Christmas Decos from Around the World

One of the nicest things about coming home from our holiday was opening the door and seeing our Christmas tree quietly waiting for us. I love putting it up every year and I thought I would share with you some of the special decorations I have bought on my travels around the place.

This lovely lady is a handcrafted wooden piece from Nuremberg, Germany. When Jon found out about my love of Christmas decorations, he bought me this whilst he was there watching the World Cup in 2006.

Then we have this jolly Santa. He is from a huge Paperchase store on Oxford St in London.

This sweet star is all the way from Xian, China. I think it is the cheapest decoration I have ever bought at approximately 25c.

A little nativity scene from La Paz, Bolivia.

The Virgin of Guadalupe, a painted tin decoration from Oaxaca, Mexico.

As you might guess, my tree is a bit of a mish-mash - but a very loveable one!

I highly recommend Campervanning

A few shots from our 10 day trip driving around the North Island of New Zealand. Such a fantastic trip - fishing, wineries, perfect lakes, fresh local produce, swimming, smelly craters and geysers, and of course fish and chips. It all went far too quickly.

More on living in a van later...

Something to keep you going

So, in about 13 hours I am leaving for New Zealand. Hurrah! I can't wait to get on the plane, and then into the campervan, to drive around the North Island for 9 days.

So, whilst I am soaking up the sights, sounds and smells (yes, Rotorua) of the place, here is a sight and a story for you to keep you going until next Saturday!

It was my breakfast yesterday: a little dish of baked eggs with lots of leftovers. Ham, baby spinach, potato, shallots, mushroom, and mozzarella cheese all mixed together with fresh thyme, nutmeg, and salt and pepper, then baked in the oven for 10 minutes, and finished under the grill for another 5.

The terracotta dish is one of six traditional tapas dishes that I was given for Christmas last year, along with the wonderful 1080 Recipes, a classic Spanish cookbook. The dishes came from the most fabulous Spanish "deli" in Melbourne: Casa Iberica. They have the most amazing and delicious selection of Spanish and South American foods, from the best chorizo ever to the delicious flavoured Jamaica and Tamarindo drinks (a favourite at our house - and don't say Jamaica, say humaika). If you are in the vicinity, it is a must: 25 Johnston St, Fitzroy.

Farewell! See you when I return next Saturday, with many more stories and sights from sunny NZ.

Modcloth strikes again

Well, I knew once I had succumbed to the temptation for the first time, I wouldn't be able to resist going back to shop at Modcloth again. And I was right. I just received these lovely treats in the post:

Chevron Eco-Friendly Baggu Tote
Taco Belle Tee

Climb Every Mountain Skirt

Pretty, no? I couldn't resist a little early Christmas pressie to myself!

Getting back into the swing of things

...with a new line in my store.

This is Penelope Puppy. She was made in Melbourne, whilst I was staying there for work. I had a day of exploration and found these lovely quilting fabrics in my wanderings.

So, this is why I haven't been around.

Hi all! I know it's been forever, but I thought you might like to see the bridesmaid's and flowergirl dresses that I have been working on for yonks. Well, here they are in action on the day. It was a perfect wedding: beautiful weather, calm bride, lovely service, fab food and dancing the night away.

A Final Winner

It's the end of October! Hasn't it flown? And that means one thing: we need to draw a winner for my final giveaway. Thanks to random.org, the winner, number 6 to comment, is...

Caitlin of CraftyCrackpot.

Well done Caitlin! I will be in touch to ask which set to send off to you!

Thanks so much to everyone who took the time to comment on my various posts this month. I didn't have the time to post as much as I would have liked, but I really enjoyed reading all your comments and running a giveaway has been fun!

Stay tuned for pictures of the aforementioned bridesmaid's dresses - some explanation towards my lack of presence here online during October!