What I Got For Christmas - 2018

Hello beauties! Happy New Year to you all and I hope all of you had the most amazing Christmas. I can't believe Christmas is already over and we are almost saying goodbye to the second day in Jan already; The last month has been a whirlwind and I'm sure I'm not the only parent out there who has just been non stop. Christmas is easily my favourite time of year, which is why I decided to have a bit of a break pretty much through the whole of December, I just wanted to spend all my time with my family and make special memories that will last a life time - So forgive me if this post is a little overdue or feels slightly irrelevant now. Don't worry I'll be appearing on your feed again in the next few days with a traditional new years resolutions post!

My Festive Makeup Party Picks

Happy December everyone! Who else is just as excited as me about it being the month of all things festive, I love it. As it's December I'm planning all of my posts around Christmas and everything to do with the season. There are so many gift guides floating around right now (I promise I will have one going up very soon) I thought I'd kick things off with my festive party makeup picks. This weekend I had my works Christmas party, which inspired me for this post, so I thought I'd share with you some of my favourite things.

Taking Archie To See Santa at Wyevale Garden Centre

I've always loved Christmas, its easily my favourite time of year and has been since I can remember. I have wonderful memories of Christmas as a child and it gives me those warm fuzzy feelings in my tummy when I reminisce and think about all those magical moments. Christmas as an adult has always been wonderful too, but I think it's children that bring that extra magic to Christmas. Now we have Archie, Christmas has become magical again and this year will be his second Christmas. For me it means getting into the Christmas spirit early, putting on those Christmas films and I kid you not, Archie and I spent a good portion of last week dancing around to Christmas music - All we need to do now is put our tree up, which is happening sometime this week! I just want to cherish all these magical Christmas moments, which is why we plan on doing as many festive things as possible over the next month. This weekend we really got all those festive feels and took Archie to our local Wyevale Garden Centre to see Santa in his grotto.  It was so special and so magical, so I thought I'd share our day with you and it might help you decide where you want to take your little on this festive season.

What I Got For Christmas 2016 (Better Late Than Never)

The Perfect Christmas Gift For Her & Him | Sudio Vasa BLÅ Earphones

The Magic of Christmas - Lots of Festive Lights

First of all massive apology! I can't believe I dedicated 18 days to Blogmas and have failed right at the very last hurdle. The last three days have just been awful and I feel so disappointed in myself that I never managed to post on these three days. But I promise to finish off Blogmas just as strong as I started, even though there are just 3 days left now. I can't believe it's almost Christmas, its crazy.

I thought I'd make things up to you guys with something really fun and festive. If you've been reading my Blogmas posts you will know that one of the things that makes me feel really festive is going on winter walks and looking at all the Christmas lights in peoples gardens and homes. I love how much effort some people put into their decorations, especially when it comes to lighting. I just think how nice is it that you're creating something so special, not just for you but for every passer by, its lovely.

One of my favourite places to go and watch the lights is actually at caravan park near my town. The park is built around a huge lake and right by the lakeside are wooden cabins which people live in. These people really go all out and their cabins beautifully lit with decorations make me feel as though I'm right in the middle of a winter wonder land; It's just beautiful. 

I just love how pretty everything looks all lit up, my favourite have to be the penguins and baby reindeer, they're just lovely. It's amazing how lights can make you feel so festive. I hope these have help you feel a little more festive.

Lots of Love

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Blogmas Day 12 - The Christmas Tag

Oh what would Blogmas be without a good old Christmas Tag! It’s honestly been forever since I did a good old tag post and I’m pretty sure that back in my early days of blogging I did these all the time and had a lot of fun doing them. I’ve not really seen any go up that have taken my fancy, so I took to Google and had a good browse and found this one. 

1. Whats your favourite Christmas film?

I love Christmas films, I actually started watching them this year way before December even started so its really hard to narrow my favourites down. I would have to say Miracle on 34th Street, Home Alone and Author Christmas are my faves. 

I know its not technically part of the question but my favourite Christmas film quote has to be ‘Merry Christmas ya filthy animal’ from Home Alone 2…. I love it and say it way too much this time of year!

2. Have you ever had a white Christmas?

Yes! And it really has to be the most magical thing ever. You know when you watch the films and they all have snow on Christmas day, I actually felt like I was in my very own Christmas movie when I woke up to snow on Christmas morning, it was just so special. If Santa could bring us all a little bit of snow on Christmas morning that would be amazing. 

3. Where do you usually spend your holiday?

As it’s just myself and James living in our flat, we actually never spend our Christmas Day here. Every year we take it in turns to spend our Christmas day with different family members. Last year we went to my dads and the year before his mums. This year however, my my and her partner are coming to spend Christmas Day with me and we’re actually cooking Christmas dinner in my flat which has never been done before, so I’m super excited. 

4. What is your favourite Christmas song?

I have two! For the majority of the time its Mariah Carey’s All I want for Christmas. But when the drinks are flowing it has to be the Pogues Fairy Tale of New York…. Love it!!!

5. Do you open any presents on Christmas Eve?

No and I don't think I ever have. My family and I have always been very strict in only opening our Christmas presents on Christmas Day - I mean common Santa has not been yet! Right?

6. Can you name all of Santa’s Reindeer? 

Ummm I don't think I can you know! So shocking…. I’ll try now…

Rudolph, Dasher, Dancer, Commit, Cupid, Blitzen, Donner… and that;s it. I had to Google the what the others were and I missed out Prancer and Vixen…. Sorry guys.

7. What holiday traditions are you looking forward to?

I’m really looking forward to Christmas morning, its my favourite. I love waking up with the family in our Christmasy PJ’s, opening presents and then having the most amazing Christmas breakfast, smoked salmon and scrambled egg - It’s my favourite. I then just love lounging around for a few hours, playing board games before Christmas dinner.

8. Is your Christmas tree real or fake?

We go for a fake one as its just a lot easier and I actually prefer them as they have a lot more greenery on them which means more room for decorations!

9. What is your all time favourite holiday food/sweet or teat?

Hands down it has to be those little piggies in blankets! Oh my gosh my mouth is watering just thinking about them. They always have to be the first thing that gets eaten on my Christmas plate and there are never any leftovers. I think they're everyones favourites. I also love cold turkey sandwiches on thick crusty bread for Boxing Day lunch.

10. Do you like giving or receiving gifts better?

This is such an easy question for me as I much prefer to give a gift than receive one. There is just something so satisfying about buying something really special for someone you love and watching them open it. 

11. What is the best Christmas present you’ve ever received?

This is a really difficult one as I’ve had a lot of amazing gifts over the years. Probably one of the best was flying out to Disney World on Christmas night and spending the rest of Christmas and New Year in Orlando, that’s a present I’ll never forget. 

12. What would be your dream place to visit for holiday?

I’m actually really happy with staying at home on Christmas. I love my home comforts and I love the way my home feels festive with all its decorations so I love being in a place which is homly to me. My dream Christmas would be to have a place big enough where I could have all mine and James family over to stay, that would be perfect.

13. Are you a pro present wrapper or fail miserably?

I’m actually somewhere in between. I don’t think I do a bad job, but if I have any presents that are oddly shaped I can get a bit flustered with the wrapping paper. I do really enjoy wrapping up presents though, its great.

14. Most memorable holiday moment?

Without a doubt it has to be my first, only and ever motorbike experience. It was Christmas afternoon before James and I lived together and I had planned on spending Christmas afternoon with his family. His grandad had offered to pick me up, but he thought it would be a great day to get out his motorbike and showed up at mine with all the spare gear for me to pop on. Bear in mind that I had done my hair and makeup all nice etc… My mum found the whole thing so hilarous, especially helping me to dress up in all my motorbike gear! At the time I wanted to die, but now its one of those moments I look back on and think that was such a funny memorable Christmas moment. It always brings the family in floods of tears and laughter whenever its brought up.

15. What made you realise the truth about Santa?

For me the truth it that it’s so important to keep the magic alive and still going. I will and always be a believer. 

16. Do you make New Years resolutions and do you stick to them?

Yes and no. I have every good intention of making new years promises to myself but by the time March is here they’ve been forgotten about.

17. What makes the holiday special for you?

It has to be spending time with my family and making special memories for future Christmases. I just love everything about Christmas day. I’m even more excited for Christmas this year because I’m pregnant and it just means that from now on Christmas will just become even more special and magical for me and I can’t wait for that!

That was so much fun! I know tags are probably not the cool or in thing to do on blogs these days, but it was one that really made me smile and feel festive. If your reading this and are a blogger I tag you to give it ago.

Let me know in the comments if you do it…

Lots of Love

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Blogmas Day 9 - My Weekend In Cologne || The Most Festive Place Ever!

So this weekend James and I headed off to Cologne in Germany for a super festive fun filled weekend and it was honestly so magical and perfect that I just had to let you all in on what we got up to. I had never been to Germany before, so really didn't know what to expect. What I did know after doing some research that Calogne was the number one place for the German Christmas markets and you all know how much I get excited about those. 

Way back at the beginning of the year, James won an award at work (super proud girlfriend right here) and him and all the others who won an award that weekend were gifted this winners trip to Germany and were able to take all their plus ones, which is super kind of them as everything was all paid for. Our trip started super early on Friday morning where we headed down to London at 7.00 am to catch the Euro Star to Germany. It was so lovely as we were able to travel by first class, which meant total comfort and of course lots of yummy food for en route. 

We arrived in Germany pretty late, around 4ish and it was already starting to get dark. After a long day of travelling James and I were desperate for a bit of food, so we decided to head to the market right away which was only a few steps away from our hotel and it was here where I had my first German sausage of our holiday, it was so yummy.

The hotel where we were staying was also so gorgeous and I've never stayed in a place that was so Christmasy! There was a huge beautifully lit tree in the lobby and the whole entrance was decorated with lights and wreaths so it had such a festive vibe to the place. That night we headed out for dinner with everyone at this steak house and the food was just delicious. 

We only had one full day in Germany which was on the Saturday; It was a day where we could go off and do our own thing and James and I really wanted to explore the city and of course the German Market. Everything was just so pretty and the attention to detail was just amazing, I felt like I was living in a winter wonderland. 

The whole market had this amazing ice skating rink going around it which really got busy during the evening time. I really wanted James to have ago, usually I would have gone with him but as I'm pregnant and have balance issues I didn't think it would be a good idea. I just think towns and cities look so much more festive when they have an ice skating rink, it makes it feel like a scene from a film.

One thing that I really loved was that there were Christmas tress everywhere. I've never seen so many decorated trees in one place.

Even the regular tress were filled with decorations and once it was dark they all lit up beautifully.

More Christmas trees ....

We had so much fun walking around the markets, there was so many beautiful stands and of course my favourite about the stalls was all the food on offer. As I'm eating for two I really went all out and saw it as a chance to eat as much as possible. My favourite thing had to be the banana and chocolate filled crepe, so so yummy. Also look at those lollypops!

One thing that was also really spectacular about Cologne was the fact that it had the most beautiful and breath taking Cathedral right in the middle of the city. What was really lovely was that the market stalls were all located around the Cathedral so it really was stunning. The photos don't do this amazing building any justice and don't pick up just how big it really is.

Inside was just as beautiful as the outside...

Later on that day, after doing much walking around I decided that my feet had had enough walking. Being six months pregnant is really starting to take a strain on my body physically, so James and I decided to go grab some hot drinks, another bite to eat and a sit down. Surrounded by the market are loads of bars, cafes and restaurants and most of them have an outside seating area which overlooks the market. We decided to take a seat outside. Even though it was freezing outside, the restaurant gave us cosy throws to snuggle up too and with our hot drinks we kept nice and warm; it was lovely watching families getting into the Christmas spirit and watching to world go by.

That evening we went out for another meal with everyone and had some traditional German food, my camera battery had ran out by this point so sadly I don't have any pictures, but it was amazing.

The next morning it was time to take the Eurostar back to London and then back home. I honestly had such an amazing time and it was lovely to get away so close to Christmas. It was just what I needed to really get into the festive sprit and I would really recommend a trip to Cologne to anyone, it's amazing. Before we left we had to get one last picture of the huge beautifully lit tree in our hotel. I really wish I could take it home with me.

Are you going away any where festive this year? Let me know. 

Lots of Love

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Blogmas Day 6 - Some Winter Essentials from Primark

Opps I did it again! I popped into my local Primark! If you've been keeping up to date with my pregnancy posts you will know that I've gone through another stage of things not fitting me very well. It's such a horrible feeling putting on clothes to find that they don't fit! As Primark is cheap, cheerful and a case of money well spent, I decided to pick up a few bits, which can only mean one thing.... A Primark Haul! Now I didn't go too crazy as Christmas is coming up and I'm a bit selective about what I buy right now due to my ever changing size, but they have so many nice bits in that would be perfect for Christmas. It did make me a little sad as all the things I liked, I couldn't fit into but I know its just a part of pregnancy. Anyway I know I'm rambling so I'll just get on with the haul.....

I saw this sparkly jumper and just knew that I had to try and squeeze into it. I did buy it a few sizes bigger so it fits over my bump nicely, and even with it being a little bigger, its lovely on. I love being able to wear all things that sparkle this time of year. I have a few meals out coming out and want to wear something that makes me feel a little more glam and thought this jumper would be perfect.

I also picked up some thick patterned black leggings which I thought would be perfect for day or night time. I'm not really wearing jeans at the moment as I find leggings way more comfier and thought these textured ones would be perfect.

I also spotted this little floral choker which will no doubt dress up any outfit, including my sparkly jumper; It was only £2.00 which is such a bargain! I also noticed this sparkly silver bangle which immediately caught my attention. When it comes to bracelets usually I only wear my Pandora, however as I'm not feeling very glam with my outfit choices, I thought this bit of bling would jazz up any outfit. 

Although its still quite mild for this time of year, I thought it was about time that I picked up some essentials. By this I mean a bobbly hat, gloves and furry headband. I decided to go for cream/white accessories this year as it just goes with everything. I adore the bobble hat, it just makes me feel all wintery and cosy. I also thought I'd be a bit brave with the headband as I thought it would look really nice with my hair down and curly.

So as you can see I really didn't go all out, I was very good but thought it was worth showing off what I did get. Have you been to Primark recently? Let me know what you picked up?

Lots of Love

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