Merry Christmas!

Happy holidays, everyone! Mr. V and I are in the Virginia countryside with my parents, all curled up beside a roaring wood stove fire after a delicious home-cooked meal. It snowed a few inches on Christmas Eve, and we were lucky enough to enjoy to wake up to a powdery white Christmas today, which was beautiful. 

Santa was quite good to Mr. V and me this year, and we received some great goodies, including a down duvet to keep us nice and toasty this winter. I'm so grateful for all the events of 2012...We got engaged, we adopted the best kitten in the world, and we're always surrounding by our supportive, loving, and generous family and friends. This was the best year of my life, and there is so much to look forward to in 2013. I've spent this holiday remembering how lucky I am and enjoying this special time with family, and I hope you all are equally surrounded by loved ones and holiday cheer this season. 

Image via WeHeartIt.

Keeping the Christmas Spirit

Christmas may be a few days passed, but I'm never one to give it up easily...I love to savor the holidays and enjoy the ornaments, evergreens, and carols into the New Year. After all, the twelve days of Christmas last until January 6!

Because I was sick on the actual holiday, we celebrated Christmas last night, and had a tasty mushroom farro pie for dinner and exchanged some wonderful presents by the tree and fire. It was a great night with my family, for whom I'm very grateful!

All designs by Miles Redd.

Merry Christmas!

I adore being home for the holidays. It's my favorite time of year, and my Mom always fills the house with the most wonderful food and festive decorations (clearly I get my love of entertaining and design from her!).

I was feeling a bit under the weather today, so I took a long winter's nap in front of this fire - the coziest place in the world to snuggle up and recover. It's so nice to be here with Mr. V and my parents for a whole week! I hope you had a very lovely Christmas with your families!

Images taken with my iPhone.

Home for the Holidays!

Mr. V and I are now happily tucked in my cozy home with my parents for the holidays, and it finally feels like Christmas. After a slightly harrowing journey from New York (we almost missed our train!), these beautiful wreaths welcomed us at Union Station in DC...

And now a much-needed vacation begins! Merry Christmas!

Image via my (new, awesome) iPhone (courtesy of Mr. V!).

Library Dining

This would be the most perfect room for a Christmas feast!

The dark wood, red curtains, and bits of greenery add hint at the holidays without being too overt. It would be great to gather friends and family for a dinner in this lovely space!

Images by Brookelyn Photography via Ruffled.

Christmas in Connecticut

Every December, my Mom and I watch Christmas in Connecticut, our most favorite holiday movie, at least twice. Released in 1945, the film tells the story of Elizabeth Lane, a beautiful, successful food writer in New York. She writes a magazine column about her family and her domestic exploits in the country, while in reality she is a single woman living in Manhattan who cannot cook. When her boss invites both a war hero and himself to her home for Christmas, Elizabeth attempts to cover her lie by jumping into the role of the perfect housewife.

This movie is a sumptuous visual feast with gorgeous snow-covered scenery, classically stylish clothing, and a perfectly designed home in which the entire movie takes place....I will always dream of living in this house! The film is such a sweet love story and a very uplifting, cozy tale.

I hope you are happily preparing for the holidays with the people you love!

All images are stills from Warner Brothers' Christmas in Connecticut, 1945.

From the North Pole (via 29th Street)

Back in August, I shared my delight with Mr. Boddington's Studio, the wonderful and whimsical stationary store that is my personal favorite. This Christmas, Mr. Boddington 's employees are offering to serve as jolly elves and write you a letter on behalf of Santa. For every letter Mr. Claus receives care of Mr. Boddington, the studio will send a hand-written letter back "from the desk of Santa Claus." Such a sweet idea!

Not only would this be a fun suprise in the mail for a little one, but I'd love to receive it myself! In fact, I think I'll put my pen to paper right now and send off a note to Saint Nick...When I get my lovely letter in response, I'll put it in a silver frame to display during the holidays. Wouldn't having personal correspondence from Santa on display add the best dose of merriment to your decor? I'm going to try it out! Happy December!

Image via Mr. Boddington's Studio.

A Fashionista's Christmas

Now that Thanksgiving is savored and done, I'm ready to begin decorating for Christmas in full force. It may not yet be December, but the greenery, stockings, and lights are coming out now! This year, I thought I'd approach my holiday decor as I would an outfit...

How gorgeous is this coat and purse combo? I adore the elegance of winter white, and I love how these monochromatic stockings show off the texture and material of the fabric - and it makes the presents pop!

However, perhaps a more subtle palatte of light greens and ivory is the way to go. It's so ethereal, and a few key subdued colors could be added, like in this holiday bonsai tree, for a more dynamic effect...

But then again, who isn't mezmerized by splashes of bright red?! The impact of crimson is unrivaled in both dress and decor. You can never go wrong with classic Christmas colors!

I'm not sure which way to go yet, but I'd be happy with any of these design schemes! Do you have a favorite?

Image one of Filipa Fino wearing a Gucci coat and Nina Ricci bag via Vogue.com, Photographer: Marko MacPherson; Images two, four, and six (all the interiors) via MarthaStewart.com; Image three of Anja Rubik via Citizen Couture; Image five of Daria Werbowy in a Lanvin dress from Vogue.

Oh, Lonny...

It never disappoints! The November/December issue, out today, is particularly juicy. Here are some of my favorite highlights...

Totally gorgeous! And getting me in the holiday spirit!

All images via Lonny November/December 2011, Stylist: Michelle Adams, Photographer: Patrick Cline.