I spruced up our bedroom recently with a few new accessories that were under the Christmas tree! We have slanted ceilings in our bedroom which can make decorating a challenge — but my parents gifted me the perfect little gold starburst mirror that fits perfectly in the in the spot above our bed that I’ve been trying to fill for a year and a half. And I added a new Dwell Studio citrine zebra pillow that has been on my wishlist forever; it’s the perfect pop of color against the poppyseed walls!
It normally takes about 3 days to fully recover from New Year’s Eve, right? I’m working on it — it’s so hard to get back into ‘reality’ mode after a long holiday! Which is why I’m a little late sharing some pictures of our annual New Year’s Eve bash. Having a few extra days off after Christmas gave me the time to craft some fun decorations and think up some tasty dishes and cocktails. It was a great way to kick off 2013, and I hope it sets the tone for many more fabulous parties to come this year (like, ahem, a pretty exciting wedding coming up in May). How did you celebrate the New Year?
This year I’m serving up a punch for my signature cocktail: Champagne Clementine Fizz. It’s a little pink, and a little bubbly, and with the cute bows I found at the craft store to tie on my champagne glasses — it’s even a little glittery! Want to whip up a batch for yourself? In a large drink dispenser, combine two bottles of champagne — feel free to use the cheap stuff, I promise no one will know, one bottle of sparkling clementine soda (you can find this at Trader Joe’s) and a few ounces of St Germain or another elderflower liquor to taste. Mix it together and throw in some frozen cranberries for color and to keep the drink cool. Cheers to 2013!
A poor selection of flowers at my local Trader Joes this week inspired me to whip up a sparkly centerpiece for our annual New Year’s Eve party. I hit the Christmas sale section at the craft store and gathered up some tinsel garland and metallic tissue papers. With a hot glue gun in hand I wrapped some tinsel garlands around foam cones to create two tree-like pieces. With the silver and gold mylar tissue paper I layered strips of hand-cut fringe around the third cone. I topped all three with sparkly drink stirrers that I also found in the Christmas clearance bin at Target to finish them off!
And of course I couldn’t pass up all of that discounted tinsel, so I used the extra pieces to outline some cardboard cut-outs of 2013 and strung them up on the wall — it’ll be a perfect backdrop for some festive photo-ops!
I’m back in action after a truly awesome couple of days celebrating Christmas. I got to see a little dusting of snow on the ground while visiting my parents in NY — which just makes the holidays feel a little more special, am I right? Vintage gifts seemed to be the theme this year, I gave my mom a vintage milk glass ice bucket with sparkly gold details for her bar, and she surprised me with an antique silver footed bowl, some shiny-brite ornaments, and teeny-tiny framed painting (the bow detail in the frame stole my heart). Hope your Christmas was just as lovely!
I’m off to New York today to wrap up the year and head home for the holidays, so I have a festive little guest post to share with you from Navya of The Little Flower Cottage:
When Kate mentioned that she wanted to do a guest post on gift wrap styling, I jumped at the chance to share what I’ve been whipping up in my own little workshop this season! I don’t know about you, but for me, receiving a beautifully wrapped package is almost as exciting as what’s inside. This year I went with some simple polka dot kraft wrapping paper (a TJMaxx score!) that I embellished with sprigs of pine, cinnamon sticks and gold glitter. I didn’t feel like the white dots were festive enough so I brushed on a thin layer of glue and dusted away with some Martha Stewart glitter. Presto! An instant touch of glam to otherwise rustic packaging. I can’t wait to hand them off to friends and family next week!
My mailman hates me, for sure, because I’ve ordered about a dozen dresses that have all been tried on and returned — my hunt has been a disappointment. I’ve been thinking perhaps I just need to scratch my idea of the perfect holiday dress altogether and try something new this year.Enter some pretty festive pants I’ve been eyeing — maybe a sharp pair of cropped party pants is just what I need to get me through the holiday season? Would you wear patterned pants in lieu of a holiday dress?
I wasn’t just getting in the Christmas spirit this weekend, but also tackling some planning for our annual New Year’s Eve party. I love sending out paper invites, because let’s be honest — who doesn’t love receiving them in the mail? I made a simple invitation on bright pink paper, and tucked them inside glassine envelopes filled with matching homemade confetti — perfect to set a festive tone for the fete! 
Want to use these invites for your own New Year’s Eve celebration? Download them here:
I spent this weekend working up a little holiday cheer — from addressing stacks of Christmas cards, to tackling hours upon hours of gift-wrapping I can say that the Christmas spirit has finally arrived at our house. And now I’m super excited about heading home for the holidays — did you tackle any holiday tasks this weekend?
In the next few weeks there are office gatherings, cookie swaps, white elephant parties, cocktail hours, and of course, Christmas day celebrations. So I’m sharing a handful of entertaining tips over on the Wayfair blog to get you through the holiday entertaining season that will make you look like a pro; check them out here!
Photo Credit: House and Home, Lonny, Martha Stewart Living.
