The thought that counts.

I received so many deeply thoughtful gifts this holiday season; a true testament to the beautiful people surrounding me. The least of these were not: a night out with dinner and a show, a couple of titillating vintage magazines, tap shoes (!!!), and lots and lots of glitter.

A gift from a very sweet boy was really over and above: A 1958 book of Rilke poetry wrapped in neon-painted brown paper. At the turn of every page there were vintage surprises to be found: postcards, old photographs, ornate liquor labels, stamps, and even a stray feather. Each linked back to a personal interest or conversation. The Greta Garbo lobby card just sends me still. The Warhol stamps are perfection. After McKuen, Rilke is one of my very favorite poets and I cannot wait to read The Cornet, enfolded in old-book smell and the thought of each treasure that was to be found within.

Bette Davis Wishes You a Merry Christmas.

(Source: soulsdontdie)

Fluo, stripes and dots, oh my!

I got a little wrap crazy this year, but it was so much fun. Ostrich feathers, jingle bells, neon candy canes, sparkle fringe, branches…you name it and it snuck in. I am having an affair with printed washi tape right now. Hope your christmas was merry and bright!

Mad Men Holiday Party

Mad Men Holiday Party

I have been dreaming of attending a Mad Men party since I started watching the show in its second season. A vintage fiend with a soft spot for themed events, it seemed the ultimate cocktail party option. Emily and her husband Tony fulfilled all of my dreams this weekend, filling their new Presidio home with friends and sixties charm for a Holiday soiree. Emily is the consummate hostess, recalling the well-mannered and impeccably groomed housewives of another era. Even perched inconspicuously on a chair in the corner she is all grace poise.

Every detail was perfect: candy cigarettes laid out wrapped in Lucky Strike wrappers, elegant china and polka dot napkins, a table of delicious old-style nibbles, a meticulously curated playlist of vintage holiday tunes, a cocktail bar stocked with soda-pop in glass bottles and all the makings for mixing Old Fashioneds.

Everyone dressed in theme with skirts and skinny ties. Lit by the warm glow of candles and the Christmas tree we pretended to elegantly smoke, continued to actually drink (albeit less elegantly), referenced fake accounts, and carried on into the wee hours of the morning. As far as holiday parties go, it was truly magical. Don Draper couldn’t have asked for more.

Making Merry

Trimming the tree, wrapping packages, setting a vintage-style jello mold, and prepping myself for tonight’s Mad Men Christmas cocktail party.  I suggest firing up the Frank Sinatra station on Pandora for any and all of these activities.

Christmas in the Hollywood Hills in Southern California, 1955

(Source: mothgirlwings, via vintagegal)

Wrapping: Ideas and Inspirations

It could be that I have too many ideas…but distilling into graphic prints and fluorescents might be my favorite. And, of course, a little sparkle never hurt anybody.

See more fun with paper, packs, and wraps on my Pinterest inspiration board.

Gifts of Christmas Past

Last year’s presents were bright and fun. I’m trying to come up with a new scheme this year…but my packaging mind is all over the place! Usually the supplies have been gathered and the plan is ready by now. I’ve done purple and python print, hot pink and leopard, gold and houndstooth, kraft paper tied with buttons and pom poms…what next?

Crafty Sunday

It’s been pretty crafty around here. Today I bleached some bottle brush trees for dying, made headway on my little village, prepped some surprise packages, and did a little Etsy shopping. I’ll be sharing projects as I finish them up over the next few weeks!

This was quite fun to make. Christmas email blast for work.

Finished Cupcake Kit.

Cupcake Kits (click for large)

I made Amanda and my mother “cupcake party kits” for Christmas, inspired by Amanda’s love of cupcakes and her pretty new kitchen. I picked out a bunch of patterned and colored paper cupcake liners on Etsy, ordered baker’s twine, and filled tiny sprinkle containers with pink sugar pearls. For the flag picks I used patterned scrap-booking papers, ribbon scraps (I have a lot), and kebab picks. Then I found clear paint tins at the Container Store, and made the labels at home. And I found a practical use for my squiggle scissors! They are so cute I didn’t even want to give them away. Which I knew would happen, so I made sure to buy lots of extra supplies for stocking my personal baking shelf.

Amanda received hers with a copy of Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking (which someone beat me to, unfortunately…womp womp) and Tiffany blue mini-spatulas.