Celebrate New Year’s Eve at the Mandarin Oriental, New York

Raise a glass to 2014 at Manhattan’s ultimate celebration, the annual New Year’s Eve Gala at the luxurious Mandarin Oriental, New York. Following a night of revelry, guests are invited to retreat to stylish guestroom accommodations with the New Year’s Eve Celebration hotel package.

A stunning fusion of modern design with stylish Oriental flair, Mandarin Oriental, New York features 244 elegant guestrooms and suites — all with breathtaking views of Manhattan and Five-Star hospitality. Luxurious amenities include Asiate, the hotel’s elegant restaurant; MObar created by noted interior designer, Tony Chi; the Lobby Lounge with dramatic views of Central Park; a 14,500-square-foot, Five-Star Mandarin Oriental Spa; and a state-of-the-art fitness center with a 75-foot lap pool.  In addition, there is premium meeting and event space, including a 6,000-square-foot pillar-less ballroom with three walls of windows overlooking Central Park. Located in Columbus Circle’s Time Warner Center, Mandarin Oriental, New York is in an idyllic location just steps away from world-class dining, shopping and entertainment, including the Broadway Theater District, Lincoln Center, Central Park, Jazz at Lincoln Center and the Time Warner Center’s collection of upscale retail shops and restaurants.

The New Year’s Eve Gala on Tuesday, December 31, 2013 (with packages beginning at $5,700) is the perfect way to ring in 2014. The event will be held in the hotel’s stunning 36th floor ballroom. In addition to spectacular views of Central Park and the city’s skyline, the elegant black-tie evening features an open bar cocktail hour, and an array of butler-passed hors d’oeuvres. A multi-course dinner with gourmet delicacies will be complemented by a dessert buffet. The festivities continue with surprise entertainment and dinner show acts. Following dinner, live musical performances will have guests dancing their way into the New Year.

The New Year’s Eve Celebration Hotel Package include:

— Accommodation for two nights in a guestroom or suite for check-in on December 30 or 31, 2013

— Two tickets to the hotel’s annual black-tie New Year’s Eve Gala  held in the Mandarin Ballroom

— Daily American breakfast for two guests to be enjoyed in-room or at signature restaurant Asiate

Tickets to attend Mandarin Oriental, New York’s annual New Year’s Eve Gala evening are available from USD 1,250 to USD 1,500 per person, plus tax and service charge, based on table preference and party size. For tickets or more information, please contact the hotel directly at +1 (212) 805 8858 or email NewYearsEveNYC@mohg.com.

Reservations for the New Year’s Eve Celebration package can be made by contacting the hotel directly at +1 (212) 805 8800 or via the Group’s direct on-line reservations service at www.mandarinoriental.com. The package is based on availability and on double occupancy. A two-night stay is required and additional nights may be booked at best available rates. The package must be canceled 7 days prior to arrival to avoid a one night cancellation charge.

 

HOLIDAY 2013 AT NORDSTROM

The 2013 holiday at Nordstrom will be filled with much joy for customers. From classic sweaters to classic winter slippers, there’s something for everyone here.

1901 V-neck sweater with contrasting liner in navy light, light blue, green thyme, purple Italian; also available in red, turtle dove, brown coffee, charcoal heather, magenta, medium heather grey or black, 100% cashmere, s-xxl, $115. Available exclusively in The Rail at Nordstrom and nordstrom.com.

Halogen sweater with lips design in ivory/red and pink gems, $68. Available exclusively in Point of View at Nordstrom and nordstrom.com.

Tucker + Tate Intarsia crewneck sweater in orange/robot or grey/alien, cotton/cashmere, xs-xl, $39.50. Available exclusively in Kids’ Wear Boys at Nordstrom and nordstrom.com.

PJ Salvage cozy flannel pajama set in ivory mustache; also available in ink birds with hats, black peace signs, grey macaroons, pinks skulls, navy lips and plum owls; cotton; xs-xl, $58. Also select prints available in plus, $68. In Lingerie at Nordstrom.

Tucker + Tate Intarsia crewneck sweater in rose/bunny or navy/polar bear, cotton/cashmere, xs-xl, $39.50. Available exclusively in Kids’ Wear Girls at Nordstrom and nordstrom.com.

Kate Spade New York pop-top gloves, $58 and striped infinity scarf, $78. Available in vivid snapdragon /maraschino and cream/black; also in Kugel blue/cream. Viscose/nylon/merino/alpaca. In Fashion Accessories at Nordstrom and nordstrom.com.

Nordstrom metallic or glitter mini nail polish quad in great go-to shades, $20. Wear one color at a time or create your own look by mixing tones and textures. Nordstrom nail art set, includes 12 mini pots of sequins, gems, beads and foil to unleash your inner nail artist, $25. All available exclusively in Cosmetics at Nordstrom.

Kiehl’s Since 1851 ‘Greatest Hits’ collection, includes Amino Acid Shampoo (2.5 oz.), Amino Acid Conditioner (2.5 oz.), Creme de Corps Body Moisturizer (2.5 oz.), Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Body Polish (2.5 oz.), Ultimate Strength Hand Salve (2.5 oz.), Ultra Facial Cream (0.25 oz.) and Midnight Recovery Concentrate (0.14 oz.), $45 (a $61 value). In Cosmetics at Nordstrom and nordstrom.com.

Nordstrom on-the-go manicure set tucked into a pink or white sparkle clutch. Includes clippers, scissors, tweezers, nail file and cuticle pusher, $13. Available exclusively in Cosmetics at Nordstrom.

UGG Australia ‘Dakota’ slipper with tie, suede upper, shearling lining and rubber sole, sizes 5-12, in blue Curacao/charcoal, princess pink/navy, banana yellow/shadow grey, $99.95. Available exclusively in Women’s Shoes at Nordstrom and nordstrom.com.

JCPENNEY Rings In The Holidays With Caroling Campaign That Inspires Customers To “Jingle More Bells”

New “Jingle Mingle” Microsite Brings Caroling Videos to Virtual Stage

Black Friday Doorbusters Begin Thanksgiving Day in Stores and at jcp.com

When it comes to shopping for loved ones this year, JCPenney is helping customers pull off the best Christmas ever by offering more fa la la for less moo la lah. That’s the inspiration behind the Company’s holiday tagline, “Jingle More Bells,” to express how shopping at JCPenney enables customers to be as generous as they want to be this season.

The integrated marketing campaign debuted Nov. 19 with a series of creative ads showcasing a festive choir singing fun reinterpretations of classic Christmas carols with whimsical lyrics that reflect the joy of shopping and finding that perfect gift.

“Our holiday campaign was developed to charm and entertain, but more importantly, it reinforces that when customers shop JCPenney, they will find a variety of gifts that will fit their style and budget,” said Debra Berman, senior vice president of marketing at JCPenney. “From offering great deals to stocking everyone’s favorite brands, we’re the shopping destination that customers can count on this holiday season.”

The Actors Hall of Fame to Induct 15 Stars of Film, Television and Theatre

The Actors Hall of Fame Foundation (The Actors Hall of Fame, 9415 Culver Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232

www.actorshalloffame.org) has announced that 15 international award-winning actors will be inducted into The Actors Hall of Fame on Sunday, February 9, 2014 at 2pm in Culver City. The 2014 Inductees are: Julie Andrews, Robert DeNiro, Judi Dench, Robert Duvall, Kirk Douglas, Morgan Freeman, Gene Hackman, Anthony Hopkins, Olivia de Havilland, Hal Holbrook, James Earl Jones, Angela Lansbury, William H. Macy, Maggie Smith and Meryl Streep

The Actors Hall of Fame banner. (PRNewsFoto/The Actors Hall of Fame)

The Actors Hall of Fame’s Board of Electors nominates and votes for 15 actors each year who have distinguished themselves by achieving an international peer recognition award, have developed a body of work that advances the dramatic arts and have shown an ongoing commitment to philanthropy and service to society.

The Actors Hall of Fame’s mission is to restore and support dramatic arts education on schools. Drama Week is the first national dramatic arts education program that includes The 2014 Inductions honoring dramatic artists, and helps to focus international attention to understand the importance and value of dramatic arts education.

Drama Week is a weeklong celebration of dramatic arts education. There will be a special screening to support Actors for Autism of the documentary Kids With Cameras directed by Alex Rotaru, starring award-winning teacher/producer Brad Koepenick as he teaches autistic students to create and star in their own animated film. The next day, a special performance of 10-minute plays by the award-winning students at CHAMPS High School in Van Nuys will be presented.

On the final day, high school and college students will have a chance to pitch projects for films, television or theatre productions to a panel of industry experts from the major talent agencies, networks and actors.  Drama Week concludes with an inspiring spoken word performance by 15 award-winning students from the nationally acclaimed GET LIT program.

A special performance by The Hobart Shakespeareans, a class of 5th graders from Hobart Elementary School in Los Angeles, under the guidance of their National Medal of Arts winning teacher Ralph Esquith will be one of the highlights of the Induction celebration.

The Actors Hall of Fame is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit foundation dedicated to restore and support dramatic arts education in schools. The Actors Hall of Fame was launched with the support of major entertainment and business organizations, educators, dramatic artists and students. For more information, please visit our website at www.actorshalloffame.org.

Holiday Gift Sets for the Whole Family, Close Friends, Officemates and Beyond

Shopping for the holidays can be a bit overwhelming. But shopping for the holidays can also be fun.  Now is a perfect time to explore the world of beauty, hair and skincare (plus a little extra) because every company has so thoughtfully put together holiday gift sets of their favorite products. You really can’t lose. The gift guide below is just a small sampling of what’s available for your pleasure. So, whether you are buying for a loved one or for yourself, stock up and have fun.

STOCKING STUFFERS

Avon Holly Jolly Lip Balms

Burt’s Bees Beeswax Bounty Classic

Burt’s Bees Tint n’ Shine Pink

Avon and Burt’s Bees has you covered here. From Wrapped in Velvet Eye shadow Palette ($10.00, the perfect palette to keep in your handbag during the holiday season) to Nail Art Design Strips ($10.00, Holiday cheer for your nails) to Holly Jolly Mini Hand Creams ($0.99), Lip Balm ($0.99) and Bubble Delight Bubble Bath Minis ($0.99), everyone’s stocking will be filled with fun  gifts this season. All are available at www.avon.com or through your Avon representative.

The Beeswax Bounty Gift Set ($9.99) from Burt’s Bees contains four of the extremely popular Burt’s Bees lips balms and a Bonus Woven Paper Change Purse. The change purse will hold all of your essentials – credit card, ID, and of course, a Burt’s Bees lip balm. The set comes in 2 variations: Classic, with four Beeswax Lip Balms or an Assorted Mix, with Beeswax Lip Balm with Vitamin E & Peppermint, Rejuvenating Lip Balm with Acai Berry, Replenishing Lip Balm with Pomegranate Oil and Nourishing Lip Balm with Mango Butter.

The Tint ‘n Shine ($9.99) Gift Set contains coordinating shades of Tinted Lip Balm and the new Lip Shine!  The set comes in two variations: Pink, with Tinted Lip Balm in Hibiscus and Lip Shine in Blush and Red, with Tinted Lip Balm in Red Dahlia and Lip Shine in Smooch.

Last but not least, the Party Lips Gift Set will keep you looking gorgeous at any holiday or New Year’s Eve party.  Each set contains two shades of the brand new Burt’s Bees Lip Glosses; the two variations are Pink, including Ocean Sunrise & Spring Splendor and Neutral, including Autumn Haze & Sweet Sunset.  These lip glosses contain ingredients that will not only deliver rich color with high impact shine, but also enriches your lips with nourishing oils. Burt’s Bees are available at drug stores and other retail outlets and at Burt’s Bees website.

RESTING IN THE LAP OF LUXURY WITH HASTENS

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Hästens is so much more than just about mattresses and oh-so-soft blankets and pillows these days. Hästens Down Slipper Boots ($80, Hästens Stores nationwide; www.hastens.com) The ultimate cozy treat for your feet for the upcoming cold winter nights, these 100% cotton boots are filled with a blend of 75% white down and 25% sea bird feathers, and feature a ribbon in the Hästens’ signature blue check pattern. This, dear friends, is what true luxury is all about.

Hästens Bathrobe ($450, Hästens Stores nationwide www.hastens.com) Envelop yourself in a robe fit for royalty with this double cut, terry cloth bathrobe. Made of the most premium quality cotton, it features Hästens blue check design as well.

Hästens Blue Check Pyjamas ($140, Hästens Stores nationwide; www.hastens.com) Drift off to sleep dressed in the most comfortable pajama set you’ll ever wear. Featuring the chic Hästens blue check pattern, this set includes a long sleeved top and matching pants, both made of supple, soft cotton.

FOR HER

L’Occitane Hand Cream Bouquet

LE COUVENT DES MINIMES Eau des Minimes Trio

LE COUVENT DES MINIMES Eau des Minimes Trio

L’Occitane La Collection de Grasse Traveler’s Set

L’Occitane La Collection de Grasse Set

LE COUVENT DES MINIMES Rose Skincare Trio

LUSH WINTER GARDEN

L’Occitane The Secret to Beautiful Hands

L’Occitane Best Of L’Occitane

L’Occitane Hand Cream Bouquet ($54, www.usa.loccitane.com) – Tis the season to give back. Return the love you get year round with the gift of nourishing hand creams in L’OCCITANE’s most beloved scents. This soothing set features hand cream in various mouth-watering scents: Cherry Blossom, Almond Delicious Hands, Rose 4 Reines, Shea, Pivoine and Lavender.

LE COUVENT DES MINIMES Eau des Minimes Trio ($48.50): Discover the citrusy freshness of the Botanical Cologne of the Minims Fragrance. Thanks to an original recipe combining three refreshing Citrus Fruits and seven beneficial plants the Botanical Cologne of the Minims invigorates and leaves a refreshing fragrance. This gift set includes Eau des Minimes Fragrance, Eau des Minimes Soap Bar and luxurious Eau des Minimes Shower Gel. www.usa.lecouventdesminimes.com