DIY gift wrapping

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a Creative Mint, beads, budget, buttons, Design Sponge, DIY, gift wrap, nature

I used to devour interior design magazines at this time of year to get inspiration and clever gift wrap ideas. I’ve made my own wrapping paper, tags and bows. Giving gifts makes me happy. Making DIY wrapping gives me a sense of satisfaction and it saves me money! Anyone can throw a gift into a dollar store bag, so upcycle some of the items you can part with, and DIY your presents this year!

Use beads and buttons to create a personal touch to your wrapping.

One of my personal faves, top your gifts with vintage broaches and earrings.
Images courtesy of Design Sponge.

This is such a great idea – wrapping with coffee filters. Why didn’t I think of this? Duh! Image courtesy of a Creative Mint.

Kraft paper and a little bit of nature! Image courtesy of absolutebodo.com.

This DIY wrapping tutorial is amazing! Wait until you see how many gifts were wrapped for only $5.53! Read the whole post here.

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Get this Holiday look for less!

The Look: This one-sleeve crepe de Chine dress by Versace is a dramatic choice for the holidays. I can buy this dress from Neiman Marcus, however at $2,495, it’s not in my budget at this juncture of my life.

Get the Look for WAY less:

1. One-shoulder Beaded Dress at Jacob for only $99!!!  A steal!

2. Sparkling Bow Earrings at Forever 21 – $4.80!  I KNOW right?

3. Pressed & Rhinestone Panel Bracelet at Forever 21 only – $17.80

4. Solid Knit Tights – pick them up at Forever 21 for only – $7.80

5. Beaded Rose Ring from Forever 21 – $3.80 

6. Women’s Komet Platform Pump at Payless – sale price $24.00

The Holiday Guide!

I saw Victoria Smith’s gorgeous San Francisco diggs while browsing Apartment Therapy one day. She has a great blog that I have been following for a while now and she is the inspiration for the black wall in my bedroom!

I found The Holiday Guide while browsing on Victoria’s blog sfgirlbybay – see how blogging works? In this issue, Victoria decorated her fireplace mantle with inexpensive items and flea market finds!

Why it works: White candles – they match with everything; Tinsel and silver – adds holiday sparkle without overwhelming the aesthetic of her furniture and interior decor; Vintage-inspired glass votive holders add extra glam for the holidays; The toy reindeer and Ho Ho Ho garland add whimsy but still look modern and chic!

The entire magazine is eye candy, as well as a great source for holiday decor inspiration and gift ideas.

Why didn’t I think of this? Gorgeous wrapping with lace!!

Holiday style high and low – luvin’ the low version!! Camel is back again and it looks so fab with animal print!

A White Christmas

I love white for Christmas. It reminds me of a fresh snowfall, the kind we always wish for on Christmas morning…

I love this glamourous dining room. The white table cloth, art deco style mirror, silver accessories and lucite chairs. Modern Christmas elegance.

A simple white living room, adorned with green wreaths and candlesticks.

The perfect mix of natural wood, white, antiques and faux fur!
Country style with a modern flair.

Olde world Christmas style, paired with whites and golds.

Click on images for their sources.

Crazy Lashes

I’ve seen all the news clips on eyelash extensions and watched endless commercials for lashes that promise to blast, plump, volumize, extend and lengthen your lashes, a-la Kim Kardashian and J-Lo.

Recently, I’ve noticed a 60s style come back – Twiggy “spider lashes”. Love it or hate it, I think we will be seeing more of this in the near future. The long upper and lower false lashes create a vulnerable appearance to the eyes that is very appealing.

On the left, Twiggy; on the right, Abbey Lee Kershaw as Twiggy for i-D, the similarity is striking. Are the 60s back for a while?

These models are sporting the new look here

In real life, The Cherry Blossom Girl is already rocking the look in Paris.

These aren’t “Twiggy style” but, if you really want to make a statement, why not give these PAPERSELF eyelashes a try? They are cut from paper, designed by Ting yu Wang, and come in several different designs. I’m a graphic designer and I like these, but I can’t really seem to come up with the right occasion to wear them to! Crazy lashes is gettin’ crazier!!

Unexpected colour pop – Indigo!

I love indigo, it is the colour of a deep midnight sky. Indigo symbolizes a mystical borderland of wisdom, self-mastery and spiritual realization. I looks best when it is mixed with bright colours, mirrored accents, whites, pearls, metals, lavender and neutrals… like a midnight sky with starry accents!

Indigo, grey, silver and purple. So glamorous! From thelennox.com.

Classic, modern and lovely!

‘Tis the Season for Christmas Decorations

Get inspired by these beautifully decorated fireplace mantles.

Vintage style candle sticks with mixed metals add sparkle and shine to the holidays on this beautful mantel decked out in greenery and musical notes!

This mantel is understated but far from boring! I love the natural wood mixed with the silver peace letters for a modern and rustic look.

This is my personal favorite. Classic, mixed with glam – all the gold and glass.
Paired with a classic bust, this is an elegant and luxe look!

The knitted stockings and chalkboard, the snowflakes and the blue ribbon garland!

Modern and sleek – I love this look! The monochromatic tones of gunmetal grey and silver combined with white baubles and glass accessories create a winter wonderland that makes me want to sip a Crantini – sophisticated!!!

How sweet is this?

The photographs, the inspirational ideas, the sleek design and the recipes…. this is the holiday issue of sweet paul magazine and it is holiday bliss. Cozy up with some hot chocolate and savour every page!

Industrial Chic Decor

I always gravitate toward traditional interior design but it has to have a modern edge for me to fall in love with it. I love vintage, industrial inspired pieces when they are used in a traditional setting because they are often unexpected and they create visual impact.

The industrial lighting in this kitchen add a modern vibe, via

Love the desk by the window and the utilitarian shelving, via

The oversized plants, the large wall clock and the industrial light fixture
take this room from ho-hum to WOW, via

A diy table made with rustic wood and metal legs is unexpected in this space. The white chairs, vintage glasses and a gorgeous orchid soften the look, via

Shoe Envy

Anyone who knows me, knows that I love shoes. I can’t walk by a shoe store window without getting whiplash.

Let’s pretend for a moment, shall we? That I live in Paris and my name is Alix. I am the Cherry Blossom Girl and my shoes are the shiz!

I have shoe envy!!! These are so chic with a vintage vibe to them that borders on the theatrical. Now, excuse me while I search for the knock offs!