Merry Christmas!

And the angel said unto them, Fear not! For, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. ~ St. Luke ii. 10-12

Photo by ChelseaVictoria

"The joy of brightening other lives, bearing each others' burdens, and supplanting empty hearts and lives with generous gifts becomes for us the magic of Christmas." ~ W. C. Jones

Wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas!

xoxo

joy to the world.

{my niece carolyn Christmas 2008.}

Merry Christmas

with heaps of Love.

xo-

& if your feeling a wee down, this is a wonderful reminder for you.  

p.s. (you are so loved.)

Wishing Everyone a Wonderful Christmas Eve

"Christmas Eve was a night of song that wrapped itself about you like a shawl. But it warmed more than your body. It warmed your heart... filled it, too, with a melody that would last forever."  ~ Bess Streeter Aldrich

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas Eve and a very Merry Christmas. For those that are interested I've compiled a few holiday related links to peruse: 
 

My Top Five Christmas Movies  

What are yours?

 

Holiday Getaway Essentials

 

Holiday Sparkle

Turkey: House of the Virgin Mary

A religious pilgrimage in Turkey

Holiday Inspiration: Displaying Christmas Cards

Do you have any special Christmas Eve traditions?

 

"Bless us Lord, this Christmas, with quietness of mind; Teach us to be patient and always to be kind." ~ Helen Steiner Rice

Meet Me in St. Louis.

 

Esther Smith: I’m going to let John Truett kiss me tonight.
Rose Smith: Esther Smith.
Esther Smith: Well, if we’re going to get married, I may as well start it.
Rose Smith: Nice girls don’t let men kiss them until after they’re engaged. Men don’t want the bloom rubbed off.
Esther Smith: Personally, I think I have too much bloom. Maybe that’s the trouble with me.

Ester Smith: Meeting him across the lawn for the first time would be so ordinary. I don't want to be just introduced to him. I want it to be something strange and romantic and something I'll always remember.

 

Rose Smith: Oh, Es, isn't he simply enchanting? And so mature! 
Esther Smith: Well, how did it happen? Where did you meet?   
Rose Smith: I was coming out of the shop and he was coming in. We bumped into each other! 
Esther Smith: Accidentally? 
Rose Smith: Almost!

Esther Smith: ... It's our last dance in St. Louis. I feel like I'm going to cry.

'Tootie' Smith: No, you can't! You can't do any of the things that I can do in St. Louis!
Esther Smith: No, no, Tootie, you're wrong. New York is a wonderful town. Everybody dreams about going there, but we're luckier than lots of families because we're really going. Wait till you see the nice new home we're going to have, and the loads and loads of new friends we're going to make. But the main thing is, Tootie, that we're all going to be together, just like we've always been. That's what really counts. We could be happy anywhere as long as we're together.

John: [after proposing to Esther] I wouldn't have said it, Esther, if I'd thought it would make you cry.

Esther: [crying] I've imagined you saying it thousands of times. And I always planned exactly how I'd act. I never planned to cry.

John: Well, at least you didn't laugh...I never asked a girl to marry me before...

Esther: John, nobody could have done it more beautifully. I'm very proud.

John: Esther, will you? Will you, Esther?

Esther: Of course I will, John.

All photos found via google images & tumblr.

I had never seen Meet Me in St. Louis until tonight and I now absolutely love it! It is such a romantic movie & simply perfect for the holidays.

xo-

Some Christmas Gift Suggestions

Christmas gift suggestions:

To your enemy, forgiveness.

To an opponent, tolerance.

To a friend, your heart.

To a customer, service.

To all, charity.

To every child, a good example.

To yourself, respect.

~ Oren Arnold

Holiday Gift Guide 2010: For the Kids

Kids are usually pretty good at letting you know exactly what they'd like to see under the Christmas tree, but if you're looking for some ideas not found at Toys 'R Us for the munchkins in your life here are some other options...

Cocobohème Chalkboard Wall Stickers, $28

Dwell Studio Baby Bib Set, $32

Modernist Doll House, $329

Doll House Furniture, $200 (32 pieces)

Gap Double Breasted Coat, $76.99 

Hooded Towels, $36

Kidsink Disco Bubble Skirt, $56

A Fine Art Print from Eastwitching of a Lucky Ladybug, $19

Kidsink Distressed Stretch Jeggings, $36

 Roz Streeten Rosie Flo's Coloring Book, $8.99

David and Goliath Onesie, $21

Mongolian Fur Vest, $52

Gap Skull Slippers, $12

On the 8th Day of Christmas...

The lovely Ashley of

gave to me a

wonderful book filled with exquisite things

and a pretty cocktail ring.

Thank you so much Ashley for a thoughtful,

perfect gift (a book and jewellery, who
can ask for anything better?!)

On the 9th Day of Christmas, the 

wonderful Laura of Somthing Legit will
be receiving something green and sparkly!
Check out her blog on Monday to find
out what it is. I hope she likes it!!

Have a great weekend!

Thank you to Beth and Lauren of Aspiring Splendor for putting together this great blogger collaborative and for including me in the fun! 

Holiday Gift Guide 2010: For Him

While there are always those fall back gifts for the men in your life (cologne, ties) or the big ticket items (flat screens and iPads) here are some more ideas for the significant other, father, brother, etc. on your list...

Black World Globe, $69.95

Feel like you're back in high school...

Suck UK's USB Drive "Mix Tape", $20

Sennheiser Premiere Headphones, $149.95

The Laundress Sports Detergent, $19.00

Cabana Bar Set, $44.95

John Varvatos Messenger Bag, $850

A custom made shirt...
ShirtsMyWay

...or a ready made one

Burberry Striped Dress Shirt, $195

Round Dice, Set of 6, $23.70

Corgi Socks, J. Crew, $32

Keep him organized...

Leather Valet Tray, Birks, $95 CAD

Tartan Plaid Scarf, Banana Republic, $49.50