about time ...

Holiday must be over, well my posting holiday that is. Been back at work for ever and it's getting on to the nether end of Jan 2010 now -  in fact it's well over a month since my last post ....  ooops!

Exchanged my very Xmasy photo at the top for a lovely shot taken by my v.talented brother of NSW countryside.

So, 2010 ... a month in. Interesting so far. More no doubt to come. Much crafting intended - in fact just knocking the studio (ok, spare room) into shape. Photos to organise. Material to stack. Yarn to sift through. Crocheted edge of rug to do. Hoo roo for now!

My weekend outfit

Well, another weekend rolls around, the last before Christmas. I'm now officially on holidays!!

Yipeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Methinks that there has never been a holiday more eagerly awaited. 2 glorious weeks of well, just holidaying. To celebrate, I've selected a range of lovely looks that may seem a little vintage to some but capture a mood or a moment for me, inspired by fashion from the past {images from Vintage Vogue} Nice find - thanks Saidos da Concha!

One for today - rainy but happy to be on hols! Lovely photo, don't you think? NYC, 1950's.

Love this - tres chic. 1960. Very lovely setting, adore the room and those sumptuous, soft pink blooms. Great little black dress, ideal for all the upcoming parties of the season (well, imaginary ones!)

Lounging at home, looking cool and relaxed, enjoying the holiday. Don't you think this looks quite modern with those big buttons? From the 30's.

Hanging out with my hound (the one that I wish I had), looking cool in my eyeliner and crazy hat. Notice that cigarettes figure in many of these shots. 1955.

Swimming at the beach come Boxing Day! Love the beach robe and that extreme wide brim hat, de rigeur for our sunshine. 1935.

Me after a day at the sales! Lovely outfit, not so sure about the hat however. 1948.

Doing a spot of redecorating and rearranging. Must look my best! Gorgeous beading on this dress and some interesting furntiture and decorative ornaments. 1920's.

Phew. So many truly gorgeous photos, more than I can show so do go and be prepared to spend quite a bit more than a few lovely moments, over at Vintage Vogue.

So much for my advent calendar!

Blogging has taken a bit of a back seat of late. Who wants to blog when there are Christmas decorations to fling about the big boofy tree (much bigger than I remembered!!) and lights to set to twinkling all about - plus the candles, the sleigh, the cards pegged along the mantelpiece ...

And there's still so much more to come - I have plans!! (involving a wreath or two, fabric wrapped lights, stockings to be made (all 6 of them!), presents to be wrapped and much baking to be done! To borrow the words of Pip from Meet Me At Mike's, Hurrah!!!

We are 10 days out. I have two days (well one and a half) left at work. I have managed to do something Christmasy each night this week - tonight was baking (details tomorrow)

Here's one pic of my handiwork so far ...

 Love these little Ikea lights run on batteries. Ideal for this and for a few other strategic spots like the mantlepiece in the header pic above.

More shots tomorrow, plus results of my evening's baking (have to charge my camera now!)

three

two

This is a nice way to create an advent calendar. I've missed one but will add it retrospectively - it was only yesterday!

Two was spent at work, having a Christmas lunch at the pub and taking more photos for our self guided tour. Nearly finished.

And my niece and I are off to see George (Michael) in Feb. Should be majorly funny - we have longstanding jokes about George dating back to Wham days, so we are reminiscing in a big way.

Made a yummy dinner tonight ::: steak cooked my special way (hot hot pan, salt & pepper on each side as you cook plus little knobs of golden butter, added both sides that ooze down the edges of the steak and create truly delicious juices - and don't forget, only turn once!)
Alongside were shitake and field mushies, cubed roasted potatoes and this colourful, crunchy salad, dressed with red wine vinegar and that wonderful black oil, pumpkin seed oil (it's really dark green)

Cath gave me the cute salad servers last Christmas.

I'll add tuna to the leftovers and feast on this for lunch tomorrow!

Monday Moodboard - on Tuesday

Pinching ideas left right and centre - this one comes from Jealousy Design (love her silvery grey theme this week) and originally (I think) from Fleurfatale (lovely warm reds, a Chinese bridal moodboard)

Pure beeswax tealights

Natural white birch tea light candle holders

White chocolate wristlet

Livingstone daisy ring

Mine is all about things light yellow/pale lemon/clotted cream/white chocolate/ivory/winter white edging into steely silvery greys into dirty blues ::: oh, and all things circley! Fun stuff - made the collage using Picasa. Only problem is I can't seem to get collages any larger than this. Hmmm, more homework!

Made me smile

Some smiles for the day -
these come from yesterday as well :::

Retro Turtle Nightlight Perfume Burner

Bless his little cotton socks!
And this is how he looks at night ::

This shot! - more like this in the Airborne cats set - great shots!

Snoopy phone! How I used to love Snoopy!!