I’m afraid it’s just a quick one today due to last-minute Christmas bits n bobs I need to get done.

In fact the last week and a half has been wonderfully manic, it’s included:

* Three Christmas dos – one at Dough with the Vintage Manchester set, one at a karaoke bar in China Town with my students, and one in Wimbledon with co-workers.

* Several trips to the shops, including a six-hour marathon shopping day with the other half… with no rows – a first!

* Wrapping heaps of presents.

* Frantically knitting and stitching together my one hand-made gift (note to self, must start earlier.)

You may remember an elvish-inspired look book post I did called It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas where I looked at red and black tartan coupled with green accessories and a faux fur coat thrown into the mix.

Avid readers may also remember my blogging shenanigans at the Carat Blogshop where I not only learned some valuable blogging lessons but also managed to bag £50 in Matalan vouchers.

So with vouchers in-hand I decided to take a trip to the Matalan in Wigan and see what they had to offer.

One item I picked up was this lovely little black and red number that reminded me of the skirt from my look book post.

TARTAN DELIGHT: Matalan skirt

I paired it with a plain top and added green and red accessories, including this fabulous new-to-me hat that I picked up at the Wigan Vintage & Craft Fair at Haigh Hall.

HATS OFF TO YOU! Red felt hat

I also added the vintage Bally court shoes that I got at the Speke Hall Vintage Festival last summer – which, granted it’s hard to tell in these photos, are actually green.

VINTAGE: Green scallop-edged court shoe

The pendant was an old Topshop find from the sales years ago – it jujjes (real word!) up any outfit, and also looks great with chunky sweaters.

RED AND GREEN: Must never be seen?

And as the fireplace received so many compliments last time it was featured, I decided to use it as the backdrop to my pics… plus it’s green so goes with the colour scheme beautifully!

Wearing:

Vintage red felt hat: Della via Vintage & Craft Fair at Haigh Hall, £5

Green pendant: Topshop (sale) £2

Tartan skirt: Matalan RRP £12 (bought with gift voucher prize)

Tights: Primark, £2

Court shoes: Bally via Speke Hall Vintage Festival, £10

So that’s all folks from me for Christmas, I’m now going to settle down in front of the fire armed with my knitted needles, darning needle, presents, cellotape and wrapping paper. Wish me luck!

Hope your festive plans are going smoothly – anyone super organised who’s got it all done and is smugly sipping a G&T watching The Muppets Christmas Carol?

If so, I’m jealous!

Have a good un x