Holiday Break

The festivities begin today for me, so I'm signing off till the New Year. I'm celebrating Christmas here in London with my hubby and his family, but come the 28th we are flying to Virginia (my home state) to ring in the New Year with my side. And no, I didn't grow up at the below resort—just nearby!

Till then, cheers to a very merry Christmas and happy New Year!

London photograph from city-data.com. Goodstone Resort, Virginia, photograph from Garden & Gun.

Faux Real: The Week's Best diy Projects

Since it's pretty obvious what I've been doing this week, I thought I would round up some fabulous crafts I've been pulling from all my fave people:

Photograph and directions at Once Wed.

Photograph and directions at Design*Sponge.

Photograph and directions at ReadyMade.

Photograph and directions from Design*Sponge.

Obsession Files: Lonny Love Part 2

I feel like the gift guide is a blogger's rite of passage, so you might remember that I tried my own under 10 (£ & $ to cover both of my homes!) collection. But I don't think I'll be crafting any more after seeing Lonny mag's amazing roundup. Just don't want to embarrass myself! So congratulations my dear friend, bridesmaid, and Lonny ed assistant, Lady Gray...And don't let the distance stop you from shipping over some goods! xx

Photographs from Lonnymag.com

Like what you see? Go to pages 15 through 20 on Lonnymag.com for descriptions. If only they had a gift of the month club...

Sweet & Simple Christmas Decs

No progress on the decorating front? Don't worry! Decking the halls doesn't have to mean dressing your credit card statement in red. Here are a few ideas from the web that are easy, stylish, and cheap. What more could you ask for?

While I was shopping for my wedding this summer I found loads of tableware similar to these hobnail pieces at flea markets and garage sales for just $1 each! I bet you could find an indoor flea market this time of year if you're lacking in the red and green dish department. And instead of jars you could fill glass pitchers with the ribbons and treats.

Want to tackle the tree (probably the hardest out of a simple group)? Head to Martha's domain for the complete DIY.

Dish & Ribbon photos from Country Living. Tree photo from Martha Stewart.

Web Roundup: Creative Christmas Trees

While colour has always been a highlight of winter magazine issues, I don't think I've seen so much as in this year's offerings. I have always been into a classic big green tree with heirloom ornaments mixed with whites and clear glass bulbs, but I'm intrigued by the fun factor of these trees. I mean, who wouldn't love to walk into a room filled with joyous hues? So with that in mind, I've compiled six of my faves—both from real homes as well as photo shoots.

From the MarthaStewart.com forums: painted plastic bottles, Tiffany's theme, & pinwheels.

Photographs from Country Living & Living Etc.

Web Roundup: Stocking Solutions

Stockings might just be the most fun thing to dive into on Christmas morning. So don't ditch them if you're sans fireplace. Instead, make one of these easy and stylish alternatives a weekend craft to-do.

 Photographs courtesy of magazines' websites

Clockwise from top left:

*Use pretty ribbon scraps to hang mugs to your staircase. Worried they'll fall? Just use floral wire to secure. Photograph from Living Etc.

*Suspend a found branch by the tree. Bonus? This one is perfect for small spaces. Photograph from Living Etc.

*You won't even have to leave bed on Christmas morning! Photograph from Country Living.

*Monogram socks using puffy paint and finish off with fun pom-poms and ribbon for a kid-friendly craft. Photograph from Martha Stewart Living.

*Take advantage of your piano's "mantle." Photograph from Country Living.

Web Roundup: What's Black & White &... Metallic?

Today's gift guide! We think these chic finds are perfect for your best gals.

Photographs courtesy of sellers' websites

White & Silver

Wear this: Marc Jacobs sequin top, £500, www.mytheresa.com

Gift these:

*Anya Hindmarch silver loose pocket, £67, www.anyahindmarch.com

*Vintage Corsage Hook, £18, www.bombayduck.co.uk

*Ultimate Winter Candle, £85, www.thewhitecompany.com

Black & Gold

Wear this: Sequin Sleeve Shantoon top, £22, www.newlook.com

Gift these:

*Disay gold-plated "Milky Way" earrings, £67, www.asos.com

*Small flower studs, £5, www.asos.com

*Monogram mugs, £4 each, www.anthropologie.com

Web Roundup: Gifts for 10 & Under

Photographs courtesy of sellers' websites

1. Ice Invaders ice cube tray, $8, www.thinkgeek.com
2. Wooden bottle opener, $10, www.spartan-shop.com
3. Small oval chalkboard sticker frame, $7, www.paper-source.com
4. The Littlest Coin Purse, £10, www.anthropologie.com
5. Keel's Simple Diary, £10, www.amazon.co.uk
6. Pam's Recipe Book, £6, www.toast.co.uk
7. Tulip Nebula Votive, £5, www.anthropologie.com
8. Noir Blossoming Flower Letterpress Coasters, set of 8, $9, www.etsy.com/shop/rubypress
9. Clifford Richards cat & fairy notebooks, £2 each, www.vandashop.com
10. Kimono Girl Mirror, £7 each, www.vandashop.com
11. Reindeer ornament, £2.50, www.toast.co.uk

Home Decor: London Calling

Can't wait to head to Chelsea Gardener and scoop up bunches of these city-chic ornaments! Going to tie one onto each of the packages for my American family and friends.

Photographs courtesy of Chelsea Gardener

Web Roundup: Well Worn's Christmas List

Let's kick off this season of gift guides with a slightly more personal inventory highlighting the two fave spots in my abode.

Photographs courtesy of sellers' websites

Clockwise from top left:

*Letizia Cardigan, £74, www.anthropologie.com

*Tuxedo Jacket in black, $228, www.jcrew.com

*V&A Pattern Box Set, £27, www.vandashop.com

*Wolfgang Letterpress stationery (with my new, married name!), price varies, www.mrboddington.com

*Painted Ceramic Piggy Money Box, £9, www.bombayduck.co.uk

*Black leather CIAK 2010 Daily Organiser, £14-£16, www.thejournalshop.com

*Bronx Linus Boot in Brown Brush, £170 (If you can still find these, you're magic! Luckily I think Santa was able to grab a pair on Piperlime.)

*Toothpick Ankle Cord in dark charcoal and black (not shown), now $60 each, www.jcrew.com

Faux Real: Luxe Snow Globes

How amazing is this styling by Anthropologie?! Although I don't think I would be OK with submerging expensive jewellery, antique stores or flea markets often yield inexpensive yet interesting pieces that would be perfect for a DIY like this. You could even use Christmas ornaments, but be sure to use a sealant if your dec is prone to rust.

Photographs & jewellery courtesy of www.anthropologie.com

You will need:

All can be found at a craft or haberdashery store.

*A jar of your choice (with a lid)

*Figurines or jewellery

*Anti-rust sealant for metal pieces

*Clear-drying epoxy 

*Distilled water

*Dash of glycerin

*Large silver or white glitter (smaller versions will float at the top)

Steps:

1. Use clear-drying epoxy to adhere your piece to the inside of the lid. Let dry per  instructions.

2. After the epoxy dries completely, fill your jar with distilled or boiled water (at room temperature, of course).

3. Add just a dash of glycerin so the "snow" falls slowly.

4. Add as much glitter as you like. If you don't like the look of glitter, you can usually find faux snow at craft and haberdashery stores.

5. Screw your lid on tightly and enjoy your snow globe!

Faux Real: White Christmas

Now that many of us are living off of Thanksgiving leftovers (my Mom could probably feed a small army with turkey sandwiches this week) I feel like I'm officially allowed to talk holiday decorations. I have always been more of a white Christmas kinda gal and used to love making paper snowflakes. So here are two Martha DIYs to get the look of those magical flecks of frozen agua. For step-by-steps on the paper snowflakes, click here, and for the doily directions, click here.