TO THE NEW YEAR!

Wishing everyone a happy weekend! I hope you all have fabulous plans for New Year's Eve, just remember to be safe. Below is a festive party outfit I came up with.

1. Resin and Wood Broach- 12.50
2. Dalmatian Faux Fur Cape- 60.00
3. Structured Sleeveless Skater Dress- 46.00
4. Premeum Color Spot Earings- 18.50
5. Sparkler Missy Handbag- on sale for $93.00
6. Lancome Le Vernis Devine- $15.00
7. Curling Ribbon Ring- $78.00
8. Coach Poppy Eau de Parfum- $65.00
9. Rouge Dior Lipcolor- $32.00
10. Sultry High Platform Courts- 65.00

TACKY, TACKY, TACKY

Hello! Sorry I disappeared last week, lots of work trying to get ready for the Holidays, finishing up some exciting work projects and preparing for a party. Over the weekend I hosted a Tacky Christmas Party, with a grand prize for the most ridiculous outfit and a White Elephant Gift Swap. It was a great time with friends and family with plenty of delicious food and wine, as well as  a few batches of Grasshopper Mint Shooters being passed around. The Sweater Contest got rather competitive and the White Elephant Exchange had fun gifts ranging from home goods, gag gifts, wine and liquor, gourmet snacks and the most popular, an "adult goody bag". We were lucky to have freakishly warm weather and could continue the party outside by the fire pit!

 I know most of my guest had some luck putting together their outfits at thrift stores and Walmart  but I thought I would share some "fancy" tacky sweaters I've seen this season. 

kate spade

urban outfitters

topshop

abercrombie & fitch

abercrombie & fitch men's

urban outfitters

urban outfitters

Hope you had a great weekend too! 

WINDOW SHOPPING

Earliery this week I went to Lenox Mall to do a little Christmas shopping. Because I am offering holiday decorating services this year, I was very inthralled by some of the festive retail displays. It was interesting to see which stores were able to express "holiday" while staying true to a retail brand and this seasons trends.  Some of the biggest trends represented in the windows were color pallets (warm metallics and bold/neon colors), and geometry in materials and patterns. GAP and JCrew also used a trendy material, MT washi tape. Have a look at some displays that caught my eye.

Anthropologie was probably my favorite because they used the most original materials and colors. The second image below is of "snowballs" made out of plastic spoons, silver tape and a foam spear. Definitely a "why didn't I think of that" moment!

Diesel had a very shinny window display full of disco balls and diamond shaped ornaments. They were one of many retailers using warm metallic shades like copper, gold, champagne and gunmetal as a color pallet. Below Diesel are two more example of this color trend from Burberry and Express.

Lately I've been very impressed with GAP, I feel like their current textiles and patterns have hugely improved from what they've been selling over the last 10 years. The window display they have this season is a clear representation of how on trend they are this year. JOY written in neon yarn creates a geometric pattern, they used MT washi tape across on the walls, and I love the lit up bike and Polaroid-ish trees. All together it says super hipster to me.

The new Free People Store did a great job of staying within their brand identity: soft, vintage and feminine.

The 'Live Colorfully' concept at Kate Spade was clearly expressed in their holiday decor. Streamers, confetti and super-saturated wrapped boxes make for a very festive party season!

Happy window shopping!

BROWN BAG ART SALE

Come check out this fun event on Saturday. It's going to be a great place to check some people off you holiday shopping list!

SHOP SMALL PEOPLE!

I completely understand the ease of shopping online or at a big mall but I think it is really important to shop local and support small businesses (like myself). I'm going to give you a really easy and convenient shopping trip to take this weekend on Small Business Saturday.

Most Atlantans think of Virginia Highlands when it comes to shopping. BUT you have to remember to head south down Highland Ave. as well, into the Poncey-Highland neighborhood. Below are a list of unique gift shops that might help you check some people off your Christmas list.

We'll start the trip at the corner of Ponce de Leon and Highland Ave at Vacation Gallery and Boutique. This funky hipster shop has a small and well edited collection of music, books, accessories and vintage clothing.

vacation gallery and boutique

A few doors down you'll find Young Blood Gallery, my go-to for gift shopping. The boutique is full of housewares, jewelry, clothing, art, stationary and accessories made by local artist. The shirts are hand-printing, the purses hand-sewn and so on, making this store the ultimate source for small businesses. The back of the store is a gallery space that features a monthly show.

young blood gallery and boutique

In the same building as Young Blood you'll find Highland Row Antiques. This shop is very deceiving when you first walk in, it seems like a tiny antique furniture store but if you head to the back there's a staircase leading to a giant basement full of funky and affordable antiques. It would be a great place for stocking stuffers or houeswares. They always have a good collection of vintage toys, books, mugs, ashtrays and costume jewelry.

highland row antiques

Re-inspiration Store is a new addition to the neighborhood that recently moved from the west-side. This store sells artwork and gifts by local artists, made out of recycled materials. Re-inspiration hosts art workshops that would make a cool gift idea as well.

re-inspiration store 

A quick drive south on Highland Ave will bring you to Inman Park, where the flagship Cacao is located. This beautiful boutique chocolate shop is owned by Kristen Hard, sells hand-made bars, truffles, dipped fruit and confectionaries. A great place for Hostess gifts or stocking stuffers.

cacao atlanta chocolates

When you are all shopped-out take a quick walk across the street to Fritti for an artisan pizza and a cocktail! I recommend the Toscana.

fritti

Get out there tomorrow and support small businesses and our local economy!

ICE ATLANTA

As promised, I've got some cool artist for you guys to check out from my trip to the Indie Craft Experience. The fair was held in the Ambient + Studio, a really cool event space west of Downtown, it was full of just under 100 (somewhat) local vendors, a gift wrap station, a cool DJ, baked goods and winter drinks. Below are a few of my favorites from the show.

ashley buchanan

These pieces are HAND CUT out of sheets of metal or silver and then powder coated. I love that the unique technique turns classic forms into something super modern.

sweeteeth chocolate 

I bought the PB+C Bar (peanut butter and chipotle) and my life will never be the same. Highly recommend for a stocking stuffer!

yee-haw industries

Great print merchandise, framed art and dish towels.

fernworks.org

The photos I took and these above from her online store don't do this jewelry design justice. The depth and layers Faryn Davis captures in these resin casts are beautiful, each one tells such a small but powerful story.

the argyle academy

foamy wader

Keep artist like these in mind when doing your Holiday shopping this year, go local!!

GET YOUR INDIE ON

Heading to the Indie Craft Experience this weekend! Hopefully I will find some fun things to share with you guys and knock some Christmas shopping off my list. It's a great place to support local art and find unique handmade gifts. Check it out if you have time, and enjoy your weekend!

ice-atlanta.com

TREEHOUSE COMPETITION

I am so excited to go to the Treehouse Competition Closing Event tonight at Treehouse Restaurant (fitting choice for a venue). The Treehouse Design Competition is being hosted by the Atlanta Chapter of Architecture for Humanity. It was really nice to just design for the fun of it, with no budget or feasibility in mind. The only big requirements were that there had to be a real tree, 100 sqft or less of sheltered space and 50 sqft or less for uncovered space and no electricity or plumbing (bummer). The competition also included a design session at Condesa Coffee Shop and a Tree Stroll in Piedmont park, that sadly I missed because I got on the bandwagon a little late. They posted the People's Choice Finalists on Facebook this week and today is the final day to vote, because tonight they announce the winner! Check out the finalists below, including my Minimalist Retreat. If treehouses excite you stop by the event tonight for 7-9.

Minimalist Retreat Treehouse designed by Me!

Shipping Container Treehouse designed by Roderick Cloud

Evergreen Overlook designed by Daniel Gunn

Swanky Man-Cave Treehouse designed by David Weldon