

2 cloves of garlic
1 14oz package of silken tofu, lightly drained
2 tbs. nutritional yeast
2 tbs of olive oil
1/2 tsp of turmeric
1 tsp of salt
1/2 cup of chickpea flour
1 tbs of arrowroot or cornstarch

Chop garlic in food processor, then add in the tofu, yeast, olive oil, turmeric and salt. Puree until smooth. Add in the chickpea flour and cornstarch and puree again for about 10 seconds.

Pour 1.2 cup measurements of bater in to a large heated and lightly oiled skillet. Use the back of a spoon or rubber spatula to spread the batter pit into 6 inch circles. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, then flip. (The top of the omelet should be dry and become dull yellow in color).

Fill your omelet with anything you wish, Mushrooms, spinach, tomatoes, asparagus, pretty much anything goes!

Hash Browns with Leeks and Bell Peppers:

What you will need

2 tbs of extra virgin olive oil
2 medium leeks, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
1/2 of a red or green bell pepper, cut into thin 1 in long pieces
1 1/2 tsp of freshly ground black pepper
1 1/1 tsp of salt
2 lbs of russet potatoes, peeled
2 tsp of coarsely chopped thyme
1 tbs of Earth balance butter

Cook leeks and bell peppers in olive oil, salt and pepper until softened, and just golden (about 6 to 8 minutes) Transfer to a bowl and set aside.

Grate potatoes on the large hole side of a box grater. Quickly transfer the dried, grated potatoes into the bowl with the leek mixture. Add thyme, 1 1/2 tsp of salt and pepper, and toss well.

Oil and heat the skillet over medium heat and add in potato mixture. Press down firmly. Cook until the bottom becomes a golden brown, and potatoes stay firmly together, and flip. (Total time should be about 8 to 10 minutes).




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Fashion Review

2011 has been another great year for fashion! New trends have emerged, and old ones have returned. Vogue.com has collected them all and put them together for us, highlighting some of the year's best!

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HOL Happenings

The red carpets, and pages of our favorite magazines are filled with House of Lavande! Keep an eye out for more fabulous ladies rocking their jewels!

Brooklyn Decker

Viola Davis

Abbie Cornish in People Style Watch

Emmy Rossum in People Style Watch

Lady Gaga in Vanity Fair

 Cara and Poppy Delevingene in W Magazine

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Fashion Inspirations: The Holiday Party

The next couple of weeks are going to be filled with Holiday festivities, which means it's time to get fancy! We have put together a couple of ideas for your black tie, or cocktail gathering. Go with an edgy floor length gown, and add in lady like jewels for an unexpected contrast, or top off your sparkling mini with a mixture of 1940's and 1960's jewelry for a fun twist. Happy Holidays and happy dressing!

Clothing courtesy of Netaporter.com

Jewelry courtesy of House of Lavande

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Holiday Gift Guide, Under Two Hundred

We are one week into the fabulous month of December, and if you are like many of us, you have barely scratched the surface of your holiday shopping. It's time to get started! This is our first Holiday gift guide of the year, featuring great finds for under $200. Keep checking back in the days and weeks to come for more fun finds, and great gift ideas! Happy Shopping! 

1. Sephora Prestige Brush Set $125
2. Restoration Hardware, Vintage Edition Monopoly $149
3. House of Lavande locket $198
4. Anthropologie 3-D Toile Full Apron $32
5. Bobby Brown Ultimate Party Palette $65
6. Anthropologie Shawl Collar Robe $148
7. Ray Ban Flat Top Boyfriend Sunglasses $130
8. Longchamp personalized Le Pliage tote $145
9. Seda France Lavande Provencal candle from HOL $32
10. UP by Jawbone $100 Tweet

Food For Life

Last month was World Vegan Month, and over at Vegetarian times, the celebrated by adding a new vegan recipe to their site every day! Check them out, and let us know which ones you will be trying! Here are two hearty dishes that we recommend.

Noodles and Vegetables with Sesame Dipping Sauce:

What you will need

Dipping Sauce:
1/4 cup of low sodium tamari
2 tbs of lime juice
2 tbs of minced fresh ginger
4 cloves of garlic
1 tbs of agave nectar
1 tbs hot chili sauce
1 tbs of toasted sesame oil

Noodles and Vegetables:
4 baby bok choy, quartered lengthwise
4 large carrots, peeled, thinly sliced on sharp diagonal
8 oz of snow peas
1 14 oz package of firm tofu, drained, patted dry, and cut into 2- 1/2 inch pieces
8 oz of thin rice noodles
3 green onions, thinly sliced
1 1/2 tsp of toasted sesame seeds

To make dipping sauce:
Blend all ingredients until smooth and set aside.

To make veggies and noodles:
Set steamer rack in large skillet and add one cup of water to bottom of skillet. Bring to a boil over high heat. Arrange bok choy on rack, reduce heat, to medium-low, cover, and steam bok choy 1 minute. Add carrots, snow peas and tofu to rack, and steam two minutes more.

Cook noodles for about 3 minutes, and remove from water with tongs. Divide among bowls and top with veggies, green onions and sesame seeds. Dip into sauce while eating.

Seitan Meatballs with Winter Tomato Sauce:

What you will need

Tomato Sauce:
1 15oz. can of diced tomatoes
3 tbs of olive oil
3 cloves of garlic, minced
2 tsp dried basil

Seitan Meatballs:
1 16oz package of seitan
1/2 cup of pecans
1/2 cup of whole wheat breadcrumbs
1/4 cup of fresh parsley
1/4 cup of chopped fresh basil
3 tbs of olive oil
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1 tsp low sodium soy sauce
1/8 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp egg replacer powder
16oz of whole wheat pasta

To make tomato sauce:
Simmer all ingredients in partially covered sauce pan. season with salt and pepper

To make Seitan Meatballs:

preheat oven to 400 degrees. Coat baking sheet with cooking spray. Blend seitan in food processor until crumbly. Add pecans and pulse until combined.

Transfer to a bowl, and stir in breadcrumbs, herbs, 1 tbs olive oil, garlic, soy and oregano.

Whisk egg replacer with 1/4 cup of water until frothy. Fold egg replacer into seitan mixture.

Shape mixture into 18 balls, place on cooking sheet and bursh with 1 tbs of olive oil. Bake for 20 minutes, turning once, or until crusty and lightly brown. Meanwhile, prepare pasta. Devide among bowls, top with sauce and meatballs, and serve.










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Winter Reading

If you are like many of us, now is the perfect time of year to find that extra time between the parties, family and friends to curl up with your favorite blanket and catch up on some of the reading we've been meaning to do all year. Here are a few of our suggestions from the best sellers of 2011 via Barnes and Noble!

The Night Circus: Literary fantasy of magic, love, intrigue and fierce competition of imagination and will. Set to the backdrop of the circus called Le Cirque des Reves that appeared with no announcements, and is only open at night, this is a story the often changes perspective, and will keep you interested until the very end. 

The Paris Wife: Set in 1920, this is the deeply engaging story of the love, life and betrayal between Hadley Richardson and Ernest Hemingway. They pair set sail for Paris, and are quickly thrown into the fast paced life of the Jazz age, which tests their loyalty to one another, all while Ernest is trying to carve out his space in history. All of the events of this time, and their tumultuous life, later becomes Hemingway's famed novel The Sun Also Rises. 

Thinking Fast and Slow: We could talk about this book for days! Daniel Kahneman received the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics. For his seminal work in psychology that challenges our rational model of judgment and decision making. He can easily be considered one of the most important thinkers of our time. In this book, he delves into the mind and explores the two systems that drive the way we think. The first system, which is the fast paced, intuitive and emotional side, and the second which is the slower, more deliberate, and more logical of the two. He explores the extraordinary capabilities of the mind and the pros and cons of each of our brain's processes. 

Catherine the Great: Robert K. Massie is the Pulitzer prize winning author of many other narrative biographies, and he has brought us another masterpiece. The story of Catherine the great, from her childhood, to her rise to the throne, this is a vividly told story that brings Catherine's purpose, education and drive to the forefront, while including all of the important, deviant, scheming people in her life. As well as her bevy of lovers, children and heirs. This story brings Catherine back to life and makes it easy to see why she is one of the most captivating women in history. 

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Grammy's 2012

The 2012 Grammy nominations have arrived! We have a few of the notable categories from the list here for you, including some surprising, yet very exciting additions (Skrillex, Bon Iver) and some even more surprising snubs (Kanye, Foster the People). Adele is of course going to dominate the night, we don't think anyone will argue that, and we will be keeping our fingers crossed for Mumford!

Record of the Year:
"Rolling in the Deep" Adele
"Holocene" Bon Iver
"The Cave" Mumford and Sons
"Firework" Katy Perry

Song of the Year:
" All of the Lights" Kanye West feat Rihanna, Kid Cuddi
"The Cave" Mumford and Sons
"Grenade" Bruno Mars
"Holocene" Bon Iver
"Rolling in the Deep" Adele

Best New Artist:
The Band Perry
Bon Iver
J. Cole
Nicki Minaj
Skrillex (electronic music finally included in a main category. Daft Punk anyone?!)

Album of the Year:
Adele-21
Foo Fighters- Wasting Light
Lady Gaga- Born This Way
Bruno Mars- Doo Wops and Hooligans
Rihanna- Loud

Best Dance Recording:
Raise Your Weapon- Deadmau5 & Greta Svabo Bech
Barbara Streisand- Duck Sauce
Sunshine- David Guetta & Avicii
Call Your Girlfriend- Robyn
Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites- Skrillex
Save The World- Swedish House Mafia

Best Rock Performance:
Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall- Coldplay
Down By The Water- The Decemberists
Walk- Foo Fighters
The Cave- Mumford and Sons
Lotus Flower- Radiohead

Best Rock Album:
Rock 'N' Roll Party Honorng Les Paul- Jeff Beck
Wasting Light- Foo Fighters
Come Around Sundown- Kings of Leon
I'm With You- Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Whole Love- Wilco

Best R&B Album:
F.A.M.E.- Chris Brown
Second Chance- El DeBarge
Love Letter- R. Kelly
Pieces of me- Ledisi
Kelly- Kelly Price

Best Rap Performance:
Look At Me Now- Chris Brown, Lil Wayne & Busta rhymes
Otis- Jay-Z & Kanye West
The Show Goes On- Lupe Fiasco
Moment 4 Life- Licki Minaj & Drake
Black and Yellow- Wiz Khalifa

Best Rap Album:
Watch the Throne- Jay-Z & Kanye West
Tha Carter IV- Lil Wayne
Lasers- Lupe Fiasco
Pink Friday- Micki Minaj
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy- Kanye West


Best Country Album:
My Kinda Party- Jason Aldean
Cheif- Eric Church
Own The Night- Lady Antebellum
Red River Blue- Blake Shelton
Here For A Good TIme- George Strait
Speak Now- Taylor Swift






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It's December!

The last month of 2011 is upon us, and we couldn't be more excited! Even though we are among the palm trees here in Palm Beach, we are still majorly feeling the spirit of the holidays. We have the carols on, and are putting together our major holiday gift guide as we speak! Here are a few things that we are loving for this month in the meantime:

A Very She and Him Christmas. Check out the album here.

Free People's December Calendar

Gaga inspired holiday windows at Barney's New York

Gingerbread cookies courtesy of Martha Stewart. Check out the recipe here.

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Sneak Peak

Take a look behind the scenes of the HOL photo shoot this past Sunday! Local designers (Rae Francis and Strong Boalt), friends and family came out to create the look for our new blog. We can't wait to debut our favorite finds, delicious recipes and lots of other fun surprises! Stay tuned for more updates, and spread the word...the new blog is coming!

House of Lavande jewelry, Rae Francis Connor skirt- available here

House of Lavande jewelry, Strong Boalt swim trunks

Photography by Rush Zimmerman Photography. Hair by The David K Space. Makeup by Samantha Dubin.

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