winterland

A Very Merry Christmas to all!

I always like to photograph my decorating, if only to help give me ideas for the next year's theme.

This year my theme for downstairs is a "White Winter Wonderland" which means lots of glitter, silver bells, and fake snow.

Here are some nooks and knick-knacks of and around the house, not all in keeping with 

the theme of course (because some rules are meant to be broken).

The piece-de-resistance was the dining room chandelier, which got a Cinderella-esque makeover.

On my bookshelf, my Nigella Christmas cookbook is poking out.
(I love it. It's my cooking bible!)

And my window-seat finally got tidied. 

You may notice the theme here: Ikea, and some pseudo-scandinavian decor.

(Plus a scarf I've been knitting for centuries).

o tannenbaum

Wishing one and all a long winter's nap.

all wrapped up with a bow

The Seventh Day of Christmas! 

I feel a little rushed, honestly, as I'm sure many others do too.

I have no more shopping to do, but it still feels like there's too much to do,

but not quite enough time in which to do it.

Glad for an excuse to wear my blingin' Lady Dutch top.

And the cheesy photo effects are more forgivable at this time of year.

Green Sash - vintage (came with a dress)

Pencil Skirt - Suzy Shier

Top - Lady Dutch (past Christmas gift)

ginger and spice

On the Fifth Day of Christmas...

There's nothing quite like the combined scents of Christmas Tree and freshly baked gingerbread cookies.

(I made the snowflakes using my new cookie cutter set).

And to add to the Xmas atmosphere, a family favorite: the Shaw Firelog.

No chesnuts roasting here.

Merry Christmas!

by the light of a million fires

Some harmless holiday fun. What a dork.

I think my mom called this look "Christmas Carmen Miranda."

Yet, I'm not looking forward to untangling this mess...

the garden in winter

The Italian Garden

The Famous Sunken Garden

Eight Maids-a-Milking

Butchart Gardens at Christmas is a feast for the eyes.

It wasn't the clearest of nights, but it nothing a mug of peppermint hot chocolate can't fix!

I especially enjoyed the Sunken Garden, which would have been completely obscured in darkness,

but for its perfect outlining in twinkle lights.

My decorating zeal has been renewed.

birthday cake

Nothing is as welcome as Angel Food Cake with whipped cream.

For this, I take the shortcut and use a mix.

Why not? It tastes just as amazing and saves on time and dishes.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Tall candles - Papyrus

Photo by Bonnie

(not quite) all i want for christmas

1. Ken Russell's The Boyfriend on DVD

Love this film. Twiggy is incroyable!

2. Coach Isabelle bag in Cognac.

3. Snowflake Cookie Cutter.

I'm gonna have fun with this!

4. Vogue Living: Houses, Gardens, People

5. Green Hunter wellies

6. Kate Spade Glass Half Full bangle

7. Heys EcoOrbis Luggage

Cute, and made from 100% Recycled Plastic!

I can almost smell Christmas!
Can't wait for the lights, the food, the trees.
I couldn't fight the siren song of Christmas Music, and I won't be able to fight the
urge to decorate for much longer.

close your eyes and dream of brighter days

Today was a rare "not-cold" day, with scattered blue sky and spots of sun.

 I say "not-cold" as opposed to "warm" because frankly, it was not warm. Just less frigid. 

It was "less-cold" enough to finally wear my new blue bow heels (no puddles in sight).

I really have no tolerance for cold, but I can't wait till Christmas.

I love the autumn colours, but I still pretty much count down the days until spring.

Magenta Shirtdress - Forever 21
Cardigan - Dynamite (old)
Bow Heels - Miss KG
Tote - Tommy Hilfiger

bows of blue and all that glitters

Some shots of my most recent shoe indulgences, both of which are Kurt Geiger.

Cobalt blue and gold glitter (with rhinestone flower buttons!)

These are gonna be fun...

frosty asters like a smoke upon the hills

October is officially over, and the weather has settled into its infamously West Coast trance: 

Romantic greys and misty hills evocative of Bliss Carman verses.

all hallow's eve

Happy Halloween!

Here I am getting ready yesterday.

This year I had the luxury of wearing two outfits, one I wore clubbing on Saturday, and this one.

I added a belt and gold shoes to be- get ready for something punny- a "Fifties Starlet."

No Halloween post would be complete without a pumpkin shot.

Nevermore.

Top - American Eagle slipdress worn as a top

Crinoline - thrifted

Star ring - (old)

Vintage 50s earrings - thrifted

borrowed pearls

One of my two Halloween costumes.

This was the dress I wore out dancing last night.

(Above are my dancing shoes, slightly worse for wear after being trod on by many-a-clubber).

I started out with the concept of a "Gone with the Wind" gown, but that dream died along with several crinolines, and yards of tulle.

Pearls and photos from Bonnie