Our Christmas table

Better late than never I say.

My mum wanted to keep the christmas table simple this year as she thinks no one really takes any notice of her fancy table settings. Not true but we usually knock something over and break it despite all being quite grown up now. Our clumsy gene seems to increase when we are all together. We all claim to have not broken a thing all year and then we get together and its almost like we are competing for the clumsy award.

So here it is – white and silver.

See the glass reindeers – I broke the antler off one of them last year but managed to super glue it back together before dinner.

Gift ideas

I would be happy with just one present for christmas but if you need to buy me a small present I would like this phone case.

Buy here.

Shop: Formality at The Cowshed

I recently stumbled upon this store and fell in love with their christmas collection. Please click through to their site, you won’t be disappointed. Formality at The Cowshed is located in Glasthule in County Dublin.

Advent Moose Head – 30 euro

Ceramic Robin – 4 euro

Wooden Penguins (Awww) – 7 euro

Swedish Linen Table Runner – 30 euro

My Christmas Tree

Here is a little peak at my christmas tree and the fake christmas presents. Yes thats right everyone, I have not started or even thought about my christmas gifts. However I did manage to at least send my Australian christmas cards on time (last day) this year. I was so chuffed with myself that I became very blase about the whole christmas to do list. Well at least I look organised and thats half the battle really.

Actually I made those paper snowflakes. I know you all probably thought they were shop bought but no I made them. Really is there no end to my talent.

And here is what the christmas tree will look like when I come home from the next christmas do.

Local Love & hints for my secret Santa

OK christmas is about giving and maybe a little bit about receiving so I have decided to do both in this post. Giving a little love to a couple of local online retailers whilst also dropping subtle hints to my secret santa. Our budget for the secret santa present is 50 euro so I am keeping within that range.

first up Mabel & Voilet –

!. Grey Velvet Comestic Purse – €25.95 2. Ivory Frilly Umbrella – €18.95 3. Chrome Desk Lamp – (on sale!) – €18.98 4. A Set of two Market Prints framed – €44.95

Next up is Garrendenny Lane –

1. Black & Blum Desk Tidy – €28.00 2. Lantern – €45.00 3. Bon Bon Dish (in front of the candle holders) – €47.00 4. Black & Blum Chrome Loop Candlesticks – €23.00

DIY Christmas decorations

OK I am over my little upset from last friday and I am making friends with Christmas again. So much so I even have my Christmas tree sitting next to me waiting for some fairy lights and disco balls. Photos will follow in the next day or two. I am also thinking about hanging a wreath on our door even though we are in the end apartment and no one actually walks past our door. I like the idea of making my own like the one below.

DIY Christmas Wreath
To make a wreath that really lasts, raid the wrapping-paper stash and search for offcuts in the sewing basket. Cut them into squares and layer them onto a cardboard ring to create a bright, bohemian, mini masterpiece. Decorating Tip: Finish it all off by adorning your handmade wreath with details such as bird cut-outs and buttons. They add a charming touch.

Instructions and pics from Homelife.com.au

Why Santa?! WHY?

I will warn you all now, I am very grumpy today. My head is spinning, the screen is too bright, the tapping of keys is hurting and I am blaming it all on Christmas! I had my first christmas do last night. Oh it was all fun and games last night but not today, noooo not today. And of all nights I am hosting a girly whirly – ooh my head is hurting – dinner party tonight. Bloody christmas smistmas. I just want to curl up on this armchair with a nice cup of tea, maybe some cake (not christmas cake – i hate christmas cake) and open all those presents under the tree because my head hurts and I need presents to make the pain go away.

The Christmas tree/forest is up!

I think it was the cold crisp air and the smell of fires burning on Saturday that got us feeling all christmasy so we went out in search of a christmas tree. Well the one I pointed to and the one I bought home are not the same size so we have ended up with a rather big christmas tree. There is something very special about a real tree. I think its the smell of pine bringing back memories of christmas as a child when it seemed so magical.

Is it too early to talk about Christmas?

I think you can get away with a lot at Christmas when it comes to decorating your home. Basically at this time of year you can hang all the little sparkley twinkley things that you can lay your hands on.  However be prepared to be a little sad when you have to take them all down after christmas and now your home suddenly looks very boring and dull. I am heading home to Australia for christmas this year but I still want to decorate the apartment and put up a tree with fake presents underneath.

Images from Living Etc.

Living Etc tips for Christmas – display baubles in vases or cluster together and hang from the ceiling. Wrap present in old newspapers or left over wallpaper. If you have a garden line the path with lanterns(paper lanterns above are from Cox & Cox). Use a wire frame to display christmas cards (you can buy something similar to the heart shape one above at Plumo)