Happy New Year & All the Best in 2016!

Wishing all of my Family, Friends, and faithful Followers Peace, Love, and Joy in the New Year ahead! Follow your dreams, take that trip, change careers, go on an adventure every opportunity you get! Most of all tell those you care about how much you love them, spend time together, pay it forward, and spread kindness everywhere you go! 

xoxo

Karena

The Arts by Karena

Thank you all for your support of my new position as a Style Ambassador for India Hicks. You have astounded me with your excitement for me and this collection! It has been the most rewarding career change of my life. Let me know if you would like to hear more about this venture!!

www.indiahicks.com/rep/karenalbert

Inspiration and India Hicks Collection 30% off

Starting at Midnight tonight PST for three days only, December 28, 29, and 30th everything in The India Hicks Collection is on sale at 30% Off! First time ever sale! Stock up on gifts and get that great handbag you have been wanting!!

www.indiahicks.com/rep/karenalbert email me if you have any questions!! artbykarenablog@gmail.com 

PS. Allure, Town & Country, InStyle, Elle, The Tattler and Forbes are all raving about India's Finely crafted Lifestyle Line, her motto of "Live an Extraordinary Life" and calling it the next big thing in women's collections!!

Thinking of 2016, a New Year ahead, has me putting together a new Inspiration Board and this is one of the quotes on it! 

Her collection has something for everyone in every price range! 

One of the reasons I became involved with India Hicks as a Style Ambassador  is that she wants women to be empowered, to reconnect, to take time with our friends and loved ones!

Its so true; it is all what we decide to think about ourselves and I want all women to believe in themselves; that there is more in them than they know!

Appropriately called "Love Tokens"

Thank you to my Family, Friends and Followers who Support the Arts!

I hope you will take this opportunity to gift to someone special in your life or to treat yourself for all you do to help others all year long!! 

Make your list as you browse the website and find out about India and our group of incredible women as well!

My site is www.indiahicks.com/rep/karenalbert

xoxo

Karena

The Arts by Karena

The Reason for the Season!

As this year is coming to a close I want to give thanks to all of my Family, Friends, and faithful Followers who have been here for me throughout the year. 

Even this precious little girl reminds us that we can always give something of ourselves to others.

In a world so uncertain, what can we do? Spread light, joy, kindness, pay it forward even if it simply a smile and word of encouragement. One person at a time making a difference and the world a better place.

Why do I focus my site on The Arts of all kinds and an Artful Life?

The beauty of art impresses upon us something quite indelible; a magic like no other. 

Come out of hiding, break the shell in which we tend to protect ourselves! Make a difference and take a risk this year, go for it! 

Gift to those you can; just remember that the best we can give those we love is the gift of ourselves, our time. That is what is so precious and makes memories that last forever.

The Country Club Plaza in my city, Kansas City, at the Holidays, a tradition for all, something we always love and cherish.

So shine bright and light up this world with goodness, kindness and love!

Here's to a brighter year ahead in 2016!

Thank you to all who have been so supportive of  my new venture with India Hicks as a Style Ambassador. I took a chance and it has been a most incredible experience with amazing men and women! I encourage you to give this Gift to yourself!!

My new Venture has also given me the opportunity to give back to some of my favorite and most worthy Children's Charities!

xoxo

Karena

The Arts by Karena

www.indiahicks.com/rep/karenalbert

More Great Books for the Holidays!!

The second segment of my Books for the Holidays gives you even more gift choices for the art, fashion and design lover, including yourself. Many of these are book I never tire of pulling off the shelf and paging through! Enjoy!

Cy Twombly: Late Paintings  2003-2011 

by Czech Art Historian Nela Pavlouskova

Published by Thames and Hudson c 2015

In this tome we discover some of the largest and most exuberant art of Twombly's long career.

Parish-Hadley Tree of Life: An Intimate History of the Legendary Design Firm 

by Brian J McCarthy and Bunny Williams

 Stewart, Tabori & Chang Publisher

A fascinating account of this legendary design firm and featuring 30 of the great designers who started their careers walking through this company's door! 

Painting Central Park by Roger Pasquier

Publisher: The Vendome Press

A delightful book filled with fine paintings by artists through the decades as well as the history of this iconic landmark in New York City!

My Stylish French Girlfriends by Sharon Santoni

Published by Gibbs Smith

Sharon introduces us to a group her friends who are extremely talented and fascinating. The talent and expertise of these women will thrill you!

Veranda: The Romance of Flowers

by Clinton Smith, the Editor in Chief of Veranda

Published by Hearst Corporation

Filled with stunning photography of florals of every kind and how they can artfully transform any room!

Modern Mix by Eddie Ross with Jaithan Kochar and forward by Bunny Williams
Published by Gibbs Smith

Palm Beach Chic by Jennifer Ash Rudick

Published by The Vendome Press

Visit some of the wondrous homes and gardens of Palm Beach that will truly take you to another world (especially if you are currently living in the colder climes!)

The Field Guide to Decorating by Lauren Liess
Published by Abrams Books
With a fresh take and discerning eye, Lauren uses many natural elements and textures in her design work!

These books may all be purchased through their publishers, your local bookseller or Amazon.com

Thank you to all of the publishers who so generously offer me press copies of these beautiful books.

Thank you as always to my Family, Friends, and Followers who Support The Arts!

Please do leave a comment as they make my day!

Would you like to give yourself the gift of a new business for the New Year? Call me or email me for information on joining an amazing group of women as an India Hicks Style Ambassador! 

It has changed my life in the most amazing ways! 913-638-5171 or artbykarenablog@gmail.com 

The India Hicks Opportunity Brochure

xoxo

Karena

The Arts by Karena

Book Selections for the Holidays!

Have you been through your list and still have a several friends and loved ones to find something special to gift this Holiday Season. I find a book is always a very special choice and something the recipient will enjoy all year long!

Here are just a few and added to all of the books I have reviewed this year,  (simply go back in my archives) under the feature; you have a huge selection for almost anyone and their special interests! Several of these I will review at length at a later date!

An Evening/ 1961 with Marilyn by Douglas Kirkland 

Published by Glitterati Incorporated 

The House of Thurn and Taxis by Princess Mariea Gloria Thurn and Taxis and Todd Eberle: Published by Skira Rizzoli

Cecil Beaton: Portraits and Profiles

Edited by Hugo Vickers

Frances Lincoln Limited Publishers

India Hicks Island Style

Foreword by H.R.H. His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales

Published by Rizzoli

Kimono: The Art and Evolution of Japanese Fashion

Edited by Anna Jackson, Keeper of the Asian Department at London's Victoria and Albert Museum

Published by Thames and Hudson

Decorating with Carpets: A Fine Foundation

by Ashley Stark Kenner and Chad Stark

Published by The Vendome Press

Piet Mondrian: The Studios: Amsterdam, Laren, Paris, London, New York: Edited by Cees W. De Jong

Published by Thames and Hudson

Thank you to the publishers who have provided publicity copies of these fine books. All are a fine addition to any library.

Add a lovely find from The India Hicks Holiday Collection to anyones' gift for a very special finish!

www.indiahicks.com/rep/karenalbert

email me with any questions at all! artbykarenablog@gmail.com 

For those in The Kansas City Area

Holiday Gathering for the Kids at Deb's House
You are Invited by Elizabeth Alex

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Join us for a holiday tradition to support our Romanian kids. Lyn Shaw and Dennis Langley open their beautiful home to host a cocktail party with food by Jasper, sale of Romanian glass, and special crafts made by the kids. This year we will also include a sale of elegant items by India Hicks https://www.indiahicks.com/event/india-hicks-for-the-spirit-of-avalon-benefit-uaf/shopping. 
By popular request we are holding the party on a Friday night. Stop by for just a few minutes or a few hours! Suggested donation is $50.00 paid at the door. Checks should be made to United Aid Foundation Business casual attire
.
Friday December 4th from 5:30-9:30
5225 Renner Road in Shawnee KS 66217

Thank you to my Family, Friends, and Followers who Support The Arts!

Please do leave a comment as they make my day!

xoxo

Karena

The Arts by Karena

The Blink of an Eye

Today's post is about something I have been thinking about so much lately. In light of recent world events that can seem so far away, and while we are praying for those in Paris and across the world, I am bringing this letter close to home.

In America we are coming upon the Season of Giving. While we celebrate with our loved ones, there is often an empty chair at the table. Someone we lost too soon in life, or an elderly relative who has passed on to the next world; hopefully one full of peace and love.

I want to ask you to start taking time. Time to say thank you, to pay a compliment, to be kind, to invite a lonely person to join your family dinner. Reach out to a friend you've lost touch with over the years. Gestures like this can make a difference stretching as far and wide as saving that person's life and giving them hope.

Recently I gave an India Hicks Benefit Event for the Birthday Party Project to help give special birthdays to children in a Safe Home or Shelter. This was one of the most rewarding experiences I've had in some time! 

Coming up in two weeks will be an India Hicks Event to Benefit the World Aid Foundation with Elizabeth Alex ( one of our local celebrities and former newscaster.)

A friend recently said to me, after all we do not achieve success or greatness alone. Let us take time to choose a gift for those who have helped us in some way throughout the year. Your office assistant, best friend, babysitter, design staff, anyone who has been there for you. It is so simple really and has a long lasting effect to the recipient of your gratitude and thoughtfulness.

I can help you, please email me at artbykarenablog@gmail.com or go to my site www.indiahicks.com/rep/karenalbert. You will be rewarded a thousand fold in so many ways!

Thank you to my Family, Friends, and Followers who support The Arts

Please leave a comment as they make my day!

Sign up for email alerts to receive notice of my latest posts and please add me to your own blog roll!

xoxo

Karena

The Arts by Karena

Love Tokens www.indiahicks.com/rep/karenalbert

Handbags Galore www.indiahicks.com/rep/karenalbert

Bath and Beauty Collection www.indiahicks.com/rep/karenalbert