Chic Christmas decor....

I know it's only November but I'm getting excited already for Christmas. I'll definitely be making lists this week for presents not yet bought and the Christmas day menu. Apart from the day itself this is what gets me so excited, all the preparation! Deciding what we'll be eating & drinking on the day and the theme for this years wrapping.

 I'm making it easy on myself this year as we'll be keeping last years theme for the decorations and unusually for me I'm going for more or less the same table setting as last year because I loved it so much. It looked so colourful and festive that I can't wait to arrange it all again! Here's a peek at last years on Instagram.

There will be a couple of tweeks to it I imagine and as every year I'll buy some new add on decorations, after all, I decorate 5 rooms so there's always room for more, and that is a post in itself!

But just because I'm keeping the same as last year doesn't mean I've not been drooling over some amazing festive decor..... Here's a selection I'd be more than happy to live with over Christmas. ( All images from www.housetohome.co.uk

See the whole amazing room here 

 White and Silver in the hallway, perfect to set the mood for the rest of the house.

Brights, like mine, but I have to have a white tree!

Love the wall & window detailing 

Gold done the modern way

And just because we love a bit of pink! 

Are you planning your Christmas Day and decor yet? What are you being inspired by this year? We'd love to hear.

Scarves, a wardrobe staple

There is one item that my wardrobe wouldn't function without and that's a scarf. Not just the one scarf mind, I probably own about 30 now! Even in summer there are not many days that you'll find me without one round my neck, I mean I'm in North West of England folks.

We've recently added a few gorgeous ones to the shop and they are definitely my go to present for friends, they are effortless and always something fab to receive.

I know one thing for sure, I never feel fully dressed without one. 

With so many different styles and sizes of scarves out there I'm always on the lookout for new ways to wear them. There are loads of '10 ways to wear a scarf' tutorials on Pinterest and although some of the options are good, some are just naff! Do we really need to know how to tie a scarf into a bow tie? No thought not.

I think the easiest way to find inspiration is on the catwalk, celebs and high street shops. Here are some of my fave looks at the moment.

Could these two ever get it wrong......

Funky & stylish as always on Gwen Stefani 

Billie Piper rockin this Louis Vuitton leopard print scarf for a night time look

Not just for girls either!

 What accessory would you not be able to live without? Leave a comment and let us know what your wardrobe staple is.

Details, details.......

As I've said before I always think that what makes a house a home is the details, be it little architectural details, of which my home has none, or the little details we introduce in our styling. 

I love nothing more than playing around with home accessories. They are the easiest way to introduce a bit of personality to a room, even minimalistic ones. I've got to say my favorite pieces tend to be glossy monochrome, that on closer inspection have something a bit different about them, usually funny or quirky. They make people take a second look, start conversations and above all else, should always reflect what you love or are inspired by.

One thing that has never bothered me is whether others share or even like my taste in some of my more unique pieces. As long as I look at them and they make me smile, then they have a place in my home, no matter what anyone says about them! You wouldn't believe some of the comments I've had about my Eames House Bird by Vitra, and thats a design classic!

My object of the moment is a piece I didn't even buy, but won on Twitter from BoConcept Manchester!

I never win anything, but to be fair I never enter comps either. This was just a weekend giveaway, where you had to retweet and follow them, which wasn't a problem, I'm happy to retweet for them, I'd never do it just to win something, I genuinely love what they do! (They do these giveaways every weekend btw, and I've not been paid, given anything apart from my prize, or got any special treatment to include them in this post!)

After winning, to my surprise, I got to choose which style of candle holder I wanted, white, surprise surprise, they packed and shipped it and I received it on the following Tuesday. It has been in use every night since. 

It's gorgeous. It reminds me of a miniature pineapple. 

And it looks even better at night lit up.... but you'll have to trust me about that as the picture does it no justice!

I'm sold on this one, I think it'll be staying around for a while. 

White and Bright

Although not to everyones taste, I've got to say I love nothing more than a bright white home..... I spend far to long gazing at images of gorgeous white interiors like this, this and this..... I can imagine myself in a simple body skimming long jersey dress, just bobbing about the house, making lattes and smiling serenely at my gorgeous family of perfect children dressed in white t's and blue jeans that bring out the bright blue of their eyes.........  I can dream can't I? If you know me, you'll know I don't have the body, or height, for long body skimming dresses, and white t's on my children, please, they'd be clean for all of about 2 seconds! And a house like this? Yeah I'm still dreaming, and it's taken me a long time to realise that actually I could never live in a completely white home, I need a little colour.

Apart from the living room, which has gray walls, every room in our home is painted white, and with children, whats easier than keeping a pot of brilliant white paint and paintbrush handy for the inevitable dirty marks? And while I dream all white dreams, in real life I like to have shots of colour brought in through accessories, cushions, vases, artwork etc. I think it adds interest and brings life to the place without looking too bright and garish. And with a white base, everything can move from room to room when I get an itch to move things around, so I think I've found what style works for our home, for now, in a years time I might have changed my mind, but thats what I love about our home, it's always a work in progress.


What about you? whats your favorite home colour palette?