Welcome to the last instalment of Happy Holidays series! Although Christmas Day has passed us by there is a tradition of keeping the tree up ten days after Christmas Day. Which is perfect for me because working in retail for the entirety of the week before and after Christmas did not grace me with much leisure time to take a moment and enjoy some Christmas films. Here are the classic Holiday films I enjoy to watch and please feel free to share your favourite holiday films/shows!

Keep Calm And Carry On
I'm not the first is saying that Love Actually is in my laptop's disk drive as of December 1st and repeats of this film are expected throughout the Holiday season. Because nothing says Christmas more than watching these familiar characters struggle with their own personal crisis' and celebrate the Holidays. I can't help but love to watch Bridget Jones as part of my Christmas movie-list because Bridget is so tragic and hilarious she is perfectly flawed.

I'm Dreaming Of A White Christmas
I love films that feature snow and as a Australian whose Christmas feature 30 degree heat I can't help but love the magic behind it. My first fantasy movie I love to watch is Narina: The Lion Witch and Wardrobe Oh boy! aren't we all glad Lucy stumbled into that wardrobe in the movie because the Narina world is something entirely magical. I can't explain how enchanted I feel watching this film just before Christmas especially when I've got some Turkish Delights beside me. Harry Potter: The Philosophers Stone is another film that takes my breath away. God bless the adorable faces of little Ron, Harry and Hermonie they are so cute and this movie is by far my favourite of the series.

No Christmas Is Complete Without a Feast
I am completely devoted to Nigella Queen Bee of the kitchen. This year's holiday cooking special was Nigellissima An italian inspired Christmas I particularly loved the look of her Pomegranate Christmas cocktails and her Cappuccino pavlova featured on this years program.

Christmas specials
I have previously mentioned how obsessed I am with my tv shows and typically I will write down schedules and air dates in my weekly diary planner. However, the Christmas specials are always my favourite to watch. I have been a fan of Doctor Who for a while, I was introduced to the series when Matt Smith began his adaption of The Doctor and in December I was among Whovian fans who bid farewell to Rageddy Man. I gave the episode a solemn send-off with a British gin and tonic and wept from the opening sequence through the end. I loved the Call The Midwife Christmas special where the royal wedding of Kate Middleton's was dethrone as wedding of the decade by the beautiful nuptials of Shelagh the renounced Sister Bernadette! I was impressed with Downtown Abby's Christmas special but I feel like I'm losing my love for the show since writing has slipped below standards and the characters I love are becoming dull. After so many tears I welcome the bellyaches from laughing at the Big Fat Quiz Of The Year 2013 I can forgive Jimmy's soap-box laugh and simply indulge in the comedy chemistry of Noel Fielding's quickness and Richard Ayoade (Moss from IT Crowd)

Happy Holidays | v

Happy New Year lovelies! 2014 is the year of Radiant Orchid according to Pantone, it is the Chinese New Year of 'The Horse' and geologically 4.54 billion + one years older! I personally rang in the new year by attending a couple of house parties, seaside fireworks & then I was tuckered up in bed by 12:30. I hope you all had magical evenings and welcomed 2014 in whatever way you chose to celebrate. 

I want to reserve this little space to thank all my visitors to my blog. I have received a marvellous welcome to this blogging community and appreciate your continueal love and support. I plan on growing 'Paperdoll Chronicles' even further beyond the original 'online diary' idea so I thank you for your patience in this gradual transformation. 

2013 was my year of Healing. This process was slow like plate-tectonics and I feel like my equilibrium has returned. I struggle to find the perfect words for 2013 so I shall refer to this lovely quote. 

“May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you’re wonderful, and don’t forget to make some art- write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself.” 

- Neil Gaimen

See you all in 2014! 

Lots of love

Happy Holidays | iv

Season's Greetings from under the grey skies of South Coast Australia. It's a rare treat to be awoken by rain on Christmas morning and as a winter-bug at heart I was delighted! I have had a wonderful day and I'm sure many can relate to that sparkly feeling that is paired with the company of loved ones, indulging in delicious food and gracious receiving gifts. I would like to wish you all a very merry christmas and I hope you all have marvellous day! 

Happy Holidays | iii

happy holidays from paperdollchronicles on 8tracks Radio.

 I simply can not fathom that Christmas is less than ten days away! As part of my Happy Holidays series I've decided to incorporate Christmas playlists into my blog, inspired by Jessica of Vintage Machine. I feel a sense of nostalgia during this holiday season and always revisit the albums and films of the past (next post will be on Christmas movies). Christmas music is in a league of it's own and is an incredible tool in transforming the atmosphere of the holidays. I hope you enjoy my custom playlist and perhaps (re)discover some old gems. You can follow me on 8tracks at  paperdollchronicles

Tracklist 1. Merry Christmas Baby - Otis Redding
2. I'll Be Home For Christmas - Micheal Bublé
3. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Judy Garland
4. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas - Bing Crosby
5. Santa Baby - Eartha Kitt
6. Here Comes Santa Claus - Elvis Presley
7. Baby, It's Cold Outside - Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Jordan
8. Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree - She & Him

Happy Holidays | ii

1. Assorted canvas tote bags

2. Cambridge Satchel Company 

3. Various reading paraphernalia  

4. Jelly Bean sandals 

5. Gorman melon socks

6. Aesop goodies

7. Reid Ladies Vintage Bicycle 

Merry Christmas and welcome to Happy Holidays Part (ii), this second edition to the series will focus on exchanging gifts. This Christmas season is quite different for my family as we are breaking our tradition of traveling overseas. A typical Christmas morning is waking up in a foreign country and spending the day with family, exploring and participating in local community events. I have included a family holiday photo from our travels in Cambodia, this was taken in 2012 in Angkor Watt temple in where I hand fed elephants that my family rode around the ancient ruins. It was my ethical decision to refuse these giants chauffeur service because I respect their beautiful nature and didn't want to fuel the commercial exploitation of them. However, hanging out with these cuddly guys for an hour was a once in a lifetime experience and truly a priceless gift.

Here are a couple of items that I would love to receive but I trust my family's ability to purchase items they think I might like. I am a avid believer that gestures are more significant than buying consumer goods. This year I have been crafting up a storm, designing cross-stitch embroidery, making little Christmas tree ornaments and sewing buntings as gifts for my nearest and dearest. 

Happy Holidays | i

 Source: i | ii | iii | iv | 

Season Greetings darlings, welcome to the first segment in the Happy Holidays Feature! I am sorry this is delayed considering the Holiday Season is well in full swing. Although this post doesn't accurately represent my premature excitement for christmas as I personally wrestled the family tree out of its hibernation  in the last week of November! I have been spending some time on Pinterest lately and oh my haven't I caught the festive-bug! I can't help but admire the modern adaptions on trees which such a old tradition, however these are not everyones cup of tea (my family is still very traditional with its twenty year old battered tree). I hope you get a giggle out of the Snape christmas tree as I did (Oh tumblr you old fiend!)

Reading Carina's blogposts on Christmas we discussed in the comment section the struggle for Australians to experience all the blissful serendipities of this marvellous festive season. Christmas is in our Summer and that 'wintery Christmas magic' of my dreams isn't a reality. However, we make our own traditions and the key elements of being surrounded by family is the most important factor. This 'Happy Holiday's' feature will include some of those details that make this festive season special for me. 

THE BEGINNING; A VERY GOOD PLACE TO START

"Sir?" she repeats. "How soon do you want it to get there?" - Jay Asher Thirteen Reasons Why

Greetings and salutations lovely readers,
This post is typed with the nervous excitement that I'm sure like many authors of first sentences of prose struggle to write. So, in order to assure confidence in this first post, I have included the first sentence of the fiction novel I am currently reading. Indeed my many thanks is given to Jay Asher whose prose I am reading with gusto and zealously indulging. Thank you.
Three facts.
One: Paige is the name I respond to when heard called.
Two: I am a librarian student with a passion for literature.
Three: To my dismay, after spending months suffering the burden of a 'quarter life & existential crisis' love child, I now find myself enlightened as to the trajectory of my future* if all goes fine and dandy this shall be a singular yellow brick, on my golden pavement to Oz. Please bare with me with the overall layout of the blog as I am sure this will evolve into a brilliant blog with the nurturing hours of procrastination.
*Okay, marco-manage planning

Ta for reading,