Favorite things during the Christmas season

I'm a late adopter of Christmas traditions in the U.K but I'm making up for lost time. I'm still not used to the excessive gift buying as we've never really exchanged presents during Christmas. The idea was rather foreign in my early years in Borneo. I see the immense stress and financial strain some of my friends have to deal with here. That was enough to confirm that it wasn't something I'd ever want to emulate.





However, I'm obsessed with Christmas tree decorations. Each and every single decoration on my tree represents an experience my family and I have had in the past. Say, the Eiffel tower encased in a snow globe. I've had many precious memories on my numerous trips to Paris. Ditto with the handmade embroidery of Winchester Cathedral in town.

There's nothing more enchanting than sitting on the sofa on a cold winter's night with the candles lit, Christmas carols playing in the background and lights twinkling on my Christmas tree. Simple pleasures.





I picked up this handmade nutcracker from the Christmas market. The word art and craft make me break out in hives so I wasn't going to say no when my friend, Eileen, a talented florist asked if she could make a wreath for me.

I rarely bake these days. No baking means no eating. Hence, little weight gain. Yup, vanity. I decided to take the easiest route by just buying gingerbread cookies, all perfectly iced so that I don't have to deal with the mess. Chowing these beauties down takes a minute but it takes hours just to ice the darned things. I've noticed that the pricing at Biscuiteer is a little different at the store than online. The nutcracker and ballerina set cost £7 in the store but £10.95 plus shipping online. They're expensive but it's worth the cost just to see happy faces when they open the box to see the unexpected gift within.

What are your favorite things during the Christmas season?

Create your own personalised wrapping paper

Those who know me well enough understand that the word DIY and Marlene should never be used in the same sentence. Up until recently, my god-daughter and her mom were appalled by my wrapping skills (hey! It's the present that counts, right? Right??) so lately I've upped my game a little. I've had a chance to try out Wrap.Me which was just launched recently. Those who are Instagram mad like me LOVE the opportunity to personalize our wrapping paper using our favorite snapshots.  Most importantly, it's dead easy to use.

Pop over to the website and it'll link to your Instagram or Facebook accounts in a jiffy (or upload your photos from your computer). Go crazy or play it safe by choosing photos that share similar tonal theme. All you have to do is click to choose the image. Create a story, propose to your other half, plaster the wrapping paper with your kids' photos (grandparents will love this).......

 A single sheet (65cm x 46cm) costs £4.99, a small roll (50cm x 2.2m) is priced at £9.99 and the large roll (50cm x 3.6m), £14.99.


This post was kindly sponsored by the lovely people at Wrap.Me. I'm sure family and friends who'll receive presents from me this year will no longer have to deal with the eyesore seeing that my wrapping skills (and paper) have improved.......

Merry Christmas!

I'm sorry for being MIA over the past week. The viral infection spread like wildfire through the town leaving most of the families I know (including mine) sick. Fingers crossed everyone will be well enough for the Christmas celebration. Thank you so much for your continual support. I'd never thought in a million years that there will be people, other than my family, would ever want to read my blog. I've made so many friends via the blog and even met some of you this year. Take care and have a wonderful Christmas!

Regards Marlene

Haute Casual

Outfit: Etoile Isabel Marant Kady leather jacket (similar here or here), Asos jumper, The Kooples sweatpants (similar here or here), ankle boots (similar here) and Barbour canvas shopping tote.


Vogue's Sarah Harris coined the term haute casual to describe super-luxe anti-fuss separates. This is taking normal wearable everyday pieces to the next level where more attention is paid to the construction and fabrics. I couldn't be happier now that the very idea of sweatpants are actually considered chic and not relegated to the ranks of PJs. Gone are the days of slouchy and baggy sweatpants. These days, they resemble skinny jeans along with pockets and zips albeit ones that come with elastic bands (faaaabulous if you're gorging or you're having a fat day) and super soft fabric. I know....I know..... I'm darn good at justifying the reasons why I wear sweatpants out in the public.





The weekends leading up to Christmas are always frantically busy with pop up stores, fairs and Christmas markets all happening simultaneously. We headed over to check out my friend, Tiphaine's stall at the craft fair. She's made these adorable bracelets from Liberty fabrics.




The vintage Baloo brought back memories of watching Disney's Jungle Book cartoon. The rocking horse is a throwback to the days where it was a must have toy in the nursery. The slightly shabby coat and the worn wooden base reminded me of the conversation between the wise Skin Horse and the Rabbit from one of the most beloved storybook, The Velveteen Rabbit.

"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."

"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.

"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."


"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"


"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in your joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand." 

 (excerpt from the Velveteen Rabbit)









We did a bit of window shopping. I love the old apothecary type bottles, so rarely found these days. The shelves held some of my favorite scented candles and skin care range.




It was a magical feeling walking past the 1000 year old church which was once part of the castle and the canopy of lights as the sun set. Lil L pointed out the nests on the trees as we watched a plane flew past with a trail of smoke behind it. How was your weekend?