Gift wrapping and such.

I'm excited to have finished wrapping our Christmas gifts! I was feeling very disorganised, but now that it's done all I can think about is handing them out on Christmas morning! This year, my son and I made our own muesli and packaged it using labels I designed and then had printed as stickers. Lella tells me her theme has 'aced' mine this year, so I'm looking forward to seeing it Christmas day!

Love Actually.

It's been so wet and cold here that it's hard to believe it's almost Christmas. Last night I thought I'd try to feel a little more festive, so put on Love Actually, one of my favourite Christmas movies. It doesn't matter how many times I've seen it, it still gives me a warm fuzzy feeling. I love it. I still remember the first time I saw it at the movies, I didn't want it to end.

Five: Things I love about Christmas.

1. The music.

2. Christmas Baking and craft.

3. Buying gifts.

4. Celebrating the birth of Jesus.

4. Spending time with my loved ones.

These gorgeous images are from Sweet Paul's Holiday Countdown.

An early Christmas present.

As my Husband and I get older it's harder to buy surprises for each other. We do more of a wish list system for Christmas which means you have some idea of what might be wrapped under the tree. So when I went to put something in my Husband's car and saw 'The Little Veggie Patch Co' book on the seat, I turned to him for an explanation. He confessed it was a Christmas gift for me, and I got very excited – and a little angry that he hadn't hidden it in a better spot!

The book by Fabian Capomolla and Mat Pember is awesome! If you are at all interested in growing your own veggies or herbs it's a must have. It's full of veggie growing wisdom, and is fantastic even if you only have a tiny yard or live in an apartment. It makes a great Christmas gift...

A joyous front door.

Every year I get so excited about Christmas and all the lovely crafts and decorations you can make, but I rarely end up doing anything special apart from gift wrapping. This year I started early and made a wreath for our front door using paper, cardboard and buttons. It was easy to make and I feel joyous every time we open our door!

Hello.

Hello December, my favourite month, my favourite time of year – I've been waiting for you.

I'm so excited, Christmas is on the way! We introduced our two and a half year old to the joys of Christmas tunes – as we danced to Diana Krall, he declared he could listen to 'Jingle Bells' all day. My heart is full.

Image via We Heart It

Butterflies.

Today is overcast, but warm and our yard is filled with white butterflies. It's quite lovely.

Image via We Heart It

Cross stitch.

A little while ago, Anooke borrowed a book from the library full of unconventional cross stitch patterns. I was inspired when Anooke started her Mexican Day of the Dead skull and thought I might try my hand at one. I decided that instead of using the traditional rainbow of colours, I would do mine in yellows, limes and mustards. I like Anooke's traditional version better, but I'm proud that I've actually finished!

Homemade muesli.

This morning, my two and a half year old sous chef and I made our own muesli. After a bad supermarket muesli choice I decided it was time to take things into our own hands. We made our own granola/crumble by mixing oats, chopped almonds and hazelnuts, cinnamon, a little brown sugar and a small amount of melted butter and then baked it for a few minutes on a tray. We then mixed it with oats, oat bran, chia seed, sunflower seeds, pepitas and chopped dates. It was so easy and I know exactly what's in it - we are two very happy muesli makers!

Some lovely.

Today was lovely. It made me want to drink from vintage china, wear something pretty and throw rose petals.

Images via Once Wed

Baking days.

I purchased this month's Donna Hay magazine and was seduced by the 'Brownies' section. It was a rainy afternoon so decided to try the 'cookies and cream blondie' and the 'brownie cookies with peanut butter frosting'. Doing both on the same day was a bad idea. By the end I was almost in a sugar coma and couldn't stand the thought of chocolate. The 'cookies and cream blondie' wasn't great – it won't be on my make again list. It was a little strange and felt like it was missing something. The 'brownie cookies with peanut butter' were better, very rich, but easy enough to make. I loved the frosting, but I must admit I used less butter than the recipe called for. I think I'll move onto the ricotta section now...

Now you're just somebody that I used to know.

Image via Baby Melvin

The Distillery.

I was lucky enough to attend the launch of The Distillery, letterpress and design, last night. It was so exciting and so inspirational. Everything was splendid. The smell, the printing demonstration, the beard on the printing man, the sample pack of letterpressed delights (my son declared the monster calendar to be beautiful!), I could go on all day. I love The Distillery's passion to share the art of letterpress and their willingness to teach their skills.

Have a look at their website. They stock paper for letterpress and make plates as well – so handy!

Monday.

Images via ffffound

An achievement:

Image via ffffound

Etsy love: brandMOJO

I love brandMOJO's furniture – a stunning mix of handcrafted and restored pieces. So lovely.

Spring, I love you.

Welcome Spring, you darling. You make my heart skip a beat. Stay a while.

Image via We Heart It

Burger days.

It's Anooke's birthday this week, so we had a little celebration this afternoon. Anooke and Be love a novelty cake. Always have. I'm not a huge fan. Dry butter cake, too much icing... So when Anooke requested a Big Burger cake, I was a little apprehensive, but up for the challenge. Be did a Google search and found one we could use as a reference, and then I made two marble cakes and a big load of icing and baammm – one Big Burger birthday cake. I'm actually proud of the way it turned out. And it didn't taste that bad either.

Happy birthday my darling.

I wish I could buy you a Velorbis.

The little things.

I stumbled upon Sheye Rosemeyer's blog a few years ago and was touched by her and Ava's story. I wasn't a mother then, but the thought of losing a child was awful. Now that I have a two year old of my own, it's unimaginable. Nothing can describe the depth of love I feel for my son, the joy he brings me everyday, or the sheer delight of a cuddle.

Ava's Tea Party, can be celebrated any time in August and is Sheye's way of remembering Ava, but is also about taking time to appreciate the little things and the people you love. You can visit Sheye's blog to find out more. Also, be sure to have a look at Ava's Rule and educate your children about the dangers of hot cars.

Image: My son wearing Lella's glasses while 'reading' over my husbands shoulder. To me there is nothing more glorious.

Etsy love: Lamp Goods

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Ps. 119:105

I love these quirky light designs by Lamp Goods. I love that they give old household items a new and beautiful purpose.

Pony days.

Yesterday was spent in the country with my good friend. We talked about food, gardening, interiors and babies. We fed the horses, read magazines in the sun and planned a trip to Ikea. It was a perfect way to start the weekend.

Pallet makeovers.

Lella and I really like the whole pallet makeover thing, so we've decided to give it a go. Who knew there were so many things you could do with them!

We're both going to try our hand at turning pallets into coffee tables. I'm thinking I might try and white wash mine, while Lella is thinking dirty lime green might just be the ticket for hers. I'm a little nervous, but it's the weekend and my pallet is ready and waiting for a makeover. If you've successfully transformed a pallet, we'd love to know how it went.

I'm not sure of the source of the images, if they're yours let us know – they're lovely!

A glimpse of Spring.

The last few days have been divine. A little glimpse of Spring to remind us that Winter will end. My washing actually dried on the clothes line. We played pirates, complete with buried treasure and lunched with a view. One of my Daffodils is even flowering. Warm weather please don't leave us. Stay a little longer.

Image via We Heart It.

Hello.

I love sending cards and love it even more when I receive them. My lovely friend sent me this 'hello' and it made my day. She said it shouts 'hello, you fool, I love you' just like Roxette would. I suggest you all send a loved one a card today and make them smile.

You can get your own 'hello' card (and other cool stuff) here.

Mizpah.

I've been obsessed with the concept of "Mizpah" for quite some time now, it is symbolic of an emotional bond between people and symbolizes a place of sanctuary. The term "Mizpah" comes from the Bible, Genesis 31:49, and the verse goes like this: "And Mizpah; for he said, The Lord watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another." Mizpah jewellery became popular in the Victorian era and also made a huge resurgence in World War 1 for the men who went to war to wish them a safe passage back.

On Tuesday I turned 24 and my family bought me the best birthday present I think I've ever received - the above Mizpah ring. It was made in 1881 - isn't that amazing?! I am so in love with it, and for me it represents the amazing bond and love that my family has for me and I for them. It fits so perfectly and every time I look down at it I wonder who it was originally made for and what kind of life it's had, how it got from Birmingham to Blackheath, and where my life will take it.

Float away with me.

Image via ffffound

The museum.

Last weekend we went for a little trip to the mining museum my Dad has been involved with for as long as I can remember. I've been there countless times, but this trip I took time to appreciate the little details. The place is filled with industrial gems. Bits and pieces of days gone by.