Cheers to a New Year!

As I look back on 2011, there was joy, there was sadness and there is lots and lots of gratitude. 

Looking forward, I am excited about the possibilities this new year holds. From learning something new (guitar?) to traveling someplace new (lots of options), to welcoming my oldest son into the double digits....this is the time of year when optimism seems to flow.

I'm going to unplug this week so that I can take in the world around me and spend some quality time with my family. Nothing terribly exciting....just some board games, chats by the fire and setting some goals. I'll meet you back here on January 2nd! 

Whatever you dream for yourself in the coming year...believe it can come true!

Cheers to 2012!

image: pinterest

From Our Home to Yours

Like many of you, I'm still buzzing around, trying to finish everything in time for Christmas Eve. And, letting go of whatever I didn't get done.


It's time to light the fire, turn on the holiday tunes and enjoy these next few days with those you love! So, from our home (including Miss Molly) to yours....have a very Merry Christmas!!


Peace, Love and Joy!

Holiday Cheers

I love a signature drink for parties - and this cranberry ginger fizz cocktail is festive, refreshing and just the right shade of pink for the holidays! Go here for the recipe. Cheers!


What's your favorite holiday drink?

Mix of the Month - Lucy Wrubel

Do you have a music lover in your life? If so, this gift will be music to their ears!

After reading about DJ Lucy Wrubel's Mix of the Month club from the young, hip women at Luella & June, I've signed myself up!  The 2012 season begins Feb 1, 2012, so you still have time to sign someone up and pop it in their stocking.

Lucy is the "it" DJ in my hometown of Dallas, TX and has done parties for Neiman Marcus, Town & Country magazine and the Superbowl Host Committee. Yet, she's just as comfortable at a 13 year old's birthday party. She just loves music and mixes it accordingly.

So, if you're already getting someone a new Ipod touch or Ipod Shuffle....go one step better and give them something to load!

What song has been playing in your head this week?

Mad for Plaid

Life imitating blogs? Why, yes, it sometimes does! 

Having been inspired by Rue magazine's Tartan & Toddies party by Scot Meacham Wood, a friend and I created our own version for a ladies luncheon this year.

We started with ribbon and decided to do a layered Ralph Lauren look. We backed into the tablecloth, napkins, chairs, etc...by playing around with the colors. Alternating the red and green cushions and napkins seemed like a fun way to keep things from being too perfect and keep them theme going.

Many of our guests wore plaid....and so did our gingerbread girl, which was part of our dessert. 

Have you ever used blogs for inspiration when entertaining?

What Christmas Means to Me

My front door 

I'm doing my Monday post a little early, as I'm guest blogging halfway around the world in Sweden! Charlotta Ward, the fabulous voice behind Space for Inspiration, asked a number of her blogging friends to answer the question:

"What Does Christmas Mean to You?"

So, join me in snowy Sweden where I'll be sharing what this beautiful time of year means to me.

And since we're sharing...what does the holiday (whichever you celebrate) mean to you?

Holiday Hostess Gifts

'Tis the season for parties and celebrations! Which means invitations, good times and.....hostess gifts. Join me over at The Enchanted Home today where I'm sharing my ideas on some things that I love to give.

Remember, it needn't be expensive...but if you wrap it like it is, your host will feel special!

Do you have some parties to attend in the next couple of weeks? Do you have your hostess gift? Wherever and whatever you're doing....have a fabulous time!

Letters to Santa

Mid December. Literally. Where in the world has this month gone?

I'll be heading to the post office tomorrow with another pile of holiday cards and my boys' letters to Santa. Every year I swear this will be the last one where I scramble and stress all the way up to Christmas Eve. Yet, here I am again....way behind.

Tomorrow, I'll be sharing ideas for holiday hostess gifts and what Christmas means to me...via guest posts at two of my favorite blogs. 

For now, I'm off in my horse-less sleigh! Are you ahead of schedule or racing around like me?

Blogshop NYC!

Pardon me for a couple of days while I try to brush up on my photography and blogging capabilities, at Blogshop. I'll be joining 19 others at a photoshop boot camp for bloggers in NYC!

Created and led by Bri Emery of designlovefest (and Rue creative designer) + Angela Kohler, photographer extraordinaire, this should be a fun couple of days. Don't be fooled into thinking I have all my holiday cards in the mail and all my gifts bought and wrapped. I don't. Not even close. But, sometimes when opportunity knocks...you must let it in! Even if it's smack dab in the middle of the busiest time of year.

If you're still scratching your head at what I'll be doing, check out the video below.

blogshop new york from arian soheili on Vimeo.
When's the last time you took a class? What did you take? Wish me luck...I've been out of school a L.O.N.G. time!

Black Tie

 Black tie. There is something so special about seeing a group of men dressed in tuxedos. With only their bow ties to set them apart, I found myself drawn to photograph them, at the gala we attended this weekend.

And, while most guests were on the dance floor, I started to notice the minaudieres left on the tables. Little jewels.

Can you guess which one is mine?!

I hope you had a wonderful weekend...and are making headway on all your holiday lists. And, checking them twice!

Haute Holidays with Tobi Fairley

I'm so happy that Elizabeth asked me over to Pretty Pink Tulips today to share a little "Haute Holiday" style! This is my favorite time of year and I love sharing my holiday decor with others.

I think one of the hottest color combos this year is ruby and turquoise. The den above is in my parent's house. I used my new Saint Nick pillows from Tobi Fairley Home on the sofa. You can see an entire post on this room with lots of photos HERE.

My mother's kitchen was recently featured in At Home in Arkansas. The aqua cabinetry is decked out for the holidays with simple greenery and satin ribbon. You can see the entire feature HERE.

In my own home, I always decorate my mantel with garland. Visit the Designers Secret feature on my blog this month to learn my top tips on creating a dynamic garland in your home.

Last year I decided to do a French-inspired "Breakfast with Santa" for my little girl. It was a lot of fun! And it was all captured on video...



Thanks again for letting me stop by today! If you'd like to see more images of my holiday decor, be sure to stop by my Pinterest page and pin away!

Happy Holidays!
Tobi