I’ve been reassessing my goals, creating an action plan, and taking steps towards challenging new endeavors (the details of which I do hope to share at some point). In the past I might have put undue pressure on myself to blog about every detail of this experience but I’ve discovered that in this digi-social age of constant disclosure it’s ok, perhaps even essential, to withdraw in order to face difficult truths and gain clarity. Don’t worry friends it hasn’t stopped me from paying my taxes!

With that said, although its likely posts will be a lot less frequent moving forward, I do promise to keep The Demoiselle from land of abandoned blogs. Happy Friday!

Every new day offers a chance to change someone’s life – holidays are no exception. Here are 5 ways to change the life of someone you love this season. Though not all of the ideas are material, they are all gifts. Click the images for point of purchase or sources.

Oprah does it again! Change your life with a FREE STEP-BY-STEP WORKSHOP YOU CAN DOWNLOAD TO YOUR iPOD. Are you stuck in a job you hate? Feel like you just don’t have enough to give to your professional life and your personal life? You’re not alone. Career coach Marcus Buckingham met with a group of women just like you to help them figure out how to reignite the passion in their careers. Now it’s your turn!

“If you want to grow, you gotta let go. That means eliminating all the clutter – from dried up tubes of glue to old grudges – that holds you back, weighs you down, or just makes you feel bad about yourself. THROW OUT FIFTY THINGS takes us through each room of the house, from the attic to the garage, and even to the far reaches of our minds.

Life Is Really Very Simple. What We Give Out, We Get Back. What we think about ourselves becomes the truth for us. …everyone is responsible for everything in our lives, the best and the worst. Every thought we think is creating our future. Each one of us creates our experiences by our thoughts and our feelings. The thoughts we think and the words we speak create our experiences.

A Return to Love is about the expression of love in our daily lives. Whether psychic pain is in the area of relationships, career, or health, she shows us how love is a potent force, the key to inner peace, and how by practicing love we can make our own lives more fulfilling while creating a more peaceful and loving world for our children.

Likely a desperately needed gift for those you know who move faster-than-a-speed-of-light who could use a little grounding. The Daily Love delivers wisdom and messages of love via daily email and Twitter so a fast paced lifestyle won’t keep you from remembering that love makes the world go round. Kidnap their smartphone long enough to make sure they follow The Daily Love via all social media outlets.

And just for kicks, a quirky menorah made for anyone who could use a menorah on the go! A travel-sized mini mustache-shaped “emergency” menorah. Etsy sellers make the darndest things don’t they?!

If you’re on Pinterest follow The Demoiselle and feel free to share the love by pinning these pretty wreaths!

Felt, spray-painted acorns, carboard & even candy come together to unique effect…I’m partial to marshmallow myself. Which is your favorite? Happy Friday.

images via Sodahead, Winder and Main, Booklicious, The Modern Home, Etsy, Curbly, Apartment Therapy, West Elm

Your biz/brand in one sentence:
Vintage personality with modern sensibility party shoes.

Best professional advice you ever got?
Our Dad told us “You’re going to fail. But do it anyway.”

One action that has had the greatest impact on your success?
“Life has become immeasurably better since I have been forced to stop taking it seriously.” –Hunter S. Thompson

Most hilarious or inspiring person you follow via social media?
Jessica’s “husband”, Conan O’Brien and Mindy Kaling, our funny fashionista improv “sista” who also just wants to make her immigrant parents proud. (Check out their version of this Mindy Kaling awesomeness.)

Who would should we interview next? (should be a successful, creative entrepreneur you’re acquainted with whom you think stylish, savvy readers would enjoy learning more about.)
Our “wedding boyfriends” Stephen Spaminato and Gregory Nato from Fancy. Their suave personal style is impeccable and they are true gentlemen, something we wish there was more of in the world.

Your cant-live-without accessory?
Jessica: iPhone, scarves/boots
Emily: global Droid, vintage gold “love” earrings/ring

The ladies of Hey Lady! were also kind enough to satisfy my decor craving (you know I’m obsessed), with a peek inside their chic design studio. Clearly this is where the magic begins…

Check out our Damsels Who Inspire page for more insight from amazing, creative, entrepreneurial women we’ve interviewed.

One visit and I was inspired to share a few of the places (besides my jewelry bench) I head to when I need a jewelry fix.

Any other jewelry lovers out there? Where do you get your fix?

All that glitters isn’t necessarily gold – it’s gold-painted, gold-plated, gold-leafed, gold-sprayed.

Here’s a list of fun, simple and quite glamorous DIY’s that will make your home shine.

• Gold Fruit (marvelously merry for the holiday season)
• Gold Gourds (to glam up standard Autumn decor)
• Gold-Leaf Paper Mache Bowls (made for your mantel)
• Golden Animal Figurines (turn a dollar store find into a stunning bookend accent)

images via Glitter Guide, Better Decorating Bible, BabbleThis is Glamorous

Your biz/brand in one sentence:
We travel the world to collaborate with artisans and designers to bring the world into your home with luxury handmade home and accessory collections.

Your cant-live-without accessory?
My simple gold hoop bracelet given to me by godmother on my wedding day – I have not taken it off since! All of my aunts in Argentina wear one, so it always reminds me of my family. The best part is that it’s a classic piece that goes with every outfit.

What skill do you find vital to your success?
Perseverance!

One lesson you wish you learned sooner in your entrepreneurial pursuits?

When I first started Nuraxi, I thought I had to do it all on my own. I wish I had learned to ask for help and to accept it sooner. People want to see you succeed!

Most hilarious or inspiring person(s) you follow on any social media outlet.
TED Talks – where else can one learn directly from such a vast array of visionaries and thinkers.

One action or decision that has had the greatest impact on your success.
The courage to start and the strength to continue.

What’s next for you and the brand – anything we should have on our radar?
Yes! Nuraxi’s first e-commerce site launches in the next few weeks. We are so excited to provide our customers with easier access to our collections and in turn creating more of a demand for artisan, well-made luxury pieces.

Check out our Damsels Who Inspire page for more insight from amazing, creative, entrepreneurial women we’ve previously interviewed.

There’s glamour to be found in the extreme ends of the spectrum as well. This year consider black or perhaps winter white – either way, you’ll dazzle.

Are your holiday party dresses picked out yet?

images via Photo Shoot Blogger

In the world of home design and decor a vignette is simply a grouping of objects (furnishings, objet d’art, accents, flowers, etc.) used to create focal points that bring rooms to life and make a house the sacred, safe, special place its meant to be.

PURPOSE: What purpose does it serve? The best decorated rooms are also those that help you live comfortably. Incorporate catch-alls, hooks, and decorative trays in entryways or a stack of books or magazines near a window seat.

STYLE: In styling your vignette, whether it’s traditional, contemporary, chic, or eccentric you should decide on the tone and stick to it. If the style is too busy the vignette loses its wow factor.

• Build your vignette around a light source: Arrangement of objects is in a dark corner won’t be seen and the effect will be lost…think lamps and windows.
• Stick to a theme: Group candles, for example, or family vacation photos. Vignettes are also an especially great way to decorate for a holiday.

• Choose objects to support the style of your room: If your room is formal, a symmetrical design works best. If the room is casual, asymmetrical groupings are better.
• Use color in your vignette: Either coordinate with the room or offer pops of brightness. Flowers are great way to introduce color.
• Display objects in odd numbers: Place several objects of similar shape, size and color together in odd numbers for maximum impact. Groups of three or five work particularly well and are stronger visually than a group of two or four.

• Vary the height of the objects: Use small pedestals to elevate items. Try stacking books to create a platform for smaller objects.
• Create depth and a sense of dimension: Place objects from the back of the flat surface to the front instead of in a straight line the length of the surface. Placing objects atop a mirror, or leaning them against a mirror that’s on the wall.
• Vary the textures of objects: Mix hard and shiny accessories with rough and natural. Use weathered wood or iron architectural elements to introduce an unexpected texture. Photo frames, which come in finishes from shiny enamel to beaded, offer an array of texture options.

images via Inspired Mr. Stevens, Vintage Mint, Elle Decorsome text adapted from HGTV

images via Sean and Seng

images via Munaluchi by Joy Marie Photography