The Vintage Contessa

It is a tantalizing array of frou-frou and advance stages of decay.

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CHRISTMAS CONTESSA STYLE!

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THE HAT!

ARE YOU READY?

THE TREE

I MADE SPACE FOR THE TREE……..that wasNOT easy!

Vignette

A LITTLE VIGNETTE that speaks to my SOUL.

French Glass case

THE STUFF I COLLECT……..NOTHING CHRISTMASSY about this display cabinet!

ABOVE the fireplace

HO HO HO………….

AT least I have the BEGINNINGS!

TREE ZOOM

ORNAMENTS A GLOW!

A CHICK.......

TAXIDERMY CHICKEN…………taking CENTER STAGE!

DETAILS

HOPS,MIRRORS,SILVER Candelabra’s and a STOCKING or TWO!

SINK AREA

MY COMPANY at my KITCHEN SINK.

SHE NEVER FAILS ME!

Never leaves.

Never speaks TOO much.

Does not JUDGE if the water is not HOT.

ALWAYS, has an accessory or TWO on.

My kind of GIRL!

FALL in CALIF.

WE DO HAVE FALL IN CALIFORNIA!

THIS STREET was FULL of these TREE’s!!!!!

THE NECK PIECE

THIS IS ME LOOKING RATHER SKINNY!

Don’t know what MY camera did to make me LOOK so TAUNT but I had to SHARE the NECK PIECE!

INSTEAD

of purchasing ONE necklace……..I BUY TWO!

IT IS SO MUCH >>>>>>>BETTER!

You know MORE IS MORE!

XMAS TIME

WHO knows what those BUMPS are on MY FOREHEAD?

They have multiplied…….I use to have two!

They are not PIMPLES with PUSS………BELIEVE me I have DUG DEEP!

XMAS TIME

BETTER PHOTO of the CHRISTMAS TREE PIN!

VRBA

These pins are BIG!

I have one MONTH To ADORN MYSELF and I DO!

I am ALWAYS LOOKING FOR MORE…….

ANYONE have a VBRA hiding in a DRAWER……………..I might be INTERESTED!

CONTESSA!!!!!!

PARTY TIME!

I was suppose to WEAR something I MADE!

ARM CANDY!

ARM CANDY for the FESTIVE NIGHTS!

Maybe ONE MORE would have been BETTER?

A CONTESSA CHRISTMAS

WELL, I guess I AM READY……………ARE YOU?

NINE DAYS………TO GO!

Actually WE open on the night of the 24th.

I think this is an ENGLISH TRADITION anyone know?

Does SANTA still come to your house?

He still comes TO MINE!

Let’s HOPE the VISA statement arrives after the HOLIDAY!

I think HE will ADORE me MORE that WAY!

XOXO

PS.To ALL of YOU who send me comments and or emails…………YOU KEEP ME GOING HERE!

YOU MAKE ME SMILE and LAUGH and TAKE MY BREATH AWAY time and time again!

I

THANK YOU

for

THAT.

ENJOY YOUR FRIENDS and FAMILY and the MUSICA of the SEASON!!

I HOPE I can SHARE a PHOTO or THREE of ME and the PIGGY BANKSY come the NEW YEAR!

Maybe SANTA can SWING by to pick him up with the HELP of the REINDEER!!!

AT last WEIGH IN he was 130 POUNDS!

SO, much for being the size of a TEA CUP!!!!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS.

Comments

  1. You are the definition of festive! Good for you. I’m a less is more person, more by situation than by choice. But I admire people who pull off the more is more look, and you do, with aplomb. You will be the belle of the ball.
    Over here, the 24th is the thing, to the point that the in-laws don’t crawl out of bed on the 25th until 2 p.m. This was difficult with a small child. Now that the kid is big, it’s just boring, trying to be quiet for so long.

    Reply

    • 2:00!!!!!!!!!!!!!
      Yes, in ITALY TOO my husbands FAMILY opened on the 24th!
      I think QUIET on CHRISTMAS morning is a NO GO!!!!!!!!
      GET THAT HOUSE A MOVING and SHAKING!
      TURN that MUSICA ON!
      XX

  2. Thank you for once again spreading joy through your cheerful blog. Your photos capture your festive spirit. Wishing you and your family much joy and love this Christmas. All the best to you and yours in 2017!

    Reply

  3. Well, now we all know why you took an Instagram break. You needed the time to get ALLLL the decorations out. Fabulous tree. What do you serve for Christmas dinner? We will need pictures of your Holiday table. Cheers.

    Reply

    • Would you BELIEVE about 28 CHRISTMAS Boxes at last count!
      If I remember I will snap a photo of the table…………DINNER is usually FISH on CHRISTMAS EVE.
      I have yet to PLAN my MENU.I will CRUISE OUR ELLIE’s cookbook from HAVE SOME DECORUM and make a PLAN today or tomorrow!I will Let YOU know!
      Seems like yesterday ELLIE was decorating her tree and giving US all POINTERS!
      XX

  4. Oh so festive! You crack me up… You always put a smile on my face! You and your abode look beautiful! Merry Christmas to you and the Boys. Much love, Lisa

    Reply

  7. That hat! Fantabulous! Exuberant! Delightful! (And you were made for leopard, my friend…)

    I cannot imagine the time and effort it took to decorate your tree. My little tree is VERRRRRRY overrun with stuff for me — (pop over to Daily Plate of Crazy for a few pics) — and it took me five days, up and down on a step stool, fussing over each little bit and it is molto sparse by your standards!

    Wishing you and your family a happy holiday season, Elizabeth. You glamorous thing you!

    Reply

    • I received your CARD from me to YOU BACK YESTERDAY!
      I need your address………..
      WILL DO!I shall POP OVER TODAY!

      LOVE LEOPARD……..took me awhile to AQUIRE some but NOT I am up to SPEED!
      MERRY MERRY……..and a GREAT YEAR AHEAD for YOU!
      XX

  8. Cara Contessa!! YOU are WAAY TOOO MUCH FUN!! I hope you never stop blogging because you certainly brighten up my days and make me laugh so hard – THANK YOU!! YOU could even turn The Grinch around!! The photos are Da Bomb.com! ( Is that expression even used nowadays?)
    ..and never mind those forehead bumps…your hair is SO SHINY!! What are you using?! Or do you just eat a ton of avocados like Nigella Lawson?? Keep doing and being the Awesome Cara Contessa that you are and I hope Santa brings you what YOU want this year!! Much Love and Happiness to You and to all your Loved ones this Holiday Season!! XX

    Reply

    • CARA FRAN…………..
      DA BOMB.COM………..I have NEVER heard THAT expression!HYSTERICAL!Of course, I love it!As for my HAIR………….would you believe me if I told YOU I wash it about once every THREE WEEKS!With the drought and the fact it is TOO cold in my bathroom in the AM lately it has not had the attention it should have had!I’m Lucky in that regard……….plus, it is MORE manageable when DIRTY!I do ENJOY AVOCADOS……………AUGURI A TE!!!!!!!!!!!!XX

  9. Dear Contessa you are positively sparkling. I am sure you will be the star of each party. Merry Christmas to you and all your family, including your wonderful fur-babies. Hope to see some photos of Mr Theodore on your blog in January.

    Reply

    • VRBA!
      I spelled it WRONG!!!!!!!
      THANK YOU for catching THAT mistake.
      The XMAS TREE PINS ARE LARGE……………that is what I meant!
      Thank YOU for being HERE ALWAYS!
      HAPPY HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU and BOB!
      XX

  11. I love the bracelets! and how you decorated your hat????
    The custom, btw, of celebrating xmas on the 24th is german, the english also celebrate it like the americans on the 25th.
    Wishing you joyful holidays and a content and healthy new year!
    Stephanie

    Reply

    • GOOD TO KNOW!
      THOSES GERMANS………..pedal to the metal as they say!
      I must CONFESS!The TIARA was made for ME for a CHRISTMAS GIFT ONE YEAR!By a DEAR DEAR VERY TALENTED FRIEND!I went a step further and put it on the WHITE WOOL TOP HAT!That is ALL I DID!
      The MAIN bracelet is from INDIA!In fact you can find her on INSTAGRAM @serrahna.Tell her BANKSY’s GRANDMAMA sent YOU!!!!!!She lives next door to MY SON and his animal KINGDOM!
      MERRY CHRISTMAS………..Lets catch up VIA SKYPE after the NEW YEAR!
      XX

  13. DEAR CONTESSA,

    ¡¡¡GUAAPA, GUAAAPAA Y GUAAAAAPAAAAAA!!!

    I DO LOVE the way you look on EVERY PICTURE: GUAPÍSIMA y FUERA DE LO COMÚN.
    OH, THE GLASSES!!! I wear glasses too and I LOOOOVE GLAAASSES…

    Spanish families and relatives meet for dinner in 24th Evening.
    We use to sing Villancicos after dinner.

    QUERIDA CONTESSA, te deseo PAZ y AMOR junto con tu ESPOSO, HIJOS, FAMILIARES y AMIGO.

    I WISH YOU ALL A MERRY CHRISTMAS, DEAR MEMBERS OF CONTESSA’S FAN CLUB.

    CON TOOODO MI CARIÑO,

    Lola.

    Reply

    • GRACIAS………….GRACIAS…………MY BIGGEST FAN CLUB FOLLOWER!!!!!!!!
      Yes, I wear glasses to see DISTANCE only and have many pairs as I NEVER toss the old ones.My prescription stays pretty much the same year after year!I tend to BUY new glasses when I travel to EUROPE!That is MY SOUVENIR plus they are ALWAYS BETTER LOOKING than what we have HERE!
      ENJOY the season………and WE MUST WALK IN THE NEW YEAR if not before!
      MERRY MERRY!!!!!!
      XX

  14. OMG!! Love you so much. YOUR home is AMAZING!! I agree hoping the Visa comes after because all that shopping, I’ve bought a few things for me. Anyway, I believe we (Mrs Claus’s) deserve it!! We open on the morning, but I let my kids open new pjs and each others gift on that night. Love your hats and vintage pins!! Hoping you have a great holiday and losing forward to your Instagram pics of it all. Hugs, xo Kim

    Reply

    • YOU have bought a FEW things for YOU!!!!!!!!
      I ALWAYS BUY FOR ME come the HOLIDAY season because when WE SEE IT we must ACT UPON IT!It is just part of the process………….and WE ARE VERY LUCKY to be able to DO THAT!Love the idea the BOYS get new PJ’s for CHRISTMAS EVE!!!!!
      AS for that recipe……..THANK YOU!I saw them on Facebook yesterday and thought HOW CUTE and EASY!Who does not like a GOOD cornflake!!!!!!?
      ANOTHER YEAR………is almost gone!!!
      We MUST MAKE A PLAN!
      XX

  15. P.s Cornflake wreaths I have been making since high school… Will post a pic. Just one stick of butter over stove, add 1 bag of mini-marshmallows, stir, add green food coloring. Take off heat and stir into five cups of corn flakes. Butter your hands and shape wreaths or trees on parchment. We add little red balls or green sprinkles, but plain is good too. Also- the marshmallows from Whole Foods are the best! xo

    Reply

    • Omigod a recipe for wreaths! Contessa! What wonders you inspire and provide!

      YIKES!!! When I met Beatrix Ost……..(I am so charmed and love her…….. I did not call you the right thing…..I called you “La Contesssa” and Elizabeth Fitzpatrick……I did not say “Antique Goddess”!!

      Can you tell her?? Can you communicate with her? I am sorry……I forgot one of your names……good thing I have one…..or two……even that is confusing. McCormick interiors is confusing. Who knew about the internet?? Not me!! Just glad my Mommy made me take typing!! I never have to look at the keyboard!!! Tee hee!!

    • YES!
      SOMEHOW I knew YOU would mention LA CONTESSA verses ANTIQUE GODDESS!
      It is A OKAY!!!!!!!She may have gotten it!
      I ADORE HER!I want to HEAR MORE!CALL ME TODAY!
      My MOTHER ALWAYS told me to take typing!!!!!!!!!!!!!I DIDNOT LISTEN!
      XX

  18. Love the hat! It all looks so festive, so pretty and so wonderful. As my ten year old said to me yesterday, “we all need some bling in our lives!!!” Traditionally the English celebrate Christmas on the 25th, here in France they celebrate on the night of the 24th, we do both because why not!! We are English living in France!!

    Reply

    • SYLVIA………….THANK YOU!I have gone to google and done research!DEAD SKIN!
      makes sense as I do not scrub UP THERE as I SHOULD.The forehead gets neglected in my routine!I SHALL CHANGE THAT and be certain to refer to it from here on out as the SYLVIA REGIME!!!!!!!MERRY CHRISTMAS!
      XX

  21. Yes those necklaces are amazing!! You have the most fabulous style. It oozes out of everything you touch! I love those gray pearls too!! I just might need those. Merry Christmas my friend. XOXO

    Reply

  22. Beautiful tree! And your accessories are simply perfection! Looking fabulous! I’ve two weird (fairly recent) bumps (with nothing to get out) on my forehead as well… I’m determined to investigate in the new year…

    Wishing you a most wonderful Christmas!

    Reply

    • First of all, darling, when do you have time to dust??? Everything looks fabulous. As far as the bumps, they are so perfectly round that I doubt they are anything malignant. However, they look a lot like the “fat tumors” that my hubby had on his leg. No big deal, the dermatologist made a tiny slice and removed the fat. Hope your’s are something simple like that!

      Hugs, Carol

    • CALLED Milia………..dead skin cells ANDREA !Problem solved NOW to make them GO GO GO…..
      MERRY CHRISTMAS and perhaps a meet up in the coming year is in order!
      XX

    • CAROL,
      I think one of my READERS have given us a CLUE!!!!!!!
      Nothing to be alarmed about………..just need to get those little pesky things to MOVE ON!
      HAPPY HOLIDAYS to YOU!

  23. Love everything that you do. Makes me happy. I can’t do it but appreciate what you can do and it looks wonderful.
    Have a very Merry Christmas.

    Reply

    • AS LONG as I put a SMILE on YOUR FACE that makes ME HAPPY!Not many can do what I do and why or how I do what I do who knows!
      HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO YOU!
      XX

  24. Dear Contessa,

    You are a delight! Love your over the top style. I’m another less is more and keep it simple in California but love your style and that you point out your womanly flaws instead of hiding them, pretty gutsy. I’ve only been following you about 3 months and always look forward to what you are up to.
    Donna in Fresno

    Reply

    • Well, HELLO DONNA in Fresno!
      WELCOME to my SALON………….I’m being SILLY now!
      Thank You for joining THE VINTAGE CONTESSA.NET and for COMMENTING!
      Means the WORLD to US BLOGGERS when one comments………..I canNOT STRESS that enough.It tells ME I have touched YOU.Thank You for reaching OUT To tell ME you are THERE!
      HAPPY HOLIDAYS to YOU!I have another READER in FRESNO!And a relative who married a CRIBARI wine person YEARS AGO!!!!!!!
      XX

  26. Best post ever!! I love the Christmas spirit – and I am Jewish 🙂 I know the words to every single Christmas song and I love garland!! You and the home look stunning and festive
    Happy Holidays !!
    Love,
    Lindsay

    Reply

    • HELLO!!!!!!!
      Hard NOT to know the MUSICA!!!!!
      ENJOY your HOLIDAYS this season as we are on the SAME DAY this year!!!!!!!!
      I cannot recall when that has happened BEFORE can YOU?
      XX

  27. You make the Christmas holidays so festive unlike anyone else I know!! I did pack a few Christmas decorations from home to have on our first white Christmas this year in the States but I think they will be rather sparse in our rental house.
    Forget those lumps and bumps – be happy you have such beautiful, graceful long hands and fingers for displaying all your jewels! Wishing all your family the most wonderful of Christmases in your beautifully decorated home and hope to see you in the New Year! xo

    Reply

  28. OMG love the photo with the plates in the rack and the tray with the Queen Elizabeth plate and collectibles! Yes more is more! Isn’t it fun to be surrounded by things you love?
    And the 2 beaded necklaces, you go all out and we love it!

    Reply

    • Did you notice the BREAD BASKETS up TOP on the plate rack that my COUSIN gave me years ago?In preparation for pizza night and after the pizza HE makes bread!DO you know my COUSIN owns ROGERS GARDENS in CORONA DEL MAR?DO you travel NORTH sometimes to hit those MALLS and SHOPS?I ADORE TO BE SURROUNDED BY ALL THINGS I LOVE!
      THAT IS A FACT!Part of WHO I AM!!!!!!!!
      MERRY CHRISTMAS…………….good luck with your SEARCH!!!!!!!Cannot wait to see PHOTOS!!
      XX

  29. You wouldn’t believe how this post lifted my spirits! Braving the -30ºC weather, I returned home with a new hair style. Finally my hairdresser gave me the Inès de la Fressange haircut of my dreams that I told Ellie about. Excited, I raced into the house, thinking I’ll tell Ellie. What an automatic reflex that is! I then felt sad that Gracie will be spending her first Christmas without her mother. I hope that loving friends and family will embrace her!

    After we enjoyed Christmas cheer at a beloved neighbour’s house, my Mother and I would go to the late Christmas Eve church ceremony. Then we would go home and have a glass of wine while everyone else was asleep. We would wrap presents. It is these quiet Christmas Eve moments with my Mother that I treasure.

    So how lovely it was that you took time out of your busy preparations to write this post! I love your decorations. I think Sylvia (above) is right about your lumps being milia and I would seek professional help from a dermatologist in removing them!

    I don’t have any decorations up yet but, when the temperature goes up as it is supposed to on Monday, I’ll do something. Yesterday I went to the farmers market – I love markets at Christmas! I now have a crate of fresh apples, carrots, cabbage, potatoes, beets, leeks. I just have to figure where to stash them all. I plan on hibernating for the next month and eating veggies! making vegetable soup! I have always dreamt of being in a European city and markets at Christmas. I don’t think that’ll happen so I’m glad we have a lovely farmers’ market! Just not quite a Chriskindl market. What is it that is so special about going to a market at this time of year?

    I love your Christmas spirit, Elizabeth! And wish you and the Italian and youfamily a wonderful Merry Christmas!

    Reply

    • YOU must send me a PHOTO of the NEW DO!!!!!!!
      MARKETS are GLORIOUS………..especially in EUROPE!
      I like YOUR idea about eating just VEGGIES for awhile!!!!!!Make certain NO cookies and or cakes are hanging about!
      MEMORIES are what LIFE is ALL ABOUT!I was ALL ABOUT THE MEMORIES with my children………..I do HOPE something will STICK!
      I could NEVER wrap that LATE AT NIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
      Plan to WRAP ALL DAY TODAY!!!!!!!!!
      MERRY MERRY…………and YES, ELLIE is in MY THOUGHTS as WELL!SHE WAS A FORCE and is terribly missed in OUR BLOGGING WORLD as well as HER WORLD I AM CERTAIN!I wonder what THAT MAN is up to these days in the PALIS ROYAL……..(i know I spelled that wrong!)XX

  30. VIA EMAIL:

    SO much fun! Beautiful! Original!
    YOU~~~!!!!!!

    But I want to know:
    Did you get finger extensions! Longest most graceful hands I’ve ever seen. Didn’t know they were so LONG!

    Keep the photos coming. Such fun to see…
    RAE

    Reply

    • FINGER EXTENSIONS!!!!!!!!!!
      NO RAE……….just my hands THAT desperately NEED a manicure this week!!!!!!!!
      Did you spy your painting behind the TAXIDERMY CHICK??
      XX

  31. thanks for sharing ! Lawrence Vrba was a jewelry designer for Miriam Haskell back in the day and his own pieces sold under VRBA are beautiful! I thought of you on pearl necklace day and envisioned you on a chaise swathed in ropes of pearls. Love your tree decorations and your friend in the kitchen. All the best…………..

    Reply

    • RITA!!!!!!
      WHAT IS PERAL NECKLACE DAY?
      DO SHARE with US!
      Have you ever seen a photo of LAWRENCE?I was aware HE worked for HER as well!
      I wish I had found his stuff years ago!!!!!!!
      XX

    • Yes I HAVE seen a photo of Lawrence. Have you? I wrote that info for our friend Celebrity Cooking Grandma Sandy but she probably missed it. I am sure National Pearl Necklace Day was created by the Pearl industry but it is a thing here and everyone wears all their pearls that day and it was last week. FYI – When I grew up, our parents woke us up to go to Midnight Mass which was a huge production with full choir. We came home and people came over and they served a full buffet with shrimp and roast and champagne and punch. We kids would go to bed when the guests left and then the parents stayed up to put ALL the presents under the tree which they hid who knows where. My Mom was from New Orleans and they call it Revellion. So we open on the 25th. It was so fun. My Italian, Polish, and Vietnamese friends here in Chicago all open on the 24th. We all love to cook and eat so we adopt other culture recipes. You will see Irish Americans like me preparing a Feast of the 7 Fishes on December 24th. One of the many reasons why America is great – sharing our cultures. Have a wonderful Holiday season. I am SO glad you are back!

    • NO< I NEED A PHOTO OF HIM........shall I GOOGLE? OKAY< that is the second time this week I have heard about the SEVEN FISHES........I NEED to investigate that TOO!I do not know what that IS!!!!!!!!THE ITALIAN WOULD LOVE FISH ON THE 24th.I will tell SANDY to LOOK at YOUR COMMENT! THANK YOU...........REALLY YOU are so kind to MISS ME! XX

  33. I have seen your home and it is a feast of creativity for the eyes and so are you. Love your Christmas pin and reminds me to wear mine. Have a wonderful holiday w your family. Look forward to reading your blog in 2017.

    Reply

    • I love seeing your name with my added suggestion “from the luncheon!”
      THAT MAKES ME SMILE!
      YES, get your PINS OUT TODAY and ANY festive warm HATS TOO!
      I wonder if we can get THAT FRENCH BASKETEER to come up this coming year?
      I will WORK ON THAT!
      XX

  34. What a fun, fabulous and festive post! Your outfits and decorations are so creative and stunning, and I love your sense of humor. Wishing you and your family a most wonderful and merry Christmas!
    PS. What elegant hands you have xx

    Reply

    • MERRY CHRISTMAS across the POND to YOU and YOURS as well!
      A special BACI a MILO on CHRISTMAS DAY would be appreciated as I can NOT BE THERE!
      ENJOY ENJOY ENJOY!!!!!!!
      THANK YOU!
      MERCI!
      XX

  35. Too much of a good thing is wonderful, as we all know. Love your decorated hat, why didn’t I think of that? Oh, I know, because I’m not La Contessa! Bonne Noel from Provence.
    bonnie

    Reply

  36. Who needs a Christmas tree when La Contessa is in the room? You sparkle and shine, even before you adorn yourself with jewels. Have a very blessed Christmas Contessa, and thank you for sharing your glorious view of the world. You have the most beautiful hands. xxx

    Reply

    • AAHHHHHH………….That is SO NICE TO SAY!
      THANK YOU…………I might just say I was at a CHRISTMAS feast last night and the ONLY ONE dressed in COLORS of the SEASON.JEANS,Puffy jackets and BLACK were the clothes of CHOICE.Makes me SAD!One little girl had GLITTERED Horns adorned on her HEAD!Which somehow GOT left behind at my ABODE………………I will RETURN THEM ASAP!
      MERRY HOLIDAYS…………and YES, those hands of mine were meant for a PIANO I was ALWAYS TOLD!
      XX

  38. I am late but YOU make me happy no matter what the holiday or occasion! I love your taxidermy chicken, and I must tell you this because I know you’ll appreciate it: I GOT MYSELF A WHITE TAXIDERMY PEACOCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can’t wait to bring him home.

    YOU are splendid. That chocolate brown velvet dress and your double collier are fabulous. Your hats, your tinsel, décor and home shine, shine, shine. Happy holidays dearest Contessa!

    Reply

    • I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED A WHITE PEACOCK……..BUT REAL!!!!!!!
      I hear they SCREAM A LOT…………NOT GOOD for the neighborhood I guess!
      YOU MUST NAME YOUR NEW DAME!
      YOU MUST BE ON BREAK NOW from SCHOOL…………..SLEEP IN and enjoy but MORE PHOTOS PLEASE!
      XX

  39. La Contessa, your home is SO beautiful! The vignette also speaks to my heart!!! Hope you had a lovely party & have an amazing Christmas with your family?? I am Finnish and we open gifts the 24th but I’ve changed traditions since being with the Italian??????That Christmas tree pin is EVERYTHING!!! You look gorgeous! Lots of love????

    Reply

    • THE MEATBALLS and SAUSAGES were eaten with GLEE………The remaining sauce was passed to an ITALIAN’s SON to eat over PASTA………
      MERRY CHRISTMAS and do follow your GPS to THAT SHOP on COLLEGE!
      THANK YOU!
      XX

  40. Oh, CONTESSA! You look ravishing in every photo! I love the combinations you put together. Very clever and interesting. The tree is fabulous. Happy Holidays to you, the Italian, your family and loved ones!

    Reply

  41. Love you and your companion on the kitchen sink….it’s always a joy to see how you make life easy and cheerful…have a very jolly Xmas, dance around the Xmas tree,
    let the bells jingle , meet red nosed Rudolp and remain true to your principles…..
    alla salute 2017!!! xoxo

    Reply

  42. There is not much room to walk anymore haha. But that is good for a more is more person. That necklace on your brown dress… so gorgeous. The dress is perfect for it.
    Have a wonderful Christmas time.
    Greetje

    Reply

  44. Thanks for the peek into your Holiday decor and personal style, Contessa. It and you are beautiful! More is more, indeed. I think the bracelets are good as is though only because they are so sparkly. Have fun!!

    Reply

  45. I just love the festivity you have going on!!!…we are a bit more subdued here, not much partying because I have to work every night (booooooo) but I am off on Christmas Eve night (there is an opera that night…I’m just not in it. But there is a matinee, so I will be done around 4pm, I guess) Holidays are a little different ever since I joined the opera company….not much time to celebrate with family, but we do have fun in the dressing rooms!

    Wishing you a very very Merry Christmas, and a wonderful new Year! xoxo

    Reply

    • DARN!
      YOU are GIFTING up to the VERY LAST MINUTE!!!!!!!
      YOU are a VERY GOOD PERSON!!!!!!
      MAKE GOOD MERRY in those DRESSING ROOMS!!!!!!!
      I bet your hubby will have YOUR preferred drink AWAITING Once you arrive HOME!
      MERRY CHRISTMAS DIVINE OPERA SINGER!!!!!!!
      XX

  46. I believe you were put on this Earth to delight……and you do!!! Thank you for helping me ” step it up a notch” by showing me the way.
    May you receive the joy and happiness you so justly deserve!!!!! Love Love Love YOU!!

    Reply

  47. The Merriest of Christmas Wishes to the entire Clan! Elizabeth you brighten our lives with your spirit of fun. I love receiving your blog…it is like a present wrapped with a big red bow all year long. Merry Christmas!

    Reply

  49. everything is just fabulous!

    in all my years of being an esthetician i have never seen milia line up like that perfectly. i tried to enlarge the photo as they don’t look like milia either. but they may be, i just can’t tell from the photos. milia is a trapped white head. it is encapsulated like a piece of hard white rice. they can be easily removed by an esthetician. v hard to remove if you try to do it yourself tho.

    Reply

    • Just came from my ESTHETICIAN………..
      NOT MILIA.
      She had another name CAR……..something?
      Gave me a VIAL of………(I cannot recall name!)To make it go away!!!!
      They were not SO prominent TODAY.
      THANK YOU I will email YOU the PHOTO for another opinion!!!!!!!
      XX

  50. Oh my! This is what I imagin Christmas to be here with the beautiful contessa.
    Love your home of curiosity and your tree of vintage blues sparkle.
    Looking forward to another beautiful year here with you a dear friend.

    Xx
    Un Joyeux Noël

    Xx
    Doré

    Reply

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