Regular readers will know that I love me an event. Halloween, Easter, birthdays... love 'em all. However, a truly special place in my heart is reserved for Christmas where I get a whole month to plot, plan and party.
Traditions? We're full of 'em. First of all the tree goes up on December 1 - not a day earlier or later. We decorate it together while playing cheesy christmas carols on the iPod.
Then we'll pop up the lights on the verandas, and in the windows - along with the Santa, please stop here sign in the garden.
Next on the agenda is a visit to Santa at David Jones: where my brother and I sat on Santa's knee eight million years ago.
On the weekends we'll drive around to the suburbs that have christmas lights and ooh and ahh at all the displays. Luckily there's enough variety in Newcastle to visit one location per weekend in the lead-up {obsessive? moi?}
Christmas eve we make our annual pilgrimage to church {usually the Civic Theatre in the city} where we meet friends and sit together to enjoy the show put on my the local high school kids. Then we go to my in-laws where all the family catch-up for supper and the massive Christmas Eve sleepover {my husband's one of five - all kids now have kids, some of whom also have kids... it's gigantic}.
Our daughter's bedtime book on this night is always The Night Before Christmas, and before tucking her in she leaves out cookies and milk for Santa, and carrots out the front for the reindeers.
We'll usually wake at dawn to excited children saying "Santa's Been" as the sacks that had been laid out the night before are now stuffed with toys and gifts.
Lunch is always a traditional roast cooked by my gorgeous mother-in-law, with everyone chipping in with vegies, serving or washing up. Finger's crossed for lovely weather this year so that once the massive meal's gone down we can sink into the pool and relax.
Then, five days later it's our gorgeous gal's birthday. We've always made sure that it's special and separate to Christmas - although she's pretty chuffed that her birthday month is punctuated with lights, celebrations and fireworks on New Year's Eve.
Hope you have yourself a merry little Christmas... x
It's hard not to be overcome with delicious perfume in any corner of my front yard today. Those delicious scarlet blooms are Mr Lincoln - a red rose with a heady scent. Just underneath are the delicate pale pink petals of Duchess de Brabant with her subtle scent and nodding blooms. So pretty.
Generally speaking I tend toward clothing that's on the un-embellished side. I'm pretty sure that you'd be hard-pressed to find a sequin or shiny bit on any item of clothing that I own.
Guess what? Yep, it's peony season. My love for these flowers is as grandiose as their blooms so this year I'm going to take advantage of it and buy a bunch of them at least three times during the season.
We've got a working-bee weekend planned. I'll be out the front weeding and mulching the cottage garden, while Matt's out the back staking, pruning and fertilising the lilly pilly hedge by the pool.
After a very, very long absence, here's the return of Frugal Friday. Yep, I haven't really had that much to write about lately, but now I have a secret to share.
Tickets go on sale for my daughter's ballet concert today at 3pm - and let me tell you, the competition for Big Day Out tickets isn't so fierce.
I am not one of those people who line up to be the first to buy the latest and greatest. I like others to test things out and time to mull it over before I give in. 
Here's a peek at our 1920s metal setting that my dear husband sanded, rust-proofed and painted, before we popped down the pretty cushions my mother made for us on her last trip. 
Excuse me for interrupting, but how divine is the snakeskin print on these Jimmy Choos? I'm besotted with them. I'm also loving the sensual curves of every single piece of that strapping. Plus, the ankle strap is nice and low so it doesn't do that leg-cutting-off-thingy of most ankle straps.
Most women have to choose face or butt - however, apparently Demi can have both. Sure, I know there are rumours about a gazzilion dollars worth of plastic surgery, but, tell you what, it's damned subtle and amazing. {Apart from her boobs in Striptease - they were the exact opposite of subtle - or natural}.
Hoooooh boy, what a night it was last night for reality tv. Part two of the Real Housewives of New York was an utter cack. The call of "Put down that crack pipe Ramona!" followed by one of Ramona's signature crazy-eyed stares was one highlight {ps: how much does Ramona look like Dina Lohan?}. Kelly's consistently bemused state, inarticulate arguments and Shhh, Shhh, Shhhing...
Word on the street {not my street mind, as I've been trumpeting this event for three weeks now...} is that tonight is the finale of Hells Kitchen UK.
These are my freshly painted fingernails {yes, with the focus actually pointed at the violets... whoopsies}
This week, whew, I'm totally planning to be on fire. Yep, this week is the one where I get on top of everything and start the smooth cruise toward Christmas...
Regular readers will know that I love me an event. Halloween, Easter, birthdays... love 'em all. However, a truly special place in my heart is reserved for Christmas where I get a whole month to plot, plan and party.
