Pillow talk ~ Hostess Tips for Stress Free Holiday Shopping

Do you remember the film Pillow Talk?
The vintage rom com starring Doris Day and Rock Hudson.

Mother and I spent many happy hours watching films with Doris Day and Rock Hudson when I lived at home.
Father wasn't a big fan of this genre, he preferred James Bond or espionage films.

Mother and I went for a drive this past weekend and did some shopping at Mattick's Farm.
Homebody has sumptuous imported linens and Danish porcelain pieces. It's my new favourite spot to shop for gifts and home decor items.

I managed to find a pillow for our new love seats.
My back aches if I do not support it with a cushion,
it's because I am short and my feet cannot touch the ground without the extra padding!

Belgian Linen 

in an off white shade

the cover is removable for laundering

Chester is giving it the sniff test.

checking the construction

I think he approves.

Over a cup of freshly brewed tea I made out my annual Christmas Do List.

Things to make and bake and take.

Scottish Shortbread

Rum Balls

Bark

List of hostess gifts and ideas...

candles

soaps

linen tea towels and napkins

jams and jellies

fancy vinegars

olive oils

teas

List of people that we buy gifts for, mostly family and friends

 ideas jotted down beside their names.

Things I need to do...

buy, write and mail the Christmas cards

order the turkey

buy the Christmas crackers

get the tree

buy a wreath for the front door

buy some poinsettias

plan the menu for Xmas dinner

Decide on the table cloth and napkins for the turkey feast.

If a new colour is in order buy the cloth and napkins ahead so there is no last minute panic shopping.

 I try to shop ahead close to home 

in smaller shops nearby 

to avoid stress of parking lots and crowded stores.

Walking to the shops is a bonus and I'll frequently indulge in a seasonal treat ~

an egg nog latte from Starbucks.

When I bake, write cards, or do the wrapping I put on my favourite Christmas CD's.

I'll light an aromatic candle and sip a cup of tea or perhaps a wee sherry.

It's so much more pleasant and helps me get into the spirit of the festive season.

I'll keep my shopping list in my purse and make notes as I shop

that way I can keep track of who I have bought for and therefore do not over buy.

I could use my IPhone too but old habits die hard!

Make and plan ahead some meals for nights when energy is waning.

Aim to get to bed earlier to avoid falling ill.

Hydrate with plenty of water

and 

breath deeply and mindfully.

Try to give yourself ample time to accomplish your tasks

rushing just makes one frantic and nerves can get frazzled so quickly.

Be kind to others and don't let the rudeness of others get you down.

Try to schedule in some pampering at the Spa 

or set some time aside 

a few hours at home for a restorative facial 

and a relaxing soak in the tub.

I savour and enjoy getting ready for the holidays

making it easy and enjoyable is how I manage to make the most of the pre-season busy~ness.

Oh!

 I almost forgot

Remember to smile!

Best wishes

Hostess

XO

Love ~ Seats...

Our tatty leather love seats were well beyond their best before date,
the leather had split and cracked and they were looking shabby ~
unfortunately not in an English country cottage way or we would have kept them.
In hindsight I think we paid way too much for them when we purchased them a dozen years or so ago
and their quality was lacking.

Happily they were snapped up by a family we know with young children,
we are overjoyed to see them go to a good home rather than the landfill.
(one thing I can't stand is waste and I try very hard to recycle)

I wanted to have some lighter slip covered pieces like Janet at The Gardener's Cottage has in her living room.
I'd love to have her decorate my room like she did for one of her friends a while back, and if she lived closer I'd invite her over for tea and ask her advice!
Go over and take a look at Janet's living room and see what I mean.

We have dark wood wainscoting and our room is teeny tiny so it's a challenge and my thoughts are to keep things simple and on a small scale.
I wanted to have something plush and comfy and something that was within our budget.
So we took a look at what IKEA had to offer and found two affordable love seats with washable covers.
They have been shipped over from the store in Richmond and have been installed...
I need to find some extra cushions and perhaps add a few choice items...

I've got a scented candle for ambience

so far...

the family room opens right off the Humble Bungalow kitchen

the wooly cushion is one I hooked when I took a course with my girlfriends

we are known in our circle as "the hookers"

(I think I'll put this one downstairs in my hobby room when I find some new ones)

The love seats are Ektorp

and the covers are in the natural linen shade.

They look a bit darker in the catalogue

We've ordered a new LG steam washer and dryer set

which will be delivered after the in floor heat and tiles have been finished. 

They are large and sturdy so the slip covers will be able to be laundered at home.

I have been paying to have our duvet and cover laundered over the years so we'll save time and money.

Which is great because the new LG set is more expensive than I thought it would be!

Our old washer and dryer are over 20 years old

and we will be giving those away as they still work.

I'm pleased with the love seats and hope to enjoy many years of comfort sitting on them.

We do not change up our furniture or appliances very often 

when we buy it's with an eye for longevity.

~ ~ ~

 Slim Paley's home in Santa Barbara showed us her home dressed up for American Thanksgiving!

It's absolutely gorgeous!

Pop around and see for yourself.

What home keeping projects are you up to?

Are you adding your personal touch for the autumnal season?

Take care and have a great weekend.

~ ~ ~

Hostess

XO

Giving Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving!

Our neighbours to the south in the USA will be celebrating and giving thanks today.
It's a reminder for us to count our blessings.

Being thankful is something that I try to do each and every day.
Gratitude is a powerful tool...
it's especially important as it brings perspective and humility.

We have much to be thankful for and one does not need to go far to see that.

It might be the homeless person on the street whose hands are out
the young child who comes to school hungry
or the confused elderly woman in the grocery store who is having trouble figuring out what to put back as she does not have enough money to pay for all the groceries.

Take a moment 

and pause...

I'm remembering my father today

as families gather to share a meal

there are many loved ones who will be missed...

reflect and give thanks

not just today

but everyday

for the rest of your life 

for as long as you live

it's very humbling

 (I'll get down from my soap box now and stop pontificating!)

Happy Thanksgiving.

Hostess

XO

Une femme d'un certain age: Show Us The Brooches!

Une femme d'un certain age: Show Us The Brooches!

Brooches and Pins over at Une Femme

Une Femme asked us to join her today and show some of our favourite brooches and pins.
I chose two of my favourites, both are vintage and sparkly, made with rhinestones by the Canadian company Sherman.

Mother has many demi parure sets given to her by father for various birthdays and Christmases. These were sold through Birks a Canadian jeweler that is still in business.

My husband gave me the clear one and my MIL gave me the pink one.
I do like a bit of bling for evening, especially over the festive holiday season.

Care to join une femme today?