The perfect gift

I'm drowning in Christmas must-does and must-goes. I'm drowning in unpacking and house zhushing. I'm drowning in real life work and day to day drudgery. I'm cranky and rude and rushed and tired. I'm just overwhelmed and my standards and expectations are way too high. Why does this time of year do this to me? I don't need to be perfect. I don't need to go everywhere, see everyone, clean behind the fridge before the family comes round. I need to step back, take a deep breath and evaluate what is important. Like life itself. This year the Australian Red Cross Blood Service has launched a new campaign ... the perfect gift for Christmas. Give something that will really make a difference this Christmas  by donating blood and giving the gift of life.

The hard facts here in Australia:

• Every donation can save three lives.
• Every donation is valuable because 1 in 3 Australians will need blood, yet only 1 in 30 donates.
• The need for blood is constant and all blood components have a limited shelf life, which is why donations are needed every day. Blood and blood treatments are delivered to hospitals around Australia 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – even on Christmas Day.
• Australia needs over 26,000 blood donations every week to save lives and to meet the need of patients.
• Donations made in December could help patients recover to be home for Christmas or the New Year.

If you live in the Land of Aus maybe you can help ARCBS save lives this Christmas. Go here for more information.

All dolled up for the holidays

I'm feeling a little festive today so I thought I'd share this absolutely incredible seasonal treat with you today. It comes from The Ammar Girls (Debrah, Alexandra, & Olivia) of Virginia. "I've been noticing some recent photos on Desire to Inspire have featured holiday decorations. I wanted to share this photo with you of our mantle. I've been working on perfecting the shape of this piece for about 4 holiday seasons now and each year it gets a little more refined." 

"Each ornament is individually wired, twisted and secured to the garland. You can imagine what a timely, tedious process this is. Not to mention, they are glass balls so you have to be extra gentle handling them. I'm estimating there are over 500 total ornaments." INCREDIBLE!!! Thanks so much for sharing this with us ladies!!

Holiday with Matthew Mead

Christmas is right around the corner and I have been desperately trying to get as much of my Christmas shopping done as early as possible, and online because I really hate fighting the mall crowds. (Etsy, how I love you). And speaking of Christmas and online shopping, if you haven't already ordered Matthew Mead's Holiday book-azine WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?? Mine arrived in the mail a couple days ago and it's SO gorgeous! I'm going to have this out on my coffee table every Christmas season as part of my decor. Not only is it full of fabulous photos of spaces all dolled up for the holidays, but it's got decorating projects and recipes and a feature I mentioned way back in April about a select number of bloggers (including Jo and I!) and their holiday projects. Here is a sneak peek of what's inside...

Welcome to beyond paradise

I think I need a holiday. I have spent the past 2 days in bed with a migraine. Too much stress, too many deadlines, not enough time to breathe. I'm dreaming of running away to a piece of paradise somewhere special. Welcome Beyond hand picks the most beautiful and unique vacation properties around the world. I lost my heart in Florence on my first and only visit. A truly magnificent city and beautiful people (perhaps that is why I lost my heart!). My fantasy return involves this beautiful hotel, Riva Lofts. The trouble is there are too many stunning properties on Welcome Beyond's books as you will see when I share two more after the jump ...

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In far off Zanzibar ...

Paradise on a crescent beach of sherbet white sand. Domed pavilions straddle the ridge. Views filled with dreams of the spice routes. Exotic, exclusive, remote and relaxing. The name of this slice of heaven? Kilindi. Perhaps it's Swahili for perfect .........

  

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