Naughty or Nice?

There's nothing better than picking up a magazine that you don't usually purchase + finding something wonderful. In this case, a unique holiday entertaining idea as published in the December issue of Southern Living. It's no secret that I perfer metallics around the holidays, just look at yesterday's post, but this glam "naughty or nice" Christmas Eve cocktail party designed by the folks at Gatsby has me rethinking red + green. The details are what make this party so darn cute...lumps of coal and cocktail napkins printed with "naughty or nice" confessions to Santa. It seems like the type of party that encourages one to let their hair down and enjoy the company of others... it's whimsical (I usually hate that word) but sophisticated.  I mean, c'mon, who wouldn't want to score an invite to this bash?

(Images via Laurey W. Glenn for Southern Living)

A Silver, White + Gold Christmas

If there's one thing I love more than designing interiors it's putting together a fabulous table setting. My parents host Christmas every year so I get to indulge in some serious tabletop designing this time of year. Talks of the table settings usually start just after Thanksgiving with my mom and I emailing pictures back and forth but after inheriting my great aunt's china this year's design kind of felt like a no-brainer. Red and green for Christmas? So predictable. This year I'm reaching for my favorite basics--natural Belgian linen, gray herringbone and crisp white mixed with my vintage silver collection, mercury glass, shimmering gold and something bright.

In seeking some inspiration I discovered this tabletop created by Camille Styles and I'm completely smitten.  Camille knows her way around the table and I just love the way she mixed the modern metallic rimmed dinnerware from West Elm with the Horta etched champagne flutes from Anthropologie. Heavenly!

Are you as inspired as I am for a classic white Christmas?

(Images via Kelly West Photo for Camille Styles and Statesman)

Smitten | MYdrap

I recently purchased a nice set of bright white linen napkins. I love them, I really do, but use them while eating anything other than chicken noodle soup and your screwed. Enter MYdrap, a new concept in table linens and quite possibly the greatest thing since sliced bread!

I first came across this product while snooping around Space519 last weekend. The second I saw them I had one of those "why didn't I think of that" moments. These cloth napkins and placemats offer the ease of disposibility with the elegance of traditional table linens. Someone gets red lipstick on one? Toss it or wash it, you decide. Each piece can be washed for up to eight uses. The napkins and placemats come pre-cut on a roll (just like papertowels) and are available in a variety of colors and patterns. Each version is made from either 100% cotton or linen and has a faux hemstitch detail. I think they would make a great hostess gift with a set of theses monogrammed glasses.  Pretty clever, right? 

Happy Thanksgiving!

My posts have been few and far between this week because I've been having too much fun hanging out with my family and boyfriend to even think about opening my computer! But before I take off to celebrate with my family in the suburbs I thought I would check in and thank you my dear readers, design lovers, and commenters. Thank you for following along as I share my adventures, ideas and passion with you each week. Your encouraging comments have made writing Simply Smitten a whole lot of fun! Happy Happy Thanksgiving! 

 (Image via Eddie Ross)

Inspired Interior | High Gloss Bar

It was love at first sight when I saw this stunning living room bar in the new issue of High Gloss magazine. I’m obsessed with the Midas gold-dipped carafe and the Waylande Gregory pineapple vase, and the beautifully skirted table is equally appropriate for a small dinner party or just mixing a drink. Inspired by Cathy Echols' lovely design, I’ve gathered some items that offer a similar juxtaposition of traditional and modern. To achieve this look, try playing with textures, mixing silver and gold, shiny and matte, high and low, old and new.  And of course, no bar is complete without a punch of color!
Unglazed Porcelain Vase with Marbleized Clays | Ballard Designs Skirted Table Base | La Fiorentina by David Hicks in Gray | Midas Glassware Collection | Green Wine Glasses at Chic Shop | Christofle Silver Plated Vertigo Tray With Handles | Waylande Gregory Pinapple Vase | Martha Stewart Collection Ice Bucket with Tongs | Vintage Brass Bowl at High Street Market 
Cheers to a great weekend!

Indulge

Golden pretzels, teapots, spoons, and mugs. Kühn Keramik's products are a fantastic fusion of the classic, the contemporary and the bizarre. I am particularly smitten with the Pretzel paperweight and the Coco Chanel cup with it’s irregular edges. For under $100 they’d make for one incredibly indulgent Christmas gift that won't break the bank.

Palace Stacking Porcelain

Seletti and Alessandro Zambelli recently collaborated to design this tableware that, well, doesn't really look like tableware when it's not in use.  We’ve all see how stacks of dishes appear when neatly arranged in cabinets - not so interesting. The clever idea behind these dishes was to make each set (dinner plates, small plates, soup bowls, and small bowls) into a Florentine-inspired Renaissance building when stacked. Even the roof, flipped over, is a dish.  These porcelain palaces certainly provide some structure to the kitchen and would be the perfect gift to help someone get deliciously organized.