Christmas Adventures in Birmingham & The Central Library.

I fancied a little adventure yesterday so Ed and I decided to go to Birmingham, as it is only about an hour away. It was such a lovely afternoon! We got there, had a spot of lunch at Wagamama and then had a peruse around the Bull Ring. We then had a wonder through the Christmas market, as the light was fading all the lights sparkled away and the festive spirit crackled through the crowds.

Once we had exhausted the Christmas market I had an idea to go and see the new Central Library. I fired up Googlemaps and traced our way through the crowds to find it. I was quite intrigued to see what this place was going to be like after its well publicised price tag of £189 million. My initial reaction, when I saw this in the media, was that it was a complete indulgence in this day and age of spending cuts and frugality. With many libraries closing never to be opened again, wouldn't it be better to have sprinkled this money around and kept the little ones open?  

On walking inside this building it became very difficult for me to keep my reservations. This building is awe inspiring, the space is light, airy and immense. Exploring the Central Library is like endeavouring through a book depository that has been swirled around Syd Mead's psyche. It is nothing short of breathtaking. When I had escalated to the top I saw this bullet shaped glass lift that transported me to the roof top garden. The view in the wintery darkness of the sprawling, illuminated Birmingham is humbling, quietning and beautiful. Whilst leaving your legs a little jelly like because it is so high up! 

I really think that this building was worth the cost, to have such an inspired public space that is free and full of books is a wonderful legacy. In such a place you can become anything and anyone. It doesn't matter how much money you have or what class you grew up in, when you are inside these walls the world is at your feet. 

Hope you are having a wonderful Christmasy weekend <3

Much Love.

Kirst xXx 

Frasier is Decorated!

Ed just kept pestering yesterday until I gave in and said that we would go and get some Christmas lights and some decorations for the tree (a.k.a Frasier). We wanted to acquire decorations that would last many years and would be little capsules for lovely memories of our first Christmas at our first home. And this is what we ended up with...

We bought this cute little toadstool from a gorgeous little boutique in Hay on Wye, I think Ed secretly fancied the owner of the shop as she had a rather lovely Welsh accent, but he also couldn't understand a word she was saying. Which made me giggle, poor Ed. The angel is made by the very talented hands of my dear mother, I love the fact that she has a slight 30s look about her.  

These baubles were a bit of a last minute make, Ed found them in the cellar. I bought them early on in the year in the sales and loved the idea that they were plain, clear baubles waiting to be made exciting. I scoured the house trying to find some pretty things to put in them and I found some sugared violet petals and salt that had edible petals and herbs in. My mum and dad bought me these last year when we went on a little outing. The jars were so pretty I didn't have the heart to use the contents so I am really happy that they have made some special little decorations.

Ed was delighted when I found some robot decorations and I decided to have some glitter skulls to add a bit of sparkle, as I don't truly appreciate tinsel if I am honest. We love our tree so much, its beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Hope you are getting all set for the big day and keeping nice and snug <3 

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree...

I woke up late today, because we had a VERY hectic busy day in London yesterday, and one of the first things Ed had to say to me was "When can we go and get a Christmas tree?".  Ed loves having a Christmas tree soooo much, we didn't bother last year as we were in the process of buying our flat and we weren't sure when our moving date was going to be. So this year Ed wanted to have a Christmas tree early in December to make up for it.  

This was the tree that Ed fell in love with, it is a Fraser Fir so we named it Frasier. It is a lovely, little compact tree grown in a pot which means that we can put it on the allotment after the festive season is over and hopefully Frasier will be with us for next Christmas as well.  

We managed to get it into the car without making too much of a mess by removing the parcel shelf.

Ed managed to find some of our decorations from two years ago. We thought we had more! We only had one tiny strip of lights and a few baubles. 

Here he is in pride of place in the window, ready to be decorated properly so all the other Christmas trees don't laugh at him! 

Hope you have had a great (slightly festive) weekend <3