A very crafty Christmas

Like most of the Western World seems to now be (and as I have mentioned *ahem* once or twice) I am addicted to Pinterest. This year at Christmas it has given me quite a lot of inspiration to make a lot of gifts for people.

As I am not generally a very crafty person, I decided to share my creations with my lovely readers. Especially as they had lovely reactions too!

Cellophane, curling ribbon and LOTS of sellotape were definitely my friends, and I got quite skilled at wrapping up pretty much anything in a pretty way - presentation really is everything.

Personalised mugs
These were very nearly a Pinterest fail. Apparently...no...sharpie designs on porelain baked at 300C for 35 minutes is RUBBISH! However do that 3 times and then swear a lot as the designs rub off with your thumb and then bake the crap out of the mug at about 400C for an hour DOES work better. I did tell these stories when I gave them to the recipients and advised they are not washed up and perhaps used for ornamental purposes.

None-the-less, the boy and the best mate both loved their personalised mugs. I have a great photo of Marsha screaming "PIVOT!" as she opened it, but as she is in her PJs I'm not sure if she'll appreciate me sharing it ;)

The boys is Game of Thrones themed and says "Winter is Coming" then in smaller writing "Drink Toffee Nut lattes" (his fav winter drink) - and it came with a bottle of Toffee Nut syrup and chocolates.

Finally both of my gift receivers didn't realise I'd made them at first which made me doubly proud!

Date Jar

My sister and her fiance are both money and time poor and don't get the opportunity for many dates. I think sometimes a little creativity is all that's needed but when you a million other things on your mind its very easy for those to fall by the way-side. So I gave them a bit of a helping hand.

I had great fun thinking of nice dates I've had, unique places I've been in London and when all else failed - Googling! I split the lollipop sticks into categories so they can choose easily depending on their budget. I made sure there were lots of "Free" and split that into "Free - Romantic" and "Free - fun"

A few of my ideas included:

• Go to the park and play on the swings
• Edit photos of each other
• Stay up all night and watch the sunrise
• Go on a daytrip to France
• Play hide and seek...in Tesco!

I didn't get any great photos when it was finished but I made a label that I glued on the side and top detailing the colour categories  and I also include a photo album. I personalised the inside telling them both to "Make lots of memories together". It was a lovely album where you can write a few lines next to each photo.

On the same theme I also made a "dates with baby" jar for a certain amazing McMuppett who is soon expecting. I really hope it arrives in the States before she reads this ;) Instead of using lollypop sticks I used wooden hearts from Hobbycraft.

Re-creating old photos
I think this was the gift I was most proud of. It was a joint effort with my sister after I had seen a much "simpler" version on Pinterest where someone had just recreated one photo.

In our family there are a lot of "iconic" photos of me and my sister - generally in very silly outfits  We spent an entire day recreating these, and framed them along with the originals. We were really pleased with how they came out in the end - especially with all the effort we put in with finding similar outfits and getting the locations as close as possible.

Although shorts in the garden on the coldest day of the year was not the most fun we've ever had!

I think the best bit of this though was our Mums reaction when she opened it. We pondered for quite a while on the best way to present it, before settling on pre-hanging them for her and "wrapping" the wall.

However we took it one step further. We figured out the placement and banged in all the nails whilst she was out. Then we took everything down again and waited until she had gone to bed on Christmas Eve before hanging and "wrapping" them.

It was the last gift opened on Christmas morning and I really wished I had videoed her reaction. It was priceless - I have never seen my Mum get this emotional over anything! She squealed, clapped her hands jumping up and down...and then burst into tears.

Seriously if you need an idea for a Christmas gift - do this! Parents, grandparents, Aunties, cousins - anyone in the family who loves photos.

We also got a "nice" one as we were in matching outfits (something we haven't done since we were very young!) However the one we were most happy with was us literally under the tree. We then customised a simple wooden frame with Christmas crafty bits and are really happy with it. - Sort of an alpine lodgey feel.

We hope this will become a permanent Christmas decoration in our home now.

Movie boxes

Way back in the summer I saw these adorable plastic popcorn holders, and as I had recently picked up a massive box of proper American microwave popcorn I knew I could make great gifts from those. Sadly they were just SLIGHTLY too narrow to fit a DVD in them but with my cellophane magic-ness I think it worked out pretty nicely. I didnt pack the entire thing with sweets and chocolates, but instead padded the bottom with balled up paper so I could then arrange the top with sweety goodness.

This photo is for a certain second McMuppett and was meant to be given during our pre-Christmas meet up but sadly she was struck down with lurgy. Get better soon Becca and this will be waiting for you when I see you next!

Cellophane gift sets

I bought a couple of little bottles of whisky for the boy and wanted a creative way to present them. In addition I bought a couple of the discounted Soap and Glory mega gift sets (Thank you Martin Lewis!) and then split them up into smaller personalised gifts. I was tres pleased with this super thrifty gift ideas and I still have lots of bits stashed away for future gifts or maybe even a blog giveaway.

Inexpensive cellophane and pretty curling ribbon and the gifts are good to go!



Overall I just love how thrifty, crafy and personal I have been with my gift giving this year. Sure there were also DVD's and various other "normal" gifts but I think these were the best ones to give and receive.

And it seemed I wasn't the only one getting creative. My Mum MADE - yes MADE me this amazing Friends photo frame! Unfortunately as my front door is plastic coated I can't hang it there as in the show, instead it will get pride of place on either my front room or bedroom door.

My sister gave me a very personal gift that is kind of long winded to explain, but it basically marks my (now non-existent) room at my Mums and had a lovely poem along with it too.

Marsha (my Wife for all intents and purposes except legally. Does anyone else have this with their best mates? Eh we're weird and we love it - role with it!) had an "engagement ring" commissioned for me from my uber talented sister! Except I had no idea about this on Christmas day and it was a lovely 'Christmas magic' present.

Our long term family friends the Lawrences made me a lovely gift basket of scrummy sauces and dips. It was really personal and I'm loving trying all the different flavours. Especially the balsamic vinegar which I had tonight and could plough through very easily! (I didn't get a photo before I started trying them all)

And even the boy got creative with this amazing gift for his sister - framed prints of her favourite bands album covers. I thought that was a lovely idea and I hear she was very happy with them.

If you would like to make homemade gifts for your loved ones, my best advice is to start planning now. A few of my friends said they ran out of time to get supplies and literally to sit down and put gifts together. I was planning most of mine from the Summer. It does take some time but it is so worth it!

Also don't put too much pressure on yourself. I had originally planned to sit down on one day and make everything at once, but I actually found myself making a couple of things each evening in front of the telly. Very relaxing and enjoyable.

Did you get or give anything homemade for Christmas? Planning on anything crafty for upcoming Birthdays, Valentines Day or next year?

Leave me a comment, tweet me or pin any of the images from this post :)

Tweet to @smiley_sarah

(Wed 15th) Day 13 – This week

Well this week has been a bit of a funny one.

I moved back home after having my own place for a little while. It was only short term in the first place, until Christmas (because then I'm going back to the States in Jan) but I sat down and thought about it. Returned to my practical aspect and weighed up my sanity for the next 2 weeks over having the extra money to spend with my Snowflake.

Codaniel won As he pretty much always will = )

On a happier note this week I spent time with Becca. We had a lovely relaxing weekend. She'd been working really hard in the States and deserved a weekend of lounging. We also went to see the b.e.a.u-ti-ful Johnny Flynn with the fantabulous Vicky which was AWESOME fun! Even if we did get lost following the little blue dot...

Soooo yeah thats about the gist of my week.

Day 07 – My best friend

Best friend huh? I wrote a whole blog post about friendship a little while ago actually.

Well until about 3 or 4 months ago I would've had a standard stock answer for this. Same as it had been for 9 years. Sadly things have changed lately and that is no longer my standard response. Maybe that's a good thing - who knows?

Since I was at school I havn't ever really done the "Best Friend" thing. Each relationship with each of my friends is unique and different. Each of them ebb and flow. Some I see a lot, some very rarely. But each of my true friends - and every single one of them knows who they are - are in my life for a reason. I think declaring just one person as your "Best Friend" results in a lot of anger and upset and heartache. Although likewise if you try and class all friendships (or all friendships within a certain group or circle) as the same

I would go through hell and high water for the people I love. My friends very much so. If you mess with me that's one thing - mess with my friends and bitch I WILL take you down! :D

Its funny that this blog subject is on the day that one of my very close friends is visiting. In a post on a forum about things I am thankful for recently, I said of Becca (whilst talking about my friends) "Especially my friend in Scotland who is my support system, my rock and my gig going bestie!"

I met Becca in the same place as I did Codaniel. Along with Megs I feel truly blessed to have found three special people in one place. In addition I have a number of other people met there who I am so happy to have come into my life and who I am proud to call my friends. My Lexlings are an amazing bunch!

My "Old School Girlies" are the girls I've known since we were about 5. Thats nearly 18 years there a piece and definitely not something to be sniffed at. We've been through a lot together. Including very definitly not being friends in certain periods. But I know that wherever life takes us -  America, Australia, Scotland - it doesnt matter, we'll always find tiime to go out for a meal, catch up and reminisce over old photos about the days of sleepovers at Karen's and making potions in my bedroom!

Brenda is another one of my oldest friend. We met at Brownies, we were very little. We were penpals for years, not realising we lived right around the corner from each other! We dont see each other very often but when we do we pick right up where we left off and I love that about our friendship.

I have a number of other people I am honoured and proud to have in my life. If I list everybody here it'll be a pretty long list. Which is something I realise I am very lucky to have.

Thank you to all of my friends, past and present - and to those I am maybe yet to meet.

Day 06 – My day

Woke up at 7:30am as usually to call my baby. Was unbelievingly tired and therefore completely uncomprehensible. I still have no idea what we talked about!

Went to work, worked right through until 8:30pm tonight to get extra hours and extra £££ for America :D

Lunch was a bit meh although the amazing chocolate milkshake from Marks and Spencer was phenomenal! Had good giggle with Louisa at the end of the day over Charlie, kittens and death metal. Needless to say people do wonder what on earth we're on about when we go off on our random tangents! 

Had one of those rare "Hey - we are still all human!" moments on the tube. A girl glanced over at the newspaper being read by the guy next  to her. She was clearly looking for the same article in her paper, but couldnt find it. She was getting visibly more and more confused and becoming less and less subtle, almost leaning straight over his arm to examine his paper! It was so funny I couldnt help but giggle to myself which she then noticed and was slightly embarrassed but giggled at being caught. In  the end she just asked him straight out (strangers talking to each other on the tube?! Unheard of!) and it turned out he actually had Mondays paper! 

Ok maybe this is a small and inane anecdote but it really made me giggle!

Came home and realised I really need to clean the house for McBex's visit. Not that either of us mind the house not being show-home-esq but at the same time day old dishes and no clean towels is a bit of an extreme for a guest. Sooo I instantly tidied up and then relaxed on the phone to my baby, online and watching TV.

I fib. I started a tiny but of cleaning, got distracted by calling Codaniel and now am faced with doing dishes at midnight.....and WHY am I still online?

*Heads off to clean....groan!*

Bonnie Becca in Scotland

Before I update you on the American Adventure I owe a post about my visit to McBecs in Scotland.


I had SUCH a wicked time, and it was exactly what I needed. Lots of chilling out, gossipping, watching old movies (that I'd never seen before - Becca was educating me), good food and mostly just enjoying each others company. AND Becca the wonderful booked me in for a massage. She is so sweet! Thank you so much Becca!

And of course lets not forget the joy that was Mumford and Sons! I've never been to a gig like it. The energy was crazy, there was even a lil mini mosh pit (well pogo pit) going on at one point. Twas a bit of a combination of a hoot a nanny and mosh pit, thus being a "moot a nanny" or a "hosh pit" - All in a sea of plaid! hehe


When these guys make it big Becca will be pleased to say she was into them before the hype and I will be pleased to say she got me into them!


We've decided we will definitly be making our shennanigans and barminess a regularity...with or without the nu-folk gigs (although combining them will be most awesome)

Becca Barminess and Valentine's Day

Sarah had SO much fun with Becca this week! Sarah and Becca went to see Mr Johnny Flynn and ended up right at the front because they were so early. Proper fangirls! But that was nothing - you should've seen the fanBOYS! They were obsessed. Poor Johnny was absolutly mobbed after the gig. Including fighting over his set list and wanting him to sign random scraps of paper. And there was one guy with a guitar who wanted to sing with him.


Sarah and Becca wanted to say hi but didnt want to go all "Squee-ie". So they hung around until he was done with all the stranger fans and said hi. They didnt attack him for photos or anything, just told him how much they really liked him after seeing him in Glasgow.


Sarah is excited about going up to Glasgow for more barminess and shennanigans in a couple of weeks.


So today is Valentines Day. It is also Lexily Speak in 3rd Person Day (hence the blogging in 3rd Person Sarah is currently taking part in. Although shes stopping now because her brain isnt concentrating enough)

Valentine's Day is celebrated in Finland as "Friendship Day". I think this is really sweet and a lovely way to celebrate. Friends are such an important part of life and I dont know where I would be without mine.

I understand when people say Valentines Day is "commercialised" and "why do we have to have one day to show how much we care about someone?" But I like it. Unless you do only show people how much you care on 14th Feb each day, that would be bad. But if you try and let that special person in your life know how much you care all the time then the 14th of the shortest month of the year is a lovely occasion.


Its funny when I was at school I absolutly hated it. All the "popular" girls got all manner of teddies and chocolates etc. But as an adult I have come to realise that I would rather celebrate the day with friends or by having a relaxing day then by getting some random thing from someone I dont care about.


Although THIS year I got even better. Something thoughtful and wonderful from someone I really care about. And that was better than any roses or chocolates any time.


Thank You. You know how much I loved it :)

Happy Valentines Day!

Dream home

Whilst looking for something completly unrelarted on Google I have found what I would love my perfect room to look like. I never realised WHAT I wanted to look like before until I saw these pictures. I'm officially in love.

A bath.
In a stone grotto.
Surrounded by wood.
And its purple.
With flowers.
And an open fire.

*Sigh* 

I think its some form of "Anniversary hotel" in Geneva or something. I dont care. I'm stealing the ideas for my (currently nonexistant) house.
It's like a fairy tale without being cheesy. *Gah* Why are us girls such saps huh? Oh right, answered my own question - BECAUSE we are girls! hehe. It's a part of us, I dont care how much this or that girl acts all independet and "hard" etc etc, I believe every girl just wants the fairytale.

And look! It has a little balcony and its quite clearly in the middle of a forest. And even the stones and that are purple. Its so gorgeous!

On a completly unrelated note I came across a very interesting group on Facebook called "Join if you want these stairs in your house" I was intrigued and clicked on it.

LOOK what it is!:

Talk about unbelivably cool!

Right, off to pick Becca up from the airport in a little while. I wish I drove. I dont mind getting trains everywhere having lived in London forever but I feel bad making other people who are used to the comfort of an automobile drive. Apologies in advance McBex!

By the way it is a beatifully sunny evening. Freezing cold and a few grey clouds but mainly bright blue skies and strong sunshine. Gorgeous!

Snow....and tales of adventure!

Snow! More snow! And of course London and indeed most of Britain has shut down because we cannot cope with any form of weather.

All good for me though! I did attempt to get to work, jammed onto an overcrowded train only to discover the tube wasnt running. So I turned around and came home again to work from home. (Read as watch Top Gear, check Facebook, Blog and play in the snow when Alaya gets here in about an hour!)

View from my window last night. The sky wasnt actually that beautiful red colour. Thats just the iPhone camera. Makes a stunning photo though doesnt it? :)

What else is happening? Oh yes me and my sister are going to see Blue October at the end of Feb!  In Germany!!! We are SOOO excited! My sister especially as it will be the first time shes ever been on a plane. I was so scarted the first time I went on one but now I LOVE it. Shes braver than me so she'll love every second! :) I'm going to get a hoodie made! I made a t-shirt when we went to see them at the 02 Islington (and got it signed!) Omg I forgot to say the most exciting news - we paid extra for VIP tickets which means we get to meet the band! And listen to their soundcheck and stuff. W.O.W Im so excited! Seriously MEGA excited!

And then I get home on the first and I'll be pretty much back on a plane the next day to see my lovely Scottish Lexling Becca! I get to sleep on the sofa I saw in the store on my first visit! Expect more Candy Mountain and alcohol infused shennanigans and barminess. I fear there will also be tears as we prepare to pay tribute to our beloved tenth doctor. *Sob*

So on to the exciting news of adventures. Oh yes my friends as if Munich and Glasgow (and Ireland and possibly somewhere else on account of Oli's wedding) wernt all enough. I have been well and truly bitten by the travel bug! It's so weird I totally never got the whole "wanting to see the world" thing. But then something hit me the other week. I dont know call it my "youth" catching up with me. Since I was in school all I've wanted is my own home and a family etc. Nice cosy little life. (Oliver always said I was 18 going on 40!) And I do still want that. But when I get it am I going to have regrets? "Why didnt I DO more first?" Its like when I was in a realationship. I regretted not having done more with my single life and I thought it was gone forever. As fate would have it things dont always role that way. And I was glad. Glad I could go out and do stuff that means when I next get into a realationship, in the words of Mr Robster it will be with "No Regrets"

So anyway random rambling aside (I did warn you there would be odd lil tangents) I have decided to take a trip to America. By myself. For at least a month. Theres so much out there I want to see and do. I want to meet people! I also would love to have the oppurtunity to meet up with some of my Lexlings in the US. (hopefully you guys read the Lex group on Facebook - if not that was me officially asking you!)

I want to be reckless. To just take out a loan, quit my job and go! I was planning on March but thats meant to be when Oli's stag do is. Also dont know if I'm quite brave enough to be on my own for my birthday...

And yep of course I'll miss people but I will make it an experience I never forget. To say that I did it.

Also I've told quite a few people about it now which hopefully means I will be stubborn enough not to change my mind!

America here I come!