Christmas

Some years, I am bursting with enthusiasm about the upcoming festivities and enthusiastically prepare to celebrate with gusto. Others, I approach the season with a bit of a Ho - Hum attitude. 

Unfortunately, this year is unfolding as the latter.

It may be because this will be the first year, in 25 years of motherhood, that there are no Santa believers in my household. J, newly 12, realised the truth at Easter and sobbing, also lost the Tooth Fairy and Santa in one painful moment of realisation .

It could be that my life has been recently touched by friends grief. The loss of a Grandmother, the sudden departure of a young Mum, a long battle lost by a child. And the sad memories of losing of my Father-in-law and Aunt rekindled.

Or the stress of a looming client deadline - with them immigrating from overseas and anticipating a completed home for Christmas. The tile supplier informing me this week that their tiles (ordered in August) are quite literally on a slow boat from China...W.T!

Perhaps, as my adult children establish their own lives, and extended family grow, the coordinating efforts to celebrate together has become such a drudgery, that the event has lost its lustre.

Maybe I'm just tired.... The Table Debacle was resolved only yesterday.

The top floor bathrooms show no further progress because our tiler became unavailable.

Mattress gate concluded a fortnight ago.

Or perhaps it's the heat. It's hot! I'm hot. And honestly, just not bothered!

 Trying to look on the positive side, with less than 5 weeks before Christmas, I am very relieved to have purchased 98% of our gifts.

The wrap is really to go and my 2014 theme decided; metallic + white, 

(which is rather unoriginal as Christmas 2013 was bedecked similarly)

I might try and action the tree this weekend. It can only end one of two ways....

The Christmas spirit will either be created or drunk...

x KL

Thank you for stopping by my blog. You are very welcome and encouraged to comment, I love receiving feedback!

My Luxe Lust List...# 5 : Leopard Print

Somewhat of a decorating and fashion 'staple', Leopard Print trends come and go but rarely evaporate entirely.  Like my post on fur throws, it is a subject that is very black and white for most people. You either l o v e  or loathe it!

I've been a lover of Leopard print ever since I can remember.

I have fond memories of stroking my Aunt's Leopard coat and snuggling into her cushions when visiting her home. To me it was very glamorous but also a tiny bit wild and exotic. Themes I still relate to and gravitate towards, today.

Who didn't have an leopard-coat-clad Aunt in the 1960s ?

Throughout my 50 years on this earth, I have owned an enormous variety of leopard printed items.

Fashion wise, I've sported coats, anoraks, pants, kaftans, skirts, ball gowns, dresses, shirts, tees, suits, shoes, pyjamas, lingerie, belts, handbags, luggage, leggings, hats, hair accessories, sunglasses, swimmers, gloves, gumboots, an iPhone case and ...  scarves. Whew!

 

On the home front I've owned innumerable cushions, chairs, bed linen, towels, glassware, napkins, frames, candles, votives, vases, art work and one spectacular door mat!

 I don't think there has ever been a time when I haven't owned something Leopard!

Half of the secret to success in using this bold print is in the quality of the design. There's Leopard print and, then there's Leopard Print. Ascertaining the difference is essential! 

Keeping the look classy is key!

The other half of the secret is knowing when and where to use it. The older I get, the more I prefer it as an accent in interiors or as an accessory. A tiny bit goes a long way!

So why have I decided to post about this lust-worthy design today?

Because I've been obsessing, really OBSESSING over these two images....

O.M.G.! I am just am in love with that fabric!

Countless hours have been wasted enjoyed tracking it down to just two possibilities:

Braemore Jamil Natural OR Scalamandre Leopardo Silk Velvet

As I cannot find any Australian references to these, my research has been limited to international blogs or U.S. / U.K. web sites. The unanimous agreement seems to be that they are visually indistinguishable but hugely different in feel, quality and price. The Scalamandre being the ants-pants.

I found two Etsy retailers who sell cushion covers made in the Jamil fabric and I've tracked down some Leopardo being sold by the yard online, so I could consider having them made in this too.
Another wee, but delicious project!

What do you think? 

Are you a Leopard Print lover?

Where would you consider / have you used this print?

x KL

Thank you for stopping by my blog. 
 You are very welcome and encouraged to comment, I love receiving feedback!

IKEA. I - kea-d you not!

 

Remember my recent IKEA post HERE, where I sang their praises?

Well, as Murphy's Law would have it, I jinxed myself.  

And of course, said shelf decided to de-construct at 2:30 am. Why do these things happen at night!

?

Thank goodness for Aunt Mary's old jug.

Coincidentally, the only glass that tumbled off was also hers but didn't break - on concrete floors!

 The moral to this tale? Cost-effective furniture can come at a high price....

x KL 

 Thank you for stopping by my blog. You are very welcome and encouraged to comment, I love receiving feedback!