Happy Holidays!

Well it's hard to believe that Christmas is just a few days away!  I'll be taking a break from blogging as I enjoy my birthday, Christmas and New Year's with my family and friends.  Thanks to all of you new and old followers for reading my blog this year...I feel so fortunate to have met so many of you through this medium and I love getting to share my interests with you!  

I have some big plans for Lilac & Lace in 2013 and can't wait to start a new year of ballet, burgers and beautiful things!  Until then, have a wonderful holiday and I'll see you again in 2013!

Christmas Yarn Trees for 2012

Last year I made a bunch of yarn Christmas trees for my family and friends and posted the simple how-to on this very blog.  You can see the original tutorial here.  

This year, I had the pleasure of helping my mom make some trees of her own.  We brought in a few new materials, like gold ric-rac and round silver push pins, and I think that really brought this simple craft to a new level.  These make such wonderful gifts and the best part is they're quick to make and are a definite crowd-pleaser! 

Happy Fake Christmas!

We're in the home stretch for Christmas and this week promises to be jam packed with activities and last minute errands!  But the boy and I have actually already begun our celebrations - We actually had a little Christmas dinner (which we affectionately referred to as fake Christmas) and exchanged gifts with my parents this past weekend and it was lovely.  My parents were incredibly generous and gave us the most amazing presents!  

My mom found some amazing vintage decor at a local vintage fair, including this awesome ice bucket and cocktail shaker...I just adore the way they look on our vintage bar cart!  

She also scored this awesome 1960's coffee carafe and adorable cream and sugar bowls.  How cute are they?  They look straight out of the Dick Van Dyke Show!  

And my Dad was kind enough to give his fabulous DSLR camera to me.  I've been wanting one for so long and even though his is slightly used, it's so much nicer than anything I could ever have hoped for!  I am thrilled and so excited to start learning how to use it better!  

I only hope that they had as nice a time as we did over at their house.  It was beautifully decorated for Christmas and we had a great time!

Also, today is my parents 35th wedding anniversary!  Congratulations to them both- their love is truly inspiring! 

Jigsaw's Holiday Handbook

Last week at work, I was particularly busy trying to produce a Holiday Gift Guide and handbook for Jigsaw London.  Now while I wish that I had more time to put this together, I have to say I am really so pleased with the result.  It's a complete digital guide filled with pretty holiday styles, fun craft ideas, delicious recipes, holiday decor and bits of British-ness thrown in.  

You can view it below or click through to the link and download it as a PDF!  I do hope you enjoy it and would love to hear what you all think!  

Happy Holidays!

Christmas Can't Wait!

I'm already in the holiday spirit.  I know you're probably thinking to yourself, "Halloween just ended Heather, what is the matter with you?"  And to that I'd say, yes, you're right.  I admit I'm a bit of a fanatic nutcase, but I can't help it!  I love Christmas time and I really can't wait to start getting in the spirit.  I mean, a month of celebrating just isn't enough, so I am sort of starting to think about it now.  I won't be putting up any decorations yet, or start singing any carols, but I can start planning gifts and crafts can't I?  (Don't answer that, because there is only one correct answer...YES!)

I absolutely love retro, semi-tacky Christmas decor and vintage Christmas Cards.  Something about that esthetic reminds me of the holidays of my childhood and I instantly feel nostalgic.  Here's a few images of retro decor and cards that I've been collecting on Pinterest....

See more on my Christmas Pinterest board!

Additionally, how great is this dress as a Christmas party frock?  Looks like music to my wardrobe! 

 

Source

Are any of you excited for Christmas yet?  Or am I the only jingle-bell nut out there? ;)

The Nicest Gift

My Christmas present from the boy this year, was something quite special indeed!  Something I really needed and wanted and totally didn't expect.  He had tons of our pictures printed to help motivate me and get me going on my scrapbooking.

 

I used to scrapbook all the time, but now with a blog and a digital camera, I have a lot more photos to choose from and I find it hard to spend the time printing them all out.  He took the part I hate about scrapbooking and did it for me.  Isn't that so thoughtful?  

Not only that, he went to Micheal's and bought a selection of stickers that actually go with the pictures he had printed.  Adorable!  I can only imagine him scanning the sticker aisles for the perfect embellishments to coincide with our road trip pics.  Priceless!  

That boy is a good one!

Made This Monday: Advent Calendar

I realize that Christmas is all done and over with, yeah, yeah, but I just had to share this beautiful advent calendar that my Aunt Christy made as a gift this year.  

She used a basic stretched canvas, tags, brads, and stamps to make the numbered dates and then added a beautiful charm, notion or ornament to highlight each day.  The result is stunning.  I think the idea is each day that you count down the Advent Calender to Christmas, you remove the charm of the day and add it to your tree.  I truly can't wait to use it next Christmas, it's so pretty!  

All the charms are a combination of flee market and estate sale finds and handmade items my aunt scrounged around to find and has been collecting for years.  Broaches, bows and vintage earrings are among the hanging treasures of this ingenious handmade gift!  And it is ceratain to become a holiday keepsake for years to come!

Happy Made this Monday! 

When Christmas Bells were Ringing

Here's a quick look at our Christmas Eve at my parents' house.  We all had such a great time! 

Max was wearing his Christmas sweater

my younger brother and me

my mom put out my grandma's Navajo nativity set

younger brother, sister in law and older brother

My cute sister in law, Emily and me

Me and my Mom (I should tell you that my heels were very high, which is why I am towering over everyone!)

My cousin, my aunts, my mom and me...We're a good looking bunch, huh?

My Aunt Jeanette knitted us all hats!  Aren't they all adorable?  I love everyone's faces...Even my Dad got one!

A few of my Favorite {new} Things!

It's back to work today (sigh) but even though Christmas is over, the joy doesn't stop when I think about all the wonderful gifts I received, and the reactions I got from the gifts I gave!  I love giving presents, there's nothing quite like it!

But here's a peak at some of my lovely birthday and Christmas gifts.

Oh yeah, the boy got me an ipad - Woo!

Love this perfume from my sister in law Anna

how cool is this porcelain ballerina from my aunt Jeanette?

More new foxes for my collection!

And I adore my stunning new watch from my brother in law and his wife, Neil and Katie

Thanks to all my family and friends for your generosity!  What did you get for Christmas?

Christmas Time at Disneyland!!!

The boy and I made yet another pilgrimage to Disneyland this month, thanks to some tickets gifted to us from our dear friends Stef and Tracey. 

It was so much fun, as always, though very cold and we did end up getting rained on which somewhat put a damper on things. 

But I just adore the decorations they put up for this time of year, it really is magical! 

They had actual live reindeer, so cute!

See what I mean?  There's no place like Disneyland at Christmas!

A very Merry Christmas

Enjoy your holiday!

Making Christmas

Here's a peak of what's been happening at our flat - Christmas according to my iphone....

Santa Claus is coming tonight!  In honor of that, here is one of my favorite holiday music videos....