What I'll be doing this festive season

The husband has finished up at work for the year, so preparations for our summer holiday are well under way.  These are just a few of the things I'm looking forward to..

Sipping on Mojitos

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Wine tasting in Marlborough

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Camping next to Pohutakawa trees

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Wearing summer dresses every day

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The world's biggest swing in Queenstown

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Picnicking on the beach

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What will you be doing for you Christmas break?  

X

Molly

All I want for Christmas is...

A DSLR Camera and a Campervan.

And that's exactly what I'm getting!  Wahoo, the husband and I are heading off on a road trip around the South Island of New Zealand, in an old 1986 camper we just bought, armed with the brand new camera I have been dreaming of for years. 

Queenstown, New Zealand

We are taking her away for Christmas and New Years for a bit of a trial run, spending time with his family and then my family along the way. 

So you may not hear from me for a while, but I will have plenty of photos to share of the beautiful South Island when I get back.  The husband has never been down South, so he is very excited! 


I hope you all have a fabulous Christmas, and a very happy New Year.

X
Molly

Cranberry and Chocolate Chunk Cookies

These are my go-to chocolate chip cookies.  I love mixing it up and using different types of chocolate and adding different things.  This time I used white chocolate chunks and cranberries.  

Hope you enjoy!

Cranberry and Chocolate Chunk Cookies          

          

1 Cup butter

1/2 C white sugar 
1 C brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla essence

2 eggs

2 1/2 C flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 1/2 C chocolate chunks

1 C dried cranberries

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the vanilla and eggs one at a time. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; stir into the sugar mixture. 

Finally, mix in the chocolate chunks and cranberries. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto ungreased oven trays.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until edges are golden. Remove from baking sheet to cool on wire racks.

Hope all your last-minute Christmas stuff is going well.  Things are getting crazy!!

X

Molly

Guest Post: Miss Jo and Co

Hi! I have another guest blogger here today to share her Christmas wish list! Anything on the list you would love to unwrap? Be sure to check out Stefani's blog here!
Hi!! My name is Stefani and I blog over at Miss Jo and Co. I write about my life as a mother of one, wife to a law student, and aspiring homemaker. I am so excited to be here on Molly's blog to tell you about my Christmas wish list.   

So...here we go!
My Grown Up Christmas List
I made a bucket list recently, and on it was my dream to host a cheese party...

Cheese Party Tasting Kit

Remember what I said about vintage books? Aren't these gorgeous?

Vintage Children's Classics

I love that this bear is wearing a bright pink tutu around her neck. Must have.

Party Animal Necklace

My house needs more art. Especially when it's gorgeous, vintage, and watercolor.

Vintage Watercolor Print

Why go to The Melting Pot when you can have a fondue party every night at home?

Fondue Set

And last, but not least…a super cute t-shirt to chase Miss Jo around in. 

Bicycle Shirt

Thanks again to Molly for letting me guest post! What are you hoping for this Christmas?

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas..

I'm loving the recent explosion of Christmas pins on Pinterest.  Here in New Zealand Christmas is in the summer, and Christmas for me means barbeques on the beach.  I can't imagine having Christmas in the winter, and I wouldn't swap our Christmas traditions for anything, but maybe just once it would be so nice to have Christmas in the snow!  

But why not have the best of both worlds?  I love the look of white on white for Christmas decor, and I can pretend its winter while I'm inside, but enjoy the warmth of the summer sun outside.  I also like rustic Christmas decor, with pinecones, wood and greenery.

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Guest Post: Rebecca Recommends

Hey Guys!  

Today I have the lovely Rebecca from Rebecca Recommends here to share her Christmas wishlist with you!

Make sure you visit her page and give her some love.

Hello there. 

I'm Rebecca. I'm a 21 year old student from the North East of England with a passion for the pretty things in life. I live in Hampshire in a lovely student house with my girl friends Victoria and Silvia, a Welshman named Joe and a charming geologist named Tim.

It's the little things in life that make me smile, like: 

flowers,

makeup,

romantic novels, 

Mr Darcy,

(by god...how I want to lick that man....) 

making silly little things,

baking pies,

50's fashion,

peppermint tea,

wellies,

cardigans,

& romps in the countryside.

 Not forgetting my man, Oli 

And my crazy family...

Sometimes I think I really should have been born in another generation, but then I remember online shopping.... you can find out more about me here

The wonderful Molly asked me to share my Christmas wishlist with you all. I adore anything shabby chic and retro, so you might see a slight theme developing! :)

My Christmas Wishlist

Cath Kidston Radio

I'm always bopping along to the radio, and this Cath Kidston one is too cute

 for words...

Benefit 'That Gal' Primer

I currently have a small sample version of this primer, and I love it! it's expensive at around £20 so I'm hoping santa is feeling generous...

Benefit 'Lemon Aid'  Eye Cream

I get major dark circles under my eyes, this should sort them out!

Cath Kidston Mug

Love it! 

Style me Vintage Make-Up Book

I already have the hair book and it's brilliant :)

This Scrap Book from Paperchase is gorgeous and will be perfect to record all my memories :)

Spotty umbrella from posh hippo

A practical present- I need a new umbrella as mine blew inside out in a storm last week!

What do you want for Christmas?

xox

Blog Crush: The Tragic Sense

Loving this soft and dreamy photography from UK blog Tragic Sense.  

Love this last one, it so dark and yet so light at the same time.

What are some of your favourite photography blogs?

X

Molly

Guest Post: Holiday Wishlist by Laura

Today the lovely Laura from La Caseta de Paper is here to share her holiday wishlist with you.  Laura has a beautiful blog and makes amazing paper items which she sells in her Etsy store.


Hello! My name is Laura, and I write at a tiny space of the Internet called La Caseta de Paper (which is the Catalan name for The Little Paper House).  

I'm really happy that Molly asked me to share my Holiday Wishlist with you all, this is by far my favorite time of the year, I'm so ready to enjoy the festive season! I love the crispy smell of the wood in the air, the steamy windows, the soft colors of the fields covered in fog... 

I think this wishlist reflects both the festive character of the holiday and the soft colors of November. Hope you enjoy it!

                           For sources see here

Free Ad Swaps

Who loves free stuff? Who loves meeting new people and gaining followers?

I am offering free ad swaps.  If any of you would like to advertise on my blog, you can apply here.

I also have large ad spaces for only $5, which includes sponsor shout outs and the option of a guest post and giveaway.

X
Molly

DIY Christmas Gift: Homemade Muesli

Happy December!  It is time to start thinking about Christmas gifts, and I love the idea of gifting handmade items.  To me, a handmade gift is so much more personal, and it can save the gift-giver a few bob too!

I make this muesli fairly regularly, it is so much nicer than the store-bought stuff.

It is nice on its own, but I sprinkle it on top of my Weetbix (breakfast of the All Blacks!)

Don't you think it would make a nice Christmas gift? 

Home-made Muesli

Ingredients

800g   Rolled Oats

300g   Wheatgerm

420g   Brown Sugar

2 C    Bran Flakes

1 C    Coconut

2 Tbsp Cinnamon

1 Tbsp Mixed Spice

1 C    Oil

1 C    Milk or Water

Your choice of dried fruit and nuts

Mix all the dry ingredients in a big bowl or container, before adding the wet ingredients.  Mix well using clean hands until texture is even.

Spread into a large roasting pan and cook at 180 degrees celcius for 60 minutes.  Stir every 10 minutes.  Add coconut in the last 10 minutes.

Wait until muesli has cooled, and then add your choice of dried fruit and nuts.  In this batch I used dried apricots and sultanas, other times I use sliced almonds and cranberries.

Put into pretty jars.

Finally, make a pretty label.  This one is made using white card.  Screw up the card a little, and use a teabag wet with hot water to stain the card.  I used letter stamps to write on it, but handwriting can be just as effective.  Lastly, I tied the label on using home-made baker's twine (tutorial found here).

X

Molly