2016 Christmas List

As we approach Christmas I've been trying to think of gifts I would love to receive. Although there is no expectation of gifts, no would I feel disappointed if I received something else, I still had something in mind. It seems funny that many of the products I looked at seem to be gold or rose gold.  Everything shown has been added to my Amazon list to make it easy for sharing and so folk don't have to hunt for the gifts.  

I found eat beautiful when looking through food books on Amazon, it looks gorgeous and seems to have satisfying recipes inside to embrace health. 

Loish is an artist I've been following for a good few years, her style has developed and flourished. I've always admired the beautiful brush techniques and her ability to convey moods and atmosphere. I'd love to own her book. 

The pen is a rose gold LAMY LX RAU, this may seem like an odd choice of gift but I love stationery and fountain pens are my favourite pen. The LAMY brand is reliable and well crafted, in a luxurious rose gold they are also reasonably priced. 

The gold PS4 controller is for my console, I already have a black one and a white one but I use the console almost everyday so it feels like an investment. Plus it looks nice!

Lastly is Vikings Season 4 part one on Blu-Ray and Versailles: A Biography of a Palace. Books and DVDS have long been a staple if Christmas lists and these are just two historical (albeit not always true to history) stories that intrigue me.

There are other ones I'm interested in but mostly I want to have a relaxing time at home with family enjoying good food and cheesy Christmas TV and songs.

Christmas Post

Well it came and went swift enough. Christmas was another great success, full of good cheer, good food and much generosity. I was pretty spoiled with gifts from family, friends and co-workers which makes it all the more sad to be considering moving on from my job. I think my favourite part of Christmas is the decorations, especially how it fits in with nature. Having a tree in the living room with hangings of snowflakes, bells, small woodland creatures and the like. Funnily enough we've had a visit in our garden recently of a greedy little squirrel, affectionately named 'Jeff'.

I won't speak too much of what I received in the way of gifts but I wish you all the best for this last week of December ready for a fresh year!

Merry Christmas 2015

Seasons greetings folks! I hope you're enjoying all the delicious food and having a merry time with family and friends. I don't expect to be sat infant of my computer tomorrow as it is a day for relaxing and spending time focussing on the important things, like your loved ones. So here is wishing you all the best for your Christmas day.

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10. Candlelit

Y A N K E E  C A N D L E  S I M P L Y  H O M E

Being such a fan of candles, specifically Yankee Candles, meant I created quite the collection of candles. Some of these were wax melts, unfortunately I had no wax melter despite looking for something neutral to fit in with my home I couldn't find anything which wasn't bright or big. Luckily TESCO had a sale on their Yankee products and this little beauty was right there, with a porcelain texture on the outside and a relief pattern around the sides it is decorate but also subtle. This was £10 and came with 3 melts and a tea light to burn underneath. All three of the melts were festive themed (Winter Berry, Frosted Snow & Christmas Morning) so it feels extra Christmas like now.

You can find one here.

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04. Festive Tradition

I am pretty sure that I'm not alone in the past time of testing out new drinks at the cafes in the Autumn as festive events accumulate but this isn't the only thing that happens like a ritual during this time of year.

Starting your own traditions can be a wonderful thing, whether it is spending your Sunday evenings nestled on the sofa watching dramas in your PJs or making baked goods in the shapes of Christmas trees and snow men. One of the best traditions I've heard of is to create a care package for Christmas eve with slippers, pyjamas, marshmallows and hot chocolate to be enjoyed with family. As corny as it sounds I can't imagine anything nicer than family time in the warmth with good food and cheesy Christmas movies.

This year I want to go the extra mile by making the Winter far more magical by doing all these little things and finding all the small joys of the darker months.

LIFESTYLE // CHRISTMAS GIFTS

This year I have much to be grateful for. I was lucky to be surrounded by supportive and brilliant friends, to have my family make it through another tempestuous year and to be with my boyfriend often. Although this post shows mostly my material Christmas gifts (as corny as it sounds) I am so very fortunate in that my life is a good one filled with honest and loving people. 

I hope that all of you have been as fortunate. Here are some of my gifts:

Doctor Cat is a cartoon strip featuring a cat doctor (clearly haha), I love the illustration style. This was a wonderful little t-shirt from my boyfriend.

This Terramundi (sp?) appeals to my creative side and will help me save for a possible holiday with my gentleman. Bought by him as I love these money pots.

These bracelets/chains came from Zara, I love the mix of spikes with glamorous gold. Bought with some christmas money from my grandparents. They'll compliment the watch I got on holiday this year.

I've been considering, quite tediously, getting an iPad for a while. I didn't want to spend if I wasn't sure about the investment but I find myself opening up my laptop just for small bits and bobs all the time and as I want to start running to Uni I needed something smaller to store for when I go and to use for research. This purchase is definitely something I feel is a solid investment and I'm very grateful to my mum for supporting it.

Lastly, my hair dryer and straighteners have been on their way out for a good year now and so they made priority on my christmas wish list. So here are my new appliances, it's shocking how much better it is to have a hair dryer that doesn't take an hour to dry your hair! The Remington wand set was a purchase from a voucher, I look forward to experimenting with it.

A few cheeky 2012 photos

I found a few photos that I had on my camera and not really uploaded so here are a few nice pics from 2012. Below is my lovely boyfriend, Jason & my crazy but wonderful friends. These are people that brighten every day. Some frost photos from the crisp English Winter. The bottom 3 are from a trip to London for Uni, we went along Oxford Street and the lights & window decor were just beautiful. I always feel a lovely festive feeling but the crowds are a bit too much.

Great Tidings

Hello lovelies, did you have a splendid Christmas? I hope so! Here is a little run down of my gifts and purchases in the sales.

Neutrogena Multi-Defence Daily Moisturiser £7.99. This is an amazing moisturiser, I bought it with money I was given for Christmas, it has no greasy feeling and definitely refreshes the skin.

Nivea Daily Essentials Extra Gentle Eye Make Up Remover £3.79. Another Christmas money purchase, I needed a new eye make up remover - this one is particularly easy on the eyes and requires just a tiny amount to remove the make up.

A great selection of books, all bought by family and my boyfriend. I'm studying Graphic Design so these are all to further my knowledge and interest.

My favourite perfume, bought by my boyfriend, He surprised me with a bottle last year and repurchased it this Christmas, it has a beautiful scent.

Two video games I received. I love video games and these two had been on my list to play for a far time. I already tried both and they're much fun! If you love a little crazy Japanese style game these are worth checking out.

Liz Earle hair products. So excited to try these, I love the skin care selection by Liz Earle. 

I'm very fond of Moleskines, they're so delightful to write in and carry around for sketches. The velvet bag is from my mum and shouts luxury. The hat is from my boyfriend, it has built in speakers for those wintery chill out sessions.

I received a voucher from my boyfriends grandparents so I went on a shopping trip in Zara. The skinny trousers and lacey top above as well as the twisted cowl shirt below came to about £50. Totally worth it as they are all of durable and flattering fabrics. I love Zara clothing as it fits me a lot better than other high street stores.

A mixed texture scarf, given to me by my boyfriends grandmother. I love the mixture of fabrics and how thick it is.

Fossil bag in purple and fleece soft gloves. Both from my mum, these are very luxurious and will go with everything I wear. I love the idea of having things that will last for ages rather than cheap stuff that will break within a few months of wear.

Lastly a book of fiction, Cloud Atlas. The movie is coming out soon and I wanted to read the book first.

Christmas Cheer

Hello lovelies, a little outfit/photo post. Me and my friend Holly got a little too excited when we saw these trees with fake snow outside the forum so we got pictures outside. All the decorations are so superbly lovely and festive. Sadly I don't have photos of my friend, she even got to dress up as an Elf for work! 

Busy Busy Black

Hey lovelies. I've been a busy bee this past few weeks pulling together all my work for a deadline, it has been so stressful but a little fun too, lots of giggles with class mates. I haven't had much time to snap my outfits for the day so here is a quick phone pic with my Iconemesis Leah Cat phone case hehe. 

Dress: Ebay 

Jacket: Oasis 

My effort to dress for function over form has been working out pretty well, I never dress appropriately for cold weather though, can't give up those fancy dresses and cute skirts!

All the shops right now seem to be prepping for Christmas, it is so lovely to see all the decorations and the crisp cold weather is certainly a sign that we're getting close. I've done most of my Christmas shopping luckily so just enjoying treating myself with a red cup Starbucks drink now and again. I've worked so hard at University but that has led to lots of caffeine so after hand in I'm gonna try a detox from it, wish me luck.

Hope you're all enjoying the festive atmosphere!