{a winter's day}

. . . and after all the magnificent madness of snow & mistletoe, happily taking a few beautiful moments to linger in the luxurious lull before new year's, spending time, alone together, slowing down the days {just a little}, and dreaming up nights draped in candlelight . . .


{p.s.} in case you missed, wonderfully exciting news xo


{images: marie claire idées via somethingwhite; photography by paul barbera}

{holiday give-away: crystal necklace}

. . . and while we're on the topic of holiday soirées, now that a winner of the last glamorous give-away has been announced, it's on to the next, and utterly delighted to announce this week's holiday give-away: from swoon, vintage inspired handmade jewelry filled with the romance of forgotten vintage and antique pieces such as brooches, bracelets, chains and buckles, intermingled with semi-precious beads and stones to create beautiful works of art . . .



. . . and for the impossibly exciting news: one glamorous reader will win the adeline necklace {retail $200.00}, made of glittering strands of crystal in shades of powdery blue and smokey grey and adorned with a stunning rhinestone brooch, as perfect with a soft, brushed cotton t-shirt under a belted cardigan while at the shops searching for the perfect gifts, as with a sequined party dress and sky-high peeptoes on a festive december night . . .

to enter, {click here} to visit the swoon bijoux website, or {here} for another glimpse of the adeline necklace, then leave a comment below

{bonne chance!/good luck!}

* one winner will be randomly selected and contacted by e-mail after wednesday, december 8, 2010; if you do not have a blog or contact e-mail on your blog, please include it with your comment for notification; images: martha stewart living; maria kashleva, backstage at christian dior cruise 2011, shanghai; }

{inspiration: vintage brooch bouquets}

. . . have come across vintage flower brooches many times in quaint little shops on the way out of the city, and while have thought to group pretty clusters on the lapel of a boyfriend blazer, had never thought to fashion them into utterly enchanting and everlasting bouquets . . .

{images: vintage brooch bouquets by fantasy floral designs, photography by alice hu; ruffled via beautiful things to share}