Red is for Good Luck

In the spirit of Chinese New Year (the color red is supposedly good luck!) and because this is the year I'm making red my signature color, I wanted to share some of my Essie faves. At the top is Lollipop, it's an easy, classic, everyday red. Clambake has a bit of spunky orange in it. Its fiery and reminds me of warm summer nights perfect for, well, clambakes at the beach!  The last one dubbed First Dance is a deep, passionate red perfect for that hot date ;) What's your polish rotation? Is there another red I need to know about?

Happy Chinese New Year!

My darling cousins invited Alan and I over for a Chinese New Year dinner after finishing up our move last weekend! 

Growing up we always celebrated Chinese New Year (I'm half Chinese!) with a tradition centered around little red envelopes. Just like these! Mom and Dad would put a couple dollars in them before handing them out to my siblings and I. You're not supposed to spend the money, rather hang on to it for good luck! We fell out of the tradition as we grew up and moved away, but every time I see a crimson colored envelope, I think of this simple family tradition with a smile and a little hope for luck :)

Just for fun...
...fabulous red dresses because it's the color of luck in the Chinese culture,
a fabulous dragon and chinoiserie themed round-up,
and easy Chinese recipes to give the delivery man I break!

{Kate Spade}

A New Year with Delightfully Chic

It's a New Year with Tiffany of Delightfully Chic! Tiffany and I shared many a cocktail in college (she's also a fellow entrepreneur!) and I'm positively delighted to have her over today. Go get 'em in 2012, Tiff!


Hi y'all! I'm Tiffany from Delightfully Chic.

Roxy (who I absolutely adore) asked me to stop by and share some of my accomplishments from the past year and dreams for the new year! 

Of course I was delighted and couldn't wait to drop by My Cup of Te to share!

I celebrated the end of the year with a few of my darlings and close friends!

Last year was a big year for me...I took a leap of faith and launched my very own company Delightfully Chic!! 

Hands down my greatest accomplishment of 2011!

I studied fashion in college and traveled to work couture shows in the magical city of Paris and as I am 100% obsessed with fashion...when I thought of taking a chance and following my dreams it was home decor I went for!

I can't even tell you the last time I was THIS excited about a new year!  2012 to me just sends all kinds of crazy good vibes!  In the new year I say so-long to my twenties and hello to my thirties!   January 7th (the big day) will be a day I celebrate and embrace a new decade...with stiff drink in hand to guide me through this transition of course!  ; ) 

What I want to accomplish more than anything in this new year (don't ya just love fresh starts...anything is possible) is to take my company to the next level...expand the collection and share my love for fashion and interior with the world!

I believe in dreaming big and following through on those dreams...ANYTHING is possible!

 image via

One of my fave quotes...

 "What the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

-Napoleon Hill

Thanks so much Roxy for having me...Wishing you and all your readers the very best in 2012!! xo-Tiffany

Wallet Wonderful

I have a wristlet that is so unorganized that I find myself muttering apologies, every time I go to pay or am required to show my ID, for the amount of time it takes to produce the aforementioned. It's time for a (fabulous) new replacement and some organization for goodness sake!

{Mulberry | Miu Miu | Alexander Wang | See by Choe}

Pretty Pretty Pellegrino

I'm not sure what is with me lately but even when it comes to the tiniest thing, like what I want to drink with my lunch, I find myself requiring pretty. Maybe it's the insane amount of stress that comes with trying to find and move into a new apartment in 4 days that is driving me to find comfort in things that on a normal day may only garner a perfunctory glance.

Defense mechanism, perhaps? If so, it sure is a purdy one ;) Cheers! p.s. Love the packaging as much as me? How cute is the sweet little can here? For bar cart beautiful- just add vodka!

{Free Flavour | Me | Ivy & Piper}

A New Year with Walks with Bella

Introducing fellow Manhattanite blogger Tamra with Walks with Bella! She's got big things up here sleeve for 2012, and I can't wait to see her spirit translate into Ever Swoon.

Happy 2012!!  I'm Tamra from the little Manhattan blog, walks with Bella.  Here I am ringing in the new year with some swagger.  Let's play "Where's Waldo" with Bella.  Can you spot her?

 You are probably wondering why I have blue and white thought bubbles coming out of my top hat.  It is because I have so many great ideas for the new year! 

In 2011, my proudest accomplishment was deciding to do what I love and sharing my positive spirit with others by taking a leap of faith to pursue my passion for helping others achieve their dream event. This accomplishment came with the birth of ever swoon LLC, my boutique wedding and event planning and styling company that I started in Manhattan.

This endeavor allowed me the opportunity to control my schedule and volunteer my time with an organization that is close to my heart, The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. I joined the Manhattan chapter this past year and was thrilled to have achieved the solicitation of the most auction items for our fundraisers. The more people I can educate about CF will help us build awareness about the medical breakthroughs that are taking place today because of generous contributors.

My greatest aspiration for 2012 is to successfully and officially launch ever swoon LLC and achieve respect in the event industry by creating magic for my clients that surpasses their expectations. I aspire to help as many people as possible experience "the happiest day of their lives". Do you ever swoon?

x tamra

Tips to Stay Sparkly

It's been cray around the household lately. Not including the usual Society Social business and this past month of misery (okay, I exaggerate), Alan and I have 3 days to find a new home or we'll be out on the street. Okay, I exaggerate, again. There are hotels. Regardless, long story! In high stress times, I find it's the little things that can help pull you through. A bouquet of fresh flowers...

A retail update, even if it is just a little window shopping to inspire a daydream...

Pampering! Do it. 

A carefully, bright-fully prepared meal. 

And above all, a little daily ridiculous to keep things sparkly! :)

How do you maintain your sparkle? Would love to know, darlings?