A is for Atomic, B is for Blow, C is for Camel Toe...

Learning Mark Mcginnis' ABC's is no kids play! I recently had the pleasure of meeting the Brooklyn-based artist responsible for the series of very adult alphabet prints. My personal favorites include H is for Homo and M is for Merkin. Mcginnis also has some hunky wrapping papper, Wishing You a Very Hairy Christmas and Chest, Nuts, and Fire, both prefect for next years holiday gifts. See more of his work at MisterMcginnis.com.

A XX X-MAS

Happy Early Christmas. Here's a little gift from The XX and Tabs, download The XX's cover of Last Christmas (TABS xxMas Rework).  

Anna Dello Russo Christmas

I know Christmas has passed but this strange video of Anna Dello Russo dancing around in a wig with a slim Santa is to difficult to not post.

Blaak

This Christmas I receive a wheel of Beekman 1802 Blaak Cheese, Blaak Onion Jam, and Rosemary Creamed Honey from my lovely parents. I also received a Nikon D3100 camera which you are now viewing pictures taken with that amazing piece of equipment. 

I've wanted to get a bite of the Beekman ash coated cheese since the first episode of The Fabulous Beekman Boys. However, I unfortunately had no luck finding a NYC location that still had it stock, nor did I have the resources to purchase a 2 pound wheel. So to say I was ecstatic to finally get my hands/ mouth on a piece Christmas morning is a understatement. 

I first have to say, don't eat the rind! The cheese gets a white mold that grows on it while aging. It smells horrible and tastes horrible too. It's technically fine to eat, however, if the Donner Party was offer Blaak cheese rinds, I swear, they still would have eaten each other!

The cheese, 60% unpasteurized goats milk and 40% cows milk made in Sharon Springs NY, taste great (minus the rind) with the sweet balsamic flavor of Blaak Onion Jam or the delicious rosemary infused honey, both available at Beekman1802.com. The Rosemary Honey is so good, I keep eating spoonfuls like lolly pops. I've currently have been enjoying a slice of cheese on a piece of crusty bread, but it's great on it's own and I can wait to start using it in a recipe or two. 

Little Drummer Boy

Merry Christmas form me, and Rupaul. Watch the all of Rupaul's Christmas Ball here.

Happy Holidays!

Just the Tip

These Alder Color Block Ties have been quite popular this holiday season. I've made so many I can sew them in my sleep! I love thinking about all the men across the country receiving one of these as Christmas gifts from their girlfriends, wives, sisters, whomever. Alder's helping improve the wardrobe of men across America, one tie at a time. It's too late to order one now to arrive before Christmas but there are still plenty of other celebrations (birthdays, Fathers day, graduation, etc) that these ties make perfect gifts for.

Christmas at Bergdorfs

I highly recommend checking out the windows at Bergdorfs on 5th Ave. The displays are quite spectacular. I saw them this weekend when my parents came into town to check out the holiday windows and get a bite to eat at one of my favorite Brooklyn restaurants, Pequena. The images don't do the windows justice, you must see them in person. Each window is filled with animals made of a single material i.e. paper. wood, sequens, yarn, bronze... It definitely worth the trip uptown!

A Christmas Special Worth Watching....

Now this is what I call a Christmas special! Rupaul's Christmas Ball circa 1993 via VH1. The good old days!

Found via Jezabel

DIY: Pinecone Garland

I'm all about christmas decor that is a little less traditional than the classic red and green over the top approach as you can see from my White Christmas posts. Here's a new less traditional route to go,  brought to you be floral designer and stylist, Amy Merrick via Design Sponge.  As Amy notes these pinecone garlands look good all year long, eliminating the need for post-holiday clean up guilt. See more of Amy's work at here blog, An Apple a Day.

Joy To DIY

I always thought it strange that phrases like Peace on earth, Joy to the world, and Goodwill toward men are only tossed around durring the Christmas season. Shouldn't the sentiment of peace and joy for all be appropriate all year? With that said I think that these simple DIY "holiday decorations" would be great seasonless decor. These images come form Angela Hardison whose inspiration comes from HGTV designer Emily Henderson. I spotted Emily's Peace on Earth map via her blog (see it after the jump) but didn't really love the idea until Ms. Hardison took a shot at it. In the spirt of the holidays Angela has offered free downloads of her creations for those lacking in DIY spirt.

  

Fancy Wrap

I found these great sources for "grown-up" gift wrap via CountryLiving.com. I love wrapping gifts and these beautiful printed papers are a great way to take it up a notch. Check out the many paper options to dress up your gifts this holidaay season at Luxe Paperie and Paper Mojo.

Celebrating Christmas at the Beekman

The Fabulous Beekman Boys is one of my favorite shows and the couple behind Beekman 1802 are one of my greatest inspiration, so when I saw these images of the Beekman Mansion during the Holiday season at CountryLiving.com I had to post them. The decor, like the couple, is a blend of city and country, modern simplicity in classic christmas colors and flora. 

To read more about my love for the Beekman Boys check out my past posts about these fabulous farmers.

Par-tay

I love the Hilfigers (the fictitious ones of course). Here's the Holiday 2011 commercial featuring the whole crew. 

White Christmas 2011

1) Modern Nut Crackers @ West Elm $29.00 - $69.00 2) Snowflake Dot Tea Light Holder @ West Elm $6.00 3) Snowflake Arrow Tea Light Holder @ West Elm $6.00 4) White Pine Wreath @ Crate & Barrel $69.95 5) Metal Bow Ornaments set of 2 @ Crate & Barrel $11.90 6) Astro Ornament @ CB2 $2.95 7) White Felt Acorns set of 5 @ City Crochet via Etsy $ 12.95

Okay, okay, I know it's a little early but Macy's has their holiday decor together so why shouldn't I? As you may or may not remember for my last year's White Christmas post, Christmas is white at my house, white tree with white ornaments and white ribbon bows. With the exception of grey and sliver the living room is a white blizzard of holiday decor. As I did last year, I bring you a few items of holiday decor in the simple shades of white and silver. It's still early so I  hope to add more to my white christmas favorites as we near the date. So far the Metal Bow Ornaments (5) from Crate & Barrel are my favorite, they're so Christmas, Jeff Koons style.

Happy Holidays!

Cardigan: Black Fleece Illustration: David j.

White Christmas

Bone China Pinecone Ornament Large $7.95 and Small $6.95 @ Crate and Barrel, Porcelain Origami Ornaments $12 @ West Elm, Pinecone Sphere Ornament $6 @ Z Gallerie, Sorry, this ornament is no longer available online $2.95 @ CB2   

Thanksgiving is around the corner which means Christmas is just a sort while away. Which means it's time to start preparing for the festivities to come. I love Christmas time. Holiday parties and drinking hot chocolate under a blanket next to the christmas tree are just a few of my favorite things about the season. However, holiday decorating seems to always be a challenge. Christmas decor is almost always defined as being over-the-top and tacky, which makes it difficult to bring in the holiday cheer in good taste. My conclusion has been to limit my holiday decor to white, sliver & grey, forget the garish red & green palette.

Luckily there are a few tasteful white ornaments that are both festive and chic. Above are a few of my favorites

UPDATE NOVEMBER 25, 2011: CHECK OUT MY NEW WHITE CHRISTMAS 2011 POST.