The Playgroup.

Last week the family (excluding Chris) headed off to the engagement party of a close family friend. It was a Thursday evening, we were all exhausted from the work week, and not yet embracing the holiday spirit that comes after multiple Christmas parties and social gatherings.

We should have known what an incredible night it would turn out to be. We drove home with grins plastered ear to ear, reflecting on the wonderful evening, spent catching up with friends we rarely get to see.

A little background...

When my mom was about to have me, a group of women (also expecting their first) formed, "The Playgroup". It was a group for mothers with new babies, and served a social purpose for both the women and the children, but was also a means of spelling off one or two while the others looked after the kids. Great idea right?

Well, these women never would have known that "The Playgroup" would have multiple rounds, and 33 years later, the children of the Playgroup would remain friends.

Many of us are still single, but Alli's engagement was the best excuse for all of us to gather, and welcome her fiance into the crew 33 years late.

Here we all are as kids (I'm the classy one in the pink smock with my tongue out).

Oh Christmas Tree...

Wow, has December ever been a bad month for blogging! Rest assured, in a week's time, I'm on holiday and will have no excuses (other than Christmas shopping, which I have yet to start). Are you that surprised?

This week I had sixty-five Art 8 paintings to mark, so what did I do instead? I started to decorate my new apartment for the holidays. Obviously.

Most of my decorations this year are extremely basic, and nothing I am that proud of. My bank account wouldn't allow new festive purchases, and I already had decorating anxiety over the fact that my place isn't quite set up as I would like it (and won't be for some time). As a result of it not being set up, I couldn't have a tree as I realized, with the rest of the furniture arriving part way through December, I wouldn't know where to put it.

Why am I bothering to tell you all of this?  Well, apart from the usual decorations, I tried a little something new. I loved putting it together, and had a goofy grin on my face the entire time.

What's amazing is that I saw something similar on instagram, and already had all of the photos developed as I had used them in my final show at Goldsmiths last year. I was wondering what to do with them (and actually have a more permanent idea for after the holidays), but this meant I could enjoy them now. And what better way to pay tribute to my year? I think this might become an annual  Christmas project.

It's a BIG day.

Words cannot describe how excited I am about this evening. Tonight my movers (brothers) are helping me move the larger items into my new apartment.

'Tis the Season.

Yes, I realize this is the time of year to be searching for special items for your loved ones, but selfishly, I'd like to show you a few things I came across in the hunt for others (I swear). Unfortunately, as I'm just about to move into a new apartment, the items on my personal list are a little more practical, but these things look lovely none the less.

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7* / 8 / 9 / 10

*The Coat pictured with the scarf is Isabel Marant for H&M (good luck trying to get your hands on that one). Perfect, isn't it?

About some of these items-

I thought the UGG driving shoes sounded like a wonderful idea. I'm always caught wearing flats in the winter season, despite having no socks with them, and it seems perfect to have a pair with a sheepskin lining.

The Camera bag by Ona is beautiful, though if you click the link, you'll see there isn't a bag that you won't like. I'm constantly looking for a bag that will fit my camera, but that I can pass off as a purse.

My accessories are all over my dresser, so I thought the jewelry tray was a nice way of keeping order, when things aren't put directly back in the jewelry box.

A Canada Goose Down Parka- Ever since I went to Copenhagen, I've been lusting after these. Definition of Cozy...or so I'm told.

The Daniel Wellington Watch. I've had my eye on these for over a year now (brown and gold to serve the purpose that my silver and black one can't). Check out the website.

And don't you think the Anthro dress would be wonderful at Christmas parties? YES.

Bonus item:

My Favourite Scent from Jo Malone (I LOVE the Bath Oil, and candles)

Ok, enough about me. What do you have your eye on this Christmas?