Merry Christmas! Here at the Bobbi Brown offices, we hosted our first official Ugly Sweater party and the whole team got into the spirit, rocking red and green, tinselly tops and ridiculously retro patterns. Design Manager (and contributor to this blog) John Eaton transformed our offices into a winter wonderland, adding tinsel to the walls, lights to the windows, and getting the whole space party-ready with blow-up snowmen, candles, poinsettias, eucalyptus arrangements, wreaths and gorgeous garlands.

 

 

I have to hand it to the party planning team—they really thought of everything, from healthy and delicious snacks like crudite and fresh fruit to gluten free cupcakes and a bartender to shake up holiday cocktails and keep the champagne flowing. Best of all? Everyone went home with a souvenir, courtesy of The Digital Photobooth.

 

To honor the silliest, funniest and/or most creative sweaters, Bobbi Brown President Maureen Case and I awarded prizes for first, second and third place. Winners received totes filled with goodies from Bobbi, Jo Malone and Crème de la Mer as well as gift cards for a mani-pedi from our go-to in-house manicurist Roza.

 

 

Although he didn’t win first prize, my favorite had to be our VP Finance David Nass, who showed us how it’s done with his light-up menorah Chanukah sweater. It’s not the best quality but check out the video below to see David’s sweater light up. I just had to include it so you can see the full effect. This is David posing for what he thinks is a photo with Mike Overeem, another one of our Ugly Sweater contest winners.

 

The party capped off a fun day that included a healthy lunch from Chop’t and a screening of the award-winning movie Happy. The feel-good film, which was the talk of the film festival circuit, takes us around the world in search of the things that really, truly make us happy. I can’t recommend it enough if you haven’t seen it.

 

 

Holidays are all about spending time with friends and family but it’s important not to forget those who could use some extra help. I was really proud of our North America Marketing team—they hosted a holiday sale in our office and raised $4,000 to donate to my adopted high school, Broome Street Academy, a tuition-free public charter high school in Soho, for which we’ve raised more than $30,000 so far. At our Christmas party, I asked everyone to bring in gently used or new non-ugly sweaters to give to Broome Street as well. It’s a really great cause and the teachers and students are so hard-working that I feel inspired every time I visit. You can really see their dedication.

If you want to get involved, Broome Street is always looking for materials for the classroom and beyond. Some requests include Mead notebooks and pocket folders, plants, art supplies, wall décor, snacks, journals and more. Visit Broome Street Academy for more information on donating, or find another charity or cause that means something to you. Nothing is better than the feeling of helping someone out.

Wishing you a joyful, peaceful holiday surrounded by all of your favorite people and things!

XO,

Bobbi