Bagging a Gift Is Like Wearing MOM Jeans

Wrapping…It is as important as the gift itself! 
I am a serious believer in presentation. 

Duh, I'm Designer Dann! Presentation is everything! I am fond of saying I can serve s#@* on a shingle but, my guest will eat it up because I serve it to them with Flair! 





Gift giving is nodifferent folks. Sometimes it doesn't even matter what you are giving, if the presentation has panache! I have a few rules-of-thumb, when it comes to my own gift wrap that I am happy to share with you. First of all, I keep a large selection of Holiday wrapping paper around, every style, color, theme. You don't have to keep as much wrap as I do but, you should be selective. don't settle for the first roll you set your eyes on, buy something you like. I buy most of my paper at discount stores like, Target, Tuesday Morning and Homegoods, Marshalls, and TJ Maxx. (Some would say I'm a Maxxanisto!) Regarless of the store...the price is always right!


Second, you MUST learn to make a bow! Nothing says, "I could care less" than a stick on bow! I wish I could have you all here in my studio and show you how easy it is to make a brilliant bow but, since that isn't feasible, let me say you can make a beautiful presentation by simply tying a sweet bow like a shoelace.

And then the easier flourish of all, pick up a small ornament to tie into your ribbon. It's like jewelry for your gift box! Is love it when they are glittery too, they add shine and sparkle! You don't want to spend more money you say, how about clipping a fresh sprig of holly or rosemary and tie it with your bow! These are small efforts that make a huge impact on those you think enough of to give a gift. Remember, chances are the gift will be under the tree or on the hall table for hours or days before it is opened, let your gift wrap be the one everyone is talking about, I know mine will be! HAPPY HOLIDAYS!


Notice: There is absolutely no way, no how a BAG would be on me or handed to ANYONE I'd consider giving a gift to! It's a sign of dispicable laziness that you should be ashamed of! Bags and mom jeans are for poorly dressed people...I can only hope I've saved you from being one! 

Happy Holidays,
xo,
DANN 

Designer Tricks To Gift Giving

Holiday gift giving can be as stressful and dental surgery for some… do what I do????

Keep a stock pile of small hostess gifts in a drawer or in a box in your closet. That way you always have a go-to spot when you need a quick gift. Ok, so you are saying to yourself, "It's so easy for Designer Dann to say but, a little late for my party tonite." Well, I still have a few tricks up my sleeve for you....

Frames! One of the most given gifts EVER! An easy choice but, there are a few rules to live by. First of all, be sure that the style of the frame actually works with the décor of the house it is intended. Frames may be the easiest gift to give but, they are also the most re-gifted item we receive! LOL To assure your gift frame is received with joy and gratitude, put a photo of yourself with that person in the frame! Don't have a photo handy? Print a favorite quote or poem or even a picture of your favorite still or landscape. The truth is, it is the picture and the message, not the frame that will be cherished.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
xo, 
DANN

P.S. Yes, the frame featured is a Missoni. 

Cheap & Cheerful Holiday Make Up Tips: There's NO EXCUSE For you to LOOK LIKE A CLOWN!

Ladies, when it comes to your makeup, you want it festive, NOT clown-like!

A smoky eye is sexy. Ruby red lips are sexy. Together they just make you look like hooker! LOL Example below.The trick here is to choose ONE. It's either the eyes or the lips. Which ever you choose will be fabulous but, the other should be neutral.


Today's look is more sophisticated than theatrical. Though we all want a little extra "sparkle" for that Holiday party, what you don't want is to look like a cartoon. And, when in doubt, have a professional apply your makeup. It's easy and doesn't have to cost a fortune. Plan ahead, call your salon and make the appointment for the afternoon of your party. Here's a little secret…go to your favorite department store makeup counter and have them apply it for FREE! Just don’t go too soon before your big party!




One last thing ladies, remember, there is nothing more beautiful than confidence! Stand tall, put on a smile and own the room when you walk in! ENJOY & HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

xo,
DANN

Themed Trees Are Tacky!

Ask anyone, Designer Dann is THE ULTIMATE XMAS fanatic! Seriously, I start planning my decorations, cards, gifts, food and even my wrapping in July! I LOVE CHRISTMAS! 

The first question I am always asked is, "What theme is your tree?" I have to be honest, this is not a question I like. My answer is always the same, I don't believe in "themed" trees. My Xmas tree is the story of my life. In my family, we have always collected ornaments. We gather them from every place we have ever visited. My parents would travel all over the world when I was growing up and my favorites gifts were always the ornaments. I continue that tradition and buy ornaments as memento's of my own travels. My friends and family buy me ornaments as gifts and I have ornaments fr

om my parents, grand parents and even my great grandparents. My tree is truly the history of my life and my family. I put over 600 ornaments of my tree every year! It takes me about 6 hours to decorate it and I unwrap each little item with great reverence and wonder every year…and yes, I even have a good cry over some along the way. I LOVE CHRISTMAS!
My advice for creating a beautiful Christmas tree is the same for creating a beautiful room, only use the things you love. Things with meaning, history, desire and deep emotion are the things that last. They are the things with the most meaning. During the Season, I take a few minutes every evening and sit in my living room with only a fire and my tree to illuminate the room. I wonder at the beauty of my tree and reminisce oner the history of each ornament. I revel, even wallow in the good spirit and joy of the Season. I wish each of you the same wonder and delight in your own tree!

Feel free to share your tree pictures on my Facebook wall (www.Facebook.com/DesignerDANN) or Tweet them to me (@DesignerDANN).

Merry Xmas,
xo,
DANN 

Do YOU have an ugly door? Get the 411 on how to create Door Envy! Designer Dann shares NO CO$T ideas that will leave your guests impressed! Watch this.......

A man MURDERED in his OWN HOUSE? YES! World famous architect, Francis Rattenbury WAS! And NOW my current project is the VERY house where the CRIME took place! Take a look. Who's the PRIME suspect? In our ongoing game of "Clue", who would be YOUR guess? Professor Plum and Miss Scarlet, with a rope in the Dining Room? No! What professor do you know that wears purple? And Miss Scarlet? With that HIDEOUS red gown, she's TRYING to ATTRACT widowers, NOT KILL THEM! Stay posted--we'll solve the MYSTERY together!

Most Women Have NO CLUE: How To Dress A Man

As many of you know Dann Inc is a full service Lifestyle Design Company. I dress as many people as I do rooms!  

This past week while I was working in Las Vegas I had a chance to spend some time with a prominent manufacturer, who recognizes the importance of personal style as an extension of who is as a person, as well as, a design professional. No! He's not gay! Don't even go there, just because a man doesn't want to look like he rolled out of bed with a 10-year old suit on! He's my favorite kind of client! Someone who already has great taste and a defined sense of style but, wants to be exposed to fresh ideas and new looks with someone can lend an eye to what they are seeing in the mirror.  

So, the issue at hand was....this gentleman and his wife are going to Scotland for a very high brow, luxuriously styled wedding. Since it is going to be a destination wedding, there would be several days of events and parties that would require some great outfits. Most importantly, the wedding suit… it had to be stylish and hip, yet age appropriate and work with his wife’s hat!  

Where did we enter to begin a fabulous shopping trip?  Ted Baker!!!! (http://www.tedbaker.com/) One of my favorite Men’s designers! So, take some advice from me, I don’t believe in wasting money. This suit had to be worn to a formal, daytime wedding but I had no intention of letting my client buy a one-time-wear outfit.  

The first thing to remember is, it takes time….you have no choice but, to try on a bunch of clothes! Those people who run out and think I will just buy whatever is in my size without trying it on, end up looking like… that is exactly what they did! After several tries, we settled on an amazingly cut deep charcoal silk suit. The color and style lends itself to the daytime event and silk gives the suit enough shine to appear formal. Instead of a traditional formal shirt, we chose an amazing floral design of purple and lavender and black on a cream background….really HOT looking!  

Then, the task of accessorizing a man without making him too much of a “dandy”, if you know what I mean. I added a multi-colored pocket square in every shade of purple and berry and a solid black silk satin tie from Etro. We debated on using a bow tie...I was appalled to find that even in a store like Ted Baker, all of the men’s bow ties were clip-ons! It is time to stop and give one my very few NEVER rules….no one over the age of 12 should EVER wear a clip on bowtie! There are NO EXCEPTIONS to this rule!  

Another tip, this season, as in the past several, men’s suits are being cut slimmer with shorter jackets. For many men this means you have to go up a size, at least. I have to laugh because; men and women are so much alike when it comes to their sizes in clothing. I have seen just as many men panic over and increase in size as women. My rule is, size doesn’t matter, fit DOES! The complete outfit is high style, appropriate for both the occasion and the gentleman’s age AND it can be broken up into its pieces and worn any number of times afterward!  

Style & Value….they always go hand in hand! Oh, and did I mention that we purchase all of the items at the Ted Baker and Etro Factory Stores (http://www.etro.it/) at significant savings?? Well we did! Which left plenty left over for an amazing touring coat that he will surely need on some off the day expeditions they are taking while in Scotland!   

xo~ DANN  

P.S. Post your style dilemma on my http://www.Facebook.com/DesignerDANN page. I'll answer you back ASAP with advice you shouldn't live without!