{ holiday haul } decor scores

i'm very fortunate that my family and friends are understanding and indulgent of my passion for opulent apartment accessories. this holiday season, many of them took notes from recent home posts, and showered me in all sorts of glitzy goodies. i'll never consider any space i live in to be 'finished', so even if i'm not constantly replacing furniture pieces or wall colors, it's always nice to swap around knick knacks to keep a place feeling fresh.

since returning to new york from the holidays, i've barely had a free second to myself. yesterday, i finally got a chance to unload my frighteningly fragile suitcase, and as i did, i thought it would be fun to show you a few of the prezzies it packed:

{ oddly enough, as a child, i kept dollhouses inhabited with toy mice, rather than, well, dolls! just never was a barbie girl, i guess. anyway, my mom found this little family of brass mice on ebay and knew i would love them ~ their tails make a great resting place for my rings. to their right is a creepy candle from one of my best girlfriends. i'm looking forward to watching its face change as it melts ~ and i love the way it fits with the 'pirate's chest' behind it (in which i store all my nail polishes). }

{ the vintage, sterling-silver-tipped sugar bowl and creamer, above, were also gifts from my mother. she found them at an antique store and took the time to polish them to perfection before giving them to me ~ isn't that sweet?! }

{ i'm so happy my little sister reads my blog, because she learned from this gift guide that i wanted anthropologie's enchanted buck, matryoshka-doll-style measuring cup set ~ and she got it for me! }

{ this vintage versace wine stopper was another surprise from my mama. i love how it adds a pop of color to my little bar area. }

{ speaking of drinks: my guy found this platinum-tipped ice bucket from west elm, and knew it would be the perfect entertaining accent. any time a friend comes over, i can't resist popping open a bit of bubbly! the black glass champagne coupes were a vintage score, which i very luckily snagged just before december's holiday party. i think they're so sexy! }

{ my sister really spoiled me this year: the pair of perfume bottles she bought are adorably indicative of my love for classical vintage AND modern design. she SO gets me!}

{ actually, both my siblings are on to my style: my brother found the above blown-glass version of my white mannequin head in spain. what's cool is that it has an open top ~ i'm planning on turning it into a fishbowl! i've been wanting another pet for quite a while, but i think a fish is probably the most competition that old bunny-bear can handle. }

{ little bro also treated me to the asymmetric gold vase, above ~ which he found in a thrift shop! i'm proud to have trained him to be such a good shopper over the years ~ his future wife can thank me later ;) }
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speaking of treats, i'm very happy to finally announce that alyssa kwan is the winner in our last big pony collection cologne contest ~ i meant to do it sooner, but better late than never, no?! alyssa, please email me your shipping info so that i can send over your winnings!

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