A Blogger Christmas

As the year fades and Christmas hurtles ever towards us, it can be gratifying at this time to begin to unwind and slow down. I realise that many people do the very opposite and rush around buying presents, going to parties, cooking, baking and decorating their homes. I’m not suggesting we don’t do that, but rather we take a moment here and there for ourselves. It’s around this time when I think about what I had hoped to achieve with my year and what I actually achieved. I also start to think about my hopes and dreams for the coming year.

I especially like this time of year when I’m away from the frantic Christmas shoppers and festive party-goers. I might be at home alone or with my partner, on the sofa with a stylish mug of mulled wine (Iittala of course). I’ll have Christmas music* playing in the background, with candles lit and the tree lights glittering. It’s these little moments that are special in my life, that I treasure and enjoy. And I might just sit and look around me. I love beautiful things; I always have. I love to look at beautiful objects and items in a room and just appreciate their aesthetic, their design and their being.

Quiet times are also great times to go shopping on the internet. I know there are arguments for and against internet shopping vs. high street shopping, but I do like to be in control during the Christmas period. A frenetic high street dash where I try to avoid the onslaught of crazed shoppers is not my idea of festive fun. At any other time of year I love to be in Soho, on Regent Street, in Marylebone… but I’m sure many Londoners can attest to the fact that London’s West End and main shopping streets are literally swamped in the weeks leading up to Christmas, with somewhat panic-stricken and agitated shoppers. So my little MacBook is my salvation, my window to a big shopping world.

I’ve been tweeting and blogging for a few months now and have been filled with wonder and awe at the wealth of fantastic bloggers and tweeters who are helping to make the design and creative worlds a better place. There is so much more out there than the average high street or shopping centre has to offer. The internet, and therein many bloggers, is offering some great alternatives to the plethora of shop chains and I believe we need to be championing this more and more.

And so when I sit in my quiet space at this time of year, I can enjoy looking at and feeling inspired by many things that were not the average high street purchase. And I can enjoy looking online at lovely things that have been designed, curated and put together by others.

With this in mind, you might be looking for an interesting and simple Christmas gift. I’ve therefore put together a few ideas from four wonderful, and quite different, bloggers out there.

LottyBlue

LottyBlue sells retro/mid century modern items that include retro vintage style homeware and accessories.

Top image from left: Gisela Graham red white tin vintage tree shaped Christmas tree decorations, set of 4; Box of 12 traditional vintage style red/cream wooden heart shapes Christmas tree decorations; Vintage style wooden red/white ice skate Christmas tree decoration; Box of 12 vintage style traditional mini glass christmas tree baubles.

From left to right: Retro alarm clock in red; Fab lolly coffee mug/cup Martin Wiscombe design;  Retro refreshing tea design teapot Martin Wiscombe design.

Find the above items here and follow LottyBlue on Twitter here.

Nordic Bliss

Nordic Bliss has a growing collection of Nordic brands and designers in its shop, helping you to create your dream home.

From left to right: Reindeer candle sticks; Tea light holder with weaving in light wood; Tea light holder with hole pattern in white; Gold bowls in two sizes.

From left to right: Felt basket in grey; Oven mittens, delight red, set of 2; Cover for laptop in wool.

Find the above items here and follow Nordic Bliss on Twitter here.

Yumalum aka Obsessilicious

Yumalum sells colourful modern retro style posters and prints via Etsy.

From left to right:  Cathrineholm poster print – “It’s Coffee O’clock”; Retro poster calendar 2012; Eames poster print – “I Want To Lounge With You” in Grey.

Find the above posters here and follow Obsessilicious on Twitter here.

My Bearded Pigeon

My Bearded Pigeon sells an assortment of cushions via Etsy, including cushions with prints of maps and words.

From left to right: Throw cushion “Wood” closeup; Map pillow “London”; Decorative pillow “I Love Typography”.

Find the above cushions here and follow My Bearded Pigeon on Twitter here.

*My Christmas music recommendations:

• Dolly Parton Home For Christmas
• Dolly & Kenny Once Upon A Christmas
• Michael Bublé Christmas
• Bette Midler Cool Yule 

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