20 December 2012

Christmas Classics



One of my favorite Christmas memories is the time my sister and I wrapped a million presents to the Neiman Marcus Christmas Album from 1994! In case you don't have it on hand (or lost it like I did)  and need some wrapping inspiration here is the list of classic Christmas songs for you to enjoy. 

I Wish You a Merry Christmas - Bing Crosby
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! - Lena Horne
Sleighride - Ferrante & Teicher
Happy Holiday - Peggy Lee
White Christmas - Dean Martin
Winter Wonderland - Lena Horne
I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm - Dean Martin
I Like a Sleighride (Jingle Bells) - Peggy Lee
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Lou Rawls
Auld Lang Syne - Guy Lombardo & The Royal Canadians

04 December 2012

Boy Toys


Boys are impossible to shop for (as I have mentioned before), I plan on using these as some gift inspiration...

30 November 2012

Inspiration Nation: Christmas Wrapping



I've been working on my gift-giving list, but I'm also plotting all of the fun ways to wrap gifts.

I can't wait to hit up M&J Trimming for ribbons!











29 November 2012

Cookies + Crafts


Every year, around this time, CMJR and I like to have a crafting and baking day. We think it's so fun to  get together and do two of our most favorite things. On the menu this time around? Chocolate Chip Cookies and Sugar Cookies combined with some DIY projects I've found on Pinterest. Now all we need is the perfect Hot Chocolate recipe! 

28 November 2012

Movie Style: Overboard


How can you not love Goldie Hawn's style in Overboard?









I even love the dowdy gingham dress!

27 November 2012

Indian-Inspired Fabrics by Idarica Gazzoni


While reading a recent issue of Elle Décor I stumbled across a short piece on fabric and wallpaper designer Idarica Gazzoni, and was completely intrigued!



  Idarica Gazzoni is an Italian artist and designer, well renowned for her fresco work. However, over the past two years, she has turned her passion for turning walls into art into a full-on wallpaper and fabric design company. Gazzoni’s prints are hand painted onto natural fibers including linen, cotton, linen voile, and wool – but this isn’t the only natural element to Gazzoni’s work – the motifs in her designs are inspired by nature and the geometry of the natural world. The designs also reflect the Mughal history of southern Asia.  Mughal art is one of my passions so I had to learn more about Gazzoni’s inspiration.




Gazzoni’s collection is named after the Mughal princess Ajumand - the third wife of Emperor Shah Jahan. She was Shah Jahan’s favorite wife, but died giving birth to her 14th child. Shah Jahan commissioned the Taj Mahal in her memory. The Taj Mahal – the greatest example of Mughal architecture in the world - is actually Ajumand and Shah Jahan’s tomb, and an everlasting symbol of their love. Gazzoni’s fabric and wallpaper collection features 15 designs; one for Ajumand and each of her children.

                  The designs are a modern take on traditional Mughal motifs – arabesque curves, red and white floral patterns, and pointed dome shapes. Each pattern comes in warm, cool, and neutral hues to best fit the purchaser’s look. One of my favorite designs is called “Day Screen” and is a cloth representation of the stone jalis used on windows in Mughal buildings. I also love “Poppy Dance” and “Arjumand” because the colors and floral patterns remind me of the beautiful and intricate stone inlay work in the Taj Mahal.



Day Screen


Other patterns from the collection

Gazzoni is continuing the Mughal theme by creating patterns representing a fictional journey that Arjumand possibly could have taken across the Mughal Empire if she had lived. This theoretical journey allows Gazzoni to incorporate other motifs from around the world of Islam into her work. This can be seen in her “Turkish Moon” designs. There are also influences from Tibet, Iran, Pakistan, and Northern Africa. Gazzoni wonderfully captures both a fictional story and the true history from cultures around the world into designs to be used in every day décor. It is an incredible and beautiful feat.

Cameron Bruns is the founder of Boston Green Blog and a contributor to Merida, the premier source for distinctively designed natural rugs with a conscience for sustainability. 


26 November 2012

NOTE TO SELF: Play Catch up


While recovering from the wild month I had and the disappointment of having my class cancelled, Sandy and a snow storm hit, once again throwing my world out of whack. I finally made some progress getting back on track but then I had a friend come into town! Last week I realized I need to come up with a recovery plan.

On the list to play some quick catch-up before the holiday season:

 5 Day Cleanse
 PU'ER Dates
Magazine Project Fun
 Massage
Facial
Bubble Baths

Breakfast Epiphanies



A few quick Monday Reads to distract you from Cyber Monday! 



22 November 2012

NY Moment: Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade


Although I still have yet to actually make it to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade (I know I'm a bad New Yorker) I always eagerly anticipate watching the ginormous balloons floating by.

Can you imagine seeing them in real life?






Happy Thanksgiving! 

I'm so grateful for each and every follower and thank you for your understanding while I hit the rest button on the blog. I've been taking quite the long vacation and will be back next week!


09 November 2012

Inspiration Nation: Tulle



I love tulle - it's so fun and you can do so much with it! Whether it be used for decoration, dress up, a prop, or a fitness accessory, tulle is a (usually) a do in my book.












07 November 2012

The Morning After





"When the government fears the people there is liberty; when the people fear the government there is tyranny." - Thomas Jefferson