Hello + a Christmas gift

Hi Everyone! I’m back after a holiday visit to Houston. Miss me?

Joe and I returned home Tuesday evening after a bit of a travel delay; the crazy east coast weather had lots of flights running late. I’m just glad we sprang for the non-stop flight when we booked and didn’t have to connect anywhere. Travel stresses me out enough, and missing a flight is so not fun.

Anyway, we had a lovely holiday and spent time with both of our families, which was a treat, as it’s the first time we’ve ever been able to do so.

I received lots of wonderful, thoughtful gifts, including Dorie Greenspan’s new Around My French Table, which I’d had my eye on for a while. Funnily enough, Joe’s sister gifted me with the new Mary McDonald: Interiors book, which you may remember me mentioning from this post. It was literally the perfect gift, in that it’s something I loved receiving but would’ve never bought for myself!

Can I just add my two cents here and repeat what the rest of the blog world already said? This book is AMAZING. From the first page, it’s chock full of inspiration. I knew a little of Mary McDonald’s work, but this book has pretty much made me a devoted fan. Girlfriend is a genius and has wonderful style. I really admire her ability to mix different eras and colors in her designs, but everything still looks so chic and sophisticated.

Because of this book, I:

1.) spent the afternoon yesterday moving furniture around in my office. I got home, and after seeing all the homes in the book, the space just wasn’t doing it for me anymore. I’m now on a mission to create a new framed gallery wall in the office, too.

2.) am now obsessed with Chinese garden stools, or as Mary refers to them, “Ming Bling.” I stopped in at Past Perfect today and they had several…I might be back there soon! But I wasn’t sure (and does anyone reading know?) — what is an appropriate price for a 19th century garden stool?

3.) am completely validated in wanting to  collect things. Mary is a born collector, and it was awesome seeing how her various collections get used in rooms. For example, at one point, she gathered together scores of crystal flower vases on a large coffee table in the seating area of her bedroom. On their own, these types of vases are totally the type of things you see at a garage sale, but together, they made such an interesting art piece. I can hardly wait to go to the flea market again and decide on my first “collection.”

What about you guys? Any special and surprising gifts this holiday?

{Image Credits: Knight Moves, Style Carrot, Elements of Style}