*The Holly and the Ivy* and the You Know What 2013 Chatter Thread.

debndot

Well where do you start a couple of days and so much happens.
OMO the stags are fantastic, I wish we had our own place so I could put what I want where I want, you have so many great ideas.
I'm going to have to brave the city at some point soon to have a look in primarni and lush after all the posts on here, its getting lethal reading through now.
Surprise surprise my tasks for the week still aren't finished and the accounts aren't even done, I don't know where the week has gone and were off for a family day out to bressingham to see the steam trains tomorrow, so nothing will be done at home, oh well.
Nanamia- we will be attempting to make the salt dough Santa decs from hand prints that I saw on low cost gifts thread(I think), Turkish delight, gingerbread men and houses, cakes, spiced cider, mulled wine kits, truffles, choc slabs and quite a few other bits, ds loves putting his thomas apron on and helping me cook :-)
I think next weeks task is just to try and get as much done as I can as time is starting to run away now.
Hope everyone has a lovely weekend x

Ruth_honey

Well, the Christmas/mincemeat flapjack was yummy. I think we had two pieces each in the end. Lots left over for the next few days, though. Thanks so much for suggesting that. I'd never made flapjack before but it was very easy.

BBQ went well. It did start raining at one point so we popped inside for 5 minutes, but the BBQ is lidded, so food didn't get soggy. Am sooo tempted to have a Christmas day BBQ. Lol!

I used to work for Lush, so hope no one minds me answering the question. Yes, bath bombs will keep fine until Christmas. The fresher the better, but they'll be ok for at least 3 months (that was how long we were supposed to keep naked products on the shop floor for, although most stuff was sold before that anyway). The smell might give away where you stash any presents, though! I've still got bath bombs from when I worked there-5 years ago?-and they don't smell as strong and fizz slower than fresh ones, but they're still lovely!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend so far. Lots of pressie buying by the sound of it... Anyone seen the Christmas jumpers in New Look yet? Wondered how good the quality is. I found with Primarni(!) that the men's Christmas jumpers were much nicer feel than the women's ones. Although I do like the reindeer cardigan this year. Much post a pic of it, actually...

Oh, almost forgot to say...I reordered Nativity from Blockbuster marketplace and it's been dispatched! So worth trying again if you were after it.

mrs-moneypenny

amey thank you for the answers to my lush querys.
not sure if you can advise me a lush perfume DH normally buys me tresor or SJP's lovely do you have any lush ones that smell flowery and feminine like those.
will def also try the massage bar youve suggested, i used to love patchouli oil scents but DH isnt overkeen so i dropped off.

love everyones deccy photos and helpful advice
im working on cross stitched pressies today but think they are going before christmas
did get the prima christmas makes mag today so will be going through that later

loubylou1982_2

Hi everyone :j

I thought it was about time that I stopped lurking and introduced myself.

I'm trying to contain my Xmas excitement so I don't burn out before the actual event. I find myself checking this thread at least daily.

I can't guarantee I'll post that often as I have three gorgeous children to keep me busy DS1- 4 years old DS2 -almost 3 and DD who's 6 months.

I'm currently trying to complete our 1st Xmas eve hamper. I've been watching the price of Arthur christmas and currently it's £7 for the blu-Ray at sainsburys if that's any use to anyone?
https://www.sainsburysentertainment.co.uk/en/Films-TV/Blu-ray/Hugh-Laurie/Arthur-Christmas-Blu-rayPlusUltraviolet/product.html?product=E11094273

Xx

pinknfluffy28

freespirit66 wrote: »

by the time i write a post 4 or 5 have been posted since :rotfl:
SNUGGLEBUNNY yayy glad all your tax has been sorted out, good on you treating yourself
PINKNFLUFFY oh sorry its been a bad week for you both, perhaps it will make DSDs take a step back and realise that they love him more than money, hope you have a fab week next week with DDs you deserve it, are your meds still working?
AMEY just realised you are still at work phew
OMO oh bless him, perhaps when it has ribbons he might feel different

Amazingly my little miracle pills really do seem to be working pretty well! Only 1 month in, but i feel much better in myself, not so up & down, and more importantly, dh & dd's have noticed a huge difference! Thanks for asking xx

Own_My_Own wrote: »

Greenleafs mounted



Eta the frame looks really big in the picture, and make the stag look small. They are actually more in proportion.

Love love love him xx

loubylou1982 wrote: »

Hi everyone :j

I thought it was about time that I stopped lurking and introduced myself.

I'm trying to contain my Xmas excitement so I don't burn out before the actual event. I find myself checking this thread at least daily.

I can't guarantee I'll post that often as I have three gorgeous children to keep me busy DS1- 4 years old DS2 -almost 3 and DD who's 6 months.

I'm currently trying to complete our 1st Xmas eve hamper. I've been watching the price of Arthur christmas and currently it's £7 for the blu-Ray at sainsburys if that's any use to anyone?
https://www.sainsburysentertainment.co.uk/en/Films-TV/Blu-ray/Hugh-Laurie/Arthur-Christmas-Blu-rayPlusUltraviolet/product.html?product=E11094273

Xx

welcome to the xmas mad house!

Ok so i have read back over the posts ive missed the past few days, there are so many I want to comment on, wish well, send hugs etc, too many infact without me taking over this thread for the next hour or so, so instead...
:happylove
to all of my xmas buddies xx

SIRENS

Thanks so much for your amswers Ameyturtle and Ruth_honey re the bath bombs, I think I will get the ones I really want soon and risk the others to nearer the time. Lol at the smell giving them away, I forgot about that, might have to aske Mum to keep them at hers to avoid detection!

Ruth_honey

loubylou1982 wrote: »

Hi everyone :j

I thought it was about time that I stopped lurking and introduced myself.

I'm trying to contain my Xmas excitement so I don't burn out before the actual event. I find myself checking this thread at least daily.

I can't guarantee I'll post that often as I have three gorgeous children to keep me busy DS1- 4 years old DS2 -almost 3 and DD who's 6 months.

I'm currently trying to complete our 1st Xmas eve hamper. I've been watching the price of Arthur christmas and currently it's £7 for the blu-Ray at sainsburys if that's any use to anyone?
https://www.sainsburysentertainment.co.uk/en/Films-TV/Blu-ray/Hugh-Laurie/Arthur-Christmas-Blu-rayPlusUltraviolet/product.html?product=E11094273

Xx

If you don't mind a 'pre loved' version, it's a good price on Blockbuster marketplace. http://market.blockbuster.co.uk/searchandbrowse/productsearchresults.aspx?basic=Arthur%20Christmas&productservicetype=Either&mediagroup=Other&format=Other&tab=home
I don't work for them, I promise! Just discovered them a few months ago and like the fact that I can buy some many more DVDs for the same money. My close family wouldn't mind an ex rental copy and they come with a 6 month guarantee. Lots of 'family night in' or 'film fest' hampers coming this Christmas, I think...;)

fluffysox

Have read Kirstie Allsopp's Christmas Crafts and a book by the same name by Catherine Woram cover to cover over the past couple of days. That and reading this thread, my head is full of ideas. DH wants me to make something for his dept to sell at work charity event in December. Different depts do events to raise money for charity and since theirs is in December they're doing a German Christmas market theme. We went to Berlin for New Year this year as a little honeymoon, married a few days before Christmas. We went to a few Christmas markets although didn't buy much apart from Gluhwein lol. Just enjoyed the atmosphere. The Christmas trees were amazing. For sale there were lots of wooden figures for christmas trees- can get these here cheaper. Gorgeous wooden nativity pieces- was tempted but cheapest I saw was 60 euros for just the "Holy Family" and I'd want a full set lol. Also there were tealight holders handmade from metal with scenes cut out so that the light shines through. We did buy one of these And stalls with sweet pastries or currywurst etc.
So what to make? I was thinking gingerbread shapes (Lebkuchen). The Germans make these to put in advent calendars and also decorate them to hang on the tree. Not sure about shelf life though. Don't want to make people ill. Anyway went to Aldi today and got a box of cookie cutters, lots of shapes for £2.99. They also had gorgeous winter hanging baskets- I want a couple!

I decorated wooden shapes as favours for our wedding- had to do about 60. Very time consuming whilst working almost full time and entertaining a toddler- vowed never again. But tempted to do some more lol Also love the felt hearts and stars in Kirstie's book- they look simple enough?

Done very little today. My 'get up and go' got up and went without me this morning. But enjoying a favourite cheesy film atm (Practical Magic). Hopefully I'll have more energy tomorrow.

Nanamia

Blooming hek Ameyturtle no wonder your feet were aching. Our resident Lush consultant 24/7 xxx
Sirens welcome back, we love hearing about all your preparations and ideas x
Snugglebunny aww bless you. Good for you, both you and Picnmix can hold your heads up high my lovelies. Know that all your Christmas family are behind you one hundred percent Im hoping some of your positivity rubs off onto others. I'm glad you treated yourself with your tax back, you so deserved it xxx
Pinknfluffy you poor things. Your lovely family have been tested recently, but look you are stronger than ever Tough tho it's been for you all I think DH has made the right decision. I'm hoping that when the who ha dies down the SC will realise they want (and are honoured) to be spending time with you all:) It may not happen immediately of course you know what teenagers are like! No wonder you are looking forward to your holiday So so pleased your miracle pills have done the trick. Obviously that's their job but how lucky (clever) is your dr to get the dosage right first time. Woo hoo xxx
0462 ssshhhh don't tell anybody but that cake is the total easiest ever. Sponge, sandwiched with jam and buttercream, cover in buttercream, stand the kitkats around the outside (choccy fingers work too) and selection of sweeties on top. Ten minute decoration (but don't tell anyone).Woo hoo well done with the craft sales, how exciting Can we have a peep at your makes? Pleassseeee. You are doing so well with your pressies too boys can be tricky though specially at that age!
Choccymoose can you borrow a little one for the polar express trip? Otherwise my lovely you are going to have to wait till you are a Nan haha then what fun you will have. xxx
Babyboo well done you for treating yourself I've still not lite my tart yet. DH is at a fishing club meeting tomorrow that may be the ideal time to do it xxx
Linky I know you are sort of space in your lounge but can you venture into kitchen/ hall/ bathroom? I've not really thought this new living room through either, I hate clutter, shelves (dusting issues- laziness) and am considering only putting one of my tables back so where do I decorate? Less is more I know just have to have a fairy lights over load I think. But can't attach to my new walls???

mrsinvisible

wahaaaay I've done it, I've caught up goodness you all can talk!!! (of course I never do!!) Back from the big city, having had a fantastic time. Everything we planned we did, everything we did we enjoyed. Now, tho, it is nice to slow the pace back down and put my feet up. I need a new ferrule for my walking stick it has worn away.
DD gave me a big hug and said she had really missed me and DGS kept giving me squeezes and grins,..... good to be home.
You have all been busy, love the stags heads OMO and the wreath, Nanamia the paper is really something, will look great, looking forward to the piccys. The cakes are gorgeous as usual, too.
hope all who are having trouble with work colleagues school friends and awkwrd families get sorted to your satisfaction. now I'm back to bed xxxxxxx