This holiday season I’ve teamed up with one of my favorites, La Crema, (you may remember my Virtual Vintner dinner party and adventures of harvest) and five other amazing bloggers to help you gift the ones you hold dear.  We’re not only sharing our best and brightest gift ideas, but also giving away SIX (yes SIX) $350 Visa Gift Cards to help you spread the love.

This year for a lot of my personal gift giving I’m sharing my passion of food.  So it was only natural my gift guide be one for the Chef, filled with olive oils, the pepper mill I’ve been pinning after, Le Creuset because obviously you need Le Creuset, vintage bread boards, and wine.  Lots and lots of wine.  And while I enjoy La Crema all year round (wine club anyone?) they’ve made gifting truly easy this season by putting together sets for every wine lover on your list.  One of my favorites is the Perfect Pairing Set which includes the Perfect Pairings book by Ryland, Peters and Small and the Monterey Pinot Noir (always a classic).  Some of my other favorites; the Case of Mondays Varietal Pack (which I would love to have received today), and the Shell Ridge Pinot and Nine Barrel.  Two La Crema wines that were new to me but I had the pleasure of enjoying while I was in Sonoma.  The Nine Barrel is particularly special (and great for gifting) because each year the winemaking team selects nine truly exceptional barrels of Russian River wines to create a blend without equal.  And like all good things, when it’s gone it’s gone, there’s no replicating a specific year or barrel. 

And because everyone loves a little Pinterest we’ll be sharing some of our favorite gift guide picks as well as some great homemade ideas on La Crema’s Holiday Gift Guide Board.  Now who want to win those $350 Visa Gift Card?  Good luck Loves!  Truly, MKR 

…AS PICTURED…Gold Serving Platter, Waiting On Martha  ||  Russian River Pinot Noir Rose, La Crema  ||  Perfect Pairings Wine Gift Set, La Crema  ||  Shell Ridge Pinot Noir, La Crema  ||    Nine Barrel Chardonnay, La Crema  ||  Peuget Pepper Mill, Williams Sonoma  ||  Herbs de Provence Sea Salt, Williams Sonoma  ||  Vintage Bread Boards, One Kings Lane  ||  Utensil Set, Le Creuset  ||  Rest In Grease Spoon, Waiting On Martha  ||  Oliver Cruet Oil Set, Williams Sonoma  ||  Cook’s One Line A Day Book, Waiting On Martha  ||  Recipe Box, Waiting On Martha  ||  Vintage Shopping Basket, One Kings Lane 

*See all the other amazing bloggers and what their gifting this holiday season…Gifts for the Guy  ||  Gifts for Entertaining  ||  Gifts for the Bakers  ||  Gifts for the Hostesses  ||  Gifts for Women  ||  La Crema Gift Guide and Wine Picks

**This story is in collaboration with La Crema, a brand a love and adore (and a wine I enjoy all the time)!  All entries will be verified- entrants must be 21+ and residents of the United States.  

It’s officially the most wonderful time of the year, and over the next few weeks I’ll be sharing some of my personal holiday traditions starting with how we kick off Christmas by decorating our tree.  At the Rye house putting up the tree isn’t just about the tree, but rather celebrating the joy the season brings.  We start with what’s most important; pouring some mulled wine and setting the mood.  Christmas has a smell to me, one that evokes memories of snow filled days and cozy nights by the fire.  Thymes Frasier Fir is that smell.  So I always have about a dozen Frasier Fir scents happening from candles to diffusers (I mean have you seen the pinecone candle?!).   Once we’ve accomplished that warm and toasty feeling we drag every bin and box down from the attic and lay each ornament out to determine their perfect Christmas tree placement while a constant stream of holiday movies play in the background.   Sometimes we finish decorating in one evening sometimes it takes days as we break for fireside chats and friends who drop by.  Regardless, it’s probably my favorite tradition as it represents what’s most important; time spent together.  Tell me, how do you kick off the holiday season?  Truly, MKR 

P.S.  Thymes is offering a free Fragrance Studio Sample Kit (a sample set of 18 fragrances) with any purchase of $25 or more. It’s a great gift to give yourself or friends and family this holiday season (their packaging is beautiful)!

*This story was in collaboration with Thymes, a brand I love and adore.  Opinions are 100% my own.  ||  All images original to Waiting On Martha

Christmas has definitely come early for me and my WOM family.  You see, a key was delivered earlier this week, a key that unlocks something I’ve been dreaming about since before I can remember.  A brick and mortar Shop.  That’s right Loves, this Holiday Season Waiting On Martha will transform a big (like really big) empty space at Shops Around Lenox, into an actual window-display-open-seven-days-a-week-how-can-I-help-you-Shop.  

Like everything we seem to do the timeline is tight.  We have just a little over a week to make this all happen with doors swinging wide open to the public next Friday, November 21st at 10:00 am and we’ll stay open throghout the entire season, closing December 30th.  Along with all of the goodies you can always find in the WOM Shop we’ll also be bringing in local talent with sunglasses from Red’s Outfitters, aprons from Ice Milk Aprons, Jewelry by Avindy, Shoes & Accessories for the ever so stylish gentleman by Res Ipsa, and Ashley Woodson Bailey original prints and her new bag collaboration with Very Fine South.

Another dream coming to fruition will be the chance to spread the love with a little holiday workshop.  On November 22nd and 29th, from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm, Lindsay Coletta and I will be teaching a holiday entertaining and flower arranging class.  I’ll be sharing different holiday place setting examples plus throughout the class you’ll be toasting and tasting different holiday cocktails, appetizers, and desserts leaving with all the recipes.  Lindsay will be talking all about seasonal arrangements from wreaths to garlands and you’ll work with her to create your very own to take home.  Added bonus, you’ll be able to purchase holiday blooms from Lindsay for future delivery and by taking the class you’ll be entitled to 15% off anything in The Shop that day.  Seating is limited to ten per class and I know there has been a lot of interest so make sure to grab a friend and sign up asap!

So who’s ready to get their jingle on?  Truly, MKR

P.S.  We’re looking to for some holiday elves to work the Shop and ship out orders so if you’re in Atlanta and hoping to spread some cheer please email your resume asap to waitingonmartha@gmail.com.  Also we need a visual artist to help create and install window installations next week…SCAD students can you hear me?  Email or comment below!

*Photography, Kathryn McCrary

 …AS PICTURED…Skirt, Milly  ||  Sweater, Calypso St. Barth c/o  ||  Shoes, Tory Burch (sold out, but the leopard is on SALE)  ||  Necklace, Moon & Lola c/o