Monday 23 December 2013

anyone for a cuppa ?



Well, the presents are under the tree.

 
The table is laid with blue and white china, green glass bowls with sprigs of rosemary and bay from my garden and tiny mercury glass baubles.
 
 
 
The paperwhites make a centrepiece with driftwood and tiny silver candles that I will light on Christmas Day.
 
 
I added more baubles and bay to a twiggy wreath I found on sale and hung it from my mirror.
 

 
So why don't you come on over for a cuppa. I have Indian or Earl Grey tea, or I may even have some herbal tea if that is your preference. You could have a mince pie, a Lebkuchen (yummy German biscuit with ginger and cinnamon) or a piece of panettone, which my boss kindly gave me for Christmas. It's all laid out and ready for you to visit anytime.
 

 
There are a few savoury nibbles too.

 
If you can't make it, that's fine, I know it's a very busy time of year for everyone.
 
 
I'd just like to say, that I hope you all have a....
 
VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS
 
with love from Fiona xxx

 
 
 

Wednesday 18 December 2013

*** Ho Ho Ho ***



WARNING ! If you have a delicate disposition and err on the side of minimalism and not maximalism, GO NO FURTHER, I do not wish to be responsible for any unforeseen Christmas decoration overdose !


Many of you have gone for the simple and elegant look, but I'm just not capable of simplicity. I bought my first decoration in my early twenties, when I lived in London and I haven't stopped collecting since then. And if you read the last post, you'll know how long ago that was. I'm addicted to decorations, and feel the need to add to my collection every year.

This is my very first decoration and I bought it in Fenwicks in London. I always like to buy two of everything, or 'the set' if there is one, but this was so expensive, I could only afford one !

 
My tree is slightly overwhelmed !
 
 
 
 
Fabric, metal and wood are my favourite, with a huge emphasis on Santa's, I can't resist them.
 
 
But as my poor old tree is burgeoning under all the weight, I've put a few decs elsewhere.
 

 
More Santa's everywhere. I don't have any cupboard space to put anything away, so I just layer it all up, with the usual vignettes.
 



 
Specimen corner (as I like to call it), got a smattering of Christmas and some paperwhites, thanks to inspiration from Donna.
 
This is one of 6 items I managed to plant out with a £5.99 bag of these gorgeous flowers.
 
 
A few jewels for the more traditional table.
 


 
This year's acquisitions, are the large metal reindeer head and the three wooden reindeers, holding up some very small and old little stockings, over the buffet.
 


The buffet is yet to be arranged, because hopefully there'll be some goodies to eat, laid out on my Christmas dishes.

 
And finally, my mantle-less fireplace has some wired lights and decorations fixed to existing nails, to give the semblance of a mantle. I used to have a couple of fake wired Christmas tree branches that I put here, and from which I hung loads of decorations, but I can't find them, or any similar replacement, so the light will do for now.
 


 
 This little set of Russian Santa's cost me £1 and is also one of the first things I bought.


 

 
There are a few bits, in the hall, and the kitchen, but if you're still here, I'm sure you're rather weary, so I'll just say...
 
Ho Ho Ho
 
 
Or should that be Hoe Hoe Hoe !!!
 
linking up with
 
 
Make it pretty Monday @ The Dedicated House
Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life
Wow Us Wednesdays @ Savvy Southern Style
Open House Party @ No Minimalist Here
Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home
 

Wednesday 11 December 2013

tis the season to be jolly



Tis definitely the season to be jolly, but
twas also my birthday on Monday, and it was one of those birthdays with a big fat zero on the end.

I was fine, absolutely fine (unlike the last birthday with a big fat zero on the end). I went to work as usual, got a card and a couple of sweet gifts. My bff and her mother came to the café for lunch, when I was presented with lots of pretty things, and some money to go towards something big, because reaching half a century IS big, isn't it !!

Love this spoon so much, perfect for my kitchen

Miniature cloche

Everyone knows I love a cup of tea

Great garden sign, ring and chocolates
I went out for a Chinese meal after work, which was really nice.

The only problem with the day................... too many cards TELLING me how old I was !!!
I KNOW how old I am, I don't need to be reminded.
Age is just a number I know, but big fat numbers that don't feel like they belong to me are totally unnecessary !

(To my bff, just wait till YOUR birthday, he he he!)



BTW, that was two days ago, Christmas is now in da house !