The City Sage

Holiday Tabletop Tips from a Pro Prop Stylist!

As you scurry to hang last minute decorations and buy final hour gifts, don't forget about setting the table for special holiday meals! I'm very excited to bring you table setting tips from L.A.-based prop stylist Michelle Long. Michelle's home and work recently appeared in the book 'The Well Dressed Home', so she's an expert on styling a chic yet affordable holiday table. Take it away, Michelle!

"The food is always the centerpiece, but the table sets the tone. So I start by thinking of how I want my guests to feel. During the holidays, my goal is to create feelings of warmth, comfort, and whimsy with a dash of excitement for the coming new year."

"From there, I choose my color palette. I usually go with neutral tones and add pops of color. I especially like touches of metallic gold or silver for warmth and drama."

"Save your budget for the food. Repurpose what you already have or get crafty. Make napkin rings by stringing thick velvet ribbon through vintage shoe clips, belt buckles or bracelets. Vintage lace-trimmed linen napkins add traditional elegance. If you find beautiful napkins that are stained or mismatched that can be hand dyed."

"Groupings of candles make dramatic centerpieces. Vary the heights with whatever you have, silver plate compotes, glass cake stands or small chunks of wood. For extra sparkle, cover candles with spray glue and roll in glitter."

"Flower arrangements never have to be expensive or time consuming. Tuck sprigs of holly, rosemary or pepper berries into pretty glassware or vintage Christmas tins and place them down the center of the table."

"A more modern, eco-friendly alternative to the traditional floral centerpiece is paper flowers that can be used again and again. Make them from recycled holiday cards. Or if you don’t have time to make your own, try Kate Burger or Emersonmade."

"Most importantly, remember: no one cares if your place settings don’t match or there isn’t a gravy boat. What elevates a table from ordinary to extraordinary are the personal touches. Strive for elements that create a feeling of escapism or frivolity but aren’t too precious or contrived."

Thanks to Michelle for these savvy tips! Be sure to check out her fabulous Esty shop bohemiennes for tons of terrific vintage finds!

Image credits: 1, 3. Inside Out Christmas 2, 7. Martha Stewart 4,8. The Find 5. Sarah Kaye 7. Country Living 

Holiday Dressing with Michelle Roy

I la-la-love Michelle Roy jewelry, so when the designer herself offered to share her favorite holiday picks from her collection, I jumped at her suggestion! And of course Michelle chose some gorgeous suggestions. A french toast feast with your besties calls for a leaf bib necklace that is at once delicate and statement-making. Toss on comfy jeans, a girly tee, and a glowy handbag (40% off!), then finish the look with fuzzy earmuffs and the cutest darn boots around!

Dinner with the fam demands a look that is both chic and stretchy--you never know when you'll be recruited for kitchen duty! Michelle's Black Bobble Ring adds just a hint of glam. Pair it with a glimmery cardigan, metallic oxfords, and jeweled bobby pins. Stirrup leggings allow room for post-meal expansion (remember that episode of Friends where Joey wears Phoebe's maternity pants so he can eat a whole turkey?) and a big 'ol tote holds gifts for the little ones--you stylish Santa, you!

New Year's Eve is the one night of the year when you can gorge yourself on sequins with impunity, so you might as well go all the way. Team Michelle's crystal cuff bracelet with a sexy ruched cocktail dress and detailed stockings. A textured clutch and showstopping heels will carry you well past midnight. And finally, a top hat headband? I can't think of a better way to kick off 2010!

P.S. More fab Michelle Roy outfits here.

Unexpected Holiday Palette: Modern Red and Green

Okay, so there's nothing unexpected about red and green for the holidays. But how about switching up the palette just a little? Instead of pine and crimson, try cherry with pistachio, palest seafoam with tomato, and then mix in accents of black, white and deep brown for a contemporary spin.

The whimsy of this palette makes it especially perfect for kids (old and young alike!). Use it to decorate the house for a gingerbread making party--wouldn't it be extra special if you included patterns like stripes and polka dots? Or leave some gift wrap in these colors out for Santa, and he's sure to create a magnificent display under the tree come Christmas morning!

Image Credits: 1, 3. Country Home 2,4,6,7. Martha Stewart 5. Living Etc. 8. Domino

Giveaway: Fingerless Phone Gloves by Etre Touchy

It's my last giveaway of 2009, and I can't think of a better way to end the year! I've been in love with the Etre Touchy gloves since I first spotted them on Boing Boing--they're such a simple and playful way to solve a nagging problem, no? Well today, not one but five lucky readers have the chance to win their very own pair of these fingerless wonders!

If I had a dollar for every time I've fumbled with my phone while wearing gloves, I'd be a very rich woman indeed. And since no one seems to be handing out money to bumbling butterfingers such as myself, I'd much rather have a pair of these gloves! To receive your very own, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post, and next week I'll randomly select five winners.

Hope everyone had a lovely weekend!

Weekend At Last!

Has your week been as busy as mine has? I'm traveling to Toronto on Sunday to visit family, so I've been running around like mad trying to tie up loose ends before I leave. The hectic days and the approaching Winter Solstice have me in the mood for reflection and relaxation, for palettes of white, grey and blue, and of course for catching up on my reading:

• The most spectacular dessert table I've ever seen.
• An awesome small space gift guide.
• Clean and serene interiors from Dutch photographer Louis Lemaire.
• Savvy tips and tricks for making your own inspiration board.
• Simple but effective food packaging ideas.
• See? Even models wear the same outfit twice!
• Southern style at its sophisticated best
• I once worked as an elf at a Santa booth in the mall. This brings back some seriously bad memories...

Have a wonderful weekend everyone :)

Image Credits: 1. Elle Decoration UK 2. Inside Out Christmas 4. Anna Kern