Hi there!
I totally forgot to post my new video before I went away on holiday. I’m talking about my Christmas reading list 2011. You can watch it if you like, even though Christmas is soon coming to an end 
I hope you’re all enjoying the holidays, and that you got a lot of books for Christmas. I did, so I’ll probably make a video on that soon too + a book shelf tour Enjoy!
As I sit here eating candy from my Christmas stocking, watching TV and curling up in the sofa with a blanket and my dachshund, there is only one thing left to say this December
♥ Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays ♥
I hope your Christmas will be as magical, cozy, relaxing, peaceful and beautiful as you have hoped for. I am on my Christmas-blog-break from today on, so I’ll see you again in 2012.
From all of us to all of you: loads of Christmas love ♥
Good morning!
It’s the day before Christmas, and I am officially on my way home to celebrate the holidays with my family. I am driving home for Christmas so to say. Since I enjoy relaxing and doing nothing during Christmas, I thought it would be nice to give you a few last minute Christmas tips (because tomorrow you should all just stay at home with your loved ones instead of running around town shopping). If you have any shopping left – today is the day to finish!
If you still haven’t bought all your Christmas gifts, here are a few things that should be fairly easy to get a hold of everywhere
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BOOKS
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens & other Christmas books
I adore giving and recieving books for Christmas. A friend once told me, when people ask her what she wants for Christmas, she awnsers: “Your favourite book!”. I think that’s a genious idea! Imagine how many different kinds of books you’ll end up reading! I also firmly believe in giving away presents that you love yourself (I must admit, some of my loved ones will end up unwrapping some of my favourite books on Christmas day).
If you’re not a reader yourself, you can always ask the people in the bookstore what they recommend. Thay are bound to have a few favourites themselves
SWEETS
Jelly Belly Christmas mix 2011
I’m a big fan of recieving candy for Christmas. It can even be cookies or homemade Christmas treats. Anything will do. Who doesn’t love food, right? What about making a small basket of sweets and treats? You can’t go wrong with some chocolate or a gift certificate for Ben & Jerrys icecream
CLOTHING
Some of my friends or family members always get a scarf or mittens for Christmas, and you know what? They actually love it! It’s so easy to misplace a mitten or leave your scarf behind somewhere. That’s why I think asseccories are great gifts. You can’t really get enough of them. You can always personalize them by choosing the colors and patterns to fit the reciever, and they come in all prize ranges.
GIFT SETS
Christmas gift set 2011 – Bath & Bodyworks
I always love Christmas gift sets from The Body Shop, Boots, Bath & Bodyworks etc. A girl can never get enough make-up/body lotions and things that smell good. I personally prefer lotions that smell of different Christmas scents (gingerbread/candy canes/spices). Some of these sets are so beautifulle wrapped from the shop, that sometimes the sight of the box is a gift in itself
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That’s that for this years Christmas shopping tips. Please remeber that it’s not the cost, but the thought behind the gift that matters. Have a lovely and Christmasy day!
Love ♥
Hi everyone!
As I opened my advent calendar this morning, I realized – we”re only 2 days away from Christmas. I can’t believe how fast December went this year. I guess it’s because I’m busier than last year with work etc. Still…we’ve had many cosy Christmasy December days this year as well.
So how are you guys doing with your Christmas preparations? I’m all finished, I only have to pack my bag for tomorrow as we are going away for the Christmas weekend. I am thinking about the books I want to take with me, and I’ll try to post a Christmas reading list video on YouTube before take-off The safest thing to bring is my Kindle, just in case I end up reading alot all weekend.
How are your Christmas traditions? Here in Norway we celebrate Christmas a bit different than in other countries. December 24th is our big Christmas day. That’s when we eat our main Christmas dinner, open presents (in the evening), get our Christmas stocking and get together with family. Santa Clause comes to visit in the evening (no secret visits down the chimney during the night), and he gives us our presents directly from his gift bag. I have always imagined it to be connected with time zones and the fact that Santa lives closer to Norway than for example the US (and therefore he comes here first) December 25th is just another holiday for us, relaxing and eating lots of food. Isn’t that what Christmas is all about?
I guess that’s it for my Christmas rambling for today. I’m just really looking forward to my Christmas vacation (starting from tonight). I’ll be back tomorrow with some last minute Christmas tips.
Love ♥
Hello!
If you are like me (a bit slow sometimes), you probably haven’t bought fillers to your loved ones Christmas stockings yet. I have started, but probably have to go shopping for the rest later today. As a last minute try to help those of you who are late, I have a few stocking filler tips
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GIRLS
Socks – Hand sanitizer – Eye mask – Nail polish – Headphones – Necklace – Body lotion – Jelly Belly – Candy cane
BOYS
Jelly Belly – Key cover – Book – Mittens – Candy – Too little sleep survival kit – Robot headphone sharing booth - Paper tweet – Bookmark – Licorice
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I hope you’ve found a few last minute tips! Also make sure to fill up your Christmas stockings with loads of candy
It’s time to round up all the Christmas preparations and start relaxing/enjoying the holidays.
Love ♥
Hi dears!
On Sunday we went to the opera house for the annual Nutcracker ballet. It was as lovely as always, and they had even changed the choreography a bit this year. I think my favourite part is when Clara and the Prince go into the snowy forest (the music with the choir is so beautiful – and then it starts to snow…awwww). Oh – and we must not forget the always beautiful and lovely Sugar Plum Fairy
As I sat there watching Clara and the others dance, I started thinking about how many productions this spesific ballet must have had throughout the years, I wondered if there had been dramatically different versions played. In order to figure this out, I Googled, and here are some of the many versions that have been played
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A contemporary version called “Krakatuk” was played at Circus on Fontanka. They combined the original idea behind The Nutcracker with theatre and circus. Exciting stuff, but maybe not to everyones taste?
Matthew Bourn decided to make a new version, where the children were in an orphanaged (very Dickens-like). They also sport some very untraditional costumes and scenography.
Rudolf Nureyev made a Freudian version for the Royal Swedish ballet in 1967. In this version the heroin grows up to become the Sugar Plum Fairy. That would be fun to watch!
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Personally, I think I prefer the “original” story. Just plain forward as it was intended. Call me boring, I just think some things are best done the way they were supposed to be done.
Love ♥
Hi!
I’m just stopping by to wish you all a pleasant weekend. I’ve spent my day decorating, cleaning, tidying, wrapping some presents and baking Christmas cookies. I’ve been busy, but that’s kind of how it is before Christmas I kind of like it too…all this prepping before the big holiday.
Tomorrow I’m going to see the Nutcracker. It’s such a nice Christmas tradition, and Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without it. I’ll also finish my Christmas shopping and get some stocking fillers. I’m thinking about writing a post on stocking fillers, as it’s such a treat to prepare/make (I think). You can really personalize the stocking by choosing the right filling. I love it
So, I’ll finish off with these lovely links, and wish you all a happy, holly weekend!
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I love these DIY Christmas decorations. You can really personalize it by adding the ornaments you love.
If you’re looking for natural Christmas decorations, try using pinecones. They actually look like small Christmas trees!
If I had a biiiig, modern house, I would probably love having a Christmas tree made out of glass. So chic and pretty!
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Love ♥
Good morning everyone!
I’m up early today to give my dog some extra TLC before leaving him alone while I’m at work. I’m trying to scratch his belly with my left hand while typing with my right. It’s slow, but oh – so cosy.
On to todays post… I didn’t know this. I hadn’t noticed. I didn’t realise that you can actually:
GO ICE SKATING ON THE EIFFEL TOWER!!!!!
Yes, I was stunned when I saw this. Last year, the Eiffel tower opened a skating rink on the first floor of the tower. It’s not particularly big, but just imagine how magical it must be to actually skate there! Watch out New York Rockefeller Center – Paris will soon rule the Christmas skating business
If you live nearby Paris, the skating rink is open between December 15th and February 9th. Happy skating!
Love ♥
Hi there!
I’m sorry for my two days away. I have been out and about, doing stuff and keeping busy. You know….it’s the season to be occupied.
Today though, I’m here, and I’ll give you a lovely post on different kinds of Christmas treats that you can make (and perhaps give away) for Christmas.
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Making a delicious sweet can be super simple: dip candycanes in chocolates and let them set for a few minutes. It’s so yummy to put these in your coffe / hot chocolate for an extra tingy taste. Mmmm…
I love fudge (but my teeth don’t) These clever pieces of Christmas fudge are made with cookie cutters to get a seasonal shape. They are also beautifulle decorated!
Photography by Annie, With Sprinkles on Top
I can’t imagine anyone NOT liking these super sweet cupcakes! How clever to decorate them into small raindeers. These would look fantastic on the children’s table after Christmas dinner.
Daisy’s World made these adorable Santa Hat Brownies from Sweet Tooths recipie. I am dying to bring out a platter of these brownie pieces this Christmas for my friends and family.
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Now go on and start cooking/baking/doing magic! I know I will try to make some of these this upcoming weekend.
Love ♥
Hi everyone!
As you all know, I am addicted to my dog. He is my little baby and I love him to death. Since he is such an important creature, I always give him some nice Christmas gifts. This year he will get a new, big, soft dog bed + of course some snacks.
If you’ve got a special 4-legged someone in your life, here’s a few tips on what to give him/her for Christmas
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There will be no doggie birthday or Christmas without a new loofa dog! Pet Smart have got the holiday editions, and I promise your doggie will LOVE it!
Do like me, and give your dog a soft bed to snooze in. I fell for this soft and cozy bed surrounded by high walls (to make sure that your beloved friend doesn’t fall out of bed during an interesting dream).
If you let your dog sleep in your bed or couch, make sure he doesn’t have to jump to get there. Too much jumping up and down from furniture will be rough on his back. A staircase like this one is both decorative and smart!
Snacks are important, and you should make sure there’s a little treat underneath the Christmas tree for your little doggie. These dog treats are shaped and colored to match the season.
For the dog who needs a bit of pampering – this adorable soap-on-a-rope will be the perfect holiday gift.
And if you decide to give your dog a bath, why not tuck him in this lovely bathrobe afterwards? Your dog will love you for it (unless you start laughing of him)
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I hope you take your dog in on some of the Christmas preparations this year. My doxie is always nearby as I’m baking Christmas cookies or putting up some decorations.
Love ♥