Alpine Christmas prep

Hubby's been flying a lot but we've managed to pack in some good quality time when he is here. Last week, after (finally) getting my carte de sejours (French residency card), we celebrated with hubby - let's have this in writing, folks - offering, yes offering, to take me shopping for boots. The leather ones I bought in Annecy (new) were freezing my feet (it's a damp cold here). Hubby insisted I go the Ugg route.

I've resisted for a long time. I hate the Uggs I see every one wearing; they look like slippers to me, and besideswhich, I'm not a fan of looking like every one else. But I liked these lace-ups. Tres alpine chic and supremely comfy. I am now wearing them with everything from dresses to jeans. Still, buying new doesn't have the same thrill as buying thrift. I used to thrift practically every piece of apparel, boots included, in Toronto, and sadly, it's just a different ball game here.

Though there's been heaps of snow at higher altitudes, Annecy didn't get the white stuff until the weekend. Here's a view of one of my fave shortcuts home after shopping, behind a large church and alongside one of the canal's (really a river that runs out of the lake) little offshoots.

Even on a grey, snowy day, Annecy looks picture-postcard perfect.

Speaking of new, the coat I'm wearing was bought new a few years ago. The only thing that was thrifted here was this 1980s scarf. Not normal for me, but there you have it.

We took advantage of the festive weather and bought our Christmas tree at the market (25 Euros). Isn't it cute?

This is the final product, sitting on our dining room table all aglow.I love the two branches jutting out on either side at the top - it makes the tree look like a little alien being.

View by day, in our sweet French apartment.

I just have to show you a bit of the rest of the room, including the amazing ceilings. Our living room is huge and it's my fave room in our little apartment.