HAPPY *GET COZY* WEEKEND (AND ANOTHER GIVEAWAY!)

My first weekend at home in December, and I can hardly wait to get comfy cozy at home and tackle some end-of-year projects...

Care to join me? Good, because for the next week Crate & Barrel is hosting a Blog-A-Day Giveaway and today's giveaway is MY pick!

Everything you need to get cozy anywhere in your house: a luxuriously soft alpaca blanket, a coveted knit pillow and glowing candlelight from my all-time favorite votive candleholders. To enter, just hop on over to the C&B facebook page and follow the instructions!

Are you enjoying this season or giving yet, or what? More fabulous gifts for you to come (can we say cashmere and furniture?) next week. Because nothin's too good for my blog babies.

Post Title

→

HAPPY *GET COZY* WEEKEND (AND ANOTHER GIVEAWAY!)

Post URL

→

http://cocokelleys.blogspot.com/2011/12/happy-get-cozy-weekend-and-another.html

Visit coco kelleys for Daily Updated Wedding Dresses Collection

RUE IS PLAYING SANTA! $2000 WORTH OF GOODIES FOR YOU!

'Tis the season for giving, and we at Rue want to spread our love and appreciation for our readers with a seriously amazingly huge bomb-diggity giveaway!

First off, the Rue girl needs to be bundled up for winter party hopping, and decked out with a stunner accessory, so we've got a cozy Quicksilver Puffy Coat and an  Elva Fields original necklace to add to your wardobe. But before your big night out, you're going to need to pretty up...

Don't worry, we've got that handled too. The complete hypoallergenic collection of skin products from Perricone MD, a GHD limited edition flat iron, and white mulberry hand wash and lotion set from Molton Brown (a personal fave of mine!) complete with stainless steel holder should do the trick.

Now going out is all well and good, but a girl's gotta give her digs some love too, so naturally, we're giving away some very lust-worthy decor to pamper your home too. An Ernest bar cart from CB2, Dwell Studio tubular burst objet, Crate & Barrel Nord vase, and Dwell Studio duvet and shams.

And, just to round things out, we're providing you with some inspirational reading materials too. Copies of Decorate, The Liberty Book of Home Sewing, It's Lonely in the Modern World, Open Studios with Lotta Jansdotter, and Nomad will soon be gracing your shelves.

So, not you're probably wondering how to enter huh? Well, my dears, you get not one, not two but FIVE ways to enter to win this little contest because every editor (Crystal, Anne, Bri and I) are asking you to answer a different question in our comments section as your entry. Here's mine:

If you could give one gift from the Rue Holiday Issue Gift Guides, what would it be??

And for an extra entry, tweet this little phrase: "I wanna win the $2k @RueMagazine holiday giveaway!" with a link back to this post. That's it! Now go do a little blog hopping, and Rue reading. The winner will be drawn next Wednesday! Good luck.

*open to US Residents only. all images via rue magazine

Post Title

→

RUE IS PLAYING SANTA! $2000 WORTH OF GOODIES FOR YOU!

Post URL

→

http://cocokelleys.blogspot.com/2011/12/rue-is-playing-santa-2000-worth-of.html

Visit coco kelleys for Daily Updated Wedding Dresses Collection

FOODIE FASHIONISTA: HOLIDAY CITRUS

Hello, hello dear readers! Crissie of Chicasaurus-Rex here, bringing you another non-traditional holiday color palette. When my copy of J. Crew's holiday catalog arrived I fell in LOVE with this orange+teal+purple combo. Let's re-imagine it as a party-ready ensemble, shall we? (And, show up with this blood orange, honey-glazed tart in tow and you're sure to get an invite to every party next year...)


photo // dress // necklace // shoes // bag 

Post Title

→

FOODIE FASHIONISTA: HOLIDAY CITRUS

Post URL

→

http://cocokelleys.blogspot.com/2011/12/foodie-fashionista-holiday-citrus.html

Visit coco kelleys for Daily Updated Wedding Dresses Collection

ROM POM POM POM

Totally into these pom pom scarfs by Thomas Paul...

The perfect weight for year-round use, and a perfect hit of playful detail. Believe it or not, I'm not usually a pink girl when it comes to my wardrobe, but I'm really loving the orchid and charcoal... which would you choose?

*available on burke decor

Post Title

→

ROM POM POM POM

Post URL

→

http://cocokelleys.blogspot.com/2011/12/rom-pom-pom-pom.html

Visit coco kelleys for Daily Updated Wedding Dresses Collection

LET'S TALK (AND TWEET!) TABLETOPS

I feel like I've been tabletopping like crazy lately. It starts in October with my birthday, then Thanksgiving, of course Christmas, and then there's New Year's... needless to say, it's not always easy to keep fresh ideas coming.

It also gets a bit challenging to use the same pieces in my cupboard over and over in new ways. Which is why I was thrilled when T.J.Maxx/Marshalls offered me the chance to do a little shopping for my Christmas table!

Department store prices for a totally new tabletop would probably get me as far as a set of new dinner dishes. If that. A couple of hours in my local T.J.Maxx, and I came away with a set of four dinner, salad and dessert dishes, new champagne flutes, and a mercury glass vase for the table...

As well as some decor that I could use on the table or buffet. This sequined nutcracker might be my new favorite addition! And let's not forget parting gifts for guests - always a must! The perfect packaging on these hot chocolate tins means all they need is a little ribbon to finish them off...

So here it is - the beginnings of my table inspiration. The Kate Spade dessert plates (on top) sparked my plan for metallics mixed with a pop of Tiffany blue. While I've been gravitating towards gold lately, the silver in the china made me think mercury glass, so I'm hoping to mix the trees into the table too ...

Oh, and did I mention that I snagged a white herringbone tablecloth? Yep. And all of this for under $150. With brand names like Kate Spade and Lenox? You've got to be kidding me. I honestly had no idea that I'd find such quality pieces for so little. (And yes I know I sound like a commercial, but it's true!)

So now it's time to put it all together and I'd love your help! Since we're talking so much tabletop around here, I thought I'd invite you all to a Twitter party tomorrow at 5pm PST / 8pm EST for the chance to win a $100 certificate to do a little of your own shopping at TJ Maxx or Marshalls!

I'd love to hear your ideas on how you'd set up my table using these pieces, your own tabletop challenges and successes this season (bring your photos!), and how you'd use the $100 to give your tabletop an update. (Maybe you need some fancy new flatware, are ready to replace your hand-me-down dishes or could use some festive decor?) Follow me at @casslavalle and use the hashtag #MarshallsTJMaxx. I'll see you on twitter tomorrow!

Post Title

→

LET'S TALK (AND TWEET!) TABLETOPS

Post URL

→

http://cocokelleys.blogspot.com/2011/12/let-talk-and-tweet-tabletops.html

Visit coco kelleys for Daily Updated Wedding Dresses Collection

OBSESSION: COBALT WALLS

I know designers have been stepping their game up when it comes to color, but this room is literally blowing my mind.

Hello, stunning blue walls, studded fireplace screen, zebra upholstered chairs... molding, chandelier, artwork, table... do I really need to go on?


*room by eric cohler and jennifer mason for traditional home holiday showhouse

Post Title

→

OBSESSION: COBALT WALLS

Post URL

→

http://cocokelleys.blogspot.com/2011/12/obsession-cobalt-walls.html

Visit coco kelleys for Daily Updated Wedding Dresses Collection

THE OVERHYPED CHRISTMAS TREE REVEAL!

When I posted my Christmas tree inspiration (right here) in the beginning of December, I had lofty ambitions. Unfortunately, time and budget got the best of me and I couldn't quite pull together the vision I had in mind.

When I finally spent some time last week hunting for the perfect ornaments, I realized that unless I wanted to drop at a few hundred bucks on new decorations, I was going to have to settle for indulging in just a few new ornaments and trim instead. Which is just what I did...

First of all - the tree itself was sent to me by Treetopia, was incredibly easy to put together, and afforded me the chance to get a little risky and indulge in a black tree!

I knew I wanted to go with black, whites and metallics, so I started with the ornaments I already had...

Gold, white, cream and silver balls, icicles and snowflakes were all on hand. I added the 'confetti' ornaments from Crate & Barrel to match the white pom pom ribbon trim. Then I realized I needed a thicker garland and layered on the black+cream striped ribbon too.

I bought the tassels when I thought I still might be able to go in my Indochine inspired direction. I kept them anyway.


Flanking the tree with my new chairs (from Z Gallerie) and their glittery pillows cozied things up a bit - something you kinda need to do with a black tree. Lesson learned? A theme tree means going big or going home... maybe next year I'll go bigger, but for now I'm perfectly happy with this dramatic new addition for the living room.

Post Title

→

THE OVERHYPED CHRISTMAS TREE REVEAL!

Post URL

→

http://cocokelleys.blogspot.com/2011/12/overhyped-christmas-tree-reveal.html

Visit coco kelleys for Daily Updated Wedding Dresses Collection

SHADES OF WINTER...

The sun is barely shining today, but lately it's felt gray and frosty in the city, and I've been dressing accordingly...

Soft pastels, greys and whites with a punch of black. (Always.) I'm beginning to think I should have done pastels with my black tree to soften her up a bit. Photos of her gold, white and black splendor coming shortly!

*images via saipua, stockholm street style, domino, and chanel

Post Title

→

SHADES OF WINTER...

Post URL

→

http://cocokelleys.blogspot.com/2011/12/shades-of-winter.html

Visit coco kelleys for Daily Updated Wedding Dresses Collection

HOPPING + HOSTING

I've completely missed all the holiday party hopping this year with my weekends of travel, but I'm still crossing my fingers for a chance to host a little shindig at my place. And since my theme this year seems to be going in a black and white direction... I suppose I should do my very best to match.

So I've come up with a little fantasty ensemble to go with my far-fetched fete. White silk, black lace, and plenty of sparkle to boot.

PS - This budget busting dress may be a fantasy, but this black and white number from max & cleo, or pure white vintage from modcloth are two perfect alternatives to get the look!

*dress by jason wu, kenneth jay lane earrings, joanna dahdah stacking pave bangles, anya hindmarch clutch, manolo blahnik heels.

Post Title

→

HOPPING + HOSTING

Post URL

→

http://cocokelleys.blogspot.com/2011/12/hopping-hosting.html

Visit coco kelleys for Daily Updated Wedding Dresses Collection

Face Hunter

Post Title

→

Face Hunter

Post URL

→

http://cocokelleys.blogspot.com/2011/12/face-hunter.html

Visit coco kelleys for Daily Updated Wedding Dresses Collection

GIFT GUIDE: FOR THE CREATIVE

Happy Holidays readers! Laura here from The Daylight. In honor of my new series Curate Your Space, I've put together my favorite gift picks for all those business savvy artists in your life; unique goodies that are sure to brighten their holiday and keep their creative juices flowing...

*resources: watch,  necklace,  ipad case,  skirt, mug, business card holder, book, throw, camera, pillow,  paper weight, soap

Cheers to an inspired Holiday season everyone!

Post Title

→

GIFT GUIDE: FOR THE CREATIVE

Post URL

→

http://cocokelleys.blogspot.com/2011/12/gift-guide-for-creative.html

Visit coco kelleys for Daily Updated Wedding Dresses Collection

SYDNEY - kitty & hannah, surry hills, 12/10-11/11

I took some pictures of Kitty's band: Dampvamp while they were rehearsing yesterday.

Post Title

→

SYDNEY - kitty & hannah, surry hills, 12/10-11/11

Post URL

→

http://cocokelleys.blogspot.com/2011/12/sydney-kitty-hannah-surry-hills-1210.html

Visit coco kelleys for Daily Updated Wedding Dresses Collection

ESPRIT AROUND THE WORLD WITH FACEHUNTER - LOS ANGELES

More people and wishes from L.A. here & there.

Post Title

→

ESPRIT AROUND THE WORLD WITH FACEHUNTER - LOS ANGELES

Post URL

→

http://cocokelleys.blogspot.com/2011/12/esprit-around-world-with-facehunter-los.html

Visit coco kelleys for Daily Updated Wedding Dresses Collection

SYDNEY - ruth & her friends, surry hills, 12/09/11

Post Title

→

SYDNEY - ruth & her friends, surry hills, 12/09/11

Post URL

→

http://cocokelleys.blogspot.com/2011/12/sydney-ruth-her-friends-surry-hills.html

Visit coco kelleys for Daily Updated Wedding Dresses Collection

HAPPY WEEKEND...

No doubt many of you will be dashing around to holiday parties this weekend, but as for me, I'll be dashing off to my alma mater for a weekend of visiting with friends and college hoops! As fun as it will be, I am a little sad to be missing out on some fabulous fetes...

So if you are attending one, be sure to have an extra glamorous time for me, would you? And next week I'll be sharing my own ideas for holiday parties - attire and tabletops!

*image: marchesa tablescape for house beautiful

Post Title

→

HAPPY WEEKEND...

Post URL

→

http://cocokelleys.blogspot.com/2011/12/happy-weekend.html

Visit coco kelleys for Daily Updated Wedding Dresses Collection

ESPRIT AROUND THE WORLD WITH FACEHUNTER - SYDNEY

More wishes from Sydney here & there.

Post Title

→

ESPRIT AROUND THE WORLD WITH FACEHUNTER - SYDNEY

Post URL

→

http://cocokelleys.blogspot.com/2011/12/esprit-around-world-with-facehunter.html

Visit coco kelleys for Daily Updated Wedding Dresses Collection

GIFT GUIDE: FOR THE BOYS!

Picking out gifts for girls is easy... if you know their taste. They like anything pretty regardless of its practicality. Men, however, are the complete opposite. It must be functional first, aesthetically pleasing second. Which is why their gifts are definitely the ones worth investing in. You know if he loves it, he'll keep it forever...

*1. Key Clip Ring. UnionMade. $58. *2. Standard Cologne. Comme des Garcons. $110. *3. Shetland Sutherland Sweater. J.Crew. $118 *4. Concrete Shaving Kit. Mjolk. $98. *5. Tie Breaker Coins. Jack Spade. $15. *6. Balsam Fir Incense. Old Faithful Shop. $9. *7. Wax Canvas Overnight Bag. Ernest Alexander. $395. *8. Brass Knife Keeper. Mjolk. $300. *9. Le Grande Seconde Watch. Mougin & Piquard. $425. *10. Linus Blanket. CB2. $50. *11. Plaid Scarf. Need Supply. $22. *12. Double Old Fashioned Glass. Crate & Barrel. $10/each. *13. Diamond Cut Wood Coasters. Stone Textile. $30.

Pssst... if these prices are too rich for your taste, don't forget there are two under $50 gift guides for the ladies and gents in our latest issue of Rue! 

Post Title

→

GIFT GUIDE: FOR THE BOYS!

Post URL

→

http://cocokelleys.blogspot.com/2011/12/gift-guide-for-boys.html

Visit coco kelleys for Daily Updated Wedding Dresses Collection

FANTASY TO FÊTE: HOLIDAY COCKTAILS

'Tis the party season, m'dears; hope you're all getting in the spirit! Camille here, with a major dose of holiday festivity that includes the requisite amounts of bubbly + bling...

Our inspiration board is brimming with shimmer and shine: a cool palette of silver and champagne echoes an icy winter landscape, while touches of black add a dash of sophisticated polish. I think this is my dream look for the swanky holiday cocktail party I'm dying to host as a perfect excuse to break out the silver, ice down bottles of Veuve and slip into something sparkly.

Champagne and oysters make a natural pairing for a luxe spread of hors d'oeuvres - for a more cost-effective yet equally-festive option, try my recipes for Ginger-Spiced Cider and the Perfect Cheese Plate.


There's nothing I love more than a long communal table full of family, friends and loads of flickering candlelight. Serve food family style so everyone can help themselves, allowing you to be a guest at your own party.

For this table, I'm sticking to a snowy white palette for the arrangements of garden roses, peonies, tulips and hydrangeas. Silver or mercury glass vessels reflect the light beautifully and bring an aged patina to the table that feels so right at this time of year. For more floral inspiration and how-to's, check out a similar centerpiece we put together at my house.

I fell so in love with these silver, gold and white stockings from Crate & Barrel that I bought them for my own house this year! A mantle adorned with silvery tinsel and golden votives looks so magical above the glow of the fire.

*images: {row 1} balloons, champagne, stir sticks {row 2} stockings, caviar {row 3} white ornaments, appetizers, table & tree,chandelier {row 4} oreo cake, cupcakes, party blowers, silver wreath. champagne & oysters, communal table, silver centerpiece, stockings.

Post Title

→

FANTASY TO FÊTE: HOLIDAY COCKTAILS

Post URL

→

http://cocokelleys.blogspot.com/2011/12/fantasy-to-fete-holiday-cocktails.html

Visit coco kelleys for Daily Updated Wedding Dresses Collection