By Invitation...................all sparkly and bright

If a group of woman bloggers were actually able to get together for a big holiday party, what would we wear? That was the fashionable question this month for the international group of bloggers who are participating today in the By Invitation Only series. Last month had me dreaming of seeing the world from up above, this month I am dressed to the nines, being all silly and full of bubbly. And since it's all in good festive fun, I put some feathers and ribbon in my hair. It's a holiday party after all......................all Sparkly and Bright.

And what would I bring as a Hostess Gift? 

I am a really good guest after all. Really good. 

Black gloss gift wrap, damask embossed wide ribbon, one feather hair scrunchie, one crystal stretch bracelet perfect for small and special gift boxes, a bit of satin ribbon binding.

My hostess gift................wrapped all sparkly and bright.

See what the other festive party girls are wearing here. 

Photos from Tumblr/Bottom photo by Sande Chase

warm gray feathers

Loving warm gray tones today, this gorgeous room seen at Trouvais, these feathery earrings especially.
Reminded me of this post by Lynn at Paris Hotel Boutique........ 
wearing feather extensions in her hair on a Steve Tyler whim.
I say have fun with style. 
And fun for me would be a pair of feathery gray earrings to wear with white linen this summer.  
Aren't they spectacular? The room too.




Happy Week and a stylish thank you to the new followers and readers who stopped by to comment. So sweet. 

Top photo from blog Trouvais/Bottom photo via Tumblr

Feather Fronds

Something about these blue shutters and all this folige had me hunting down a more unusual gift topper. I wanted to capture the breezy look of the palm fronds without using the green silk leaves I already used in a gift wrap post this week. Surprise, surprise, look what I found in my storage room.




These feathers are actually about 2 feet long, way too big for a normal size box. So I cut them quickly (and I mean quickly!) and wrapped the cut base with a silk ribbon before the cut feather edge started to float all over the room. I'm not sure I've used these two colours together before, but I am lovin the kelly green and turquoise blue.

Here's how the feathers look with ribbon wrapped base before tucking them into the bow. Done this way, it's a topper the recipient can display or regift. I have to think of a way to use up the other 1" that I cut off, but it won't be today. I'm back doing my outdoor cycling with my new Gary Fisher Marlin GT mountain bike that I picked up early this morning. My smokin new upgrade ( I earned it cycling last year) is gender-specific, designed specifically for women cyclists. Not only is a dream to ride, it positively makes me feel young again. The weather is gorgeous so I slipped in two rides today and got up to 9 miles total. My goal is 15 miles a day, but still....... I'm kind of lovin myself today.

Gary Fisher bikes are a great choice for women and available at all price levels. Their gender-specific frames are designed to tilt your pelvis comfortably and properly to reduce back strain. Women are built different so it's an important distinction when you are trying to trim those hips by clocking in lots of miles. I've shown you this bike before ........but I am absolutely lovin it today.

Have a wonderful, outdoor weekend. Take a bike ride, you might get hooked.

Top photo via Flickr/2nd and 3rd photo by Sande Chase ~ Oooh la la Cadeau/Bottom Photo from Gary Fisher.