{christmas} sunday sneaky peek

farewell friday

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27888428@N00/ / CC BY 2.0

Farewell to this week and hello weekend. I hope to see you on the other side with pics of my Christmas tree up!

If I DO get a spare five minutes breather I have some more great shopping ideas to share with you all.

Have a great weekend. xo

nearly done

I've been at it again. Shopping that is. And I'm pleased to report that I'm nearly done with all my Christmas shopping. I will probably buy little bits and pieces closer to Christmas, such as photo frames but mostly I'm done! I can't believe it. This would have to be the most organised I have been for Christmas. Ever.

To share with you again, here are some more of the stores I have been supporting in my 'buying online/handmade/small business' venture.

As well as all that, I have already ordered my Christmas cards and stamps too. Since having children I decided to get cards printed as I just find it so difficult to sit and write lots of cards now. This way I can still add a small message if I like but otherwise they can be sent as is. The first year I did a photo card but since having Zoe and Josh becoming a toddler it is impossible for me to get decent photos of the two of them together so I opted for a Christmas design this year instead.

Image: tiny*prints

This year I decided to use tiny*prints  for my cards and I have to say I was VERY impressed with their customer service, reasonable postage, fast delivery from US and outstanding quality of the cards/printing. I will definitely be using them again.

Spring cleaning is going well. Trip to Ikea will happen tomorrow while my mum can look after children. I have been crazy enough to take both kids in the double pram to Ikea before, but not keen to try it again. My aim now is to finish styling our dining room by getting the bookshelves  and the Christmas tree up on the weekend, tidy up my work space corner and then add further Christmas decorations. Phew! And I still have my bedroom to attack after that.

morning and congratulations

Image: Thai Jasmine

Good morning all!

Hello hello hello this fine morning. A lovely comfortable temperature after yesterday's Sydney hot craziness.....phew!

This morning I'd love to announce that the winner of the Piper + Lily giveaway is Smallish! If you could get in touch with me with your details and I will pass them on to Natasha who will post out your gorgeous necklace.

I'm off to entertain a bouncing toddler and put a little bubba to bed for a morning nap. Then I need to attempt to continue my spring/summer clean of my house. We have guests coming for a bbq on the 5 December and my plan is to finish setting up our dining room with Christmas tree up and decorated by that date! I have a lot of work ahead of me, including a trip to Ikea for bookshelves for our burgeoning collection. Hubby and I both come from families of avid readers which means a LOT of books to store (and I've already culled many too!).

Will come back when I manage to resurface from the piles of books surrounding me.

{Product feature} Monstar Kids

Just wanted to share this fantastic Australian childrens label with you that I have just discovered - Monstar Kids. It is designed and handmade in Australia by Fiona Roy. The range is designed for boys and girls aged 6 months to 8 years.

There are some great designs in the collection, including the boys range. Having a boy myself I've always found it hard to find simple, cute clothes for boys and these are perfect!

I love all the red and whites too. There are some great possibilities for Christmas outfits.

Monstar Kids is stocked at many boutiques in Australia including Millie Molly Moo. Go and check it out!

smile

Image: printspace

{giveaway} piper + lily

I've been continuing my online Christmas shopping and wanted to share this store with you too. piper + lily sells gorgeous little handmade wares for little people. When I saw these fabric necklaces I was totally in love and knew my nieces would be too. I have stocked up on some of these necklaces and they will be wrapped and ready for Christmas this week. Aren't they great?

Natasha is the lovely owner of piper + lily and she sells lots of other beautiful things - cotton slippers, skirts, bibs, tag blocks, jewellery - all wonderfully handmade. This week, for one lovely reader of this blog, Natasha is offering  a fabric necklace. Go take a look at Natasha's store and leave a comment below sharing your favourite item and you will go into the draw to win. It might just make a lovely Christmas gift to a special little girl in your life.

Natasha also has a blog you can follow here.

The giveaway will be open all week and I will draw a winner next Monday morning.

Good luck!!