LOVE THIS

I found this on Sarah's blog Note To Self and LOVE it. So true and fitting for the new year.

And Onto a New Year..

I hope everyone had a fabulous holiday, D and I split our time between both parents this year so it was nice to see everyone. I wish we could have spent more time with both but alas back to the ol grindstone. I came back with some nice loot though and can't wait to use them. I got two fabulously green cast-iron dutch ovens and must make something in them this week. I am still making plans for new years, but that is a party I always love. I am thinking something a little like this:

images via 

Peace Joy and Love

Image via exPress-o 

Wishing you merriment with candy canes and evergreens, Santa Claus and pretty things. Heres hoping you all have a happy holiday and a wonderful weekend with friends and family. Here are some dreamy and wintery links for the weekend:

A fun fabulous meal

Dear Santa wish list

Snowy rooftops

Pretty fairy lights

The best Santa pictures

Fabulously lit up homes 

Lovely things for holiday guests

Christmas decor and goodies

Dreamy winter scenes 

Happy Friday

Happy Friday all hope you have fun party plans this weekend. D and I are going t one on saturday an I thought I would leave you with some holiday inspiration.
Enjoy:

love these vintage inspired champaign glasses

Home Alone house for sale

Party dress

Met art print

sparkle

Festivity

Cup of Jo Holiday Gift Guide 

Cookies

Stalkings via pinterest

Holiday Treats

These amazing cookies are decorated by Joycelyn of KUIDAORE

As the holidays near, so does the baking and I am no exception. I love giving food and treats as gifts because it is something you took the time to make. The last two Christmases I made my parents elaborate holiday packages with chocolate-covered caramel apples, mint truffles, chocolate covered pretzels, and more cookies than I can name. My favorite holiday cookie to make is the classic gingerbread.

Ginger Bread Cookies:

3 cups all purpose flower
1 1/2 tsp ginger
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp all spice
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup buter softened
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 large egg
1/2 cup light molasses
1 Tbs cider vinegar

Stir together the flower, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, all spice, and salt. In a large bowl beat together the butter, and sugar till creamy, then add the egg, molasses, and vinegar. Gradually add the flower mixture until well blended.
Divide the dough into 3 equal portions, cover and chill for 3 hours.

Preheat oven to 350

Role out dough to 1/4- inch on to a lightly flowered surface. with flowered cutters cut out what ever shapes you like. Place shapes 1 inch apart on a lightly greased sheet pan and bake for 7-9 min.

I decorate mine with royal icing and sugar for snowflake cookies (try these for a twist).

For the Men

1: Wallace & Barnes Shetland Sutherland sweater |  2: iPad 2 |  3: Dodo iPad case |  4: Fleece-lined lodge moccasins |  5: Invicta Men's Chronograph Leather Watch |  6: Leather flask |  7: Steve Job's Biography

Decorating the Holiday

A bit of Pinterest inspiration for holiday fun:

How do you decorate for the holiday? Do you do it differently each year, or do you have favorite decorations collected after years of holidays past. My family has always used old colected favorites for the holiday mixing in new ideas with old pieces. My mom made our stockings forever ago and they have always been my favorite, but in recant years has retired them in favor of newer ones (might try to persuade her otherwise). 

A Merry Little Wish List

1. C.O. Bigelow Lemon & Pomegranate Body Wash  |  2. Kate Spade i Phone Case  |  3. Tiffany Leather Envelope  |  4. Coach Wristlet  |  5. Kate's Paperie Measuring Tapes  |  6. Smiths Rosebud Salve  |  7. Chanel Fragrance Wardrobe

Pottery Barn for the Holiday

When do you start decorating for the holidays? I would probably start before Thanksgiving if I didn't have the voice of reason (i.e. Derrick) reeling in the crazy. I'm loving Pottery Barn for Christmas this year, everything looks festive and sparkly (all the things I love).

Thanksgiving Rustic Elegance

I got the idea from Em of Hip Hip Gin Gin and her posting of a woodsy glitzy style. I loved her collection of items but thought I would substitute a few to my own liking. I think Thanksgiving is a good vessel for a rustic styled dinner party and who doesn't like dressing up for the occasion. I loved the dinnerware with the tree ring motif and hey I'm for anything with a little gold sparkle.

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] 

Happy Friday

Happy Friday all, man I can't believe its already mid November!! Time to start my Christmas lists.


Here are some links from around the web to het those holiday juices flowing:

Gift wrap ideas

Love these amazing light fixtures

Swoon

DIY gold toed flats

Dining inspiration

A room in pink 

Amazing interiors 

Dream closet

Want to make this

Snowflakes 

Tree skirt DIY

Newspaper tree

Holiday mantel

Gorgeous Kitchen: decoded

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [8] [9]

This Kitchen is beautiful but something that is quite achievable. What makes this kitchen look as good as it does, is the color scheme. The bold black and white pallet really play up the orange light fixtures. With time honored fixtures and tiles, it is a classic look with a pop of color. 

Samantha Hahn Illustration

Samantha Hahn is a Manhattan based illustrator who's clients include the likes of Glamour, Marie Claire, Anthropologie, Barnes & Noble, and Hallmark just to name a few. She uses a number of technique that give her a diverse portfolio including lettering, watercolor and digital art.

Kate Spade at Home

I thought I would share a sneak peak of Kate Spade at home from the amazing camera behind From Me To You.  Tucked away on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, this colorful home is Full of art and antiques along with thrifted finds.
Check out the entire feature in Matchbook Magazine!

Office Inspiration: White and Gold

I stumbled on this image of Aerin Lauder in her office and I am in love. What a great place to work with that clean and sophisticated white and gold desk; and as such, I decided to recreate it. 

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]

Porter Design Company

Those who read Adore Magazine have probably seen these but I stumbled across Porter Design Company over the weekend and loved their portfolio. The have the perfect mix of color and drama with fun patterns and grownup spaces. Love!

Punch Buggy

I have been perusing the easy shop of the talented Laura Trevey lately and I think these prints would make a charming addition to a play room or study. I love the bold punch of color with the simplicity of the subject, and who doesn't love an old VW.

Happy Friday

Happy friday all. Hope you have fun plans for the weekend, D and I are planning to keep it pretty lo-key this weekend. I plan on putting some shelves together and hanging a rack for my belts (oh man the excitement, contain yourselves all).

Here is the weekend roundup from around the web:

DIY amazingness

In love with these

Must make lemon blueberry roles.

A look I must try

A little BMW cutie

Cute new hair style

Bold lip

Bathroom Love

Inspirational spaces 

Holiday Extravagance

I came across these tiny tarts by Früute in west hollywood on Express-o and Oh Joy had to see for myself. You simply order the amount and flavors you want, and they ship them right to your door. They would make a fabulous addition to that holiday cocktail party and you didn't do any of the work.

Closeted

I love the idea of subtle drama. These beautiful wallpapers are tucked away in a closet that can easily be closed to hide the luxury inside. I think this is a great idea for those who love wallpaper but cringe at the idea of actually having it up. I love the first two pictures.  Adding this to my inspiration board.

images found via marcus design inc.