Merry Christmas Everyone.......

Sorry for the lack of posts but i have been a bit busy over the Christmas period.

These are just some shots through out 2010 in store at The Vintage Rose.

This is me at 4 oclock this afternoon....oh well good job. Now i am having a few champagnes and am getting a little excited as tomorrow is Christmas, but also, as some of you know, my birthday. And for the first time in 47 years we are celebrating my birthday. I must say i am feeling a little guilty not being with the family but i guess you have to try these things at least once in your life. The thing is i really dont know any difference and love the fact that every year i get to spend my birthday with my family. So a big Merry Christmas to dad and the rest of the family..... i love you all so much....but this year a surprise is in store for my birthday. A big Merry Christmas to all of you out there in blog land and also a big thankyou to all those who log on to my blog for a peek.....take care and drive safetly over the holiday period.

Come inside and have a look around....

Getting closer and closer. I have decided that people this year are so un enthused about Christmas because there is so much pressure on people....teachers have to finalize everything they have done throughout the year and write reports; builders are so under the pump to get things finished for clients, retailers well who knows, florists have heaps of weddings and flowers being ordered for Christmas functions and last but certainly not least parents have all the running around juggling and end of year things to go to. Stop, yes lets all just stop now and think......what are we doing to ourselves....what is Christmas really about? We all get bogged down in the expectations of what we think we need to be giving people, family and friends when really the answer is quite simple......its time. We need to all take a deep breath and just slow right down and eliminate this chaos out of Christmas. Take time out to get back to the basics...like cooking a cake for someone down the road....going over to your mates and saying lets have a beer and most importantly spending time with our children. Sometimes i am guilty of all these things; trying to juggle a business on my own, run a house hold and spend time with my family. And yes we all get on that merry go round and don't know how to get off. But please at Christmas lets try to spend time with family, friends and remember its not all about presents it way more than that.

Some comfy cushions to lounge around on over the Christmas break.

Spend some time in the garden over Christmas with the family....get them into how to grow things. Our veggies are going well and we will be picking all over the Christmas break.

Happy family time and please all take it easy.....

Some shots from home.

I must say decorating from home has been a bit hit and miss this year as none of the family to be really into it. And i guess with me surrounded by Christmas in store when i get home....well you can guess, i tend to be a bit over the whole thing. I hate feeling like this but i guess i will get into the spirit of things soon.

Our little tree.

Our bigger tree.....with the biggest one in store, in the previous posts.

Ho Ho Ho......

Well Santa hasn't quite made it yet; but quite a few trusty little elves have been out in force. In the last few days we have been madly unpacking and resorting stock, my only hope is that i have enough. Already a lot of the small ticket items have gone as people are looking little gifts for friends or teachers, although there are still plenty of soaps and body products that everyone can use.

The string dispensers and scissors are a great gift as too is the gorgeous clock in the background.

Beautiful lamps , cushions and quilts have been popular this year.

The willow t.pees for the garden don't last long....great for growing peas or beans or a lovely clematis on.

A french style smocked dress for that warm summers evening . The store has a little bit of everything.

Christmas is upon us.

These very large 1000gm olive soap...great for all those die cooks that wash their hands every five minutes. They should last for years ....

New rugs for the beach house or home...so easy to put absolutely anywhere.

Our large rattan Christmas bells have arrived.

New shopping baskets....nice and big for supermarket or everyday bits.

Our Christmas tree nearly touches the ceiling ......take care.

Christmas Celebrations.....

This is the time of the year when we start decorating our homes and thinking more about entertaining....with friends and or family. Whether we live at opposite sides of the globe; some of us will be warming up besides a lovely open fire whilst others will be outdoors with the barbecue going. Either way its time....

These French cheese boards have been a great hit with entertaining; great for cheeses, breads dried fruit and nuts....whatever takes your fancy.

Don't forget the free wrapping for Christmas gifts in store.

More soaps arriving soon....they also make a great gift to take to someones home for a thank you for having us gift.

More marble pears are on their way...these look fantastic on the Christmas mantle with spruce or other greenery woven in between. Have a great weekend everyone and happy decorating.

Working in the garden....

Over the weekend i did some work out in the garden; some potting, fertilizing and trimming and a basic tidy up. Things are always a lot easier to keep under control if you do a little bit at a time....sometimes i let things get away and regret it down the track when i am up to my knees in weeds.

Next weekend i need to do some more pruning...now the frosts are completely gone its safe to prune my hedges. Happy gardening to all you fellow gardeners.

Dress forms at their finest.

I would love to find a dress form like the one in the above photo...dream on Amanda. I guess because i am a dress designer by trade i have always been fascinated with the vintage dress makers form, in fact anything to do with sewing.

These two beauties are simply gorgeous....yes i know you all think the same. I will post soon shots of all my new things that are shortly to arrive.

Christmas is just around the corner.

Our new Christmas trees that have just arrived. They sell for $69. each. Not enough time to sit in this very comfy chair.....cushion sells for $42.

Great storage baskets.....sell for $39.

We all need a groovy apron for over the Christmas period...these gorgeous linen ones sell for $39

A subtle Christmas window display.....lets all get festive.

Great gift ideas....

These bottles look gorgeous with just a single stem flower in them.

These zinc tea cup and saucers make great little planters...quite quirky.

Labels for the garden..you can use a chalk pen and it doesn't wash off.

Zinc gumboots also make great planters.

Beautiful Gardens.....

Yesterday i went to my brothers open garden with a couple of friends, featured in the above photo. It was a beautiful day, very inspiring.......i thought i would share some photos.

A old gate leading to another section of the garden.

The potting shed with the rose "Kookaburra."

Looking across towards the potting shed....simply beautiful.

At the back of the convicts barn...beautiful vistas and backdrops full of interesting antique urns
and other architectural features. At the end of our visit we stopped by Katherines garden featured in the first photo.....her and her husband have created the most amazing garden in such a short time. It was full of recycled and sustainable ideas amongst a beautiful array of plantings that would more than excite any avid gardener.....so amazing.

Shabby and pretty.

Fabrics certainly hold center stage in a lot of homes; some can make the room look pretty ,or maybe even glamorous. The umbrella hanging on the coat rack adds a pretty touch to the room, even a slight English feel.

This gorgeous pile of linen and cushions give a feeling of calm.

Don't you just love worn upholstery......this shot is simply beautiful