the stockings were hung by the chimney with care..

Hanging stockings from the fireplace is a lovely tradition that as children we loved. We had knitted, fairisle, patterned stockings with our names stitched on them! (we will try and instagram these as we still have them!) These are unpacked from the storage boxes every year and they are a reminder to us both of all our Christmas memories! But these don't have to be purely decoration or for children either! Stockings can be a great alternative to using a gift bag and the stocking is also a bonus present! Pick a stocking that reflects the receiver of the presents or personalise by adding a name or adding your own additional decorations!

There are so many great stocking filler present options, that can fill the "christmas sock" with some exciting and fun treats! Chocolate coins, fun gadgets, socks, gloves are a few ideas but you can add anything you want! Why not pick a stocking out for all your loved ones and instead of giving expensive, large gifts choose lots of smaller, personal and special items that can fill the stocking right to the top. Or if you still fancy splashing out (it is the one time of year we all feel like we can) and are worried that the stockings size will restrict your options, then opt for a giant one! There are some out there too! Just maybe don't try hanging this one from the fireplace! 

Deer stocking Sasse & Belle £9.50 / Grey stripe stocking This modern life £25 / 

Knitted stocking Not on the highstreet £15.99 / Penguin stocking M&S £15 / 

Extra large stocking Not on the highstreet £17.50 / Animal print stocking John Lewis £12 

Sarah and Holly

                 

      

christmas around the home

Another Christmas inspired post today (we hope you are enjoying them so far). By now most of us have decorated the tree (or trees) in our homes and hung our stockings by the fireplace. But what about adding that festive touch elsewhere in the home. Christmas is about indulgence and celebration so we think it's worth going all out and adding the christmas cheer around the whole house. Why limit Christmas to just one room or just have a tree? What about using a seasonal scent, a diffuser, air freshener or soap, so the house not only looks Christmassy but smells like it too. If you enjoy the festive season as much as we do then these ideas could really make this Christmas extra special in your home. 

We love finding something special each year to add to our collection of Christmas decor. Year on year when you open the boxes full of Christmas treasures and unpack those exciting items it adds something special to the whole occasion. From mugs to cushions to bedding or prints there is a massive range of products available. Disgard the boring tea towels and pick out something fun and festive, it is Christmas after all. 

Here are a few of our favourites.

Tea towel Not on the hightstreet £8.15 / Hand towel BHS £8.00 / Santa tea pot Next £12 / Oven gloves Asda £4.00 / Mug Emma Bridgewater £19.95 / Cinnamon diffuser Matalan£3.00 / Santa bedding M&S £13.65-£34.65

Sarah and Holly

                 

                                                              

top of the tree

The crowning glory of any tree has to be the tree topper. The finishing touch, the star of the show, the icing on the cake if you will! Once the tree has been covered with fairy lights, baubles and ornaments have been hung, tinsel and garlands draped generously over branches, it is finally time to tackle the top of the tree (if you are short like us you might need help with this part!) Traditionally toppers are usually in the form of a star or an angel but any show stopping ornament or even a large bow could be used, just get creative and go wild! 

So lets start with the stars (our personal favourite) The star "really" can shine on the top of the tree with battery operated options available, to create a truly magical and sparkling effect. Stars coated in layers of glitter are always a great choice too, for a truly indulgent and festive tree. But if all this sounds like a little too much glitz and glam, then try a textured or wooden star for a much more natural and toned down look. If modern is more your thing then why not try a copper or wire option (or both!) Now onto angels! These might be a little too traditional for some people but we have found some quirky alternatives, that still maintain and keep the concept of an angel but in an updated way. A cute option we think is a gingerbread angel! The idea of an angel remains but in a fun and different way and gingerbread well you can't get anymore Christmassy can you! Any pet lovers out there? Cat and dog toppers take your fancy? Look around and shop around to find something special! 

Whatever it might be on the top of the tree make sure it adds the wow to the tree! (like the cat!) 

Straw star Not on the hightstreet £12 / White star M&S £10 / Pre lit star Homebase £9.99 / 

Cat Trouva £9.99 / Dog Trouva £9.99 / Rattan star Wilkos £5 / Burlap star Asda £5 / 

Gingerbread fairy Not on the hightstreet £24

Sarah and Holly

                 

      

with every christmas card I write...

In our now very modern world of technology and gadgets you would think it impossible that the modest traditional Christmas card would still be so popular! Although sending a card does require a greater amount of effort than simply sending a text message or email, you can't deny a card has more thought and meaning. Thats why we like the idea that someone has picked a card and thought about you! There is something very nostalgic and pleasing about writing a card, sticking on a postage stamp (a christmas one of course) and popping it in a red post box! A simple and easy process, which gives a satisfying and warm feeling. In the run down to Christmas receiving a card is a lovely and thoughtful gesture to let someone know you are thinking of them at this time of year. As children we always loved opening the brightly coloured envelopes, to reveal an array of different designs. These were then always hung from string, which our Dad had attached from one side of the room to the other and by Christmas Eve there was quite a collection! 

The selection of card designs out there is vast and we think it is important to pick the right card for the right person. Designs and themes can range from humour, to cute and kitch, glitter, glitter and more glitter, traditional, scenic winter landscapes, modern and simple, charity cards, typographic, food... we could literally go on and on! The best tip we can give you, make sure before buying your cards to write a list of everyone you intend to send a card to (and maybe buy a few extra just in case you forget anyone!) there is nothing worse than running out of cards when you are in card writing mode. Our second tip, invest in a good quality pen and get practicing your handwriting. Now we all type on screens and keyboards constantly, so lets just say the handwriting skills might be a little rusty! Our final words of wisdom, don't leave it until the last minute to send out your cards, you don't want people to receive them on Christmas Eve! 

Christmas wishes Not on the highstreet £2.90 / Leap through the snow John Lewis £4 / 

Pea and pud Clinton cards £2.99 / Ski cat Paperchase £2.25 / Reindeer Whsmith £2.75 / Tinsel and elf M&S £5  

Sarah and Holly

                 

      

easy like a sunday morning

The clocks go back tomorrow and we all get an extra hour in bed! (wahoo!) So we think it is vital that we make the most of the additional time and create the perfect, relaxing, lazy Sunday morning! In the colder months we find it much easier to stay in our pyjamas and lounge around in bed without feeling guilty or like we should be using our time more productively! Sunday is the one day of the week when we are able to indulge ourselves with a lie in, knowing all the grown up chores and tasks have been done for the week! 

Once we have woken up naturally (no alarms on a Sunday!) it's time to sort out breakfast in bed! A warm bowl of cinnamon and banana porridge and a hot chocolate is the perfect way to start the day in a special mug and bowl! Making the bed inviting and cosy is vital! Plenty of cushions and some blankets on top of the quilt help to ensure there surely could not be any reason why we would want to venture out! Sunday is usually a Netflix binge watching day but only once we have actually decided what to watch that is!

We have selected some items we think help to create the perfect Sunday morning! 

Duvet set Primark £13 / Cushion Tk Maxx £29.99 / Candle The white company £28 /

Throw Tk Maxx £29.99 / Breakfast bowl M&S £4 / Mug Emma Bridgewater £17.95 / 

Tray Habitat £28 

  Sarah and Holly

                                 

      

they call it puppy love

Growing up we had a pet dog and she was a cross between a Yorkshire terrier and a Caine terrier. We had her for 17 years and it is safe to say she was a huge part of our childhood and our lives growing up. We haven't had a pet dog since and instead we have ventured into the world of cats! But this doesn't mean we have lost interest in dogs and in fact in the future we can definitely envisage two (one each) long haired miniature dachshunds, which would be our dream companions (one day!) 

A few weeks ago we published a cat themed blog post and we thought it was only fair to post a dog themed post too. It is safe to say there are many unique items for mans best friend on the highstreet and online. Home ware seems to be inundated with pugs, dachshunds and other pooches. So if you don't like the idea or the responsibility of a real dog, why not indulge in some dog themed home ware instead. We know we will be sneaking in some dachshunds themed pieces in our homes (just don't tell the cats!) 

 Towels BHS £8 / Cushion Anthropologie £39.95 / Totally dotty print Duck and dog £49.95 /

Notebooks John Lewis £6 / Candle holder M&S £12 / Oven glove Debenhams £7 / 

Tea towels Debenhams £14 / Cushion Urban outfitters £50 

  Sarah and Holly

                                 

      

bear love

Bears are one of our favourite animals and they seem to have a huge influence in homeware recently. There are so many lovely illustrations and artworks of bears. We wanted to share some of our favourites that we have seen popping up on the high street and online.  

Illustration styles range from bold and graphic, to cute and stylised characters that seem to have charming personalities. The combination of playful and witty phrases and typography really makes us fall in love with these "unbearable" pieces. 

There's a diverse range of styles and designs and it doesn't have to be something that is incorporated into children's decor. It can be added in a mature and sophisticated manner too, adding a quirky and fun touch to a room. 

Of course, bears are not the only animals influencing home accessories. Why not check out our post about cat inspired homeware. 

We hope you like the items we have selected. 

 Bear cushion George £7 / Bear cushion Next £16 / Candle M&S £15 / Print Not on the high street £19 / Ceramic bear Wilkos £4 / Bear plate Paperchase £8.50 / Bear mugs set of 4 George £4

  Sarah and Holly