gift guide 2010 - double whammy

here are the final two installments of this years gift guide....first off we have for the family for those times when you get a family gift, not just an individual gift.

first up....bake some cookies/mince pies/christmas cake......whatever takes your fancy. people love home-baked goodies. or if you're time poor, how about a table tennis set from ridleys (i've seen these in general pants co and david jones). a m.i.l.k book....beautiful coffee table book, beautiful photography from all around the world...available from good book stores (price unknown). i love these stripey beach paddles and this bananagrams game....scrabble on the go!

and now don't lie when i ask the next question.....do you seriously not buy anything for yourself while you're out christmas shopping? i bet thats a no!

here are some things to treat yourself with for all the hard work and the effort you're putting into everyone else's christmas presents.

what about some lovely looking body lotion from aesop? or the frankie mag's sweet treats book (this could also go in the family gifts guide) available from borders....for all your old-school fete type treats.  i'm loving the 20 x 200 project making original artwork affordable for the rest of us and i'd adore a diana camera with the polaroid back!


and that's it for the gift guide of 2010....i hope it has inspired some of your christmas ideas. i'm off to do a bit more christmas shopping today and finish off a lot of orders. how are you going with your christmas shopping??

tara louise.

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polly dolly

this weeks theme was green with envy and it's been harder than i thought to do.

if you want to join in, pop on over to danimezza and join in the fun.

i don't wear much green, but i may seek out more after this set!

i've got  a fancy look with the green dress, more casual look with the black maxi and day look with the green cons.

i'd pair all looks (excpet the fancy one) with a bowler hat and this set made me feel like i'd wear my glasses with relaxed laid back hair.

all looks would be worn with a gold pendant necklace and wolf ring.

enjoy.

tara louise.

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gift guide 2010

yesterday was something, today's gift guide is for the people who you don't really want to get a gift for but feel like you should...
(i've kept all the prices under $20...who wants to spend a heap on a pressie they don't want to buy???)

serviettes from ikea....you could even splash out and give them the matching zip lock bags! but serviettes can be pretty when presented well. green and blacks chocolate. fancier than cadbury's (making it look like you made an effort...nudge nudge) but so much better for the world - fairtrade, organic, deelish! available from coles...also available in mini packs. tea infuser and loose leaf tea....simple yet lovely. the jamie oliver magazine for the lovers of food, available from borders and the most expensive thing here.

so not totally mean and thoughtless...like candles or roses/favourites.

you've made an effort and you haven't spent a fortune!

bonus.

tara louise.

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gift guide 2010

so if yesterday was for the big girls, then today must be just for the big boys. i think this type are some of the hardest to buy for. i've had a crack...see what you think.

a graphic t-shirt is usually a winner (unless you have my husband and you have to make sure the sleeves aren't too short or tight!)...mooks can be found at universal store. a nice "weekend hat"as my husband calls them, fancy pair of sunnies and something non-technological to make lazy summer afternoons pass.

hope this gives you some ideas....if these fail, i say a magazine and a block of choccy....or wait for the next installment of gift guides, they may help you out a wee bit more.

tara louise.

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gift guide 2010

doing it for the bigger girls today......we are all big girls aren't we really??

tha kaftan can be bought in david jones...love that colour blue!! can you ever have enough canvas bags?? mt tape can be bought online at notemaker, but i recently found it in my local borders (was so effing excited!!!). i adore this deer ring by pigeonhole and the best body lotion in town......all 100% natural and environmentally friendly....my fave is the sweetcakes one!

i'm so tempted to not wait for someone to buy me some of these things. i want them ALL!!

tara louise.

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gift guide 2010

for the little boys....

here are some sweet treats for your little boys......love these dr seuss cons! tops by tara louise designs that can be custom made to any size..., the nose book is amazing....(not sure where you can get it from in english, but had to include it. it's awesome. goes on about how your nose is not a pocket for your fingers, or peas or lego etc. ), the cute tiger is from oxfam and the shorts are by krumpet.


tara louise.

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december is here...

yesterday i finally finished making my christmas tree that i was harping on about in this post. and once it was done i couldnt help but decorate it then and there....one day early isn't too bad right?

first up here's the tutorial for my super dooper simple christmas tree.....
(and i apologise for the lack of photos....i used my tree from last year so have no photos of the start of the process)


You will need:
a hot glue gun, wool in various colours, sticks, 1 pot, spray paint (optional), sand/gravel/rocks.


1. grab some sticks...all different lengths, all different shapes. place together to see how they look.

2. grab an old pot you have lying around the house (remembering that the longer your sticks are the heavier and larger your pot has to be). i spray painted mine white.... i did this for last years tree.

3. Tie the sticks together at the bottom. i think i used wire then wrapped jute around to cover it.

4. pop the sticks into the pot. fill up the pot with sand/gravel or rocks. (keep in mind beach sand, while beautiful and white, doesn't hold the sticks up too well...and you'll need to close the hole at the bottom).

5. now, you can either spray paint your sticks before you start with the wool or not. it's up to you. depends on the look you are going for. my tree was already white from last year.

6. now the part that takes the longest.......this took me a few hours over a few days while i was catching up on tv shows.  put some glue at the base of the tree and wrap the wool around the bottom of the sticks. i found it easier to use 4 lengths of wool at a time. it was way quicker!

7. wrap the wool around the sticks gluing every now and then...working out what looks best with your sticks and arrangement. when you're ready to change colours...just glue the ends down onto the stick. then go and go and go for gold!

(hint: when you get to the thinnest part of the sticks...run glue all the way up the twig...it strengthens the twig and gives the wool a bit more to wrap around)

8. with the smallest twigs, i wrapped extra bits of wool around the tip to create a little ball at the end...as below.

9. then all that's left to do is decorate!

so maybe not so time effective, but very simple! and effective i think : )

i actually think it would be awesome to do this just as an everyday decoration in different coloured wools.

a different take on these trees...

(carol hummel)

love it!!

tara louise.



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