Faceted Vase DIY

As if there was any question, I am officially in full-on holiday mode (as of November 12, to be exact). This means there are decorations up in my house (for real) and that I'm lining up my holiday craft projects in an attempt to get organized before December 1. I love the idea of incorporating items you already own into holiday installations; it's cost effective and leaves you with minimal items to store.

The modern faceted vase tutorial on Oh Happy Day is this kind of project. I think it would be a perfect centerpiece for a holiday table or mantel decoration for New Years Eve, don't you?



(tutorial + photo courtesy of Oh Happy Day - photo by Kate Nicholson).

Mad Men NYE 2012: the first glimpse

Last weekend Ben and I hosted a Mad Men-inspired New Years Eve party for 16 of our beautiful friends. Our guests' gorgeous attire were complemented by a smattering of vintage decorations, a 60's-themed cocktail bar, and sparklers + champagne at midnight.

As a group, we celebrated 2011 as a year of awesome events. It gave us a baby, three weddings, an engagement, several graduations, and many, many, laughs. It was a pretty fantastic (& busy) 365 days in my books.

More photos and details to come; however, I wanted to post a glimpse of our night as captured through my phone (via Instagram).


How was your New Years Eve? Did you stay in or go out on the town?

What Are You Doing New Years Eve?

If these two were any cuter, it'd be illegal.

This fun little ditty was uploaded by Hello Giggles today, just in time for New Years Eve. So, the question of the hour: what are you doing new years eve?




(Song performed by Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt for Hello Giggles).

Late Christmas Wishes & New Years Dishes

Wow. There went Christmas. Ben, Bauer, and I have made it to and from Vancouver safely after celebrating Christmas with our families. It was a whirlwind but it was so great to spend time catching up (and eating) with family.

I have one more work day this week and then it's more celebrating. Car loads of our beautiful friends will be making their way to Kamloops to celebrate the second annual New Years Bash with us this weekend. This year's theme: Mad Men. It should be good.

Whatever your plans are for New Years Eve, I hope you're safe and surrounded by people you love.

Caio, 2011. It's been real. I'm excited to start wedding planning and goal setting in 2012!



[Our 2011 Christmas card was designed by Kal Barteski].

Boardwalk Empire NYE Party: the main event

This post must be prefaced with the following statement: we associate with some pretty fantastic human beings. B and I are so lucky to be able to call these beautiful people our friends.


Now... onto the party.

The Décor: As I wanted to ensure our fabulous costumes were the focal point, I was selective with decorations. To establish a vintage and whimsical 1920's feel, I looped paper chains from the ceiling in the living/ dining room and lit white candles throughout the space. Confetti and black + white balloons were scattered all over the house (& subsequently in the snowy backyard). The white, silver + gold ornaments left over from Christmas added the perfect final touch.




The Party People: I've learned that when I give my friends a challenge they will deliver. Since everyone arrived the afternoon of the 31st we were able to get ready together. It was a riot: a flurry of pearls, boas, toy guns, and hats. The end result was priceless and everyone looked absolutely fantastic.



In case you're wondering, yes, that is Ryan and, yes, he's bleeding from the mouth. It was an accident.


The Goods (aka Food & Drinks & Entertainment): In true 1920's fashion, we toasted the night away with a seemingly endless supply of champagne. We also got creative with a make-your-own-martini-bar; this became a crowd pleaser and several of the guests asserted themselves as mixologists. The kitchen was a revolving door wherein easy appetizers (egg rolls, cheese platters, dips, etc) were prepared throughout the night. Aside from the traditional game of Roxanne (it's "legendary" in this house), we played (and made up) some board games.



The Countdown: We piled into the backyard, lit sparklers, clinked champagne flutes, and set off confetti canons. How else would you ring in NYE?







Photos courtesy of my wonderful friends Angela + Sarah.

Boardwalk Empire NYE Party: the inspiration

B and I are infatuated with HBO's Boardwalk Empire and - since ten of our fantastic friends from Vancouver (and two fabulous friends from Kamloops) agreed to visit for NYE - we thought it would make the perfect party theme. Cue the champagne, feathers, and strings of pearls, (fake) guns, suspenders, and bow ties. The night was perfect and the company, top notch.

Photos: top, middle + bottom.

I will be sharing more details from the party later this week but here is the inspiration board I used to prepare for the main event.


Since the styles of the 1920's have made a comeback as of late, gathering inspiration was much easier than I had anticipated. I focused on pieces that heightened the vintage charms: paper chains, tarnished silver and brass, antique candle holders, and lots of champagne flutes! As the clock struck midnight we played with sparklers and confetti rockets in the snow. What better way to ring in 2011?


Stay tuned for the party...



Photos: top row - headband, sparkler, paper chains; second row - Charleston dancers, chandelier via High-Heeled Foot in the Door, party; third row - clock, candelabra photo by Jose Villa, dresses; bottom row - champagne glasses & bottle, gangsters.

Snowy Weekend

Wow. I think I'm still coming off my holiday hangover.

B, B, and I are heading to Vancouver for our nephew's baptism tomorrow and my ma & pa's birthdays. What are you up to this weekend?

By-the-by, if you've been waiting for me to finally share the details of our Boardwalk Empire-themed New Years Party, do visit next week. You won't regret it. Best.NYE.Ever.



Photo courtesy of The Sartorialist.

Happy New Year

2010. This goodbye is bitter sweet.



The past week has been a busy one (and is the reason for the lack of post-Christmas-posts). I'm going to hit the ground running as we roll into 2011 - it has a nice ring to it, doesn't it? 2011.

B & I are hosting a 1920's-Boardwalk Empire-themed party to bid 2010 adieu. Ten of our fabulous friends are making the snowy trek up from the coast!!! It should be one for the books.

I hope you all have a safe and altogether lovely New Years Eve. It's been real, 2010. Cheers.



Photo by Miranda Karkling.

Pinecones + Paper Chains.

I am in full on "craft mode" as of late and my over-functioning-under-rested head is bursting at the seams with ideas + projects + good things (if only there were more hours in a day). I have decided that it is imperative that I prioritize these projects to ensure all of the "must haves" and "need to do's" are completed. A girlfriend and I spent Wednesday evening re-watching the Glee Christmas episode and assembling these pretty little paper chains (a throw back to my younger years) for the NYE party that I keep referring to. Sometimes the simplest of decor packs the most punch.

What special goodies have you crafted/baked/assembled this holiday season?

Holiday Decor: Blue Christmas, part two.

I just can't seem to get turquoise blue Christmas decor out of my head. It is both vintage and contemporary and altogether lovely. This palette would work so perfectly for holiday entertaining as you'd be able to incorporate day to day items from around the house with a little added sparkle.





What's your favourite untraditional holiday colour palette?


Photos:
Yule Log Favour Boxes by Martha Stewart.
Gift Tag by Feather Love Photography via Rue Magazine.
Sara Richardson Tree Decor by Stacey Brandford via Canadian House & Home.
Pipe-Cleaner Snowflake Ornaments by Martha Stewart.
Paper Whites + Burlap Tablescape by Natasja Kremers.

Holiday Decor: Blue Christmas

Fact: Issue Two of Rue Magazine (released earlier this week) was a Christmas Gift in and of itself. One of the reasons just so happens to be this fabulous Blue Christmas shoot.

The vintage details are to die for (they shot this set at the Elvis Honeymoon Hideaway with the Girls with Glasses!) and the sparkly tinsel + chic turquoise colour palette are purely inspirational. If I didn't already have a perfect idea for the big holiday party B and I are throwing this year, I'd be all over this.




This collection makes me want to scour etsy + eBay + thrift shops for vintage baubles and tinsel. How fun would this concept be for a New Years Party?

Are you dreaming of a Vintage Christmas?



Photos by Feather Love Photography, courtesy of Issue Two of Rue Magazine. Event Styling by Bash, Please.

Hollywood Regency.

Oh, how I love the glamour of old Hollywood. This shoot, put together by a talented group for Martha Stewart Weddings, showcases a few of my favourite things: monochromatic palettes, metallics, champagne, and sweet desserts. Needless to say, I've gathered loads of ideas for the 20's theme NYE party B + I are hosting this year. (Don't you just adore that gold drink cart?)


Another detail I'm a fan of: the gold succulents. So chic.





This dress is so cute; a girl couldn't help but have fun in this sparkly party dress.




Are you hosting any Holiday parties this year? Do you have a favourite theme or style of event you like to host? Casual cocktails, a cozy evening of tapas and board games, or a full house of merriment?



Photos by Jose Villa via JL Designs and The Bride's Guide.

tick tock

{gorgeous photo by the amazing Arnaud Bertrande via we heart it}

I can't believe the final hours of 2009 are winding down.
This past year has been full of so many changes in my.little.life and - although it was sometimes stressful - I will look back on oh-nine fondly.

Time.

Something we always want to manipulate: more time, less time, stretch time out, slow time down...

Time is also something that marches on and continues whether we're ready for it to or not.

Part of my growth over the past year has enabled me to respect time more and enjoy life in the moment. There are some things I can change and some things I can't; the beauty is found in realizing each individual moment - planned or unplanned - is part of the journey.

Keeping time in mind, why not use it to decorate for the holiday that celebrates it best?

{Martha}

{Happy Housewife Living Life}

{Taste of Home}

I'm off to find all of the clocks, watches, and timepieces I can find in our house to adorn the table.for.two (a very low key NYE for B and I is in order this evening).

As the last few hours of this year draw to a close, I wish you happy thoughts and warm wishes, blog world.

Cheers to Auld Lang Syne.

Be safe.

xo,

C