Close to My Heart

Food and Books - two things close to my heart

(photos by cutecotton at Flickr)

what I want: sparkle

On my list this year: anything with some glitz.


If you are giving sequins this year here are some cute finds around the web:
What to wear this with? Pair dresses with black and big big bracelets. As for dressy sequin shirts & jackets- don't be afraid to wear them with your denim!

photo: weheartit, shirt gryphon,dresses fcuk, arden b

On an art note: how cute is Amy?

Here she is with a bunch of my work! Amy is one of the shopmamie girls and they had my work at their Black friday event here in DE. It's all available- send me an email if you have questions.

Huge Secret ( The purple painting is a test painting of "seamstress". The much larger version sells at $3000, this one- $400.)

pretty bottles this season

Thanks for the kind words while I was away doing holiday things. I did manage to put up my lights this weekend (went with the large old school white bulbs) and now the whole place feels super cozy.


Planning for lots of holiday parties this week. Today my holiday pick goes to pretty bottles! While you are shopping this week pick up a few of these. I like to show up at parties with really unusual bottles of champagne, or whatever my host drinks. If I don't know- it's whatever bottle I like best!
Give them with these for bonus points...
and if your hostess doesn't drink much or is pregs make sure to bring her some of this instead. Have you seen any great bottles this year?

photo: weheartit, Deesse bottle, glenrothes

{Weekly Giveaway}: oh hello friend, worth over $40

It's almost like Christmas has arrived early at {Luphia loves...}, just check out of the amazing giveaway we have this week! From the heavenly gorgeous shop Oh hello friend!

The total giveaway is worth more than $40! They'll be beautifully packaged too!
1) Winner's choice of hair pin set, $15 value
2) seagull locket necklace, $25 value
3) mini charm button, $2.50 value

How to Enter? Anyone who leaves a comment on any post during the next 7 days is automatically entered in the draw, starting with this post and ending Saturday the 5th of Nov at 3pm GMT. The winner will be revealed later that day or the next day.

Rules: only leave one comment per post please, meaningless comments will also be discarded. To pick the winner, I will first use randome.org to generate a number between 1 to 6 say, (i.e. 6 posts a week) and then pick a randome comment within that post. So to maximise your chances you can reply to every post, don't want to miss a post? follow this blog via Blogger, Reader or Bloglovin & these technology will remind you!

Now to last week's winner... Congratulation to Post 3 Comment 7, that's you Beauty Snap!! I will contact you shortly for delivery address :)
xx

{Vintage Friday}: Apiece Apart

Another gorgeous collection with a hint of vintage inspirations blended in...

Sorry for the lack of posts this week, I had some job application deadlines as well as an interview, but this semester will finish soon so yah for that! (but only briefly before the revision starts)

Have a wonderful weekend! xx

(images from Apiece Apart)

Dresses

I just think if I can hang all my clothes on the wall I could decide on what to wear in the morning so much quicker... wouldn't you agree?

(images from oops* at Flickr)

marrimekko

the new marimekko store has turned me to the dark side. and I love it.

stella + gap kids

I know I often say no little ones yet but friends and family if you are providing all of this...

we'll talk
stella mccartney for gap kids

{Weekly Giveaway}: Pastel Petals Jewellery

This week's giveaway is from the gorgeous shop Pastel Petals, a shop which stocks petite feminine jewellery that are sweet with a element of subtle chic.

The winner will get a $24 voucher to spend towards any one item in the shop:

go now to check out the full range of choices.

Sorry to bore you with the conditions again, only read if you're new here!

How to Enter? Anyone who leaves a comment on any post during the next 7 days is automatically entered in the draw, starting with this post and ending Saturday the 28th of Oct at 12am GMT. The winner will be revealed later that day or the next day.

Rules: only leave one comment per post please, meaningless comments will also be discarded. To pick the winner, I will first use randome.org to generate a number between 1 to 6 say, (i.e. 6 posts a week) and then pick a randome comment within that post. So to maximise your chances you can reply to every post, don't want to miss a post? follow this blog via Blogger, Reader or Bloglovin & these technology will remind you!

Now to last week's ASOS voucher winner... Congratulation to Post 1 Comment 2, that's you 10.15, saturday night!! I will contact you shortly for delivery address :)

and for the Cold Plasma Cream... Congratulations to Melissa Blake!
xx

{Vintage Friday}: Fischer Clothing

I adore everything about these shoots, the clothes, the mood, the setting and the soft lighting...

(images from Fischer Clothing)

GIVEAWAY THROUGH DEC / Weekend

OK. I am featuring my favorite holiday picks through Christmas. Anyone who tweets this or blogs it is entered into an amazing giveaway! You get an original fashion illustration by me! (valued at @$200+)
If you tweet or blog please link the blog! and let me know so I can enter you for this holiday treat! Thank you always for your love and support as the business and blog grows.



If you get really creative with your post you are entered twice. I'll send you images if you need them. Thanks everyone!

Lots to share today:
Mari, who owns an amazing store called weekend that has been on my radar for some time now has been kind enough to send over some shots of the space!
My holiday gift suggestion today is from Hello victory's etsy:


I'd give it with something paid. Maybe this echo scarf that I've been spying for myself...


Then top it of with this cutie from redcapcards

shop for holiday dresses early

...Because I will purchase every single one of these.

see by chloe, jasmine di milo, sass and bide, preen line, jason wu, dvf, camilla and marc, 3.1 phillip lim
at matches, 25 park and net-a-porter