HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

FAITH MAKES ALL THINGS POSSIBLE.
HOPE MAKES ALL THINGS WORK.
LOVE MAKES ALL THINGS BEAUTIFUL.

MAY YOU HAVE ALL THREE FOR THIS CHRISTMAS.

I WISH YOU ALL A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

To all my readers; I will be taking some much needed rest for the holidays, but I will be back the first week of January.  You can still find me with tidbits here and there on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, PINTEREST, TWITTER, AND GOOGLE +.

Ciao for now,

Emi

THE HOLIDAY TABLE

Christmas is just one week away!  Have you got all your shopping done...wrapped the gifts and placed them under the tree...stocked your bar cart ready for festivities?  Well if you have, you're way ahead of me.  I'm not nearly half as done.  Aside from all the craziness, there is one thing that you can do early to save you time on Christmas morning.  It's a basic but effective time-saver.  If you're not having guests on Christmas Eve, you can set your table last thing before bed.  It will buy you an extra 20 minutes that you can spend enjoying with your guests instead.  I've gathered some beautiful and inspiring photos of holiday tablescapes for ideas.  Enjoy!

CHINOISERIE

We just recently purchased tickets to the Shun Yen Ballet which is currently on tour in our area the first week of January.  I must say I am very excited about it as I have never been to any ballet, symphony or anything of the sort.  From what I can tell in the pamphlet that was handed out to us during the time of ticket purchase, I can clearly see that it will be an experience never to be forgotten.  Just the costumes and stage backdrops alone are breathtakingly beautiful and full of wondrous spirit.  It is truly an event not to be missed.

Chinese culture has always fascinated me; there is something so intriguing, mysterious and immortal about it.  Perhaps that explains my love and obsession for feng shui, blue and white porcelain, Chinese cabinets and chinoiserie.

Chinoiserie, derived from the word "chinois" French for "Chinese", was a style inspired by art and design from China, Japan and other Asian countries.  In the 18th century, porcelain, silk, and lacquerware imported from China and Japan were extremely fashionable.  This led many British designers and craftsmen to imitate Asian designs and to create their own fanciful versions of the East. Characteristics of chinoiserie are Chinese figures, fantastic landscapes with whimsical pavillions and fabulous birds, dragons and pagodas. 

  

LA VIE EST BELLE À PARIS

Today my head is in the clouds and a thousand miles away.  I am dreaming of Paris; the city of lights, love, and romance...and ohhh what's not to love about it...need I say more?