Happy Christmas Eve!

 After weeks and weeks of shopping, cooking, rushing and not to mention stressing (although we have loved most of it really!), the day is but hours away from us!

Although I am out tonight, hosting our annual 'Christmas Eve' party for all our friends and family, I thought of posting a couple images to get you even more in the festive spirit!!!

Merry Christmas!!!!

Saskia XO
P.S. Behind today's door was a basket of toys!

Christmas Finds: Festive Parties!

All right ladies, the holiday season is upon us, which means one thing: It’s time to snag a fabulous holiday party dress! Along with trimmings and tinsel, of course. Whether you’re heading to a family reunion, a chic cocktail party or an office fete, having the perfect party look is essential. Below are five festive party-friendly looks from the well trusted and my idol, Lauren Conrad, to get you through whatever seasonal soiree comes your way…

Cool Chick



Dancing Queen


Pretty Lady



Hot Date



Gilded Girl



Which look has your stamp on it?

Saskia XO
P.S. Today's door was an angel!

Christmas Finds: The Rein-Beer!

Ladies and gentleman I welcome..... The Rein-Beer! I thought this was the cutest idea. So if you're struggling to chose a gift for the lucky man in your life, why not buy him his favourite specialty beer (or make it “rein-booze”—I hear Johnnie Walker Blue Label goes over well with the men folk) and dress it up a bit? It's cute, festive and thoughtful (and not bankrupting either!) and is sure to go down a treat! 

What other cute festive ideas could you make?.... be creative!

Saskia XO
P.S. Behind today's advent callender door was a ball-ball!

Christmas Finds: Bake your Dream Man!

We all know a good man is hard to come by. So what’s a girl to do when she’s left solo under the mistletoe? Many of us turn to one of two things: cats or chocolate. But I say no—not this year! Instead, let’s try a new fallback…like gingerbread!

Making your dream (gingerbread) man is simple. Mix up the ingredients, bake him for an hour at 350-degrees…and voila—he’s yours! Dress him in your favorite frosted attire (he can’t say no) or go ahead and eat him right up (literally) under the mistletoe. If all else fails, at least you can break his legs. It’s like gingerbread voodoo… But don’t feel too bad. He deserves it for all those unnecessary calories!

Better yet? Bake a dozen or so and invite your girlfriends over for a drink and design night… I promise, it’s sure to be a good time!


What are the stats of your dream guy?

Saskia XO
P.S. Today's door was an elf!

Christmas Finds: Noel Nails

It's the most wondeful time of the year...dong, ding, dongggg! Dear bloggers, we are now into single figures for the greatest season to be jolly fah lah lah lah lah la la la laaaa! Consequently, (I have become a little obssessed- incase you hadn't already guesssed!), but more importantly I have devised a post to tantalise your fingertips- aka 'Noel Nails'.....!

 

Whilst you are most probably all terribly busy decking the halls or rockin' around the christmas tree, I figured that as christmas vacation neares, you'd have chance to take care of your fingertips and exude a little more of that holiday spirit....and why not? You all deserve it!

 

So this post delivers to you all not as a DIY, list and learn activity, but rather a chrinspiration post, desired to inspire you through this toasty season!

 

Please post all pictures if you have given any of the styles a try!!

 

 

Will you try a 'Noel Nail'?

 

Saskia XO

P.S. Today's advent callender door revealed a little snowman!

 

 



Christmas Finds: For Her

You’re making a list but you might want to check it twice because the following 10 girly gift ideas are things you must add to your Dear Santa list if you’ve been extra nice… 

 1. A fabulous tailored fitted cross seasonal jacket. 

2. Chic tech-sessories. A new phone case or iPad sleeve is never a bad idea.

3. New boots. Get your closet ready for the winter season with a new pair of flat boots.

4. Weekender bag. This is something we typically don’t like to buy for ourselves but love to have on hand… Perfect for a last-minute quickie getaway!

5. Monogram necklace. While it might seem trendy now, a monogram necklace is a classic statement piece that will last you a lifetime.

6. Luxe polish. Pricy designer nail polish makes for a great gift—it’s definitely something that we don’t usually like to treat ourselves to but love to get!

 

7. Perfume! This is the gift that keeps on giving. Spritz it throughout the year and enjoy…

8. Stylish sunglasses. Who doesn’t love a new pair of sunnies to sport in the New Year?

9. A new wallet. It’s useful and it’s something we don’t care to splurge on when we’re footing the bill.

10. A good book. We have our eye on the new Kate Moss book, but nothing tickles our fancy like an amazing coffee table book.

And there you have it—our oh-so-unofficial list of holiday gift ideas you can fill your wish list with!

Do you have your eye on anything in particular this holiday season? 

Saskia XO

P.S. Behind todays door was a robin!

Christmas Finds: For Him

Guy gifts are tough. Whether it’s your dad or your beau, finding the perfect present for the man in your life is no easy feat, particularly when that guy seems to have everything they could long for....! That is why I’ve put together this list of 10 great gift ideas for men… Check it out below and if you have any other ideas to add to the list, leave them in the comment! 

Make him listen. If your man is into music, a nice pair of quality headphones is never a bad idea. Especially if he travels a lot. (Brownie points if they are noise cancelling!)

Dress his tech. Give your guy’s gear a mini makeover with a new cover or case. I like this iPad case from J.Crew. It’s simple and sleek.

Tell him it’s time. Men love watches like women adore shoes. They can’t get enough of them! This Timex watch is stylish and classic—a great everyday watch.

Update his deck. A nice set of playing cards may seem old fashioned but I bet your bottom dollar that he will get a kick out them.

 

Give him a stash. Wallets are something every guy needs. So why not make sure this everyday accessory is fashionable? There are plenty of great options out there at almost every price point. (Don’t forget to slip a dollar in before you give it to him—giving someone an empty wallet is bad luck!)

Play ball! If your man is into sports, give him the greatest gift of all: tickets to see his team. If he’s more of the music type, concert tickets are a great idea too. Same goes for theatre buffs.

Make him comfy. A few relaxed t-shirts make for a sweet gift since most guys don’t care to shop. I love the tees from Hozell (like the one above).

Send him away in style. Every man ought to have a nice dopp kit. I like this Jack Spade one since it’s simple and classic with great storage.

Murse him. Okay, so maybe don’t call it a “murse” when you give it to him—it is technically a messenger bag. (And for those of you who don’t know what a “murse” is, it’s basically a “man purse.”) This is great if your guy carries a lot to and from the office or is still in school.

For the Instagrammer. If he’s as obsessed with Instagram as you are, then he will love this clip-on fisheye lens. (Plus, you can have fun with it too!)

Do you have a great idea for your guy? Share it in the comments below!

If you're still finalising your holiday wish list, be sure to stay tuned for my 'Christmas Finds: For Her' post tomorrow for the perfect girly gift guide for some inspiration!

Saskia XO

P.S. Today's advent calender door was a decoration!!

Christmas Finds: Christmas Couture!

As we emerge closer and closer to that famous 'party season', more and more parties evolve to spend time wining and dining with your friends and family rockin' around the christmas tree! However, it can sometimes be a little overwhelming entering stores searching for a party dress to wear that scream colour, glitter, sequins and more, so I have decided to do all the leg work for you gorgeous girlies out there and have selected my top 7 picks for this party season'12 with links to their websites also.
Enjoy!

http://www.missguided.co.uk/felicite-premium-sequin-cross-over-dress-47352



http://www.lipsy.co.uk/store/vip-dresses/lipsy-v-i-p-embellished-bust-prom-dress/product-is-VP00118_002



http://www.asos.com/Elise-Ryan/Elise-Ryan-Sequin-Cornelli-Bandeau-Skater-Dress/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=2650376&cid=11057&sh=0&pge=1&pgesize=200&sort=-1&clr=Red


http://www.lipsy.co.uk/store/vip-dresses/lipsy-v-i-p-jewelled-structured-skirt-dress/product-is-VP00097_081


http://www.lipsy.co.uk/store/party-dresses/lipsy-v-i-p-strapless-diamante-detailed-maxi-dress/product-is-VP00094_011


http://www.asos.com/Elise-Ryan/Elise-Ryan-Mesh-Sequin-Panelled-Bandeau-Dress/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=2375149&cid=11057&sh=0&pge=1&pgesize=200&sort=-1&clr=Nude%2frose+gold


http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=601&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33057&storeId=12556&productId=6407531&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=208523&parent_categoryId=203984&pageSize=200


Which dress is your favourite for this party season?

Saskia XO
P.S. Today's advent calender chocolate was an angel!

Christmas Finds: Party Planning

Eat, drink and be merry. That's what the holidays are all about, right? This makes December the perfect time to throw a festive bash. I usually throw a holiday party every year on Christmas eve and so I like to think that with every year that passes, I internalise a couple helpful top tips! And so maybe they will inspire you to throw your own holiday party?

First let's start with the basics...

Invitations. Figure out how many people you are willing to accommodate and send out invitations with at least two weeks notice. I'm a big fan of paperless invitations such as CocoDot.com and PaperlessPost.com. Going paperless is also the environmentally responsible thing to do.

Preparatory measures. If you host parties regularly, it's worth investing in some simple glassware. We bought about 40 glasses from IKEA and use them every time we have a gathering at our home. They are far classier than plastic cups and less wasteful. I like to dress up basic glasses with striped straws or ribbons. Otherwise, I suggest stocking up on bamboo flatware and taking a cue from this glittery DIY.

Food. I love taking the best parts of childhood parties and translating them into a grown-up context. I usually like to serve finger foods. In fact, I found a cute idea online: Mini grilled cheeses with tomato soup. I bet these are a real crowd pleaser. Finger food is best because it minimizes dirty dishes and the pressure of timing a meal for a large group. Deli platters are usually a hit too. Go to your local deli and put together a nice meat and cheese platter. I always have the butcher slice the meat instead of buying the prepackaged kind because it looks and tastes so much better. If you're not sure what to serve up in terms of sweets, I suggest setting up a self-serve s'more bar for dessert. It's another childhood treat that most adults rarely indulge in. And what person isn't happy with a s'more in hand?

Drinks. If you're going to have a big group over, I recommend making a batch of cider punch in a punch bowl. In addition to a seasonal drink, I almost always serve a bowl of spiked lemonade as an alternative to the punch. It's much easier than making one drink at a time and guests can easily serve themselves.

Now for the details...

Décor. Every party needs some sparkle. Try hanging strands of twinkling lights in each room. If was doing my party this year, I would probably make dozens of tissue garlands to stream throughout the house. Another easy decoration idea is to fill groupings of glass vases with holiday candies such as candy canes and peppermint pinwheels.

Lighting. Sprinkle the house with candles. It creates a warm, inviting ambience. Place tea lights in mason jars for a lovely glow that's both safe and beautiful.

Make space. Don't forget to move extra furniture to the perimeter walls and provide for plenty of seating.

Music. To keep the mood upbeat and festive kick off the night by playing plenty of classic, fun holiday tunes such as "Santa Baby," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," "Jingle Bell Rock," "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year," "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clause" and many more. As the night goes on transition to some fun dance music. You could even check out my christmas playlist http://www.vintagenoirinspire.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/christmas-crackers.html

Say cheese! Don't forget to set up a cute holiday themed photo booth. Click here to snag a few holiday printable photo booth props.

Remember. The key to being a good host is to be prepared, but to not get caught up in everything being perfect. You should enjoy your party. Drinks will spill, food will stain, and things will break... No party is perfect. The most important rule: Make sure you have plenty of food and drinks ready ahead of time and just have fun!

What's on your holiday playlist?

Saskia XO

P.S. Behind today's door was a mini christmas tree!