Monday 10 December 2012

I Love Lights!

In between all the cleaning, sorting and de-cluttering, I have found time to put as many lights as possible around the place. I decided not to have a real tree this year due to the fact that I am trying to clear rather than create more mess. I don't want a tree pretending to be real, so went for this bright pink one from Asda. It is battery operated and so far they have lasted ages. I also got the pink feather lights, and then later two more sets-mirror reindeers and crystals-all battery ones too so very easy. I already had the flower lights which sit in a big pink thermos flask which has a mirrored glass inside and is just beautiful. I can't remember where I found that-a charity shop on a day trip somewhere.
Andy booked a plumber to come and fix the gas fire on Saturday, so this involved me in cleaning the area he would be working in, which involved moving the settee out and cleaning underneath it-which led to me finding the Christmas lights I bought after Christmas last year in the Habitat in Canterbury (in the sale)
I was surprised to find them as I had totally forgotten about buying them. There is a great wire tree with red and white lights, a set of red and white ones and some very bright and cold looking blue ones. The cold and warm lights cause some arrangement problems, as do the plug positions and the huge adaptor plugs these lights have, which do not play ball with multiple plugs. So a bit of problem solving was involved in the arrangements. I love the result though. Our flat now looks like an Aladdin's cave or a fairy grotto.  

 As December has advanced I have found myself wavering towards a real tree, perhaps a small one, as I love them so much. Then, when out on Saturday for breakfast at the cafe, we walked past the florists and I noticed they were selling large fir tree branches. Perfect! I bought one which is now acting as a miniature tree in a vase on the computer table. It smells good and fits in perfectly. It is decorated simply with white lights, glass robots, and felty things from Linda Sue. A snowman, an elf, a mushroom and some strawberries. One of my angels is on the top. (Thanks for making my 'tree' look pretty Linda Sue!)  It is standing in a clay cooking pot rescued from the school skip in the summer, with a little water in the bottom to keep it fresh. Perfect!
 The blue lights on my changing picture frame.
 Tiger enjoying the return of the warmth.

11 comments:

Ned T said...

You forgot to mention the huge sprig of mistletoe hanging from the ceiling! The whole place looks lovely...

Kat Mortensen said...

It all looks very "hygge"! I love your fireplace. I miss our gas fire so much!

Haven't even started decorating yet. Soon, I will, but I'm still baking.

Kat

Leenie said...

I'm with you on enjoying decorating with lights. They cheer up the dark long nights and really add a holiday look. Love your Linda Sue decorations.

Trust the kitties to find the most comfortable place in the house and claim it for their own. 8D

Elizabeth said...

So very pretty!

Linda Sue said...

I could live there forever- I think you should consider leaving the lights up all year round! So pretty and inviting and You should also consider having me move in with you and Andy and the kitties- I will sleep curled up by the fire with the kitties and we will share that prime spot! Lights have sold out here already, so I am on the hunt for more- I should check the storage but that is a nightmare- easier to just buy more- they are inexpensive- no tree this year- using the ficus instead which is pretty wimpy so the ornaments have to be very light weight- glass cones and paper roses with battery operated tiny lights- looks - um- unusual...Your little house is so sweet.

Carole Reid said...

Once the lights are up it feels like Christmas! Tomorrow we go tree hunting and light lighting etc.

Carole Reid said...

Once the lights are up it feels like Christmas! Tomorrow we go tree hunting and light lighting etc.

Carole Reid said...

Once the lights are up it feels like Christmas! Tomorrow we go tree hunting and light lighting etc.

Carole Reid said...

Ooooops, sorry, I clicked a couple of times too many!

Tracy said...

You place is sooo cozy for Christmas, Sarah! LOVE the pink tree! :o) I just love alternatives like this. And fairy lights--must have! We did Christmas shopping & decorating at the weekend. For the past two years we've not been doing a tree, and not this year either. With our living room being half art studio now we have not enough space for a big tree. We don't miss it though, actually. With some twinkle lights strung up here & there, lots of extra candles it's pretty cozy enough. Less is more for us. Although it might be nice to find a real, tiny tree for a tabletop Christmas vignette. Happy Day ((HUGS))

Anonymous said...

Everything looks so pretty!