Look At This: Christmas Dioramas

I hope you had a fabulous Thanksgiving! Mine was really delicious and relaxing—everything you hope it will be! Did you all go out on Friday? Well, I did. And I don't want to talk about it really. It was a disaster. But, I got myself a super great electric toothbrush for a super great price so it was all worth it. Hmmmmm... Let's move on.
Dioramas are so magical aren't they? I kind of forgot how much I love them until I was spending way too much time on pinterest yesterday and ran across a handful of pins from a friend of mine. I'm inspired to make one of my own (or at least seek out a fun one on etsy). Do you have any?


images (from top left): winter scenes under domes (both) // tree under bell // japanese paper scene // octopus // house // reindeer

A Different Sort of White Christmas

So many of my lovely new Australian friends will be spending Christmas on the coast. They'll enjoy cocktails and ham and presents with the sound of the ocean in the background. And this actually sounds quite nice to me (even though I'm missing a snowy Christmas and all that includes). I thought in order to give all of my North American friends a taste of Christmas down under we could view some beautiful beachy Christmas decor. Are you up for that? I thought you might be.


Images from: tara dennis // design by cathleen // coastal living // a beach cottage // martha

Pretty Tables: Christmas

Can you believe Christmas is happening next week? Me either. My hometown in Illinois has had quite a lot of snow and cold weather so they're probably more in the holiday spirit than I am sitting in the air conditioning watching thunderstorms in Australia. However I do still enjoy all of the sights and sounds of the season, even if it feels like Christmas in July. I'm lucky enough to be experiencing an Australian Christmas with my sister-in-laws family so I'll be surrounded by people I love and celebrating that. And there will be a beautiful meal and lots of festive drinks and napping so that'll feel like home.
I've always appreciated a lovely table setting, especially at Christmas. And although I have yet to have a year where I'm in charge of table decor, I thought it was a good idea to share some lovely inspiration photos—just in case you need some help this year.



Images from: the savvy event // the hip hostess // vintage christmas decorations // country living // better homes and gardens // good housekeeping

From Me to You: Christmas Trimming

Oh man I love to get a pretty present. I have a handful of people in my life that really know this and spend extra energy making the gift wrap part of the present (thanks to you ladies!). Even my dad knows how much I appreciate this and puts curling ribbon only on my Christmas presents (because frankly my brothers don't care). That said, it's that time of year again and my sister-in-law and I are going to start doing our wrapping this weekend. We've decided to do craft paper and then adorn them with goodies: fabric bows, bakers twine, stamps, tissue paper flowers... the works. I'll have to take pictures and share (won't you do the same?). Here are a few inspirational pics to get your creative minds whirring.



(aside: the red gingham wrapping with the brooch is actually a shirt! Thanks Country Living for the idea and tutorial.)
Images from: in this instance // a natural celebration // amanda rae // let's eat // oh, hello friend // blackbird blue // hip hip hooray // tea for joy // all about you // country living

From Me to You: Christmas Cards

As someone who loves paper goods, it's really unfortunate that I'm not sending cards this year. Since I've relocated to Australia my head has just been so full of humidity and heat and thoughts of summer that I actually forgot that I should be thinking about this sort of Christmassy thing. No worries, I'm going to send everyone a virtual Christmas card. I would've had a really hard time deciding on which to send anyway. Here are some of my favorites:




Cards from: hello lucky // 1 canoe 2 // egg press // luxe paperie // bespoke press // la belle vie design // beau ideal

Christmas Windows

Well, it's official (at least in my mind)— it is now the Christmas shopping season. I seem to vaguely remember a time when retailers wouldn't put out their Christmas decorations until the day after Thanksgiving. Now it seems that trees are up and crammed with ornaments and lights right after school starts. Crazy. And unfortunate. Whereas I used to walk past these faux trees with excitement and love I now mutter to myself about how hot it still is outside and how ridiculous it is to see stockings and holly before Halloween. That said, I do still love a well-decorated Holiday display. And these windows are just the thing to get me in the shopping spirit. Did you see any pretty windows this Black Friday?


Images from: Platinum Blonde // Racked // Wee Birdy // Living the Luxe Life // Scout About // Wool and the Gang