A Secret Country Christmas...

So I live in a small terraced house on a busy main rd in a village. Although it doesnt look very country from the outside once you've stepped through the door you are literally transported to a cute little cottage somewhere out in the sticks. I love the fact that although I live in a central part of the village I can still maintain a quiet country vibe throughout the whole property. Here are a few tips from my weekend on how to have yourself a merry country christmas at a resonable if not free rate even if you live in the busiest of areas.

This weekend, I have to say, has been an absolutely splendid one that Id like to share. I did everything I had planned and managed to purchase and gather all that I had hoped for plus more!!

Firstly I wanted to get some *Green Gingham* fabric to make a curtain for my kitchen window. Im in love with gingham fabric!! A flash of gingham adds a bit of country to any room in an instant. I got mine from a small fabric shop in Farnham, Surrey. Just off of West St up a small cobbled alley.

On Sunday I wanted an early morning visit to Bordons Country Market and Carbooty. I was after some logs for my open fire, some flowers for my small yellow watering can/yellow flower pots and a wicker basket to put my logs in. I suceeded and even got the cutest little bunny and cat ornament that dress my kitchen windowsill along with the flowers perfectly. Between the Country Market and Carbooty I only spent around £25 and that included the fresh bread, jam and bio yoghurt I purchased!! Barg! www.countrymarket.co.uk - A place thats not to be side stepped if your after the same country christmas that I am..

Lastly before heading home I went to Puttenham in Surrey for a walk with my son and boyfriend in the hopes of collecting some nice pinecones and fresh holly for decorations. Puttenham has some stunning views over the North Downs and short or long marked walks ranging from 30 minutes to 90!! I found the holly in the car park and had to walk quite away into the woods to find the pine cones but I got what I wanted and tired out the child before going home and decorating the house with my new purchases/finds.

Once home I laid the holly out behind my nativity set and placed the logs in my new wicker basket decorating it too with holly. I sat outside and potted my pansies then put them and my new rabbit and cat figure on the kitchen windowsill infront of my home made *Green Gingham* curtain. The pinecones were also used to decorate the logs and the remainder put on the hearth around my snowmen and santa soft figures.

So all in all my weekend was cheap, fun and active!! My home has its new christmas country style editions and I have some money left in my purse for the most expensive part of christmas...PRESENTS!!!

Franki xoxo