christmas spirit...

in my mind i have a perfectly adorned christmas tree and lots of handmade decorations up around our house from december 1st and we play carols and decorate gingerbread and complete other various activities that our homemade advent calendar has outlined for us. 

the reality is that i haven't felt very 'christmassy' this year. the reality is that i made up 21 (i ran out of calico at 21! haha!) little drawstring bags for an advent calendar, hung it up on the 16th of december and since then we have only filled three days worth of activities and gifts (it was my turn yesterday and i had no idea what to give chris so i took a photo of our puppy OFF THE FRIDGE and put it in the bag. hahah. good news is i don't think chris realised that we had been looking at that photo for the past month). the reality is that in almost 4 years of marraige we have never had a christmas tree and we don't really give each other christmas presents.

BUT... two days ago the christmas spirit hit me with a visit to bunnings of all places. i went along thinking that i might be able to pick up a little potted pine that we could use year after year (its the hippy in me) and i found a tiny little tree that looks a little flimsy but i'll be damned if i am going to pay $60 for an ugly brown  pointy tree with a few baubles on it. our tree is a bit too delicate for any decorations at this stage but a string of ikea fairy lights later and that problem was solved. i am hoping that as the years go by it grows with us and maybe one day christmas baubles will find their place on our little tree that saved Kellie's christmas spirit.

at about 8.30 that night i thought that, being christmas and all, the situation really called for some vintage fabric garland. and stockings. so i made some. 

the reality is that we are going on holidays tomorrow and our tiny corner of christmas will have only been enjoyed for 3.5 days. but that's okay. because it had brought a little bit of christmas spirit back into my home and my heart. and because now i have a headstart on next year. 

how's your christmas spirit? could you use a trip to bunnings?

MERRY CHRISTMAS LOVELY PEOPLE!

winning...

thanks so much to everyone who entered the giveaway and to everyone who has read or commented on this blog over the past year! i have met some truly amazing and inspirational people through this little blog and i feel blessed to a part of this lovely little online community!

so thanks again and congratulations to.....

the fabulous and talented isis! pop on over and say hi at her blog and etsy store! Isis - if you could email (greenteaandrednails@hotmail.com) me your address that would be fabulous

Thanks again lovely people! i'll be back later with some christmas cheer :)

thrifted...

1,2 & 3 - vintage sheets from country op shops all ready to go for a sheet swap early next year!
4, 5 & 6 - a lovely little vintage patchwork quilt. i have always seen thrifted vintage quilts on blogs that super lucky people find at op shops but have never found one in all my years of op shopping (also... i NEVER find pyrex. never ever). it is falling apart at the seams but those floral prints were just too pretty to leave behind.

p.s - last day to enter the giveaway. winner will be drawn tomorrow :)

scenes from the weekend

not too many photos from the weekend. but we did attend a puppy birthday party, complete with dogs in party hats and lawn bowls!

p.s - two more days to enter the giveaway!

a giveaway...

...just to say merry christmas and thank you for being fabulous!!

a few mismatched johnson goodies to enjoy a cup of tea - cups, saucers and a tea cosy (apologies for those of you who have to have everything matching - i can imagine you cringing at the idea of mismatching crockery)! and my very favourite green tea (of course)!

just leave a comment on this post and i'll draw a winner next wednesday :)

thrifted...

1. floral tapestry
2. wayyyy too many hankies! but they were all so pretty :) if you know if any awesome crafty projects that use up hundreds of hankies throw them my way!
3. $1 leather mocs
4. the startings of a johnson plate collection
5. honey?
6. sheets - just a sneak peek! more coming soon :)
7. vintage towels. for camping or crafting... i haven't decided yet!
8. mismatched johnson
9. wooden soldiers
10. cookie jar
11. english mustard floral china - i've never been a teacup girl but i think i could start a collection if they were all this pretty!

country op shops really are the best. johnson crockery for 5c? yes please! i think i have another linen post in me from all the treasure i uncovered over the last few days so check back early next week to see some of the sheets that you will be getting in the 2012 sheet swap!

p.s - giveaway post THIS AFTERNOON!!! get back here!

seeking beauty...

we are back from five days full of beach walking, swimming, op shopping, bike riding and coffee drinking. it was such a lovely time spent with lovely girls collecting lovely things. we got to test out the tent that hubby bought me for my birthday and it was super roomy and surprisingly easy to put up! it was my first proper summer road trip (that doesn't involve driving from brisbane to melbourne in 20 hours) with no set plans and no set destination and now i see what all the road tripping fuss is about! treasure hunting posts to follow :)

four happy things on friday...

1. fairy bread at a party for adults
2. lovely puppies and half price op shop mocs
3. the blue sky peeking through
4. rain that makes my herbs double over two days

Feel free to join in! Just leave a comment and I will pop over to see your happy things this friday...

**i'll be off bright and early tomorrow morning on our sweet summer roadie so blogging will probably be a little bit light on (depending on how organised i get)! cant wait to share photos, treasures and stories with you when i get back :)! feel free to follow me on instagram (user name is kelliebenard)


xx

a christmas dinner party

armed with a day off work, 8 of the most fabulous ladies i know and inspiration from here we managed to create a lovely night of joy, handmade christmas presents and a little dance party after dinner. mali (who is now blogging again - go and visit her) and i have been wanting to do something like this for ages and had so much fun planning, cooking and creating! yep... it's beginning to feel a little bit like christmas!