lucky penny looks good… behind closed doors… under the sheets… and even first thing on christmas morning. *dusts off angel wings*

she is cute, cozy and camera-ready… while opening presents in her *new* victoria’s secret pyjamas. long gone are the days of ratty flannels and oversized t-shirts. only big girl pjs, svp.

cashmere robe, hot cup of cocoa and roaring fire are damn perfect, too. *gift bow on head and smile*

greener penny ain’t no posy. she is a wildflower at heart, who loves any excuse for a party.

this year, she is hosting the *entire* family for the holidays. but… how in the world will they *all* fit in her tiny flat? she also has only 2 days to get it in tip-top shape! yup, no big deal.

as mumsy once said, one of the easiest ways to decorate a “minimalistic chic” (in other words, budget-friendly) home is to draw the eye to beauty: fill the room with fresh fleurs!

the olla urban flower project, in vancouver’s gastown district, is a socially-conscious flower shop, creating awareness and spurring community involvement through their locally-bought and ethically-traded plants and flowers.

megan branson at olla flowers shares her tips on how to choose wintry flowers for the urban dweller:

1. go on instinct. react to the colours, shapes and scents that excite. now zero in on the detail… on close inspection, are the petals withered or browning? buds open or closed?

2. use natural, winter beauty. create simple centrepieces. place cedar, fir, and pine bows as a base layer, then a beautiful mossy stick for form and line. add clusters of pine cones, air plants, and berries for a splash of colour and interest… plus a sunken poinsettia flower in a glass vase for a sparkling focal point.

3. emma goldman once said, “i’d rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck.” pick up a reusable air plant corsage or boutonnière. they need only to be spritzed weekly.

lucky penny is scratching her head… racking her brain… trying to think of a *genius* stocking stuffer for cute boyfriend. the elves say he is definitely on santa’s nice list this year.

eureka! a classic, stainless steel cocktail shaker from williams-sonoma… aaaaand a bottle of his favourite woodford reserve bourbon will make the boy smile on christmas morning.

here is cute boyfriend’s *signature* manhattan recipe:

• 1/2 oz. sweet vermouth
• 1 1/2-2 oz. of bourbon
• splash of angostura bitters (optional)
• garnish with a maraschino cherry
• curl up in front of the fire with lucky penny (required)

don, who?

lucky penny had a fabulous time on her european holiday—except when her travel-size burberry perfume exploded in her luggage. argh. fml.

thank goodness for west vancouver’s beauty emporium, kiss & makeup! where she spotted mélange solid perfume blending palette in fruit notes… currant & grapefruit, plum & tobacco leaf, sakura blossom & ginger, and pear & fig.

these four individual scents can be worn alone or mixed… the palette is lovely-smelling (other varieties like amber, citrus, floral or green notes), easy-to-carry… and most of all, spill-proof.

***psst… a penny claus-approved gift under $40!

lucky penny has found herself in some unfamiliar territory, and likes what she sees… shopping for a baby. [tick, tick, tick goes her biological clock.]

her cousin, who is expecting her first, is also being quite stubborn and refuses to find out if lucky penny is to shop for all things pink or blue... or green?

no matter, she still managed to find the most lovely gift for the little one’s stocking this year.

happy blankie makes the plushest baby blankets around town. founded by david holdridge (when he was 7 years old), the company’s mission statement is “one to love, one to give”. so for every blanket sold, they will donate another to a needy child somewhere in the world… and the buyer can choose where to donate it!

when he or she arrives, aunt penny will have stomp the happy frog blanket monogrammed with the baby’s name. adorbs.