Setting the Christmas Table

I will be attending 8 Christmas gatherings between Sunday and Wednesday

(you heard me right).  The flights (and layovers), packing for snow 
and spending more time in the car than out of it while home lead me 

to wishfully thinking that maybe someday I can convince everyone

to come to London to spend Christmas with me here instead.

What makes me long for hosting my own Christmas the most though

is the idea of getting to set a Christmas table.  If I were doing

it this year, I'd certainly take note of these beauties...

(via)

(via)

(via)

(via)

(rue magazine, p116)

(and at night - rue magazine, p127)

(via)

UK Christmas Songs

One of the (many) things that the UK does better than the US

when it comes to Christmas, is the music.  There are a few good Christmas

carols in the US (and there's no denying Mariah's "All I Want for Christmas,"

Bruce Springsteen's "Merry Christmas Baby," and Bing Crosby are distinctly American),

but apparently we Americans also love to get a bit corny with our carols and

think that carols should be largely old fashioned.

Not so in the UK.

I think the competition for Christmas Number One is the key to this

(you may remember something about this from Love Actually, 

 with Blue versus Bill Nighy).

So I'm sharing with you some top Christmas songs that Americans

normally just miss out on - I will be loading my iPod with these before I set off.

Fairytale of New York - The Pogues:

Merry Christmas Everybody - Slade:

Last Christmas - Wham:

Driving Home for Christmas - Chris Rea:

Wonderful Christmas Time - Paul McCartney & Wings:

Enjoy!

Gift Guide 2012: For the Foodie/Cook

Gift Guide 2012: For the Foodie/Cook

(What Katie Ate - Katie Quinn Davies)

(Jerusalem - Yotam Ottolenghi)

(Imperia pasta maker - Sous Chef)

(Assorted ravioli stamp set - Sous Chef)

(Cuisinart soup maker and blender - Williams-Sonoma)

(Petit casseroles - Le Creuset)

(Beer/Food 2013 calendar - redcruiser via Etsy)

(These have been selling out really fast but the shop owner Heidi keeps replenishing stock)

(Cooks herb wreath - Williams-Sonoma)

(Alchemical larder exotic spice/ingredient set - Easy Tasty Magic)

(Port and Stilton hamper - John Lewis)

(Truffoil concentrate - L'Aquila)

(Fitzwater serving board - Anthropologie)

(Lime, black pepper and lavender vinegar - Womersley)

(Sprouted Kitchen - Sara Forte and Hugh Forte)

(Molecular cuisine DIY kit - MOLECULE-R)

(Heston Blumenthal precision confectionery thermometer - Salter)

(Tunisian hand-painted tagine - Williams-Sonoma)

(The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook - Deb Perelman)

(Ideal Bookshelf 506: Cooking by Jane Mount - 20x200)

Gift Guide: For the Home

Gift Guide 2012: For the Home

(ECOV310.AZ Vintage Icona Espresso Coffee Machine - De'Longhi)

(Foil dot napkins - Anthropologie)

(Painted Amaryllis measuring cups - Anthropologie)

(Hour glass diffuser 34 - Diptyque)

(Revival DAB radio - Roberts)

(Scent candle royalty - Tom Dixon)

(Smartphone dock - Jonathan Adler)

(Gold Flatware 5-piece set - West Elm)

(Elephant Tray - Caroline Sheffield)

("Silence is Golden" neon light - kiss her...by Bianca Hall)

(Purple Rose platter - John Derian)

(Sophisticated animal napkin set - Chase and Wonder)

(2013 Cities Calendar - Rifle Paper Co)

(Red Tea Towel - Paule Marrot)

(Rosy-cheeked coupes - BHLDN)

(richard nixon throw - Jonathan Adler)

(Holiday Classic candle - Nest)

(Handpainted still life monogram - Anthropologie)

(Flying Swallow by Don Carney - 20x200)

(The Dogs of Spitalfields Life - Rob Ryan)

(Burlesque scented candle - Fornasetti)

(Eileen French Press - Bodum)

(Cheers crystalline glasses - Williams-Sonoma)

(Vase - Rob Ryan)