the thing about having a signature style at christmas time is that every year you need a new and interesting way to adapt your style - afterall, one would hate to appear stale.

take me, for example. my signature christmas motif is diana the people's princess. now, diana doesn't fit the theme of the yet to be launched kitchen grotto - which would have been a problem apart from the fact THIS YEAR THERE ARE MULTIPLE GROTTOS. and just like the floors a multi floor nightclub, each grotto has its own theme.


tonight i, with help from my flattie, created the diana memorial grotto. the focal point is this tree, entitled: diana, queen of hearts. cos, that's what she was.


at the foot of the tree, the baby jesus lays sleeping. check out that eye make up on joseph. and jesus now i think about it. how emo.


and if you take a step further back you see the mantle in all its glory...

note that the mantle's colour scheme is red. and the stockings have been hung with care next to a chain of (rusting) santas. so jolly, despite the fact it has only been ten years since that Tragic Night.

and of course the memorial is not confined to the mantle. to the left of the mantle on the wall in between four hung pictures.... the star of diana takes pride of place.


the room is finished with strings and strings of coloured lights.

the hall has also been decked: with golden baubles and white and gold wool. who knew when the baubles were purchased in two thousand and five that they would ever see the light of day again? not me, that's for sure.


anyway, this is just a prelude to the real deal grotto. but talk about taking lemons and making lemonade... the old christmas decorations that didn't fit this year's theme have been given a second life and the house is all the more festive for it. plus i am now wondering how i ever made it through a day without some quiet contemplation at a diana queen of hearts tree. needless to say the tree could become a permanent feature.