Oh Christmas tree....

This tree was such fun to get!
It took 1 tree to look at and we said YES! This is an absolute record, for we usually hop around a wet, dark and otherwise uncomfortable place and pull out tree after tree just to discuss that the right tree is still out elsewhere!
Well, at least we had gotten it on the most rainy Sunday....


It had to dry up in the garage for a few days.


Our dog peeks suspiciously through the door... What's coming???? He hates changes...


Then we placed it in the winter/fireplace/music room...


And today we all got together after dinner and pulled out all our collected and beautiful old ornaments, filled in the lights, strung the gold ribbons, danced around, played a few Christmas songs and made fairly merry around the tree....


We even managed to take the holiday photo, which now needs to be send out, I know, it's awfully late.....


And even the dog is content again!

We marvel at this wonderful magical tree, reminding us with it's shine of the glory of these days, it's light will guides us into a new year and help us gather round and count our blessings!
This tree again reminds me to take a break once in a while and to hold still, to admire it's beauty, listen to the lovely whispers coming from it's branches:
Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me....let us embrace nature and nurture family and friends, feel the love between us and make it last!
This is my Christmas message and I like to share it with you!

XX
Victoria



All pictures by V.Zlotkowski

Gray and green and red

As the outside gets grayer by the day the insides make up with fresh cut evergreens, sparkling decorations, the glow of the fire and festive dresses.


image


It's as if we make up for the loss of colors outdoors. We bring out the silver and gold, blues and greens, red ribbons and plaids, tartans and pillows.
I found inspiration in my own house and garden, at Anthropologie and One Kings Lane, pages of UK Elle Decoration, one of my favorite bloggers mixed in and voila, you have something to see...




I can so see myself cozied up in this gorgeous blanket, all wrapped up, reading or watching that movie, I have been waiting for...



This dress is just right to be worn sitting in my winter room....



or this...




And finding the last dried blossoms in the garden



I imagine all these as well...




Some color still outside...



and some found here...



here...



...and here:




Let there be silver...


and gold...



Orange...



...and more green!


Our tree is still waiting until tomorrow to get to it's place of honor! You will see!

Have fun finding your colors of the season, inside and out!

XX
Victoria


Pictures by V.Zlotkowski, except otherwise noted. The book 'Hue' by Kelly Wearstler via Anthropologie, the orange throw via One Kings Lane.

Blue and white pretty

Just looked at Carolyne Roehm's glamorous 'A Passion for Blue and White' and thought to share some of my favorite pictures:









Of course there is so much more then this, but when it comes to blue and white china I have an absolute weakness!
It does not stop there although...

Just looking through my own house:







Even my powder room sports blue and white!

I just love it, I can't help it and I know I am not alone....

XX
Victoria


Top eight pictures from Carolyne Roehm's book 'A Passion for Blue and White', all others by V.Zlotkowski

Hannukah

Happy Hannukah, it begins at sundown tonight!



To all my Jewish friends: Happy holidays and Mazel Tov!


XX
Victoria

Basmati rice pillow

A few days ago I happen to be at one of my favorite eateries. Run by Pamela Schulz: 'True Food' in Nyack, NY.



True to it's name, she sells and prepares the most delicious foods, home cooked lunches, mostly organic and locally grown. They have breads and sweets, coffee and teas, and from African lentil soup to rice dishes there is a lot to choose from.
As I ordered I watched her prepare a large pot of Basmati rice, pouring it from one of those colorful sacks, used for shipping the goods from exotic origins.
After inquiring what she would do with the packaging afterwards, she told me they simply throw it away....Uohhhh! I was only too happy to ask for it.

Now it graces my chair, in which I do most of my thinking, apart from sitting at my computer...and I feel its rough, yet cushy material and I always have to smile seeing it! I have to think from where it came from, the many hands working with it and the food I receive from so far away...well, I feel a grateful connection!




It's perfect, it came even with a zipper build in, I had nothing more to do then to stuff a cushion inside and be done with it!
To be sure, I will get more then this one and have already some ideas as what to do with it!
In this case not only from the foothills of the Himalayas to my table, but to my chair as well!

And I will enjoy many more meals at 'True Food'! Thank you, Pamela!

Wishing you an inspirational weekend!

XX
Victoria


Pictures by V.Zlotkowski

Honestly...an award

Tricia from Avolli was so sweet to pass the Honest Scrap Award to me, thank you so much! I feel touched and happy, that my blog makes friends....
I found her beautiful blog many month ago and love her Swedish antiques and she has such wonderful way of presenting them. It shows her passion for it and her lovely style!
I had been given the same award only about 4 weeks ago by Maria Killam of the blog
Colour me Happy. Therefore I will take the easy way out and ask you to look at my post from November 15TH, 2009 and what I had then to say about myself...! I do not know how to link my own post back here, like some of you do.... I have to admit, I do not know, how...I tried, but it did not work. Well, that is something about me!



I simply could not come up with something new and meaningful! I hope you do not think I am cheating....I am just trying to be graceful, in all honesty ...

I hand the award to:

Simpilified Bee

Reverie

Odi et Amo

Living It At Home

Oliveaux

Weekend Host

Les Voyageuses

Let's here it from you!

XX
Victoria


Picture via Anthropology!