December is here wowee! It’s so exciting, isn’t it? I know some folk freak out when it finally arrives each year, but I try not to let it become stressful – I just unleash all my fairy lights, over indulge with the mince pies and all things mulled and jolly up this place!When my friends at Christy got in touch a few weeks ago to see if I’d like to have some festive fun with some items from their new collection – I just knew one of the beautiful new ranges from this historic British interiors brand would make the perfect Christmas gift for someone special. So, I said yes please and decided to dedicate this post to my lovely mum who has just moved into to her new home at last. Inspired by the Nutcracker, I have spent the last couple of evenings watching the ballet performed by three different companies – soaking up all the tulle, twinkles and glittering joy. Then set about preparing this festive breakfast scene that should be fit for Sugar Plum Fairies everywhere. I thought all the magic pastel colours in this Victoria Bed Linen set were a perfect canvas for a sparkling, spicy and sweet breakfast in bed. I can imagine tiny fairies and ballerinas dancing all over the bed covers and stopping for something sugary to keep their spirits up can’t you?! Macarons, Morrocan spiced nuts, Turkish delight, pomegranate juice with a splash of green tea, a bar of rose dark chocolate and a candy cane – you can’t get more festive than that!I know I inherited my sweet tooth from my mum and she loves Christmas and surprises, so I know she would love to be spoilt with a breakfast of indulgent treats and gifts like this. We will make sure as much of it as possible gets shipped over to Ireland for her in time for the big day. Although, there do seem to already be a few macarons missing some how – bloody fairies, you just can’t trust them! ;) I mixed together some vintage finds with new and edible items, this fluted dish (used as a tray) has a silver gilt edge that catches the light just so and it was £2.20 in my favourite local junk shop – and the cute pink cup was only 55p! My Bedside table top got a fresh swipe of Annie Sloan Antoinette chalk paint for the occasion. I hunted down the most pompom like fantastic blooms I could locally – these purple chrysanthemums yelled at me from the back of the florists and are the perfect shade of dusty mauve. Those and the spruce branch were both from the sweetest little flower shop in Hastings Old Town – Shimizu. The watercolour painted hues of the bedding mixed with a sprinkling of copper fairy lights (I got mine from Rose and Grey) look so pretty, I cannot wait to see it all in my mums new home. As you can see, it has already passed inspection from the royal visit above. Don’t worry mum, she was only on there for a minute! ;) Here are a few tips for putting together a similar festive scene –
1. Line vintage paper boxes with food-safe decorative paper to nestle sweet treats and biscuits inside.
2. Add a flat sheet for an extra layer of hotel style luxury on your bed at Christmas.
3. Search for pretty china and pottery at local flea markets and junk shops.
4. Use naked wire, warm white lights for a more delicate twinkle.
5. Serve soft drinks in fancy glasses, these cut glass coupes were another antique shop find.
6. Accessorise with mirrors and reflective surfaces for extra shimmer.
7. Mix savoury and sweet treats dusted with sugar or spices to awaken the senses.
8. Give old furniture you already have a new look with paint or decoration. Feeling more December-ish now? You can follow along with all the Nutcracker inspired magic Christy have going on – over here #DreamChristy.Thanks for joining me in my first festive post of 2016! This was a joyful collaboration with Christy – they very generously gave me all the bedding I did the rest! Have a magical December and fun weekend. I hope to be back very soon xxx