i’m not really digging on christmas this year. usually i manage to muster up a bit of christmas spirit and excitement, but to be honest, i would be happy if we could just give it a miss this time around.
not only is there the usual madness one encounters this time of year (last minute deadlines, christmas party hang-overs, remembering to buy presents for everyone), but raph is also taking the beatbox to falls festival. working out how he is going to potentially feed 16,000 people over 5 days during a period where lots of his suppliers are closed is a logistical and complicated nightmare. and to top it off he also has to be set up by boxing day, so it’s thrown our usual lovely-beach-dinner-with-friends plans (that i really really look forward to) astray. sigh. the things we do.
but, as we have children, there is no chance in hell we can skip christmas. and for their sake alone i don’t want to either. so last week i made some chirstmas effort – we brought a christmas tree and decorated it, and have had an advent calander to count down the days. and tomorrow i am hoping to shake the “bah humbug” out of me by baking gingerbread and making some other christmasy type things too.
i thought of another way to lift my christmas spirits – make yet another dream present list:
* shine shine cushions:
all the way from cape town and featuring prints by the amazing heidi chisholm. my lounge room is crying out for some of this bold crazy african style. if i was brave enough i would cover a whole couch in one of the textiles too. available in australia through tractor home and one of my fav melbourne stores – after (99 thierry st, melbourne, which is now bigger and better!)
* taxidermy budgie from cottage industry:
i am quite partial to a spot of taxidermy. i once had a taxidermy duckling but it was eaten by my dad’s standard poodle. these budgies are great colours and not too expensive either (you read more about them on penelope’s blog). i’ll have 3 thanks.
* karen walker sunglasses:
i’m not big on sunglassses. when i wear them it makes me feel like i am in 2 dimensions. but i really should (trying to be more sun-smart and all). so after a long search these are the only ones it want. and of course they are limited edition and only available in NZ. so typical.
* anything from angelucci 20th century:
i have been a fan of angelucci for years – dean sold me my first featherston and eames chairs way back before i knew children could destroy them. he still has eames and featherston but also lots more beautiful things – rorstrand ceramics, danish table linen and the best cane chairs i have ever seen.
* frankie spaces book:
i am sure you have seen this featured in lots of places, but that’s because its really really good. if i don’t receive it as a present, i will be buying it first thing boxing day
* ALL knitwear.
i have been admiring annie larson’s hand knitted goods for a few months, and contimplating which one to order, when low and behold there they were right on gertrude st in cute new store (and french school!!) dagmar rousset. this knitwear is the best thing i have seen in AGES. i chose this top becuase its cute and summery but there are about a thousand other pieces that are equally (if not more) as awesome. check out annie’s flickr and prepare to be gob-smacked with the best colour combo’s you have possibly ever seen.
* mary and matt chocolate:
hands down best designed chocolate ever. one of my favourite blogs too. available from third drawer down
* a gigantic cacti
in particular one from collectors corner, the best plant store in melbourne. they also sell dinosaur fossils and crystal. really, this place deserves a blog post all to itself. maybe it could be an upcoming holiday special.
that’s enough self indulgence for now, although i think i may have succeeded in making me feel a little more festive. or do i just want to go shopping?
hope you are surviving the pre-christmas madness out there…. bring on 2011 i say! xx
