a whole new level of christmas wrapping

WRAPPING GOES NATURAL

{1. With photos | 2. So simple | 3. From outside | 4. Upside down}

WRAPPING GOES COLOURFUL

{1. Triangle stickers | 2. Go crazy | 3. Red & Pink | 4. Geometric}

WRAPPING GOES MONOCHROME

{1. Stars & spots | 2. Black packets | 3. Chalkboard | 4. Stripes}

happy birthday to the best little 3 year old!

It's Honor Elizabeth's birthday today! Thank you beautiful little girl for making our hearts smile, entertaining us no end, playing hairdresser-hairdresser and listening to our stories. Thanks for lovely bath times and long walks that feel too short. Thanks for laughing and giggling uncontrollably. Thanks for believing in magic, fairytales and all things wonderful. Thanks for being a shining light in our family. We love you! 

9 downloadable gift tags

1. Love & Whimsy | 2. Happy Holidays | 3. Brown paper ones | 4. Holiday sweaters | 5. Stockings | 6. Chalk boards | 7. Coolest creatures | 8. Reindeer Hugs | 9.  Illustrated ones

my Christmas Eve table scape

In this week's issue of Grazia I am featured with my Christmas eve table scape. I cannot wait to have my whole family in our home to celebrate. For more pics and step by step how tos get the latest issue of Grazia.

happy weekend: 12 days until Christmas

Can you believe it's only 12 days to go until Christmas!

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As promised here are five fab Christmas/holiday links that caught my eye this week:

Anthopology's annual tree trimming video

Are you hosting any Christmas parties? These holiday ice cubes are a super impressive DIY. 

Eat, drink and Merry

Strawberry Father Christmases!

Refinery29's guide to dealing with holiday stresses from packing on weight to inlaw craziness.

Christmas gift guide for your mother who cannot be described in words and the best granny in the world

1. Giant blow up swan | 2. Copper hanging plant | 3. A vintage family pic frames (this one if of our great granny, our great aunt and our gran in the 1950s) | 4. Liberty print pajamas from J.Crew

Christmas gift guide for your sister who sparkles

1. Glitter serve ware | 2. Salt and Pepper shakers | 3. 'I think you are magic' cards | 4. Sparkling twine 

Christmas gift guide for your impossible to buy for dad

1. Backgammon game set | 2. Wooden lego  | 3. Chalkboard globe | 4. Personalised luggage tags

Christmas gift guide for your three-year-old niece, who loves animals

1. Woodland themed memory game | 2. Handmade stuffed animals (this one is called Magnolia the bunny) | 3. A fox mask | 4. A range of finger puppets 

A great tree has fallen; a bright star has risen

Goodbye Tata Madiba. The whole world will miss you. You are a true saint, a giant amongst legends and I feel blessed to have grown up in a South Africa with you. May you continue to be an inspiration to us in the way we live our lives.

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, July 18, 1918 - December 5, 2013

Iconic posters of Mandela's struggle

The life of Nelson Mandela

The Nelson Mandela Digital Archive Project which aims to document all archival materials related to Nelson Mandela

Yes, he changed our world

The Eiffel Tower pays tribute

Christmas gift guide for the monochrome baby

1. Dream big print | 2. Mon Marcel shoes  | 3. Shapes mobile | 4. H-Luv rabbit

Christmas wish list 2012

Christmas gift guide for your friend that lives in her kitchen

1. Kitchen conversion poster | 2. Chalk tablet | 3. Bergamo cookware | 4. White rabbit cookie jar

Christmas gift guide for your man with a DIY streak

1. Whale bookends | 2. HomeMade gin kit | 3. Sergeant Pepper t-shirt | 4. Bookbinding kit

When strangers think they know

Last Sunday our little family of four was out for breakfast with friends. While we were waiting for our food to arrive, I was walking along the pavement of the cafe trying to get Florence back to sleep in the sling. It was a warm summer Joburg morning and her bare little foot was peeping out of the sling. As I was walking one of the cafe customers was leaving and came up to me and said "I think her foot is cold, you should cover it."

What I said:

"She is fine" and moved away from her (the audacity!)

What I wanted to say:

I created this baby. I carried her inside of me for 9 months and knew her penchant for kicking before she was born. I've nursed this child solely on breast milk for four months. I know that she shuffles to get comfortable in order to get to sleep. I know that she talks more just before she gets tired. I know when she is about to cry a few seconds before it happens as i know recognise the imperceptible changes in her face. I know she has a warm little body which easily gets over heated when in the sling and that she likes to have her toes wiggling in the fresh air. So I know for certain that her feet are not cold and that I do not need to cover them. If however you were talking about her twin sister just over there, I may agree. I know that Anna secretly loves a cuddle against your chest. I know the limit to which she can remain composed before her little bottom lip protrudes and she begins to cry. I know that she loves falling asleep on my breast after the four I clock feed. I know that arching her back is comfortable for her and that she will reach for her sister when they are placed near each other. I know the shape of her toothless, gummy smile with my eyes closed. And I also know that she has a slightly lower body temperature and her little toes and hands are often a little clammy and cold. So if you were telling me to cover Anna's feet as they may be cold, I would agree. But of course, by then her feet would already be covered.

hello december aka the countdown to Christmas

woohoo! we have officially reached the countdown to Christmas. I am beyond excited. From now until the 25th our posts will be all about Christmas with some catch up baby posts in between, from gift guides to table inspiration and gift wrapping ideas. Tomorrow we are going to start our Bury and Discover Gift Guides, so get ready to start shopping.

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In the meantime here are some past B&D posts all about Christmas, enjoy!

The important stuff (found on a Christmas card). 

2011 wish lists: for the bedroom; for your man; for a babe; fun stuff; stationary and things to wear. 

A whole lot of wrapping inspiration: loads of glitter; 

How to tie the perfect bow. It's a pleasure. 

B&D's Christmas in 2012.

Table scapes to mark 1 month until Christmas.