Twinkle, twinkle....

For me, there are few things better than twinkling lights & the comforting glow they cast. I guess this would ring even truer for those who celebrate Christmas in the bleak mid-winter of the Northern Hemisphere.

Fun Xmas decorations?

I'm not quite sure what to think of these Christmas decorations I came across the other day. On the one hand, I think they're pretty cool, funny & fun. On the other, I don't know if I like the implied destruction these grenade Christmas decorations issue, especially at a time when peace & love is supposed to abound! What do you think?

Pretty party dress

This new dress by Sass & Bide is gorgeous & perfect to cover the holiday season's numerous parties. This image unfortunately doesn't do it justice - it looks 100% better in real life!

Graceland

I read the other day that Elvis was a huge fan of the holiday season & used to go all-out when decorating Graceland. Gotta love a guy who is into Christmas & decorating!

Drink dispenser

Each Christmas, I make a Rosewater & Cranberry Punch that I think would look so pretty served in a glass drink dispenser such as this. Available from (the very talented) Sharnel Dollar - an Australian event-sylist to Oprah no less!

http://www.sharneldollardesigns.com.au

Nigella talks Christmas

I've been reading about different food authors today & just came upon cook Nigella Lawson speaking about how she celebrates Christmas. I like how, despite being Jewish, she still relishes & enjoys the trappings of the season.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hh90QPt8vRg&feature=related

Bake it Pretty this Christmas

How sweet are these free, downloadable gift tags from Bake it Pretty in the US? Perfect for attaching to holiday treats you make for friends and family! Check out the lovely array of Christmas baking goodies on offer from this gorgeous web store.

http://www.bakeitpretty.com

December 23rd Itinerary Stop....

I'm going to add this Tea Salon in Paris (Le Salon de The - Patisserie Des Reves) on my itinerary when I visit Paris for Christmas this year. How cool is the fit-out? Looks nearly as delicious as the cakes on offer.....

http://www.lapatisseriedesreves.com/

Christmas gift idea for foodies!

Chef extraordinaire Philipa Sibley is know as the 'queen of desserts' in Australia (although she's equally as impressive at creating savoury dishes). This November, she's releasing her first solo cookbook entitled PS Desserts. Coincidentally, the book is published by the same publishing house that publishes my cookbooks. Can't wait for this one!

New pretty things for Christmas

How good are these new offerings from fashion brand Kate Spade New York? One is a scarf with a map of Manhattan on it. The other, a purse to celebrate Fashion's Night Out in NYC. Wish these guys shipped to Australia!

Paris dreaming....

This new travel book by Plum Imprints is not yet released in hardback form, but I flicked through an e-version of it today & boy was I impressed! Can't wait to snap up a copy when it hits the shelves Nov 1st. It's written by Australian journalist Janelle McCulloch, who incidentally took the amazing photos scattered throughout the book.