Bishop Bevy

Remember when I wanted to find a new cocktail? Well here is one I came across from ModCottage. I don't think I can order it when I'm out, but it does sound yummy, especially since it's still cold here! Spiced anything sounds soooo good right now!

Image from ModCottage

Keep It positive....

Doesn't this time of year just make you feel like this?

Photography by Cleo Sullivan

I know I should be upbeat, positive and just plain happy. I have just spent all this time with family and friends, the indulgences of my taste buds are still lingering on my lips , and Santa's gifts are still gleaming new... but with new years resolutions on the brink of breaking, holiday decorations coming down, bills coming in, and cold winter temperatures, it is hard to be Ms. Optimistic! Luckily, I have been though a January before and know that its brighter from here on out! (and I am not just talking about the hours of sunlight each day!)

Back to the Real World

So I am back from my fabulous trip down to warm and sunny California, as well as back from my holiday break with the family. It is now back to reality and back to the daily grind. But for some reason this year, I am embracing being back and having things be routine. I love having time again to browse my regular haunts and scoping out the 2009 posts so far. Some are recapping 2008, some are making 2009 resolutions, some are talking about 2009 trends, and others are just writing like it is just another day.

I am torn as to what topics I want to navigate through during these first new year posts since all of the above mentioned posts are wonderful and valid. I am a planner and a future thinker, so making goals and predictions comes naturally to me. I am also analytical and like to review the past. But recently I have been trying to stay focused on the present. So really, I want to tie everything into one, because just like my decor style, my thoughts and emotions are eclectic and sometimes almost random.

So I hope you enjoy this eclectic smattering of New Yearesque posts.....

Three things I wanted to write about while on vacation:

1) There has been some crazy weather this season!! Before the holidays Las Vegas even got snow! Back at home in Vancouver, they have received tons of snow since Dec 13th... more than a couple feet in total! Many many planes were delayed and work was cancelled due to poor commuting conditions! And the snow was not confined to only Vancouver, Toronto had a some back to back storms as well... This all adds up to it being a white Canadian Christmas from Coast to Coast for the first time since 1971!!

Photograph by Cleo Sullivan

2) Does anyone know of any light refreshing drinks for 2009? I want to find some not too sweet, not too strong sipping cocktails for the new year. Finally I might be able to avoid being that one person at the table who goes... um, ahh, let me see... before finally going with a glass of their house wine!

Photography by Victoria Granof

3) I just want to dress up. Lately I have had this unrelenting desire to go over the top with everything. I want bright fun jewellery, elegant gowns, and big and romantic hair! Unfortunately my cravings are not so practical, especially now with the recession. I wonder however, can I bring some luxury into my life for little to nothing?

Photography by Richard Phibbs

Keep it festive....

I hope you have a wonderful and fun holiday! I will be taking some days off from the ol' computatora to spend some much needed time with the fam. Looking forward to my first egg nogg of the season! See you after Christmas!

Lucyina Moodie

Wrap It Up and Cut It Out

If you are frantically wrapping gifts such as I am - here is a quick and easy wrapping solution, especially if you have just run out of holiday wrapping paper like me!

via Bugs and Fishes by Lupin find the image here

Danish Christmas

I'm entranced with the Berzant family's organic and minimalistic holiday house. The rooms only get a slight rustic holiday dusting of decor without jeopardizing the original calm and crisp essence of the black and white space.

I adore how the original open and airy feel isn't lost, and the decorating effortlessly blends into the base decor, while still adding holiday warmth. I feel like I have been exposed to a new form of holiday decorating and I love it! The idea of decorating using the same principals already in use throughout your house is genius! I can't believe I have never thought if it before. Now it would just seem wrong to have an elaborate and intricate holiday decoration scheme in a modern, minimal setting, wouldn't it?

The Christmas tree is my favourite element in the house. Why must we kill trees just to have them in our house for a few weeks? It would be great to be able to pull in a potted tree from the yard every year (until it gets too big!) I think next year I will decorate one of my larger tropical plants for a lighter twist on the holiday tree!



I love this cloth advent calender. I was never a big fan of them, they all seem cheap and cheesy but this one is super cute! (and so is the little blond boy!) I also love the basket of antlers and greens, so unusually festive!

Its amazing how the one star in the window can add the holiday touch for the whole room. Talk about minimal decorations! I love it!



The home-made organic approach to the decor elements gives the feel that you are in a cabin outside the city. Just the thought of escaping the hustle and bustle increases my relaxation 10 folds!


You know that I like to decorate tables (as mentioned here and here) and this one has left me in awe. Simple, natural, rustic, and inviting.... perfect!

Is the decoration on the table for the holidays or year round? I love that I don't know....

The Berzant family house was featured in Bo Bedre and I found it via NestledIn

Photography by Martin Solyst of Erik Bjorn & Kompagni

For Every Guy on your list....

Yesterday I posted gifts for all the girls you know, well now I have a list from etsy for the guys in your life... Best of luck if you have to venture to the shops this last weekend before Christmas!

For your cousin who looks very unhappy at family gatherings unless he is listening to his Ipod, but comes from the forgetful side of the family...

Minty Boost Portable iPod/USB charger from Moses410

For your boyfriend who always gets more comments about his t-shirts are parties than you do your outfits!

T-Shirt by PasteTshirts

For your brother who always gets marks taken off from his assignments for doodling in the margins, and comes home late at night with spray paint on his index finger.

Moleskine Cahier by shoofly

For your crazy uncle who shows up everywhere with his front tire and helmet in hand, has been in several bike accidents yet still rides when the temperatures drop below zero and there is a foot of snow on the ground...Or for the grandad married to the grandmother who got the queen clock!

Recycled Bike Clock by 1byliz

For your tight guy friend who just moved back to town and into a new apartment after traveling the world for 2 years...

Custom Tree Triptych by EarthArt

For your dad, who exclusively makes meals on the BBQ, and wants all the guys to come out and watch him grill when your parents entertain...

Howling Wolf Original BBQ Sauce by HowlingWolfSauces

For your boyfriend who loves new gadgets, but also throws his backpack down like there isn't a new $2000 laptop in it every time he comes home from work...

Laptop Sleeve Customized by Dorydesigns

For your [other] boyfriend, who just recently admitted to making mixed tapes for the girls he liked in elementary school... and who still has a great taste in music!

Mixtape Wall Art in Moss green by teaforbini

For your geeky structural engineer friend who will calculate if this truss structure is actually viable.

Truss Bridge Shirt by Slowshirts

For your over the top gay friend who can contort his body into more elaborate yoga poses then you can!

(just joking!! - this was an April fools joke from LuLu Lemon!)

A Table Centers From Leftover Decorations

Lately I have written about table settings here and here. And when I was home my mom had me make a center piece for a dinner party. What I had to work with were decorations from years past and random household items....

I didn't have too much instruction, other than it should be simple, allow enough room for serving trays and it shouldn't be too tall. So late Monday night I tackled it and here is what I came up with.

Now if I could only take half decent pictures to better show the centerpiece!

For Every Girl on Your List.....

Since I can't shop up here at work, and I still have a few presents yet to purchase I have been browsing etsy for some ideas, so that when I return to town, I can make one quick and effective shopping trip and put my present woes to an end!

Here are some of my favorite etsy finds for all the wonderful women in your life....

For your nature lover friend who is calm and serene and always has candles burning, especially while doing downward dog every morning.

Billie Candleholders by jeanpelle

For your mom who can never find anything in her purse and ends up taking all the contents out just to find the right lipstick.

Purse Organizer by emidesigns

For your said mother who doesn't want a big purse because she can never find anything (see above solution) but walks out the door with a purse so full she can't close it and an old shopping bag full of 'other stuff'.


Sunset Leafy Tote by Mareri


For your hipster cousin, who claims that she can't pull off the plaid or the scarf look....


Cotton Scarf by cipolla

For your best friend who always rallies and comes out with you on Friday nights, even though it is pouring out and she has worked a 60 hour week. And she still manages to look fabulous!

Aliexis Clutch By ao3designs

For your grandmother who has a great sense of humor...

Wall clock from nakeddecor

For your cousin's wife who always shows up at family events, with fresh baking, hand made gifts, and a beautiful handbag that she 'just stitched' together the night before!
Amy Butler Fabrics from fabriccloset

For your best friend, who has a few too many nicknacks, and who wants to travel the world to evoke change...

Recycled Map Treasure Box by HocusFocus

For your sister who landed her first great job, and has rapidly made the transition from university bum to stylish professional.

Bubble Earings by visionquest

For your friend who stops you mid sentence to write down that 'oh so neat' thing you just said on the back of a receipt that also has her grocery list and the phone number of a guy from the gym. Or for your brother who keeps on getting marks taken off his assignments because of the doodles in the margins.

Moleskin Cahier by shoofly

For the confidant who always orders tea and constantly asks if you feel that chilly draft...

Pemproke Cowl by Yokoo

For your crazy friend, who meets you to go shopping wearing 1970s sweatpants (stylishly rolled up), 2-3 different coloured layers, an 80s purse....she makes comments about how expensive buying new is, and how much better fabricated items from 'back in the day' are, but still encourages you to buy those flats, because they look so good on you!

Vintage Leggings by stephaniebracciano

Baking Bonanza

As I posted before, while I was at home I did some baking... Here are some real - non -studio shots of what I made....
The back piece is that Ginger Almond Biscotti. On top of that are the Holiday Biscotti with Cranberries and Pistachios. In the front are Peanut Butter Balls.

From the feedback from family and friends I here are my comments: The Ginger Almond Biscotti was easy to make and had a great aroma, however next time I would make sure to not bake them too long and probably make them for myself or some fall gathering - not Christmas.

The Holiday Biscotti with the Cranberries and Pistachios was a huge hit. I tried some before dipping them in the white chocolate and I thought they were pretty good, but after the white chocolate they were dynamite! They do take quite a while to make and a day between baking and dipping so they are a lot of work. I would also increase the pistachios and slightly decrease the cranberries.

The Peanut Butter Balls were the big winner. Tasty, easy to make and very holiday! I will probably double the recipe next year!

Tableoration

I am still dreaming of wonderful winter parties...and the table settings....

Make it bold and original Laurence Pasquier

Do a casual breakfast buffet Jocelyne Beaudoin

Or keep it simple and modern. Adrian Briscoe

But nothing over the top.... not this year!

Holiday Helpings

I'm back at work, so my holiday party season has come to and end, but that doesn't mean I can't dream... dream that in the next two weeks I will be attending some fun and festive parties, and maybe even putting on one of my own!

If I was throwing a holiday party this year I would pull some decorating inspiration from Chris Everard.....

I love the use of gold here...

And this girl is so precious!