good stuff

So apparently there's only 27 days till Christmas. I was sure it was more like 47, but whatevs.

Are you a seasoned wrapper? Giving serious thought to your wrapping theme each festive season? Spending way too much on something that looks fabulous but at the end of the day is going to end up torn into itty bitty pieces and thrown in the overflowing recycle bin? I probably am this type of wrapper - only the cheapo version. Yes, I usually pick colours/twine/string/decorations/washi, but it's always the cheapest supplies I can find, that still look respectable. Last year I didn't even pay for wrapping. That's what kindergarteners are for. A cheap packet of doilies and your stamp kit and you're away. The year before that I recycled the previous year's Christmas cards we received from friends and family which were used as gift tags, simply cutting the cover off, writing on the back and hole punching to tie onto gifts.

I have this friend. Her name is Germaine. Many of you know her, and how wonderful she is. She runs this gorgeous little online store in between her real job as a full time mum. Germaine and I met because our biggest girls happened to be born within a few weeks of one another and our local council were fabulous in throwing us together in the same mothers' group all those years ago.

I know through Instagram that many of you already buy your stationary and wrapping supplies from Germaine, but if you don't or you haven't ventured to her online store, Chibi Run, you should. Toot sweet! She's got enough washi tape to sink a ship, loads of variety, every colour of twine you can think of, stamps, notebooks, doilies, paints, pens and pencils, cards, stickers, fabric... the list goes on. And all at prices you won't find anywhere else. So aside from the fact you'll be buying your wares from one of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet, and still have your purse busting with coin even after the largest of purchases, the best part is you'll be supporting a small, (perhaps) local, independent business. Which is something I try to do all year round, but at this time of year I am even more conscious of it. Granted this is not always possible, but I think it's always nice to try.

So get your order in early and she'll post it out FAST. She wraps it up all pretty and festive, with personalised, handwritten messages - to the point where you really don't want to open it, it look so nice - but you want what's inside. So you gotta.

*That camera washi? I didn't order it. She's sneaky like that. And how appropriate! Thanks G xx