2014 Christmas Gift Guide

My 2011 and 2013 editions were a hit.  I had lots of comments and tweets from people saying that they would be purchasing some of those items.  So lovely!

This year my focus is on the things my loved ones love, and getting them a luxury version of it.  The best seats I can find for a concert/ballet/opera.  The best chocolate.  The most luxurious candle.  Things along those lines.

Here are some ideas for all genders and ages.

Voted the world's best single malt whiskey.  And it's our very own.  

Marching Powder book.  For the men in your life who aren't huge readers but love a rough and tumble story.  Have heard great reviews from some guys I work with.  

Paul Smith socks.  Superior in style and quality. 

If you really want to be in his good books this year.... Skywatch.  They are giving all the wonderful readers of this blog $100 off any purchase. Use code WOREITWELL at checkout.  Let me know what your favourite is.

Frank Body scrub and balm pack.  THE BEST! 

Samantha Wills Bardot ring - amazing in every colour. 

I really, REALLY want these Frend x sass & bide headphones.  So if someone is looking for a gift to buy me, this is it haha

I am actually saving this for Ariana's birthday, but it looks so fun I couldn't resist when I found it online for 40% off.  Valley Treehouse - one left here.

I've got this little Apples to Pears Farm in a Tin ready to go for our flight.  Such a fun gift for little ones who love to take things in and out of boxes a thousand times.  

The most wonderful time of the year

Every year I promise myself to be more prepared for Christmas and the summer holidays that follow and every year I find myself frantically trying to get everything done.  Surely I haven't been the only one who isn't sure what salads to make yet.  Or the only one who hasn't put up any decorations?

I have committed to yet another mammoth pre holiday clean up and shake up.  Out with old linen, tea towels and towels.  Turfing some very well loved winter gear, boxing up baby clothes (can't bring myself to get rid of EVERYTHING just yet).  I have new bikinis, new cushions.  Most of the Christmas gift shopping was done online thanks to some wonderful store wide xx% off discounts that my favourite retailers have treated us all to.

There is still a lot of wrapping to do, a Kmart wishing tree gift for Ariana to pick out.. dry cleaning to drop off, shoes to be reheeled, bills to be paid and filed away, friends to have dinner with, clients to write cards for.  Over the holidays I will order some photo albums, rotate toys and toddler activities and clean out the kitchen cupboards.  Nothing beats leaving behind a spotless and organised home before heading off for holidays.  I also want to start a really, really small herb garden.... 

Beach bound

How was everyone's day? Christmas Day was frantic yet low key for us. I had mastered the art of travelling with a baby yet throwing a husband into the mix seemed to have throw the day into disarray. There were too many things to cart around and a baby who was waken from her nap. Thankfully the airport was relatively quiet and I had a delicious lunch to look forward to at the end of it. 

We are off to the beach tomorrow. I'm hanging for a swim. Or lots and lots of swims to be honest. It's the small things. 

Christmas baking - gingerbread and cupcakes

What do you do when the supermarket is handing out christmas cookie cutters?  You bake cookies!  My brother is an athlete and my parents are health freaks and I feel guilty eating a mass amount of sweets so I never have anyone to bake for.  Lucky that this year I have a wonderful mothers group that I can fatten up with cookies.  

And while we're baking cookies we may as well make use of this cute cupcake kit.  

It was my very first time baking gingerbread.  Had no idea where to start and was recommended THIS recipe.  As I was going along it did seem a bit dry, but it is truly perfect.  The dough felt and tasted absolutely amazing.  Recipe is fool proof, I promise. 

I'm not sure if I baked them for too long, or made them too thin (or if my oven sucks) but they were a little too crunchy and over baked.  But not to worry.  They are incredibly fun to bake and ice and I can't wait to do them with Ari when she's a bit older and can help decorate and press the cutters into the dough.  

Bit of cellophane, ribbon and a christmas gift tag and voila!

And the vanilla cupcakes were wonderful too!

Christmas gift brain storm

This year more than ever I am keeping the Christmas gift list short and simple and gifting relatively useful and simple and mostly inexpensive gifts.  My rule is always to give something that I would love to receive.  Here are some ideas for all ages and genders.  Including little ones.

Glasshouse - Night Before Christmas candle

Donna Hay cook book (I always love to wrap a cook book in a tea towel)

Reindeer noses chocolates

West Elm hammered trays

Aesop Travel Set

Korres Shower Gel Trio

Babyliss Pro curling wand

Clinique Chubby Stick

Chanel Mirror

Suits DVD box set to enjoy on the lazy days off not spent at the beach.  Best TV show around.

Australian Ballet Season Pass

Country Road beach towel - the best, best, best towels around

Everlane Weekend Bag

Louis Vuitton Luggage Tag

Beer & BBQ Cooking Class

Fisher Price - Baby's First Blocks - my absolute favourite children's toy for a range of ages.  Every little kid on my list is getting one of these.

Peggy Romper

That's Not My.... book

Keith Haring paint set

"Simple pleasures are always the last refuge of the complex" ~ Oscar Wilde

Peonies and David Austin roses on my dining table. Simple and beautiful.

I'm currently holed up at my parents house. I've spent a lot of time here this year. I've enjoyed the rest and break from routine although it's hard being away from B. It gives me some time to think and nap. I usually have too much going on and 8 months of broken sleep tends to catch up to you eventually. But not only rest. I can sit guilt free and catch up on emails and reading, something I used  to take for granted. Summer is mere days away. But at least the house has had a purge and clean. 

I took advantage of Ari dropping her 3rd nap to begin planning for Christmas. Even battled David Jones and came out unscathed. 

Ari is more grown up and more amazing with each day. I want to teach her to be kind and generous. I want to spoil her with unconditional love and support and not material things. She will get a few small token gifts . Some ornaments for the tree and a new outfit as per the cultural tradition. 

Scaling back has been good. The less you have the less you can manage without. Proven true this year.

Christmas Tree

 

We live across the road from a beautiful florist and despite being a grinch and hating the commercial aspect of Christmas, my husband got into the spirit of it and surprised me with a real Christmas tree.  Apparently these bad boys are slow to grow, so we will hang onto it for a few years and grow it and use it year in and year out.  Once you have a real Christmas tree, you can't go back to the plastic trees that's for sure.  

This month has utterly exhausted me and I'm looking forward to my parents arriving next week to fuss over me.  Sometimes it's fun to be spoilt like a child.

Summer party looks

I am honestly banging my head against the wall in regards to my summer wardrobe.  I have two work Christmas parties. A myriad of family Christmas events.  A concert.  Two weddings.  And a baptismn.  On top of a two week holiday.  One thing is for sure, well two.  Fake tan will play a major part and I will shop my wardrobe as much as possible.  Well, what remains that I didn't get rid of throughout the year.

On Tuesday I am going to a concert with my girlfriends.  I'll be honest and admit that I am not a concert goer.  I'm not one for ringing ears and crowds, but they somehow talked me into seeing JLo.

Nail polish-OPI On Collins Avenue, Lipstick-Maybelline Coral Crush (truly suits every complexion), Ring-Maria Maria Adjustable Pod Ring, Top-Witchery, Bandage skirt - Kookai (similar at Forever New), Clutch-Zara, Shoes-Christian Louboutin Decollete

For the work Christmas party (and at least one of the weddings) I have tracked down the very last knee length version of this dress in a raspberry pink.  I'm thinking a nude peeptoe pump or wedge, more fake tan and nude/bronze make up and accessories.  

I am really into bright nails and lips this season.  A cheap and wonderful way to update any look over the party season. OPI Cajun Shrimp should be in every beauty cupboard.

Recipe: Choc Chip Cookies

It's well past midnight and here I am baking cookies for my colleagues for our Christmas BBQ.  I'm terribly excited as we're "shutting shop" at midday and heading to a nearby park for a BBQ, prawns and champagne.  And it's going to be a warm and sunny day.  Happy!


I got home very late tonight as I went to the ballet (Swan Lake - wish it was Nutcracker), which didn't leave much time for cookie baking.  But I had promised everyone as I left the office.  What's a girl to do!?


These cookies are virtually fool proof and are very soft and fluffy. (provided that you do not overbake them like I did with the first batch tonight) Once lent is over, I'll be baking a round just for me.  It's torture with the smell wafting out of the oven and me surviving on carrot sticks and hummus.  But that's a story for another day.


Ingredients

150g melted, unsalted butter

100g brown sugar

100g caster sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 egg

1 egg yolk

300g flour (sifted)

1/2 teaspoon bicarb soda

1 x 300g choc chips


Preheat the oven to 160C
Whisk butter with sugar 
Add vanilla and eggs
Add flour and bicarb soda and slowly mix
Fold in choc chips and leave to rest in fridge for half an hour
Spoon a heaped table spoon of mixture on baking tray (ensure cookies are spread out as they do rise and expand)
Bake for 13-15 minutes


ENJOY!

A little gift guide...

I love giving presents.  Big or small. For any occasion.  I'm filled with joy when yet another friend has a baby and I'm allowed a trip to Purebaby to pick out some outfits.

When it comes to Christmas, I usually opt for something small and personal and relatively inexpensive.  Here's a list of my suggestions if you're still stuck that suits mosts.

Limited edition Swarovski pen with a cute charm. Love the 4 leaf clover one.

Chanel compact mirror

A simple cook book

Cannes film festival coffee table book

AMAZING Michael Buble Christmas album

A magical real life story to inspire for the new year

Chic travel wallet from Smythson

Limited edition Catherine Martin boxed Ferrero Rocher

Surfing lessons

Ovarian Cancer supporting item from Witchery