24 things to take you from Ebenezer Scrooge to Cindy-Lou

Christmas is almost here by claireshallvey featuring christmas mugs

“On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love…” Hold it right there! Twelve days of Christmas? You’re kidding me right? I’ve been celebrating Christmas since the 1^st of November! If the radio playing Band-aid’s ‘Do they know it’s Christmas time’ and shopping centres decked out in baubles and tinsel isn't enough to get you in the festive spirit, then its time you partake in '24 things to take you from Ebenezer Scrooge to Cindy-Lou' before the big day.

1. Create a mix tape of Christmas carols to play.....on repeat, for the next two months.
2. Buy a new Christmas decoration to hang on the tree among the handcrafted baubles made from polystyrene and sequins.
3. Cook up a storm in the kitchen and bake festive treats like; Rudolf cupcakes, gingerbread men and Rum balls (minus the rum)
4. Watch Christmas films like; Elf, The Grinch and A Christmas Carol…
5. Make a Christmas wreath
6. Write cards to all your friends! Who doesn’t love mail when it’s not bills?
7. Organise a secret Santa
8. Go to the snow, and if there isn’t any near you take a visit to the ice rink and go skating
9. Buy Christmas themed pyjamas or an ugly Christmas sweater to speed lazy days in
10. Watch ‘Carols in the Domain’ or your equivalent. (Plus you’ll be able to sing along this year if you’ve been listening to your Christmas playlist)
11. Make your own advent calendar and fill it with your favourite treats
12. Visit family and friends (to pass off the Christmas baking that didn’t turn out so well)
13. Paint festive designs on your nails (and then give up and paint over them in green and red)
14. Research quirky and special gift ideas for friends and family, rather then joining in with the Christmas shopping frenzy a few days before
15. Drive around late at night looking at all the Christmas lights, and then stop off for hot chocolates on the way home
16. Go to your local carols by candle light and sit out on deck chairs eating fish and chips 
17. Create a scrapbook using old Christmas photos
18. Buy a box of quality streets and play pocker using the sweets to place bets 
19. Plan out a Christmas outfit in advance. Not only will it make sure you look great and festive on the day, but it means more time to spend un-wrapping presents! 
20. Delve into Christmas culture and create a Christmas quiz. Either quiz your family after dinner or invite your friends over to see who truly is the quiz master.
21. Create a new Christmas tradition as well as celebrate old ones
22. "Deck the halls with bells and holy" and of course your bedroom. Whether you go simple with fairy lights and a Christmas bedspread, or all out and your room somewhat resembles Santa's grotto, it's sure to get you in the festive spirit 
23. Donate to charity. It's important for us to remember those less fortunate than ourselves especially during the holiday season. So spread the love by giving a present to those in need.
24. Set up a wrapping station to rival those set up in shopping centres. Put on a Christmas film grab some wrapping paper, ribbon and tags to match and you'll be all set for some serious wrapping. 

    If this doesn't get you in the festive spirit, I don't know what will. I hope you all enjoy the lead up to Christmas and that the shopping centres don't get too frantic.

    

  

Blue sweater
28 AUD - amazon.com

Hydrating mask
40 AUD - sabonnyc.com

Leather Refillable Journal
235 AUD - markandgraham.com

Williams Sonoma plaid blanket
180 AUD - williams-sonoma.com

Barefoot Dreams knit throw
69 AUD - nordstromrack.com

L L Bean holiday decoration
41 AUD - llbean.com

Levtex red bedding
40 AUD - nordstrom.com

Christmas mug
18 AUD - boots.com

Pink Metallic Fairy Lights
19 AUD - newlook.com

Here Comes Summer

Here comes summer by claireshallvey 

I may be a little too excited for summer, but honestly who isn't? When you've been waking up and coming home in the dark, can't remember what it's like to be warm without throwing on a million layers, your drenched from the rain and can no longer feel your fingers, it makes you wonder what soul sucking drab people even like winter.

That may be a little extreme. As much as I enjoy hot chocolates and cosy winter nights, there is only so many movies a girl can watch before hibernating in your lounge room under blankets becomes a little boring, and you begin to reminisce of the life you once had outside of your winter den. For me, the changing of the seasons is a lot like Christmas. I begin counting down the days, writing lists of all the seasoned themed things I plan to do, and ogling at shop windows as their mannequins trade their scarves and beanies for floppy hats and shades. I guess I just get sick of the same thing pretty quickly and jump at the opportunity to change up my make-up look, outfits, trading the indoors for outdoors to match the weather. 

As September is the first month of spring, we can all officially start looking forward to lazy days on the beach, pastels, tropical fruit, dresses and summer holidays. I know as I'm welcoming the warmer months, others are starting a new school year, and dragging gloves and winter coats out of closets. And even though the seasons may be different, we've all got Christmas to look forward to! I'm sorry if for some of you, September is too early to start getting hyped up about reindeers and wrapping paper, but the stores are selling mince pies and Christmas trees, so I'll be playing the Christmas carols loud and clear. 

Whether you're looking at my plans for summer and reminiscing of times gone by, or your dreaming of days to come, we can all enjoy the milder weather before the extreme hot or cold. Unless you've been isolated from the rest of the world in the U.S. Polar base, then it has been hard not to notice that the fashion world has gone nuts over seventies fashion. It's time to raid your mums wardrobe and hit the thrift stores, because those flared trousers and mustard ribbed t-shirt your mum wore to her first job interview are back with a vengeance. In fact, you don't need to bother hunting high and low for those vintage platforms that are to die-for, because most mainstream stores have incorporated the seventies trend into there spring look. 

  

I feel like majority will agree when I say we all tend to stick to darker berry and mauve lips in the winter, with bolder eye makeup featuring browns and bronzes. Am I right? Well with summer just around the corner it's time to dig through that makeup bag of yours change your palette to one featuring nudes, pastels, beiges and peals. Because no doubt these all went into hibernation as the weather went grey. Or maybe I'm apart of a minority who change there makeup look to suit the season, and while I've been restricting myself to the colours of the leaves, everyone else has been enjoying a fresh dewy look all year round.

As the cherry trees blossom and the weather starts to warm up, this little glimpse of spring does nothing but get me excited for the picnics, swimming, ice-creams and hot summer nights to come. Sure I'll miss the hot chocolates and cosy nights by the couch, but the seasons will change once again. So for now till next time winter.

Topshop dress
87 AUD - topshop.com

Topshop polish t shirt
27 AUD - nordstrom.com

Steve Madden tan sandals
160 AUD - lulus.com

The Cambridge Satchel Company leather satchel handbag
360 AUD - cambridgesatchel.com

Pamela Love necklace
shopbop.com

Monsoon boho style jewelry
20 AUD - monsoon.co.uk

Dorothy Perkins brown floppy hat
27 AUD - dorothyperkins.com

Charlotte Tilbury bronze lipstick
50 AUD - harveynichols.com

Essie nail color
12 AUD - kohls.com

Lomography Lomo'Instant San Remo Camera
220 AUD - prezzybox.com

Ah… ah… a-Jimmy-choo!

Turtle-necks, scarves and shovelling snow are SO last season. Gladiator sandals and itchy eyes are in! As Spring approaches and our hayfever inevitably starts to get worse, I’m getting excited as the shoes I've been coveting begin to hit stores!

Spring Into Action by gabriellecapes 

Spring is my all-time favourite season. Baby animals are born, flowers are in full bloom and it’s host to one of the important dates on everyone’s social calendar— my birthday! Just kidding **nervous laughter** I’m talking of course about Melbourne Spring Fashion Week! While it may not be part of the holy trinity (London, Paris or New York), it boasts an array of talented designers from Alexander McQueen to Alexander Wang. And for all of the budding Alexander’s out there who adore fashion as much as us, the show is sure to be inspiring! But if cute baby lambs and fashion shows aren't enough to persuade you, here are some of my fave shoes for this season, guaranteed to put the spring back into your step.

Xx

Game On!

View on Instagram here

Happy 50^th Post! I mean *cough cough* 21^st post! I figured I’d save myself the money buying a 'trying-to-be-funny-but-not-actually-funny' Hallmark greeting card, and instead take a look back on something that really makes me feel old; the sound of loose change pouring out of machines, and the retro ambient lights. I’m not talking about needing to check myself into gamblers anonymous (how is it anonymous anyway, when you begin by saying ‘I’m Gabby and I’ve got a gambling problem’)… I'm talking about ARCADES! Who could forget the nostalgic joy of squandering your parents hard earned money through repeated attempts at the claw machine, which NEVER actually retrieved the crappy plush toy. (I’m sceptical ever since I spotted a Finding Nemo toy still trapped inside, which has been there since the film’s release in 2003!!)

The sad truth is that people would much rather play video games, like my kid step brother Jasper, than go to an arcade. I swear if he falls over, the boy literally bleeds pixels. As a kid, the only video game I played was ‘3D Pinball Space Cadet’. If you don’t know what that is, please close your computer and go order off the kids menu, as you are probably too young to be reading this blog. Then also order me something as well. Everything is gradually becoming more and more engrossed in a virtual reality. I mean, couples used to meet IRL, and now they’re getting married having met on Club Penguin. Which would make for a really awkward wedding story, let me tell you. Inspired by the bold and bright colours of the arcade, I have selected a few fun pieces sure to add colour and excitement to however you may be spending your night; at the arcade, playing basketball or hitting up guys on Club Penguin… wait, what? 

Game On! by gabriellecapes 

Xx

'Pimp'trest Your Room

Young, wild and Free by claireshallvey 

If you've got your septum pieced, went to Cochella, drink out of mason jars and ombréd your hair, then you're either a free soul tormented by cliche inner demons roaming the world in search for love and adventure, or you live a boring suburban life and were inspired by Tumblr. I mean you totally rocked those pastel pink ends! (Even if it did look more like bad regrowth, than the subtle ombré look the YouTube tutorial promised). So if you want to weave a little of the 'alternative lifestyle' (which isn't all that alternative considering it's a mainstream trend) into your life, then may I calmly ask you to back away from the hair dye and express your creativity elsewhere. I mean, what's the worst that can happen? After all, everyone remembers an embarrassing hair cut, but no one remembers your bed spread! So if in 4 years time 'ugly sandals' are as tacky as crocs, then you can proudly say you did not take part in that god awful trend. Instead, you'll have fairy lights to tear down and candles to blow out!

You will need: 

- Fairy lights 

- Thin wool or paper doily's

- PVA glue

- Balloons 

- Thin wire

Steps:

1. Blow balloons up onto small circular bulb shapes

2. A) Coat one side of the doily in PVA glue and layer onto balloon until the area is coverd (apart from the top where we tied the balloon end) making sure there are not too many gaps, but patterned holes are still visible. Coat outside of balloon and paper in more PVA glue. 

OR

2. B) paste end of wool onto balloon and spin around the balloon shaping into a more circular shape, ensuring to heavily layer glue every now and then. Stop when the balloon is cover however gaps are still visible. 

3. Leave to dry 

4. Pop balloon and pull balloon out of the top of doily hole or gaps between wool. 

5. Attach bulbs to fairy lights using wire.  

These are pretty awesome for storage of pencils, paint brushes, or just overall decoration. You can either buy the clear jars from mainstream super stores like Target and Kmart and leave the jars as they are, or you can go can add a little bit of colour buy painting the inside! Here's how!

You will need:

- Paint (heavy duty stuff)

- Masking tape (optional)

Steps:

1. If you wish to create a pattern on the inside of your mason jar (like the stripes above), you will need to stick masking tape onto the inside of the jar, ensuring the ends match up and that the tape is secure.

2. Pour a small amount of paint into the jar and screw the lid on tightly. Shake the jar until the inside is completely covered, and pour remaining paint out.

3. Wait for the paint to COMPLETELY dry. If you have put masking tape on the inside, remove the tape now.

4. Add tape over the existing colour pouring in the second colour and repeating the same process as in step 2.

5. Once the second colour has dried remove tape with care

WARNING: do not use the jars for drinking after you have poured paint into them.

While pillows are not exclusive to Pinterest or Tumblr they do add a sense of comfort and softness to a room making it the perfect place to go on rainy days when all you feel like doing is scrolling through photos of the summer.  Throw pillows are usually not too expensive and it can sometimes work out being more expensive to make your own after you purchase materials. But if you're determined to make your own 'T-shirt pillow cases' are a cost effective and great way to get creative.

You need;

- old printed or patterned T-shirt

- needle and thread or sewing machine

-white ready made pillow or stuffing 

Steps;

1. Measure out a square or rectangle on the front of the t-shirt ensuring the print is in the centre and the lines are straight, mark with a grey lead pencil or fabric marker. Keep in mind the size of your ready made pillow or the amount of stuffing you have.

2. Measure out the same sized square or rectangle as in the first step from the back of the t-shir. If you are using a ready made pillow to fill the case add 15cm to two parallel lengths.  

3. If you are using stuffing skip this step. Using the fabric from the back of the shirt fold the extra 15cm inwards so that the fabric is now the same size as the front piece. Sew the sides  of the folded area,  this will help keep the pillow in place.

4. Line the front and back pieces of t-shirt up with each other (it doesn't have to be exact but try to keep it as close a possible). Make sure the print is facing inwards as the case will be flipped inside out later. If you completed step 3 have the flap facing outward. 

5. Sew three sides of the pillow slip 1cm away from the edge (do not sew the end with the flap if you are using a ready made pillow). 

A) stuffing users, flip your case inside out and stuff your pillow and sew the last side shut 

B) pillow users, your case inside out an fit pillow inside fold 

ZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Pyjama Party! by gabriellecapes 

It’s been fourteen years since ‘The Princess Diaries’ was released, eleven since ‘Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement’ and one day since I last quoted ‘I’m a Princess. SHUT-UP!’ The films protagonist; Mia Thermopolis paved the way for girls like me. And I’m not talking about frizzy haired and unconfident, I mean undiscovered royalty. Duh! After all, life isn’t some Hollywood chick flick where the teen with the scrunchie gets a makeover and becomes the crown princess of Genovia. I am proud to say I’ve never owned a scrunchie. (If you don’t believe me, just read my resume). Ever since I saw the film, I vowed for my 21^st birthday I was going to have a giant slumber party with mattress surfing and mnm pizza just like in the movie.

Sleepovers with your friends make for some of the best all-nighter candy fuelled girl bonding sessions. That’s when you find out the best gossip in rounds of Truth or Dare (although I have a bad habit of constantly choosing dare, which always gets foiled in the end). ‘I dare you to tell me truthfully how many guys you’ve kissed’.

Afterwards we toss-up between the same chick flicks we’ve watched a hundred times;  Mean Girls, Clueless and Sisterhood of The Travelling Pants­ – which makes me question; how did a pair of pants fit all four girls? Were they jeggings? To this day it remains a mystery to me what guys do at sleepovers. I suppose I shouldn’t guess though, since all of the slumber parties I’ve attended have been a far cry from Victoria’s Secret angel’s pillow fighting in their underwear that they imagine.  

Xx

Warm Winter Woollies

Warm Winter Woollies by claireshallvey featuring a sheer silk blouse

Walter Baker sheer silk blouse
230 AUD - ifchic.com

Loose knit sweater
18 AUD - shein.com

MANGO pink poncho
120 AUD - johnlewis.com

Black distressed jeans
51 AUD - newlook.com

Repossi red gold jewelry
7 435 AUD - ssense.com

Ring
wolfandbadger.com

Sydney Evan bracelet ring
neimanmarcus.com

Olivia Burton rose gold plated jewelry
155 AUD - harveynichols.com

Wanderlust Co triangle jewelry
38 AUD - revolveclothing.com