Christmas Nativity?

I came across 'The Brick Testament' (Story of Christmas) a few years back & it cracked me up. While it probably doesn't induce immediate renditions of 'O Holy Night' you have to admit it's a pretty darn cute take on 'The greatest story ever told'. Part of the (seriously awesome) Chronicle Books stable.

www.chroniclebooks.com

Christmas cooking for kids

I purchased this Christmas cookbook online last year. It was the adorable cover that drew me in & I'm glad to report the inside of the book also did not disappoint! As with Martha Stewart's Christmas mag, the design & quirkiness of the cooking ideas in this book really resonated with me. I think my favourable review also had something to do with the fact that the book is care of my favourite publisher 'Chronicle Books' from San Francisco. They produce some of the most graphically stunning books I've ever seen...

www.chroniclebooks.com

Christmas food

I've been a big fan of Jaime Oliver since I received his first cookbook as a Christmas gift over 10 years ago. I love how he & his team are always coming up with so many inspiring, food-related products. These are but a handful of my favourites from the 2009 'Jme' Christmas range. Hopefully one day his website will ship to Australia - fingers crossed!

www.jamieoliver.com

Scandinavian Christmas

Hawthorn shop 'Nord Living' is gorgeous at the best of times but becomes even more magical & fun come Christmas.

Their whimsical wooden decorations remind me of my inspiring time working at several kindergartens where all the playthings were wooden & seasonal celebrations were treated with reverence.

I can't wait to see what gorgeous things will be arriving in their Melbourne store (from Scandinavia) for Christmas 2010!

www.nordliving.com.au

Christmas advertising!

Ok. So it's no secret that I have seriously developed Kate Spade brand addiction! Here's the gorgeous Christmas '08 ad campaign from the folks at KS New York. Magnificent!

www.katespade.com

Christmas Baking

For me, there's something heart-warming about making cupcakes around Christmas-time. Although, not really Italian in tradition, I find the use of festive patty cases & trinkety cake-toppers quite nostalgic & very satisfying. My all-time favourite baking supply store is 'Layer Cake Shop'. Whimsical, bright & utterly gorgeous, I bet if you're into baking, you've never seen anything quite so magical!

www.layercakeshop.com

Christmas 'Cicerata'

I have very fond memories of eating ‘Cicerata’ (a traditional Italian Christmas treat) for breakfast each Christmas morning when I was growing up.

Every Christmas Eve, my mum would always be up late making truckloads of Christmas sweets. These pastry balls, coated in warm honey & hundred’s & thousand’s were among my favourites. Don't they look like the ultimate child-treat? I hope to include the recipe in my next 'Little Kitchen' children's cookbook!

www.littlekitchen.com.au

Prancer?

Lady GaGa's costumes always make me smile. The ultimate self-promoter, akin to Madonna in the 80's, 90's & Noughties, GaGa seems to have a knack for standing out. This costume (which GaGa wore Dec '09 at an awards ceremony) is called 'Prancer goes Dominatrix'. I think she's done a great job of channelling her inner reindeer & putting a modern spin on an animal traditionally associated with Christmas. Hilarious!

www.ladygaga.com

Cute Holiday Crafts

Everytime I visit 'eat drink chic' (an amazing Melbourne-based crafting & design blog) I can't contain my excitement. Last year, the blog's creator (a super-talented graphic designer) dreamt up these very cute holiday ideas. Amy was kind enough to share the templates with her followers. What a legend!

www.eatdrinkchic.com

Christmas Stamps

UK store 'Aspen & Brown' released these gorgeous Christmas stamps in 2009. I love the fact that they're miniature in size & a little rustic-looking. What a cute KK present they would make!

www.aspenandbrown.com

Kate's Paperie

Kate's Paperie is hands-down the most interesting fine paper store I have ever seen. The fact I visited at Christmas time no doubt helped cement my opinion, as the store was laden with spectacular Christmas decorations as well as festive paper-goods! This sisal snowflake was purchased at their Soho store on Spring St. Like New York in general, Kate’s Paperie was such a feel-good place.

www.katespaperie.com

Christmas Ceramics

One of the most beautiful homeware stores I visited last December in (Soho) NYC was 'Ochre'. It was there that I puchased these handmade, porcelaine dishes. Their gilded beauty reminded me of the glowing candelight that one often associates with the festive season. They're now one of my most treasured possessions!

www.ochrestore.com

Christmas Dove

'O Check Design' is a Japanese graphic design company that specialises in interesting stationery & paper products. I love this gorgeous (& multi-functional) dove greeting card as it moonlights as a Christmas ornament at the same time as delivering a chirpy festive greeting. 'O Check' also retails the most divine printed masking tapes in an assortment of pastel hues but more on those later.....

www.o-check.net