Friday, December 24, 2010

A Christmas Outing


We had a plan one evening recently to go and see the Christmas lights on a street famous for dressing up its houses (not quite American style though, New Zealand is a little more low-key). There were a few hours to fill in, between finishing work and it being dark enough to see the lights. We didn't want to go home so our plan was to have a drink in a pub nearby, then takeaways at a local park before heading to the light show.

We stopped at a Belgian Beer Cafe. Atlas soaked up the sun, and the compliments of fellow customers. I was asked if I wanted a small or a large beer when I decided on Hoegaarden. I said large, then changed to small. My husband went up to the bar and came back with the bucket that you see above (large). It was 'only' 500ml which he justified by saying it was less than 1.5 small bottles. It's bigger than Atlas!

'Never drink a beer bigger than your head' should be my motto, but I ignored it that day.

Next stop was the park with takeaways and a picnic rug.


Poodle relaxing in the sun once the dishes were washed up.


Back to the car, slowly. It was still very much daylight and we knew the lights wouldn't even be on yet.


Heading down the famous street in search of Christmas festivities.


One of the first of many cutely decorated homes (they must have decided against prettying up the wheelie bin).


Atlas cutting a dash on his Christmas leash (red with snowmen and Christmas trees on).


The sky was beautiful as the earth turned and darkness came.


One of my favourites - very subtle and stylish with plentiful round paper lanterns in varying sizes of yellow, red and orange.


The upper balcony is extremely tasteful I thought, and appropriate for a very hot early summer.


Impressive.


A long shot of the street.


It looks simple enough, but I bet outlining your home in lights is a big job.


Atlas walked all the way down the street (we parked at the top). It was a 10-15 minute walk and he skipped ahead like a puppy, pulling at the leash he was so excited to be out and amongst it all. It was a different story crossing the road at the bottom and walking uphill though. He started flagging and we took turns carrying him back to the car.

He conked out immediately on the drive home. I don't think he's ever had so much exercise in his life before he came to live with us.



Merci for reading How To Be Chic since I started in May of this year. I am looking forward to an exciting 2011, and will be back in January for my next year of living chicly. Merry Christmas!

19 comments:

  1. Fiona,

    Darling story...Altas is such a lucky boy to have you two as his parents.

    Have a wonderful holiday...I can't wait to see what you have in store for all of us in 2011!

    A

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wonderful post, Fiona!! Merry Christmas to you too! xxoo :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. You all look so darling! How nice to spend a day together. Looking forward to 2011!

    ReplyDelete
  4. This looks like a lovely realxing evening. Atlas seems as happy as a clam in high water. Merry Christmas and cannot wait to see what you have to say in 2011!

    ReplyDelete
  5. atlas reminds me so much of my poodle i had when i was a girl. so cute. is he champagne colored?

    merry christmas to you also and i look forward to all your posts next year.

    xo
    janet

    ReplyDelete
  6. Looks like such fun...Atlas is family now.
    Hug lots and keep close,
    Leslie

    ReplyDelete
  7. merry christmas fiona.i cant wait to read your blog again.efi.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Looking forward to another year of lovely posts! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Atlas is absolutely adorable!

    and I love your pictures of illuminations! for being low-key I think that New Zealand would bode well in the illumination olympics!

    happy holidays fiona!
    see you in 2011!

    ~lenna

    ReplyDelete
  10. Merry Christmas Fiona! I love posts with Atlas in them :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Another lovely post! Your holiday pictures brought back memories of times in the past when we lived in warm or tropical climates at Christmas. Of course, we didn't have a darling dog like Atlas to grace our holiday pictures. This year we're expecting snow. Thank you for all the fabulous posts you've given us this year. Merry Christmas!!! We look forward to a wonderful and chic 2011.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Merci for all your kind wishes!

    Janet, Atlas is silver in colour (I called him grey and was quickly corrected by the poodle ladies I now know).

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thank you so much for giving me many smiles and food for thought during these last few month. I look forward to sharing 2011 with you.
    I wish you and yours all the very best for this happy time of the year.

    Camomile

    ReplyDelete
  14. You look so chic! I'm very thankful that I discovered your blog this past year. Best wishes for beautiful, happy and chic new year!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Fiona ~ Thank you for all of your posts! I am looking forward to 2011 and more thoughts on being chic!

    Happy New Year to you and yours,
    ~ Beth

    ReplyDelete
  16. Nice pictures, so that's how american people decorates their houses. But I am interesting on how they decorate their homes inside. The interior design. I have few examples here: http://ideasforhouses.com/2010/12/06/christmas-decorating-ideas-cherry-iterior-design/

    I like your posts, keep up the good work.

    ReplyDelete
  17. What a lovely outing. Atlas is absolutely adorable and seems so happy. Fiona, may the new year be bountiful and lovely for you and your loved ones. It has been a pleasure getting to know you a bit and working with you as well. :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Dear Fiona, I've found your blog through The Rich Life (on a budget) and I just would like to say that you are amazing for adopting little Atlas and giving him a loving home. :) If there would be more people like you, a world would be a better place! xox

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi Fiona,
    I also found your blog through Adrienne of Rich Life. I have enjoyed "stalking" here, but figured I should say Hi! I look forward to reading your blog this next year.

    ReplyDelete

Merci for your comment. Wishing you a chic day!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...