Christmas

SCANDINAVIAN CHRISTMAS :: Another use for trimmed evergreen branches or seedlings

Note: If you’re arriving here from one of the Buzzfeed posts featuring this image, please note the post you’re looking for is actually here, on the wonderful Finnish blog Varpunen. (I’ve asked Buzzfeed to update their posts so the rightful creator of this image gets credit; Buzzfeed won’t reply to my requests, so I’m adding this note of clarification.)

Leftover Christmas tree branch idea by Finnish blog pikkuvarpunen.blogspot.fi

Another evergreen-branch-in-a-vase idea, this time from Finnish blog Varpunen. (Did you see the Polish Christmas tree branch version I posted earlier?)

Christmas

SCANDINAVIAN CHRISTMAS :: Christmas by H&M

The Swedish clothing and home brand H&M (Hennes & Mauritz) was founded in 1947, but it’s only in the last decade that they’ve really gained popularity in the United States. But unless you were lucky enough to live near one of their stores, H&M still remained out of reach. But this year — less than six months ago — H&M opened up online shopping to US customers. Woohoo!

In case you, for some odd reason, haven’t already obsessively stalked the Christmas section of their website ;), here are some of the prettiest Christmas images from H&M Home’s Christmas selection.

6 - H and M Home goods - Swedish Scandinavian Christmas

H and M Home goods - Swedish Scandinavian Christmas

2 - H and M Home goods - Swedish Scandinavian Christmas

4 - H and M Home goods - Swedish Scandinavian Christmas

5 - H and M Home goods - Swedish Scandinavian Christmas

See more from H&M.

Christmas

SCANDINAVIAN CHRISTMAS :: Fika / Coffee Break

fika

A routine break in the day for coffee and sweets is a good thing to have as a part of the zeitgeist, no? In Sweden, these coffee breaks are called fika. And Cereal Magazine has a few photos of a Swedish-inspired cafe called just that.

(P.S. Want to see how Dala horses are made? There’s a video here!)

Christmas

CHRISTMAS :: A White Tree with Red and Silver

Oaxacaborn blog - 2 - Red and Silver Ornaments on a White Tree

Oaxacaborn blog - California Flag under Tree - Red and Silver Ornaments on a White Tree

Oaxacaborn blog - 3 - Red and Silver Ornaments on a White Tree

Oaxacaborn blog - Red and Silver Ornaments on a White Tree

Last year we used all blue and silver ornaments; this year red won — and I love it!

I tend to only put out a portion of the Christmas box contents each year. Aveline, of course, still wanted to hang all the ornaments so we made a mini clothesline out of twine and let her decorate that with some of the extras.

Do you try out different decorating themes every Christmas, or is your tree more traditional?

Poetry & Words

I sit, wrapped in my thoughts moreso than anything

Poetry on Oaxacaborn - I sit, wrapped in my thoughts moreso than anything
tonight,
wrapped
in the blanket of red
and green
that only sees use on those
rare days when
the temperatures deign to lower
themselves to us,
i sit.

i sit,
wrapped in my thoughts
moreso than anything;
wrapped in the memories
of thanksgivings past
of home and laughter
of tall pines and
rivers
of turkey leftovers
always finding their way
into a tortilla
on a bed of
cilantro.

tonight,
i ate my leftovers with black beans
and kimchi
and laughed.
everythingandnothing
has changed.

i sit,
wrapped
in the glow of tiny lights,
next to a toy elephant and
three dozen crayons
and a hula hoop.

i sit,
wrapped in the sound of endless
automobile engines, humming
outside
through the exit ramp
like messengers
announcing
they will not sleep —

but i will,
wrapped in words
and thoughts
and near-silence,
enveloped in this warmth
and this home
and this hope
and this light,
tonight,
wrapped
in this old blanket of red
and of green.

“Sometimes our life reminds me
of a forest in which there is a graceful clearing
and in that opening a house,
an orchard and garden,
comfortable shades, and flowers
red and yellow in the sun, a pattern
made in the light for the light to return to.
The forest is mostly dark, its ways
to be made anew day after day, the dark
richer than the light and more blessed,
provided we stay brave
enough to keep on going in.”
-Wendell Berry

Christmas

CHRISTMAS :: Petra Bindel

White and green for Christmas — so lovely and bright! I especially love the use of moss and princess pines.

3 - Petra Bindel - Christmas Decorations for Elle Mag

2 - Petra Bindel - Christmas Decorations for Elle Mag

Petra Bindel - Christmas Decorations for Elle Mag

I blogged a little of photographer Petra Bindel’s work some time ago, too. She’s a genius at the use of bunting.

Above images by Petra Bindel for Elle magazine.

Christmas, Inspiration

INSPIRATION :: Christmas 2013 TOAST UK Catalogue

You know how there are some brands you really love one year, but the following season you’re indifferent? TOAST is not one of those brands. With every single catalogue, the mood created by their photography and staging makes me fall in love with them all over again. This December release is just so rustic and lovely.

Christmas images from TOAST UK December/Winter Catalogue

Christmas images from TOAST UK December/Winter Catalogue

Christmas images from TOAST UK December/Winter Catalogue

Christmas images from TOAST UK December/Winter Catalogue

Christmas images from TOAST UK December/Winter Catalogue

Christmas images from TOAST UK December/Winter Catalogue

Christmas images from TOAST UK December/Winter Catalogue

Christmas images from TOAST UK December/Winter Catalogue

Can’t get enough of TOAST? That’s ok! You can keep on looking through the TOAST archives, or go directly to a particular season in the list below.