Monday with Matt: Boxing Day

To me, the day after Christmas has the same kind of melancholy feeling as a Sunday, or the last day of summer, or one of those peanuts that only has one nut in the shell. But in England and Canada and Australia and Scotland, and other places too I'm sure, it's called Boxing Day and you give gifts and food and money to people you employ or have performed a service for you over the last year (and small greedy children).
I remember being little and one of the only things that took my mind off of the sad fact that Christmas was exactly 364 days away was receiving another small set of gifts from a mysterious man named Mr. X who was never seen and only referred to as a "your grandfather's business associate". Essentially it was just a small stocking with some music, and a chocolate orange, and card trick, or a puzzle. I'm sure my grandpa got just as much pleasure at the chance of getting out of the house and away from the family for an hour or two to assemble the gifts as he did from the actual gift giving, but it's a nice tradition and a fun excuse to give and receive.
Next year why not start your own tradition? Don't feel that you have relegate it to service industries, but it's always nice to let the people that take care of you all year to know just how much you appreciate them.
Have a Happy and Healthy New Year!
XO Matt

Holiday Gift Guide: What to get...

1.Because who hasn't dreamt of being the next Sam Adams?
2.Looks stylish on a desk... amuses during boring conference calls.
3. Just in case he needs to jam right now with his bros.
4. Because he's afraid whittling is a dying art
5.What could be more manly than whiskey scented toiletries?

Holiday Gift Guide: What to buy for your....

1.The most gorgeous tea I've ever seen.
Not only is it absolutely delish, but the packaging is to die for
2. Earrings you hope she'll lend to you once in awhile
3. A cozy throw for her favorite reading chair
4.Who doesn't need golden playing cards?
Perhaps you'll actually beat her at gin rummy someday
5. Lovely handcream with amazing Portugese packaging.
Staying moisturized and stylish all at once!

holiday hair

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i just got my hair cut yesterday, so i'm feeling inspired to try some new hairdos over the holidays. i've been trying especially hard to complete a fish tail braid (harder than they say for us hairdo inept folk)

Monday with Matt: vintage dressing for holiday parties

What nobody tells you is that the real reason for the season is having an awesome outfit at all of the holiday parties one is invited. Why not go vintage? You'll surely stand out from the masses of sequins and tartans. I found some really pretty and functional frocks at Screaming Mimi's.


Such pretty draping.


I admit this one isn't for everyone, but the velvet screams "HAPPY HOLIDAYS!"


The leather skirt is so cool girl, paired with a white shirt it takes you from work to dinner to your office holiday party!
Hope everyone has a Happy Holiday! And I'll see you on Boxing Day!

Holiday Gift Guide: What to buy for your....

1.Compact From Bobbi Brown
2. These adorable teacups with a surprise inside
(Reminds me of the ones we had as kids) by Imm living
3.Amazing chevron earrings from Virginie Millefiore
4. Kate Spade bib necklace (that would look amazing with this dress)
5. iphone case from jcrew

allison & chris

allison & chris's full wedding is featured over on style me pretty right now. make sure to check it out for some really pretty photos! here are a few of our favorites from the day.

photos by jen huang photography

happy friday!

I can't help it...

As an event designer, I am constantly on the lookout for inspiration and fun ideas. When I see something that would be perfect at the hypothetical wedding of one of my friends, I log it. Well here's one for my sister, the avid puzzle solver. When I came across these puzzle alternatives to a traditional guestbook I couldn't help but think... that'd be perfect for her! I'm sorry sis; I can't help it!

beautiful shots of our buckets of flowers in santa ynez. we found an entire bucket of cut rose bush and those breath taking tree peonies at the LA market.

{jen huang photography}

gala 2012

in case you haven't heard, poppies & posies is extremely happy to announce that we now travel to new england for weddings! please let us know if you're getting married in maine, new hampshire, massachusetts or rhode island and we'd love to be a part of your event. you'll also want to check out the latest issue of gala weddings. we may just have a few photos in there to help inspire.

Brooklyn Night Bazaar

Check out the Brooklyn Night Bazaar this weekend in Williamsburg. Some of our favorite NYC businesses will be representing, including Brooklyn Heavy Metal and Luke's Lobsters!

Monday with Matt: a common sense gift guide

Giving gifts can be a difficult task. Finding the right object for the right person that expresses the right sentiment is truly daunting. So I thought I'd put together a list of simple things that most everyone will enjoy and one might overlook when racking their brains for the perfect something special.

1. CHOCOLATES! I think the only people that don't enjoy chocolate are the people allergic to chocolate. My favorites are from Jacques Torres and Vosges.

2. Cashmere sweaters from Uniqlo. Who doesn't love/want/need cashmere sweaters? These average at $99, which is such a steal, and come in every color imaginable. I don't think they're available on the website, but I think they're worth a run to the brick and mortar location.

3. Books and Music. I know, I know... but if you limit yourself to the albums and novels you enjoyed over the past year you've got yourself a really thoughtful gift. I mean this is why my dad now loves Rah Rah Riot and Vampire Weekend.

4. Make it yourself. Or give your loved one something to make it themselves. I would like receiving some lovely yarn from purl soho almost as much as receiving a hand knit scarf or hat, maybe more.

5. A Gift Certificate. I can hear those groans. But isn't their something great about receiving money and not being able to spend it on something sensible? Just be sure that you choose the right shop to buy a certificate at. I remember one year I received a GAP card with an obscene amount on it. In the end I was set up with underwear and socks for a rather long time.

6. Gift of the Month Club. There is a "gift" of the month for everything you can think of! I'm kind of obsessed with the Bowtie of the Month Club right now.

Laure de Sagazan

With dresses like this, need I say more? Gorgeous!
See these styles and more here.

know thy farmer

it's here and just in time for the holidays! blue hill stone barns has launched on online shop where you can buy the most adorable and perfect gifts. i'm digging their aprons and i always have a soft spot for pickles.

Donna Hay is my hero

I have been a long time fan of Australian homemaker, cook, all around renaissance woman Donna Hay and her fabulous cookbooks & magazine. I have subscribed for many years and must say that anytime I'm in a jam looking for the perfect recipe she never fails to come through for me. So, when I started planning my holiday party this year and her 10th anniversary magazine arrived I new she would, once again, have the perfect menu just waiting for me inside its pages. Here are a few of the recipes that I think I'm going to give a whirl this year. I'll be sure to document the outcome for all of you!

Dill and Salt-Cured Salmon

• • 1 ½ cup (450g) rock salt+

  • 2 tablespoons caster (superfine) sugar
  • 1 ½ tablespoon water
  • 1 tablespoon white peppercorns
  • 1.5kg side salmon, trimmed and pin-boned++
  • 1 bunch dill, chopped

  brandy dressing

  • ⅓ cup (80ml) brandy
  • 1 teaspoon caster (superfine) sugar
  • sea salt and cracked black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon store-bought grated horseradish
  • 2 teaspoons white wine vinegar

  Process the salt, sugar, water and peppercorns in short bursts in a food processor until just combined. Place the salmon on a tray, rub with the dill, then the salt mixture. Cover with plastic wrap, place a tray on top of the salmon, weigh down with a heavy object and refrigerate for 24 hours.

  To make the brandy dressing, place the brandy, sugar, salt and pepper in a saucepan over high heat. Bring to the boil and cook for 2 minutes or until reduced by half. Stir through the horseradish and vinegar and cool slightly. Thinly slice the salmon, spoon over the dressing and serve with chunks of dark rye bread. Serves 12.
  + The type of salt used for curing is important. You should use rock salt rather than a finer salt because its coarseness cures the meat without imparting too much saltiness.
  ++ Ask your fishmonger to pin-bone the fish for you. Alternatively, run your fingers along the fish and remove any protruding bones with a set of tweezers.
  +++ The salmon will keep, tightly covered, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Bleu Cheese & Caramelized Onion Brioche

• 1 x small (260g) loaf brioche, cut into rectangles
• ⅓ cup (90g) caramelised onion relish
• 1 small Granny Smith (green) apple, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 20g butter
• 200g blue cheese, crumbled
• chervil leaves and cracked black pepper, to serve

Spread the brioche with the caramelised onion and top with apple slices. Heat the oil and butter in a non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Add the brioche, apple-side down, and cook for 1–2 minutes each side or until golden. Top with the blue cheese, chervil and pepper to serve.
Makes 16.

Chili & Lemongrass Chicken

• 2 teaspoons sesame oil
• 2 stalks lemongrass, very finely chopped
• 2 large mild red chillies, seeds removed and chopped
• 1 tablespoon finely grated ginger
• 500g chicken mince
• 3 tablespoons lime juice
• 3 tablespoons fish sauce
• 2 teaspoons brown sugar
• ¼ cup shredded mint leaves
• 16 witlof (Belgian endive) or baby cos (romaine) leaves

Heat a frying pan over high heat. Add the oil, lemongrass, chilli and ginger and cook for 1 minute. Add the mince and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. Stir through the lime juice, fish sauce, sugar and mint. Spoon the lemongrass chicken into the witlof and serve. Makes 16.

Check out these recipes and more at Donna Hay

(& I seriously recommend subscribing to her mag. It's seriously the best!)

jessica & chris

our beautiful bride from recently photographed by bright bird photography. those tree peonies in her bouquet were to die for along with the ranunculus, anenome, thistle, andromeda, scabiosa, and maidenhair fern.

Monday with Matt: wrapping paper

In an effort to keep with the season I thought I'd post about the fantastic Emma Bridgewater wrapping paper I recently got. I've wrapped two gifts in this paper, one for a baby boy and one for an grown woman and it was wonderfully appropriate for both.


"A Nice Present", I mean you can't go wrong with that. With the right ribbon (thick black yarn for the bambino and a pretty cream grosgrain for my lady friend) it's perfect to wrap any gift! You can find a great selection at Joanne Hudson. Emma Bridgewater also has great line of ceramics! I drink my coffee every morning out of her Robin mug

man gift

with two brothers, a boyfriend, and a dad i am always racking my brain for good man gifts. it's harder than some may think! i thought this tobacco & sandalwood candle that can be used as a drinking glass for their manly bourbon afterward is just genius.

{sydney hale company}