'..A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn...' - O Holy Night
'..The hopes and fears of all the years, Are met in thee tonight...' - O Little Town of Bethlehem
Two of my favourite lines from two of my favourite carols! Merry Christmas to you all, I hope it's everything you hope for, and I pray you find the real meaning of Christmas this year. Love xx

image via Christmas is Happening

a wee bit 'o inspiration...

Although Jamie has been the perfect chef to steal recipes from for my Christmas Eve dinner feast (excitement levels are high!), nothing beats Donna (totally on a first name basis) for the styling. And seeing as how I have zilcho cloth-ery nor napkin-ery, I shall have to be creative! Which is lucky for me, as working in a flower shop I have access to loads of lovely big Blue Spruce branches (garlands), shiny berried holly (spread about the place in clusters of little glasses), a beautiful deep red Poinsettia sitting merrily on my kitchen table, and a teensy bunch of lovely mistletoe! Delightful! And as I work in a little crafty store as well, I have access to metres of lovely thick calico (tablecloth!), which will be covered with lots of brightly burning candles and a Christmas feast to delight the peepers and the tummy...brilliant!

The turkey has been ordered (I have my turkey reference number (!) in a safe place), the cranberry sauce recipe found, the big red bow tied onto the wreath, and the Christmas cake rested and tested (yummo!). Tonight we're of to the Christmas markets in Edinburgh to sample the delectable Christmas delights on offer, and try our tootsies with some skating. Then there's some more rocky road to be made, some fingers to be crossed for some snow fall (unlikely), and some final presents to be wrapped.

And I do believe tonight...there shall be mulled wine x

images via Donna Hay

looky here...

Sometimes I see things (stationery, flowers, books, socks...) that I MUST have! Unfortunately I am rather penniless right now, but these prints almost jumped of the wall into my hands (literally) and said 'take meeee!'. Found whilst wandering about the Christmas heaven that was the Country Living Fair, Chase and Wonder are spectacularly talented and lovely to boot, AND have a special deal on at the moment on their blog.

Why not pop over and order some lovely Christmas presies from these clever folks! And if you're not sure who to get one for, send one to me! I'll be forever grateful x

pics via Chase and Wonder

holiday snaps...

Myself and the husband shopping*.

*HA! If we tried this little manouver (even without the thick layer of ice inducing graceless falls at every turn), twould end with blood, let's just leave it at that. Actually 'tis from the Neiman Marcus Holiday Book. Obviously.

ps - only 9 days! x

gifts-a-plenty...

It has been 2 months since I've had the luxury of internet at home, and miracles of miracles, today we were connected to the outside world! *sigh of relief* And as I am currently in my sick bed being waited on hand and foot (almost), I thought I would get cracking on sharing the lovely bits and bobs I came across at the Country Living Christmas Fair in Glasgow. First up in this list of gorgeous Christmas ideas is the beautiful site Papa Stour. Selling a delightful range of the most beautiful Scottish gifts (I get points for this, surely), why not pop over, have a wee look-see and see what you can find! It's full of things I WISH I could make but most definitely can not. Enjoy!

all images via Papa Stour

the best kind of fair...

Oh yes indeedy...the BEST kind of fair! The Country Living Christmas Fair in Glasgow! And my wordy, it cheered me greatly. Meeting the loveliest of people, being ginormously inspired, and being in the presence of the largest cinnamon and orange wreath I may have ever seen (a party for the nose), twas most definitely a good day out. Nothing like Christmas trees on every corner, and the most beautiful ceramic decorations I have ever seen! If they hadn't been so delicate the Australian contingent would have had one in every letterbox. Get prepared to meet some of theses crafty folks soon, I have a feeling we'll be in touch!
xx

happy birthday eve!

It's that time of year again my friends! And while I have always been a birthday FIEND (the good kind), this year is a little bit out of my ordinary. BUT! Instead of being the teensiest bit glum that so many of my loved ones are so far away, including the sun, I shall instead be looking excitedly at what this new year may bring, with some humming of a merry tune for good measure. A few ideas, as I do like to share, include a trip back to the land of warmth and beaches, spring time gardening (maybe even a warm summer!), and let's not forget Christmas, of which I am an even bigger fiend! Snow, holly and bright red scarves are just around the corner!

And so as the cake goes in the oven, I shall say cheerio! I'm of to finish sewing the wings on my latest birdy creation, whom shall for now be referred to as 'birdy'. Suggestions most welcome!

lurvely...

Discovered - the delightful Cecilia Fox. Go here, and here. You won't regret it and I promise you will be inspired! Think orchid plants hanging from the ceiling, vegetables as flowers (mulberries!) and the most gorgeous masses of poppies and roses...OH the poppies and roses! I do miss those masses...x

discovery...

Why hello! This past weekend I was lucky enough to go on a road trip to the very beautiful Wales, it's stunning! Whilst playing the tourist I came across the most incredible postcards I may have ever seen..ever! I hear you, big call there Nicola. But after being in London a few weeks back and choosing between Will and Kate or Will and Kate, these were just GORGEOUS! I even bought myself a set. Lucky duck. Pop over the the superbly talented Valeriane Leblond's website, look at the beautiful art there and tell me, TELL me they don't make you feel like you could right at this instant be wandering through a mossy green field surrounded by rolling mountains covered in fluffy white sheep and cottages snuggled into the crevices with a brisk breeze rushing around you and making your cheeks rosy red!

Genius!

where ARE you?!

Excellent question! I am HERE! I have moved house into a lovely little cottage, complete with cosy bay windows overlooking beautiful bare trees waving about in the Autumn gusts, I have finished up my previous job-let, and have opened this delightful little store 'Create' with my friend Lesley. Currently listening to Madeleine Peyroux and sipping on some green tea, after the madness of the past few weeks, this feels very nice. If you're local, pop by, I'd love to meet you and say hello! Apologies once again for lack of blogging (do they have an award for worst blogger ever?), having moved we are internet-less for another few weeks, and I refuse to let it send me absolutely nutso! So until I'm once more able to get online from the comfort of my own very comfortable cottage, I shall get back to stitching, sewing and creating!

xx

paper lovelies...

It is slowly but surely coming to my attention that Christmas is just around the corner...and I am EXCITED! Being a newly married and first-timer-out-of-home, I need decorations, stat! And whilst I have with me my treasures collected over the years, there a a few things that my crafty self may need to get cracking on. Stockings (a Christmas necessity), a suitably festive advent calendar and very importantly, a lovely wreath! Now, while I'm getting tres excited about the idea of holly, red berries and a dusting of snow, I have decided an indoor wreath might look quite festive as well! I'll let you know how the holly goes, quite spikey I fear...

And thrown in just for fun, the most beautiful quilling I have ever seen, most likely due to the fact it is Hermes quilling, and therefore super duper awesome. Created by the magnificent Yulia Brodskaya, it would appear quilling is back. If only Hermes had asked me when I was 9...

ps - the all white one? Made from cupcake wrappers! Genius!

Lovely crafty bits and bobs, from the top, Martha Stewart, papercrave.com, elizabethannedesigns.com, hermes.com

ahoy!

Hello there! Once again, I need to apologise for my tardiness with posting...there has just been too much excitement, and two extremely special visitors from my sunny homeland! My attention has been on many cuddles and smiles with my new baby niece (who just by the by, is the cutest baby in the world. The WORLD!), and lots of catching up with my sister dear. There has also been the excitement of moving myself into a lovely little shop front! 'Tis all very new, and shall take a few weeks to shiny up and fill with delightful things, but we do have the smallest of selections in our pretty little etsy store, so do pop by and say hello! We're also moving next weekend into the loveliest of lovely cottages just down the street...featuring a second bedroom, a laundry (my word how I've changed), a beautiful spot to sit outside, and a bath tub! SO! Whilst I'm creating many a lovely thingamabob for our lovely new store, packing bags and scrubbing down the walls, cleaning away the sweetest baby paraphernalia and learning what cold really is (crikey), I'll be keeping you up to date! AND letting you in on some new lovely creations I've discovered over here..exciting!

Some important information!
There is snow on the hills and many ice-y toes in my shoes.
Christmas is only 77 days away.
AND! Babies in the bath tub are veery slippery. Yes indeedy.

I hope wherever you are you are warm and feeling inspired! x

pic via weheartit

inspiration!

Hello my lovelies! As we all know, inspiration is super important (like air, you might say. Although that would be a touch dramatic...) and can be found anywhere from a shiny new magazine to a field of bright blue cornflowers to fashion to anything that takes your hearts desires! And! Because over here in the Queen's country where my hot water bottle is my new best friend we do like to share, here is my latest love. The lovely Kajsa Wikman from Finland has created this whimsical book filled with gorgeous crafty little bits and pieces to make. Check out her blog for even more lovely ideas, and if you're adventurous, think of all the lovely handmade Christmas decorations that could be hanging merrily on your tree in three months!

xx

i feel some baking coming on...

So I know that people were excited about macarons quite some time ago now. The delightful flavours, the crispy shell with the delicious soft inside, the gorgeous colours. I even remember blogging about those lovely little pastel delights myself! However! During my weekly viewing of The Great British Bake Off (oh yes, my life is but a whirlwind of home cooking shows!), a guilty pleasure which came about because I refuse to watch '16 and Pregnant' and there isn't much else on on a Wednesday night, I was inspired! I want to give those tasty little morsels a try! There seems to be much involved, banging trays and waiting about, but my wordy, when those beautiful teensy biscuits are squished together with something delicious (lets say chocolate), I will be very excited! I have been warned, I may fail. But my biggest question is, with most recipes creating 120 (that's quite a few), who wants a macaron?

xx

pic via weheartit

indoor loveliness...

'God, what a joy it is to plant a tree,
And from the sallow earth to watch it rise,
Lifting its emerald branches to the skies
In silent adoration, and to see
It's strength and glory waxing with each Spring
Yes, tis a goodly, and a gladsome thing,
To plant a tree.'

Ella Wheeler Wilcox

image via martha stewart

flower-y inspiration...

'A weed is but an unloved flower.' - Ella Wheeler Wilcox

There is nothing as good as a florist who can see the beauty in all kinds of foliage and who will focus on the natural beauty of the blooms. When I say 'nothing as good', this may be an overstatement. But heck, if you can't make huge, sweeping statements on a blog, then when can you?!

Visit Emily Thompson Flowers. If you love fleurs, you'll LOVE this lady and her gorgeous creations xx

pics via Emily Thompson Flowers

warm and cosy...

Ok. I will admit it. I have been caught by a bug and his name is knitting. It just seems so suitable...and warming, to be inside on a cold wintery evening, curled up with a cup of tea (hot chocolate) and some lovely music soothing my soul. Of course when I say Winter I mean Summer, the season which has apparently up and left us in the good company of Autumn, who's good friends thermal and hot water bottle are wanting to come out and play.

Right now I'm still on scarves, but one day, probably after an excessively long bone-chilling Winter (WHY!?), I will master the tea cup cosy! Yes, I have goals and I'm not afraid to share!

xx

image via weheartit

well hello there!

Hello! It is a sad truth that I am back from holidays, and amongst many things I learnt whilst away, the most important is most definitely that holidays are way funner than work. I know, I'm a genius. And while it may not have been the sun drenched, ocean swimming week I was hoping for (Summer has gone, apparently), there were many other delights, both new and old experienced in beautiful St Andrews. And so for you, my top seven (there was going to be ten, but it's quite late and I'm getting sleepy)!

1. As previously mentioned, holidays are a much more enjoyable passing of time than work. Don't worry though, I shall work on a plan to make me a lady of leisure!

2. Park swings are made for children. Therefore, when one's posterior does not fit in said swing, it is most unnecessary to shed tears. Most unnecessary.

3. Wind shields, of which during my lengthy Summer beach days in Australia none were sighted or even heard of, are an absolute necessity and a wonderful invention to be enjoyed on the beaches of Scotland. If it's not sunny and even if it's raining, at least we can shelter from the arctic breeze!

4. Sleep in's are brilliant.

5. Deep fried pizza should never be consumed by a human (or an animal, for that matter). If you're wondering what a deep fried pizza is because you're from Australia and have never heard of such a treat*, it is a pizza, deep fried. Delightful.**

6. A holiday is not a holiday without adventuring through delightful wool shops, discovering knick knacks in pretty old fashioned shops, visiting the big smoke and playing boggle.

7. I can't wait for my next one!

xx

*Sarcasm.

**Sarcasm again.

image via weheartit

off the the seaside...

It is now official my dear readers...I am on holidays for 10 days! Feel free to release any streamers you may have or perform a graceful and muchly appreciated excited dance, for I am now collapsed on the couch with the boy and am so far past exhaustion I can barely utter a murmer of joy. BUT! Be sure, my lovelies, that on the inside, I am dancing like a mad woman!

What is on the agenda, you ask? Excellent question! And I shall tell you! We are off to the delightful seaside town of St Andrews! Our very well structured and thought through plans include eating icecream, a bbq at the beach, some putting on the Old Course, perhaps a leisurely stroll to some nearby little holiday towns, consumption of fish and chips, and, very shamefacedly, finishing our thank you cards. From our wedding. 6 months ago. Now! You may have noticed that many of these plans include food, to which I will say, heck yes they do! It's holiday time! There will also be time for some big city shopping which I am very much looking forward to as dressing for Scotland weather is still quite the conundrum for moi.

And as I am quite the kindly blogger, I shall pop up a picture here of the seaside, to make us all feel as though we're off for a wee break. You can almost taste the salty air!

xx

pic via weheartit

adventure time...

Anthropologie has just opened its beautiful doors in Edinburgh (a few weeks ago now, but the excitement is still hanging in the air!), and I have been twitching with delight as I anticipate my first adventure through the most gorgeous store. Next week, my friends, next week...

All pretties from Anthropologie (not all current)

why hello...

Well my lovely readers, let me first of all apologise for my quietness on the bloggy front of late! Many exciting and cultural experiences have been keeping me on my toes, as well as some battery losing mishaps and an unusual amount of baking. Flour and keyboards do not mix, no siree!

To keep things less like a novel and more like an enjoyable novella (I do not know what this is, apart from it sounding like a much shorter novel), I shall use dot points to get you up to speed! And so without further nonsensical chat from me, here is a wee list of my recent acitivities...

* Berry picking! Oh how my sticky and stained hands delighted in these adventures! Apparently (here comes some history), Blairgowrie used to be the berry central of Europe. Fancy eh?! And so now when foreigners come (like moi!), we embarrass ourselves needlessly by going a bit bonkers over the berries, their size (they are HUGE!) and the sheer volume and cheapiness of them. Berry delight? I think so!

*Jam making! If you're a clever bunny you'll be able to see how the former point and this one link together. I have been delighting in boiling up all manner of soft fruits into delectable treats for anyone who will take them! The boy however, does not enjoy any sort of cooked fruit. Therefore, it's just up to me to finish it off. I won't lie, I am up to the task. To summerise jam making: surprisingly easy, excessively messy, delightfully tasty!

*News of an impending visit from my dear sister and her newest little poppet! This has sent me into a delirium of baby products and cot finding, which may have the neighbours suspicious.

*Trying my hand at the delightfully soothing craft of knitting. What started as a scarf for my 2 year old niece became a scarf for my 30 year old sister and is now looking like it may end up being a blanket. But heck, you can only try eh?

*Receiving not only two truly delightful Real Living magazines in the post BUT the hugest and most delicous H&M catalogue which I devoured cover to cover and which are now sitting proudly on our 'magazine crate' (so called because it is a crate upon which sits magazines)!

*Celebrating Wattle Day whilst enduring looks of pity and scorn from the locals. Anything that resembles sunshine is mine! OH how I miss the sun!

And there it is. Whilst not an exhaustive list (oh no, I did many things and more besides, but then that wouldn't be a novella now, would it?), I feel as though we have caught up, much like old friends. I have some delightful finds from local stores, new ideas and excellent stories of the English language being lost between the Scots and Australians, but I shall save them for another day. I do hope you have a wonderful day today, and wherever you are, please (PLEASE), let there be sunshine!

xx

speaking of colour...

As I shake my fist at the sky once more with its dreary grey skies and no promise of some bright sunshiney rays, I find myself looking for some beautiful indoorsy colour that will cheer me greatly! So in keeping with a theme, I thought I would share this gorgeous rug with you...not only bright and cheery, but inspiring of cosy thoughts. Genius on two levels!

From the super clever crafty-s at Down to the Woods, add some whimsy to your room, any room! And send one to me while you're at it, twould cheer our wee flat greatly!

images via down to the woods, found via Kaleidoscope

oh hello...

Where does one go when one needs some bright and cheery colour of the indoors variety? Missoni!! Of course! Unfortunately I myself am much too rural *cough* poor *cough* to get to a lovely store, but if I could, these beauties would be on my list. Imagine that pop of colour in your room...delightful! *sigh* I'll just have to keep on dreaming (or as my Mum would suggest, make one myself!).

image via design milk

sweet dreams...

We purchased 4 baby boy cards today! It would seem something is in the water over here, and it might just be blue! How sweet is this paper banner from papermash? Very sweet, is correctomundo. I've been trying to avoid Mothercare, oh my WORDY but there are some sweet eensy teensy baby clothes in there!

Don't worry, I'm not that clucky...

image via papermash (check out their other gorgeous bits and bobs, just delightful!)

the seaside...

Oh my WORDY but I miss the sea side! We've booked ourselves a lovely little sea side holiday in St Andrews and I'm counting down the days till we frolic on the sand! Methinks it may be important to get Fingal Bay holidays out of my mind however, as a dip in the ocean here may be somewhat more bracing than a paddle in the briny there.

Meanwhile I shall continue to huddle in front of my heater and cross all my fingers and toes for some more sunshine! xx

pic via weheartit

10 good things...

1. Afternoon tea in Glasgow at Cup, with a cake stand filled with the yummiest treats you can imagine and a bottomless pot of tea (not literally, you understand). And a wander up and down Byers Road to find some excellent wee shops brimming with inspiration!

2. Beyonce singing Etta James at Glastonbury...she is way too cool for school.

3. The delivery of a bag filled with delightful Country Living magazines for my perusal, only to be enjoyed with a cup of tea and perhaps a home baked treat!

4. My H&M delivery of 3 £1.99 dresses. Who cares what they look like...TWO POUNDS!

5. Peanut butter M&M's from Texas via London from my big brother. Delicious!

6. News that 2 of my cousins (step-cousins? cousins-in-law?) have both had beautiful baby boys! Time for some Mothercare shopping!

7. Wandering up the road to the farmers shop to purchase raspberries that are the size of strawberries and twice as sweet! Yummo!

8. Almost...almost getting our thank you cards written! 6 months isn't too bad, right? Right.

9. The temperature being above 15 every single day this week! Better get the sunscreen out...

10. And of course, the most important, enjoying vegemite toast for lunch yesterday. Yes siree, I still call Australia home.

Hope you have a wonderful week my lovely readers! Enjoy life's simple pleasures xx

book-y goodness...

It's strange the thing you miss when you move away from home! I miss (amongst other things) Kikki-K. My excellent Mum knows me very well and has been supplying me with a steady stream of Kikki-K goodies since we arrived on the overcast shores of Scotland, the latest being a most wonderful gratitude journal. Do you need a present for anyone? Do you need a present for yourself? I highly recommend! I would also recommend properly drying your socks before putting them away, but that's neither here nor there.

Enjoy your Friday my lovely readers, tis almost the weekend! xx

image via kikki-k

good advice...

i do not know who this mr lubbock is, but he seems like my kind of guy.

home sweet home...

I'm trying to be positive. Really I am. The raspberries here are huge and taste absolutely delicious. The auctions are on every week and antique Singer sewing machines are sold at a pound. The chippies are cheap and the scenery beautiful. But then Sydney goes and has a Winter's day like that. And I'm back to missing it all. Sun that sets at a normal time, and chips that although expensive, are cooked fresh. Wandering through the bush, BBQ's at sunset, the beach at sundown. Plants that don't need blankets in the Winter (seriously), feet that don't need uggs the whole year round. Sunshine. Family. Friends. Chocolate Monte biscuits.

I think it's time we started to plan a visit!

'Where we love is home. Home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts.' - Oliver Wendell Holmes