i'll melt with you!

I'm home, and there's snow everywhere, and it's Christmas. What more could a girl want? Have a beautiful Christmas everyone everywhere.

have yourself a merry little christmas!

And I am off to go home for the holiday. Enjoy this Wednesday before Christmas and drink in all the sights  and sounds of the season! 

Meet Me In St. Louis

Margaret O'Brien steals this adorable musical, and even though it's not all about Christmas like other holiday classics, it just brims over with Christmas energy!

Lovely Particular Gift Guide Extraordinaire: cats attack! scratching post

Fred Flare is also offering shipping up until Christmas, and I can't think of a more adorable gift for your special furry friend than the Cats Attack! Scratching Post (($40). This skyscraper of a scratching post provides kitty a place to sharpen his or her claws while reinforcing that age old idea of the feline persuasion that cats do indeed rule the universe.

All the Pretty Dresses: Silky Sequin Dress in

The Silky Sequin Dress in Plum Dust ($45) is the perfect, understated dress for New Year's Eve. Its muted colors gives you room to play with as many sparkly accessories as you please, and will be a dress you can turn to for years to come when you're simply not satisfied with the LBD.

Lovely Particulars Gift Guide Extraordinaire: Vintage Rotary Phone

Though it's more fun to have all your Christmas shopping done before the week of Christmas, I understand if you are one of those people who prefer to live in the thrill of the moment, and Anthropologie does too, since their deadline is the 22nd of December for online orders. In honor of this, and in honor of those souls who eschew modern forms of technology for the more tried and true of fifty years ago, here is the Vintage Rotary Phone ($198). Available in the flower like yellow and this lovely retro orange, this rotary phone is sure to delight both the aforementioned group and those lovers of mod style who wish they, too, could live in a 1960s film set.

the ladybug and the sprinkles

This video of a ladybug playing with sprinkles won my heart! So cute! So sweet! It's like she is playing soccer with the brightly colored sprinkles!

Elf!

Blogging will be sporadic at best this week. Wednesday I fly home, and yesterday I realized just how close that is which means that my life is a flurry of wrapping and packing and trying to decide just what I want to wear on the plane. So in celebration of all things Christmas, I give you this happy Christmas movie that everyone should watch at least once a Christmas season. 

Mini Mixtape Ten. That's 1-0.

2000 Miles by Coldplay

Can you ever get better than the musical beauty that is Chris Martin's voice?



Snow Globe Christmas by Pink Martini

It makes me want to dance about under the snowflakes!



Winter White by A Fine Frenzy

I love Christmas songs that are bouncing. It makes cold winter days so much better.



Step Into Christmas by the Puppini Sisters

If you'd ever wondered what Elton John would sound like if he adopted the Andrews Sisters' sound, this would be it!



Angels We Have Heard on High by Sufjan Stevens

And to finish things off is this lovely version of an old classic. I hope everyone has an absolutely beautiful weekend of holiday cheer and happiness!

Holiday Inn

Though it never quite seemed to achieve the same status as White Christmas, Holiday Inn will always be a favorite of mine. After all, who can resist the very first time Bing Crosby sings White Christmas? Or Fred Astaire dancing about with happiness?

All the Pretty Dresses: Dinner at Tiffany's Dress

Though it isn't the quintessential party dress, the Dinner at Tiffany’s Dress ($60), like its name suggests, will turn your life into something quite extraordinary and is sure to bring you into only good things. The white bow waistband changes it from simply another little black dress into a dress with a bit of French flair, allowing you to wear it to more than boring dinner parties, much like Holly Golightly would have. Perfect for those afternoons at libraries or a quiet date night at the cinema with your lover after a lovely dinner.

All the Pretty Dresses: 3 Strand Wrapped Bib Necklace

While Christmas is lovely and the perfect day to spend with family, New Year's Eve is much more sparkly and the perfect occasion to bedeck yourself with your favorite shiny things. The Three Strand Wrapped Bib Necklace ($40) adds the perfect amount of zing and color to any little black dress, just like a glass of champagne adds happiness to any night, while the side bow adds just the right touch of sweetness.

All The Pretty Dresses: The Gemstone Dress

 Along with the gift giving and wrapping and decorating of trees comes the enormous task of looking for the perfect dress to carry you through the holiday seasons and parties! But look no more, for the Gemstone Dress ($120) is the perfect dress for that other upcoming holiday night, New Year’s Eve. This dress was designed for New Year’s Eve parties, with its beautiful turquoise-teal color and the layers and layers of black tulle, which promises for perfect twirls.

Red Ribbon Foxes

Red Ribbon Foxes by A Fine Frenzy

Such a pretty song!

All the Pretty Dresses: Finding the Perfect New Year's Eve Dress and Burlesque Nails

It's the 16th of December, which is pretty late for ordering gifts unless you are willing to pay an exorbitant amount of shipping. But Christmas isn't the only thing that is on a girl's mind, for New Year's Eve is in a mere 15 days. A little over two weeks! So of course you are all wanting to find the perfect dress for the holiday of bubbles and sparkles and kisses and love! Over the next week I shall be highlighting some of the dresses I found while on the search for my own New Year's Eve dress. But let's begin with a look at some of the accessories that are a must for any girl during the holiday season, the most important of which is nail polish. OPI has come out with the Burlesque set ($8), which is absolutely perefct for the holidays with it's collection of glitters based in all imaginable shades and beautiful shimmery colors for those who hate the hardship of removing glitter, or perhaps want a more muted expression of holiday happiness. Perfect!

Someday

 

I'd like this to be my life!

(image by Baudouin)

Love Actually

Is it really Christmas if you haven't watched Love Actually? That is the eternal question. Although I watch it all year round whenever I need a bit of cheering up. <3

Lovely Particulars Gift Guide Extraordinaire: Cat Lover Grow Kit

No matter what your opinion of felines may be, it is a truth universally acknowledged that cats are usually the most important member of any self-respecting family, and that the key to keeping the cat owner happy is to keep the cat happy as well. So it is with great happiness that I have discovered the Cat Lover Grow Kit ($7), which gives indoor kitties everywhere all the proper vitamins they need, and is certain to delight your cat owning friends and family members.

The Doctor Who Christmas Special

With the holiday hoopla and Christmas cards and wrapping of present and getting ready to fly about the country this Holiday season, I am afraid I need a day off to try and sort things out! I shall be back tomorrow, but in the meantime enjoy this holiday preview of the Christmas edition of Doctor Who.

Lovely Particulars Gift Guide Extraordinaire: Heart Warmer Hot Water Bottle

The Heart Warmer Hot Water Bottle ($15) wins the award for most adorable gift ever. In red or white, this gift is sure to delight anyone young or old, sensible or nonsensical. 

White Christmas

It's getting closer to Christmas which means Christmas movies are galore everywhere. White Christmas will always hold a special place in my heart with its classic songs like "Sisters", "White Christmas", and all those other great Irving Berlin classics. And besides, who can resist the first film in the "Glorious New VistaVision"?? 

Lovely Particulars Gift Guide Extraordinaire: Filigree Glitter Tiara

What better to give the princess in your life than her very own Filigree Glitter Tiara ($40)? Perfect for those New Year's Celebrations coming up, and really what could make a girl feel better on those sad mean red days than to wear her tiara about the house? I am quite sure that if I had one of these nothing could persuade me to take it off. 

mini mixtape number nine

Thirteen days until Christmas! Thirteen! That means it's time for all Christmas music all the time.





Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by KT Tunstall


Maybe my favorite version of the old classic.





Winter Wonderland by A Fine Frenzy


Such a sweet, wistful version of a usually bouncy song. She makes it sound like a waltzing snowflake of a Christmas song!





Christmastime is Here Again by the Beatles


Because I think every playlist should have a bit of the Beatles in it.





Sleigh Ride by Relient K


My boyfriend keeps telling me this is the best Christmas album ever, and although I am still doubtful about that, here's a bit just to liven things up.





Boots by the Killers


I love listening to new Christmas songs alongside old standards, so this made my heart happy this week.


And with that, everyone have a beautiful Sunday of happiness and joy, and don't forget to finish up your Christmas shopping soon so you don't need to battle too many more crowds.

Last Christmas by the Puppini Sisters

A Christmas Classic to wend you on your way home this lovely Friday afternoon. As usual, there will be a mini mixtape up at some point this weekend, and I'll be back on Monday with more Lovely Particulars!

Lovely Particulars Gift Guide Extraordinaire: Bodum de Chine 34-Ounce Glass Teapot

The Bodum Glass Teapot ($35) is the perfect gift to warm up the soul for the next several months. With Bodum's renowned craftmanship, this beautiful yet simple teapot is the perfect companion for the cold winter months, and is a gift that is certain to be appreciated by any lover of tea. 

Lovely Particulars Gift Guide Extraordinaire: Pink Andy Warhol Cat

This Pink Cat by Andy Warhol print ($8) is the perfect gift for your art loving friends and family. Though Warhol may be best known for his odes to Campbell's soup and Marilyn Monroe, he was a great cat lover, and his cat portraits are beautiful and sweet testaments to his four legged friends. Besides, I can't imagine anyone who could object to one of these cute cats watching over their abode!

Jane Eyre

Oh my goodness. One of my favorite books ever. 

Lovely Particulars Gift Guide: Bag Vase

Vases are a dime a dozen, but the Bag Vase by CB2 ($4) takes floral arrangements to a whole new level. The simple white porcelain bag makes for a fun and playful twist to keep the day happy!

Lovely Particulars Gift Guide Extraordinaire: the Keybrid

 

 We all have those loved ones in our lives who manage to lock themselves out of their house regularly. Give the gift of peace of mind to them, with the Keybrid ($17). These specially made keys are meant to open any number of locks, giving your key challenged friends something they will cherish for a lifetime!

do you hear what i hear by pink martini

I always loved this song when I was little, and the Pink Martini version still makes me feel excited inside. It's pure happiness!

Lovely Particulars Gift Guide Extraordinaire: Sequin Party Clip Set

I think this might be a day of glitter at Lovely Particulars, because these adorable Sequin Party Clips ($25) are the perfect gift to give to your best friend or sister who adores nothing more than adding sparkle to everybody's life. Coming in gold or or multi color, these are the perfect gift for Christmas 2010!

Pink and White Christmas: Edible Glitter!

Who ever thought up Edible Glitter ($7) should definitely be knighted or win a Nobel Peace Prize or something, because I can’t think of a single better invention to promote good cheer and happiness all around than the thought of sprinkling these little gold stars on cupcakes, muffins, sugar cookies, (maybe even peanut butter sandwiches). But it gets better, because they also come in the form of pink hearts. Be still my little heart!

Lovely Particulars Gift Guide Extravaganza: Pigeons (for the readers on your list)

Give the gift of wonder to the non-fiction afficcionado on your Christmas list. Listed recently by Flavorwire as one of the top ten books to ignite wonder, Pigeons seeks to acquaint the reader with the history of the pigeon. Though ordinarily reviled, the pigeon has an extraordinary history dating back to the early years of the world.  I am definitely adding it to my reading list. 

Lovely Particulars Gift Guide Extraordinaire: tiny ipod acorn speaker

Earbuds are great for riding the bus and walking about to your own personal soundtrack, but sometimes one wishes to share its music with the world at large. The Tiny iPod Acorn Speaker ($45) is perfect for those friends who love nothing more than to spread their favorite playlists with the world (or their roommates).

Christmas Lights by Coldplay

Just the kind of song you would like to listen to on a quiet night during the Christmas season where all you want to feel is the calm peacefulness while the snow may blow as much as it likes but you know you are quite cozy inside and won't have to go out in it. Absolutely heart happy.

Christmas Special by The Boy Least Likely To

My number one holiday album at the moment is Christmas Special by The Boy Least Likely To. Filled with their signature sounds of happiness mixed with melancholy, this album has a little something for everybody, from the eighties-tinged “George and Andrew” about the reunion of the two singers of Wham!, to the traditional Wassail Song. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants an easy and unique album to help them get into the holiday mood! 

Lovely Particulars Gift Guide Extraordinaire: Guerlain Engraved Rouge G de Guerlain Jewel Lipstick

The Guerlain Engraved Rouge G de Guerlain Jewel Lipstick ($46) takes lipstick and compacts to a whole new world with its pretty, shiny packaging. In several luscious colors, this lipstick is sure to please any feminine heart on your gift list!

Lovely Particulars Gift Guide Extraordinaire: English Breakfast

 

Any Anglophile heart will beat faster when they see the charming English Breakfast print ($33). Named after the tea that brings its own special brand of wakefulness and keep calm and carry on energy, this print is sure to inspire even the dullest of mornings.

mini mixtape numero eight!

This song always manages to make me feel a bit warmer despite the sudden arctic temperatures on the east coast!



I love that this song is in a commercial now so I am hearing it all about me constantly!



Oh the Watson Twins. Their mellow harmonies always make the day happier!



The sound quality is absolutely terrible, but the Polyphonic Spree are so crazy they have to be included!



And last but not least, the Andrew Sisters with Bing Crosby. Because the Andrews Sisters always got billed last, and everyone knows they were more important than that! Have a beautiful weekend everybody!

christmas is going to the dogs

This is Sarah's pick which, is fitting, since Sarah Volley is a dog person.

just like christmas

This is one of my favorite Christmas songs ever.

it's christmas let's be glad!

Another favorite happy Christmas song!

oh santa

Due to a crazy long chat session with Sarah Volley where we gift shopped and did anything else under the sun there are no gift guide posts for today. But there is music. This is the Sarah Volley and NaeNae holiday mix day. So enjoy the random bits of music! I'll have a proper mini mixtape up sometime this weekend, and be back with regular posts Monday. Have a beautiful day!

winter white

My favorite untraditional unorthodox Christmas song.

Lovely Particulars Gift Guide Extraordinaire: Silent Night Soothing Lavender Bubble Bath

The Silent Night Soothing Lavender Bubble Bath ($16) is the perfect gift for the soul who loves bathtime, or for you if you are feeling particularly stressed this Christmastime. With Philosophy's own specially formulated recipe that gives you all the good stuff without all the bad chemicals, you can feel good about soaking in your lovely lavender bubbles.

Lovely Particulars Gift Guide Extraordinaire: Poem Cup and Saucer

The Poem Cup and Saucer (on sale for $36) is the perfect gift for your family member who loves to journal, or your best friend who likes to plan out her days in advance while enjoying her cup of tea.

Carolina Christmas

A happy Christmas song for your Wednesday!

Lovely Particulars Gift Guide Extraordinaire: Reflect Symmetry Laptop Sleeve in Sunny Yellow

For those more technologically minded, the Reflect Symmetry Laptop Sleeve in Sunny Yellow ($30) is a lovely gift idea! This happy laptop sleeve will keep their precious new Macbooks or whatever computer is their choice safe and happy no matter where their intrepid travels may take them. 

Lovely Particulars Gift Guide Extraordinaire: Alice Supply Co Fun Stripe Hammers

Here's a gift that's sure to delight both girls who love all things adorable and those who never met a DIY project they didn't like. The Alice Supply Co Fun Stripe Hammers ($25) will add style to your tool box with its sweet stripes and color-coordinating nails, making picture hanging all the more fun!