Such Pretty Things

Pretty Presents: Pom Pom Gift Wrap

This holiday gift wrapping idea is so simple, but I just love the results.  All you need is some glossy white wrapping paper (I found mine at the Container Store) and some of Martha's new Pom-pom stickers.

I just wrapped up my gift boxes in the white paper (making sure the edges were all very crisp and neat) and then stuck on the colorful pom-poms (everywhere except the bottom of the box).

The three-dimensional "dots" add lots of visual interest...

And look so cute and happy!

If you can't find pom-pom stickers, you can try making them yourself out of tissue paper or try gluing on real pom-poms from the craft store.

Happy wrapping!

:-)

Jessica

Thanksgiving Table 2010

Well, I am signing off for a few days to enjoy the long holiday weekend with my family.  I thought I'd leave you with some pictures of my Thanksgiving table...

This year, I decided on a pink and brown color scheme. I always try to mix some traditionally-hued elements (the brown and cream toile tablecloth from Anthropologie) and some non-traditional ones (the vintage pink floral plates).

I always have lots of flowers around (these are in my Target votive holder vases from yesterday). Roses are so pretty...and reasonably priced at most local supermarkets.

And I also like to leave each guest a little favor at their place-setting...

What's in the box?  Well, a turkey, of course! :-) It's a family tradition (of sorts) to give the girls chocolate turkeys each year.  If you can only find the foil-wrapped ones, you can carefully unwrap them and place them in clear cello bags.  To dress them up a bit, I just added some pink ribbon and a velvet millinery flower to mine.  The cute gold boxes are from Michael's (only $1.00 each!).

I want to wish you (and all your families) a very Happy Thanksgiving!

XOXO

Jessica

Target Tuesday: Votive Vases

I am so in love with these pretty mercury glass votive holders from Target...

The silvery shade is so festive and the hobnail texture makes them even more special.

And, at $3 each, they are an inexpensive addition to your holiday table or mantel.  Go ahead and use them with candles as intended...or do what I did and turn them into sweet little vases.

Try placing one at each place-setting this Thanksgiving...

That way, each and every guest can enjoy their very own bouquet. :-)

Happy Tuesday!

Jessica

(Spray Roses from Whole Foods Market)

Definition of a Good Husband

If I were to advise a friend (or one of my own daughters someday) on what qualities to look for in a good husband, the list would undoubtedly include loyalty, honestly, kindness, a sense of humor, intelligence, and good looks (always a plus).  But, if one finds a man who travels far away on business, is busy all day with a million exhausting meetings, is suffering from severe jet lag and is coming down with a cold, but still waits in line for an hour just to bring you home these...

...then I say, "Marry him!"

Lucky for me, I did.

:-)

Jessica

(Macaroons by laduree, Paris)

Fabulous Finds: Anthropologie Gift Wrap

I had planned a Target Tuesday post for today, but the weather has just not been cooperating.  It's rainy and dark, so no photos for me today.  :-(  Instead. I thought I would share some gift wrap that I found at Anthropologie over the weekend. Have you seen Anthropolgie's new gift wrap collection?  It's really rather fabulous - from papers that look like gold mesh to lace to tree bark, it's all pretty cool.  But, my favorite has got to be this pretty pink and white blossom-strewn paper.

It's handmade from Lokta paper and cotton - sweet flowers on a mesh background.  I will definitely be using it to wrap some holiday gifts this year, but I think it would also look pretty as part of a table setting - either as a runner or place mats.  The mesh backing gives it a fabric-feel.

Three sheets sell for $10.  And, frankly, it's so beautiful, it could truly be a gift in itself!

Happy Tuesday!

Jessica

Pretty Shopping: Anthropologie Accessory Shop

Did you all know that Anthropologie has opened it's first ever "accessories-only" shop?  Like many of you, I am a huge fan of Anthropologie's beautiful clothing and home decor, so I was very excited to check out their newest offering.  Luckily, the shop just happens to be located in Chevy Chase, MD (just outside of D.C), so it was super convenient for me to take a peek in person.  It's a lovely, boutique-style shop filled with a colorful and well-edited selection of high-end jewelry, bags, accessories, and shoes.

But, for me, the best part had to be the shop's decor...there was a "candy and sweets" theme throughout the store.

Personally, I think shoes should always be displayed on a plate of colorful macarons...

Too bad these were faux!

I also loved the shabby, vintage touches everywhere.  How incredibly cool is this wall of vintage framed floral oil paintings...

Everything in the shop was artfully displayed. I fell in love the the hand-painted screen below...

So pretty.

And these delicately beaded tops looked like they came out of a antique-clothing shop.

So, if you find yourself in the Chevy Chase area, Anthropologie Accessories is definitely worth a visit!

Back tomorrow...

:-)

Jessica

 

 

Target Tuesday: Delicious Ornaments

I was so excited when I walked into Target the other day and saw that they had begun setting out all the new Christmas and holiday decor.  The shelves were not yet fully stocked, but I still managed to find a few fabulous items.  In fact, "Mini Me" was with me (she's always happy to go on a shopping excursion) and she found these...

Aren't they adorable!  Pretty little ornaments in the shape of cupcakes and ice cream cones!

They look delicious enough to eat...but don't!  They are made of mercury glass! :-)

The set of nine mini-ornaments sells for only $8.00.  I don't see them on-line yet, but they are labeled "ornament set" and the item number is 051-06-4342.

You could certainly use these for tree-trimming, but I also love to add one or two to my holiday packages...it's just a little touch that makes a gift even more special...

Happy Tuesday!

Jessica

Dreaming of a Pastel Christmas: Shop Update!

Well, I've finally updated the shop! I've already added a ton of Christmas items, so if you're dreaming of a pastel christmas, you're in luck! You'll find lots of vintage mercury glass ornaments,

vintage corsages & picks,

vintage French sequins,

and metallic vintage leaves.

And this is just the beginning - I will be listing lots more in the weeks to come.

In addition to all the Christmas items, I've also listed new vintage ribbons,

millinery flowers (fresh from Tinsel Trading in NYC),

vintage floral hats (including this GORGEOUS one!),

and vintage floral china pieces.

Be back soon...

XOXO

Jessica

A Sweet Offer

For me, a trip to New York is just not complete without a visit to one of my favorite cupcakeries, Magnolia Bakery.  So, imagine my surprise and delight when I received an email from Linda Facci, Magnolia's Creative Director, offering to give me a personal tour! I had the girls and my sister with me, so we all met Linda at the Columbus Avenue shop (there are actually four locations in and around NYC)...

It's a beautiful (and spacious!) shop filled with all of Magnolia's many goodies.

From their iconic pastel cupcakes...

....to their delicious home-made puddings (the banana is TDF!) and yummy cakes...

They even have a party room available!  If I lived in New York, I would so be having the girls' next birthday parties there. :-)

It was so wonderful to have the opportunity to chat with Linda.

She is so sweet and talented and obviously loves what she does for a living.  And what a job she has - I mean, who wouldn't want to be surrounded by sprinkles on a daily basis!

Thanks again, Linda - it was a such pleasure to meet you and tour the shop!

***In Such Pretty Things shop news, I wanted to let you all know that I am going to be working on a shop update this weekend.  I have lots of beautiful new vintage finds to add to the shop.  I will also be starting to add items to the Christmas shop.  And this is just the beginning, as I will have lots more pastel prettiness to add as we move toward the holidays!

Happy weekend!

Jessica

I {heart} Rachel

This past weekend's trip to New York was as much for business as pleasure, but I managed to fit in a whole lot of pleasure.  :-)  My first stop was (and always is) Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic Couture.

The New York shop has a slightly different feel than the one in Santa Monica.  It's a bit more urban, the lighting is a little moodier, and there are more neutral tones to be found.  It's a beautiful store and I could literally spend hours looking at every little gorgeous detail. There is pretty furniture and bedding at every turn...

There are glittering crystal chandeliers and lovely tabletop decor...

Floral details are everywhere...

I especially love the vintage hats overflowing with millinery flowers.

But what makes me truly weak in the knees are these...

The vintage prom dresses.

They just take my breath away.

All that tulle and lace...

And the dreamy, pastel flowers.

Sigh...

:-)

Jessica