Merry Christmas …..

All images via adesigndiary

Amidst all of the Christmas chaos , let’s remember why we celebrate this particular holiday..the birth of Christ.

Lets also spare a thought for all those people who are homeless, alone, living in refugee camps or in the middle of a war.

I am so grateful for the fact that I am able to celebrate this day with my mum and my sister and that I can Skype our younger sister and her family in Australia….I’m grateful that we have a lovely traditional lunch waiting for us after Church  and so much abundance in the form of gifts and good food.

I am very aware that I am among the fortunate, living in an affluent and peaceful country and my heart goes out to those who are not.

Merry Christmas to all and may this be a time of peace and togetherness.

Family Christmas photo…

This gorgeous casual image was recently released by Kensington Palace to celebrate the family’s first Christmas as a group of four and its an absolute delight..I love it! Princess Charlotte is the most adorable little girl and Prince George is looking so grown-up…the little shoe and the train at the bottom of the group is a lovely touch too..they really are a lovely looking family.

NEWS EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO COMMERCIAL USE (including any use in merchandising, advertising or any other non-editorial use including, for example, calendars, books and supplements). This photograph is provided to you strictly on condition that you will make no charge for the supply, release or publication of it and that these conditions and restrictions will apply (and that you will pass these on) to any organisation to whom you supply it. All other requests for use should be directed to the Press Office at Kensington Palace in writing. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with their two children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, in a photograph taken late October at Kensington Palace in London.

The countdown to Christmas is on…

                                                                  image via http://www.marthastewart.com

It’s just a few days now until Christmas and finally, I feel a little festive!We collected Mum at the airport lastWednesday night/Thursday morning (2am!!!!!!) and we’re planning meals and decorations…I think this part is actually more fun than the actual day… Christmas is really for the kids anyway…

For our family, it’s a chance to get together from opposite ends of the world and spend quality time together. I usually also catch up with friends who, like me, barely have time to breathe let alone socialise during the year…I have a few drinks planned with friends this week and a party on Christmas Eve (before or after Church I haven’t decided yet!!)..then on Christmas day  we will have a quiet dinner at home which will be lovely…my mum’s gammon is legendary so well worth waiting for that’s for sure!

So far, the turkey and the gammon are ordered and the menu planned..I have to come up with a festive starter so Pinterest, here I come!

image via http://www.marthastewart.com

I am working as usual right up to Christmas Eve although I believe that Thursday is a religious holiday here in the UAE so we will have the day off..I am thrilled, as this means a two day weekend for me!! Time to rest and relax and catch up on a movie…the malls and stores are already chaotic so I will be staying far away this year…I have enough stress at the moment!

                                                    image via marthastewart.com

 

A Natural Christmas…

all images http://missmustardseed.com/

As you will know from my post a few days ago about Christmas decor, I find myself drawn to more natural decor this year…perhaps its due to all the stress in my life lately, but the idea of simple greenery and soft candle light really appeals to me..it’s not something that would be at all simple to achieve here in Dubai, but it is definitely something I would like to eventually try once I move away from the dust and sand!

all images via http://missmustardseed.com/

The greenery would most certainly be a lot easier to get hold of than it is here…a fresh Christmas tree can cost anything from $100-$250 here, so most of us tend to use fake trees. Sad, but a reality of living in a desert!

image via http://missmustardseed.com/

 

This post from Miss Mustard Seed, one of my regular blogs I like to follow, is just the most gorgeously simple festive decor…I happen to love her style and the decor of her home anyway, but the simplicity and earthiness of the greenery, juniper berries , nuts and moss is a delight to behold! Even if you don’t have a creative bone in your body, these simple decorations would be very easy to achieve with a little effort.

image via http://missmustardseed.com/

All images are from Miss Mustard seed blog and were styled and taken by Marian Parsons, the author of the blog.

Its back!!!

all images via https://magnoliamarket.com/the-nut-house/

My favourite reality TV show is back…Season 4 of Fixer Upper has returned to screens in the US…

I am sure we will not be far behind but for now, I am satisfying my obsession with a sneak peek at Joanna Gaines’s blog which features images from the first episode of the new season…

As you can see, the makeover is fabulous and her wonderfully relaxed Country chic style features strongly.

For more images and the complete background story go here.