Bonne Année!!

We arrived in Divonne, France last night after a roadtrip from the Netherlands through Belgium, Germany, France, Germany, Switzerland, and finally back to France. Tomorrow we travel back to Switzerland, but first we celebrate the new year at a friends' in Divonne. I wish everyone a happy, healthy, and joyous 2012!

{ image via my Pinterest }

"Three Ways to Serve Crostini" by The Lovely Cupboard

I love this super simple recipe by The Lovely Cupboard for crostini. Good idea for a New Year's Eve party!

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and slice bread at an angle. (This allows more surface area for yummy toppings.)

2. Lay on a baking sheet or stone and brush each piece with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
3. Bake for 10-12 minutes. If desired, rub a fresh garlic clove over the surface of each toast. (It gives just a hint of garlic flavor.)
4. Next, top with any assortment of spreads, meats, and veggies. 

{ images via The Lovely Cupboard and Made By Girl }

Swedish Interiors

I've always been a fan of Swedish home design philosophy: an emphasis on cleanliness, air, and light. Lately, there's been a trend of "styling" homes for the real estate market. In theory the better the home looks, the quicker it will be sold. Looks like it's been working so far ....

{ images via Bo-Laget, Alvhem Makleri, VTWonen }

Wollman Rink, Central Park

( image via Vogue and Coffee }

Merry Christmas!

Wishing everyone a happy and cozy Christmas!

{ images via my Pinterest }

Link Love

 * PANTONE accessories

* Coco + Kelley All That Glitter Gift Guide

* A cozy log cabin

* Lipstick shades to swear by from DailyCandy

* Geronimo huge party balloons

* Four great holiday hairstyles

Rue Holiday Issue 2011

I'd like to present a few of my favorite items from Rue Magazine's Holiday 2011 issue. Just in case you're drawing a blank for those last few gifts ....

 { Grande-Medium Canvas and Leather Carry-All Pouch in Silver by Vellepurse }

{ Paris Mini EDP Splash by Balenciaga, $69.99 }

  { Pave Stud Earrings in Gold by Alexandra Beth Designs, $42 }

{ Lettered Wine Carafe by Terrain, $48 }

{Dark Rum Candle by Malin + Goetz, 37 Euro }

{ Red Sunny Pillow by Madeline Wienrib }

Bon Voyage!

I'm travelling to Amsterdam today to visit my family for Christmas. I'll be posting throughout my trip of course!

{ image via my Pinterest }

Holiday Black & Gold

Holiday Black & Gold by kimmie524 featuring a v neck dress

This past Wednesday my boyfriend and I went to go see the Christmas Spectacular with the Radio City Rockettes. It was amazing since I hadn't seen it for over 7 years and love the Rockettes (I secretly want to be one). However, we were disappointed to see the theatre-going outfits. Radio City was fully decorated for the holidays, but everyone seemed to be dressed very casual. To me, going to the theatre is a special experience and calls for dressing up. Above are some ideas for outfits for special holiday events.

Chic Hair Bow

DIY: Hair Bow

Gather your hair into a ponytail at the nape of your neck, making sure the the front looks sleek and straight. Secure hair with an elastic that's the same shade as your hair (or at least close).

 

Separate your ponytail into two equal sections.If your hair is super-thick and long like Laura's, you may need to divide it into four sections. Starting at the bottom of a section, place a large hot roller underneath the hair and roll it up until you reach the base of the ponytail. Repeat until each section has a hot roller and is secured (with their accompanying clips).

Leave the hot rollers in the hair for five minutes, or until they are cool to the touch. Unwrap each roller, then take a paddle brush and run it through the hair to help combine the curls and soften the set

Leave the hot rollers in the hair for five minutes, or until they are cool to the touch. Unwrap each roller, then take a paddle brush and run it through the hair to help combine the curls and soften the set

Using a flat paddle brush, gently brush the top layer of each teased section to smooth it out. You want the lower layer of hair underneath to remain full as this is what will create the volume of the bow. Secure each section with a small elastic at the end of the hair. This will create two small ponytails within the original ponytail.

Lift one section of hair up so it is horizontal to your head, then use your fingers to gently roll hair under, creating a large roll at the very back of your head. "Remember, you're making a shape with the hair," says Ezel. "Treat it like fabric that your are molding into place." Pin the hair in place with bobby pins, then repeat on the other side.

Add more bobby pins to the top and bottom of each section. Place all of the pins on the inside of the bow — you want to secure that hair to your head, but not ruin the volume and the shape of the bow. The overall look should be sleek, so use hairspray to tame those flyaways. "Hairspray fixes everything," says Ezel. "When in doubt, spray."

 { via Refinery 29 }