new year blog giveaway!

 i would like to take this time to thank each and everyone who stop by and visit my blog. it has been an absolute blast to read all your comments and all your equally amazing blogs. i have been humbled by your presence here and i strive to keep this blog continously fun and inspiring packed with beautiful pictures, more fun party ideas, tips, giveaways, home projects and more lovely things that keep life invigorating!

 so to end the year, this blog will giveaway TWO sets of JONATHAN ADLER goodies! (International readers may join!)

# 1 gift J. ADLER tumblers (set of 6) and a set of sticky notes for WINNER # 1

# 2 gift J. ADLER set of colorful pencils and notecards with envelopes for WINNER # 2

TWO winners will be drawn via random.org to win one each giveaway prize. simply, leave a comment here (dont forget your email address - for non-blogger readers) and let me know what is your no. 1 resolution for 2011!

for additional entries (4 additional comments) :

i'll be honored
a) if you follow my blog via blogger/google
b) if you'd also "LIKE" us in facebook
c) if you'd also "FOLLOW" me in twitter
d) if you'd spread the love and share this giveaway via FB or twitter, i'd be delighted!

thank you all in advance for joining!

winners will be announced on monday, january 3rd 2011!
good luck and may you all have a fantastic new year's eve celebration!

**this giveaway has ended**

my christmas loot

i hope you all had a great time with your loved ones and friends this past holiday break. our's was full of fun, food, laughter and yes, tons of gifts!

i am so lucky to have generous groovy family and friends and all my christmas presents rocks! guys, you know who you are and i thank you so much! we sure had a fabulous time sharing good tidings and joy and i am now excited for the new year to come and what it holds for us! 

christmas ornaments

i was in a blog giveaway winning streak last week and scored me the most adorable baby JESUS ornament from crafty sisters via paula's blog giveaway. it very timely got in the mail today and is now perched on our tree. thank you so much for this lovely giveaway prize!

while trying to find the perfect spot for it, i got to lovingly look and inspect all our other special ornaments collected through the years. some new, some old - all are special and dear to our little family!

i am wishing one and all the merriest Christmas and a joyous blessed new year ahead! 

merry christmas to all!

Wishing you and your family the best 
of the Holiday Season!

{holiday ornament card by tiny prints}

corporate christmas by tracey [holiday office party]

i am always excited when tracey lau puts together a special party tablescape whether for the holidays or not. she's been featured here before and i am super ecstatic to share this latest table she styled and prepared for a holiday office party. she had the sweetest treats for everyone which included peppermint crunch cake, macarons, chocolate bon bons, chocolate dipped cherries, croquembouche to name a few. check it out : 

the simple wreath anchors the gorious holiday dessert table

clever wrapping of toblerone chocolate using ribbons and colored paper and plastic wrapper

raspberry swirl marshmallows and cinnamon macadamia nuts

don't they all look sooo pretty? i love these tiny wreaths on drinks! 

{all images by tracey lau}

tracey, this party has inspired me in so many ways! thanks for sharing it with us!

hop on to tracey's blog for more!

friday faves [orange you glad its friday?]

i'm a little obsessed with orange lately. it must be the cold weather that makes me crave for something bright and cheery that this shade brings. here are a few accessories to add a punch of color to your dark fall wardrobe.

{stella mcartney diaper bag; hermes twilly, clic-clac bangle, hermes boxes and limited edition hermes for neiman marcus anniversary scarf}


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i'm even partial to blogs with orange blog banner/headers and here are a some fab ones to check out :

the style spy

hamptontoes

the sweet T family

dooby design group


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and of course, this incredible orange-themed birthday party dubbed little pumpkin first birthday featured by kelly of the party dress which she created the inspiration board for. for more party details and better pictures, read her post here. 

orange you glad it's friday ?!?!

joyeux noel [frog prince paperie]

there is something really special about this family holiday dinner that paula of frog prince paperie not only hosted and styled but also cooked and baked the food menu herself. it is simply amazing. i'm not quite sure where to start but you'll see in a minute why. her blog post reminds us that family traditions and memories are what matters most and especially during the holiday season it is best spent to relish that over food and fellowship. 

on to the party decor details ~ paula's family is from new orleans and it is but fitting to serve cajun flavors amidst a french-inspired tabletop and place settings. i love the fleur de lis accents, ivory candleholders, pewter cakestand, plates and platters. magnolia blooms and boxwood sprigs were added for a southern touch. 

the menu

i like the ivory, cream, silver and aqua color palette. simply elegant!

paula even created the most darling chair back ruffle to add drama and charm 
to the already spectacular table! 
this is my favorite decor detail! 

heirloom furniture such as the buffet and desk above were used to showcase desserts and appetizers

are you guys drooling yet? seriously, i just want to pack my bags and move to where she lives and i will be that annoying neighbor that hangs around her house everyday!

but are you ready for more? her appetizer recipes are up in her blog too!

and the most important detail not to be missed ~ all the printable papergoods items used here are now available in her shop and the sale of this collection is to benefit the alzheimer's association. thank you paula for allowing me to share!

{all images by paula of frog prince paperie}

sweet treats collection [print! by design editor]

i first admired this collection when it was featured in amy atlas a few weeks ago and i was smitten!

talented designer catherine of design editor recently opened her etsy store, print! by design editor. this collection includes a JOY banner, cupcake wrappers and toppers, favor wrappers, party circles and icons, labels and full sheet designs to complete all your party needs. lucky me, i hopped on to one of my favorite design blogs emily a. clark last week and found that she was having a blog giveaway and i won! yay!

this friday my little guy's class is having their christmas party and i'm planning to debut it there!

thanks catherine!
 

{all photos by print! design editor}

gifts for her [holiday gift guide]

i pretty much covered every mom, sister, bestfriend, sister-in-law, teacher and mother-in-law for the last of my gift guide series here. i did eight not four gift hints for a classy stylish lady out there. hope you find last minute tips here if you have not done all your christmas shopping yet!

from top to bottom L - R

francis francis espresso machine; clear acrylic letter bookends
annick goutal noel limited edition candle; milly beaded scarf
laura mercier creme brulee body & bath collection; cartier and america hardcover book
turquoise and swarovski crystal cuff; lace-trimmed robe

hurry and do your last minute shopping (i know i will)!

friday faves [holiday table challenge hosted by the party dress]

i have been enjoying one week of eye candy via the party dress as the well-heeled hostess, kelly, hosted some of the industries' creative designers, bloggers, bakers and stylists to create their own personal holiday table display. it has been a delight to witness some of the most amazing holiday tables ever created and i look forward to read it everyday!

this friday, i have compiled all five inspiring tables she featured this week and hopefully you get to pick out some ideas for your own holiday party ~ i can't pick one favorite!

vintage-inspired table by morgan of pepper design blog

black and white glam by chris of celebrations at home

coastal christmas by beth of beth bettie branding



snowflake dreams kids dessert table by shauna of sweet tooth



gold and cranberry red decadent dessert table by courtney of pizzazzerie

stay tuned for more next week as the party dress holiday table challenge continues!

the party dress [holiday fashion]

i am sure every weekend leading to christmas day has you booked for a holiday party or two. restaurants and hotel ballrooms are booked months in advance and if you are a bride trying to book a wedding reception in december, good luck on that. attending holiday parties is the perfect excuse to dress up all fancy and glam for at least once a year.

here are a few fun looks that i think would work for a formal dinner (long black dress) and cocktails (short sparkly number) or for an after-hours corporate holiday party (jewel-toned green dress) and a fabulous girls night out soiree (red minidress)!

top L - R : black silk knit jersey long dress; sequined dress with cowl back

bottom L - R : emerald green dress; tulip skirt dress

we are 16 days away till christmas day!

tweens [holiday gift guide]

still on our holiday gift guide series, the tweens age group is very interesting. they are not quite sophisticated teenagers yet but they are no longer the kiddos that they were a few years ago. check out these 4 things that they may like - hopefully you as parents won't get the dreaded pout!

top L - R : pink glitter slip-on; u draw tablet with Udraw for wii

bottom L - R : ipod nano with multitouch; rhinestone headband

...here's hoping you get the two-thumbs up from your tweens!!

para mi bebe [holiday gift guide]

to continue my holiday gift guide, here are a few adorable gift suggestions for your babies, grandbabies, godchildren, cousins, nephews and nieces!

top L - R : eco-friendly cardboard castle; reed and barton farm water globe

bottom L - R : babies go madonna CD; hand-stitched felt baby shoes

gifts for him [holiday gift guide]

i don't know about you but i always buy my husband's gift last. unless he's already specifically told me what he wants, i always draw a blank getting ideas on what to get him. here's my little list that will hopefully guide you on that last-minute trip to the mall in getting that man the perfect gift!

top L - R : monogrammed croc embossed wallet; resin and diamond cuff links

bottom L - R : kiehls men's refueling gift set; folding electric bike

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i apologize for failing to add links to my previous "my holiday wishlist" post. that day we were heading out to Disneyworld and i was blogging and rushing and i was getting mixed signals from blogger and i thought i linked up all my pics but apparently didn't, so here it is again :

earrings : miguel ases beaded earrings

ipad case : graphic image croc embossed nubuck case (out of stock)

flats : tory burch patent prescot flats

cashmere blanket : hermes

HAPPY SHOPPING!

friday faves [my holiday wishlist]

we are a few weeks away from christmas day and the hustle and bustle of the yuletide season is definitely in the air. traffic is getting worse, malls are crowded, holiday greeting cards are arriving in the mail ~ santa is almost here!

today's friday faves are some of the things i've been dreaming about. it's a short list and i know i've been a good girl, so i may end up receiving one of these. yay!

top L-R : miguel ases earrings; graphic ipad cover

botton L-R : tory burch flats; hermes cashmere blanket

home for the holidays

the last of the turkey leftover is gone and with countless trips to the garage for more of the stored christmas decor, our tree is finally up. despite the presence of the little rascal (who still managed to break two ornaments with a flick of a finger), we succesfully decorated the house from top to bottom!

kudos to the efforts and help of my mother and sister (who was in town), now the other posing problem is taking it down - ha! in the meantime, we are enjoying the festive mood in our home and I'm loving the apple-pine-cinnamon scent of christmas in the air!

i am excited to use square fresh pine wreaths this year. it gave our front door a more rustic feel that matches it's medieval look!

the past years we've had our traditional red and gold tree and i've always wanted to try silver and gold. i've bought 4 boxes of silver ornaments from costco last year which i've never put up and i'm able to hang it out this time!

the leftover red ornaments that didnt make it to our tree, i added to the staircase banister, mantle and buffet table garlands. i guess our house is not completely gilded but adding the red touches made it more festive and "christmas-y"!

of course there's some technical issues involve (and im not talking about installing the christmas lights), ms. londen of sixty-fifth avenue posted about how difficult it is to take perfect photographs of the christmas tree and i echo her sentiments. i dislike taking pictures during the day because i believe the complete beauty of the tree shows with the speckled lights on at night. and oh boy, it is HARD to get the perfect shot (plus adding the fact that i'm using an archaic camera). oh well, i did try my best. this last shot captured a portion of the staircase banister and our formal dining room with its christmas lights glory!