Giveaway Winner!

Congratulations to my sweet friend Kelsey from Gal on the Go Go, winner of the fabulous white feather wreath by Ellie Boo Designs!  It will be a wonderful holiday addition to your sweet little abode.  Thank you Robin for hosting this gorgeous giveaway!

In other news, my SIL and I hosted a sweet Christmas playdate last night for some of our dear friends and their little ones.  Pictures to follow soon!

TSF Christmas Tree and Giveaway Announcement

My tree has been up for weeks now but I can't help tweaking and perfecting it on a daily basis.  Here are a few recent photos of its current state.  For the record, regarding the ongoing Christmas Tree debate, I prefer a sentimental tree over a themed tree.  That being said, my sentimental ornaments are strictly glass.  I LOVE European glass ornaments.  One of our family traditions is receiving a new ornament each year (or 2 or 3).  So slowly but surely the tree is filling up with beautifully made little works of art.

This year I added green and gold ribbon to the tree.  I love how the ribbon fills in bare areas between the branches and add a bit more color.  I definitely prefer the ribbon to hang vertically rather than wrap around the tree.  It is much easier to hang it this way as well!  I think next year I will find thicker ribbon in bolder colors to add more of a punch.  My favorite ribbons come from Neiman Marcus, but of course they are most definitely out of my ribbon budget.  $40 for a spool is a little ridiculous if you ask me!  Another addition this year, which I could just not get a great picture of, is this sweet santa tree topper by David Strand.  He trained under Christopher Radko and is an incredibly skilled artisan.  I found this beauty at Nicholson Hardie.

Last year I found that stunning glass rose at Neiman Marcus and had to snatch it up in honor of the Frogs making it to the Rose Bowl.  Swans are one of my favorite creatures, there is just something so elegant about their long curving necks and how gracefully they glide through the water.  I loved this swan ornament, also from Neimans, for its long feather tail.  The other ornaments shown were found this year at Pier One and Nicholson Hardie.

Of course there are a few more sentimental ornaments that have been added to the tree this year.  I found this sweet little turtle at Neimans Last Call for Vivi, in honor of her turtle birthday party.  And of course we had to honor Cade's first Christmas with this sweet rocking horse that I found at Lawrences.  We have also collected a new ornament for each home that we have lived in as a family.  I loved this little cottage and it resembles our house, if you kind of squint a little bit.    

Giveaway info...

The giveaway deadline has been extended through the weekend and a winner will be drawn on Wednesday, December 14 at 3 pm.  I am in the middle of planning a party for next week and would like to give more readers the chance to enter!  Right now the odds are pretty fantastic, so if you have yet to enter, do so here!

Ellie Boo Designs GIVEAWAY!!

As I mentioned last week, I have teamed up with my friend Robin of Ellie Boo Designs to giveaway a beautiful, handmade, white feather wreath similar to the ones shown below.  I purchased one a couple of weeks ago and now Robin is graciously offering the one to a lucky TSF reader!  This wreath will add a little bit of whimsy to your Christmas decor.  It looks fabulous over a mantle, in a window, in front of bookcases, as a part of a holiday party, and would be a darling touch to a children's room.  Really, it will look fantastic just about anywhere!  Did I mention this is my first giveaway?!  I am so excited!

image: BHG

Robin opened her Etsy shop a few months ago and offers custom letters perfect for a little one's nursery as well as exceptionally made faux wreaths for any season.  I particularly like the purple hydrangea topiary and will probably be adding it to my fall decor next football season.

I know you are dying to enter :)  Here's what you need to do.  Good luck!

To Enter:

1.  Become a follower of The Simply Fabulous and leave a comment.
2.  Visit Ellie Boo Designs and come back and comment on which item in your shop is your favorite.
3.  Follow me on Twitter {HERE} and don't forget to leave a comment telling me you are.
4.  Tweet about this giveaway and make sure to include @thesimplyfab and this URL {http://thesimplyfabulous.blogspot.com/2011/12/ellie-boo-designs-giveaway.html} in your tweet.

Make sure you leave a comment for EACH ENTRY!

Rules:
1.  Make sure you are a follower of The Simply Fabulous.  If you are not, become one (it is an entry too)!
2.  You must live in the US to win.

I will randomly select a winner using the Random Number Generator at NOON on Friday, December 9, 2011. UPDATE: winner will be announced Wednesday, December 14 at 3 pm!

images:  Home Made Simple via North On Harper, West Elm , Garnet Hill

The Paris Wife

I just finished reading The Paris Wife by Paula McLain, and couldn't help but caught up in the glamour of 1920s Paris.  I found myself immersed in the tragic beauty of the era, longing to join the characters for a cocktail at a Paris cafe.  What an interesting place to be, living a bohemian lifestyle, jetting off on European vacations for weeks on end.

The Paris Wife inspired my BHLDN moodboard for the giveaway hosted by blogger Joy at oh joy!  She has partnered with BHLDN and is giving away a beautiful outfit, perfect for any summer event.  Visit oh joy! to enter the giveaway by 9am tomorrow!

{via BHLDN}