{ Cozy Elegance }

Today was a real treat.

I spent the afternoon with some great ladies.

I hosted a 

Dine & Design

at a new friend's house.

I was so blown away with Amy's house I had to snap some pics as soon as I walked in.

Her house is warm, cozy, & elegant.

And, it's a rental.

Yes people a rental, check this out ~

Everything in Amy's house flowed so perfectly.

There were little surprises everywhere I looked.

It was full of artistic flair & charm.

It was quirky & homey, in an Anthro - Shabby Chic kind of way.

I was blown away.

Her color palette was so inviting, I sat there and contemplated going home and changing up my entire house colors! 

And to top it all off, she is a mother to 4 boys! Young boys.

I don't know how she does it, but that was one fabulously decorated home.

Thanks for having me today Amy!

In my complete awe of Amy's home, I forgot to take a single photo of the vintage paper wreaths!

Funky Christmas D.I.Y.

A simple silver paper chain - even I can do that!

Baubles hanging from a lamp shade? Dead easy.

Pinecones, spray-painted and wired onto a frame? Tricky but do-able.

Paint an old tree branch and hang the stockings...

Make a more chic stocking for oneself out of a glam fabric like fake fur.

A bit of pink ribbon on a bare wall - too easy.

Little kids (and big kids) like a bit of Christmas craft. I think this is part of the fun and build up to the big day. Problem is I am always looking for ideas that aren't too "twee". Here are some funky - and pretty simple - inspirations from Living Etc magazine. They get my award for the "coolest" christmas ideas for the second year in a row.

Best Xmas Decor ideas

Tim Rundle's still life with baubles, above and modern Christmas below.

Fabric tree at Black & Spiro, above, and Martha's golden-toned tree at Bedford, New York.

Silver on silver - keeping it monochrome at Martha Stewart's New York State home.

Black & Spiro tree of rainbow colours!

A table decoration at Martha's East Hampton home.

It has been fun getting into the Christmas spirit and here are some of my picks for best festive styling. this year.

1. The team at Martha Stewart (or is it just Martha?) who decorate her houses. Most of us can only dream about having so many gorgeous houses and the time to decorate so many trees! I love the fact she has christmas trees in the hall, in the kitchen as well as the living room.

2. Tim Rundle is a natty stylist who has glammed up his seventies bungalow for Christmas for Living Etc. So many decorations... love the ideas for decorating a modern home for the season.

3. Loved Anna Spiro's colourful Christmas tree made from fabric strips. She posted it a while ago but here it is to enjoy again!