these are the most popular posts of 2018

It’s that time of year – time for the annual round-up of the most popular posts of the year on Dandelion Chandelier.

why have a list of the most popular posts of the year?

Lots of publications share their lists of the Best of, the Most Read, the Most Emailed, and other superlatives at this time of year. We’re not exactly sure why.

Is it because they want to be sure that if we missed something, we have a chance to go back and read it?

Is it because the staff is on holiday, and round-up stories are really quick and easy to write?

Or could it be that the process of analyzing and sharing the most popular topics of the year tells us something important about ourselves – as a community, as a publication, as individuals?

Your call – we suspect that it’s a combination of all three.

our most popular posts of 2018

Whatever the motivation, we like the idea. In fact, we’re all in, and we’re sharing our own list of the most popular posts of the year. The people have spoken, and these are the winners.

We’re counting backwards, Letterman style. Or New Year’s Eve style, actually.

ten

Who are the Best Luxury Florists in the World? When we travel the globe, one of the things we love the most is the incredible floral displays that we see at 5-star hotels and chic restaurants the world over.  If you’re looking to purchase such an Instagram-worthy bouquet, we’ve got you covered. Our intrepid researchers have sussed out some of the most exquisite florists and floral artists in New York, Paris, London and Hong Kong. From award winning designs to impeccable service, here is where you can find the most luxurious flowers in the world.

nine

How to Make Yourself Indispensable at Work.  The best piece of career advice we’ve ever received is this: “Make yourself indispensable.” If you want to keep your job – and climb the management ladder – you need to be irreplaceable, mission critical, core to the operation – you get the idea. But how do you do that? Our Power Up C-Suite Circle convened on this pressing topic, and here’s what we think. It’s a two-step process.

eight

An Electrifying Beyoncé Video Brings the Louvre to Life. Can’t believe we made it. This is what we’re thankful for. That sound you heard emanating from Paris was the sound of something dropping. A new music video from the Carters – aka Beyoncé and Jay-Z. But also jaws. And facades. Veils. And masks. Old ideas of beauty. Ancient concepts of privilege. Velvet ropes and restraints. Inhibitions and constraints. And without a doubt, the mic.

seven

The Best Places to Take a Luxury Hiking Vacation Now. Is hiking the new yoga? We read a summary of the big ideas coming out of SXSW, and one that caught our eye was the prediction that hiking is the most important new health and wellness trend of the future, perhaps even displacing yoga as the mindfulness and stress reduction activity of choice among luxury consumers. Why? Because people want connection – with the natural world, with local produce and other food items, and with each other. Hiking delivers the health and wellness trifecta.

six

The Perfect Books to Read in . . .   is one of our book-related series here at Dandelion Chandelier, and it remains one of the most popular. Reading can be one of life’s sweetest luxuries. But how to quickly find the next great volume to dive into? Every month we share our Recommended Reads: books that we’ve personally read and loved – some brand new, and some published long ago. Selected to suit the season, we think they deserve a place on your nightstand. Or your e-reader. In your backpack. Or your carry-on bag. You get the idea. Close runners-up in this same vein were the best novels for Veteran’s Day; the best books of the year for bibliophiles; and the best books of 2018.

five

The Best New Things to See in New York this Christmas and How to Do Autumn in New York Like a Luxury Insider. Autumn in New York is lionized in the eponymous jazz standard, and its special joys are celebrated in classic films. Arguably, it’s an even more iconic destination at Christmas and holiday time.  Romantics, dreamers, adventurers and wanderers imagine the city at these times of year as the most brilliant place of all. And we can’t say that they’re wrong. If you decide to visit New York City in pursuit of your own magical experience, what should you be sure to do?

four

How to Travel the World in Chic and Comfortable Style. We all know how stressful packing can be.  What if it’s cold?  What if it rains?  How many special occasion outfits do I need?  Which shoes should I bring? While we can’t help you with every element of your packing decisions (although we do have some thoughts on the luggage you should carry), we can help you think about what you should wear while you’re travelling.

three

Two Hours in London: the Best Spots for a Quick Visit. You’re on a business trip in a sophisticated beautiful city that you long to go explore. What should you do if you have a precious couple of hours to sneak out and experience at least a taste of what their city has to offer? Even if you have only 120 minutes, you can still have a meaningful immersion in the life of a great city. In our series, Two Hours in . . . we share 10 road-tested ideas for quick cultural jaunts that will leave you feeling inspired, informed and refreshed. And back in the office in time for your next meeting. Heading to Hong Kong or Seattle? We’ve got you covered.

two

The Powerful Magic of the First Black Royal Wedding.  It’s official: we have our first black British princess. And her Royal Wedding, on a picture-perfect brilliantly sunny day, signaled the continuation of an incredible stretch of successes for African-Americans the world over this year. Kendrick Lamar wins a Pulitzer Prize. Black Panther gives us a fictional black royal family and a superhero who looks just like us – and shatters ticket sale records worldwide. Director and writer Jordan Peele wins an Oscar. This week at Sotheby’s, Kerry James Marshall‘s panoramic painting “Past Times” sells for $21.1 million, a new record for a living black artist. There are clearly forces afoot in the world that can’t be stopped.

one

How to Dress Like a Boss Lady. How does a modern women dress in order to convey authority and competence at work? You can spend a lot of time and money shopping and still not get it right, and who wants to do that? How can you know what’s worth investing in and what’s not? And is there a formula for this? Why yes, dear reader, there is. We have a few boss women here on our staff, and we surveyed them and a bunch more, and reflected on our own experiences in board rooms and corporate settings. Here are 12 simple rules to consider when you’re dressing to impress as a professional.

so what have we learned?

What does this list of the most popular posts of the year tell us? Well, we are a community that wants to succeed – and to do it with a sense of elan and confidence. We love to travel, and read, and be outside in the fresh air when we exercise and explore.

We love weddings, books, flowers, and Beyoncé. Also bold gestures and making the most of every moment we have.

That sounds about right, actually.

Our continuing aim here at Dandelion Chandelier is to be smart, fresh, elegant, and optimistic. We’re grateful for your time and for your support, and we’re really glad that you’re a part of our community.

Happy New Year, dear readers. See you in 2019.

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Come and join our community! For a weekly round-up of insider ideas and information on the world of luxury, sign up for our Dandelion Chandelier Sunday Read here. And see luxury in a new light.

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