{holiday inspiration: sugarplums}

. . . nearly time to say farewell for a few days, and while there were a million more inspirational holiday ideas planned here, there were and are {happily} not enough hours in a day, for there are still gifts to be wrapped and fastened with white velvet ribbon, billowy chiffon dresses to be worn and chignons to be tied, pretty glasses of champagne to be raised and toasts to be made . . .



{as always, a few things you may have missed:}
* lost in daydreams: a few moments of repose
* fashion stylist: fer decartaya
* two lovely things: tufted & pearls
* gift guide: ruggedly refined
* holiday inspiration: a blue chrismtas
* a beautiful idea: gold placeholders
* runway: elie tahari, new york
* seaside dreams: starfish & evergreen
* gift guide: day & night

* holiday inspiration: the spirit of giving
* hello & exciting news

{& new for the holidays:}
* shoes, shoes, shoes: always chloé
* holiday inspiration: tinseltown

{images: homes & antiques via plum siena}

{holiday inspiration: tinseltown}

. . . and as a perfect foil for all the glittering & glamorous gold recently: shimmering silver pine cones and sparkling numbered votives, and for good measure, a bit of silver tinsel atop a pair of peeptoes for nights merry & bright . . .




{images: 1 - scan by this is glamorous, olivia morris shoes, photography by hugh stewart for british vogue december 2003; 2 - photography by sandra aslaksen; 2 - numbered glass votives by cox & cox via bliss}

{the stars were brightly shining}

. . . and while we're on the topic of spending the holidays in warm places, quite adore the idea of decorating an elegant evergreen wreath with seaside inspired starfish, even as the icicles glisten in the late-december light and a soft blanket of freshly fallen snow beautifully envelopes a perfect winter's afternoon . . .

{image: country living via lovely influence}

{a new week & the last month of the year . . . }

. . . summer feels like a beautiful dream and the last of the autumn leaves have fluttered away, and now, it's waking up to mornings of romantically swirling snowflakes, wreaths of holly and towers of meringue, ruffled bed canopies and gold satin slipcovers, gingerbread with icing and the warmth of crackling fires, fairy lights and candlelight and the most beautifully decorated trees, and most of all, a feeling of magic in the air . . .

{images: 1 - domino magazine via pinterest; 2 - homes & gardens; 3 - toast; 4 - photography by chris everard; 5 & 8 - simple home by mark & sally bailey via linen & lavender; 6 - at home via 1st dibs & delight by design; 7 - homes & gardens; 8 - style at home, both via delight by design}

{home inspiration: scandinavian style}

. . . there is so much to love about this workspace -- the modern desk juxtaposed with the grand gilt mirror, the stacks of magazines for inspiration and the candlelight, the luxurious pools of drapery, and of course and most of all, the herringbone floors . . .

{p.s.} more beautiful glimpses, including a cozy settee and crackling fire, and elegantly wrapped gifts strewn about:





{photography by joakim bergström for sköna hem via the sweetest occasion}

{style inspiration: pale & pretty neutrals}

. . . not quite december yet, and already things are beginning to move along at an even more dizzying pace than usual, with upcoming soirées, dinner parties and gift exchanges, boxes tied with ribbon and a feeling of magic in the air, and in the midst of all the running around, have been practically living in luxuriously soft cashmere cardigans, belted, and perfectly paired with cozy scarves and festive gold fingernails . . .

{images: photography by janis nicolay for country living; patterson maker}

{holiday inspiration: silver & gold}

. . . while may not have had a chance to get together holiday decorations this past weekend {perhaps & hopefully this week}, have been dreaming up elegant colour palettes for the season, and while the last may have been inspired by tiffany's blue, this year, quite smitten with the idea of simple and classic silver and gold, perhaps hints of pearl and opalescence, gilded garlands and glittering sequins, and perhaps, just the faintest glimmer of palest lilac . . .

{p.s.} also lovely: one & two; & how was your weekend? dying to know what holiday colour palettes you've been dreaming up?

{also:} a few things you may have missed:
* weekend: a few lovely links
* at the shops: andrea bonelli, san francisco
* for the holidays: advertising

{& one last thing:}
* now that we finally have a winner for the philippe starck louis ghost armchair, it's on to the next glamorous give-away {perfect for the holidays!} a little later today -- check back if you like . . . xo

{images: photography by virginia macdonald for style at home}

{holiday inspiration: gold flatware}

... after a weekend spent on cozy velvet cushions in front of the fireplace, dinner reservations and shopping, and a countryside dinner party on sunday evening {homemade french onion soup and chicken & bacon pies} things are beginning to feel wonderfully festive . . . and since have been on the topic of tabletop inspiration, could not think of anything more beautiful for the holidays than gold flatware {although must confess, adore gold any time of year}, and am positively smitten with the italian-made brushed gold linea ice oro five piece setting {above} and the insanely elegant and ultra-stylish midas golden cutlery set {below} from the conran shop . . .




{p.s.} the fun & festive napkin holders were created from strings of sequins & paillettes wrapped around styrofoam spheres

{image: 1 - gretel via apartment therapy; 2 - iphone photo by this is glamorous, photography by pia ulin for martha stewart living december 2010}

{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}

{holiday inspiration: warm slate + evergreen}

. . . quietly floating snowflakes and prettily wrapped packages, napkins tied with mistletoe and candles wrapped in satin, and most of all, happy anticipation in this, the most magical time of the year

hope you're having a wonderful holiday season,
xo

{images:1 & 4 - veranda via delight by design; 2 - polly wreford; 3 - martha stewart}

{brushed in gold}

. . . a little halloween inspiration in shades of hazy blue and gold . . .

{images: 1, 3 martha stewart; 2 - flickr via design lovely}

{holiday inspiration: artful arrangements}

Recently came across this unusual and unusually beautiful arrangement of baby flowering kale {above} and was reminded of a Swedish florist who created wonderful wreathes of fruits and vegetables . . .

Amazingly creative wreathes made of everyday {edible} objects such as artichokes, Brussels sprouts and fallen apples that, after careful arrangement, become anything but ordinary, and add a charming twist to festive tradition.

{mustard leaves and green kale in a dramatically dark vase}

{images: 1 & 4- domino september 2006, photography by mikkel vang; all wreathes via the lovely swedish blog blomsterverkstad}