Happy Christmas

(via What Katie Ate)

"At this time of the year I would like to note the following really important stuff:

1. Love is your one driving force

2. Stay close to the people you love

3. Laughter makes you live longer and that's brilliant

4. Home made food is good

5. And lastly (and most importantly) eat lots and lots of creamy cakes"

(I read this on the back of the Christmas cards I was sending out)

Wishing you all you wonderful Christmas with friends and family!

We'll be back in the new year.

Scenes from another world

I love our hot South Africa Christmases. To me they are a time of mangoes, family, swimming costumes, and too many mince pies. The northern hemisphere around this time of year literally feels like another world. A few years back I spent Christmas with my friend's family in Connecticut so experienced quite the opposite festivities. Here are some scenes from that other hemisphere...

Guest Post: Bright lights shinning on the Christmas Tree

I am a huge fan of Christmas, I mean who isn't. It is definitely my favourite holiday of the year. I love the Christmas Tree and wrapping gifts (which I guess you would have guessed since you already know I am obsessed with stationary). I love turkey and cooked ham. I love the hot weather which we have in South Africa, I love that our family does the same thing year after year. I love all our family being together, I love wearing a dress on Christmas morning and I love mince pies, Christmas crackers and cheesy paper hats.

Here are some beautiful Christmas things:

Harvey Nichols Christmas window display in 2009

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A perfect decoration.

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Chanel Cruise 2010/2011 Collection Display (Rue Cambon, Paris... of course)

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Even though we don't have a cold climate at Christmas time, I think these snowman lolly pops are super cute. (I love the way the hats are made from regular and mini oreos. Get the recipe here).

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Some good old classic Christmas ornaments. Although Urban Outfitters has some pretty quirky decorations (find them here) such as a starberry dipped in chocolate and cupcakes.

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I absolutely love these Christmas cards and I love them even more since the design studio which designs them is called Truly Smitten, isn't that the most fantastic name?

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If you can't take the girl to New York...

I love big winter cities around Christmas. The festivities are evident in everything from the Christmas trees, to the lights, to the chill in the air, bundled up dressing, carol singers, ice-rinks, pumpkin lattes and shop windows dressed up to the nines! Thanks Refinery 29 for a glimpse inside that magical world: the Christmas windows of the New York departments stores this season:

Foodie fantasy at Barneys

Nutcracker whimsy at Henri Bendel

Exotic flight of fancy at Bergdorf Goodman

Bloomingdales turns to technology

 

Fashion dream world at Saks Fifth Avenue

Honor Elizabeth

My niece (yes it's a girl!) was born at 2.16am on Saturday, 18 December. Honor is named after our great grandmother. She is so beautiful and tiny and perfect and pretty much the most amazing thing I have ever seen. I could stare at her for hours. The biggest congratulations to my sister and brother in law - they were incredible. Thank-you for bringing Honor into our lives.

Summer in black and white

It's hard to be slaving away at the office on a Friday while most people are in the full swing of holidays. I have one week to go and until then will be day dreaming about carefree days of summer...

{Images via here and here}

Guest Post: With love from India

My lovelies, I am in India at the moment. Before I left I made a moodboard (must be the creative in me) of what I think about when I think of my trip. When I am back home I will be sure to share bits of the real thing...

{images found here, here, here, here, here and here}

Bury and Discover gets a mention :)

Thanks to the fabulous Pauline of Petite Passport for the shout out! Check out her blog of hot spots around the world. As Pauline puts it:

"I just love, love, love hotspots. Not the ones you will find in every guidebook, but the more special ones. Shame on me, but I don’t go to a restaurant because the food is superb (well that’s a nice extra) but because of the interior. I like to sit on a Verner Panton chair or eat under a Tom Dixon lightbulb. On this blog I hope to collect all the nicest (design) places on earth. To get you, and myself, motivated to travel the world!"

Here's a peak at some posts:

 Soap from Chic and Basic: Hotel in Barcelona

 Mucich Valencia: Sneaker store in Munich

Okinaha: Health store in Brussels

Marry me

Today, two years ago, we got engaged. It was one of my favourite days... Early morning. East Village. Freezing outside. A visitor from afar. A surprise knock on my door. Down on one knee. Me in my pajamas. A sparkle. The question. Yes, yes, yes!!!

They did!

A few weekends ago we went to Plettenberg Bay for one of the husband's best friend's wedding. It was a magical affair tucked up in the secret hide away of Emily Moon River Lodge. The setting was beautiful, the bride even more beautiful, and the crowd so great we danced until dawn. Here are some pics from the day:

The year in Google

Check out 2010 in Google searches! And what a year it has been... I love that South Africa features as a new hero.

Happy weekend!

High time

Taking a walk along the High Line in NY is one of my favourite things to do. I love that that some one had an idea to turn an old railway on the west side into a park above the city. It currenyly runs from Gansevoort to 20th Street but the plans are underway to take it up to 34th Street. The husband and I strolled along the High Line on a cold Monday morning and there was hardly anyone else around. It was magical to watch the city go by.