...joyeux noël...

...sending cheesy christmas love from France...happy holidays!  We're off to the Alps!  See you back here in 2012...x mvg

...feather bouquet...

...I've added some color to the feather bouquet sketch...still playing around with the mountain teepee!  x

...sparrow & co...

...I stumbled across this amazing online boutique, Sparrow & Co, out of the UK housing a unique homeward collection.  Most everything on the site is handmade in far flung places like Morrocco, Uzbekistan, Asia, Central America, & Scotland- my favorites are the vintage quilts, hand knit throws, fair-isle pillow shams, tin can lanterns, & recycled glasses....the owner/curator ensures that traditional crafting skills are kept alive & each product has a story to tell...x mvg

...dala horse...

....the swedish dala horse...these little wooden decorative creatures are so fun.  Traditionally carved by woodcutters & soldiers back in the day from leftover wood.  They would carve these during the long winter months for the children.  They are often painted bright red, but I like the black ones too.  Have a great weekend...{images via erica knits & ingebretsens}

...tea time...

...we've been drinking lots of tea lately & I've become mildly obsessed with the quotes on the tea tags of yogi organic tea...partially due to the fact that they are something in english that I can read (remember we're in France) & also because they rattle me a bit from time to time helping me put life into perspective....most importantly though they make me smile & sometimes laugh if one of us gets a funny one...I got this one last night, "feel good, be good, do good"...something I'm always striving for, but a nice reminder...the background of the quote above is a shot from an epic day of tree riding in southern california a couple winters ago...I'm dreaming of snow, can you tell?!?!  The Alps next week, yeaaaaahhh!  {images via me & pinterest}

...last minute shuffle...

...finished your holiday shopping?  I am frequently a last minute shopper when it comes to Christmas...I mean, I usually have an idea of what I am getting, I just don't actually end up purchasing until the final hours.  Sooooooo if you're like me & you need some ideas, here are some items that would make good gifts for the ladies in your life....x

1- amethyst wine stopper from anthropology

2- babushka faux fur hat from free people

3- tulum napkin set from anthropology

4- reclaimed peace dove band from alkemie

5- zip pouch from scout & catalogue

6-  duck boot from tory burch

...daily dose...

...these feel good images were sent to me by mon ami, michelle...love her, love them! x mvg

...the beat goes on...

...kinda love this old drum re-purposed as a side table...not to mention the holiday styling is pretty great.  I'm also into the mirror in the background...I saw one like it here....{image via emmas design blog by way of hus & hem} x mvg

...christmas chaos...

...the holidays are always chaotic, but are soooooo worth it!  An abundance of family, friends, food, wine & good cheer...here is a somewhat disheveled scene styled by Hans Blomquist...so warm & welcoming though, don't you think? It's what the holiday season is all about...x mvg

...les martines...

...this past weekend I made my way to a women's shopping event in Bidart France, Les Martines with my friend Julie.  It was so refreshing to walk into a beautiful space with so much creative energy.  These girls totally rocked it & all the product was amazing.  I ended up spending most of my time at L'atelier des Dames sussing out the perfect christmas gift- & of course I ended up walking away with more than I had planned on, but tis the season, right?  She had such gorgeous stuff...my favorites were her headbands that were crafted from fabric or lace mixed with chain & then these delicate little flowers made from fish scales...love!  My other two favorite stops were La Theiere Electrik & Rock Mafia.

...tis the season...

...where will you be this holiday season?  you'll find me snuggled up with my honey, riding some european powder, sipping on glogg & eating fondue!  Speaking of glogg...here is the best recipe (and my fave) from Alicia Silverstone's book, The Kind Diet....a holiday must!  Cheers to health & happiness this holiday season! x mvg {images via pinterest & cole barash (amazingly talented photog)}

...it's all in your head...

...or is it? kind of love this illustration from anne emond.  "be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle"...

...doggy zzzzz's...

...our poor dog saxman had a run-in with either a fence or a possum yesterday & his little paw-or rather massive paw (he's a great pyrenees) is all mangled...no ball or walks for a good while for this man! He's in need of a new doggie bed & I'm in love with these ones from Garnet Hill, especially the moroccan looking one in red & white...poor guy deserves one...x mvg

...chicks + boards...

...a little off beat, but how hot are these chicks?!? x mvg