Great ways to give 1

Right now, we are all aware Christmas is coming and we know that there will be HUGE demands on our wallets. Charities hit us hard at this time of the year ... and it is right that we should think of those less fortunate. When I saw this fundraising idea, it seemed a fab way to raise money and have fun - rightly or wrongly, we give more when we have fun. This particular bit of fun is for the charity that every female I know holds close, The Breast Cancer Foundation. IF you happened to be near Collingwood, Ontario on 21st January, why not register and have a great day out for a great cause?

Don't know if London Bride has any of her cute little pink hearts left for sale but check out her page anyway - she did a good job for UK Breast Cancer earlier this year.

Heard on the radio earlier this month that Evelyn Lauder of Estee Lauder had died of ovarian cancer. She was instrumental in the whole 'pink ribbon' campaign - and I'm quoting Wikipedia  here ...

The first known use of a pink ribbon in connection with breast cancer awareness was in the fall of 1991, when the Susan G. Komen Foundation handed out pink ribbons to participants in its New York City race for breast cancer survivors.^[1]

The pink ribbon was adopted as the official symbol of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month the next year, in 1992.^[2] The pink ribbon was derived from the popular red ribbon for AIDS awareness. Alexandra Penney, the editor-in-chief of the women's health magazine Self, and breast cancer survivor Evelyn Lauder,^[3] the senior corporate vice president at the cosmetics company Estée Lauder created a ribbon for the cosmetics giant to distribute in stores in New York City.

A pink and blue ribbon is sometimes used to symbolize breast cancer in men, which is relatively rare. The pink and blue ribbon was designed in 1996 by Nancy Nick, President and Founder of the John W. Nick Foundation to bring awareness that "Men Get Breast Cancer Too!"^[4]

There are some great wedding locations in and around this area - check out the Collingwood website pages

First it was Helen, now it's Amy

In October, I did a post called North American Wedding Magazines and Helen. It was about a wedding feature I has seen some time ago that just seemed to suit Hannah's friend, Helen. Helen is getting married next  year and I can't wait to see how close [or far away!] I was.

Now I've seen another wedding and this time it's Amy, another of Hannah's friends, who as far as I'm aware has no intention of getting married. But Amy, when the time comes ...

These are the images.

Again, I can't tell you what it  is - I just see Amy. Wonder what she thinks?

The credits:

photography: Green Ginger Photography

venue: Saar Bank Farms, Abbotsford, BC, Canada

dress: Treat Bridal

custom alterations+design: And Sew On

groom’s outfit: pieced together from his own closet

stationery: Landen (groom)

boutonnieres: Mallory (bride)

WOW !!!

And again - WOW !!!

The credits ...

Photographer:  Heather Armstrong Photography

Flowers: Cambray Rose Florist

Taken from:  Inspired by This

Day out in London

Was up early on Sunday and down to London for two treats -  Columbia Road flower market and  the Country Living Christmas Fair.

The flower market never fails to live up to expectation - came away with armfuls of flowers. So love it there. Always wonder if the young guy whose regular shout out 'Got to feed the baby!' really does have a baby. But it doesn't matter, it just adds to the atmosphere.

Can see they are beginning to gear up for Christmas - lots of greenery, berries and bunches of beautiful dried hydrangeas appearing. Brought home some bunches that I know will hold and have put the Sunday before Christmas in the diary to go down for more supplies!

Then, on to the Country Living Fair. It's been quite a few years since I've been so was excited to see what would be there. Some of the old faithfuls - thank heavens - and some interesting new exhibitors, so I came out with several bags of Christmas decorations and a special 'treat' for the Canada house!

Treats for here included a set of mini tree hangings - The Twelve Days of Christmas

I've had a 'tree' from Birchcraft Designs for years, in fact I have 2, and usually use their nativity and angels but like the idea of the 12 days. I'm sure I'll find somewhwere else for the angels! Maybe a tiny tree in the room the 'babies' will be sleeping in. [I KNOW they're no longer babies but ... Gramma rules OK!]

Couldn't leave this behind ... wonder why? It was on the Ella James stand. Only got the one as they all face the same way although if I put on facing walls, but then I'd still want one reversed so both were looking out of the same window. Hey ho!

And didn't see these but would have got them if I had - now will order them from the website as I think they'll look cool near a Santa and sleigh [for guidance - the sleigh version of a sat.nav!]



And can you believe, I also bought some paper bells and christmas trees just like we had when I was a kid. Yes, the sort I VOWED I would never, never, never, let be seen in any house of mine !!! Can't find any images of brown ones but these will give you the idea. Still can't believe it!

I got them from Hunter Gatherer's stand and they had almost sold out so it's not just me. They have some other neat stuff including these little trees - again from my childhood but maybe a little more tasteful so take a look at their website.

But, in my defence, they are a beautiful brown which will go perfectly with my newly decorted sitting room and the Caroline Zoob pink baubles I bought.

and, one day, I will treat myself to one of these from her hand-embroidered collection made from antique fabrics. Maybe next year.

The Canada house treat was just what I had been looking for [although I didn't know] for our basement family room. It's painted in stone colour, with black stained stairs and wood, denim furniture and red accessories.  What d'you think? Will it suit?

Thanks, Jan Constantine - I just knew that at some point in time I'd find exactly the right thing. Have um'ed and arh'ed about some of your British collection before but so glad I waited for this!

It's beginning to feel like Christmas is comming !!!