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

Instagram Picks

  

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I love the micro-blogging aspect of Instagram, which is easily my most used app on my phone. I thought I might share with you a few of my favourite instagram picks of this month so far. You can follow me here 

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. 

List | Weekends

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I hope everyone is having a delightful weekend, as I type this message I'm basking in the dusk light of a  beautiful Sunday evening. Here is a list of things I love about weekends...

+ Local markets

+ Coffee from favourite cafés

+ Spinning records

+ Stretching out the morning routine 

+ Long walks with my pups

+ Taking care of forgotten household tasks

+ Washing bedlinen and drying it in the sun

+ Baking sweet treats

+ Visiting my grandparents 

+ Daylight savings for extended hours outside 

+ Lazy clothing like long cotton skirts and messy hair buns

+ Gardening: seeing too the veggie patch and chooks 

Happy Holidays | i

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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. 

Just A Minute | November

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Watching... Catching Fire at the cinemas with my darling sister The Kings of Summer a charming movie about group of friends who escape to the woods in a makeshift cubbyhouse it stars Parks and Rec's Ron Swanson (Nick Offerman) The Way Way Back a coming of age story set in the summer holiday town of America who is dealing with family issues and finds solace at working at a waterpark stars Australian actress Toni Collette.

Celebrating.. Doctor Who's 50th Anniversary with a trivia public event with friends, 21st birthday parties, Christmas with upholstering the family tree in the late weeks of November.

Listening... City and Colour I was lucky enough to meet the ever swoonsworthy Dallas Green and see him perform twice at the majestic Sydney State Theatre. I also watched Boy and Bear live (twice this year aren't I lucky?!)

Reading... According to my Goodreads account I am four books behind in my goal of reading thirty five books in 2013 so I might have to get a move on! This month I read The Help Kathryn Stockett Beauty Queens Libba Bray and currently reading On The Road Graeme Simsion

Loving... My new passion for cooking. I have made a vege quiche, Chinese stir fry, sushi, satay vege, rice paper rolls, TVP spaghetti bolognese, fresh salads and a couple of batches of sneaky cookies, banana & coconut cake. I might need additional cooking books as I'm baking up a storm (hint maybe as a Christmas gift)