Kool Kooky Kreatures

Kooky Advent Calendar - Dec 9th

Let os snow, let it snow...you know the drill!
Here's a funky snowman to build online! "We're walking in the air....." :)

And for fans of Raymond Briggs here is the official Snowman site.

Kooky Advent Calendar

Today calls for a song from Louis Armstrong. Enjoy!

Kooky Advent Calendar Dec 7th

"Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!". Yes indeed it certainly seems to be doing lots of that lately and so to honour the humble snowflake guess what today's advent calendar window opens on? More snow - yay!

First up an online snowflake maker!

Then we have instructions on making paper versions here

And last but by no means least - beautiful snowflake pics here.

Enjoy!

Kooky Advent Calendar Dec 6th

It's always nice to find that someone has been so lovely as to create something wonderful and then to give it away for free! These lovely designers/illustrators have created beautiful gift tags for you to download and print out. Check them out here:
http://www.welovetoillustrate.com/

Kooky Advent Calendar Dec 5th

With all the cold weather currently hitting our shores then I'm sure that, like me, you have been turning up the dial on the central heating. This is all well and good but it takes it's toll on our skin, making it dry and flaky. Exfoliation and moisturising are the keys to looking gorgeous at all the events we attend during the festive season. Here are a couple of inexpensive homemade spa ideas to keep our skin in tip top condition.

Washing bags

Put some oatmeal or other granular scrub into a piece of muslin and tie it up in the corners. Then soak in warm water and wash your face with it. Great for sensitive skin.

Avocado Facial Recipe

Avocado is a naturally rich moisturizer. Mash the meat of the avocado into a creamy texture. Massage into the face and neck . Leave on for 15 minutes and gently rinse off.

Kooky Advent Calendar Dec 4th

Today is a celebration of pubs at Christmas! There is nothing like a roaring log fire, a glass of Cornish Cider and a plate of nachos in a festive pub. Along with lots of merry makers this was the highlight of my evening. A big shout out for the Royal Seven Stars hotel in Totnes!

Kooky Advent Calendar Dec 3rd

Todays calendar window opens up on a selection of christmas cookie from Epicurious - enjoy!

Kooky Advent Calendar Dec 2nd

When the weather turns cold and snowy then there is nothing better than something warm and alcoholic to bring the colour back to your cheeks.

Here is a fab recipe for Brandy-buttered egg nog from Wayne Collins.

Brandy-buttered egg nog

Ingredients
1 tsp ready-made brandy butter
pinch orange zest
pinch ground allspice
1 small organic egg
1 tsp sugar
1 tbsp vanilla syrup
35ml/11⁄4fl oz rum
100ml/31⁄2fl oz hot milk
freshly grated nutmeg to garnish

Preparation method
1. Place all of the ingredients apart from the nutmeg into a jug and whisk together until well combined and frothy.
2. Pour the egg nog into a mug or heatproof glass and sprinkle with freshly grated nutmeg.

Kooky Advent Calendar Dec 1st

I don't know about you but one of the things I love about Christmas time are the lovely smells that permeate the house. From the pine of the tree to the mulled wine spices - I love them all! I am also addicted to the heady aromas of cinnamon and ginger and so todays little treat is a recipe for Christmas Potpourri.

Christmas Potpourri

3 handfuls dried orange slices
cinnamon sticks broken up
1 handful star anise
1 handful rose hips
1 handful cloves
a few pine cones
a couple of nutmegs
10 drops of cinnamon oil
5 drops of clove oil

Place all the ingredients in a plastic bag and shake up. It's that simple! You can dry your own orange slices by placing them on wire racks covered with muslin and put in an airing cupboard for 48 hours or in a low temp oven for 8 hours.

To give your room a scent really quickly, rub a few drops of essential oil onto lightbulbs.