[ it's that time of year again ]

IT APPEARS that the end of October seems to be when the weather makes a change in Dubai and suddenly it's bearable to go outside...

It's a long 5-6 months of staying cooped up in air conditioning and just when I'm starting to get a major case of cabin fever, along comes relief! And to think it will only get better from here. Sigh... I definitely love winter in Dubai!

lisa

[ worry wart ]

I ADMIT, I always worry when my guy leaves on a flight somewhere. But watching Good Morning America only to find out he's flying into the Monster Blizzard of 2013, it doesn't make it any easier.

Hopefully flights are landing in Toronto today and he'll get there safe and sound. Fingers crossed!

UPDATE: couldn't land in Toronto due to weather - diverted to Washington. Not a great start to his business trip. :(

UPDATE: he's finally in Toronto. that was one long 23 hours on that plane! At least he's safe! 

Thanks for your good vibes :)

lisa

[via emirates247.com]

[ Paris Christmas market ]

ONE OF THE magical things about visiting Paris at this time of year is the Christmas Market that stretches all along the Champs Elysées...

Both sides of the street are lined with white wooden stalls filled with gifts, mulled wine, food and sweets galore...

After passing numerous crepe stands, I finally broke down and had to get one...

And then on to more stalls...

As the day got darker, we decided to make our way back to our hotel. Paris is so pretty at night...

One more of these and I was ready to bid farewell to lovely Paris...

I think no matter what time of year you visit Paris, you'll never be disappointed. Thanks for following along!

lisa

[ happy weekend! ]

WELL, Christmas is quickly creeping up on us and this is it, the last full weekend of shopping before the big day. Wouldn't it be nice to wake up on Christmas morning to this?

Hmm...what might Mr. Snowman have in that Tiffany bag? Have a great weekend everyone!

lisa

[via itsnotalwaysrainbowsandbutterflies]

[ hey cutie ]

JUST A BIT of holiday cuteness with donuts! Perfect with hot chocolate after a fun afternoon.

lisa

[via creativeholidaygiftideas]

[ my seaside christmas ]

DECORATING for Christmas this year is different to say the least. Not only is our tree and all of our decorations in storage, we're also enjoying summer temperatures here on the Arabian Gulf. So it seemed fitting to have a bit of a seaside theme this year.

My freshly painted console seemed like the perfect spot for a Christmas vignette. I pulled together items I had around the house, bought some berry branches and a cloche {I found one!}.

first up, some simple homemade shell ornaments....

my antique bottles hold up ornaments under a cloche...

some coral and a shell on a glittery plate...

my cake dome acts as another cloche...

some fake snow and a pretty sparkly bird...

more old bottles and a glass bathroom jar with shells and silver balls...

little metal stars dress up the knobs...

a starfish and 3 baby ornaments in a silver-leafed concrete bowl as a simple centrepiece...

I'm enjoying this simple vignette with just enough sparkle to add some holiday spirit.

What colour scheme are you decorating with this year?

lisa

linking to Where Women Create

[ it's almost time ]

WELL IT LOOKS like the big day is just around the corner! Today is a day of last-minute running around and then we'll be traveling to see our families to start the festivities tomorrow.

I'd like to wish all of you a wonderful holiday! It's been a lovely year and I'm truly grateful to have you stopping by and leaving your warm, heartfelt comments - you really put the JOY in my everyday! I hope Santa brings you everything you've been wishing for!

lisa

[ like fluffy snow ]

ANYONE WHO LOVES a white Christmas will love this room as much as I do - it's like fluffy snow with a pale blue sky. I like that this can carry through January too - it doesn't just say "Christmas". So pretty!

lisa

[better homes and gardens]

[ happy weekend! ]

SO NOW THAT I have all of my Christmas shopping done, I hope to get all the wrapping done this weekend. I usually choose a theme each year, maybe all white, or kraft/natural or all silver, etc. This year will be a red & white scheme. What about you - do you choose a theme each year?

lisa

[style at home; 1,2 unknown, house to home]

[ a sprinkling of Christmas ]

NOW THAT the Christmas tree is up and sparkling in its corner, I've been adding a few little Christmas touches around the room. I like to keep things fairly simple and in keeping with our pale colour scheme and make a few little switcheroos with our everyday accessories.

a big white bowl that normally sits on our island is filled with ornaments...

our big star over the fireplace gets some icy sparkle with mercury glass balls and branches...

a simple golden wreath is hung with sheer ribbon over the doors...

the TV armoire is embellished with a little wreath that is actually a candle ring...

a simple mercury glass vase with beaded branches adds sparkle behind the sofa...

the starfish and hurricane of shells gets swapped out for little beaded balls and a pretty aqua glass ornament...

one cushion gets flipped and our orange striped cushions are switched for solid green ones...

and as for outside, its a simple wreath with white ribbon for the door and the pot of birch branches gets some added pine boughs and glitter branches...

And that's it! Nothing too over-the-top but just enough glitz to say "Christmas".

Thanks for all the awesome comments about our tree! Hope you're enjoying adding some holiday cheer to your home too!

lisa