Dec
15
Homemade Christmas Wreath…well almost!
Filed Under Christmas, My Home, Wall decor, Weddings | 8 Comments
I just thought I’d quickly share a few photos from my handy work last night. I finally got round to making the Christmas wreath for our front door, well, I actually bought the wreath but then I decorated it by hand…still counts though doesn’t it? I’ll try making it all from scratch next year if I have a bit more time on my hands.
So anyway, in the immortal words of the lovely Mary Fitzgerald…here’s one I made earlier (I’ll bet Mary didn’t actually make hers either)! I bought this one in my local florist at the Dublin 4 price of €12.00. Then all you need are:
2 large oranges
6 cinnamon sticks
6 small baubles
1 large bauble
Needle & thread
Twine & scissors
To decorate it I sliced up some large oranges and baked the slices in the oven at 180 degrees C for approx. 30 – 40 minutes turning them over halfway through. When the oranges were cool I added a whole clove to every second segment. Then I attached/sewed them to the wreath using a needle and thread. Using twine, I then attached the cinnamon sticks to the wreath and wrapped small Christmas baubles around them. I used these Silvered Glass Baubles. Lastly, I added the co-ordinating large bauble to the bottom of the wreath…at voila!
These wreaths are also a great way to add a festive touch to an autumn/winter wedding, perfect for hanging around the reception venue, decorating the church windows or even used as table centrepieces. Just pop a large pillar candle in the centre and hey presto!
Dec
15
Christmas Bunting a-go-go
Filed Under Christmas, Gifts, Shop Stuff, Wall decor | Leave a Comment
Handmade Christmas Bunting - HoHoHo €24.00
We have the most fabulous range of Christmas bunting that has been handmade with love by Nola Gifts especially for Mabel & Violet. There are four different styles and not only will it jazz up your own home this Christmas but it would make the most adorable gift. In fact it would make the most thoughtful and perfect gift for the person who is playing host to you for Christmas this year….much better than another ponsietta anyway!
Handmade Christmas Bunting - Santa Baby €28.00
Hurry though, last orders in time for Christmas are looming….
Dublin: 22nd December 2009
Rest of Ireland & Northern Ireland: 20th December 2009
Great Britain: 17th December 2009
Handmade Christmas Bunting - Happy Christmas €36.00
Handmade Christmas Bunting - Rudolph €24.00
Dec
7
The Perfect Christmas Gift for Tea Lovers
Filed Under Christmas, Gifts, Shop Stuff | Leave a Comment
Maya Tea Lovers Gift Set €59.95 from Mabel & Violet
We all know at least one. They can usually be found lurking furtively by the kettle, anxiously waiting for the comforting click, signalling that they can proceed to the next step of their daily, no, hourly ritual. This is an addiction like no other, one that can only be satiated by an ancient herbal remedy of the gods. It relieves all tension and anxiety, rendering the addict more useful, less irritable and increasingly capable of normal human behaviour. The rest of us mere mortals have a lot to thank tea for.
Show your nearest and dearest tea addicts a little empathy this Christmas and give them the gift that keeps on giving them their daily fix – the Maya Tea Lovers Gift Set €59.95 from Mabel & Violet.
Maya Tea Caddy - also comes with the Maya Tea Lovers Gift Set (above)
Dec
4
Industrial Meets Country
Filed Under Inspiration, Photography | 1 Comment
I am really digging this industrial meets country look at the moment. Love the floorboards although I’d come dangerously close to them with a paintbrush and tin of white paint, the industrial lighting, the big old cast iron bath, the dresser…love it all. Now all I need is a big old country pile or former country mill so I can start rocking it.
Images via Tim James Photography
Dec
3
Christmas is a-Comin’
Filed Under Christmas, Gifts, Shop Stuff | 2 Comments
Christmas at Mabel & Violet
Oh where to start! Now that I’m back in the blogging seat once more, I have so much to tell you lovely folks that I don’t know where to start, eeek. I should probably start at the beginning but that would be boring and I’m way too excited about Christmas to even think about anything else at this very minute, so Christmas it will be.
Silvered Glass Vases/Votives €19.95 Set of 2
I’ve been soooo busy over the last few weeks getting organised for our first proper Christmas here at Mabel & Violet towers. We had a soft launch just before Christmas last year to see how sales would go but we didn’t go all out like this year. This year we have created a Christmas section with Christmas Decor, a Christmas Gift List For Her and a Christmas Gift List For Him. Have you seen it yet? It includes loads of new products that I’m very excited about…
Mirror & Glitter Christmas Wreaths €19.95 Set of 2
These are just some of our Christmas range, if you want to see more of what we have available just click here. Silver, teal and turquoise appear to be a common theme in our decorations this year, can you tell?
Set of 3 Large Harlequin Baubles €9.95
Dec
2
Bold Blogger
Filed Under Banter, Inspiration | 6 Comments
Dear oh dearie me, what sort of a blogger am I? A pretty bold one as it turns out. That’s “bold” in the Irish sense of the word, which means “bad” as opposed to “daring”. I am not a daring blogger, no. “Is blogger dána mé”, as we would say in our native tongue.
When one’s husband starts giving out to one for not blogging, one knows that something must really be out of kilter, especially when one’s husband disapproves of such things that normally eat into one’s personal time after work.
Likewise, when one’s friends start asking questions such as “Where have you been? How are we supposed to know what’s going on in your life if you’re not blogging” one must ask oneself, “Why don’t one’s friends just pick up the phone to chat to one?” HEL-LO! But also, on a more philosophical note, “Why hasn’t one been blogging lately?” or should that be “Why haven’t I been blogging lately?” All this third person stuff is far too complex for my little brain. The answer to that question still eludes me but I suppose I just got out of the habit and was quite enjoying the free time and then the more I didn’t blog, the easier it became not to blog. It’s a vicious circle but luckily for you peeps I’ve decided to get back in the game, so here I am.
I suppose it’s my own fault for starting this blogging thing in the first place. And there was me thinking that no-one ever read my blog anyway. At least now I know that my friends do, so when they’re not checking up on me on Facebook and Twitter they’re popping over here to see what I’ve been up to week in, week out. Hmmm. Next time I meet them I’ll prepare a little table quiz to test their “Meet Mabel & Violet” knowledge. They can only be considered real friends if they get at least 8/10 answers right. That’ll learn ‘em!
Image via marieclairemaison.com