Getting a Talented Holiday in Italy

With February gone and spring right around the corner my dreams of a summer holiday are starting to take shape. I've always had a thing for The Talented Mr. Ripley - well the styling anyways. The smells of the sweet southern Italian coast are calling my name. I love associating smells with a specific memory or special moment and in this case I can see Neroli Portofino by Tom Ford being just that. It kinda has an aqua de Parma feel, but it's a bit lighter and slightly more feminine so pretty much just what I was looking for. 

1 part aristocratic rebellion. 

1 part unexpected ease

and a dash of  fresh italian romance. 

equals  a dream holiday fulfilled. 

Image Links: 1  2  3  4 5


Background Image US Vogue Nov 2005 - Josh Harnett & Gemma Ward. Photographed by Mario Testino. More images from the article here

A very 16th Century Christmas

There is something about Sandro Botticelli's Mystic Nativity (1500) which I find mesmerizing. Specifically the angels swathed in muted green, oyster and blush flowing fabric. Ribbons twirling around evergreen branches all set against a luminous golden heaven.

So with this as my inspiration and my predisposition to associate pretty much anything to art history I thought I would whip up a little 16th century Christmas. 

1 part olive green 

1 part rose 

2 parts gold 

and  dash of rustic elegance

http://www.lucyina.com/portfolio/Inside/20/

www.marthastewart.com

http://thechristmasideas.blogspot.com/

Photo by Max Kim-Bee in Traditional Home Holiday magazine

http://www.examiner.com/

http://www.sandwichink.com/

http://www.juliausher.com/

www.marthastewart.com 

Happy Holidays! 

Christmas Cards 101

So I just received my letterpress Christmas cards from Bears Eat Berries (http://www.bearseatberries.com/) and I am so in love! They are exactly what I was looking for and came with beautiful red envelopes with a silver detail! Wrapped in baker's twine and with a complimentary gift tag - lets just say I will be making another visit! 

Writing Christmas cards really gets me in the holiday spirit so with that in mind - My favorites for the season! 

And so after finding the perfect card, it might deserve something more than a classic Bic. I absolutely love the colours produced by J. Herbin. My classics are Lie de The and cafe des Isles, but this season I'm opting for something a little bit more grey - cacao du bresil. 

 

http://www.jherbin.com/fountain_pen_inks.shtml

Image Credits 

1. http://www.etsy.com/listing/86905066/letterpress-holiday-pine-greeting-card

2. http://www.honizukle.com/

3. http://www.etsy.com/listing/87075336/happy-holidays-holly-6pk-of

4. http://www.etsy.com/shop/vandaliastreetpress?ref=seller_info

5. http://www.etsy.com/listing/85358274/set-of-6-merry-christmas-letterpress

Classic Holiday Wreaths - Top 5

Great wreaths can make your front door inviting and to me always puts a smile on my face when I approach. They don't have to be exclusive to the holidays, but I think they conjure up a certain fuzzy nostalgia this time of year.

It's all about the ribbon. Hanging a wreath with the right ribbon is the equivalent of the perfect accessory. My favorite - super wide (1.5 - 2'') Satin Silk (silk gives it a nice weight) ribbon. It can add a pop of colour or just add to the simple luxury of holiday style.

They are also surprisingly easy to make yourself. I always love going to the Christmas tree farm and getting a big bag of scraps. Buy yourself a roll of florist wire and a soft touch wreath form and you have one exciting afternoon ahead. Martha Stewart (of course) has a great how to video http://bit.ly/uKgsOW

Berry Wreath $128 from Terrain www.shopterrain.com

Boxwood Wreath $68 www.shopterrain.com

Victorian kitchen from Country Living - love the striped ribbon. 

From marthastewart.com 

A Very Vintage Christmas

So I just spotted the latest Christmas album from She & Him, the band is an unlikely pairing including country folk artist M. Ward and actress Zooey Deschanel. It's a nostalgic Christmas trip which to me feels very at home for SF, so with that in mind (and I know I'm a bit early on this one)

 I'm inspired by dreams of a vintage Christmas. 

From thebeehivecottage.blogspot.com

From Anthropologie.com

From thecraftingchicks.com

From etsy.com

The ultimate Christmas apparel From http://www.modcloth.com/

What would Christmas be without a little baking. These no bake fudgy snow balls look delish and they are dairy-free, egg-free, gluten-free, vegan - looks like this one could be a winner.

From http://www.skinnytaste.com/

From 1.bp.blogspot.com

Lino print tree ornament From flickr.com

Prematurely...Happy Holidays!

Eerily Elegant Halloween Decorating

So I'm a little rusty on the Halloween front. It's not really a celebrated holiday in the UK. Nonetheless I managed to conjure up some inspirations. 

Love this bunting - an easy DIY project which is a welcome alternative to generic streamers. For indoor or outdoor use I think both applications add a simple, but elegant home made celebration - and don't forget the mice! 

Image from carinagardner.com


I'm absolutely in love with this Hitchcock esque silhouette bird theme. Understated but love the atmosphere. 

From countryliving.com


Why carve when you can stencil? - a great way to introduce trend -based decor inspiration. Tribal, lace, navajo, chevron - not sure if I'm patient enough, but plaid or polka could also be fun. 

From blogs.babble.com


The classic monogram - any excuse to have fun with fonts. 

From agrablewski.com


These put a big smile on my face - chubby ghosts - amazing. 

From jennysteffens.blogspot.com


Keeping it elegant with Monochrome

Image from thehappytulip.blogspot.com

A modern twist - metallic pumpkins and accents alongside black and white treats - an easy accomplishment with a can of spray paint.  Try visiting your local thrift store to source interesting statues/figures/trophies etc. Spray paint them monochrome and you have a instant accessory. 

Image from October issue of Family Circle

This image feels like home to me - brightly coloured tree branches in the back offer a minimal, but beautiful arrangement. 

Image from bhg.com

A how to - chevron pumpkin carving

Image from witandwhistle.com

Amazing burlap bunting - another easy DIY

Image from etsy.com