Bond, Jane Bond

Due to what officials are calling 'severe' weather in London (2 cms of snow + a few days of freezing temps), I'm one of many still waiting for a flight out of Heathrow. Although hoping to get home for Christmas, I'm refusing to sulk. Instead, I spent today savoring the beautifully decorated windows of the fabulous shops in & around Bond Street {including my absolute favorite, Cabbages & Roses}

Holiday Baubles, London Style

Central London's holiday lights are first lit in early November and come up at dusk every evening through Twelfth Night (6 January). Having never experienced them in the past, I was amazed by both the detail & the logistics that must be required to keep them looking fabulous. 

Here's a peek at Regent Street, where this year's theme is the movie adaptation of the 3rd book of C.S. Lewis's classic Chronicles of Narnia

And my absolute favorite, Carnaby Street {love how the intensity of the colors grows dramatically with the darkening skies}

Brilliant, no?

Holiday Service

London is crazy w/Tube service shutdowns at the moment, and this weekend some lines were closed completely. One might think that + rain + thunder + lightning might dampen the British shopping spirit.  

Not so.

Covent Garden's 'Kissmas' tree was illuminated last Thursday, and the West London streets were full of intrepid holiday shoppers all weekend long. Added bonus -- Harrods Vintage Christmas (magical!) and Peter Pan window displays celebrating the 150th anniversary of J.M. Barrie's birth. {Apologies in advance for the photo fuzziness -- iPhone not so great in London twilight.}

Special prize to those who successfully brave the holiday masses?  Glass of champagne @ Harvey Nick's...

Archie Grand

I fell in absolute & total love with these chic little Archie Grand notebooks and think you will too. The Swedish legend goes a little like this: Founded in the recession of the 1980s, the original family company found itself in dire straits after the death of Archie’s grandfather, Reinhold. Archie was at this time in London attending numerous art colleges. A further decade was spent embroiled in artistic practice until, last year, Archie decided to revamp and revitalise his grandfather’s company. Having met some of the characters of English society (Alan Clark, Nigel Coates, Lord Archer, Bruce Bernard, to name a few) during his London years, Archie came upon the notion that each of these charming charlatans should each receive a notebook of matching colour – a gift to aid them in their creative pursuits. And so Archie Grand Notebooks, for friend and foe, came into being.

Here are a few I'm featuring @ estate for the holidays ($11!). Stop by Post & Gray and grab a bundle for your favourite friends & foes...

Who's In?

You may be in even if you thought you were out.

Back in May, I mentioned a little something about Eddie Ross coming to Metrolina. I was so so lucky to get my reservation in before this thing with Eddie & Jaithan SOLD OUT (in point of fact, all 3 Charlotte events have SOLD OUT)

@

Did you?  If not, you're still in luck!  Friday, November 5th from 6:30 - 8:30, Eddie will be @ Interiors Marketplace (Post & Gray's sister store) to sip & chew & chat & share some fabulous 'only Eddie could think of that' ideas for holiday entertaining & decorating! No charge, no RSVP, just come on over!

And while you're in the 'hood, stop by Post & Gray @ 2130 So. Tryon and check out new pieces from my latest shipment... fun things for holidays & home.

Forward Thinking

If you've already started shopping for the holidays (all you crazy people know who you are), and a very lucky someone on your gift list lives in Chicago...

(Oprah perhaps?)...

this urn + greenery is one beautiful way to say HAPPY HOLIDAYS. Shop Jayson Home & Garden for details...