I'm starting to really catch the holiday spirit, getting really excited about getting all dressed up for holiday parties, eating special holiday treats and spending some extra time with my favourite people in the world. Right now I'm typing away from my local Starbucks as we've lost the electricity in our apartment - hopefully it'll be back up and running soon enough, but for the minute I'm enjoying some beautiful holiday classics. Nat King Cole's 'The Christmas Song' has always been the first on my holiday play list - his deliciously rich voice sparks of Christmas for my every year and I'll always play it while baking or decorating for the holidays.

As I may have mentioned, I absolutely adore Christmas and love jumping wholeheartedly into all the festivities. This year, however, I'm toying with the idea of a Christmas tree alternative for our tiny apartment. While beautiful boughs and lights are a must, I'm loving some of these beautiful, smaller-scaled alternatives perfect for smaller spaces.

This simple little tree adorned with white paper doves is a elegant option - and would work beautifully with my all-white decor.
(As long as Javier doesn't decide to wreak havoc with the doves,
he's has a thing for paper lately - naughty little devil...)

Really love this beautiful little holiday gorgeous ensemble by Toronto designer Lindsay Mens - silver holiday branches + mini Christmas bulbs + a chance to show off sparkly jewels = one very glamorous little holiday vignette.
{P.S. Find this beautiful branch candelabra in Toronto at Pavilion.}

Another simple alternative - whispy thin silver reeds with sparkly silver ornaments add a bit of festive cheer to any small corner (especially with presents below :) )

A love this charming little Christmas tree, full of warm holiday wishes from loved ones. Very simple to achieve with some festive holiday ribbon + holiday cards + a few little decorations thrown in for good measure. Now I just need some holiday mail (hint...)

This is one of my favourite options - delicate branches adorned with glass ornaments in silver in gold stand out against the bright winter light. This could also be a beautiful centre piece for a holiday gathering.

I'd love to know, what are some of your holiday decorating traditions?

We just spent a lovely evening watching The Sleeping Beauty performed by the Canadian National Ballet last night and it was so beautiful. Really. My mind is still a-twirl with visions of sparkles and tulle so I thought I'd share something beautiful and ballet.

Take a moment to pause and enjoy something beautiful. Watch these two clips and savour the beauty of the subtle, graceful movements ...

- Watch Dying Swan performed at Chanel
- more of Karl Lagerfeld's work with baller dancers here

{Photos:Chanel.com}

Fiona Barratt's sophisticated Chelsea apartment is study of simple, modern glamour. Nothing too fancy or outrageous, just clean simple lines and profiles in neutral, calming shades of grey. Far from being dull, there is a sense of sophisticated drama with strong black accent pieces, black and white photography, and of course shiny silver metallics.

Fiona found this dramatic vintage squares mirror while travelling in Cuba. The effect of the mirror in this room is like a large, sparkling piece of jewellery to an outfit - it automatically seems a little bit glamorous. Throughout the room - the chromed lamps, beautiful silver vases and pewter pillows - all tie together the grey and silver theme.

Fiona adds a shot of colour with regal purple tones.

I love this dramatic black trio of Jonathan Adler-esque candle sticks - and how they are used to display little silver pots filled with greenery.

Fiona's own favourite piece in the apartment is her antique, black Asian dresser it creates a focal point. The use of strong black stops the space from becoming too feminine, I think it's this balance between both that makes the space so soothing.

A simple bed dressing with moody blue tones and dove grey accents to match the walls, all set against crisp white linens. The night table is a dramatic black but it's more delicate frame stops it from looking to heavy.

On the dressing table, an Ochre table lamp and vintage crystal perfume bottles.

In the kitchen, a more rustic vintage Japanese dining with matching dining chairs is set against dramatic art work and high above, a pair of crystal chandelier with heavy black shades. The result is absolutely stunning. I think it may be my favourite room in the house.

And of course, what could be better outside a chef's dream of a kitchen than to enjoy your morning coffee (tea for me) outside at the black cast iron bistro table. Or perhaps share an intimate dinner al fresco. The trio of topiaries is just perfect - at once formal, sophisticated and a little quirky.

A state of the art kitchen tops off an already idyllic urban retreat - a soothing sanctuary to come home to. Fiona believes "a good interior enhance, not dictates, the way we live"."This is very much my style," she says of the space, according to her own standards I guess she has accomplished the mission of any great design.

Note the black vertical blinds against a crisp white wall - adds a little polish and subtle drama.

See, red doesn't have to be so scary, it can be as simple as a collection of an autumn favourite - crisp McIntosh apples, or one of the items on my kitchen wish list - beautiful cookware by La Creuset (although, from the above quote, perhaps it may be a little more aesthetic than functional here.)


{Photos: DouglasFriedmanforInStyle Aug'08 from here and scanned by ALifeMoreFabulous}

*PS - Nothing starts the day off right like a great review! Thank you Danielle.

Have you ever found there are some spaces are just so perfect that you'd gladly give up your possessions and move right in, as is? That's how I feel about Thomas O'Brien's gorgeous New York loft. It's been decorated in my most favourite soothing palate with crisp whites, cool greys and moody blues contrasted with sharp black detail and warm cognac coloured wood. It seems like the most inspiring space to work and live. Each corner you look at there is something inspirational and beautiful. Thomas has clearly passionate about art and being surrounded by it. There's something unique and personal about this space, I think you'd feel as if you knew alot about him just by spending time there.

Of course one of my most favourite things in the loft is the fact that it is home to my all time favourite inspiration board. Indigo blue skies, gorgeous black and white photography (Kate Winslet). Moody blues and lavenders are always the palette I'm drawn to and find so inspiring and relaxing. All these inspirational pages and framed art layered with black modern sculptural pieces. I often find sculpture is really under-used in interiors these days. I love the architectural element it brings to a space.

Soaring ceilings with paneled windows detailed in black let the light flood in. The large natural wood dining table provides a striking focal point in this bright space. The home is filled with layers of art and personal effects however, they are so artfully arranged there is a sense of order and balance. Rather than looking cluttered it looks well curated and edited. Layers of objects become layers of personal meaning.

This rich cognac wood is incredible, I love how beautifully this stain shows off the grain of the wood. The quirky yet classic coat rack, the black leather egg chair, each piece is so well chosen they are pieces are art independently, rather than compete here they blend beautifully.

The home is filled with charming little vignettes, each corner of the space has been so thoughtfully created and arranged. Love these custom made tortoise shell glasses.

I share Thomas' affinity for blue and also have collected blue and white dinnerware and glassware. This use of this central colour theme helps to make this relatively small space seem much larger. There is a great sense of flow and each individual space seamlessly
blends with the rest.

Another beautiful vignette - I love Thomas' incorporation of natural materials like this classic woven tray. I love the contrast in texture with the glossy crystal lamp base. And, of course perfectly coordinated blue thistles.

Like any perfect home, it of course has the perfect little outdoor space. Filled with classic potted shrubs and hedges, comfortable (and of course, colour coordinated) outdoor furniture - complete with two friendly dogs! I'd move in tomorrow...

{ThomasO'BrienfromHome&GardenNov07, Photographer MartynThompson, Produced MichaelReynolds}

As you can probably tell by now, I always come back to chic black and white decor. Something about the combination just completely timeless. I think this elegant penthouse by Pamplemousse Design Inc could stay exactly the same and I'd love it just as much ten years from now.

The warm, rich rug stands out against the simple black and white tiles.
This home is classically elegant from first glance.

Bold art can be found througout the home - it jumps out from the neutral palette and very classically styled furniture and grabs your attention right away.

A black and white kitchen with a polka dotted floor - completely sleek but a little playful.

What's not to love - all white upholstered pieces and walls, dark chevron wood floors. Rich woods and metallic accents, and bright colourful art.

Talk about a room with a view - with soaring ceilings and binoculars on hand to take in the breath taking view.

Just as amazing from the outside - gorgeous classic architectural details. Can you spot the chandelier from the photo above through the window?