AT HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

Are you ready for Christmas? I must admit I've been going through the festive motions and it hadn't quite hit me until this morning, when the last of the food shop was done and I finally felt ready to relax into it all. We are at home for Christmas and I can't wait to see my baby's face light up with excitement when he wakes bleary eyed to see if there are any presents under the tree. We'll spend the early hours exchanging presents, Bucks Fizz in hand, Paul prepping some breakfast goodies for us  amongst the sea of paper.

GREAT GIFT WRAPPING CHRISTMAS INSPIRATION

If you're anything like me, you'll be spending some of the weekend wrapping presents ready to go under the tree. If you fancy getting creative and giving beautiful wrapped gifts this Christmas then check these beauties for some inspiration.

Simple Scandi Style Wrap

Clockwise from top left: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4

Eye Candy Colour Style

Clockwise from top left: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4

Chic Monochrome Style

Clockwise from top left: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4

Are you Chiristmas ready? What colours do you tend to go for? I'm really loving these three styles and still can't quite decide which one will make it under the tree, but I am excited to get it all ready so I can sit back from the last minute present wrapping rush on Christmas Eve. 

DIY GOLD GLITTER WASHI TAPE GARLAND

When it comes to Christmas I'm all for a bit of sparkle and making a little magic at home, and I have to admit I was pretty quick in getting the tree up in the flat. As well as unwrapping all the treasured decorations I always like to make a few of my own, so I though it would be fun to share this super easy DIY gold glitter washi tape garland, that literally takes minutes to make once you have the materials at hand. 

It so super easy to make and you only need a few items:

• 1 spool of gold string or twine

• 1 washi tape with your choice of pattern

• White feathers

• Gold glitter

• Craft glue

First cut 2.5 inches of tape and then fold it over your string/twine and then repeat every 3cm along the string until your create a long line of tape. I then went back along and decorated the edges by cutting small triangles into the end but you could leave it with a straight edge for a more contemporary style. 

The finishing touch is made by dipping the end of the feathers into the craft glue and leaving to dry. This will be used to make the end of the garland and add a touch of sparkle to the finished piece.

Once dry, secure the feathers on by trying with a simple knot to the end of the twine and find somewhere to hang your garland. I've used it to decorate this Stag head and bring a bit of colour to the wall.  

There we have it! A super simple DIY gold glitter washi tape garland that is so easy you could even get the kiddos to make it and use it to jazz up plain walls or even wrap around the tree. If you fancy making this yourself why not pin the image below or save it for a rainy day. 

* Stag Head c/o French Bedroom Company.

24 FAMILY CHRISTMAS ADVENT IDEAS

Happy 1st of December everyone! Now it's no secret that I'm a HUGE fan of Christmas and the whole magic of the festive season but I normally manage to contain my excitement until at least the 12th, but this year I have been sooooooo ready for December to arrive in the hopes it will wash away all of the crappier events of 2016. So the kiddo and I came up with 24 family Christmas advent ideas, a little list of all the activities we might like to do this month, so I thought I'd share them here incase you need a little inspiration.

Aswell as having his Star Wars lego Advent calendar (the boy is obsessed!) we have a few nice family activies popped up on the fridge to keep us going and we can tick them off as we go along.

1. Drink hot chocolate and marshmallows outside.
2. Go Christmas tree spotting on a walk around the neighbourhood.
3. Go tobogganing with friends.
4. Watch a Christmas film under a blanket with popcorn.
5. Decorate the house in fairy lights.
6. Visit a Christmas Market.
7. Go iceskating with friends and family.
8. Write a letter to Father Christmas and post it.
9. Bake festive cupcakes and hand out instead of Christmas cards.
10. Decorate the Christmas tree.
11. Attend a Christmas carol service.
12. Donate to your local food bank.
13. Buy someone behind you in the queue their coffee/tea/drink
14. Make your own Christmas wreath out of foraged twigs and branches.
15. Wear a fun Christmas jumper.
16. Bake christmas cookies for your local postie to say thanks.
17. Volunteer at your local shelter or donate to the White Helemets to help civilians in Syria.
18. Make your own snow globe out of a mason jar.
19. Decorate a gingerbread house.
20. Wrap presents together.
21. Go for a winter walk in the woods and decorate a tree.
22. Make mulled wine or spicy cider.
23. Gift friends a bauble for their tree with a note to say why they are loved.
24. Snuggle in bed together to read a Christmas story.

I really believe that Christmas should be about giving back as well as sharing gifts with loved ones, whether it's small acts of kindness to spread happiness or supporting those who are less fortunate. I hope you like some our the ideas and you can pin the image above as a reminder.

I'd love to hear what you get up to at Christmas?

DIY IDEAS FOR CHRISTMAS DECOR

GUEST POST

With a few weeks left until the holiday season really kicks into full gear, a lot of us will be focused on making our houses comfortable and pretty for Christmas. There are always a few staples to put up like a beautiful tree, a few traditional decorations, and perhaps some lights outside. But for those who really get into the holiday spirit, it can be nice to add some special new pieces year in and year out. This is where some DIY crafting effort can make a big difference!

So we wanted to outline a few fun crafting and decoration ideas you might want to keep in mind for this Christmas season.

EMBRACING HYGGE AND FRESH FLOWERS FOR CHRISTMAS

Many of you know I'm a sucker for freshly cut flowers, all those blousy blooms filling the home with their sweet scents, and as much as Christmas brings natures foraged delights of ivy and holly, there's certainly still room for fresh flowers at Christmas.

Now that the nights are drawing in and the days are darker too, I find my thoughts wandering to summer skies and doses of Vitamin D as a pick me up. To tackle this I've decided to try and embrace Hygge, the Danish buzz word that has everyone trying to take comfort in the moment and embrace cosy living, but it's not all lighting candles and lounging on sheepskin rugs *mental note buy a fluffy rug to lounge on.* Hygge is more a state of mind, reminding yourself to find happiness in the small acts that bring joy. So if surrounding yourself with beautiful flowers brings you happiness then it would make sense to include them in your festive decor as flowers are for everyone, no matter the season.

There's something so special about creating the perfect focal point in your home, whatever your colour palette, whether it's dark purples and maroon tones matched with gold, or soft whites with eucalyptus and pale linen. Check out these stunning winter floral for inspiration:

Image via Unsplash

Image via Apartment 34

Image via Simply Slow

Image via one king lane

I love a good mix of traditional Christmas traditions and soft Scandi style during December and tend to focus on creating beautiful table centre pieces, simple wall hangings and lots of candles, twinkly lights and evenings spent laughing with friends. I really excited to embrace Christmas this year and wrap myself in those cosy moments. Have you created Hygge? What style would your fresh flowers for Christmas be?



*This is a collaborative post.

WHERE TO FIND THE BEST PERSONALISED GIFTS FOR CHRISTMAS

I know I know, I'm already mentioning the C word *sorry* but after attending Stylist Live with Not on the High Street I'm feeling quite festive and wanted to share my tips on some of the best personalised gifts for Christmas for your loved one....and there's lots!

CHRISTMAS WRAPPED WITH THE KID WHO

I've been quite organised this year in getting the gifts ready for the big day, hiding them away from little hands and prying eyes, but I'd forgotten about the little details when it comes to gifting and  making them look pretty, whether using ribbons and bows or handprinted paper, presentation is a big thing when it comes to giving out presents. Thankfully I've got Christmas wrapped with these cool products from online store The Kid Who.

Each month I've been collaborating with cool the independent online retailer The Kid Who to showcase some of their gift ideas, so with Christmas on my mind – think stylish decortarive wrap, cute gift tags, cards full of festive wishes – I was excited to share everything you need to get your gifts looking stylish this holiday.


I'm totally in love with all the cute cards that from The Kid Who and have stocked up this season. Normally we try to buy a big batch of cards that donate to charity for his friends at school and then we choose some stylish cards for close friends and family as an extra special touch. I love Ingela Arrhenius illustrations so it's no surprise I was drawn to this cute Christmas Reindeer card and this stylish foil Santa card, also this Snow Sledge card from UK illustrator, Ben Jarvens, reminds me of having fun in the snow! You can find the full range of cards here.

When it comes to gift wrap we always try to get a bit creative, in the past we've printed our own, we've gone crazy with colour and always try to make it as personal as possible. As soon as I saw these OMY Coloring in City Food Mats I knew they would be great for Christmas. F has been colouring his heart out and bringing to life city scenes, and we're going to use the finished sheets as wrapping paper to decorate the gifts given by him. We've kept a few spare sheets as these will be great at the dinner table on Christmas Day to keep him entertained as the family tuck in to the extensive Christmas feasting.

How cute is this Noodle Masking tape! I've hidden this away from F as I'm planning on wrapping his presents with this. Not only has it got the cutest little characters on the tape, it's also masking tape making it easy for him to tear open presents under the tree. I also love the cute little presentation screen printed box it comes in and the free bunny bookmark!

I'm always drawn to geometric shapes, minimalist design, and gold/whites colour combination, so when I saw these super stylish gift tags from Scandinavian brand Ferm Living I knew they would be high up on my must have list! I love the simplistic design and can't wait to see the smiles as I hand over Christmas wishes written on these beauties. 

When all gifts are wrapped and the finishing touches are in place, all that's left is to hang the stockings and wait for Father Christmas to do his thing. Every year we unpack the boxes, hang the baubles and get the house all twinkly, but this year one of our boxes has gone missing – along with our nine year old Christmas star – and the stockings are nowhere to be found. So I snapped up this gorgeous Scandi stocking from Ferm living, I love the gold splatter effect and it will look perfect hanging from the mantelpiece. 

For those dear ones too far to send presents by post, then why not send a decoration. I think I'm going to invest in a handful of these beautiful pop out card decorations by Studio Roof to send over to our friends in Australia. They are super stylish and affordable, being the same price as a Christmas card.

Have you got your Christmas wrapped or are you a last minute shopper? If you want some more gift wrapping ideas then why not check out my pinterest board for some last minute inspiration. 

CREATE A SCANDINAVIAN CHRISTMAS AT HOME

It's official! I'm full of festive cheer, it's hard not to be when you have a kiddo referring to it six times a day. Each year we take care in unpacking the baubles and trinkets, ready to create a cosy haven at home, this month however, I've decided to create a different look, one of cool greys, touches of gold and the cosiness of home.This year I'm celebrating a Scandinavian Christmas with style. 

It's easy to get exhausted just thinking of everything December brings with packed crowds, heaving shops and endless choices. So when Not on the High Street asked me to take part in their #NotJustTinsel styling Christmas Campaign I was thrilled *hello dream collboration* to channel my inner Christmas calm by designing a Pinterest board inspired by their seasonal products, and to see if I could recreate my Scandinavian Christmas at home.

From stylish mantles, creative gift wrap, cosy kitchen moments to the main event, Not On The High Street has everything you need to bring Hygge into the home.

I love styling my mantle to suit the season, especially when creating a Scandinavian inspired space. Forget the tinsel, instead try this beautiful Courage Dear Heart print with these stunning outdoor LED light garland that offers a striking alternative to fairy lights. The metallic print works perfectly with this delicate Gold Leaf Dish, keeping all my jewellery safe in style and if you want to add a bit of green or a touch of red to your display, this Clear Glass Carboy Vase is perfect and makes a great table centre piece too.


While thinking of ways to style my mantle, I headed out and stocked up on some Christmas treats and used this chic scandi grey shopper to keep the plastic at bay. Also I love this super quick plum pastry recipe – post on that soon – tasty and easy to make, served on this Hexagonal Chop & Serve board and pink geometric tea towel it's great for sharing with friends.

If you want to avoid the garish wrap under the tree, then why not swap them with the soft greys and natural tones loved by our Swedish neighbours, to create a pretty parcel to pass from under the tree or swap over dinner with friends. You can use these hand carved stamps to design your own Christmas paper. This traditional wrapping set is a great way to take the stress out of getting present ready.

Sitting around the table with friends and family is the best way to spend the holidays and I love entertaining! I really wanted to create a Scandinavian Christmas at home and what better way then to make a beautiful table using the soft greys, gold and beautiful ceramics. These cute festive cookies make great place settings and are tasty too.  

I love all the elements that make this table work: the candles, the ceramics, the greys, the geometric prints and wooden touches. You can shop the look here: Glass and Copper Carafe, Scandi Block House Candle Holder, Ori Folded Ceramic Vase, Personalised Ceramic Plate, Gold Plated Cutlery Set, Hexagon Shaped Brass Candle Holder, Spatter Ceramic Plate, Gold Star Tray.

As well as pulling together my dream Scandinavian Christmas at home, I've also created a Pinterest board full of further inspiration. I love the cool tones and I can't wait to get my DIY on and try my hand at a star garland for December. 

Do you love decorating the house for Christmas? What's your favourite style?

*This post is written in collaboration with Not On The High Street. All words, images and thoughts are my own.

CHRISTMAS BLOOMS AND FLOWER INSPIRATION

It's easy to think that beautiful blooms are only good in warmer months, but I love flowers whatever the season especially when they are freshly cut, you can totally transform a room with a good festive arrangement. There is something so beautiful about flowers in the home and in winter months it's great to go with pale greens, purples and blushing pinks, or perhaps a striking red berries in a simple glass jar.

Whatever your colour scheme, you can always find flowers to create beautiful focal points in your home. I was inspired by this post so I decided to get creative with a few flowers of my own, using simple glass jars and bottles while keeping the colour theme bright and fresh, I've created different heights and added a candle, woven heart and glass bauble to give it an extra touch.

I love how this arrangement has transformed my mantle piece and given it fresh festive feel. This great video from The Joy of Plants explores different ways to use and style flowers and asks you which Christmas style suits you? Is it colourful and quirky or classic and chic?



I really love the hanging garland, and mixture of flower and candles. You could go for something quite grand with tall apothecary jars filled with flowers or simple small touches throughout your table and home. If you would love more beautiful blooms then take a look at my Pinterest board for inspiration.




*This is a collaborative post.

DRESS YOUR TABLE FOR CHRISTMAS

As you probably know I love interiors and good design, and while I've only hosted Christmas dinner once I love throwing a good party, whether it's the wild ones from my younger years or a more civilised sit down affair, so getting into the festive spirit I decided to dress my table for Christmas and have a few friends over for some feasting.

So whenever I'm out I love to keep my eye open for pieces that would work well on a table and oftern buying the odd thing here or there. After a trip to Copenhagen I fell in love with this mug which I was served coffee in at the Kunst Museum, when I got home I tracked it down and promptly shipped some over. 

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