Sparkling lights, the scent of fresh pine and roasted nuts, the streets bustling with shoppers busy finding treasures, walking hand in hand with cups of hot apple cider... hope this weekend's brought you a little holiday magic...

P.S. -Three engagements in seven days - romance is definitely in the air around here this holiday season!

P.P. S - in case your local streets aren't quite as inviting as these for holiday shopping, we've got some lovely links coming up to help you find the perfect gift for that special someone...

xo

Still haven't got started with my holiday decorating, but have been having so much fun thinking of creative ideas. While I love the traditional side of Christmas and the comfort and permanency it brings, I do love the idea of personalising your holiday decor and having it really reflect you and your own tastes. Ultimately, a celebration of life, love and light has no colour restrictions, so why not by-pass convention and celebrate in whatever shade mades you feel happy and bright!

While my natural inclination is for natural and metallic tones mixed with whites, the girly-girl in me is a little besotted with the idea of a Christmas in shades of pink mixed with gold or grey. Warm, cheery and definitely fun no doubt you'd have the party chatting in no time - while you're at it, why not dress in your favourite shade and be colour coordinated with your holiday decor?
(Just adore the gold sequinned dress above - truthfully, this Blueprint cover inspired the entire post!)

If Barbie had a Christmas tree it may look like this - 'all girl' with and adorned with high heels, feathers, and lots of fluffy girly fun.

While initially, a pink Christmas may seem a little tacky or in poor taste - this lovely serene spread shows how elegant and sophisticated it can be.

A perfectly easy way to add a shot of pink - pink wrapping paper. Easy to find, and in any shade imaginable, inserts a little feminine glamour into an all white or neutral Christmas.
(Look above! Love the paper stars as holiday decor)

This gorgeous DIY idea would set your home aglow, no doubt you'd be wanting to keep this up long after the holidays. Easy to make with a simple canvas, your favourite shade of paint, and a string of white lights.

Whether it's an all pink tree or simple rose hued glassware, a hint of pink is a great start to a perfectly pretty holiday.

We've already visited one of my favourite holiday movies, The Holiday, here is another that brings back so many happy memories - Elf. My best friend and I quote this movie to each other every holiday, and undoubtably each time I giggle just as hard as that first evening. We both love to laugh, and enjoy the silliness that comes so naturally to us both. Buddy the Elf has quickly become a fixture in my Decembers.

For the past few days I've had Zooey Deschanel's playfully mellow version of Baby It's Cold Outside stuck in my head. Watch here to see a charming clip from the movie, including Buddy's amazing holiday transformation - makes me want to cut paper snowflakes.

Once you've been immersed in elf culture, why not take the next step and buy an adorable elven hat. My friend Shannon introduced me to the 'Fairy Elf Swirl Hat' by babyrocksmohawks on Etsy, I think they are just fantastic, if I had a baby I would make them wear this at all times, purely for my own entertainment.

Now for some extra holiday fun, click here to Elf Yourself and share it with all your friends!

{Share a little holiday cheer!}

{Photos1,2- AllMoviePhoto, 3- babyrocksmohawksonEtsy}

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?

One of mine has been to watch 'The Holiday" every year with my sisters since we first saw it. I have such a fond memory of a magical December evening with my sisters and watching this movie together. I remember looking across at them and realising we were all smiling as we watched. One of the things I loved most about the movie was the fantastic sets. I could always see myself living in Amanda's L.A home with it's clean modern style, gorgeous fuschia bougainvillea (reminds me of the home I grew up in), and orchids, orchids everywhere! (Although I fear they'd commit suicide in my house...) Right now, I rather feel like escaping to Iris's delightfully cozy English cottage in Surrey.

The space is immediately warm and inviting, warm soft light draws you in.
Exposed beams add a rustic touch, rich tapestry rugs, hanging lanterns and lamps umbrellas, a light jacket and green Hunter boots have you all set to go out and enjoy the countryside.

The space is packed full of English country charm - adorable little vignettes and personal details everywhere you look. It's even decorated for the holidays! Normally I'm an all white lights kind of girl, but here I just love the Santa Christmas lights and bright red bulbs.

(Doesn't Cameron's outfit and that gorgeous creamy sweater just look so cozy?)

Probably my favourite feature of this inviting cottage are the fireplaces in almost every room - can't you just imagine catching up with a loved one over a warm cup of tea beside the fire right in the kitchen after a long walk in the common?

No room for another fireplace in the bathroom - is this the most adorable bath tub ever?
I think quite possibly so...

I love the charm of this cottage, but there were so many little little details in this film that have me smitten, I'll be sharing some more as well as some details from Amanda's home in L.A a little later.

This little movie tradition has become one of the things that start off the holidays to me,
can't wait to watch it again this year!

Hope you're all enjoying a lovely weekend!
xo

{Photos from: HookedonHouses (an amazing source for so many favourite films!) , AllMoviePhotos}

Boughs and wreaths and ribbons in reds and greens have started to pop up all over town. Sequins and glitter dazzle in soft twinkling lights. While I'll always love the tradition behind red and green palette, the thought of stepping out of the box and personalizing with an unconventional colour made me instantly happy. A simple white Christmas tree adorned with bright yellow balls make a big statement. Why not decorate in the colour you love the most, or that best suits your current decor. Lee Kleinhelter's white and yellow theme would certainly make the season merry and bright (below and bottom) .

This would be my suggestion for a perfect holiday place setting at Lee's bright, beautiful space. A napkin bow? A perfect simple, chic accessory and functional too!