merry christmas...

wishing you a very stylish christmas...

photo source

how to get the holiday blues...

...the "right" kind of holiday blues...

whether you start small...like a little sparkle on your nails...

sephora midnight mambo by opi
sephora

or make it so that everyone is noticing your shoes...

nine west frederika
zappos

being blue...but still being warm...

st. john collection sequined cardigan & sleeveless shell
neiman marcus

dazzle in a dress...

aidan mattox bloused cold shoulder sequin dress
nordstrom

or go back in time...for my vintage lovers...check out this lovely (the lovely cherie posted 3 blue beauties...be sure to check them all out here...

1950s blue dot silk taffeta dance dress
shrimpton couture

the christmas blues never seemed so inviting...

filoli - part 3...

my tour of filoli...most known as the carrington mansion in "dynasty"...ended in the beautiful grand ballroom...of course i envisioned all the fabulous parties that must have taken place at one time...truly truly magnificent...

and with no shortage of christmas trees...the sparkle & shine of the decor could not help but get everyone in the mood for the holidays...















and the icing on top...being serenaded by the all men's choir...pure bliss...

filoli - part 2...

my tour of filoli continues...known to many as the carrington mansion in the show dynasty...

looks like my obsession with mannequins continues as well...



the dining roon was one of my favorites...with the beautiful piano being played in the background...to the lovely animal in its holiday tux...gotta love it...right?
the table was amazing...






beautiful doves that live on the grounds year round...don't you love the bird cage?



the massive fire places were extraordinary...decorated just right...although i would have loved to see it all lit up with a crackling fire...curled up with a good book...



upstairs were off limits...but the child in me wanted to sneak on up...just to take a peak at some of the massive bedrooms...but i refrained... =)






tomorrow...the last of the tour...the best room in the mansion by far...the grand ballroom...

filoli - part 1...

yesterday...i was able to go and see the beautiful filoli...located in woodside, ca...it is the official site of the "carrington mansion" that what used in the filming of the show...dynasty...

during this time of year...the mansion is decorated in holiday decor...and this year's theme featured the wise old owl...it is a great way to get into the holiday spirit...and what i love...is to always pick up a new decorating idea or two...

i often get asked where i draw from for inspiration...sometimes a magazine...sometimes an outfit someone has so beautifully put together...but most times...i see colors in nature that so incredibly go together...such as the fall leaves...is it any wonder this is my favorite time of year?



although we here in lovely northern california get excited about our 1 in every 10 trees that turns colors...i will take it where i can find it...as in these lovely pics...






front of the mansion entering in...love the bears...and signs...



i always get a kick out of mannequins being dressed in unique ways...this was the entrance to the kitchen...black & white always works...although i think i was more thrilled with the "pail" in place of a head...ok...truth be told...it was the message...my motto...for sure...



stay tuned...tomorrow i will post more pics of some of the rooms...and how beautifully decorated they were...

wishing you...

...the merriest christmas...and may it be stylish...

photo source

the perfect christmas window display...

one of the things i love about this time of year...is to venture out...and see all the fabulous window displays...last year...my favorite had to be...one that i unfortunately did not see in person...but thought it spectacular none the less...the perfect "accessorizing of the tree" at oscar de la renta...wasn't she a beauty?

this year was no different...i made my several trips out to union square in san francisco...saw my favorite tree inside the neiman marcus...tried to avoid the window displays at macy's...not because they aren't worth looking at...but because the windows are full of puppies & kittens waiting to be adopted...and believe me...i know me...and i'd be coming home with animals...not gifts...

but i digress...

this year...my favorite window display was at santana row in san jose...at ted baker london...how adorable is this santa?



think marilyn monroe on this number...for his skirt would hike up to reveal some sexy fishnets...on santa...ok...maybe not the traditional look for santa...but fabulous...none the less...

twinkle twinkle...

i was very surprised to get several emails from readers wondering what my christmas tree was like...so...her it is...in all her glory...i opted for my faux tree...and although that is definately not my first choice...as i love the smell of a christmas tree...this year...with my schedule...it just didn't work out...but...my plan "b" is not too bad...because she still holds elements that i hold dear...the tree is gold...(love that) the lights still twinkle...and she stands 7 1/2 feet tall...and although for the longest time...when my cats would sit under the "real" tree...i thought it was because they were finally as close as they would get to the outdoor world...being in tune with nature and all that...i find...that they like sitting under the faux one...just as much...

here...chester is modeling for me...looks like i better get going with my christmas shopping...as the tree is looking pretty scarce...

lavished at christmas time...

yes...i was lavished at christmas time...seems a lot of my friends are asking what i got...so i thought i would share with you my lovely gifts that i received that are "fashion" related...feel free to share yours as well...it may give someone a great gift idea for a birthday coming up...

as most of my readers & friends know...i love audrey...and...lucky me...got one more book to add to my collection...she is one classy lady...



i love these cocktail napkins i got...won't they be perfect for a girl's nite get together??



hold on to your seats...i am now the proud owner of my first croc bag...les sigh...if you are wondering what the difference is between croc & alligator...here is a post on "is it an alligator or crocodile?"



my lovely niece got me this beautiful necklace...she knows her auntie...love the pearls...they go with everything!!



and one can never have enough gloves...love the color of these...



more bling bling...



and then the hot boots...thanks mom & dad!



after a long nite in the hot boots...i can come home to this luxury...my younger brother's tradition...every year...a new pair of slippers...these are so lady like...no? every girl should have their favorite pair to slip into...only the best for you...



this is actually two necklaces my girlfriend got me...chains & pearls...so coco chanel...goes with everything!!



"little luxuries in a large box" so fun to open...each little luxury was individually wrapped...included in the big box among many beauty items...was a nail file with some bling bling :-) and these cute parisian pics...and...



if you recall i had posted the luxe list - luxury gifts for women...the question was "which would you choose?" and i of course was drooling over the chocolate trunk...a girl can dream...right?? i got this little gem...which actually i am thankful for...a little chocolate is all i need...5 pounds of chocolate, 350 pieces of rich ganache, and four tins of Aztec hot chocolate may be a bit much... =)



and then this precious gift...from my younger niece...it is not fashion related...but it was made by her in shop class...my beautiful new cutting board...made with love...by melissa...and as if this wasn't enough...



she engraved it...awww....love that girl!!

merry christmas!

may your celebrations overflow with loving friends & family...
luscious food...
and stylish fashions...

merry christmas!!

merry christmas eve...

merry christmas eve dear readers...
wanted to take this time and wish you all a fabulous day!

and...i'm sending you a christmas card... =)

won't you help me accessorize the snowman?