Holly Jolly J.Crew

I know I know I KNOW - I need to shut down Sanity Fair and start up "J. Crew Fair" or something. But I absolutely can't help it! They keep creating such lovely things. My two favorite looks this season? The Holly Holiday, and Christmas Camping.

J.Crew camp out - don't forget the crystals and fur!

All images, J. Crew.

The November Issue: Best of Holiday Magazines

In November and December the glut of holiday decor mags usually strains store shelves to the bowing point, and careless shopping cart drivers may find themselves buried in the check-out aisle. But this season there will be far more trees in living rooms than in the Christmas paper mill, thanks to the recession. My top holiday magazines list is therefore a bit shorter - but the quality, thank St. Nick, is still there. Here are the best books to buy for yourself or give as gift subscriptions to someone really lucky.

Canadian House & Home

America's new favorite magazine, CH&H does decor right, with nary an "eh" in sight. Former Domino readers will love the clean modern and eclectic looks, with lots of little tips and the much missed "margin scribble" - all those brilliant little side comments on various room elements that Domino excelled at. It's neither traditional nor celebrity obsessed (calling Architectural Digest - hello?). If you're working on your third vacation home or decorating your first rental, CH&H will inspire you. One year Canadian subscription $26.95. One year U.S. subscription $56.95.

Veranda

I shied away from Veranda for years - a little too formal, a little older (like Brooks Brothers for homes - I figured, it'll feel right for me in a few decades). But Veranda seems to be inviting her younger, hipper sister over for coffee more often, as casual styles and current trends are popping up. A Mary McDonald living room like this one will give you plenty of fresh ideas. One year subscription $15. Bonus: subscribe online and get a year of Elle Decor for only $5.

Victoria

Victoria is one of my most beloved magazines, and I've been reading it since childhood, in spite of its terribly misleading name. It is neither an encyclopedia of Victoriana, nor devoted to any historical era (any more than Veranda is only about porches). Victoria might better be called Bliss - timeless, exquisitely detailed stories about decorating, traveling, entertaining, and women entrepreneurs have the collectively soothing effect of a hot cup of tea. Beautiful photographs make each issue memorable, and classic copies are still coming up for bid on ebay. One year subscription $19.98.

House Beautiful

I'll be the first to admit that I used to really dislike House Beautiful. One part pretension, two parts design encyclopedia, reading it gave me the same feeling as attending a cocktail party where I didn't know the people or the gossip (oh, you haven't heard of this designer? Pity you). But I am LOVING their 2009 makeover with a fresh look and even fresher design choices. For October and November they had me at hello - bright, vibrant rooms, eclectic mixes, streamlined styles, and an abundance of chinoiserie. One year subscription $10.

All images, from magazines as listed.

Black Friday Bling

Maybe your waist size is a little larger today, and it's time to work out... your wallet! I fell in love with this Banana Republic jewelry. All are under $100. Perfect holiday-wear, and the best part? They look great no matter what size you are today :)

Rosette bib necklace, $98

Curtain Call Fringed Necklace, $69.50

Royal Jewelry Bracelet, $36

Royal Medallion Charm Bracelet, $36

Funnel Bracelet, $42

Crystal Pendent Necklace, $52

All images: BananaRepublic.com

The Thanksgiving Table

In all the rush to Christmas each year (guilty, guilty, GUILTY!) we (me) tend to overlook Thanksgiving and its non-gastronomic appeals. Since my turkey day decor tends to be limited to, well, turkeys, I went in search of a little inspiration. May the settings below inspire a little fall creativity at your own table.

High style thanks: Ralph Lauren's beautiful tablescape evokes fall in colors -

and non traditional patterns. Cheetah print chargers and

peacock feathered porcelain make the setting distinct.

Perfect for a "haute" Thanksgiving - or any elegant occasion. Gold Coil

Wainwright dinnerware, hand embellished in 22 karate gold, at Horchow.

A talented home decorator at Flickr combines a number of pieces to stunning effect.

Victorian plates, ceramic pumpkins, paper leaves, gourds, votives, and a fall-colored

centerpiece make a wining table. Many of these items you're likely to already

own. Add ceramic pumpkins to your collection, to be reused each year, and bring fresh

flowers to the mix.

Cottage country from Ballard Designs. Very simple, very cozy.

For your straight-forward homecooked Thanksgiving.

Setting the scene from Restoration Hardware - soft metallics

and candle glow make a warm holiday setting.

Another ceramic pumpkin from a Flickr user. This setting offers nice versatility - change the

centerpiece for cranberries, and the pumpkins for a little present, and it's

ready for Christmas, too (for an added touch, serve soup in the pumpkin bowl).

If ceramics are a bit too pricey for your budget, try these darling paper

options from Paper Source.

A literal interpretation of Turkey Day, from Horchow (English earthenware by Spode).

Many families collect Christmas china, but if your cupboards are already full of Lenox

and holly, try these for a new tradition.

A creative idea for place card holders from Victoria: a very light flora and fauna style

that would look lovely in a cottage-style home.

How do you decorate for Thanksgiving?

All images attributed in captions above.

Party Pacs

Happy Monday! I love shiny (SHINY) things...

Like these holiday COACH bags. I'm the sort of

person who only buys paint in High Gloss. I think

that all that glitters is as GOOD as gold...

Or platinum, bronze, or diamonds,

in rivets, beads, and baubles...

Matched up with a shimmery holiday plaid.

Nothing says fun like a little shine!

How will you sparkle this season?

xoxo Sanity Fair

Saturday Snooze

Design by Susan Zises Green, House Beautiful 2008.

Here's the bedroom I'd most like to wake up in tomorrow morning. Down the hall is a library stuffed with gorgeous books, and the view through the window is a stormy seashore. Tea and caramel digestive biscuits are on the breakfast menu.

Have a great weekend!

Deck the Walls

I really love framing things - one of my favorite looks is a jumble of prints, notes, pictures, paintings, and Misc., all framed together.

And while thinking about framing some pictures this week, it occurred to me, why not do Christmas frames? If you have a wall of pictures like this (or even a small collection), how simple it would be to take down a few pictures and replace them with Christmas-themed pieces. The effect would be congruent, subtly festive, and as easy as store-bought pie (not that we ever get that at my house). At the end of the season, replace the old pictures, and store the Christmas ones away until next year. Here are some fun ways I thought of to pull this off:

I love the idea of framing Christmas cards because it's so multi-functional. Do something with all those cards in the mail (even better, the ones you've been squirreling away because they were pretty) and make them into decor. Or, if your mail isn't stylish enough, buy a beautiful card yourself. Absolutely first on the list would be this charming design by Anne Harwell

(available on Etsy).

There are so many pretty wrapping paper patterns out these days, I always have an urge to frame them. But they tend to be shiny (all kinds) and rather thin (cheap kinds). Either way, they're difficult to use in frames. The solution is scrapbooking paper (just as long as your frame is under 12x12). You can do a collage of framed paper patterns - and the look is so festive!

Two GORGEOUS paper collections, above, by Anna Griffin, available here.

A "sampling" of the scrapbook/wallpaper look. You could also do abstract patterns with no relation to Christmas, but in red and green - just for a chic holiday touch.

A smaller vingette with framed paper. This would make a lovely addition to a side table or bureau with Christmas paper in it - and a sprig of holly beside. Courtesy, StyleCourt.

Festive frames - take your favorite pictures and jazz them up a bit for the holidays in colorful frames. They'll look fresh, new, and completely Christmas. Beautiful grosgrains ribbon trim frames with monogramming from Pottery Barn.

Finally, if you want to be more DIY than snipping your Christmas patterned paper into the right frame size, here is a really fun tutorial from PointClickHome on silver-leafing your own frame.

I hope these ideas help you bring some Christmas cheer into your home this season!

Images (with no attribution above): Room1, http://www.flickr.com/photos/tammymanet. Room 2, http://www.gaitainteriors.com/blog/?cat=3. Room 3, apartmenttherapy.com.

All That Shines...

I'm traveling AGAIN this week (apologies, neglected blog friends, for missing your beautiful posts!). But I did want to provide an official report on the pre-Thanksgiving, pre-Christmas, post-holiday-awareness attire front. The thing to wear right now is shine, not sparkles (save that for midnight on November 30th, at least). Also, there will be plenty of opportunities later for the physical discomfort only stunning little nothings worn to multiple parties in sub zero weather can bring (curse you, fashion!) - all while balanced on razor thin stilettos. Better soak up some cozy while you can. And cheaply. Here are choices that will keep your wallet feeling warm. All from Old Navy.

The stylish girl's "I had no time to do my hair" alternative. Isn't this too cute? But the price is just darling at $6.50!

A nice look, and the soft sides hold more than a few atoms. No, you won't pass it on to your granddaughters. But it's $16.50. Who cares?

Gold Old Navy "uggs." The original was called Ugg because that's the sound you make when you see them. But I've tried these on (front line reporting!) and they're COMFY. $29.50.

The wide, bracelet length sleeves on this jacket are slightly reminiscent of a certain Kate Spade coat that still has my heart. Absolutely darling with jeans, heels, and a ginormous necklace (just make sure your gloves are long - no cold wrists here!). Price: $69.50. Frankly, I think that's much too much for Old Navy. But don't worry - it'll go on sale. :)

The best. coat. ever.

All Old Navy images, oldnavy.com. KS coat, blog.highfashionhome.com.

The Luxury Game

I've never been a good game-player. My whole life has been a celebration of non-team activities: reading, biking, writing, reading.... But this holiday season, I'm rethinking my "game plan" (ouch). Of course, since this is Sanity Fair, not Goodwill Fair, I gambled with some choices that aren't cheap... but if the prices make you say "no dice!" or you're scared to overplay your hand, enjoy the checkered splendor below, and then remember that cards are a wonderful hostess gift!

A backgammon board, beautifully detailed in lavender leather. To be honest, I'm not really sure what backgammon is (dice meets a Navajo weave, judging by the picture) but I could pretend if I owned this. Backgammon set, $425.

Lipstick case? No dice baby! It's a dice box, in white alligator no less. The dice are studded with Swarovski crystals (not exactly penny stakes, huh?). Dice set with case, $95.

For the rich, verbose nerd who has everything. You can spell out "bankrupt" (66 points!) in the silver lined squares. Pink Scrabble in leather and enamel, $3,995.

A chrome and leather inlaid rubix cube - not for the niece and nephew - no matter how naughty or nice. Maybe the boss instead? $155.

Green and white! I don't play chess, but I enjoy watching movies about people who do. They appear to lead very exciting lives, probably because no game ever lasts more than 30 seconds, and there's always a reliable band of misfit sidekicks to cheer them on. If you want to feel like a champion too, try this set of chess pieces. They're pretty enough to just sit around - which is all they do anyway. Chess piece set, $150.

Finally, here it is: the caviar-leer-jet-saudi-prince of the game world: the $500,000 chess set. Crafted in white gold and and white and black diamonds, I have to say that I think this is a TRAVESTY. It is absolutely absurd in this economy to be waisting such extravagances on something so mundane. Fools! This clearly should have been made into jewelry instead!

Images, www.zontikgames.com.