Decking the Halls - or Hall?

Modern, minimalists..whatever you call it, it can work during the holidays when people traditionally are hanging everything they own from holidays past. Give your home a sophisticated lift with a chic palette and a modern mix of plush textiles, frosty touches, and nature-inspired notions.

Here are a few clean and modern décor ideas for the holiday.

I love this eco tree – very unique and modern! Australian graphic designers Buro North claim their plywood Christmas tree is “80% more environmentally friendly” than a traditional fir or spruce. And it ships and stores flat – what a great space saver!

CB2 has a great selection of modern sleek decorative items that I am sure you will fall in love with whether your space is modern or not…here are a few I adore – epically the elf taper candle holders. They are almost too special to put away after the holidays. Also check out EQ3, they have some wonderful modern holiday items like this Claus figurine made from blown glass.
So if your space is minimalist and the thought of pine needles everywhere is not your thing – there are a lot of options out there to add a simple and small touch of the holiday season to your space!

Ways to add impact to your Holiday tree

Tip #1: Think Over Scale
Use over scaled ornaments. Large silver balls and stars have a huge impact. Though over sized decorations may cost a bit more, you won't need many (about a dozen for an average size tree), and the effect will be stunning.

Tip #2: Stick with a Theme
A large white butterfly could be the key to a leafy garden theme for your tree. Green dragonflies and a selection of artificial leaf sprays may add to the theme that's further enhanced with green ornaments and glittered netting. Even the tree skirt was embellished with floral sprays. Or how about these black and white ornaments I found once when travelling - this would be a lovely elegant theme as well. When thinking head of a theme you can never go wrong with your tree décor.

Tip #3: Do Something Different
Looking for something unique? How about these cute vintage kitchen icons from William Sonoma – think outside the norm on this one for a real show stopper! I am working on another post coming soon - Unique Holiday Trees - you'll find some additional inspiration there too!

Tip #4: Glam It Up
Add crystals, sparkle and shine to your tree. This is definitely the one time a year no one can fault you for too much “bling”. The large tree here is done by swarovski and is full of crystals (Eaton Centre, Toronto) – now that’s “bling”!

Tip #5: Remember to Repeat
Repeat one type of ornament so it creates a color, shape, or theme through a tree. I would recommend buying two to four dozen of a main theme element (like the same red balls), in various sizes, and finishes to add even more flair.

Tip #6: Color Your World
Designers create trees using colors and themes that relate to the room where the tree is displayed. Repeat your room's hues and motifs using ribbons, wrapping paper, garlands, and ornaments to harmonize with or complement what you already have.

Tip #7: Design with Line
Ornaments in one color and style get a designer look by varying the sizes between small, medium, and large. Slim ribbon garland criss-crossed horizontally throughout the tree adds to the lines as does dozens of vertical ornaments such as icicles.

Tip #8: Designer Monochromatic
Do you love one color? Go for it with a monochromatic tree. One-color trees work their magic with shape and texture. Vary the size of the decorations and mix up shiny and matte finishes as well.
Tip #9: Fill in the Gaps
Fill gaps between branches with floral filler such as silk flower sprays or leaf bunches. I sometimes even use faux flowers and plants – they add a pleasant surprise when found filling a hole.

Now I am off to the crawl space to pull out my tree - dust off my ornaments and get down to the task of decorating. I love the holiday look in my home - I find I rush home each evening turn on all the lights inside and out and enjoy!!

I hope you find inspiration in the above tips and create a beautiful centerpiece in your own home.

A little light for those dark days of winter

Smith and Hawken is a great source for neat and wonderful outdoor, garden type ideas and items. I found a few for the holiday which I wanted to share!

Multicolored Teardrop Light String

Dollops of light in four festive colors are ideal for decorating your home this holiday season. String lights around a holiday tree, under eaves or brighten up a topiary after dark. For indoor and outdoor use

Prelit Natural Swag

Bring garden-inspired holiday cheer to your home with our all-natural vine swag, accented with soft, white lights.
Pre-lit Natural Vine Spiral Trees

Add an artistic holiday element to your backyard, garden or front lawn. Illuminated by white holiday lights, this nature-inspired treasure can by hung from an outdoor tree or perched on a porch.
Oversized Ball Ornaments

Create a wonder-sized statement and add festive bursts of color indoors or out with these gleaming, weather-resistant ornaments. We have a huge pine in our front yard – these would be perfect hanging on it just like your indoor tree!

Light Garland, Cream Berry

This realistic, berry-dotted garland is flexible so you can shape it as you like to decorate a mantel, banister or tabletop. Indoor use only.
Silver Ribbon Light Strings

Light strings make any nighttime gathering festive. Our unique lighted ribbon can be used to decorate a wreath, garland or holiday tree. These flexible, lighted ribbon adds a unique glow to holiday greenery.

Take a surf on their website for other great ideas. Give guests a welcoming glow when coming to your home this holiday season!

Adding some magic to your holidays....

Ok, I am not entirely sure how this works, but...this Magic Snowflake/Christmas Tree kit (from Urban Outfitters) looks like super fun and comes with a paper frame and some incredible (and totally non-toxic) liquid that when combined together forms magical crystals from some kind of other holiday dimension.

Seriously - I gotta get one just to see if it works!

A little something from Frankfort....literally

Last year at the big holiday show in Frankfort Germany, you could not pass a single booth without seeing a Pixie.

In Scandinavia, a Pixie or Nisse is a household spirit that is responsible for the care and prosperity of a farm or family. A Nisse is usually described as a short man or woman (under four feet tall) traditionally wearing a red cap.

While belief in guardian spirits is a very old tradition in Scandinavia, belief in Nisser was prominent in the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries in Denmark, southern Norway and southern Sweden. Many farms claimed to have their own Nisse.

The Nisse took an active interest in the farm by performing chores such as grooming horses, carrying bales of hay, and other farm-related tasks. These chores were usually done much more efficiently and effectively than by their human counterparts. However, Nisser could be temperamental, to say the least. If the household was not careful to keep its Nisse satisfied -- usually in the form of a single bowl of porridge with butter in it left out on Christmas Eve -- the spirit could turn against its masters.

In the 1840s the farm's Nisse became the bearer of Christmas presents in Scandinavia, and was then called "Julenisse" and has been associated with Christmas ever since.

So now that you know who they are and what they look like - be sure to stop and pick up one of these cute decorative pixie's for the holiday season - I think I may get one and keep him (or her) out all year long!

Little treasures...

As I continue my love for all things Japanese…..I think you will agree these are the cutest little dolls!

You are bound to fall in love with these funky, cool and cute Japanese friendship dolls. Momiji Dolls (http://momijishop.com/) are a series of collectible friendship dolls. They may be small but they're big on style!
Each doll comes in a see-through bag with its own collector’s card. Inside the base of each doll there's a tiny card to write a teeny message.
Each doll is approx 8-9cm tall and made from heavyweight resin.

A combination of eclectic Tokyo style and fortune fun, each doll has a unique personality and represents a virtue or positive trait.

Give one of these pint-sized resin dolls to a friend this holiday and slip a secret message in its base for safekeeping.

Here are a few of my favs!

Kitty:
Kitty so pretty. it's always sushi time. I like: James Bond and chocolate milk.
Luca:
Her feet and the beats take Luca merrily through the streets. I like my headphones, bubble cars and stripes
Mabel:
Deep in the forest of memories Mabel makes magic fantastic
Also there is Momiji "Zakka" meaning 'bits and bobs' in Japanese brings you a collection of everyday essentials to make life that little bit lovelier, all with Momiji inspired designs. There is a huge range of accessories to choose from including: badges, bags, hankies, mugs, stickers, and much more.

And just in time for the holiday’s …

Twinkle:
Your heart has a happy twinkle that keeps me always cozy. I like bed socks and getting lost in a book.

Angel:
The teeny Christmas angel from a midnight sky brings you news of happy times. I like inspector clouseau and sherry trifle.

Next time you are looking for a special way to tell someone you're thinking about them - think Momiji.....

Looking for the perfect guy.....gifts?

Recently I was challenged with listing some "awesome" guy gifts for the coming holiday. So, I have compiled a decent list of what I think are some pretty "awesome" gift ideas for the guy(s) in your life.

Maison Martin Margiela Cheers Ring$135.00
Antiqued brass with"Cheers" engraving on the top and the cut-out on the base is a bottle opener!
Sony Ericsson’s Bluetooth Toys: the HBM-30 and Car-100 Remote Control Car
If you’re still a child at heart, amuse yourself with the number 9 champ, Sony Ericsson’s Bluetooth Toys: the HBM-30 and Car-100 Remote Control Car. The HBM-30 is an MP3 player/hands-free headset. Armed with a text LCD screen, 64 MB memory stick and built-in microphone, it allows you to listen to music and take incoming calls with one single gadget. It also comes with a remote control car that receives commands from the phone’s keyboard, so if boredom suddenly strikes you while you’re conducting business over the phone, a little “playtime” is just within your reach - $300


Snowball Blaster
Be your neighborhood's own arctic Rambo with the Snowball Blaster ($30). The gun launches softball-sized snowballs up to 50 feet, letting you drop skinny kids and the elderly from the comfort of your front porch. Besides the slingshot action, the Blaster has a forming chamber that packs three perfectly shaped snowballs for quick reloads.

Thrustmaster Glow Saber Duo Pack
Despite its pornorific sounding name, the Thrustmaster Glow Saber Duo Pack ($35) is for family friendly, Jedi killing fun. Designed for use with Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, these replica Lightsabers hold your Wii remote for gameplay and feature a "Laser effect" lighting system. You get a red and blue saber in each pack, both of which employ 17 LEDs each.


Coach Quilted Nylon Map Bag
Coach has warmed up its most popular man bag. Available in gray or green, the Coach Quilted Nylon Map Bag ($358) has a sporty nylon exterior with leather trim, along with a bunch of pockets and an organizational panel inside. Because luxury man bags are totally recession-proof. Right?

Subscription to Top Gear Magazine
Top Gear is an automobile magazine published by BBC Worldwide, and named after the BBC's Top Gear television show. It was first published in October 1993 and is published monthly at a price of £3.95. This price translates into approx. $187.00 (CDN) for a 13 issue subscription.
The major presenters of the television series - Richard Hammond, James May and Jeremy Clarkson - are regular contributors, along with the series' production staff. Tame racing driver The Stig also regularly features in their car tests, though only communicates his thoughts and feelings through the articles of others.
It is the UK's leading general interest car magazine in sales terms, with over 200,000 issues sold a month (July-December 2007) and has licensed editions all around the world.


Lego Ice Cube Tray
Lego sure knows what guys like…this awesome Lego Ice Cube Tray ($8) is a must have in every man’s fridge!

Wurkin Stiffs Magnetic Collar Stays
Every well-dressed man has his style secrets. The latest secret for keeping a crisp and polished look are the Wurkin Stiffs magnetic collar stays ($17). These polished stainless steel stays come with tiny magnets to not only hold your collar super stiff and in place, but to also make its angle adjustable.
The neodymium magnets are ultra-strong and let you place your collar exactly where you want it, allowing for a formal look or a laid back look depending on placement. The one-size-fits-all collar stays, which come in a great velvet-lined package of six, will make any dress shirt absolutely perfect.

Mighty Muggs
Hasbro is bringing the urban vinyl toy market to the mainstream with the affordable Mighty Muggs ($10-$15). "Made from 100% recycled awesome," these chunky 6-inch tall toys are currently available in Star Wars and Marvel characters. Choose from Chewie, Darth Vader, Han, Luke, Mace Windu, Obi-Wan, Stormtrooper, Darth Maul, Boba Fett, and C-3PO.




Custom Action Figures
Ever wish you could have your very own customized action figure? Well, you can. Custom Action Figures ($425/1st, $40 for each copy) from Hero Builders (http://herobuilders.com/) will make you into a 12" plastic warrior, complete with glasses, clothes, tattoos, weapons, and any other personalization you'd like. Plus, you can get a talking figure for the same price — extra copies of those will run you $50 each. Finally, you can kick Skeletor's ass yourself, using nothing but your plastic fists.


Ray-Ban Folding Wayfarer Sunglasses
Blues Brothers-style cool, in your pocket. The Ray-Ban Folding Wayfarer Sunglasses ($150) offer classic plain-black styling in a foldable, pocketable form for convenient travel. An included hard case keeps the shades protected whilst in your pocket, and Italian craftsmanship means they'll be around for a long time.

iRobot Looj
Tired of cleaning your gutters, or worse yet, dealing with clogged gutters? The iRobot Looj (starting at $100) is like a Roomba for your gutters, using a rotating three-stage auger to sweep out dirt, leaves, and debris. As a bonus, the detachable handle serves as a wireless remote, letting you control the robot while it cleans, leaving you safely (and happily) on the ground.


Stay tuned for more holiday ideas coming soon!
As for the men, I think I am going back to rhinestone key rings, girly jewels and stunning decor - sorry!!!