December 14th- Christmas Market

Christmas Market 

Today we had a stall at our first ever Christmas market! This time last year, we were dreaming about such things. It was at our local City Farm where we were often taken as little foxes to go play and have a look at the piglets! If you're Bristol based and have never been, we thoroughly recommend it as a fun day out! 

 

We have had the best day out! We've met so many lovely families and stall holders, like Quilting Demon who we had the pleasure of sharing a gazebo with and the ever sweet Gemima Lou!
Thank you to all the farm staff for putting on such a wonderful market and their cheerful support, even when the winds kicked in!
We sold all of our Hornsea and Pyrex, so I guess we're going treasure hunting again soon!

Alice and Suzan x

December 13th- Christmas Jumpers

Christmas Jumpers 

Christmas jumpers are everywhere this year, but I can honestly say, that I've not seen a single new one that I like! Now, I love a bit of tat, but, as always, retro is always better!

These are all from my personal collection and have been found in charity shops. I love how charity shops have seasonal window displays, and they go all out at Christmas! If you're after a unique, jumper to wear on Christmas day, that's the best place to look. But here's a little treasury we've put together from independent sellers on Etsy.

Have a vintage Christmas jumper? Show us! We'd love to see!
Alice x

December 12th- Music

Music 

I don't think Alice believed me when I told her that Christmas day when I was a child always ended in a sing-song around the piano. That was until I found the old reel-to-reel tape with the recorded evidence!

Grandma Alice (yes, it's a family name) played the piano and we would all take it in turns to sing a popular song of the day such as "Send in the Clowns". A particular favourite group were the Seekers so I was very pleased to find one of their song books at our favourite Bristol charity shop (not telling!). I would have included a picture of it on the blog but it has disappeared into the vintage black hole that it is the fox loft!

Oh well, how about "The Girl from Ipanema". I love this LP cover picture which includes a BOAC 'plane in the background.

Not many homes have pianos now but that shouldn't stop you enjoying a sing-song with the family. Check out Cerys Matthews' Hook, Line and Singer book for inspiration.

Mama Fox

December 11th- Fims

Films

Who doesn't love curling up with a blanket, the fairy lights twinkling on the tree and watching a movie? We're not big fans of Christmas films, but you can guarantee that we'll be watching the same films as we did last year. And the year before that! As with most family traditions, I can't remember when this one first began, but I know it's one we'll never change and the list will continue to get longer! 

If you've not seen any of the above films, get yourself to Netflix and get watching!
Alice x

December 10th- Homemade Presents Part 2- Gingerbread House

Gingerbread House 

With gingerbread houses steadily growing in popularity in recent years, we thought this would be the perfect time to try and make our own! Plus, if it turned out alright, wouldn't it be the sweetest home made present?! 
We got this kit from Sainsbury's. It comes with everything already included, all we needed was some butter. The instructions are simple and easy to follow. You make your gingerbread mix, roll it out and cut to shape using the stencils. There was even enough mix left to cut out a few shaped biscuits too!

Unfortunately, it appears that our lack of patience got the best of us and we could not, no matter how hard we tried, stick the other side of the roof on! Every time we did, it just collapsed! 

However, it was still pretty tasty, so after decorating what we had, we broke it up and ate the lot! Well, it is Christmas! It turns out, our baking skills aren't as refined as we thought. Luckily, its possible to buy pre-made ones. Which we might sneakily say we made anyway....!

Alice and Flossie x

December 9th- Christmas Cards

Christmas Cards 

If we're at a jumble sale and there's a box of old greetings cards, you can guarantee i'll be there rummaging through it! The cheesier the better. I always plan on sending them, but they more often that not just end up on display!

So this Christmas I've been on the look out for some cute, vintage cards for ages! And today, I finally hit the jackpot! In my local Salvation Army, I managed to get 29 cards for just under £2.
Here is a sample of my favourites. 

If you've got the time and patience to do a bit of digging around, getting beautiful and second hand Christmas cards isn't really that difficult. Plus, you'll be supporting your local charity, which is always a good thing.
We don't have a mantle-piece at home, so we string up a long piece of ribbon from the bookcase and paperclip our cards so they can still be shown off.
I'm looking forward to sending out these cards already!
Seasonal Greetings!
Alice x

December 8th Babycham

"I'd love a Babycham!"

Christmas, wouldn't be Christmas without a cheeky Babycham! And as we are South West girls, it'd be rude not to! Plus, it's their 60th anniversary this year, so what more excuse do you need?!

We picked up this glass from a carboot a while ago, but they're getting rarer and harder to find. So snap em up when you see them! Ours is from the 1950's. We'd love to own a full set one day! This lovely blog, shows you how to date any finds you stumble upon.

Big supermarkets have got, lovely, special edition bottles on sale at the moment and these, ever so cute gift sets! Is it wrong that I bought one for myself? "To Alice, lots of love Alice"
So why not treat someone, or yourself to bit of a modern retro? It is the happiest drink in the world after all! 

Alice x