Have the dress but not the killer heels? Add a little 'sparkle' to those pumps in hours. Inspired by Miu Miu's Strappy Jeweled Sandals, Honestly...WTF blog shows you how

Make some noise and look the part with these free printable New Year's Party Hats via Elinee blog

Holding a soiree? Donna Hay knows how to feed and water your guests with these yummy recipes
L to R: Pomegranate and Blood Orange Punch, Fig Martinis, Crispy Ravioli with Tomato Salsa and Marinated Figs with Brie 

Sometimes a fringe (or bangs) can drive you to destraction or perhaps you want to change your look? Turn your fringe into a french braided headband that even a cyclone would be unable to dislodge or lovely and loose like these latest celebrity looks. It's easy, here's how:

1} Slightly wet hair for braiding. It does what it's told a little easier (most times). Make a part from ear to ear and bring front section forward. Tie up back section

2} For the look below, I've reversed the plait. Begin with three small strands of hair starting at one ear. Make a plait and braid a small section of hair into one of the strands. Repeat until all hair has been braided

3} Tie off with an elastic band and pin underneath back of hair. Phew, done

Alternatively, loosely separate hair at back into two. Twist hair and form little knots. Secure with frou-frou flowers



A big thanks to my daughter for modelling the french braid. I'll pay you in the morning

The sunny days between Christmas and New Year's mean picnics by the harbour and swimming at the beach. My favourite picnic food...goat's cheese tart with loads of sweet caramelised onions and a light green salad. Here's a tried and true recipe for goat's cheese lovers like me

caramelised onion and goat's cheese tart
2 sheets shortcrust pastry
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 small brown onions
sprigs of fresh thyme
Caramalised balsamic vinegar or honey
4 eggs
1 cup thickened cream
100g goat's cheese
 
Preheat oven to 220oC (200oC fan forced). Line a 21 x 30 cm tart pan with pastry and trim edges. Line pastry case with baking paper and add weights (ceramic, rice or dried beans). Bake for 10 minutes, remove paper and bake for a further 5 minutes

Heat oil in a frypan on a low heat and slice onions. Cook onions (trying to maintain onion shape) and some thyme leaves until caramelised. Gently remove from heat and brush with caramelised balsamic vinegar or honey

Whisk together cream and eggs and season with salt a pepper

Reduce oven temperature to 220oC (180oC fan forced) and pour egg mixture into case. Place goat's cheese and onions gently into on top of mixture with sprigs of thyme

Bake for a further 20 minutes or until firm and browned

Let the day be full of 'nots'....may your turkey not be dry, may your tummy not explode and may you not throttle the relatives. Have a fabulous and safe Christmas everyone. Thank you for all your support throughout the year and spare a thought for those who 'have not'

Here's our white feather tree this year complete with young blooms from the garden

This gingerbread isn't for your belly but it looks good enough to eat. Wee houses made from felt are so cute covering a battery operated candle. Shafts of warm glowing light eminate from the doorways and windows. Make half a dozen to create a miniature glowing village and place around the tree or table decoration. I was inspired by Poopscape Projects's Felt house (see below) that I wanted to desperately make one in a gingerbread cookie version instead

Poopscape used felt, fabric softener and thread (template available on their blog) but I used fusible interfacing instead of the softener. The detail was created by the freeform mode on my sewing machine (still trying to master). You could use a fabric paint pen or hand sew the detail too if you could be bothered as the plain version looks fab too. I also used a hole punch to make some felt dots and glued onto the roof to replicate candy