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.