Holiday Greetings!

I've been debating this year about what to send as my Christmas cards.  Do I send the usual cards I pick up at the store or do I make personalized cards instead?  Some of my favorite cards to receive are the personalized ones from friends and family but they are a dilemma for me as I am not married or have children and fell that I don't really have anything to showcase in my picture.  I do have a couple of friends who have taken pictures of their animals and used those instead.  An idea...

Anyways, I've been looking through various photo card websites and some of my favorites have come from Shutterfly.  Shutterfly has so many options that you can use for your Holiday cards.  They have Christmas, New Year, and general Holiday cards available.  They have so many designs to choose from that it makes it hard to just pick one.  Here are a few of my favorites.

While looking around at the different options, I also noticed that Shutterfly has Christmas Invitations available.  A great way to incorporate a picture into your family get-together for the holidays.  Here are a couple of those that I like as well.

Another fun project that I like that Shutterfly offers are their Photo Calendars.  I did one of these a couple of years ago for my parents with various pictures of us from the previous year and they really enjoyed having it.  As you can see, this is a great way to showcase your pictures and share your memories with friends and family.  I highly recommend doing something like this for your family and friends.

Which Holiday cards do you like?  Are you sending a personalized one this year?  I hope you're Holiday season is going well so far!

Images: Shutterfly

Orla Kiely Radio

I happened to see this the other day over on decor8 and wanted to share it with you all too.  A cute new EVOKE Mio radio designed by Orla Kiely.  Isn't it cute and a great inspiration for Fall with the warm colors and Orla's iconic leaf design.  I hope you're all having a great week!

Image: Pure via decor8

British Week - Chatsworth House

Today for our British Week I wanted to show you some shots from one of my favorite houses in England, Chatsworth House.  If you recognize this house, it is probably from familiar because it was used as Pemberley in the recent production of Pride and Prejudice with Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen.  Chatsworth is the home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire and has been in their family for years and years.  I love how picturesque the house looks on the grounds and how the grounds just roll around the house so perfectly.  This year is the 90th birthday of Deborah Devonshire and the family is celebrating with many activities and an interesting celebration of her life.  This is definitely a stop on my next trip to England!

Images: Chatsworth House

British Week - Designers

This week is British Week here on the vintage yankee and I will be sharing some of my favorite things British.  The week will culminate with a fun project tutorial and download (a sneak peek is in the British Week header above)!  Today we start with some of my favorite British designers.

First up is Cath Kidston.  I have loved Cath's style since the beginning.  Her use of bright colors and prints and her ability to mix old with new is amazing.  I love how she is able to produce items for her line that are new but evoke an old world, vintagey feel.  Even more exciting is that you can view the Cath Kidston website in American currency and have her items shipped to you here in the states!

Images: Cath Kidston

Next up is Lisa Stickley London.  Lisa's fun, funky use of florals just makes me smile.  She uses a lot of basic black and light blue but adds in a smattering funky colors like neon pink and yellow.  Lisa just recently came out with a book, Made at Home that has lots of fun and simple sewing projects for your home.  Definitely a book to check out.

Images: Lisa Stickley London

My last shop on this post isn't really a designer but is a very fun shop, Caravan.  A cute little shop in London, owner Emily has done an amazing job of putting together fun obscure objects from past and present to sell in her shop.  Even though I've never been to Caravan, just looking through their website gives you a feel of how fun the place must be.  Take a look at some of the style boards they have put together to give you an idea of what they shop is all about. (I really want to purchase the cute little caravan for my office!)

Images: Caravan Style

Rue Magazine

To end out the week, I suggest you head over and peruse through the new online decor magazine, Rue.  It is chalk full of great inspiration for your home and you'll get to see some pretty amazing homes and work spaces.  These are a couple of shots from one of my favorite bloggers' homes, which is featured in the premiere issue.

Also, get ready next week for British Week!  Next week's theme will be  all British and I will have a fun download at the end of the week for you all.  Get ready to be inspired by all things from across the pond.  Hope you have a great weekend!

Images: Rue

Dark Walls + Bright Light

Lately I've been loving these dark walls in this dining room I happened to spy a while back on Pinterest.  I also am a fan of the exposed light bulb fixture and the many framed pieces on the walls.  This room makes me want to have lots of people over for a dinner of stew and potatoes or an amazing casserole.  I am ready for fall to role in!

Image: via little blue deer

Dream Kitchen

Lately I've been dreaming about the day that I can finally buy a house and decorate it.  I want a small cottage with a yard big enough for a dog.  Maybe a three bedroom so that I can have an office/craft room and a guest bedroom as well.  Here are some inspiration photos I've pulled together of ideas for decorating the kitchen.  I want neutral colors and open shelving so that I can display my vintage Fire King Azurite dishes and I want a big white farmhouse sink!  I think it's a great idea to start collecting ideas now because you never know when you might see something that you like and then when the time comes, you can't find it.  Enjoy!

Images: 1. Southern Living  2. Jessica Thuston via Southern Living  3. & 4. Samantha Pynn Interiors via Decor8  5. via Door Sixteen  6. Emma Balch via Design*Sponge

F. Scott Fitzgerald + Coralie Bickford-Smith

First off, I would like to apologize for my absence over the past couple of weeks.  I have been extremely busy at work this month and have not had the time to post.  I promise that will change in the coming weeks and I should be back to regular posting from now on.

Now to the good stuff! If you haven't seen these by now, I am completely smitten with the new set of book covers that Coralie Bickford-Smith has produced for a series of F. Scott Fitzgerald books.  These books are reminiscent of the 1920s and exude very high taste and class.  I love the art deco designs she uses and the gold, white and black tones.  I think these are going to be added to my list of 'pretty books' to purchase some time soon!

Images: Coralie Bickford-Smith

The Holiday's English Cottage

My friend Melanie and I were talking the other day about how much we love the movie The Holiday.  We love the little stone cottage named Rosehill in the quaint English village and we have both decided we want to own it.  Did you know that they built the cottage just for the movie and that it isn't really an actual house?  It's just frame with curtains and a wreath.

They built each of the rooms on a stage lot where they filmed the majority of the interior shots. Designer James Radin did an amazing job decorating and he made it quaint and homey.  Doesn't it make you want to put on a kettle of water for tea and curl up with a good book?  This lovely stone cottage is exactly what I want in an English home one day.  Oh to dream...

Images: James Radin

Light & Airy

I've been in the mood for light & airy houses lately.  I can't seem to get enough of them.  This house for instance, is all about natural light and openness.  Maybe it's because I've been very busy at work lately that I've needed the calmness of the homes I've been eyeing recently.  Who knows...  I do know though that when the day comes that I own my own home, it will be filled with LOTS of natural light.  What do you think of this home?  Wouldn't it be a good place for a calm, relaxing vacation?

Images: Bolig Magasinet