My friend Emily and I pulled a stunt in late 19th century commerce and bartered this for mitten knitting lessons and the yarn to go with it. My gosh, we're a wholesome lot.

Craft tradisies: $0, the stuff heaven on earth is made of

Baby ghetto mitten: $0, joy unadulterated

I've been royally dragging ass on becoming a world famous jewellery designer, so this great pick me up got my tail in gear and I added 8 new things to my Etsy shop.

I was really flattered that someone included my work in their collage of creativity. It was really encouraging!

So, that means I can buy more beads, right? Right?

Ego stroke: $0, thanks Ocean Pearl Jewellery!

I've got really bad taste in music. And movies. And books. And perhaps in general. No, I won't go that far. I've got taste in beads and friends; I rest secure on that.

But the music. I just can't get into it. I'm stuck with Spice Girls, the Pointer Sisters, anything that I can deafen thoughts with whilst running. I just don't have good taste.

However, these cute little purple speakers make me feel groovy even in my total, pervasive, permanent ungroovyness.

Speakers: $0, sitting on top of a trash can

Taste: $0, money can't buy it

My poor blog!!! I allowed my life to fall apart and have been standing back wondering how I want to put things back together. Unfortunately, my little precious bit of cyber turf got neglected.

For want of a more inspired post I show you how the universe took care of my breakfast for me.

Coffee: $0, just one of the perks of a desk job

Banana bread: $0, from Linda

Clementine: $0, from a secret admirer . . . or the woman who shares my workspace (the note says "Erin I am sweet and seedless.")

I'm a little lethargic when it comes to getting the Christmas spirit. My world's orbit wouldn't wobble if Christmas came and went unacknowledged. However, a long string of stars aligned and the totality of my Christmas-lovin' gene pool descended upon my apartment. So I put on one hell of a show. By that I mean I scored one of the last four ratty trees left at Lowe's on the 24th and threw some scarves and earrings on it.

I believe the cat was the most pleased among us.

Trees: $10, 75% off on Christmas Eve at Lowe's

Tree flavoured water: $0