{links + lovely news}

. . . a most exciting & perfect week, and still much to look forward to: twirls of ribbon and pretty parcels to wrap, twinkling fairy lights and frosted shop windows, lost in late nights and lingering champagne brunches . . .

{as always, some things you may have missed:}
* on styling: fuchsia & carrera
* make a difference: pencils of promise
* stylist: faye toogood
* pretty party dresses: layers & layers of tulle
* gift wrapping: white on white & rhinestones
* colour inspiration: cultured pearls & marble
* eco-chic: wine bottle centerpieces
* holiday inspiration: warm slate & evergreen
* for the weekend: a few lovely links

{p.s.} lovely news, for those who haven't yet heard:
thank you to the london times for listing {this is glamorous} as one of 50 of the world's best design blogs!

. . . and of course, thank you for always taking a moment to stop by and for making this year a perfectly wonderful xo

{images:partyparty by confettisystem}

gisele ♥

tfs

the black pack

???

i see

tfs

White Christmas -- Inspiration Friday

Well, i think it's official...
I really want to travel to new lands and see new places...
so if anyone is traveling and needs to hire a documentary photographer.... (wink, wink) ;)
hhaha well today's theme for Inspiration Friday is "White Christmas" for obvious reasons!
Wow, we are almost there, Christmas!! Woot, woot!
Very exciting times!
Bought my tickets for New York Fashion Week Tonight.
Also, watching "The Sound of Music" for the 5th time!
I've never left the country before...
whenever i do, i want to go to the Bavarian Castles!
Oh my, that would be incredible!
Well anyways, my friends, hope you're having a wonderful Friday!

{holiday inspiration: gift wrapping}

. . . although this year it's all heavy kraft paper and endless lengths of velvet smokey lavender ribbon, also adore the idea of white on white opalescence and starfish, and shiny satin ribbons embellished with vintage and glittery rhinestone pins . . .

{p.s.} more gift wrapping inspiration: diamonds & stars

{images: 1 - country living via verdigris; 2 - victoria januaray 2003 via haute design}

Dreamy Winter Night Bicycle Ride

(artist unknown - please help ID- update the artist is Rory Kurtz)

Like Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, or Santa on Christmas Eve - high above the chimney tops....

Hope everyone is enjoying the Holiday Season so far. Have Safe and Happy Holidays!!!

****
Update: 12.21.2009 Happy WINTER SOLSTICE to Everyone!
Much Love from RidingPretty in California !!!!

{holiday inspiration: wine bottle centerpieces}

. . . eco-chic & perfect for holiday parties: beautiful clusters of clear glass wine bottles in a festive grouping, candles a-glow with pure romance and perfect flickers of light . . .

{scan by tig: photography by tom mannion for elle decoration december 2009}

{of cultured pearls & marble}

. . . a marble top victorian sink, antique lace and bits or coral like snowflakes, scallop shells and luminous cultured pearls set against an insanely romantic and soft & pretty palette for those snowy, snowy afternoons spent dreaming, dreaming . . .

{p.s.} also:
* happy december + smokey lavender
* colour inspiration: glimpses of pink
* the scent of lilacs
* inspiration: pinkish lavender, still
* spent daydreaming

{images: 1, 3, 4, 5 - photography by mike daines, scan by moodboard from elle decoration december 2002; 2&6 scan by tig from elle decoration}

{christmas berries + winter blossoms}

. . . inspired by the artful arrangements of jet black lace and satin, soft ruffles and crimson berries intermingled with snow-white winter blossoms in these stunningly lovely shots by talented barcelona-based photographers bela adler & salvador fresneda . . .

{p.s.}
* more photographs
* top left: lacy shoes

{christmas time in the city}

. . . a few quiet moments before it all begins . . .

. . . and a few lovely links for the weekend & holidays:

* for holiday parties: silk rope & rhinestones
* cute, cute!: a swedish dog
* holiday DIY: a place for all those lovely christmas cards
* j.crew: weddings or the holidays
* for festive soirées: multi-jeweled rings
* before + after: matthew's dining room
* holiday inspiration: tartan table
* for the new year: 2010 calender round-up
* snowflake curtain {via design crush}

{images: 1 - martha stewart;2 - runway to editorial: christian dior; 3 - patrycja. on flickr}

GOING GREEN THIS CHRISTMAS

There are so many beautiful ways to decorate for the holidays using natural elements. Evergreens such as pines, firs, boxwood, hollies, and junipers are so traditional. You can mix them for an interesting, textural look all over your home. Use them inside and outside to give a festive look without spending a lot of money. Why not add fruit, pine cones, twigs or shells to add color and interest? Bright colorful ribbons give the greens a great finishing touch.

Now that we only have a week before the big day, I'm going to start spreading my greens all around the house. I try to hold off as long as possible since the heat in the house tends to dry them out. I hope to stretch it out until New Years day, but by then it's pretty much seen it's day. The fruits look great in glass jars, canisters and over sized vases. You can float cranberries in water with candles too for pretty colorful look. Just remember to change the water often. For special events only lasting a few hours, freeze the cranberries in molds for a festive center piece. Don't discount milk cartons and plastic recycle-able containers as your molds...bonus... they're free! I hope you have fun going green this holiday in your own special way!

HAVE FUN!