Christmas Night

I'm so full of happiness with Simba by the fireplace, a glass of wine in my hand and @RobertD3 by my side.  I had lots of family over today, ate too much food, celebrated a birthday and had a ball.

Earlier, I was wearing a belt and stilettos.  That belt is history and my feet are tucked into cozy Uggs I've worn since high school.

I'm winding down, listening to the rain fall through the trees, the hum of the dishwasher and the crackle of the fire.  I'm at peace.

Merry Christmas,
Suzanne

A Hollywood Holiday: In Full Swing!

Posing with the lovely @koreanyenta & @thedecorista

Fruit tarts are my weakness. 

 My shining stars @jrummerfield and @luxuryprgal

These mini quiches are more addicting than chips!

 

Rocking around the Christmas tree.

Nancy and @hillaryvaughn comparing furs

One can never have enough smoked salmon.  I should've had ten times this amount!

Ashlina and her handsome cousin Enrique

Asparagus presents with a thin layer of cream cheese and thinly sliced bread.  Delicious!

@sallycolon1 serenading the guests as sugarplums dance in @asianconan's head

I tried my hand at it.  Check out the look on @stephenpetree's face.

@negativenatalie and @yayer tearing it up.

This would've been a chic snap with Nina, but Nick couldn't resist a photobomb,

Big smiles @sadaoturner and @agerhart 

Speaking of photobombs, good one @robertd3

@jkirk22 and Christine singing Unwritten.  Of course we were all singing along

I need Anita's shoes!

 

@karlihenriquez came from an ugly sweater party!

Can it be Christmas yet?! 

Okay, if you insist, I'll open one.  A gorgeous bracelet from Jaime and @danarummerfield!

A Hollywood Holiday

Every year I have a holiday party, from a simple gift exchange, to sporting ugly Christmas sweaters, but this year was all about glamour.  A Hollywood Holiday was inspired by old Hollywood and a little Roman Holiday too. 

My sky high chignon inspired by Audrey Hepburn.

Deep red roses, feathers, a bit of holly and evergreen.

A few red bows to tease what's to come...

My Holiday Mantle

I am feeling so girly this Christmas and I love buying pretty ribbon, so my living room is covered in bows.

I made the mantle decor with $19.99 lit garland from Costco, sparkly Christmas trees from the 99 Cent Store, with poinsettias and beads from Michael's.

I scored this gorgeous red ribbon for $4.97 at Costco for a 50 yard roll!  

I layered it with sheer red ribbon with white piping from the 99 Cent Store.

Magical Mantle

I've been looking for ideas for my mantle and when I saw this one I was inspired instantly!  It definitely has a fashion influence, with the garland hanging like necklaces and long ribbons tied at different spots. 
This is Sherri Shepherd's home, decorated by Michael Russo on HGTV's Celebrity Holiday Homes.
She hosted a Christmas In Harlem party, with lots of gold decor (down to the cocktails) and jazz musicians played while everyone mingled.  It was tres chic.

They demonstrated how to make oversized ornaments for less, using a round balloon and ribbon.
1.  Blow up a gold balloon
2.  Tie a big white ribbon around it (I'm sure tape helps it stay in place.)
3.   Attach some string. 
They attached a magnet to the top of the string so it can hang from a metal source.  Nice tip.

Christmas In Hollywood

Leave it to Slim Aarons to take the most decadent and playful Christmas photo ever. 

I'd love to spend Christmas day floating in the water.  The photo was taken in 1954.  Slim's wife, Rita, lounges on a raft in her swimsuit.   Who needs jewelry when you're surrounded by shiny ornaments?  

But the tree!  The Christmas tree planted in the shallow end is about as tall (taller?) than their home. I can't even imagine how they decorated it all the way to the top.    

The Hollywood sign in the distance? Swoon.

My Christmas Card

Do you love it?  It's based on the famous "Keep Calm and Carry On" WWII poster commissioned by the British government, meant to help provide a sense of calm during uncertain times.

I've seen this poster in countless homes, but it's a bit too serious for the walls of Casa Marques.  I do think it's the perfect cheeky greeting for the holiday season.  Peace!

$10.99 for a box of 20 cards http://www.peterpauper.com

DIY: Gold Glittered Ornaments

Buy yourself some gold spraypaint, gold glitter and big shiny ornaments.

Right after spraying each ornament, I dusted the tops with glitter (before they dried.)  If they dry, just spray them again and sprinkle!

 

The dull gold contrasted with a dusting of sparkly glitter makes them oh so glam!

Took me less than ten minutes.  Just let them dry before hanging. xo

Ornaments from Big Lots, Home Depot 24kt gold spray paint, glitter from Michael's.

I Want Candy!

,

A wreath on the front door sets the holiday mood, but for my Christmas party, I want a little surprise once my friends open the door.  Is there anything more fun than a candy buffet?   It will set a playful mood as guests enter my home and give them a sweet treat as they go. 

I've discovered the most beautiful candy ribbons, peppermint pillows and big lollipops at Hammond's Candy Store.

Santa Claws

Forget Starbucks.  This the best four dollars I've ever spent.  

Simba loves her costume.  Check out that face while I'm scratching her.

Her devil costume for Halloween?  Not so much.

I'm channeling my inner Kate Middleton.  Don't you love navy and black together? 

BCBG dress, Chloe boots.  Santa suit from CVS.

Christmas Tree Peek

My Olvera Street discoveries are making my tree so festive!



I'm craving a holiday margarita.

You'll die when I tell you where I found all of my goodies!

¡Felices Fiestas!

Seasons greetings lovelies.  My Christmas tree is up, in my annual tradition of putting it up way before Thanksgiving.  While it's decked out in gorgeous red and gold, it is definitely missing something.  That something is black ornaments.  They bring a glamorous edge to my trees.  I've made most of my black ornaments in the past (because they're so hard to find), but Olvera Street had just what I needed!

These shiny tin hearts scream passion!

I like the glittered skulls but picked up miniature pinatas instead.  I'd spray all of these skulls gold so they're not so Dia de Muertos.

These little sombreros hang easily as ornaments.  I'm inspired by the glorious wall of dancing hats at Velvet Margarita in Hollywood!

A wall of crosses is perfect for Christmas if you're not up for a manger.  I've always wanted a life-sized manger for my front yard so I could put baby Jesus in his crib as Christmas Eve turns into Christmas.  (Fears of a stolen baby Jesus are why I haven't already.)

Now to finish my Thanksgiving plans...