Thursday, December 29, 2011

All That Glitters

It's inevitable, every year come the end of November I want to be surrounded by things that glitter and sparkle. Twinkle lights. Tinsel. Glitter. Sequins. Snowfalls. Prosecco. I want it all.

And now it's the end of December, the climax of these glittery cravings. In other words, I want to wear everything remotely shimmery or sequiny and pull out all my sparkliest jewelry (preferably all worn at once) and then I want it all to go away and for Spring to be here. There's nothing sparkly about January (or February or March...). 












                                               1. Valentino A/W 2011 via Into the Wordless
                                               2. Sequin harem pants on The Man Repeller
                                               3. DIY brooch necklace via P.S. I Made This
                                               4. DIY glitter eyes from This is Glamorous on Vimeo.
                                               5. Bedazzled ladies via Vogue
                                               6. Glitter tassels on etsy
                                               7. Sequin photobooth wall via Oh Happy Day



Thursday, December 22, 2011

Vintage Christmas

Looking at these old photos is making me really nostalgic for my grandparent's tree growing up. Big bulbed strands of coloured lights, red beads, lots of red and yellow ornaments. Tinsel. So much shiny silver tinsel. And Bing Crosby playing on their eight-track. Love it. 

spray-painted christmas tree, 1954  

On Santa's lap, 1947

Christmas at the Wright Brothers, 1900  

crooked christmas tree, circa 1920  

Christmas time, 1923  

Christmas Shoppers, between 1910 and 1915


Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Winter Essential: Wool Blankets

After what seems like an unusually extended autumn (no complaints), it's getting to be that time of year when the freezing temperatures make for icy slumbers. Why are my toes always so COLD at night? Hot water bottles are necessary and so effective, but cozy wool blankets are what I'm wanting. More is ideal, think trapped under the weight of them all. Plus they can be so pretty. 

I almost bought a very rugged and woodsy red and black pendleton blanket from Roots. Then I almost bought a very Scandinavian looking red and white blanket from a market stall selling McAusland blankets that are woven on Prince Edward Island. I have no idea what stopped me. Come January I will definitely regret those decisions.




1. pendleton red plaid
2. PEI mcausland striped 
3. pendleton installation at MFA Boston
4. pia wellon crux blanket in grey

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Anna and the Red Skirt

Wanted: Red Pleated Skirt


Anna Wintour at Annie Leibowitz's 'Pilgrimage' opening reception at the Pace Gallery in Chelsea


Bold Flame Skirt from Modcloth 


Vintage Michael Kors on Etsy 


Midi skirt with pleats from Asos


Sunday, December 11, 2011

Weekend Discovery: Vegan Chocolate Mousse

I drove out to the country to visit a friend over the weekend and we made a visit to the Farmer's Market, which is smaller in size than I'm used to (and the townspeople were oddly apologetic about it), but had such a nice variety of things that don't make it in to the city's market that I may be tempted to drive out on a Saturday in future.


One of the many goodies that I took home with me was a small container of chocolate mousse from a catering company. I was really after their beet, goat cheese and pecan salad, but when the man in front of me started raving about the mousse I had to try it out for myself. It was rich without being heavy, and had a darker more intense flavour that I really liked. Then I read the accompanying ingredient list on the container's lid. It didn't strike me as odd to read that the dessert was made with avocados (I'd heard of it before, and have even made chocolate pudding using tofu, so it didn't bother me at all). Some of the other ingredients, however, seemed bizarre and piqued my curiousity, so I hung on to the lid and later did a quick google search, not expecting to find anything.

Except that I did. And this afternoon I whipped up a small 'practice' batch, since I plan to serve it over Christmas and want to be sure that nothing goes awry. Avocados are such a marvel. This recipe, like the Mexican tofu chocolate pudding from last year, is definitely a keeper. I may not even tell anyone what it's made of.

Vegan Chocolate Mousse
Recipe:

1 ripe avocado
4 Tbsp. maple syrup (or agave nectar)
1 Tbsp. coconut butter
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. balsamic vinegar
1/4 tsp. tamari (a thick soy sauce)

Mix ingredients well in food processor. Add 1/2 cup sifted cocoa powder. Process until blended. Add more sweetener if necessary (mine needed an extra Tbsp or so).

Chill in refrigerator to set for a firmer dessert or eat right away. Garnish with berries, fresh mint leaves, or even a dash of Mexican chili powder for a spicy kick.

image source: What Katie Ate

Friday, December 9, 2011

Tangerine Tango - Pantone's Top Colour for 2012

Pantone has named the top colour for 2012: Tangerine Tango, a radiant red-orange to replace last year's pink hue, Honeysuckle. Does this reflect an optimistic outlook for the new year?

It looks like the fashion world helped dictate this one, including J.Crew's Jenna Lyons whose brand has a bright orange ensemble colour blocking with green and purple in its latest winter ad circulation (the pants the model is wearing that are visible in another ad are the same shade of orange...):


J.Crew Winter 2011


J.Crew Fall 2011


Milly RTW fall 2011





Thursday, December 8, 2011

Lit Lust - Holiday Gifts

Everyone on my list this year is receiving a cookbook for Christmas. Easy, done.  

Some good reads (for both in and out of the kitchen) for giving and receiving:



Sources:

1. Vintage cookbooks in a custom stand from anthropologie
2. Tartine, Elisabeth Prueitt and Chad Robertson
5. Super Natural Everyday, Heidi Swanson
6. Then Again, Diane Keaton
7. The Hare with the Amber Eyes: A Family's Century of Art and Loss, Edmund de Waal
8. Charles Dickens: A Life, Claire Tomalin

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Day 4: Decorating with Pinecones



pinecone garland via pinterest


tree ornaments via style at home


strewn pinecones via poppytalk




paint-dipped pinecones via pinterest



Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Day 3: Outfitted

Something cozy  
something blue 
something sequined  
something new...

[At last count I'm done shopping for two people on my list. I confess to having picked up a few small things (this was one) for myself along the way, but it was in the spirit of shopping local AND taking advantage of tax-free events. I wonder if I'm in the minority here or if treating oneself at Christmas is a common thing?] 


navy blue ski pullover, apc. trapper hat, calypso. ski teal we drop, opi. sequined georgette mini skirt, vince. high heeled moccasins, apc. wooden snowshoes, kaufmann mercantile.

image via polyvore

Monday, December 5, 2011

Day 2: Another Holiday DIY

Day two of being chained to the bed with ice packs on my shoulder and neck.

I was in so much pain this morning and so uncomfortable and had only slept for 4 hours. Then I discovered the power of tylenol. And now I'm back to scouring the internet for entertainment and trying not to watch the entire first season of Downton Abbey in one go. This is difficult for me.

So I found this diy that I want to do when I have my shoulder and neck working again:


Tree Stamp Gift Tag Tutorial D.I.Y. from elSage Designs on Vimeo

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Bedridden

Waking up with a neck so stiff and sore that standing up hurts was not what I was expecting to contend with on the first Sunday in December. The local crafter's society was having their annual holiday craft fair this weekend and today was the day I had set aside for that. I had also hoped to get a head start on cleaning and maybe do some baking. Instead I've been stuck in bed with an ice pack, propped up on pillows, only managing to get up a few times to put in a load of laundry and retrieve the weekend Globe and Mail.

Thank goodness for the internet and its endless entertaining capabilities. After reading the paper version of the Globe (well, the news and style sections...), I perused the New Yorker online, including this article by Adam Gopnik on YA fantasy, I searched for new Christmas music on itunes (and old music too), made an Ikea wishlist, and now I'm finally getting around to watching Downton Abbey.

Eartha Kitt sings Santa Baby


The cast of Glee sings All I Want for Christmas is You


Hanson singing Merry Christmas Baby

Friday, December 2, 2011

Sweet Tooth - The Holiday Edition

For gifting:  


Cascabel Chili Chocolate Fudge via Anthology

...

For hosting:  


Hazelnut Chocolate Pudding via Sweet Paul

...

For toting to avoid arriving empty-handed:  


Gingersnap Cherry Cheesecake via RealSimple

...

For snacking on while watching Xmas movies:  


Dark Chocolate Caramels with Fleur de Sel
recipe via David Lebovitz
image via What Katie Ate


Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Advent Calendar Envy

Creative and reusable ways to count down the Advent: 


scrapwood and mini boxes make for a beautiful advent tree via Summersville


a muted palette using muslin spice bags for 24 tiny treasures via the marion house book


i would keep this wooden shelf up year-round via anthology


iron-on transfers via oh happy day

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Easy Holiday DIY

Inspiration (via pinterest):






Needed:

chandelier
ornaments
ribbon
scissors
(and a sturdy chair or step ladder)

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Industrial Desk Lamps Revisited

I'm still without the industrial desk lamp that I've been coveting for a while now. I keep discovering new versions so that I'm flip flopping back and forth between the traditional sleek polished aluminum and a softer more modernist take that varies the materials - but I'm also not one to buy online without seeing it in person first (especially when the price tags are often really high) and I haven't seen any in store that I like, so right now I'll have to be content with internet perusing. 

This one is such a nice twist on the polished aluminum, like a grown-up version of a classic design. (It's from Laura Ashley of all places!) After I came across it I noticed there are quite a few out there that use a similar combination of natural wood and metal. 










Image sources:

1. Coby lamp from Laura Ashley as pictured in Livingetc (December 2011)
2. Desk lamp from Cox and Cox
3. Excel desk lamp from Roll & Hill
4. Albury desk lamp from Rowen & Wren
5. Roving Rays lamp from anthropologie (it's now on sale!)

Monday, November 21, 2011

Favourite Things - Holiday Gifts






Glitter iPhone case from J.Crew


baggu leather bag



Glen Clyde Fairisle Socks


Hand-knit skinny scarf from anthropologie




My Father's Daughter, by Gwyneth Paltrow

image sources: 
1. Fred Flare 
2. David's Tea
3. Etsy
4. Fred Flare
5. J. Crew
6. Baggu
7. End Clothing
8. Anthropologie
9. Madewell
10. Amazon