Weekend Conversation Starters

[Messy Nessy Chic]   Signing off! But I thought I’d shimmy down the internet chimney one last time before the holidays and stuff your stocking with a few goodies. Firstly, press play on your [Messy Xmas soundtrack]( (packed with great tunes that won’t drive you totally nuts). Next up, nervous about getting the family all together again? Let’s get the “giggle water” flowing and bond with distant relatives while making something from [a 100 year-old cocktail recipe book](. If you’ve put yourself in a really tight spot with last-minute gifts on Christmas Eve, I’ve got some [DIY gift ideas here]( from the archives. Or if you just feel like reaching out to someone special you can’t spend the holidays with this year, remember you can always give the [gift of a personal travel concierge!]( After your Christmas roast, I highly recommend cosying up on the sofa and enjoying a[Forgotten Christmas TV Special](, hosted by a number of greats, from David Bowie to Dolly Parton. Since it’s the first Noël for my little ones, I’ve decided to treat myself to a couple of non-digital lazy days next week, so don’t be surprised if things are a little quiet here until the New Year. I suggest you do the same, ya know, so you don’t make me look like a slacker. I’ve left you some holiday reading material below… Wishing you a much-deserved and happy little holiday. Stay curious, [Nessy]   [This DIY Gift Guide Rules: 12 Cheap, Last Minute Ideas](  [313083576_150835594318735_8633826836449956488_n]( From D.I.Y. TO “I.O.U”, here is a round-up of the best and cheapest gift last-minute ideas out there.  [Continue Reading](   [Oh, Just a Gingerbread House Rendition of the Overlook Hotel from “The Shining”](  [313083576_150835594318735_8633826836449956488_n]( Nothing says “Happy Holidays” quite like a cult horror movie turned miniature winter wonderland in the form of everybody’s favourite Christmas cookie! Come play with us…  [Continue Reading](   [Hunting for Harold Lloyd’s Legendary Christmas Ornaments](  [313083576_150835594318735_8633826836449956488_n]( Harold Lloyd probably isn’t a name that rings many bells in the 21st century, but spoiler – he’s one of the most influential film comedians of the silent era, making up the the first trio of the silver screen’s laugh-makers...  [Continue Reading](   [A Brief Compendium of Vintage Cocktail Recipe Books](  [313083576_150835594318735_8633826836449956488_n]( Sometimes, you just strike internet gold – ya know, those obscure little corners of the internet where you can fall blissfully down the rabbit hole. Today’s find is a free online library of unearthed and collected bartender books...  [Continue Reading](   [A Brief Compendium of Forgotten Christmas Specials](  [313083576_150835594318735_8633826836449956488_n]( This Christmas is surely all about finding comfort where we can, and for many, that means looking back on old times. For me, it started with the discovery of a Dolly Parton Christmas special buried in the archives of Youtube...  [Continue Reading](   [Inside the World’s Only Snowflake Laboratory](  [313083576_150835594318735_8633826836449956488_n]( If Jack Frost exists, he’s probably moonlighting as Dr. Kenneth Libbrecht. The CalTech professor is not only a skilled solar astronomist and ice crystal researcher, but a creator of “designer snowflakes” – yes, you read correctly...  [Continue Reading](   [The Chelsea Arts Ball, 1947: The Most Scandalous Party of New Year’s Eve](  [313083576_150835594318735_8633826836449956488_n]( Some of you might have understandably sworn off parties this New Year’s Eve and plan to slink away for a low-key night in, but before the countdown begins, I thought I might tempt you to join me on my time machine to take a tour of the most scandalous New Year’s party of them all, the Chelsea Arts Ball…  [Continue Reading](   [How Humans Have Toyed with Time](  [313083576_150835594318735_8633826836449956488_n]( ho dictates Time? Depends on who you ask, and in what century. Like us, you probably rely on a Western, 365 day calendar to tell you that today, it’s such and such date in 2020 AD. But if you asked a French Revolutionary, “Year 1” began in 1789...  [Continue Reading](   [The Met Museum is Hoarding some Seriously Good Holiday Party Dresses](  [313083576_150835594318735_8633826836449956488_n]( Still haven’t found a fabulous frock or the dress of the year to ring in the New Year? It’s probably because the Met Museum is hoarding all of the most incredible vintage dresses in their archives. From unknown designers of the early 1900s to the house of Dior, here are some of my favourites…  [Continue Reading](   [And Finally, the Miniature Mouse Village of Your Dreams](  [313083576_150835594318735_8633826836449956488_n]( Welcome to Mouseland, an adventurously cosy town where frogs take tea on lily-pads, mice set sail on miniature sailboats, and there are zero effs to give about anything in the real world that’s larger than a peanut...  [Continue Reading](  Interested in Becoming a MessyNessy Keyholder? [Apply now to unlock the Vault!](    [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [LinkedIn]( [Blog]( [To read more from MessyNessyChic visit the Blog]( and make sure you keep getting these email by adding contact@messynessychic.com to your address book or whitelist us. Our postal address: In a Café, Paris 75001 Want out of the loop? [Unsubscribe](.