beautiful biscotti

Snowed in, I made Christmas biscotti (from a  BBC good food recipe), packed full of spices, nuts and dried fruit. It was the first time I'd tried making them and they worked out perfectly. They'll keep for up to a month in a tin, but I'm quite sure we'll have scoffed them all long before then.

sally nencini

I am totally taken with the work of talented textile designer Sally Nencini and am lusting after these cushions, which you can buy directly from her website or from her etsy shop:

the regency

We finished a big project at work this week and went to the Regency, frankly the best cafe in London, to celebrate with egg, chips and beans:

christmas cards

I thought I'd start December with a round up of my favourite Christmas cards. First up, this from dicky bird (£1.90 each), who I came across at Midcentury.Modern:

I love Ruth Green's work, and you can buy these handprinted cards (£5 for a pack of five) at not on the high street:

These are part of a set from the marvellous gemmabear on etsy:

I did try hard to source all my cards from UK suppliers, but couldn't resist these from Vandalia Street Press in Saint Paul:

and these from Lucky Bee Press in Santa Cruz:

Both will deliver to British shores. 

crafternoon

Spent a very happy afternoon crafting with friends. We made pom poms for my Christmas tree and super cute felted acorns, as seen on i diy:

mini men

These handsome little men were created from my all time favourite winter biscuit recipe (thank you Nigella). They're made with mixed spice and when you bake them the smell is, to me, the epitome of festive warmth.

dirty old river, must you keep rolling...

The Thames by Lambeth Bridge, late afternoon. I love the light of a low winter sun:

advent

I confess… I’m a little crazy about Christmas. It’s the perfect combination of all the things I love best: baking, eating much too much, home décor, gift wrap, cards and spending time with family and friends. However, I try hard to restrict my festive celebrations(and blog entries) to the month of December.

I will, however, make a brief exception for this beautiful advent calendar from Nouveau Designs in New York, because if I don’t order it now it will be too late!