warm wishes

I arrived in the united states exactly 7 years and three weeks ago. landing here in december made my heart fall in love with christmas even more. you see, this time of the year in Brazil is high summer. so all I knew growing up was that santa should probably go get some shorts. :)

the snow, the music, the cutting of my own pine tree, and even the cold weather made this time of year have a whole new sense in my head. even though it's a hard thing to be away from family, christmas is now definitely a holiday that makes me feel like this is home.

an then the new year... remember that brazil in january means summer... with no signs of cold temperatures anywhere to be found. memories of a good new year's eve to me includes vacation, beaches, tropical food, flip flops, bikinis and ice cream! the tradition is for everybody to wear white, to bring peace and renovations in the new year to come.

now that's how my heart will be welcoming 2011, all bundled up, but filled with warm wishes of peace and happiness to everyone.

[photos of gorgeous marilyn via google]

white promises

it's that time of the year again, to make promises.
to feel powerful and hopeful that the new year will bring changes.
positive transformations into our lives.
so let's just keep our hearts opened and filled with love.
let's commit on being better beings. sharing the good is always the key. ♥

via unknow

all is bright

may your holidays be filled with joy and laughter
♥

happy eve!

a few items around the house...
we're all ready to welcome christmas!
now off to a splendid sweet day:
baking ham, meeting friends and leaving a cookie for santa.
a blessed xmas eve to all of you my dears ♥

and so it is winter

HOW ARE YOU WARMING UP THIS SEASON?
adorable coffee cups from talented alyson.
visit her blog and her shop.

checking it twice

dear santa,
these are a few of my favorite things
just saying it ;)

1. filled with character vintage boots
2. sweet birds calendar
3. a dress of my dreams
4. chanel, cause I'm almost out of stock
5. adorable shoe clips
6. perfect and festive plates + mugs
7. a sparkly treat
8. silver & gold are never enough
9. the most adorable pillow cover ever!

seven days

with christmas only one week away it's time to wrap up all presents
and how adorably sweet are these gift tags?
you can download them HERE.

noel is here!

so after a really busy and intense weekend - filled with birthday wishes, friends gatherings and lots of baking cookies - I finally got around on getting some pictures of my xmas decor for this year. it's all very simple, rustic and sweet and then, the sparkly crystals! tones of red, white and gold make my home all wrapped up for the season. counting down the days...

AND... if you're interested on getting your blog a new and fresh header design as a gift, go visit Shannon's "WHAT'S UP WHIMSY" lovely blog. She is hosting a giveaway from house 09 till the 17th!

simple chic

even tough I am a lot into patterns and pops of colors this season, I couldn't resist j crew's holiday look book. how simple yet chic can it get? loving all the neutral tones, the shimmery details and effortless mix of glamour and knit. for now I will enjoy dreaming about all these pricey pieces promising to bring the color back!

+++ and a winner:

will be contacting you shortly so we can proceed with you new header :)

tree cut

we had a very special weekend cutting our xmas tree down and getting the house ready for the holidays. our days were cold, sunny and filled with hot apple cider. there are so many beautiful pictures from moments of pure happiness, that I wanted to share few glimpses. wishing the best blessed december days to you!

and if you want to win a new blog header design don't forget to enter my giveaway that ends tonight HERE.

xmas is coming

tomorrow morning we are going to get our xmas tree. by the end of this weekend our home will smell like pine, there will be sparkles every where, the lights will be shining, my baby will be giggling, the cookies jar will be full, holidays songs playing at all times, first xmas cards up, few special wrappings under the tree and most important: my fireplace remodel will be done!
can't wait to share some pictures - nice weekend to everyone!

sugar and color

on the past few weeks I have been working on the blog makeover of two special ladies. the new looks turned out fresh, clean and colorful. it is so much fun to work with clients that are so passionate about their blogs and want the pages to be their best. I just love making them happy =) getting to know such blog love makes the whole blogging experience even better. want to update your own look?
. hi sugarplum! and a punch of color will be offering their readers a 25% off on a custom header design for the coming week, so go visit these adorable blogs
. and you can also enter my first xmas giveaway for a new blog header HERE.

happy december

yesterday was a big and important day to me because mr J and I had our six years anniversary. the picture above is the gift I made him... even though we didn't do anything like a date out or a romantic trip somewhere, we had the most special time just being together at home enjoying a simple meal and a busy little girl around us. times like these make me feel blessed and grateful for having such love in my life.

on a different note, it is december. month of joy and glitter! and as a gift from me to you lovely readers, I will be giving away a blog header design. valued at $40, I will make your blog look fresh and clean before the new year arrives. for a chance to win:
. become a follower of my adorable blog
. and leave a comment below
the lucky winner will be selected via random.org. and announced here a week from now on dec 8th. wishing you all a merry last month of the year!