White Christmas

Posted on 12/19/2011 by Slim Paley

Oh my, look at the clock-it’s almost the next day… I’m posting as fast as I can!

I braved the Southern California elements today and hit the shops for some last minute Christmas shopping. Although that’s all relative isn’t it? To some, 6 days before is still early. I know it’s all so convenient to shop online and God knows I’m no stranger to the concept, but I’m making the effort to shop locally as much as I can this year. We need to keep our local shops going in this sluggish economy!

Next year I’m starting my shopping much earlier. In fact, I’m going to have it all done by Thanksgiving. (Readers from last year and the year before don’t say anything. If you’re my friends, just go along with this because I really mean it this time.)

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I might go with a predominately white theme next year too, just to change it up and simplify things.

Well, maybe just in the dining room…

Arts & Decoration magazine

This is so simple and so pretty, I’d really like to try it.

Salvatore Feragamo

Now this is my idea of good tinsel!

And I know you’re saying “Really Slim?? Fluffed Marshmallow and Whipped Cream flavoured vodka??” and I say “Hello ‘Bevmo’s'?? What time do you open tomorrow?”

Sure, I might not finish both bottles this year.

That’s the ~~good~~ one of the good things about Vodka-it freezes beautifully.

These are SO not my nails, but I wish they were and if they were, I would wear this polish. Like little marshmallows. PS. Apparently you can find the GIANT marshmallows I talked about this summer at Ralph’s.

Who’s your Marshmallow Mama??

My newest obsession?

These DIVINE white scented wax ovals encased in porcelain from Diptique. Hang them in your cupboards, or stash in drawers and suitcases. $45

Heaven

Valentino leather and tulle wrap sandals

There are many forms of Heaven

photo of Scottish Shortbread via Twinklebakes.com

Oh how I adore shortbread (I’m having major sweet-tooth tonight it appears!)

My dear friend swears by this recipe so I’m going to try it even though I don’t bake:

Whipped Shortbread

2 cups butter

1/2 cup cornstarch

1 cup icing sugar

3 cups flour

Beat butter 10 m

inutes on high speed.

Gradually add cornstarch beating continually add icing sugar then flour.

Chill for an hour.

Roll into balls or pat down onto floured counter and cut into shapes.

Bake at 325 for 10 to 15 minutes.

Keep an eye on the cookies for the last couple minutes of baking!

You want to see next to no color in them.

If they get a toasty colour, they are overcooked and will be dry.

Suhweet Dreams Day 19!

Write Christmas

Posted on 12/13/2011 by Slim Paley

Slim Paley photo

There’s something very beautiful about the written word, isn’t there? As “Snail Mail” not so slowly becomes a thing of the past, leaving the U.S. Postal Service mired in it’s gummy path, and talk of eliminating cursive writing from the public school curriculum (horror of horrors) is being bantered about, It’s time to write a letter to…someone…

Yes, I love my computer, and all of my various techno gadgets, but I will always write my lists & notes in long hand.

I’ll forever cherish the beautifully written word (and a word written beautifully) fine penmanship and the lovely paper it sails upon.

And I’ll teach my grandchildren (if and when I have any, and if they’re awfully good) to write in cursive.

Helen Norman

What say you to the banishment of cursive writing class in the American school system??

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A sweet Christmas present idea, my husband says this is one of his most favourite things I’ve ever given him and it’s a gift that keeps on giving.

Keep your written thoughts for yourself, & tear out the beautiful passages at the end of each page to scatter where ever the heart desires… the mirror’s edge, under a pillow,

tucked into the Christmas tree…

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Notepads available from SugarBoo Designs

(Also available for “Dear Friends” & “Beautiful Child”

I gave my husband his on a vintage metal clipboard, which he loves.

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.MThe Letter

A Slice of Citrus for Christmas

Posted on 12/09/2011 by Slim Paley

Slim Paley Photo

The oranges are dried and strung, ( I didn’t string them all myself!)

The bows are tied …

and although they aren’t hung yet and still sitting on a tupperware bin lid, I couldn’t resist snapping a photo in this incredible golden light.

Holy St. Citrus- now this is an orange slice.

Diamond & orange sapphire pendant by Maxim Vozesensky (26,000 british pounds)

bag via Couture Lab

(no, I don’t have any relationship with Couture Lab or Trader Joe’s-I just love their stuff)

Maxim Vozsenesky citrus ring

$400.

Kidding…or perhaps I should say, wishing…

Is it so wrong, to wish at Christmas???

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One of myMy orange tree this week

Ohhkaaay, I could use an early night and one of these right about now…

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“Slim’s Citrus Sleeper”

For the recipe for this drink and how to dry oranges please visit one of my vintage posts;

Orange You Glad It’s Christmas

PS. I did get the Excalibur for Christmas that year (sweet!).

Tonight I’m going to try the recipe with almond milk instead of normal milk.

Cause I’m wild child.

zzzzzzzzzzz…Day 9!

Bing, Bowie, Moss & Memories

Posted on 12/04/2011 by Slim Paley

The seemingly ageless, legendary model and style icon Kate Moss graces yet ANOTHER Vogue cover;

This time it’s French Vogue’s December “Christmas in Music” issue.

We all have our favorite Christmas tunes- those that bring memories flooding back, hopefully mostly good!

For me, David Bowie tugs my heart strings on two levels during the holidays. He and Marc Bolan were my absolute FAVOURITISTEVER, so few were my Christmas Lists that didn’t have David Bowie and Marc Bolan on them…and BTW, I mean David Bowie & Marc Bolan, the actual men, not just the albums.

“Aim high, you never know” has always been my motto!

Sadly, Santa only ever delivered them in one dimension, but you’ve gotta keep that Christmas Dream alive- there’s always next year!

When David Bowie’s rendition of “Little Drummer Boy” with Bing Crosby first surfaced I thought it was just the coolest thing ever. Imagine two wildly successful performers from such different planets coming together to sing this classic Christmas tune? Of course these days, everyone is dueting with everyone, including Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett, but back in the day, this felt pretty special:

Bowie & Bing Then;click Little Drummer Boy

What self respecting Child of Glitter would not be seduced by these Mui Mui pumps?!

Fancy a cuppa tea in these gorgeous flame colored tea glasses from Mariage Freres? I’d love to randomly scatter several of them across a white table cloth at Christmas; put votives in some and puffs of narcissus in others accompanied by mossy green linen napkins.

Wouldn’t that be gorgeous?!

Tis not the first time Our Lady of Moss has paid tribute to Our Thin White Duke on the cover of Vogue.

This was such a great issue I actually kept it from May, 2003

And speaking of rock royalty, this is my all time favorite dead posh tea cozy, also from Mariage Freres

It comes in many delectable colours- makes a lovely and unique gift! Sting-eat your heart out- it comes in black & silver too. Maybe Trudy will get you one