Nostalgia

This time last year, I was slipping into the crystal waters of the Red Sea, having just gorged myself on fresh fish & cocktails.
I had popped over to Egypt to lap up the last of the Winter sun.
This week I'm sitting shivering in my London office, wistfully gazing at my pictures.

If you haven't been to Sharm el Sheikh yet, it's really worth a trip.
Great snorkelling, gorgeous weather & one of the cheapest holidays I've ever been on!
I stayed at the Sharm Plaza Hotel & it was fab, I hear the Hilton in Sharks Bay is pretty nice too, though.
Go on, make me jealous, are you heading off anywhere fabulous this Christmas?

.

Tweet Pin It Now!

DIY Heat-Up Snuggly Brown Owls

One of the best things about this time of year is cuddling up next to the fire with a good book or a great movie.

Warm as toast on a cold winter's night.
But what do you do when it's time for the long ol' trek up to bedfordshire?
Racing up the stairs, wriggling out of your clothes and flinging them onto the floor as you dive into ice cold sheets, teeth chattering away as you go!
If, like me, you were made for warmer climates, you'll love these snuggly, warm owls.
You just pop them in the microwave before bed, slip them between the sheets & spoon them all night long.
(They don't even snore.)

I've made mine as Christmas gifts for littlies and oldies alike.
I'm sure they'll love them, who can resist those silly big eyes?!

To make your own Snuggly Brown Owl, you will need-

1. Your favourite soft fabric.
(I used a cheap blanket from Tesco, but you could even make one from old pyjamas.)
2. Black, yellow & white felt.
3. Black thread, yellow thread.
4. Sewing needle
5. Scissors
6. Embroidery pins
7. Rice
8. A4 paper (or a sheet of news paper) & a pen.
9. (optional) Name tags, ribbon or labels.
I used a sewing machine to make my owls, you could hand sew them, but make sure you do a really good job of it, so none of his filling escapes.

First-
Draw your basic owl shape onto a piece of A4 paper. It should fill most of the paper.
Cut around this.
Fold your fabric over so you have double thickness.
Place your owl template onto & pin it into place.
Cut around it, until you're left with something like this…

Separate the layers & sew two white felt circles onto one piece of your fabric. I used the sewing machine for this, so it's not very… circular… but these are rustic, home made owls, do don't worry about it, too much.

Next you'll need to hand sew two smaller black circles on as pupils & a little yellow diamond as a nose.

Pin your 2 owl shapes back together, inside out (so that his face is touching the other piece).
Sew around the outline, leaving a gap about 2 inches wide at his bottom.
(Make sure you've remove all the pins.)

Anchor your stitching & very carefully turn him inside out…

Use a funnel or a piece of paper rolled into a cone to fill him up with your rice.
About 800 grams is pretty much perfect.

When he's fill, stand him on his head.

Fold the raggedy bits inside & sew him up.

There you have it, your very own, hand made, warm up teddy bear!

If you'd like to test drive him, pop him in the microwave for 1.5mins (My micro is 900W, so adjust for your own).

When he comes out, place him on a news paper or a tea towel to get rid of any moisture. 

After a couple mins rest, he should be ready to rock! 

Scoop him up in your arms, squeeze him & race off to bed. 

He should stay warm for 45mins-1hour. Just enough time to send you off to the land of nod, cold sheets banished to history. 

Safety notes-
Never ever bake your owls. Microwave only.
1min 30 seconds was perfect time for me, but wouldn't advise over 2mins incase it gets too hot.
Do not let children operate the microwave.
Do not leave owls unattended in microwave.
After a few uses, the rice will lose it's moisture & may burn. To avoid this, just pop a little cup of water in the microwave during heating, and he'll feel much better.

I know I said I made these as pressies... but I think I'm going to keep one.
Would it be really nerdy of me to call him Errol?
Maybe you could make a white one & call him Hedwig!

.

Tweet Pin It Now!

Christmas is Coming!

Custard is coming too!

When it comes to Christmas pressies I have somewhat of a legendary status amongst my friends and family.
I don't know what it is, but I have a knack of finding just the right thing, for just the right person, just in time.
In fact, upon seeing the new John Lewis Christmas advert, the entire room turned to me and said "It's you but a boy!"
Yep. I'm a Christmas nut and I don't care who knows it!
Anyway, this year I plan to make nearly all of my Christmas pressies (yes, I will blog my progress and tutorials so you can make some too!) but that doesn't mean that I can't share my little insider tips with you guys.
There is exactly 1 month until Christmas Eve, 1 month of crowds, snow, bad traffic & 'sold out' signs. So sit back, relax & let your mouse do all the hard work!

If they're a dreamer:

This star projector fills your room with the night sky.
Pretend you're lying on a beach with the waves lapping at your feet, watching the stars above you.
...Or chilling in your personal space ship having just saved the world... whatever.

If they're a talker:

These Air Quote Mittens by Kate Spade should give any self professed chatter box hours of amusement!
*Try to avoid the Joey from friends misuse issue by only giving these to your... brighter friends.

If they're house proud:

The inbook charger.

A nice way to hide an ugly phone charger... and look clever at the same time! 

Sign. me. up. 

If she's girly:

Dry, warm tootsies and big yellow bows?!

Joules have it covered. 

If they're little: 

Nothing says "I love you little'un" like a ferocious lion coat. 

Rawr! 

If they're nerdy:

Oh, oh, am I a computer? Why am I all pixelated you ask?

Because I'm awesome, that's why. 

Minimalist, geeky chic from Firebox. 

If they're Country:

Handmade, personalised, monogramed pillows.

Fancy pants.

If she carries her world on her shoulder:

You could probably fit a baby lama in this oversized handbag from Zara. 

Probably being the key world in that sentence. 

This gorgeous leather bag has all the trappings of a designer must have, without the outrageous price tag. 

If they're (secretly) jazzy:

We all know that one guy who wears the same boring suits & shirts to work every day. 

Mr sensible... until... he crosses his legs & BOOM! Crazy socks. 

Suddenly you see him in a whole new light, you smile, he gives you a knowing nod & you go on your way. 

I love that guy. 

If they work too hard:

The One Piece is the ultimate in lounging luxury. 

Warm, cosy, stylish (sort of) & easy to slip in and out of.

They're also unisex... so you could always share! 

If they're a wee bit strange:

Batty old auntie? Weird (but wonderful) father?

This Marmite Chocolate should make them chuckle. 

If they're a glitter bug:

It has to be diamonds. 

I wont share a link for this one, as I have a rather gorgeous * sparkly* giveaway coming up. 

So you might not have to buy any at all...

If they're hip:

This moustache mug (with a choice of moustaches) from Urban Outfitters is a hipster's dream.

Watch them slurp their double shot, soy, non-fat, cinnamon latte... without the tickle of real bristles. 

If they're old school:

There's nothing better than a tasty bit of crumpet on a cold winter's day. 

Go all rustic with this extending toast fork, and then slather on lashings of butter & raspberry jam. 

If they're gorgeous:

If there's one special person you've been dying to kiss, give them this mistletoe charm from Penhaligon's.

Hold it high, lick your lips & utter those immortal words... "Oh look, mistletoe!" 

Holiday romance, guaranteed. 

If she's adventurous:

Dip dyed hair is all the rage, but can be a little intimidating. 

Have all the fun, with none of the commitment with a Color Bug from Kevin Murphy.

The one night stand of hair colouring, if you will. 

If they used to be naughty:

These room fragrance Stink Bombs by Cire Trudon give you all of the naughty, with a little bit of nice. 

Throw one to the ground to see it explode with gorgeous scent & disappear into nothing. 

Giggling school kids, minus the rotten egg smell. 

If (thinks) he's Casanova: 

This little black book from Smythson is a boy about town's dream. 

They also have amusing little titles for anyone else in your life. Mums, sisters, dads, brothers, boyfriends & co-workers. You really can't go wrong with Smythson. 

If they're festive:

I've had the White Company (3 wick) Botanical Winter candle burning every single day for the last month. 

My bedroom smells like a sort of sexy Santa's grotto... I imagine. 

I think £30 for a candle the size of my head is a pretty good deal, but that could just be me. 

The smaller 'Winter' candle in glass is also beautiful & slightly stronger. 

If they're snap happy:

You can pick up a vintage Polaroid camera for about £20 on Ebay. 

Perfect for the retro lover, party goer or trigger happy photographer. 

If they're cute:

Temporary Secretary's sweet little food rings are sure to keep any kitch loving, kooky female smiling well in to the new year.

If they're arty:

Gelaskins have every cover you could ever dream of for your iPhones, iPads, Blackberrys, Laptops... 

You get the idea. 

Choose anything from Monet to Graffiti. 

If she's hot & nerdy:

Level up!

Black milk clothing have some of the coolest (nerdiest) clothes I have ever seen!
Unfortunately this Gameboy Swimsuit wont be available in time for Christmas, but there are plenty of others to placate the 14 year old geek you are at heart.

If they're fearsome:

Amazon have a range of awesomely ferocious hoodies for kids. Whether your little monster is a veloster raptor or a fuzzy wee tiger, this is sure to delight!
(I can only find these on American amazon, so I'm not sure they'll ship to the UK in time. Worth ordering for birthdays or New Year treats though.)

If you're giving them lots:

Wrap it all up in this gorgeous, personalised Christmas sack from Not On The Highstreet. 

That's all for now...

I'm sure I'll stumble across a few more unmissable goodies during the next few weeks, so shall update this post as I find them. Make sure you check back if you get stuck. 

Should you see anything I should include just pop it in the comments & I'll take a look! 

Happy hunting! 

.

Tweet Pin It Now!