Christmas Gift Guide:: Your Mama - 12 Gift Ideas

Holy toledo Batman, it's been a while since I've been inside my blog, tapping away at the keyboard. I haven't forgotten it, but life's gotten hectic. 

But you know you can ALWAYS count on me for a gift guide or two (or three, depends how excited I get!). 

So let's kick off this party with gifts I'd love. And maybe your mama, your sister or your bestie might like 'em too. 

1. Super Lush Drop Earrings by Each to Own $80: Hands down these are my favourite earrings - they're sparkly, jaw-droopingly great, and they're surprisingly light! Made in Brisbane by Kirsten Devitt, these are the must-have for the party of the year, Christmas. 

2. Traveller Tee by Obus $79: You and I, we can argue 'til the cows come home, but you can never have enough stripy tees. And this just looks like it's the tiggety boo. Relaxed cut in a sunshine-yellow, hard to beat those classic good looks. 

3. Nars Lip Gloss in Orgasm from Mecca Cosmetica $39: If anyone gives me a nude lipgloss, I could pretty much just marry them right then and there on the spot. I love me a gloss, and this is a great nude that's go anywhere, do anything. 

4. Tresko Clog from Elk Accessories $145: So I saved Santa some time and bought these already to pop in my stocking on Christmas morning. It's saving him some bag space, and I am all about being helpful. Right?

5. Gold Plate Irregular Band from Elk Accessories $55: I love stacking up my rings - not just for the look but the for the gentle jangle all day. I feel like a hip librarian, and the organic shape and matte finish of this bangle is extra appealing. 

6. Belgian Linen Pillowcase in Rose from west elm $49: If you know me well you'll know that there's no greater everyday luxury I love than fresh linen pillowcases. And I am majorly crushing over this soft blush hue. 

7. City of Shadows by Peter Doyle (bundle set - including my favourite book 'Crooks Like Us') from Sydney Living Museums $79: Peter Doyle was one of my lecturers at university, and I was always enthralled by what he spoke about. Ever since I've been hooked on his books. And this makes for pretty compelling reading. But not for bedtime. 

8. Dahlia Shower Cap in Pink Painterly Floral by Louvelle $40: The best! The most instant! The most stylish! This is - I promise you, I vouch from experience, the quickest way to add glamour to an outfit. I have one and I adore it. Old school glamour at it's best! 

9. Ruby Pilven X Radical Yes 'Yes!' Ring $40: I am mad about these cool ceramic rings. Sassy, shiny and super fun, I love them stacked or single. 

10. Brass Chef's Pepper Mill from Mr Kitly $86: These feel so good in hand. I know this because on our wedding anniversary breakfast at bills I picked it up, and besides being in love with my husband, I feel truly, madly deeply in love with it. I haven't stopped coveting it yet. 

11. Kanye Tote by Club of Odd Volumes $35: Oh man!! This is the best. If you're beloved has a sense of humour, give them this - and make Kanye carry your load. 

12. Marrackech Hat from Fabrik $88: Handmade in Marrakech and hand embellished in LA, these hats have spunk! Plus I can't go a summer without a new hat, and I rarely go outside without one, so this could be the one for 2015!


Need some gift ideas? Hit me up! I'll try my best to help you! 

Last Minute Christmas Gifts?

I gave my kids some chickens for Christmas. Cute, fluffy, egg-laying, cheeping chickens.

Except they don't get the chickens. They're going to someone in need so they can collect the eggs, eat the eggs, sell the eggs. 

My kids were both pretty chuffed with their chickens - even when they realised the chickens weren't coming to live with us. 

Which made me think about last minute gift ideas, because I LOVE last minute gift ideas that give back. They're the best kind!

1. Chickens from TEAR Australia $5 each: Give the gift of a chicken to help those in poverty learn to raise chickens, build chicken coops, keep chickens healthy - and also give them chickens. 

2. Breakfast for a child in South Africa from Oxfam $20: This gift goes towards meals and life-saving programs for children in South Africa who are living with HIV.

3. Donate to The Katrina Dawson Foundation: In memory of a bright and brilliant woman, the foundation is focussed on the education of women and is now taking donations.

4. In memoriam of Tori Johnson - donate to Beyond Blue: Tori always believed in helping others and always taking a positive approach. In this spirit we have started a fund to raise money for beyondblue, a fantastic cause that Tori’s family have chosen to support. beyondblue is a national initiative to raise awareness of anxiety and depression, providing resources for recovery, management and resilience.  

5. Don't attend the Hamlin Fistula Christmas event: The best Christmas party you won't be attending. Donations will go towards food for patients and the hardworking midwives who work tirelessly in Ethiopia to help women suffering from obstetric fistulas. 

Making a donation in someone's name is a pretty awesome thing, I believe. 

Big love, big, big love. x

Yo! Yo! Yo! Jingling all the way with Bondville

In the last of my Jingling all the Way series, I chat with super Steph from Bondville. Steph's site is this awesome and inspiring hub of local designers, artists and crafters - supporting our Aussie community. She does an outstanding job and always has something creative and cool on the boil. 

I often pop over to Bondville to find out the latest and greatest in Australian design, and find inspiration for cool gifts. 

Let's cut to the chase, let's go!

What do you do on Christmas eve?

We are so lucky to have family based on the Sunshine Coast, so Christmas Eve we are likely to be veging out on a couch under a ceiling fan after a day at the beach. Oh, and wrapping presents. I'm soooo last minute. 

Please tell me your favourite Christmas childhood memory.

My favourite childhood Christmas memory is unwrapping all the decorations to trim the tree. Each piece of tissue paper had to be gentle removed to reveal a nostalgic ornament that my sister and I had made, or been given. It was a lovely long, slow process as many decorations were fragile. Then finding the perfect spot on the tree for each one. I make sure that my girls have the same great experience each year and I love to hear their exclamations: "remember this one!?!" and "oh I love this one!". And... my sister and I wore matching red and green Christmas dresses that my Mum made for us, and that my girls now wear. Too cute.

What did you leave out for Santa? 

A biscuit and a beer. Definitely beer.

What time do you get up on Christmas morning?

As soon as the kids are up, and with daylight savings in QLD, that's 5am!

Favourite part of Christmas?

Relaxing with my family at my parents' house and having 24/7 babysitters - they are amazing with the kids. We get to go on Date Night nearly every night! 

What's on your wish list this year?

I picked up my big Christmas wish list item a little early this year at the Armadillo & Co. rug sample sale. Loving it already! As we travel for Christmas, we have to go very light on presents; also OK by me. But if I didn't have to take hand luggage into consideration, I would wish for a yellow butterfly chair, a Gorman lobster bucket hat, an Eames Hang-It-All from Living Edge, some new Pony Rider cushions, Beci Orpin's Make & Do book or Jerusalem by Yotam Ottolenghi.

What's one thing you'll be gifting/giving this year?

Our family is into US-style BBQ (in a big way), so my husband is getting the Myron Mixon Smokin' cookbook - everyone wins! 


Take a look at Bondville here. 
And follow Steph on Instagram, pronto! 

Yo! Yo! Yo! Jingling all the way with the red thread

"Christmas 2005. Roxy was almost 2... this is what it's all about."

Continuing on our merry journey, chatting with some of my favourite bloggers, today I'm chatting with the lovely Lisa Tilse of the red thread. 

I've been lucky enough to known Lisa for a few years. Perhaps when I first started reading craft blogs and dreaming that I too could be crafty (I can't). Over this time I've had the great joy of working with Lisa. She's an immense talent, completely humble, and the kindest, most generous person you could meet. 

I freaking love her. This interview just made me love her even more. 

Let's find out what puts the star on Lisa's Christmas tree. Or what makes her baubles burst. Let's do it! 

What do you do on Christmas eve?

Sometimes we go to look at Christmas lights, but we always listen to Carols sung by Dean Martin, organise refreshments for Santa and the reindeers, and I do last minute wrapping. Oh and I always spend a protracted time asking Roxy to control her excitement and go to sleep.

Please tell me your favourite Christmas childhood memory.

I loved the year that I got my dragster bike, complete with a floral seat, handlebar streamers and a basket. I think the bike was purple. Every Christmas was special growing up though - mum planned the menu for weeks, and we always shared the day with my nan, uncles and aunts and cousins. We had a huge family feast of everything from prawns and salad to roast and vegies, pudding and ice cream cake, followed by present opening... and thankfully never any family tension or conflicts!

What did you leave out for Santa? 

Usually fruit mince pies and a beer. When I realised the truth about Santa it became clear why Santa liked the same things as my dad.

What time do you get up on Christmas morning?

We are early risers everyday, but Christmas day is even earlier. It's usually around 5 or 5.30!

Favourite part of Christmas?

Everything. I love Christmas. I love the lead up to it and the decorating and planning as well as the happiness and excitement of the actual day. The photos above capture the spirit perfectly for me: excitement, joy, magic, innocence.

What's on your wish list this year?

Honestly there's nothing that I really need or wish for, but I do always love to receive design, art and craft books.

What's one thing you'll be gifting/giving this year?

Roxy is getting to an age where she likes to make her own decisions about many things, so one of her gifts will be some cash so she can buy a couple of things in the sales.I know she'll go for clothes and books! It's also good practice for her in managing money and making choices - supervised of course!

Read Lisa's blog - the red thread - here. 

Follow Lisa on Instagram here (seriously, do it, you can thank me later). 

Life's too short not to have a Christmas tree

This year I had given up on having a Christmas tree. I felt too tired. Too sick. And it was too much to think about hauling an oversized prickly tree home, and then no one seemed to have any Christmas trees left, and I didnt have the energy to ask Matt to search for one, so I quietly forgot about it. Instead we pulled out our very small and unassuming fake tree and I thought - "that will do."

And then I woke up this morning and felt a bit better (in myself). But immensely sad. Like the biggest grey cloud was settling in above Sydney. How do you move on when others won't be able to? 

But we must. As painful as it is when you are grieving, life goes on. And there's something comforting in that fact too.

I drove past a service station - and lo and behold - a swarm of Christmas trees. I pulled over. I walked in and paid my money. The man who served me said: "Have you got someone to help you get it in your car?" I replied, no. He said: "How are you going to get it in your car?" I told him I'd wrangle it in. He laughed. I thought - clearly you don't know my mother, Chief Wrangler of Things. He told me he'd see if someone could come out and help me. I walked back out. And I wrangled that tree into the car. And before he'd even come out, I was in my car and driving off. 

Life's too short not to have a Christmas tree. 

Christmas Gift Guide: For Teenage Boys

Teenagers. Ah teenagers. So angsty. So cool. 

I remember being a teenager so well. And then I cringe. 

But let's not talk about me wearing oversized Keppers and Malcolm X t-shirts. No. Let's press on and talk about my ideas for Christmas gift giving for teenagers. Then we can all celebrate something. Lolz. 

Without further ado. YOLO. 

1. DIY Synth Kit X Technology Will Save Us from Third Drawer Down $45: Make your own electro musical instruments with this cool kit that requires no soldering required. This could keep them busy for hours. 

2. Folding Crate from The SuperCool $5: Available in a whole range of colours, these would make a cool gift to get your teenager to tidy their room (but pretend it's on their terms). You could pop a few goodies in there, and organisation could soon be the new nirvana. Just no one tell Kurt I said that. 

3. Pizza pillowcase from Kip & Co $24.50: As someone that was once a teenager, I can tell you, sleep is pretty good. And so is pizza. So why not combine these two great loves into one dreamy reality?

4. RVCA Chine 5 Panel Cap from Surfstitch $39.95: They'll look cool - and have some sun protection. 

5. Tre table lamp from Freedom $139: Give the gift of good lighting! Whether it's on a desk or a bedside, I really, really love this lamp (so much so that I own two!). It's a really practical task lamp, that oozes style. 

6. Clear Start Trial set from Dermalogica $35: I once gave some of this to my nephews and they really loved it. Remember battling your skin woes when you were a teenager? Well this is the stuff that dreams are made of. 

7. Voice and Accents workshop at the Australian Theatre for Young People $160: Get them mixing with some fresh peeps, give them a boost of confidence and arm them with some new skills to have fun! 

8. Movie Gift Card from Event Cinemas $25: Who doesn't love going to see a movie on the big screen? 

9. Everlast Prime Mantis Boxing Focus Pads from Rebel $80: Encourage them to get fit and get all their frustrations out with some swift manoeuvres and a great energy outlet. 

10. Pineapple lamp from Lark $195: Big ticket item, but heck, it packs a punch (but don't add this to the punch). Gifting pieces for their bedroom can get them in there and tidying up before you can even pour yourself a pina colada. 


Want more ideas? 

What about some daily fragrance - you could make a whole gift pack up! (My sister did this once and the boys LOVED it - complete with a toiletries bag to hold everything.)

Tickets to a game? Sydney Kings are in their high season. Get court side together. 

Vouchers are always good - for music, books, or clothes. You can never fail. 

Christmas Gift Guide:: For Men

I am lying in bed sick for the second day. Seriously. Someone save me. 

Given I am so incredibly busy in bed, I've put together a gift guide for men. 

Notoriously difficult to buy for, I've done some trouble shooting that will mean you'll score a slam dunk in the gift giving department. Go on. Get shopping.

1. Hookey Board from The SuperCool $40: Hours of fun, he can brood all he likes while getting points on the board with this classic. 

2. Grown Alchemist Body Cleanser 500ml $34.95: Have you smelt this? Well you jolly well should. It's sublime, and anything that gets him into the shower gets the tick of approval from this wife. 

3. The Chivas Shave from The Barber Shop $48: I am a really big fan of giving experiences - and I love the idea of a traditional cutthroat razor shave, while he enjoys a Chivas Signature cocktail. That's pretty sweet. 

4. Sveg Overnight bag from Elk $245: Plant the seed, watch it grow. Give him this beautiful overnight bag and he might take the hint and whisk you away on a romantic getaway. A girl's got to dream.

5. Makr Bottle Key from Mr Kitly $18: Made to blend into your keys (but not be turned into one) this bottle opener is pretty nifty to have, and I think makes a practi-cool gift for the guy on the run.

6. D.R. Harris Windsor Eau de Toilette 100ml from Saison $89.95: A fresh citrus fragrance that warms into black pepper and vetiver - YUM! Traditional, understated and good hit of summery goodness. 

7. LAMY Al-Star Rollerball Pen from Notemaker $49: I am a bit of a pen nerd, so sue me. No don't. But seriously, there's nothing nicer than writing with a good pen. Maybe you'll even get a love letter or 52. 

8. Extreme Speed Boat Ride - 60 mins for 2 people from Red Balloon $140: I took Matt on one of these for a wedding anniversary gift. Despite his reluctance (and my super excitement) he loved it. It was THE BEST FUN EVER!!! Looking at him on this was like looking at a puppy with its head sticking out the car window soaking up life (in the best possible way). Honestly. We got off this ride, and immediately started thinking about who we could gift it to. It's SO MUCH FREAKING FUN! 

9. The Art of Sourdough bread making class at Brasserie Bread $140: We don't need more things, but we knead bread. HA! See what I did there. I'd be pretty wrapt if Matt started baking a fresh loaf here and there.

10. A goat from Oxfam Unwrapped $39: You read it right! Give the man a goat. It'll give everyone plenty to smile about. 

Yo! Yo! Yo! Jingling all the way with Sunday Collector

"I like to theme my Christmas wrapping every year. Attached is a photo of my efforts for 2012 - confetti and luggage tags. It usually takes me hours to wrap all my presents (I have a big family), but it's something I love to do." Briar Stanley, Sunday Collector

If you don't know Sunday Collector, then you really owe it to yourself to take a look. 

Briar Stanley, the brains and beauty behind Sunday Collector is an interior decorator, mother, wife, and all-round bloody awesome. She shares her beautiful inspiration, a keen eye and tales of her incredibly gorgeous baby-child Sunday. 

I can not get enough of Sunday Collector. 

If I was going to get Briar a Christmas gift, I'd give her: a pair of oversized designer sunnies - because she looks like a mega-star. 

Let's go! Let's talk to Briar!

What do you do on Christmas eve?

My mum hosts an early dinner for all of us (my sisters, their husbands and kids). We contribute with different dishes, and we are all really in to our food - so it's quite the feast. The past five years my mum has also made giant and fabric bonbons (I'm talking 50cm in length, 20cm in diameter), so it's becoming a bit of a tradition at the dinner table on the eve of Christmas. 

Please tell me your favourite Christmas childhood memory.

After all the presents were open, my Mum would always give me a giant pinwheel lollipop and I was allowed to eat for breakfast (always on the lawn, so I didn't get sticky fingers on the sofa). 

What did you leave out for Santa? 

Beer and carrots. Although, I remember feeling deeply concerned that Santa must be getting very drunk if every child was leaving things like beer out. 

What time do you get up on Christmas morning?

As a child it was around 5am. My Mum tells the story that I'd yell "He's beeeeeen!" from the loungeroom and wake up the whole house. I'd then inform my sisters what big items had arrived for them from Santa before they'd even got out of bed. Something my family calls 'fizz-gigging' which apparently means snooping around wrapped presents. One of my strongest memories of my dear old Nan at Christmas time is her saying to me "Stop your fizz-gigging buggar-lugs!!"

These days, with a toddler who doesn't seem to sleep - it's back to 5am wake ups. 

Favourite part of Christmas?

Giving gifts to my loved ones and the food coma after a long, late lunch on the big day. 

What's on your wish list this year?

This cute watch.

And anything from this recent gift guide I compiled on my blog.

What's one thing you'll be gifting/giving this year?

Crayola scissors for by 2 year old daughter, Sunday. If she's got scissors, stickers and some paper, she's a happy girl. 

Check out Sunday Collector here. 

And follow Briar on Instagram pronto. 

Yo! Yo! Yo! JIngling all the way with Gourmet Girlfriend

Generous of spirit and knowledge, Gourmet Girlfriend is one of those women you'd love to have as your neighbour.

I've been lucky enough to know Ruth for the last few years. She's always on, always full of energy, and always awesome. Ruth regularly shares wholesome, nutritious and delicious recipes on her blog - among my favourites are her gozleme (my favourite Sunday night quickie).

If I was getting Ruth a gift for Christmas, I'd get her: some new colourful clogs!

Let's get to what you really want to hear. Let's talk to Ruth.

What do you do on Christmas eve?

Mostly panic about getting the presents wrapped in time. 

Please tell me your favourite Christmas childhood memory.

I can't think of one stand out memory- because it feels like every one was a standout. Christmas time was always a delight in our house. A noisy kitchen filled with activity & delicious smells. My parents were always in great spirits and our house was always filled with extra people and a generally overwhelming feeling of love & joy. There was always plenty of food, loud music and favourite people- the triumvirate of all good celebrations. 

What did you leave out for Santa? 

We always left a really perfectly ripe stone suit or cherries & some home made Baileys Irish cream. 

What time do you get up on Christmas morning?

We are so lucky that our kids don't get up outrageously early- even on Christmas morning.  I think last year it was a very healthy 7am. 

Favourite part of Christmas?

Always it's the joy on the little kids faces when they see their Santa sacks which have gone from flat and sad looking nothingness on Christmas eve to an overflowing wilderness of surprises on Christmas morning. Just the BEST

What's on your wish list this year?

I have stopped wishing for things at Christmas.  I feel as if as I get older it is about being grateful of call the things I already have. 

What's one thing you'll be gifting/giving this year?

I will be using the Shout app to donate to a children's charity. 

Read more about Gourmet Girlfriend here. 
Follow Ruth on Instagram. 

pics are courtesy of Ruth, of her family decorating their Christmas tree. Cute. 

Yo! Yo! Yo! Jingling all the way with Hugo & Elsa

I'm kicking off my Christmas chats with the beautiful and talented Michelle of Hugo & Elsa. 

I started fraternising with Michelle's blog many, many years ago. When I was lucky enough to go on the Human Brochure with my family - Michelle went with her family too. It made the weekend so special to share that time with them, and get to know Michelle in person and not just via the interwebz. 

Pretty well living my dream life, Michelle upped sticks with her husband - and set up life in Tasmania 10 years ago. My master plan is to move in to the house next door. A girl can dream. And hey, Michelle loves cake and I love cake. It's pretty well meant to be. 

If I was going to give Michelle something for Christmas, I'd give her a: copper saucepan.

Without further ado, I give you Michelle's super inspiring take on Christmas. 

What do you do on Christmas eve?

Spiffing Crimbo Cocktails at the Dynsdale-Smyths.  We have some friends that live in a very nice house with a beautiful garden in the nearby town, and they traditionally host Christmas Eve drinks.  Called Spiffing Crimbo Cocktails, the theme is sort of Britain 1930s and the hosts call themselves the “Dynsdale-Smyth’s” for the night, and one must come dressed in one’s best. We sip cocktails on the lawn and might play a spot of badminton.  It’s awfully good fun. 

Please tell me your favourite Christmas childhood memory.
Christmases seem to take forever to come around as child.  Now as an adult they seem to come far more quickly.  I love that memory of the countdown to Christmas, which seemed to sooo looong. The giddy excitement, not being able to sleep the night before and trying to stay awake to catch a glimpse of Santa. 

What did you leave out for Santa? 
Milk and biscuits. And  a carrot for the Reindeers

What time do you get up on Christmas morning? 
These days not too early, around 6am. (who even am I?)

Favourite part of Christmas? 
Lunch of course! And the cherries. 

What’s on your wish list this year? 
A happy family.

What's one thing you'll be gifting/giving this year?

Handmade things to eat, I am so over stuff. I’m surprised everyone isn’t feeling the same way. Do you really need that battery operated doohickey? Another set of steak knives? As we’ll be spending Christmas in Sydney we will be bringing with us a suitcase full of delicious handmade Tasmanian gifts like honey, ham, and cider. Batteries not included. 

Find Hugo and Elsa here. 

Follow Michelle on Instagram.

Yo! Yo! Yo! Talking Christmas.

Over the next week I'm excited to be sharing with you some short, snappy interviews I did with some of my very, very favourite bloggers. 

Christmas is a really special time of the year for many people. I myself have always loved it, the decorating, the thinking about what to give people, the carols, catching up with old friends, and the general festivities, life feels buzzy and exciting. 

But today I thought I'd share my view on Christmas. It's like a mini-interview with moi, to share why Christmas is special to me. A selfie-interview if you will. 

What do you do on Christmas eve? 

Madly wrap presents. Matt's family has their European tradition, so sometimes it's a family gathering. But generally it's madly wrapping presents and getting ready for Santa's visit. And then not being able to sleep because I am so excited. 

Tell me your favourite Christmas childhood memory.

My grandparents, Mars and Gramps, had an enclosed verandah on their house. They lived out on a big property that we loved to roam when we were small. Christmas was when the house was heaving with all the cousins, running around. We played endless rounds of Mah Jong, built cubby houses down by the creek, and used to dig for old coins and pieces of glass in the remains of a very old house. 

Mars kept the deep freezer filled with Zooper Doopers, and I remember the stifling hot, oppressive summer, choosing one of those icy treats was a real highlight - life was good. I remember going to bed on Christmas Eve and I to this day swear - I could hear the bells on Santa's sleigh as he flew through the night sky. 

What did you leave out for Santa? 

Usually a beer. Some biscuits or fruit cake, and absolutely a big bowl of water and some carrots and oats for the reindeer. 

What time do you get up on Christmas morning?

Early. Too early. The Doctor and Tiny are avid early risers. But  I can't complain, it's what makes Christmas so exciting.

Favourite part of Christmas?

My kids are my favourite part of Christmas. They make it magical. I love listening to them opening their presents. That innocence and excitement, I just wish I could bottle it. 

What's on your wish list this year?

Not much really, but I would love a new hydrangea. But I'd be happy with a handmade card. They always make me happy. 

What's one thing you'll be gifting/giving this year? 
I have not even started shopping yet! I can never go past the OxFam Unwrapped gifts. They're funny, clever - and they give to people who really need. Every year I like to buy some of these because they give back. And that's awesome.