Gifts for guys

If you're stuck looking for the perfect gift for your Dad, brother, boyfriend or guy friend, I feel your pain. And I can help! While I find it easy to buy gifts for the ladies (probably because there's a million things in my head that I'd like for myself), I'm often at a loss for what to get for the blokes in my life. I've come up with a few good ideas over the years so I figured I should share them for anyone out there who might be in a Christmas gift buying jam.

Socks n' jocks!

I don't care that it's unoriginal, everyone appreciates nice socks and undies. Vanishing Elephant do really nice socks, and I like these Topman underwear packs. One year I got Mr Meet-Cute Ellen underwear, but it's probably a bit late to order those online for Christmas.

A simple grey sweatshirt is a wardrobe staple. You can't beat Carhartt for simple sweats, and I love this MJ grey pullover, which I would probably be pinching for myself.

Jiro Dreams of Sushi dvd is what I'm getting my Dad this Christmas (Mum, if you're reading this, don't let Dad see!). Zombie Tits, Astronaut Fish and Other Weird Animals by science blogger Becky Crew is a cool read about odd animal behaviour.

Everyone needs a good backpack or duffel and Herschel Supply Co do both really well.

Note to Self are a small Melbourne company making really great, 'comfortable and unassuming' men's jeans. And Head Full of Snakes motorcycle magazine is what I bought my brother this year. He's impossible to buy things for, but he likes motorbikes so I was pretty chuffed with myself when I found this.

This Beard Elixir sounds so amazing I almost wish I had a beard myself, though you can also use it straight onto non-bearded skin as a deluxe moisturising oil. Status Anxiety make all manner of 'fine leather goods' to treat yo' man with, but it's mostly wallets.

Christmas treats

 {Mrs Oliver's massive retro trifle}

I'm spending Christmas in Melbourne again this year. The city is so nice and quiet during this time, and being quite the homebody, I just love being able to potter about being a slob during the holidays! We're heading to a friends place on Christmas Day and are on desserts, so I've been researching a few delicious recipes.

{cake with cranberries // peppermint icecream candyland cake}

{christmas candy cheesecake}

{frozen chocolate-peppermint Bûche de Noël}

 {white chocolate tiramisu trifle // raspberry, white chocolate and almosnd trifle}

{winter pudding bombe // frozen grand marnier torte with dark chocolate crust and spiced cranberries}

{candycane white chocolate mousse}

{gingerbread gnome house I'm not seriously considering making this, but it is adorable!}

{ginger shortbread with raspberry icing // gelatina de navidad}

Christmas Prizes

I did rather well for myself – present wise, this last Christmas. I must say my 'Books I Want' post really paid off! And I was absolutely thrilled to recieve this Pentax camera – a lovely and unexpected gift from Mr Meet-Cute. I'm picking up my first 3 rolls of film taken over the Christmas break later today. Fingers crossed they turn out okay!

Christmas Craftanoon

After being inspired by this cute blog I spent the other afternoon making homemade stamps for Christmas giftwrapping. Super easy and super effective = my kind of craft project!

Market Buys

After declaring a month ago that I would be hand making all my Christmas gifts, I've now decided to buy handmade instead! Christmas is just creeping up too quickly, isn't it? Over the weekend I went along to the Christmas Design Mini Market and Markit @Fed Square hoping to make a start on my Christmas shopping. I did find a few special gifts, but mostly just came away with stuff for myself… 

Above: Beci Orpin bear print, Dawn Tan for Douglas and Hope Happy Fries cups, Cecilia Fox potted succulent and bouquet.

Spendy Spenderson

I know everyone keeps saying this, but this year is FLYING BY! Seriously. For me this means that my overseas trip to the US of A is even closer and I really need to tighten my belt. My great plan of saving before I leave has not been going well at all. Probably something to do with all these things I keep 'accidentally' buying online…

Twenty Seven Names for Glassons sunglasses (that I wrote about here) and floral print trousers. It was quite tough only ordering these two things - Glassons online is looking so good! Not to mention that money raised through purchases from their Cure Shop Collection goes towards the Breast Cancer Cure Research Trust.

Nature Baby Hei Tiki t.shirt. In LA I'll be catching up with some old friends, and meeting their new baby, who judging from the photos I've seen is the cutest baby ever! And, seeing as he is half kiwi, he will need some Aotearoa inspired baby-wear. This is actually quite organised of me to have this sorted already *pats self on back smugly*

In even more smug forward planning, I have ordered this to be blasted this year on December 25!

Dawn Tan's meaty pillowcases - I saw these at a market Dawn was involved with earlier in the year and couldn't stop thinking about how awesome they were. So I had to get in touch with her to see if I could order my own - and I could! This photo is from Dawn's blog, but once my own pillowcases arrive I will very likely be sharing them here!

Merry Christmas!

NZ Bishes!

After a very rocky flight, I am now home in New Zealand for Christmas! I hope that everyone reading this has some lovely christmas plans, and I want to say thank you to you all for reading Banana Meet-Cute, and also: Merry Christmas!

Christmas Toast

I love these dreamy rose martini photos by Jacinta Moore, seen along with the recipe here on designsponge (again!). Christmas holidays start in a few days and I can think of nothing better than lounging around drinking these - oh yeah!

Jacinta Moore has a blog too, where you can check out more of her beautiful photography, including some pretty cute dog pics.

A Very Chutney Christmas

I'm not really one for meat packs, but a Christmas Chutney Hamper is definitely something I can get behind! Melbourne's Chutney Club are raffling off three amazing hampers full of their own homemade preserves and you can get your ticket here, with all proceeds going towards Kiva loans.

All pictures from chutneyclub.blogspot.com.

Sunday Crafternoon

I decided to make Christmas cards this year, for the first time ever. Maybe it's a sign of getting older, but I have also already bought one Christmas gift, and December is still a few days off! How smug am I right now??!

The cards are still a work in progress, but I will share them here once they've been posted and received!