Holiday Party

images via Apartment Therapy

Against my better judgement, I am hosting New Year's Even in my tiny Berkeley apartment.  Although it will definitely not be the soiree of the season, I feel the overwhelming need to decorate my apartment for the event (Thrifty Gal style of course...).  My budget is $100 and my theme is Winter Wonderland (as you can tell from the above pictures), inspired by the Cup of Jo post here.  So far, I have managed to spend around $50 on decor, with the remaining budget for booze and food.

Here is my shopping list thus far:

1.  NYE in a box $8 from Walgreens

2.  White and gold garland $4 from Walgreens

3.  Large ribbon $5 from Walgreens

4.  Glitter snowflakes $8 from Safeway

5. 6 Taper candles $1.50 from Walgreens

6.  2 yards of batting (to use as fake snow on table tops) $13

7.  6 Champagne flutes $13 from World Market 

8.  20 multicolored ornaments $0.99 from Urban Outfitters

9.  4 additional NYE tiaras $3 from Walgreens

Other decor items I already had:

1.  3 Strands of white lights

2.  1 strand of star shaped lights from IKEA

3.  6 Clear wine bottles to use as candle holders

4.  fake Christmas tree

To keep things simple for booze, I'm going to offer 1 house drink, beer, and champagne.  How did I find so much decor for such great prices?  I bought everything before noon on December 26th.  I tried to stay away from malls, and was totally successful with everything I found.  I'll be sure to post pictures from the party before my apartment (and guests) have seen better days.  FYI, posts might be few and far between for the rest of the week since my bf is here visiting for the next 6 days!  What are your plans for New Year's Eve?

New Years Resolutions

{via}

I love this collection of New Year's Resolutions.  It's always an impossible task to make resolutions last the whole year, but I think it is the hope of change that inspires me to make them year after year.  What are your resolutions for this coming year?

Traditional Christmas

 

Images 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Well, we made it.  It's Christmas Eve.  The presents are wrapped, the house is decorated, and if you are like me, your checking account is depleted.  Hopefully these traditional inspired photos will bring you to your happy place , and give you some last minute decor assistance since Uncle Clancy thinks chartreuse is a new-age hippie food rather than a color, and demands red on Christmas, damnit!  Now we can breathe a sigh of relief, spend time with loved ones and count our blessings.  Wishing you and yours a magical Christmas Eve and very Merry Christmas!

Xavier Pauchard

Images 1, 2, 3

These Xavier Pauchard chairs keep popping up everywhere I look!  Even in my holiday inspiration file, I see them!  These chairs are the epitome of Parisian dining and are suitable for indoors or out on the patio.  I love the effortless, rustic look to them.  Get them at Design Within Reach for $250 a pop.  Not exactly Within my Reach though.  I'll add it to my "Look for on Craigslist" List, along with a Panton chair, tulip table, Chesterfield sofa, and full length mirror among many others...

Get a Head Photo

photos via Kelley L Cox.  See the full set here.

If you are friends with me in real life, as in facebook friends (well, guess that's not really real life either), you will have noticed that I have a nice, new profile pic.  To clear things up, NO, I did not get glamor shots done at the mall.  NO, I am not delusional and think I have a career in modeling.  And NO, those red pants were not a gift, I actually love them.  My friend Kelley is a fabulous photographer and is launching a new business taking head shots for corporations, individuals, and anyone and everyone in need for some personal branding.  I felt like I was in need of some new photos for my blog and other social media outlets and was her first guinea pig!  Her company Get a Head Photo is offering a great promotion for Thrifty Gal readers.  You like what you see? Send Kelley an email (mention you are a Thrifty Gal reader) and she will offer a personalized photo shoot for $50 at your location choice and $250 for an office/group (<12 employees).  Kelley is wonderful to work with and has a very special talent of capturing a person's personality in a simple shot.  So hit her up and get some photos! 

Sequins

| 1. ModCloth $55 | 2. net-a-porter $20 | 3. O.P.I. $8.50 | 4. BCBG $34.80 | 5. Topshop $110 | 6. Ruche $45 | 7. ModCloth $90 | 8. Nordstrom $88 |

Did you know that the word “sequin” comes from the Venetian zecchino, which was a coin issued in 1284? When the currency died out, Venetian ladies would embroider their clothes with the old, pure gold coins. Thus, the Italians' obsession with bling began (plus, have Italian women always been stylish?  I think the answer is a resounding, YES).  I love a good excuse to slap on some sequins during the holidays.  It's like a throwback to dance recitals, but without those hideous white tights.  I'm thinking I'll have to incorporate some bling into my NYE ensemble. 

the best kind of impulse

As Alanis would say, "I've been a bad, bad girl."  During the season of giving, I did the most selfish thing a person could do.  I bought myself a gift.  Not just any gift though, an Eames rocker gift.  Now before you go and judge me for my overindulgence, let me plead my case.  First off, it was the "Deal of the Day" on HauteLook.  (Never heard of it?  Click the button on the right-hand side-bar of my lovely blog and sign up to get daily emails on AH-MAZING deals for fashion, get-aways, and home decor).  So, my purchase resulted in savings of $221. Secondly, it has been on my list for over a year.  And thirdly, when you see a room like Victoria's, how could not instantly want this classic piece of furniture.  

 image via Rue Magazine

there are always other options

via french by design

technicolor christmas

When I was younger, I remember hating the multi-colored lights on our family tree.  I wanted white lights and ornaments featuring a carefully selected accent color (preferably gold).  While my minimalistic ways often get the best of me when it comes to home decor, I've learned to embrace the multi-colored lights that my mother so adamantly deemed as "happy." They remind me of childhood Christmases, of shaking presents with my brother, reluctantly picking up pine needles, and claymation Christmas specials (Santa Claus is Comin' to Town, anyone?).  I think I'll have to agree with my mama on this one, these technicolor inspired photos are in fact HAPPY.

images via escapade, the style files, and from portland to peonies  

$1 holiday cards

 

 So, I know that it's already December 16th.  And I know anyone who actually cares about sending out Christmas cards is the type-A personality type who sent them out on the 1st of the month with holiday stamp emblazoned on that embossed envelope (how's that for some alliteration, eh?).  But I can't resist sharing a good deal when I see one, especially if it involves the holidays and lovely design.  I'm loving these $1 Holiday Cards from Fabulous Stationary.  With tons of designs for every holiday imaginable, you are sure to find something to send to friends and family this holiday season.

Floating vases

A friend recently sent me a link to these framed objects from this crazy and clever online shop.   I think a touch of whimsy is needed in every household, and these framed objects add just the right amount of the unexpected.   I think they would make a unique and wonderful Christmas gift.  If you don't feel like shelling out the $65+ shipping, try this DIY project to get results like the image below.

via cupcakes and cashmere.

office organization

I am potentially helping out a friend organize her home office and thought I would put together an inspiration board of all things organized.  I hate how most offices are manilla, bland, and dull.  It is important that your work place is an extension of your style and inspires you to be more creative and productive.  The following items add a spot of color and are sure to keep you organized and inspired.  For more office inspiration, check out these great workspaces here.

| 1. LINGO box - IKEA - $4.99 | 2. Tower of Clips - Uncommon Goods - $35 | 3. Basics Letter Tray - See Jane Work - $25 | 4. SPONTAN magazine rack - IKEA - $9.99 | 5. USB Hubman - Kate's Paperie - $10 | 6. DOKUMENT letter tray - IKEA - $7.99 | 7. Cork Board - The Container Store - $19.99 | 8. Desktop Organizer - See Jane Work - $25 | 9. Can O' Clips - Kate's Paperie - $7 | 10. Magazine Holder - Paper Source - $12.95 |

times I'm happy

Made by yours truly and Kelley L Cox.  Do you agree?

i love gold

 image 1 via stylefiles; 2 via beeluxbeauty; 3/4 via {this is glamorous}

Another holiday color palette to spice up your home this season.  I love shiny metallics this time of year and why not incorporate some extra gold  in your Christmas decor?   I think I'm going to have to spray paint some frames gold and start saving my wine bottles to use them as candle holders!  How beautiful!

I also found this wonderful blog that features innovative ways to wrap gifts.  I suggest checking out the gifted blog if you are in need of additional ways to wrap up those presents.  (and check out these great DIY ideas via Design*Sponge)   

pretty please?

image via escapade

I wouldn't change a thing about this Parisian loft.  From the industrial kitchen to the chevron wood floors, it has the perfect mix of cozy and modern.  The black and white palette, and towering windows and French doors make the seemingly austere space appear inviting.  I love how the artwork alternates between casually leaned up against the wall, and perfectly spaced hanging in the hallway.  Pretty please can I live here?

Cozy up for less...

 

I'm loving this look via The Sartorialist.  The fluffy hat, the skinny jeans, the military boots...it's the perfect ensemble for cutting down the Christmas tree or hunting for that perfect gift.  Get the look for less with these affordable pieces (adorable pooch not included).

 1. Taxi Mittens - Kate Spade - $65 | 2. Wool Peacoat - AE - $90 | 3. Skinny Cords - GAP - $60 | 4. "Troopa" - Steve Madden - $99 | 5. Felted Plaid Scarf - MoMA Store - $60 | 6. Trapper Hat - Charlotte Russe - $17 | 7. You Look Lovely - Alphabet Bags - 10GBP

DIY Gift Wrapping

Wrapping gifts is just as fun as purchasing them in my opinion.  It's always nice when your gift wrapping has a personalized touch.  Hopefully these ideas will offer some easy, green and inexpensive options for gift wrapping rather than using that florescent paper you bought from CVS.

Make a bow out of an old map from a previous vacation or a magazine page from your favorite glossy.  Get the directions here.

Make a DIY waxed paper flower.  Get the directions here.

Use recycled or repurposed paper as wrapping paper.  Get more ideas here.

For adorable gift tags, download these from West Elm.

don't expect...

image via

Getting ready for the holidays!

 images 1, 2, 3 via Simply Seductive and image 4 via Sacramento St.

I already have my Charlie Brown Christmas tree up in my apartment and am ready to watch some Christmas movies this weekend with a steaming cup of hot cocoa.  I figure now that my holiday gift guides are over, I had to come up with something to keep the holiday spirit alive here at Thrifty Gal, so throughout the month of December I'll feature various color palettes for Holiday inspiration.  Whether you are throwing a party or hosting Christmas dinner, hopefully you will find an inspiring image that will make your holiday that much brighter! I'll also feature various thrifty alternatives for gift wrapping and decorating as well.  Today's theme is a Blue Christmas...if you couldn't already tell.

Happy Friday.