Welcome to Gems & Geodes

An information hotspot for those seeking handy tips and sources for inspiration.

Friday, December 21, 2012

Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go

In a lot of families there's a tradition of giving your family (and you being gifted) a pair of new pajama's on Christmas Eve to wear while the presents are opened on Christmas Day.  So in the spirit of this tradition I have selected for you some options for pajama-giving, in the form of sets and separates; fun and formal, to help inspire you (and your significant other) while on the hunt for those flannel-favourites!


Joe Fresh
Old Navy


The Gap
Victoria's Secret























Let's face it, right about now we're bone dry in the finances so I picked a few more affordable options for you - after all we lounge and sleep in these!  Mixing and matching can be fun in the sleepware department (this isn't the boudior) so take those pink plaid flannel sleep bottoms and match them with a fuschia cami or the blue flower-pattern shorts with a powder blue tee, the options are endless and there's no stopping you!!

Happy Shopping!


Since this will be my last post for 2012, I wish you and your family the very best this Christmas and in the New Year!

Merry Christmas!!


Courtesy of:
The Gap
Joe Fresh
Old Navy
Victoria's Secret

Monday, December 17, 2012

Console Me

Now that you're decking out your Christmas table you're going to need some space for the feast!  There's no point in cramming it all into every available nook and cranny so why not help yourself out a bit, give your guests some room to eat and move those dishes onto a console table.  If you have a buffet, this is a great way to entertain, but for those of you who don't and really don't want the added expense of a buffet or simply don't have the space, a console table can work wonders in tight spaces and limited budgets.  Don't get me wrong, there are some mighty expensive console tables out there and hey, if that's your budget more power to you, but if you have a more modest expense limit why not spend a little to gain some maximum impact.

Typically console tables are meant for behind the sofa or in a entryway but there is nothing stopping you from adding one of these furniture pieces to your dining area to increase your table real estate.  Console tables come in an array of styles, materials and colours so you can easily adapt one of them for your Christmas setting.  They are also fun to put an added splash of Christmas decor to enhance your theme and make the food station more festive.  Here are some to inspire you:































From rustic to refined and everything else in-between, there's a console table out there for everyone.  There are console tables that mirror the glam of hollywood, that show off your wine collection, and have a taste of the orient.  No matter what console table you choose make sure that you tie in the decor with the rest of your theme and don't be afraid to go all out, tis the season after all!

Happy Shopping!

Courtesy of:
Crate and Barrel
IKEA
Anthropologie
Structube
Pier 1
West Elm
Restoration Hardware

Monday, December 10, 2012

Bon Appetit

Setting the table at Christmas time can be hair-raising and stress inducing, but it doesn't have to be if you plan well and plan ahead.  Prepping that turkey, making all the appy's, and getting your sides started can be stressful enough, let alone the thought of "oh no, uncle Bob's always early and I haven't polished the silverware!".  The setting of the Christmas table can (and should) be done in advance of your guests arrival and even before you stuff that turkey.  You can easily pop your glassware on the table moments before your guests arrive but leaving everything to the very end can make even the toughest Martha-Stewart's-at-heart go mad!  Leave yourself enough time to polish the silverware (if you plan on using it) and set that table in all of it's festive glory so that you too can enjoy all the work you put into it!

The Christmas table can be done in many different fashions and doesn't have to be the traditional setting of days-gone-by.  There are so many different colour options (depending on your theme), and layering effects to make your mashed potatoes and gravy appear magical.  I've thrown together some colour themes and options from the traditional spectrum to the more modern to help get you thinking outside of that roasting pan.

The collections below are grouped together by colour and the shops in which you can find these items:


Blue Christmas Table - Pier 1
Clear + White Christmas Table - IKEA
Blue Christmas Table - Anthropologie



Multi-Coloured Christmas Table - Anthropologie
Red + Green Christmas Table - Crate and Barrel
Green + Cream Christmas Table - Pier 1



Red + Multi-Coloured Christmas Table - Pier 1
Red + White Christmas Table - Pier 1
Red + Green Christmas Table - IKEA



Silver + Gold Christmas Table - Crate and Barrel
White + Wood Christmas Table - Anthropologie
Red + Yellow Christmas Table - Anthropologie

Don't be afraid to mix and match what you see above, I wanted to provide you with a one-stop-shop for all your table setting needs.  You'll notice that even with the more "traditional" of arrangements that there is a more modern edge/feel to it with the clean lines and colour options.  Mixing different media also help to enhance the layered and overall theme on the table making it more appealing to the eye and inviting to your guests.  Don't be afraid to use colours that you may not necessarily equate with Christmas as there are really no rules (aside from the keeping with your theme of course!).  So go ahead and dust off your Aunt Janet's yellow platter and serve up some roasted vegetables for your guests, they will certainly appreciate it!

Happy Shopping!

Courtesy of:
Anthropologie
Crate and Barrel
Pier 1
IKEA

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Sparkle and Shine

With Christmas approaching quicker than Santa's reindeer and all the holiday parties at work and with friends/family happening right now, why not sport some "seasonally appropriate" footwear!  The reason I call them "seasonally appropriate" is because these are not necessarily the style of pumps you want to wear for everyday (outside of the holidays) - unless you're truly daring - but they can be something to sparkle up an outfit, create a bit of glam and totally wow during December!

I've selected a few for you below, some with full-on glitter/sequins; others with just a touch of sparkle and some that shimmer and shine.  So get out there, hit the shops and put on a pair of these pumps to ramp up your holiday outfit a kick!
























How much fun are those!  This season why not add a little sparkle in your step to match the one in your eye ;)

Happy Shopping!

Courtesy of:
Nine West
Town Shoes
Aldo
Le Chateau
Call it Spring