The Christmas Table

I looked back over photos and Digella menus of Christmas past with a smile on my face and a content feeling in my heart about what Christmas means to me and how lucky I am to have been brought up in a family which embraces the festive season including Santa and Jesus. When you are living through the day it does not mean anywhere near as much as it does when you look back and see how much everyone has grown, notice the absence of the ones now gone and realise the absence of the ones still to come. I love photos for that.

When I began telling people I would be spending Christmas day basically alone they started to worry, offer invitations to lunch and looked at me with what I think was sorrow in their eyes.

However I couldn’t feel happier this year!

This year for the first year in my life I am not hosting or attending a Christmas Lunch.
I am not going to have that mountainous colour of wrapping paper as nieces and nephews rip through far too many presents.
There will not be a bulging tummy from too much food.
The absence of screaming kids. Ahhh the serenity!

So what will my day bring?

Wake up well rested.
A short drive to see my little girl and her daddy open some presents.
Christmas Morning service at my church.
A relaxed read of my new book (which is a present I have wrapped under my tree for myself)
And hopefully a lovely indulgent evening with my beloved, a bottle or two of French champagne, dished up with only selfish thoughts and actions. I love you my honey xox

BLISS!

Boxing day brings a totally different story.
Chaos imminent!
Will cross that bridge when we come to it.

Happy Christmas.

~ A Lump of Coal ~

Another Martha Moment!

Martha states:

We all know what good-for-nothings get in their stockings: coal. But something is different this year. These sparkling nuggets are no ordinary lumps but gift boxes embellished with paint, paper, and lots of glitter. The faux-coal pieces are just the right size to package earrings, a rolled-up tie, and other small gifts. Looks like landing on the Naughty List isn't so terrible after all.

In just four complicated, messy steps using half of Tonia Todmans craft collection you too can create a jewellery box for a pair of diamond studs you may have bought for a close friend* which looks like a glossy rock*.

Where can I torture myself with this craft I hear you ask? Well head over to Martha Stewart dot com here

* Martha assumes we are all rich and can afford diamond studs for close friends and that we have so much time on our hands leading up to Christmas that we can fit craft into our schedule in between ladies lunches and decorating our homes like decor museums!

~ Taybian Handbags and Accessories ~

I love these bags and the creator is great too :)

Please check them out here as could make a fab Christmas present.

~ Channelling Vintage ~

Nothing more to add.

~ My List to Santa ~

Dear Santa,
I have been (moderately) good this year so thought unlike the year I got a fold up Malvern Star bike that was the most daggy thing on two wheels (I was 12 if you remember) I would make it easier on you by providing a list of gifts I would actually like to see under the tree on Christmas morning.
Yours in hope,
Digella

Anything from Alfresco Emporium
http://www.alfrescoemporium.com.au/

Glass House Jasmine and Vanilla Fragrance Diffuser

Creates a soft, woody and inviting atmosphere as sensual Jasmine, Lavender and Heliotrope combined with Sandalwood, Patchouli and Vanilla envelops your home. Elves can get here.

A Belle Magazine Subscription

Elves can arrange from Magshop here.

PJs from Gingerlilly

Elves can get here.

New D&G Fragrance

Elves can get Strawberry Net.

Murchison Hume Cleaning Products

I know I'm strange, but this kinda stuff makes me happy!

Murchison Hume Site

Purchase from Peter of Kensington

Bra Travel Bag

Life has enough bumps and creases along the way—worrying about how you pack your bras for travel shouldn't add more. All designs available at http://www.bra-g.com.au/ with black and pink at Howards Storage World here.

Pedicure from Blow Salon

A much needed (and overdue) pedi from my favourite salon Blow while enjoying a glass of bubbles and chatting to the girls. I always feel like a movie star when I go there as everyone calls me by name. (could be due to the three children who can be found asking lots of questions and requesting coke and testers of the new nail polishes, and that’s my boys!)

http://www.blowsalon.com.au/