Gingerbread and thank yous

I am always on the hunt for original and economical ideas for thank you presents to give my parent helpers at school. My fabulous friend Olivia and I collected glass jars all year so that I could pass on these gingerbread biscuit kits.

I layered flour, brown sugar and a spice mix then decorated with calico, string and the instructions for baking. The Five Brothers pasta sauce jars were great to use as they have no branding on them - just measurements and a pretty fruit design.

Deck the Halls!

Yes, we all know what is around the corner. And the best part about Christmas - besides the seafood feast and lolling in the pool all day- is decorating the house and tree with all the trinkets we have kept hidden in the cupboard for the last eleven months!

Each year, my decorations just love being pulled out of their brown boxes and paper wrappings. I enjoy revealing each one as they have all been given to me by someone close or have come from a special place that I wanted to take a part of with me...

Mum gives me a decoration each year. This little house and the white heart were this year's treat - from Mum #1. They come from 'Tres Chic', a magical shop full of treasures on Ferry Road, Bundall.

I think I will keep the heart out all year round!

From Mum #2

One of Mrs Tiff's starry creations!

I love this quirky madam. From relatives in Canada...I'm not sure if she reminded them of me...'born to shop'..?

From Mum #3

From Mum #4

This one comes from a shop in Ulverstone, Tasmania called 'Dragonfly'. It is one of my favourite places ever to shop and wander. A must see if you ever go there.

From Mum #5

From Mum #6

No Christmas is complete without a resident Santa!

The berry ball -from Mum #7 - and usually sits atop the Christmas cake on the 25th. As we are going out for lunch this year, it makes a sweet accompaniment to some warming Christmas candles instead.

Party time!

With a milestone birthday on the horizon, my brain has been consumed with party decorations, cake, food and drink! Mr is organising the whole thing and keeps asking me for pictures of what I like. Here's a small sample...I'm sure you will enjoy them too!

Image: http://athomekimvallee.com

Image: http://www.weddingchicks.com

My longest ever and oh so talented friend Mel is 'chomping at the bit' (pardon the pun) to make a cake. So sweet Mel!

Image: http://tomkatstudio.blogspot.com

Everyone loves a bit of bunting!

Image: http://www.buntingqueen.co.uk

Image: http://kinsereventcompany.blogspot.com

What do you get...

...when you take...

some too gorgeous to give away gift tags handmade by Mrs Tiff and...

...a magnificent white picture frame found on sale at Target for a total bargain?

Answer: a piece of art work to hang in your newly renovated bathroom!

Tweet tweet!

"Tweet tweet"...so sweet! I was given these little birdies by one of my students today. For no reason...just because. Aren't they the best type of gifts?

I'm a winner!

I am often one to say...'I never win anything!' Well, this week I was the lucky winner of the giveaway held by Mrs Tiff ~ http://mrstifflivingcreatively.blogspot.com

I won this gorgeous chalkboard bunting which I quickly hung in the bedroom. Thank you Mrs Tiff! I just love it. For similar handmade treasures visit her Etsy store: Mrs Tiff's Feathered Nest. Happy shopping!

Spring Cleaning!

In all this wet weather, there isn't much to do except get in the spirit of cleaning the house...it is Spring after all! I started with the kitchen this weekend. Inspired by all of the amzing white kitchens I drool over in blog land, I pulled absolutely everything off the shelves and gave it all a spruce up.

The only thing left to do now inside is cook up something warm!