XMAS COUNTDOWN....4 (&5)!

I was either in an airport or on a plane all day yesterday trying desperately to make it home to New Jersey from Italy in this crazy weather. My flight on Sunday was cancelled, so yesterday was my actual travel day, and it was looong.

On the plus side, my seven-hour connection wait was in Paris, so I got a chance to buy a little box of macarons from the Laduree carriage which are AMAZING and I get to keep the pretty box. I also gorged on my new forbidden favorite lunch of a whole wheat walnut -raisin baguette loaded with brie. Yummiest. Thing. Ever. Blame it on flight-cancellation-disappointment and alone-in-an-airport for seven hours comfort craving.

Anyway, now that I am home, with the parents fawning on me and sleeping in my comfy warm bed. Which reminds me of pajamas. Everyone needs a new pair of comfy pj's for Xmas, so here are two, for Countdown #4 and #5!

Victoria's Secret Sleepover flannel PJ set - love the ribbon trim!

Old Navy's Holiday Print lounge set - love the reindeer!

Tommorrow is Christmas Eve! It's a big day in my family so I may not be able to update, so Merry Christmas to all!

XMAS COUNTDOWN...4!

I had to post one of my perennial holiday favorites. What's white and red and yummy all over??

Peppermint Bark from Williams-Sonoma!! Minty chocolate goodness!

I bought the Dylan's Candy Shop version last year, but it wasn't nearly as good. The choc was way too waxy and overall a little thin. Bark is supposed to be thick and barky. Duh.

Anyway, I should be on a diet for (ever)  and also since I'm having my first wedding dress fitting in 2 weeks and haven't lost nearly as much as I hoped, but I have until June so a little Bark won't hurt, right?

I also reaalllly love:

Pep Bark COOKIES? Um, yes please.

Pep Hot Choc? Uh HUH.

And fresh marshmallows for the hot chocolate. Need I say more?

I mean really, who doesn't want a cube shaped marshmallow instead of the usual cylindrical variety?

It's the ultimate rich foodie status symbol. Why buy them for $1.19 when you can get them for $14.95?

Ok now I'm hungry.

PS LOVE THIS!

XMAS COUNTDOWN...5!

Five days til' Christmas! I'm heading home tomorrow and can not wait. Anyone need to get last minute gifts like I do? This one kills two birds with one stone (pun intended)...who doesn't love a bell jar?

Juicy Couture Sparrow Skull Hoops with Keepsake Bust

XOXO

I absolutely MUST have this book! I am a die hard Gossip Girl fan and I even got my fiance obsessed...um, I wasn't supposed to say that.

Buy it here (preferably for me) and check out Eric Daman's video on Amazon.

Style Me Pretty Photoshoot!

Okay, so I didn't win the Inspiration Challenge, and I doubt I ever will, but that is okay. Head on over to Style Me Pretty right this minute, because one of the most sensational wedding designs ever brought to life is being featured today. Everything is absolutely gorgeous and may be my favorite wedding idea ever. It involves extremely glamorous chickens...how you ask? Glam chickens??

Rustic glam fabulousness, OH MY!

Completely stunning and I am trying not to obsess over not being able to have that team do my own wedding.
Fabulous job to all involved!

Ikea Hacking = New Weekend Hobby

Ikea is practically my second home- everyone is desperate at some point (especially at the moment) to get their home decorating going despite financial woes. I've just discovered the plethora of Ikea modification sites and blogs and shops and I think I'm in heaven. There are tons of places to buy amazing (expensive) modern design here in Italy, but for anything moderately affordable there is only Ikea. So now I have every excuse to buy useless crap and make it into something useful!

1. These are GENIUS.


2. Um, no, actually, THESE are even better...and so are these!!!

3. Who isn't obsessing over this reinvention???

4. This is just kinda fun...

5. And of course this light is insane and can totally be confused for a design classic.

I'll be trying my hand at some of these ideas and more, and those slipcovers are mine! Muahaha...

Wedding: The Secret Garden

Thank God it's....

FRIDAY. I've had a slightly stressful few days. I am currently planning my wedding, which would be fine and dandy if it wasn't for the fact that this is a mixed country, half-destination wedding in Florence (where my fiancè is from and I've been living for the past 6 years), which means a lot of organization, especially considering my family has expensive tastes, yet recession-shallow wallets. Certain family members are making everything extremely confusing, complaining about hotel quality and prices, trying to find other hotels in areas completely inaccessible by car (and thus the other side of the family) and just plain driving me crazy. 


Anyway, I think I've found a solution...I would like everyone to stay in one hotel, preferably one that is easy to get to from outside the city, close to major landmarks and nice for the price. But, I would like to stay in a special hotel, for getting ready and taking pictures and then our wedding night. So I think the solution is if everyone stays at the Grand Hotel Minerva, with rooftop pool (perfect for June weather), and the getting ready/wedding night could be at JK Place, a super chic boutique hotel, perfect for just one special night. Both hotels are in Piazza Santa Maria Novella, which has been recently beautified. All in all, I say this is the best idea so far. Phew.


So, on to more important matters...


I'll probably be DIYing a lot this weekend, making gifts and such. I loved the StyleMePretty post on holiday recipes. Such a fun and easy idea. But since I'm in Italy, I like to go back home with something Italian, so this year I'm decoupaging plates for desk/console/etc. with retro Italian images that I found in old magazines from the thrift shop. But the SMP post gave me the idea of adding a Tuscan winter recipe like this one...


Mario Batali's Pappa al Pomodoro (foodnetwork.com) 
A thick tomato soup with enough crusty bread mixed in to absorb the liquid and turn into delicious mush. 

photo from realepicurean.com

...or how about Martha's Tiramisu Cookies! YUM!

Okay now I feel better. Buon weekend!

Dear Santa...

Dear Santa,

Here is the compendium of all my online wishlists, usually just a tactic to shop without spending (I have been such a good girl!). Knowing perfectly well that I probably won't get any of it, I am throwing it out there, and maybe, as the Secret says, it will come back, I just have to believe. So Santa, please, here are my requests, and don't worry, I'll let you know later what I'll be gifting everyone else this year.After all, the holiday is about giving, although receiving is always nice...

Anthropologie wintery favorites...

glittering dusk vest $198

collosal cables throw $99.95

Bettye Muller statement boots $688

Snow Flecked Cloche $38

Little Black Belt $78

Also Love:

Cupcake Stands from Modern Chic Home

Maribelle Hot Chocolate LunchBox from The Conran Shop $25

Jielde lamps, image via Caravan

There are so many great gifts at Velocity...

Ferm Living Suitacses Wall Sticker $140

Roost Rustic Wood Shelves $36 - $96

Vitra George Nelson Tripod Desk Clock $360

...and anything fun from Generate, Urban Outfitters, kate spade and a gift card for Barnes and Noble, thanks.

Have a safe sleigh ride on the 24th!

Love, B

Daily Love Letter

What I'm loving right now...

Letter Mirror from PBteen.

DIY envelope organizer on Paper Source.

White Hunter wellies from wellieboots.com

Typewriter prints from Pottery Barn.

The Petit Rose Fascinator at Anthropologie.

Embroidery hoop chalkboard from bliss in a teacup.

That's all for now! Have a great weekend!

Shoe Crush! Victorian Booties

I am obsessing lately over the array of chic Victorian lace up booties right now. They are adorable worn with just about anything, but I particularly love them with skinny jeans and a pretty coat for a polished, daytime, running around town outfit. Love love love!

free people

Dolce Vita at Bloomingdales

Jill Stuart at shopsheboutique

Madewell at Shopbop

Rag & Bone at OtteNY

Holiday Warbrobe Fa La La La La

On Christmas Eve, everyone in my family gets all gussied up (we love any reason to go shopping) and spends the evening playing games and unwrapping mounds of gifts. A holiday outfit should literally sparkle, and if not then shine. And of course, it's not xmas without our favorite classic albums. So here's a match up: Dress + album. Set the mood....

First comes Frank. Because there's no Christmas like a Sinatra Christmas...

What to wear:

All from Banana Republic


Next up is none other than...

Make Lucy jealous by wearing this:

with these:

and this:

Dress and fascinator at Anthropologie, shoes by Kate Spade.


And Christmas just isn't Christmas without this classic...

Add a little '90's flair to your holidays with this:

and these:

dress by Herve Leger @ shopbop, shoes by Christian Louboutin


Of course I had to include the indie album of the season...

So invite your friends for drinks and make sure you wear:

with these:

and these:

Dress by 3.1 Phillip Lim and shoes by Miu Miu, both at net-a-porter, tights from shopbop.


Last but not least, I couldn't leave out my favorite Xmas album of all time...

Why don't you put on:

and add these:

and this:

dress by marc by marc jacobs on shopbop, earrings by lil922 on etsy, purse from anthropologie

All albums available on Amazon!