christmas weekend

here are a few scenes from a wonderful weekend and christmas holiday spent with friends and family!

i hope you all had a great time too! 

our little family is gearing for new hopes and dreams for 2013! 

merry christmas to all!

Spreading love and good cheer 

to all this glorious Holiday Season! 

xoxo, Lili 

holiday break

i am looking forward to this holiday break. we'll be focusing on spending time with the family ~ joining the little guy's school christmas party, preparing for christmas eve, last-minute shopping, delivering gifts, enjoying some hot chocolate with marshmallows, driving through beautifully christmas lit neighborhoods and ultimately making memorable moments with loved ones this season of giving! 

so before i sign off for a long weekend break, this was how my week started : 

• tying grosgrain ribbons on design darling gifts (no need for a box ~ so pretty!)
• hanging our latest inexpensive T ornament (from michaels!)
• singing carols with kindergarteners last monday at their annual christmas sing-along
• driving through river oaks
• painting my nails nude again (chanel frenzy is a new favorite!)
• dining out with my girlfriends and having fun exchanging gifts
• holding tight the special christmas project aston did at school (adorable)
• and dressing up candycanes with washi tape flags (fancy!)  

also, don't forget our ongoing 

DRESS SOCIAL SHOP GIVEAWAY

details on how to join here

we will pick a winner on Christmas eve! 

FRIENDS, i sincerely hope you all have a wonderful time with your families! 

i'll see you back here next week! 

kelly's holiday wishlist

we've only got a few days left before christmas eve and all the little elves are busy. there's still time of course to update and make add-ons to your wishlist (mine changes daily - ha!) and today we've got kelly of
the party dress and WHHostess stationery share her holiday wishlist! 

let's check out kelly's picks : 

1. bow necklace 2. makeup brush set 3. buckle leather tote 4. smart tools for the kitchen

5. dotted silk shell  6. silver cakestand 7. ballet flats 8. navy and white throw blanket

and yes, i have to revise my wishlist to add that cozy blanket and i think my kitchen island needs that ipad with stand! thanks for stopping by kelly! 

BLOG // SHOP // FACEBOOK // TWITTER // PINTEREST // INSTAGRAM

stocking stuffers

9 days left before christmas day. and if you're like me ~ still struggling doing last minute shopping and getting everything done, is my mantra.  i can never explain why i do this year after year but i believe it's the holiday season rush that i've grown to love no matter how hectic or crazy it is.

this week will be full of last minute trips to the post office, gift wrapping marathon, dinner get-togethers and a school luncheon party to lead.  and if you still need stocking stuffer tips, here's a round up of goodies that will surely bring smiles to faces this season of giving!

nailpolish // bracelet // lipcolor // compact powder 
owl hand cream // lip gloss candies
snood (similar here) // bubble earrings // scent 

a sad heart + christmas pjs linky party

my heart goes out to all the parents, families and loved ones affected at yesterday's senseless tragedy. may the good Lord's comfort and warmth be upon them during this very difficult time. 

couldn't be more thankful for this little guy we get to hug and kiss everyday. so grateful for this precious innocent life we continue to treasure and nurture. guide and support. love and cherish. we pray that we continue to have strength to protect and shield our children from any terror and we can only hope and believe that this will never happen again.  

on a lighter note, as soon as december hit ~ we had aston wear his christmas jammies (some old and a couple new ones from target) and it does add a little holiday cheer at home (and for bedtime)! 

and while you have sweet photos or a blogpost of your babies' in their chirstmas pjs, link them up with my friend, meredith's christmas pajamas linky party ~ as i am doing today! 

all i want for christmas

just for fun, here's my unofficial (meaning it does not end there - lol) lust list for the holiday season. it is composed of some glammed up black and gold accessories, my endless love of rosegold, something in bright pink, a heavenly scent and a pair of cool tortoise sunnies! i don't mind seeing them under the tree!

black heels // gold clutch (similar here)  // pink tweed jacket // rose-gold watch (stainless steel version here)  // sunnies // perfume

what's on your christmas list?

14 days before christmas

only 14 days left before santa is here! 

~ is your home all decked out with all the bells and frills of the holiday season? 

~ are the kids naughty or nice? 

~ are all gifts wrapped and tied with a pretty bow nicely placed under the tree? 

~ did you try and taste a new christmas cookie recipe for santa?
~ have you hung the mistletoe?
~ have you picked out the perfect outfits for this season's merry parties?
~ did you mail out this year's family holiday photo cards for loved ones near and far?

i am a busy bee over here. here's what's going on : rehearsing with our little guy for their school's nativity play, wrapping gifts and being buried under bright ribbons and sparkly paper, last-minute shopping searching gifts for those hard-to-buy people in my life and finding time to attend to a few dinner parties in between!

are you ready for christmas? 

one-stop shop gift guide 3

hello monday! hello friends!

my one-stop shop gift guide is back for the third installment (visit my gift guide 1 and gift guide 2) and i am featuring gifts from west elm today. with unique, modern and price-friendly items - west elm is a go-to place to for me to shop for that perfect gift. if you are not quite done with your holiday shopping yet (like me!), a visit to the store should be on your to-do list! 

hopefully my picks here will give you a quick headstart :

measuring spoons // measuring cups // dots pillow (similar here)
lacquer box (to hold all your trinkets!) // bag (note : can be monogrammed too!) // agate coasters // lacquer tray 

rae's holiday wishlist

one of my chilhood bestfriend is back in the blog today to share her holiday wishlist. rae was here last time sharing her fall favorites and i'm glad she can stop by and be a part of this holiday wishlist series! 

here's rae : 

Luke 2:14 captures number 1 on my wish list. Seeing God glorified for giving us reason to celebrate Christmas is first and foremost.   

Now Lili wants to know what are other things I wouldn't mind having? Here's a list:

~ Great ski conditions with some awesome champagne powder for our ski trip(s). 

~ New ski goggles. A fearless nephew used mine last year while having fun on the slopes. He was unscathed. Can't say the same for the goggles.

~ Python Lucchese. Yes, I'll take a pair.  

~ New Running Shoes. Adds motivation to run and create a calorie deficit to offset the holiday calorie overages. 

~ A new flash for my camera would be nice.

~ I wouldn't complain about a nice Oriental Rug for the dining room.

thanks so much raez! and THANK YOU for reminding us what the real reason of the season is!

 and oh how i wish we can go with you on your annual ski trip with the family! so much fun! 

silver charm

i love the look and feel of using heirloom sterling silver pieces as part of the home's holiday decor. it has a vintage lovely charm that undeniably brings warmth to the whole holiday look for any home. i pulled a few images from pinterest and found these inspiration! 

Source: flickr.com via Glorious on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Lili on Pinterest

Source: megduerksen.typepad.com via Lili on Pinterest

Source: housetoyourhome.com via Lili on Pinterest

Source: stacynashprimitivedesigns.blogspot.com via Lili on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Lili on Pinterest

holiday photo cards

every year i try to come up with new ideas how to display all the christmas photo cards we receive in the mail. this year, after seeing a fantastic idea in pinterest ~ all the old photo cards we received, i placed in a glass bowl in our coffeetable. i also gathered them together, punched a hole in the corner of each card and tied with a beautiful red dotted ribbon. 

it's now gorgeously displayed in our family room where friends can easily snatch it up and flip through it. the new ones we receive this year goes on a silver platter in our formal dining room. i'll snap a shot of that one of these days! 

 

here are a few other ways i did with our photo cards received (2010) ~ hung on a string by our formal dining room's buffet table

last year, all the cards were hung on our two golden mazanita trees (courtesy of my friend Nina) along with some green ornaments

how are you displaying your holiday photo cards this year? do share! 

white wonderland

amidst all the colorful hues, sparkle and glitter that the holiday season brings - a fresh new burst of white is such a refreshing break from all the splash of psychedelic color everywhere. whether its using winter whites as a backdrop with a hint of silver or fresh greenery, the look is so crisp and pure that it's so invigorating and beautiful. 

i pulled a few inspirations from pinterest and i think i'm bookmarking this and recreate the look next year! 

Source: houseandhome.com via Lili on Pinterest

Source: blog.purehome.com via Lili on Pinterest

Source: bhg.com via Lili on Pinterest

Source: theinspiredroom.net via Lili on Pinterest

Source: countryliving.com via Lili on Pinterest

Source: pinkandpolkadot.net via Lili on Pinterest

happy monday to everyone!

a bushel and peck paper holidays

whether you are just starting holiday shopping or you're in the midst of wrapping gifts already, take a moment to check out our blog partner/sponsor, bushel and peck paper holiday collection. i am featuring a few offerings in her site that will complete your holiday preparations. 

BPP also offers beautiful holiday photo card designs and here are a few items i picked that are cute gift additions : 

holiday photo cards

holiday placemats in festive designs

gift stickers and cards 

custom silhouette (a great gift idea!)

square melamine tray (i just got mine & i love it! thanks jaimee)

so, what are you waiting for? 

christmas is just 23 days away! 

one-stop shop gift guide 2

happy saturday and merry december to y'all!
are you up and about, ready to shop?

today is yet another gift guide post. a favorite place for me to go shop is anthropologie. the minute you step in the store, you whiff the wonderful scent of amazing candles, apothecary and bath/body products. everything is beautifully displayed and the window showcase is always something creative and unique. 

since i've got great response from my last one-stop shop gift guide (target edition), today i am sharing finds from anthropologie where you will always find something for everyone!

initial key chain // tin candle // statement necklace // dotted leather clutch
coffee maker // booties // chain scarf
bath basket // ceramic horse stamper // driftwood iDock

happy shopping!

one-stop shop gift guide

i think you will all agree that heading to one store and scooping up all your gifts for everyone on one stop is ideal. for someone who does not have the luxury of time to shop around for the perfect holiday gifts, that is the perfect scenario.

target has really stepped it up this holiday season and i find myself finding amazing stuff ALL THE TIME. i totally missed their black friday sales but you can't still beat their prices all year round!

here's a little round up of some of my favorite finds perfect for everyone in your life : 

blue clutch // faux fur coat // sherpa throw // porcelain reindeer candle holder 
gold chevron iphone 5 case // pink polkadot ipod case //  kitchenaid standup mixer // polkadot boxer shorts 
green enamel bangle set // giraffe plush toy // camcorder 

are you halfway done with your list yet? i barely started but i got a few crossed out on my list already!

decking the halls

like everyone, we tackled holiday decorating last weekend in between cooking, baking, eating and shopping. it's always fun to get the family together and happily decking the halls with christmas songs playing in the background. such a heartwarming tradition! 

as every year, we also put out a baby tree (previous baby trees here) for aston and this year he was such a big help decorating the big tree as well as his own little one. picking out his favorite ornaments (while breaking a few along the way) and digging through boxes of christmas decor proved to be a fun thing to do for him. with still loads of decorating to complete, here are bits and pieces of our decked out home. 

i still have a few things to put out like our front door wreaths and kitchen island tree. but so far, it's really beginning to look a lot like christmas! 

monica's holiday wishlist

in true holiday spirit, we are kicking off a new series today with the fabulous monica of  classy and fabulous blog, dishing about her HOLIDAY WISHLIST! 

the beautiful monica is my go-to resource to some of  houston's local fashion event updates and schedules. this fashionista is also a talented artist and illustrator and you can check out (and purchase!) some of her sketches here in her shop. she has done some amazing work!

MONICA'S holiday wishlist list :

let's help make monica's wishlist happen ~ you can make donations to Texas Hearing and Service dogs here! 

thank you! 

you can stalk monica here : 

BLOG // TWITTER // FACEBOOK // PINTEREST // INSTAGRAM 

MONICA, thanks so much for being here today! 

home for the holidays

everyday we are excited to receive holiday cards from friends and family in the mail and i'm even more excited to hang and display them in our mini-trees!

it came out really pretty and i'm loving that i can see them high up by our buffet table. also, i've added a few shots here of random corners in our house with some holiday cheer! 

christmas is just a few days away!