Dining room bench seating?

I love the look, but when I have friends over for dinner, the conversation and cocktails continue long after the meal.

I'm not sure a bench screams "kick back", much less "kick back and let's share stories over another round of drinks and dessert".

Anyone opted for dining room benches who can vouch for the comfort or lack thereof?

Image via Elle Decor, April 2014

Window Shopping: ZGallerie Summer Sale

ZGallerie.com (with a great sale going on right now!) is one of my favorites to "window shop" online for modern accessories and style inspiration (and they have someone super helpful running their @ZGallerie twitter account, too - they got me taken care of in less than a day when I couldn't join the email list)!


SUPER cute laptop bag - $12.39
http://www.zgallerie.com/p-9144-everglades-laptop-bag-black.aspx
(And it's faux croc - which means I can purchase it with a clean conscience!)


Cute cupcake tray! - $9.99
A fun and super affordable accessory for the entertaining gal.


Round lacquer trays - $12.39
One in each color, please!

So Many Shareworthy Posts Today...

Man, today was a good day for my Google Reader... and it's only 1:15pm (est).

From around the blogosphere:Purple Armchair Closes, Get Dressed Opens - more consignment choices in Downtown Raleigh!




I Heart Steve - modern, chic, and cheap cocktail glasses at Crate & Barrel for $1.95 each!






$10 off $10 at DSW - thanks Sue!






In a Clutch! - Really, really great clutches that look fantastic with this bride's wonderful bridesmaid dresses choice.






Big Wardrobe - "free, ethical, stylish way to recycle your wardrobe"



Enjoy!

(Images: Linked to sources.)

Christmas Gift Ideas: For Your Favorite Vodka Drinker!

I know quite a few bloggin' gal pals who I'd give this next gift to :-)

(Lisa S. and Renee... consider this recommendation my e-gift to you all!)

From Ideal Bite:

Tru Vodka - get 'em toasty with liquor produced with fewer pesticides. This vodka's organic, goes down smoothly, and the company plants a tree for each bottle it sells. Also: lemon- and vanilla-infused flavors ($33).Booze with a conscience. I love it!!

PS - Ooh, they have gin, too! That's SO for Denise. When was the last time you heard about Tanqueray planting trees?

Stimulating the Economy...

Mary Phillips style!





Koozies range from $3.50 to $6.00. Make some new friends at the bar (with your same great snarky attitude) and fill those stockings with (spiked) cheer!

Swagger's facebook Friday

Last week's giveaway is a fine complement to the previous week's stemless wine glasses:Monogrammed Double Old Fashion Glasses



If you don't win, you can still snag them from Swagger for only $30.00 - a great price for personalized glassware!

PS - Dishwasher safe... wooh!Be sure to comment on the photo on Swagger's facebook page to be entered to win a set (for yourself or for a fantastic holiday gift for the non-wino on your list) and while you're there, click on "Become a Fan" (top right) so you'll get updated every week and not miss a single giveaway!

I Love Not Camping

Those of you who know me IRL (in real life), know that some of these suit me to a "t".

My idea of roughing it? The Holiday Inn.

My idea of a domestic adventure? Always goes better with a cocktail or bottle of wine (and my girls)!
(via HWTM blog)Anne Taintor must be my kind of girl! This just adds support to the argument in support of bridesmaid dresses with pockets (for flasks or airplane bottles)... I'm just sayin'.
(via Brides.com)Love it all.

Currently Digging: Hostessing Blogs

Oh man, just what I needed... more adorable blogs to add to my Google Reader (which is out of control lately... everyone's doing blogs now)!

Thanks to GR Recommendations, I was exposed to this awesome post: Built NY + French Bull = Cool Wine Totes. The picture alone got me hooked (and really wanting those, too):
Alright Swanky Tables, you've made the cut! I subscribed.

And an all-time favorite shout out goes to Hostess with the Mostess - a saying that many of us have embodied for years and one girl was clever enough to turn into a business and website!I love Jenn's blog because it's not full of a lot of stuff... just really great pictures to inspire awesome entertaining... without breaking the bank either!

Coolest Girly Job Ever

Coolest girly job ever: entertaining expert. (Well, maybe second to Editor-in-Chief at Vogue or Elle - then you get to be both, really.)

"Hostess with the Mostess", indeed.

If you're in the NYC area, please go to this and report back to tell all of the readers here how awesome it was (because obviously it will be).Check out Jennifer's daily blog while you're at it too, lots of great eye candy.