Getting ready for Christmas with Warriewood Square.

I've partnered up with Warriewood Square this Christmas season to shop for all of my Christmas gifts, styling needs and Christmas food prep. Warriewood Square has all I need, it's a one stop shop!

First up I shopped for some Christmas decorations to decorate our home and really get into the festive vibe. Kmart (the only one on the Northern Beaches) had so many fabulous items. My favourites are the garlands and our Merry + Bright banners. 

You can see more of the decorations I bought here and here.....

Swish Homewares + What's Cooking also had some beautiful Christmas displays to choose from and to give you some festive inspiration.

Next up it was time to get some presents ticked off my list. I especially love shopping for the girls in my life as I get to indulge in all things girly and pretty. It makes a fun change from always shopping for boys/men!

One of the best things about Warriewood Square is that there is so much variation of stores under the one roof. A fab mix of chain stores + independently owned shops.

The Health Shop has some amazing crystals + wellness products, Bright Flowers for gorgeous blooms, Sportsgirl for the cute bag and crystal book,  Cotton On Mega Store for fun accessories like this headscarf + earrings. I also couldn't resist this pink gin from BWS for my bestie. 

Pink drinks just taste better ;)

I also shopped for the boys. New sneakers for Finn from Athletes's Foot, beach gear + inflatables from Surf, Dive n Ski, notebooks + scented textas from Smiggle, pj's from Cotton On Mega Store, Lego from Toymate, PS4 games from EB Games. I also popped into the newly opened JB HiFi to get Simon a new portable speaker.

There were also lots of cool things in Australian Geographic and some fun novelty items for stocking stuffers in Fab Gifts + Cards. 

I also picked up a couple of treats for our dog Dash from Pittwater Pets. 

I also picked up a couple of items to decorate our Christmas table. We're having our smallest Christmas lunch ever as most of our family is away or working. We are down to just 6 people.

Such a change from the years we had 25 people or more!

I'm keeping things simple with a garland and a centrepiece of white Christmas trees.

I picked up the Bottle Brush trees, Christmas crakers, banner + garlands from Kmart. 

They also have the blush plates + gold cutlery. I've popped up a little sneak peek of the table!

Christmas lunch is one of my favourite occasions of the year. I love the delicious food, a cocktail and the whole family gathered at the table. We typically go the traditional route with several types of meat, roast veggies, salads and fresh bread. After a bit of a break we then follow it up with a few desserts.

Warriewood Square has 3 different supermarkets, Woolworths, Coles + Aldi plus Costi's Fishmarket, Fitzgerald's Fine Meat, Ruling the Roost and Bakers Delight.

This year due to our smaller numbers I'm thinking about mixing it up and having a seafood feast instead. Maybe fresh prawns, salads and a ham? 

Dessert for Christmas always includes a pavlova made by Simon. He always uses the Donna Hay recipe and it's always a hit and the first thing to be demolished! 

Maybe I'll get him to try a pavlova wreath this year.....

Of course the boys weren't with me whilst I was doing my Christmas shopping so we'll be heading back to Warriewood Square to visit Santa and give him our Christmas Wish Lists. 

I love the tradition of having a Santa photo each year. We've been doing it for 16 years now! Finn is a good sport and is still happy to participate in it each year with his younger brothers.

`The centre is also hosting lots of other Christmas activities in the lead up to the big day......

- Gift wrapping service (until Monday 24th December)

- Christmas Carols  (Sunday 18th - Sunday 23rd December)

-Bubbles + Baubles (Thursday 20th December)

There is also a stand to get a christmas ornament personalised.

Last on my list was to buy something to wear on Christmas Day. I always love a maxidress on Christmas as it's cool, comfortable and easy to cook and run around in while hosting.

I loved this dress from Alex & Nia

There are so many fashion stores to have a browse in. Plenty of options to find something to wear during this festive season.

It was so great to shop at Warriewood Square and have everything under the one roof. I feel amazing now that all my jobs are done and I can sit back and enjoy the lead up to Christmas.

There's lots of parking and easy access to the shops. I hate when you have to trek for miles back to the car when you're overloaded with bags!

So many great cafes, restaurants and a food court to sit down and have a bite to eat or a coffee to give you that extra boost to get all of your Christmas shopping done.

How are going with your Christmas preparation?

Are you hosting this Christmas?

This post was a collaboration with Warriewood Square but all thoughts are my own.

Christmas Gift Guide for 2015

Christmas is getting closer and it's time to start the Christmas shopping if you haven't already!

I've popped together a few ideas of things I love for myself, the kids, Simon, my parents, my in-laws and nephews + nieces. I even thought of Dash our dog!

I hope something here can give you some inspiration for your own Christmas shopping.

Oil burner - Page Thirty Three

Wooden stool - Domayne

Marble candlesticks - Marble Basics

"Peace" ring holder - Sportsgirl

C'est La Vie tea towel ( to frame) - Jasmine Dowling

Cork BBQ utensils - Country Road

Reese's Pieces truck - Target (instore only)

Hat - Cotton On

White shallow planter (perfect for a succulent bowl) - Bunnings

Banana Leaf purse - Annabel Trends

Water bombs - Kmart

Suitcase record player - Typo

Makeup brush holder - Mecca 

Marble coasters - Marble Basics

Shelter book - Kara Rosenlund

Ice tea jug - T2

Scratch and colour book - Smiggle

Pineapple pool inflatable - Lark

White crochet throw - Losari

Beats headphones - JB Hi-Fi

Paper plane  kit - Smiggle

Beach towel - Cotton On

Gold cocktail set - Domayne

Marble chopping board - Kmart

Copper mug - Kmart

Dog teepee bed - Target

"I woke up like this" bath mat - Typo

Cactus keyring - Supre

Personalised lunch box - Stuck on You

Marble look place mats - Domayne

Earring - Splice Boutique

For those who have everything and you just don't know what to get them, a voucher is always the answer.  For the last few years I have been getting my dad a BIG 4 Holiday Parks Gift Card so he can use it on his January holidays. It might be a little predictable but he loves it, it's practical and it is easy for me!

http://www.big4.com.au/gift-cards

Also iTunes vouchers are always warmly received as are movie tickets.

We also gave "experiences" to the kids last year. A trip to the zoo, aquarium etc

How are you going with your Christmas shopping?

Did anything here catch your eye?

Our Christmas - 2014

Christmas is over for another year and it was a fantastic one. The weather was great, the food was delicious and the company was amazing.

It was our turn to host this year and I think we pulled off a great Christmas for everyone. We were pretty busy through out the whole day and I forgot to get a family photo, so we recreated one today before I take the Christmas tree down!

The morning started at around 6.30am when the boys came in to let us know that Santa had been. Santa sacks were burrowed into and we opened presents around the tree.  The boys played with their new presents while Simon and I popped the turkey, pork and veggies in the oven. 

Nibbles were put out and a white Sangria and Pimms station were set up so people could help themselves throughout the day. Family started arriving at around 12pm and we opened more presents, caught up and snacked before lunch.

I had set the table the day before. We hired some trestle tables and chairs so we could all sit together at one table.  Simon and I made the crowns for everyone and instead of bonbons I had little gift bags with trinkets for everyone. Costume jewellery for the ladies, little toys for the kids, mini bottles of scotch for the men. Along with jokes, horoscopes, chocolates etc

I also decided a few days before that I desperately needed pink napkins so I decided to dye some of my white ones. It was too easy!

Lunch and dessert were consumed and we were all ready for a rest!

The kids cooled off in the pool and wore themselves out.Tea and coffee were needed as the day came to an end. Peppermint bark was the perfect accompaniment.

It felt like the day flew by but it was lovely to spend it at home surrounded by family.

We've taken it pretty easy the last few days since Christmas, we were all exhausted!

  Everyone has been happy to potter around at home and there are plenty of new toys to keep everyone entertained. Leftovers have been eaten and we are working away through the Christmas chocolate stash. 

I hope your Christmas was a wonderful one. How was it? Where did you spend it?

Did you get anything exciting for your Christmas gifts?

My Christmas Wishlist / Gift Guide.

Today I'm joining in with some fabulous bloggers and sharing my Christmas Wishlist / Gift Guide
I've tried to pop in something for everyone so hopefully it will help with some ideas for your Christmas shopping! I might have even thrown in a few things I want myself ;)
All products can be bought at local online stores so you can skip the crowds.
For her:

1.Weaved wall hanging, 2. Evil eye bracelet, 3. Swan vase,  4. Clutch
For him:

1. Instax printer, 2.GoPro 4 silver, 3. Boardshorts, 

4. Moscow mule copper mug

For the teens:

1. Beach towel, 2. Inflatable donut, 3. Gem speaker, 

4. Gold saltwater sandals

1. Skate decks, 2. iTunes card, 3. Skullcandy headphones, 

4. Basketball hoop

For the kids:

1. Playsuit, 2. Wooden baking set, 3. Kinetic sand,

 4. Knitted unicorn

1. Portable wooden airport, 2. Kubix 100 blocks,  3. Soldier bookends, 4. Towel/poncho

I always try to give our boys a mix of clothes, books, something for their rooms and toys as gifts. Although I find it harder to buy for them as they get older.  This is where vouchers, gift cards and experiences start to come in.
Have you made a start on your Christmas shopping yet? I've popped a couple of things away but still need to make a dent in it before the end of year craziness.
I'm joining up with the following bloggers to share our Christmas Wishlists, make sure you pop over and take a look at their suggestions!
Lisa at theredthreadblog.com Steph at blog.stephbond.com Lexi at pottymouthmama.blogspot.com.au Nicola at concretehoney.blogspot.com.au Clare at checksandspots.com Briar at sundaycollector.com.au Natalie at eatreadlove.com

Festive touches and a Christmas Wish List.

This week Christmas kicked into gear. I made Reindeer cupcakes and Reindeer food for Jasper's classmates. Finn wrote out his own Christmas cards and candy canes to his friends.

We gave both Jasper and Finn's teachers homemade Rocky Road and a flower pot.

I had to do my usual dress up with Noah. Baby Santa this time :)

And I've popped together a few things I would love for Christmas!

This Lucky Horseshoe bracelet from Claire Aristides. Rose gold, please Santa!

I'd love a dinner out , I'd love to try Mr Wong.

I'd love to attend a class at Megan Morton's The School. Particularly the paper chandelier class by Lulu Lucky in February. I might have already booked this ;)

I always love something new to wear for Christmas Day. This white top from Forever New is gorgeous!

Love all of the bedding range from Kip and Co. Swoon!

Also these Turkish towels are great! So lightweight for the beach bag.

Have you shared your wish list yet?

Have you finished all of your Christmas shopping?

This must be my most disorganised year ever. I just can't seem to get it together. I keep having to pop back to the shops!!