Happy Cinco De Mayo!

photography by melanie acevedo

At Casa Vargas-Arias tonight, we'll be making tostadas and margaritas and enjoying colorful tabletop decor. How about you, any fun plans?

Easter Weekend

images via here

Hope you're all enjoying your Easter weekend!

xoxo,

Arianna

Merry Christmas!

image via here

Wishing you a very happy holiday!

Gifts You Don't Have to Spend Money On

image via here

Gift Suggestions:

To your enemy, forgiveness.
To an opponent, tolerance.
To a friend, your heart.
To a customer, service.
To all, charity.
To every child, a good example.
To yourself, respect.

-Oren Arnold

Gift Ideas Under $15

Clockwise from top left: Hand Painted Peacock Bookmark $14.95; Red Lacquer Frames $8.95-12.95; Pink Petito Mini Notepads-set of 8 $12.00; Abuelita Hot Chocolate Tabs (seriously the best!!) usually less than $5.00 at your local grocery store (find it in the Mexican food aisle/section); Monogrammed Mugs $6.00 each; Keel's Simple Diary $15.00

Keepin' it Simple

image via house and home

image via layers of meaning

You don't need a lot of fussy detail to add that holiday feel to your home. As the spaces above exemplify, one or two simple pieces can do the trick.

Holiday Curb Appeal

I'm loving this front door makeover from Country Living magazine. To see the before picture, and get info on the materials and products they used, go here.

Gift Ideas Under $50: For Anyone

Top left to right: West Elm Fringe Cozy Throw $39.00; Christmas Lights Cookies-Gift Box $23.00
Bottom left to right: PicPads 2-pack $34.95 for color & $24.95 for b&w; Grobal Self-Watering Planter $25.00

Gift Ideas Under $50: For Her

Clockwise from top center: Kate Spade Perry Street Clock $40.00; Crocodile Leather Small Tie Flip Pad $28.00; Z Gallerie Clarity Frame $24.95; Kate Spade Tickled Pink Candle $48.00; Charbonnel Cappuccino Truffles 10.95 € (about $ 16.14); Tiffany & Co. 2010 Pocket Diary $50.00

Gift Ideas Under $100: For Her

Top (from left): Single Ball Earrings $95.00; Coco Mademoiselle Parfum $95.00; Stretch Silk Satin Kimono with Lace $87.00
Bottom (from left): Adele Marie Pearl 7 Row Necklace 50€ (about $74.00); Large Medallion Jewelry Box $79.00

Stay tuned for tomorrow's 'Gift Ideas Under $50 For Her'.

Holiday Music

One of my favorite things to do this time of year is listen to Christmas music.

image via here

On my playlist right now:

Jewel-Joy: A Holiday Collection
Diana Krall -Christmas Songs
Frank Sinatra -A Jolly Christmas
Jack Johnson-This Warm December
Zee Avi-No Christmas for Me
Norah Jones-A Very Special Acoustic Christmas
Josh Groban-Noel
Joe-Home is the Essence of Christmas
Sarah McLachlan- Wintersong
Sting-If On a Winter Night
Christina Aguilera-My Kind of Christmas
Dido-Christmas Day

Do you have any favorite songs or albums you'd recommend?

Tree Ice Sculpture

Speaking of alternatives to the traditional tree, check out this spectacular ice sculpture!
Hope you're having a great weekend!

Alternatives to the Traditional X-mas Tree

Instead of the traditional Christmas tree, how about...

multiple modern tinsel wrapped cones in varying heights,

image via livingetc

post-it notes arranged on a mirror in the shape of a tree (my personal favorite because its so easy and cheap!),

image via livingetc

a sparse white tree that allows the colors of the ornaments to pop, like this one..

image via purlbee

or a fuller one like this one.

image via B&Q

A small stand-up cut-out tree made out of luminous paper,

image via livingetc

or a tree in a traditional size and shape but non-traditional color,

image via canadian house and home

or how about using just part of the "tree" and instead opting for artfully arranged tall white branches with golden leaves.

image via livingetc

Displaying Holiday Cards

Whether you get a few or lots of cute and colorful holiday cards this time of year, why not display them to enjoy for more than just a short moment? Below are a few ideas on how to display them:

image via dec/jan 09 issue of domino


image via plumo


image via livingetc.

image via pottery barn


image via plumo

Holiday Cards: Vintage X-mas

These christmas cards kindle a sweet sense of nostalgia. Who wouldn't want to receive {and display!} one of these? All are available from Etsy sellers -clockwise from top right: kellystreetvintage, storiesdivinations, forestofice, storiesdivinations.

Hermes winter ad

"It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air."

-W.T. Ellis

Happy Halloween Weekend!

It's that time of year! Witches, black cats, pumpkins, and candy! Happy Friday and Spooky Halloween weekend!

image of woman via here, black cat via here.