Wishing you all a very Happy New Year! May 2010 be filled with beautiful things for you + those you love!

xo

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Boat trips are Christmas gifts

This year for Christmas, Greg bought me a lovely, lovely Lensbaby  selective focus lens for our nikon..something I've been wanting forever! For Greg, I stealthily rented a boat, picked up lattes and bagels and we took it out for a spin on Saturday. It was such a great Christmas! Hope you had a lovely one, too!!

+Full of sparkle + New Years Eve Inspiration+

Twinkle lights + green party dresses ...

These would be perfect at midnight.

A sweet dress [even better when paired with black tights].

Simple balloons become party decor..

These darling paper stars.

This photo + it's beautiful light.

Brilliant idea? A New Years Eve wedding.

"Jubilant"  by Alicia Bock.

A stunning statement necklace.

 Dreamy idea  for a New Years Eve soiree.

+the lovely list+

Loving this Connecticut winter wedding shoot!

I think these hanging ornaments + white florals would work for a festive New Years Eve dinner or snowy winter birthday party, too!

After seeing these lovelies, I am wishing for an old farmhouse to host the perfect New Years Eve vintage-inspired fete! Are you hosting a party on NYE?

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Happy Christmas!

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xo

With Christmas only a few short days away, I wanted to let you all know how grateful I am to have met you! My blog still has a long way to go, but I am shocked at how far it's come!! 

From the very first comment I received [from the lovely Mrs. French] to my first guest post ever thanks to amazing Rhianne, I'm hooked on blogging + have my lovely readers to thank! There were so many times when it seemed easier just to give up on the blog, but with every new reader, comment + email, I realized there was a wonderful community of bloggers out there + I want to be a part of it. A special thanks to Alissa of Grace's Birdcage  because without her support + lovely comments when I started this blog, I really may have given up!

And a big 

to every one of you for being here + supporting my blog! It means so much to me! 

And just for fun, here's a piece from that guest post I mentioned. The topic was "All I want for Christmas is..." The blog world hasn't helped my shopping habit, but it has exposed me to beautiful designers, photographers, etsy shops + people! 

Happy Holidays + Thank You! xo.

+Christmas Edition+

This is my favorite winter photo so far.

Red glittered heart burlap gift bags. sigh.

This simply decorated "tree" + desk.

A holiday wedding at home. [via outlaws]

"baubles + bokeh"  [loving your new lens, eadaoin!]

This sweet garland + decor.

A stunning snowy scene by Tina Crespo.

A beautiful wreath made from apples, to sit on your window sill.

These "twinkle lights". [via desiretoinspire]

The loveliest way to pick up your Christmas tree. [J.Crew ]


+the lovely list+ 

My favorite scene from my favorite Holiday movie

[which I'll be watching on Christmas Eve]

Happy Monday! 

Today's post is close to my heart, my best friend Leila has [finally] started a blog for her photography ! 

This comes after almost a year of me begging her to do so.

And more than one email from my lovely readers asking for a link to her non-existent blog. 

So please go visit! Her blog is new, but I promise if you keep up with her posts, you'll quickly get hooked! 

dandeliondaydreamphotography.blogspot.com 

A Wooded Wonderland

design INSPIRATION for

**UPDATE- Amy is going to use this design plan for her January + February window display! Hopefully I'll be able to share a photo or two with you!**

My friend Amy, who owns this adorable boutique in the idyllic mountain town of Wrightwood, recently asked me for some ideas + inspiration for her store's windows. I was so excited to help! I created a moodboard for her, which is more inspirational than literal, however I have a plan to make the elements in the board come to life. I hope you enjoy a little bit of wintery inspiration this Friday afternoon!
[please make sure click to enlarge so you can see all the details!]

[clockwise from left 1. Anthropologie 2.CamillaSkye 3.Princess in Boot s 4.Etsy  5.Bee Hives 5. KlieneDivaInParis 6. Loose Ends 7. We Heart  It 8. We Heart It 9. You are my Fave 10. Ruthi Auda 11. From Me To You Center: Anthropologie 

How to age a Terracotta Pot

Step 1: Gather your materials. You'll need terracotta pots, [mine are from Home Depot] white paint, a stiff bristled paint brush, a spray bottle filled with water + sandpaper

Step 2 and 2.5: Paint the pot white, covering most of the surface, but leaving a few spots unpainted. I don't have photos of step 2.5, but while the paint is still wet spray the pot with water [on the 'stream' setting] so some of the paint runs.

Step 3: Once the paint is dry, [it should only take a minute or 2] start sanding. Sand heavier in some places + lighter in others until you achieve the look you want. 

Step 4: Plant a topiary or fill with  found ojects

Adapted from a tutorial from Martha Stewart. 

[I actually tried it this way, but the lime powder did not work for me for some reason. Luckily In the end I really like how it turned out using the white paint]

DIY Coffee Filter Garland

DIY: Creating a garland from Coffee Filters

[it's sooOOoo easy]

*Although it's super simple and open to interpretation, here are a few step by step instructions*

[originally spotted here ]

Step 1: You'll need a stack of coffee filters [preferably unbleached] + a needle + thread

Step 2: Flip the filter inside out + fold until it becomes similar to what is shown in the second photo

Step 3: Once you like how your filter looks, sew it together so it stays put

Step 4: Repeat, Repeat, Repeat. Continue with steps 2 and 3 until a pom-pom shape takes form 

I affixed my pom-poms with a tiny bit of tape to some simple twine to form a garland, but you could also use raffia or silk ribbon. 

Congrats!

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To all the Blogs who made The London Times' list of 50 of the World's Best Design Blogs . So many of my favorites made the list! 

xo.