Self-Gifting

It's that time of year when we're all rushing around frantically doing last minute 
preparations for Christmas. It's a busy time, but I feel like my Christmas has 
already happened... my present-to-self has arrived :) 


This is my updated collection...





I've fallen in love with a 1950s dinnerware range by Franciscan Potteries called
Starburst. It was only made between 1954 and 1957. I just love the fresh and fun 
1950s vibe. As you can see, it's taken top shelf position ;)

Last month I was an obsessive eBay lurker... all these amazing pieces appeared 

and some kind of craziness came over me. Thank goodness for Christmas and the 

certainty that my family would greatly appreciate me arranging my own present ;)

Do you do this too? Is it a universal truth that we purchase, wrap and place our
own gifts under the tree these days? I'm certainly thrilled with mine :)
The only thing I really wanted but wasn't able to get was a Starburst teapot...
but then there's always my birthday in March! (hint hint family)





Hope you've all found your special gifts-to-self for this year, or that you have
lovely families who find just the right thing for you :)

Collections: Queens of France

More photo collections :) This time, the Queen statues of Luxembourg Gardens in Paris. I took these photos a couple of years ago now but I still find myself looking at them frequently. It's the hands that fascinate me - it makes the women come alive for me. I love their strength - inspiring female role models in stature... I really should research their history. My favourite is Valentine de Milan (the first two photos).

Collections: Wood in the cathedral

More photo collections... this time my attention was arrested by all of the amazing wood carvings you see in cathedrals. The time and energy and detail of these pieces (which I presume largely go unnoticed) is just breathtaking for me. I'm becoming the mad lady taking macro shots of wood while everyone else is pointing their lens at the stars. He he :)

Collections: Marys

Do you find yourself taking sets of photos of certain things while travelling? While we were in Belgium I couldn't help but notice the large number of Mary statues scattered throughout the cities and began snapping them whenever I came across a new one :)

Okay, so one of them is Saint Elisabeth, but still - they are fascinating, aren't they? A friend of mine told me you can tell if it's Mary by whether she is standing on a snake or not... I'm sure each one is loaded with symbolism. So, am I the only Mary statue devotee or are there others out there? Do you have any 'visual' collections?