For the past five or so years, I’ve headed to the Aspen, Co. to take in some of the country’s greatest skiing and winter life. Let’s face it, living in Los Angeles, it feels like the year is one long continuum sans seasons. But, I’ll be honest, the amazing snow and ski terrain is not the only reason Aspen is at the top of the list. A ski holiday needs to include all of the accoutrements and for me that means great food and people watching, and a healthy mix thereof. From the alpine chic fashion to the cozy chalet decor, I find it inspiring and a great way to get the creative juices flowing (and I don’t just mean wine!). So, I’ve put together some of my favorite spots and make sure to scroll down for lunch. What’s a day on the slopes without bubbles!

When my husband and I bought our first home, we realized that we were in a constant state of wanting to upgrade or buy something new for the house. In our attempt to be reasonable, we made a tradition of foregoing St. Valentine’s Day gifts and instead, buying something for the house. It worked out well. One year we bought some window treatments we had on our eye and the next we upgraded our dishwasher. You get the idea.

With the holiday season upon us, and thankfully almost behind us, I thought about this tradition again and realized the house deserves a little present too! So just in case you get the urge to buy something that will make you happy throughout the year, I put together a list of great finds from retail stores that are sure to elevate the home without….yes, you guessed it…breaking the bank!