Enchanted Gifts

My friend and über-blogger, Tina, from The Enchanted Home, has done a post inviting fellow bloggers to share some gift ideas. Go here for some wonderful inspiration.

We leave tomorrow to fly across the Atlantic so this will be my last post for 2012. 

Looking forward to seeing you  all in 2013.

Till then

Sharon x

Monday Musings - Why I'm not decorating for Christmas

I am not putting up any Christmas decorations this year! It's not a statement against commercialism or any anti-Christmas sentiment, it's purely because we are going to be away on holiday for almost the whole of December so there doesn't really seem to be any point. It actually feels a bit strange not to be thinking about what sort of look or colour scheme I would be choosing this year, not having that ritual of unpacking the decorations and deciding how to place things, and having the memories associated with hanging the decorations obtained from various travels. 

To be honest - it has me feeling a bit upside down! But, being a blogger, allows me to have a bit of fun and do some virtual decorating instead.

I've decided to keep it simple and natural with touches of red.

The stockings will be hung on the mantel ....

...Christmas cookies will be baked...

...the decorations will be unpacked and arranged...

.... presents will be wrapped with plain white or brown paper...

....and tied up with pretty red ribbons or twine...

...and delivered in person and on time....

...or maybe Santa can help a bit with this task!

The table will be set, fresh greenery with touches of red...

The wreaths will be hung...

 ...we won't neglect the outside...

 ...and doing it virtually means I can have snow...in sunny South Africa!!

...maybe even the dogs will be decorated....

And when you have a virtual Christmas, the dog can't eat the turkey!..

 

We will be sure to bring back some mementos from our travels.

But before we set sail for distant shores, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you, all my wonderful blog friends and readers, for your fantastic support of my little blog. It truly means the world to me!

I would also like to wish you and your families a beautiful Christmas filled with love and laughter.

Till next year...

Sharon x

Image source: 1. Blue Room Lady 2. Zsa Zsa Bellagio 3. Pinterest 4. Le Petit Chou Chou 5. Coffee, Pearls and Poetry, 6. Coffee, Pearls and Poetry 7. Zara 8. Tumblr, 9. A Spoonful of Sugar Designs 10. Odessa May Blog 11. Serenityyou.com 12. Annie Girl 13. Crush Cul de Sac 14, 15 & 16 Casa Decorada 17. Blue Room Lady 18. An Eclectic Pause 19. Casa Decorada 20.  Zsa Zsa Bellagio 21. Tumblr 22, 23, 24 Google 25. Tumblr

Monday Musings - Serving Drinks with Style

With the festive season upon us, I thought it fitting to turn my thoughts to things entertaining and, naturally, the first thing that came to mind was drinks and where to serve them from (or should it be "from whence to serve them"??) 

I am not a big fan of home bars, although I have seen a few I could live with. I tend to be more of a "drinks cupboard" kind of girl.

This is my linen press turned drinks cupboard at home. 

I have seen this one a lot on the web, as probably have you, but it is so pretty it is worth showing again.

This purpose built cupboard features some clever details.

How about this stylish one filled with pretty glassware?

I think this is my favourite. I love the design and it is so practical with a small sink built in.

It doesn't have to be a grand looking cupboard. This quaint vintage one has much appeal. 

A secretary desk with handy fold out desk top makes an excellent drinks cabinet!

This looks like a similar idea. The books form a great backdrop to the drinks tray.

Or why not re-purpose a filing cabinet?

...or a workbench?

 ...Or a kitchen dresser?

If you don't have a cupboard that will work, a simple butlers tray is a stylish alternative.

Or a beautiful tray on top of a chest or table can perfectly serve the purpose.

It helps to have the tray beautifully arranged as Sarah Richardson has done above, or the perennially stylish Slim Paley, below.

So whatever your preference,  cheers to you (and don't let your guests drink and drive).

Till next time

Sharon x

Image source: 1. Tumblr 2 & 3. Roses and Rust  4. Reese and Marie 5. Simple Details Blog  6 & 7. Delight by Design Blog 8. Desde my Ventana 9. Lonny Mag 10. And George 11. Pottery Barn 12. Tumblr 13. Casa Decorada  14. Habitually Chic Blog 15. Tumblr 16. Sarah Richardson 17 Slim Paley blog 18. Turquoise Tulips and Bliss  

Monday Musings - Tantalizing Turquoise

This beautiful colour derives its name from the opaque, blueish green gemstone that has been prized as an ornamental stone for thousands of years owing to its unique hue.

The word turquoise, which dates to the 16th century, is derived from an Old French word for "Turkish", because the mineral was first brought to Europe from Turkey.

In holistic medicine, the color turquoise purportedly has a calming effect on patients, and is particularly used to treat patients prone to panic attacks.

 Psychiatric hospitals apparently often use turquoise and other light tones of blue and green to calm patients by painting the walls in these colors....

... and nurses often wear turquoise colored clothing because of its calming nature.

Proponents of energy healing believe that turquoise dispels negative energy and can be worn to protect against outside influences or pollutants in the atmosphere.

 They believe turquoise balances and aligns all the chakras, stabilising mood swings and instilling inner calm. (Me - mood swings - never!) (Although a little turquoise box like the one below could swing my mood!)

It is also supposed to be excellent for depression and exhaustion, and has the power to prevent anxiety.

In addition, turquoise is meant to promote self-realisation and assist creative problem solving. (Yes, please - I'll have some of that.)

Finally, it is supposed to be a symbol of friendship, and stimulates romantic love.

Regardless of  whether we believe any of this or not, we could probably all do with a bit of turquoise in our lives.

And if you are born in December, you are lucky enough to have turquoise as your birthstone.

"If cold December gave you birth, 

The month of snow and ice and mirth,

Place on your hand a turquoise blue; 

Success will bless whate'er you do"

Gregorian Birthstone Poem

Till next time

Sharon x

Image source: 1.Classic Casual Home,  2. Tumblr. 3. House and Leisure Mag 4. Meg adams Interiors Design, 5. Dying of Cute 6. Simply Pix 7. Tumblr 8. Tumblr 9. Etsy 10. Dying of Cute 11. TG Interiors  12.  TG Interiors 13. Tumblr 14. Tumblr 15. Tumblr 16. Providence Ltd  17. Tumblr  18. Whimsical Home  19. Tumblr  20. Pinterest   21. Tumblr 22. Campagne Decoration 23. Bees like Homey 24. Casa Decorada  25. Eclectic Revisited 26. Interiors Styles and Designs 27. Love French Bulldogs 28. Belgian Pearls 29. Casa Decorada 30. Whimsical Homes 31. Crush cul de Sac 32. Interiors Styles and design 33. Crush cul de Sac 34. Crush Cul de Sac 35. La La Bonne Vie 36. Tiny White Daisies 37. Simply Pix 38. Simply Pix 39. My Paradissi 40. Crush cul de Sac