Mommy's little helper.
It may be too late to revamp this year's holiday decor, but that isn't stopping me from scoping out modern Santa and elven accents to add to my arsenal. If you celebrate Christmas, don't think for a second that the traditional Clausian iconography has to be tacky. These North Pole-themed home wares, like the CB2 Elf Candleholders ($5.95) I've been eyeing, are so chic, you could almost leave Read more
While all the adults are sipping cocktails and eating tasty hors d'oeuvres, the kids can have their own soiree if you give them the right tools and space. Close off a room of the house with a sign that says, "For Kids Only!" so they will feel privileged to have a place of their own. Then show them craft projects and games they can play with each other. Here are some ideas: Make a candy cane. Read more
Lots of moms like to think out loud, and House of Anaïs is one of them. Here is one of the latest posts on her House of Anaïs blog. A little while ago, we went to a lovely birthday party, and the kids absolutely loved it. Give the young son some glue, and he is glued to the activity forever and ever. Give the girls some fairy wings and fancy decor, and they will make their own fairy tale. Give Read more
Nearly as big as the highly anticipated Oscars on Feb. 26 is Elton John's AIDS Foundation Oscars party, hosted annually by the musician and his husband, David Furnish. Guests at this year's fête will be fed courtesy of Cat Cora, who'll be pulling out all the stops with an all-out global-inspired menu. I spoke to the Iron Chef about what she's making for this bash (and her tips for hosting your Read more
We're headed back to the Shire when The Hobbit: An Expected Journey comes out at the end of this year. We got a long look at the Middle Earth trip in the fanciful trailer, and if you want more, check out the slew of pictures from the film, including shots of Gandalf and Bilbo, as well as gallery shots of the various dwarves, elves, and trolls that will be part of Bilbo's grand adventure. Photo Read more
Merry Christmas! Hopefully, your holiday break has been full of rest, relaxation, and plenty of festive movies. I've already been watching and re-watching all of my old favorites, and I know that you guys have your favorite holiday films, but do you have a favorite character? From cute elves and Santas to deliciously fun villains like the Grinch, there are plenty of characters to choose from. I Read more
December's finally here and we're kicking off the holiday season by testing your knowledge of some classic Christmas films! While Santa Claus is often the star of holiday movies, he couldn't do his job without an army of elves. See how many of his little helpers you can identify with our quiz! Question 1 of 3Name this movie: Ernest Saves Christmas Bad Santa A Christmas Story How Read more
Long gone are the days of reindeer sweaters, matching sibling outfits, and resembling a Christmas tree ornament. We've been working hard as elves to capture the sparkle and shine of this season's best pieces at budget-friendly prices. Our primary objective? To find wearable, stylish items that exude the festive spirit we feel within — without breaking the bank. Whether your holiday agenda calls Read more
There's no doubt that Voldemort is the baddest Harry Potter villain of them all, but the Dark Lord wasn't able to rise to power alone. Throughout all seven books and movies, Harry has had nemeses in various forms — from fellow students to teachers to house-elves. As we continue to gear up for the very last movie in the series, let's recount the rivalries that Harry and his friends have dealt Read more
J.R.R. Tolkien created a vast and complex world when he wrote The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy. The setting for these stories, a land called Middle-earth is rich with its own languages, myths, races, and cultures. With the guidance of The Origin's of Tolkien's Middle-Earth For Dummies ($16), we've noted five facts about this fictional world that came straight from one man's Read more
