Neha Leela

These bone chilling temperatures summon visions of a mountain side chalet, blazing flares within a stone fireplace,  antler adorned mantles and windows looking straight into the mountains.

Though my decor is not easily transformable into ski-chic, I’m determined to find ways to channel that seasonal, intimate scene without replacing teacups with horns.  As a start, I’m topping my summer white bedding with this taupe faux-fur throw : my shortcut to layering on winter luxury to create a bedroom retreat.

image credit: elle decor, pottery barn

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Courtesy of DavieandChiyo’ , a sale on their divine bow and rosette studded silk clutches.  My frilly favorites below.

When I was six, I handed my father a rock in lieu of a father’s day gift.  Inspired by a design and craft book, I had full intention of covering it with shreds of origami paper to make a colorful paperweight.  So I handed over this gift, with the heavy caveat that when and if I found the materials I would create the perfect addition to his office.

I was very clear then that homemade meant heartfelt, but I like to think I’ve come a little ways in handing over suprises without quite so many stipulations.

Though we may be through the height of the holiday gifting mayhem, as a special thank you to some of the most wonderful and generous family and friends in my life who help make the holidays what they are,   I wanted to offer a particularly sweet post-Christmas treat.

Festive Fruit & Nut Bars

For the base:

2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 tspn baking pwdr, 1/4 tspn salt, 2 sticks of softened butter (i never claimed it was a healthy), 1 egg, 2 tspns vanilla

Preheat oven to 375, coat a 9 by 13 pan with butter and parchment, combine the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder and salt), and beat in a separate bowl sugar, butter, egg, and vanilla. mix dry and wet ingredients until smooth.  Spread evenly over the prepared pan and bake roughly 25 minutes until golden.  Cool for 30-45 minutes.   In the interim…

For the topping:

4 tspns corn starch, 4 tsnps sugar, 1 cup fresh squeezed orange juice, 1 cup diced abricots, 1 cup chopped dates, 3/4 cup crushed pecans, lemon zest to taste  (replace nut with pistachio or almond and dried fruit to your liking)

Stir corn starch and sugar in sauce pan, dissolve in orange juice, toss in dried fruit and bring to a simmer over medium heat while stirring often until the compote binds together ( when complete, you should be able to take the stirrer and spoon to the side some of the mixture without the liquid seeping back).   Stir in nuts and zest in a separate bowl and pour evenly over cooled crust.   Bake again for 10 minutes at 350, until the fruit sets, the crust becomes a deeper golden but the gloss and shine of the fruit still remains.

After removing from the oven, I let it sit for 20 minutes before cutting into bars with an oiled knife and layering them into gift boxes.  Line whatever box you use with parchment to avoid seepage of all that butter (shhhh).

Keith Lockhart reminded the audience at the Pops last evening,  that historically there are supposed to be 12 days of Christmas.  Thanks to modern day frenzy, we’ve condensed celebration to a day or two.  I hope you and yours are keeping the sweet spirit for as long as you can.

Whether you attend midnight mass, open one present on christmas eve, top your tree with a family heirloom or travel to tropical paradise year after year, I’ve come to realize that  for those of us lucky enough, holiday is our way of rooting ourselves in the familiar.

Christmas comes at an opportune time; after a year of change and on the brink of another, we can ground ourselves for a night and a day in some sort of consistency.

My family does not do midnight mass, and the extravagant tree has been replaced as I grew older with  candles and clusters of vintage ornaments.  But every year we have the same oatmeal pancakes with Williams Sonoma vanilla bean maple syrup.  Its not about heavy indulgence, because frittatas or stratas wouldn’t suffice.  Its about the eagerness of awaiting something special that signifies something larger.

Wishing you a day marked by tradition, whether large or small.

Vacation spirit is bubbling over:  doesn’t this photo scream playtime?

(image from The World in Vogue: People, Places and Parties)

The word feminine has long since conjured up images of women leaning into vanity mirrors, spritzing, applying and powdering.  Most of us don’t have enough occasions to gaze endlessly into mirrors, perfecting our pouts, but for a few brief moments every morning we can indulge that fantasy.  I adore these rich, romantic rooms that inspire glamour and elegance, even on the days they feel out of reach.  

image credit: Elle Decor

In going through old pictures, I have a few that are set aside that are probably not the most flattering but are quite memorably, me at my happiest; two, not surprisingly am where I am playing dress up. One, was with my best friend at four years old, wrapped in boas, aprons and tiaras. The next one is a set of polaroids from years later, during my first internship.

The other girl, who is pouting and winking at the camera next to me, decked in aviators, baubles and fedoras, was Marianna, my fellow intern, instant friend and huge inspiration at Harper’s Bazaar. We spent a summer, finding genius ways to stuff a Viktor & Rolf gown into a trunk, hunting down lost choos and braving notorious stylists while gabbing about travel, family, love and fashion.

As you all know, I moved back to boston and away from the fashion world, but Mari, an amazing photographer, stylist and artist, both then and now, stayed exactly where she belonged: right in the creative capital of New York.

Today, I was SO excited when she let me know of her most recent adventure, I Am Dorkas – a line of linens for the home that is a product of her own creative energy and collaboration with the people she loves. My favorites are below; napkins in fabric etched with fables, and a striking and sweet apron, that just screams motherly comfort and coziness.

For those of you, down to the wire on gifting, take a peek. I can promise you’ll find handmade goodies made with love.

Mari, congratulations lady!

Testament to very thoughtful friends, I’ve stored and saved countless cards that are immediate reminders of inside jokes or fond memories.

I love this foldable gem from Sycamore Street Press, that is reminiscent of a beloved childish pastime. Pigtails in hair, we would craft these with lined notebook paper and feverishly scribble numbers for our friends to choose to unlock fortunes that we penned.

Instead of the traditional card, I’m considering this letterpress printed version of an oldie but goodie for my oldest of friends.

(via A Cup of Jo)