Hi everyone! Now that the holiday’s are well and truly here I wanted to take a moment out to thank you all for the support and friendship over this last year. I’ve found some of the most marvellous friends ever through writing this blog, and I cannot begin to tell you just how much that has enriched my life. In fact, this Christmas, (although spent in the most low key way to date) has actually been the one most filled with family and friends for me. Though we are spread all over the country and the world, I am infinitely grateful for the technology that allows us all to spend time together in spirit, and the instantaneous way we can tell each other just how much love is happening at a simple click.
I know there are many who see the best way to show holiday sentiment is with old fashioned pen and ink, and while that is lovely, I know that for so many it just can’t be done. In fact I probably only have postal addresses for about 10% of my friends! But what has warmed my heart so much this year is knowing that people are thinking of you, in the very moment it is happening. While I’m getting up to cook my toast, my phone beeps with a lovely message from a friend in the UK as they SMS me a little poem over their egg nog. A speaker phone call from my bestie as she heads off in a grass skirt to her families ‘Hawaiian” Christmas party in the pouring rain, makes me feel that I am truly spending the day with all the people I love.
I realise this is all sounding rather sentimental, but I’ve come over that way in the last week. I think that the second half of this year had become such a blur of work and commitments for me, that I really didn’t have time to stop and smell the roses… and I miss those quiet moments.
This is likely to be the precursor to all sorts of New Year’s resolutions, but either way, it has stopped me in my tracks to think about just how amazing friends are. That no matter where we are, no matter the usual conventions, taking time to send me a funny drunken text on Christmas night in the midst of familial obligations, are the things that bring us closer and make it feel all the more like having a great big family that ‘gets’ you.
And that brings me to my other point, all of you. Over the year I have received so many emails of thanks and support that have just blown me away. I know I sometimes get disheartened by how infrequently people comment when I consider the number of people reading, but then I think about all the other ways you find me and we get to have that conversation. The whole reason I first started writing this blog was in an attempt to take down some of the walls the exist between us. To start a conversation that uplifts, challenges and brings like minded people together. Because that is what I wanted to do. I didn’t want to be an island in suburbia forever fending of the sideways looks you attract when you are anything but the norm. I wanted to find a way to speak louder, listen wider and be inspired each day. And that is the Christmas gift you’ve given me; the simple fact that you are there and that we have these chats. That we can make each others daily experience a better one simply by having someone to share it with.
So thank you… and Happy Holidays!
Happy Holidays to you too SKM
It’s been a pleasure to work with you this year and I was so happy to meet you. You’re definitely one of my favourite bloggers of all time and I really respect what you do and your commitment to your aesthetic.
Best of luck for the new year
Esz: It has been a real pleasure getting to know you too! I’m always so thrilled we have this beautiful little group of lovely women here in Melbourne.
Have a wonderful holiday! Xxxx
merry christmas skm! much love and lollipops for the new year!
Chocolate Suze: YUM!!! Well I’m already making short work of the lollipops
Have a fabulous break with your family and hope I get to catch you in Sydney this year. I’ll be there quite a bit this year so we’ll have to make a yummy date. 
SKM, great blog! I have been hooked for a good 6 months, but too shy to post a comment…when I read your last entry, I realized comments mean a lot to you…
When I get home at the end of a stressful day, your blog always has a wonderful entry waiting…thank you so much for bringing us much-needed sparkle!
Happy Holidays, and a very Happy New Year to you and yours
Sybilla: Hi there!
And thank you – Sparkle is always one of my key goals ^-^ Hope to see you around lots more, I do always love to talk to my readers. 
SKM, you are beautiful inside and out. I love your look and I love your attitude even more. The blogging world is blessed to have someone like you in it. May health, happiness and prosperity be yours in 2011!
Shady Del Knight: Wow.. thank you so much! It really means the world to hear something like that from you.
A wonderful, magical and sparkly 2011 to you too!!
I like your vintage style and I found your blog one of the most interesting, I follow you since you had the first location. Happy holidays you too!!!
Eagle eye Cherry:
thank you! Have a great week. xx
I’ve been feeling bad about the lack of interaction I’ve had what quite a few of my favourite blogs, and I’ve decided I simply MUST try harder :p
You are a true inspiration, your dedication and passion is always with me when I need the extra push to do something I really need/want to do. This year has been an extraordinary one, the best in my life in a lot of ways, and there’s nothing more awesome than knowing that things are getting better and better as time goes by. I predict 2011 will be even better!
Nothing can stand in the way of what you truly want, and I understand that now, no little thanks to your lovely self. I wish you and yours all the love, happiness and joy in the world, and I know I’ll be a lot more active online from now on!
Miz
xx
Miz: Yes, I’ve been feeling the same way. Too overwhelmed with work to read anything and I find my inspiration waning. I’m using this week of down time to catch up with all my old blogging friends and try and come up with a better system of reading all their wonderful posts. The old reader system just doesn’t work for me as I really love seeing everyones layouts as they intended.
Yes, I have a feeling 2011 is going to be something incredibly special ^-^ xxX
I just wanted to say a big thank you! I discovered your blog a few months ago, and have enjoyed reading every post.
I’m usually too shy to post comments, but I just had to say what a lovely experience stumbling across you blog has been. I look forward to reading more of your wonderful posts in the coming year, keep up the beautiful work.
xx Fran
Fran: Thank you so much! Don’t be shy.. as I’ve said I’ve met some amazing people this way, many of whom I know count amongst my ‘real world’ friends!
Thats beautiful! I love everything you post, and even though it has been a while since i commented, i want you to know i look forward to seeing every post! Merry Christmas SKM and have a safe and Happy New Year!
Christi: Merry Christmas and New Year year to you too!
You are a gift to me, too.I am soooooooooooooo glad to have found you.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Sacramento: Your comments are always so lovely, and your own style so well put together and unique. Glad we found each other too!
I read your blog so much and I’m constantly inspired. I know how much work and effort goes into creating all this amazing content for our entertainment, and my Thanks goes out to you for so selflessly and consistently doing so.
I am a serial commenter on blogs – but I’ve never commented on yours before. Maybe it’s cause the comment button is such a light colour! I never noticed it enough to click on it.
Leah: Thank you! And I’d never though that about the comment button before, thanks for pointing it out! I’m in the middle of designing a whole new overhaul so any suggestions like that are very welcome.
lovley lady…loved your post…have a great and safe new years….hope we catch up soon – Miss Suppa xx
woops — mrs suppa – what was i thinking x
And happy holidays to you and yours aswell. Without question, you’re one of our favourite and most vintagy glam bloggers on the web. A huge hug from across the hemisphere and happy new year at ya.x
Happy new year to you! I’m one of those regular readers who rarely (never?) comments, but I do love reading. You have such a lovely outlook; it’s always a pleasure to read your posts. And I used to live in Melbourne, so it helps me feel in touch with your beautiful city, too.
All the best to you in 2011!