Hello February! Some of you know how much I look forward to sharing my latest tablescapes with you. Which is why I could not wait to show you my latest look for Bright Bazaar, a Valentines Dinner for TWO. Not one for crowded and over-priced fixed meals at restaurants on V-day, I created a budget-friendly, intimate and easy-to-pull together tablescape look for a cozy dinner at home. We kept things fresh, and modern and opted to skip the over-used pinks and hearts.

We decided on a sophisticated black, white and gold palette highlighted with amethyst accents. A cursive fabric becomes an easy table runner, chevron drawer liners double up as place mats and ampersands played up the menu cards and invite.

I have to say I absolutely LOVE how the look came together. Huge thank you to Claudia and Karen, your designs ROCK! And Thank you Will for making this column look spectacular! Friends, do hop on over to Bright Bazaar and check it out.

Menu and invites by Fig2design.com

Gold Chevron placemats/drawer liners by Hammocks and High Tea

Styling and photography by Manvi Drona-Hidalgo

Two days to Christmas, gifts are wrapped, stockings stuffed, party outfits planned, holiday cards ready to be sent out (better late than never, right?), and I am officially on holiday mode. Before I sign off I wanted to thank each one of you for your continued support and readership. Mochatini would be nothing without you lovely folks. From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU..Hope to be surrounded by your warmth and friendship in the coming year.

Cheers to a fabulous 2012 for each one of you!! Wish you and yours a WONDERFUL holiday!

images: styled and photographed by manvi drona hidalgo.

products from Trohv

For my monthly guest column at Bright Bazaar, I created a festive Christmas party look. Keeping things modern and playful I opted for fuscia, magenta with mauve and pink hues paired with a masculine plaid tablecloth for a bit of tradition. I made the tablecloth using medium-weight woollen fabric that doubled as padding for stemware and plates.

For the three-part centerpiece I placed magenta peonies and berzillias in white cube vases, which work really well for short stems. I adorned the vases with a simple gray ribbon for a graphic accent.

To add a little formality to the occasion, I asked stationery designer Claudia of Fig2Design to help me with invitations, menu and place cards, with the calligraphy by Michele of Meant to be Calligraphy. Claudia is absolutely amazing to work with and I LOVE how Claudia and Michele’s GORGEOUS designs complimented my vision for the party.

Designating a surface for gifts and beverages is not only practical when hosting for the holidays but also an opportunity to create holiday vignettes that carry the decor to more than just the dining table.To decorate the wall above this station I hung multiple wreaths and a string of plastic ball ornaments filled with mini pine cones and mercury glass ornaments.

A touch of handmade wreath can really personalize the look. To make the paper wreath, I bought vintage plaid gift wrap, crafted cones and hot-glued them on a circle cardboard cut-out. I added a little star cut out lined with white sequines in the center, and voila, one handmade wreath done. I made mini versions of this wreath to use as gift tags.

Signature drink: Pomegranate sparklers in festive Roost flutes from Trohv

And finally, I decorated the fireplace with a string of battery operated mercury-glass orb lights, a string or ornaments, ceramic cone, a metal tree and a feather wreath.

See the full feature with additional details and recipe for pomegranate sparklers at Bright Bazaar.

Sources: Trohvshop, Fig2Design, Michele of Meant to be Calligraphy

images: styled and photographed by Manvi Drona-Hidalgo

Peek at holiday decor on my fireplace mantel.

And this crafty star light {via stylefiles} to get you in the holiday mood.

Get ready for holiday gift guides coming your way shortly.

Have a great week.

xo

Happy Friday! This week has been so crazy that I can’t believe it’s over already! Time DOES fly when you love what you do. I met and collaborated with so many amazing people, styled several looks for {back-to-back} shoots, reduced email back-log by 90%,  responded to pending ad requests, sent out proposals AND made time for my best girls. The only part I slacked in was blogging. Sorry about that. Am going to make up for it next week with lust-worthy holiday gift-guides compiled by some of my favorite bloggers.

I have more deadlines and projects to complete this weekend but am going to make time for fun and relaxation. What are your plans this weekend? Sending you tons of holiday cheer. Hope you make time to do things you love!

xo

image: styled and photographed by Manvi Drona-Hidalgo