Blogmas #23 The Gingerbread House

My plan this season wasn't necessarily to turn into a domestic goddess, but such things happen.

Can you believe I've never made a gingerbread house? Up until this year I had never carved a pumpkin! And seeing as anything arty and intricate is my type of thing, I decided to take on the challenge of making one from scratch. And this wasn't just going to be a small one with a basic design, oh no, I went all out. (P.S. Don't ask me how I did it, I have no flipping clue.)

I measured out templates, cooked batches upon batches of gingerbread, and made myself well and truly sick on royal icing. If I never see gingerbread again it'll be too soon. Weeks of prep, plenty of photo's repinned on pinterest, and high hopes of my family crowning me 'domestic goddess' and bowing down at my baking skills. Luckily for me, it didn't go disastrous.

(I used liquorice catherine wheels as stepping stones, and lightly dusted icing sugar to give the impression that snow had settled on the rooftop).

Merry Blogmas

xo

Blogmas #22 Winter Wonderland

We'll frolic and play, the Eskimo way, walking in a winter wonderland.

I'm free at last! At least, that is, until the new college term starts. But as a little celebration that we all survived with the stress of coursework deadlines, UCAS applications, and having no where to sit each lunch, my friends and I took a trip up to London Friday and had a little mosey around Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park. 

Okay, I'm just going to put this out there, I was incredibly disappointed. Yes it was lovely and festive, but it was pretty darn expensive too for what is only a glorified fun fair quite frankly. We didn't end up going on any of the rides or doing much there at all but sit and have a portion of chips, watching everyone ice-skate. It was also incredibly busy, and as someone who doesn't cope quite well with being squished in with a thousand odd other people, it wasn't very enjoyable. We did end up visiting Oxford Street, and no one can resist a little Selfridges trip.

(Santa and Catherine clearly have some secret friendship that I don't know about) 

(Ellie and I couldn't resist a cheeky photo op)

(I was having a hideous bad hair day, ergghh)

(Can anyone guess what I brought?)

Merry Blogmas

xo

Blogmas #19 Ugly Christmas Jumper

And this one is absolutely, positively 'pugly'.

This year, Boxing Day is now 'Ugly Christmas Jumper' Day, and I cant tell you how excited I am. Having an ugly christmas jumper is a must for me every year (even better if you get a matching one with someone). Whilst frantically searching last minute this weekend for one, I stumbled across this on ASOS and thought it was too darn cute/ugly to not buy, and it's it petites - hallelujah! With student discount I bagged it at around £25. 

Merry Blogmas

xo

Blogmas #16 Deck The Halls

The neighbours weren't expecting a charming rendition of Deck The Halls at 9 this morning. (Que off-key singing: FA LA LA LA LALALALALA).

With a Monday morning off of college, I couldn't think of anything better than putting on a cheesy Christmas film, the Michael Buble album, and decking out the halls with decorations. (Chocolate chip cookies were also a must). Unfortunately, trying to find all of our decorations would be like playing a giant game of jenga seeing as the move left all the boxes piled on top of each other, so until I can get to them, this is as much as I got done.

Blogmas #13 101 Reasons To Not Blogmas

And here you have it 101 reasons to not Blogmas. Seriously.

There is probably hundreds of grammatical errors occurring throughout this post, shall we just ignore them?

1. My creative juices have run so low, this is what my posts have succumbed to.
2. I'm totally procrastinating on all my college work to post something everyday.
3. I get so distracted writing and end up on YouTube for hours (how does that even happen?!)
4. I'm currently sat in on a Friday evening trying to catch up.
5. Having to apologise for repeatedly missing Blogmas days.
6. Ending up feeling sorry for myself because I'm not posting everyday.
7. Feeling bad about feeling sorry for myself because I need to get my lazy arse into gear and write.
8. Having looong all day rehearsals, but no, I can't go to bed because of Blogmas.
9. I'm craving coffee real bad.
10. I'm Already wanting to give up.
11. Also want to give up writing this post (let's see how far I can really get).
12. Does anyone even want to read these posts?
13. What idiot decides to think up 101 reasons not to Blogmas?!
14. Me.
15. Who needs sleep when you can be blogging?
16. Who needs food when you can be blogging?
17. Heck, who needs a social life when you can be blogging?
18. Lost my SD card in my room. Crap.
19. Temptation to give up is rising again.
20. I wonder if Beyonce will read this.
21. Facing the truth that Beyonce will never read this.
22. Ideas people.
25. There must be 503629207 other people taking part in Blogmas.
26. Nails currently need a-painting.
27. Congratulating anyone whose made it this far (lets have a round of applause).
28. Urging people never to try this post themselves.
29. Only 72 more reasons to go.
30. Who really has time to blog everyday?
31. Like seriously.
32. I could be doing so many beneficial things with my life.
33. Eating too much.
34. Shopping too much.
35. But no here I am, blogging.
36. I could be rehearsing for my show on Sunday.
37. But no, I'm blogging.
38. I've been in a constant bad mood all week.
39. You know why?
40. Stressing.
41. Not-calming-the-fuck-down like most people.
42. I'm not a violent person, but I totally could have punched someone.
43. Lets change the subject.
44. Blogmas isn't all bad.
45. I've actually posted more in one month than I usually get around to in a year.
46. People have told me they enjoy reading what I write.
47. Apart from my tutor.
48. She seems to undermine all my creativity.
49. Which reminds me of another reason I'm in a bad mood.
50. My tutor hasn't sent of my UCAS application after 2 weeks.
51. Uni's aren't going to want me.
52. I'm going end up working in McDonald's all my life.
53. And then what time will there be to blog?!
54. All she needs to do is complete my reference and then it's off.
55. I can stick to a deadline but she can't?
56. Argghh.
57. I might buy her flowers, sweeten her up a bit.
58. Bribe her with chocolates so she writes a great reference.
59. All the Uni's will want me then.
60. They'll be fighting over me.
61. But back to Blogmas.
62. You need commitment.
63. I start Blogtemeber and boy did I fail big time.
64. I just gave up.
65. I don't want to do that again.
66. As much as this post is a waste of time, I'm going to complete it.
67. P.S we've only got 34 to go.
68. Once you've failed something once, you don't want to do it again.
69. Missed a couple posts?
70. Who cares.
71. Get the Blogmas Police out on me.
72. I'll still be proud to make it to the end of the month and blogged the majority of it.
73. What do you guys want to read about anyway?
74. My day-to-day life?
75. OOTD's?
76. FOTD's?
77. Because that would mean taking selfies.
78. And I'm all up for that.
79. The best part is picking the filter.
80. I can literally go from ugly to supermodel.
81. Boom.
82. All the guys want me then.
83. I'm joking no one wants me.
84. Once Blogmas is done I'm considering buying 20 cats and locking myself in the house.
85. I'm joking.
86. Cats kind of scare me.
87. And imagine how cranky I'd get being locked away indoors.
88. Although maybe Prince Charming will come and save me.
89. Just call me Rapunsel.
90. Scared myself silly with the thought that this might just not save.
91. I don't know what I would do.
92. Cry.
93. Promise to never blog again.
94. Cry a bit more.
95. I couldn't write up 101 reasons to blog again.
96. It would have been crap enough the first time.
97. But luckily it saved.
98. We're so close to publishing.
99. I'm hope you're all wetting you knickers with excitement.
100. Yes. So close.
101. We're done. 101 reasons to not blog (because end up looking like some weird crazy person).

Merry Blogmas

xo

Blogmas #9 The LUSH Haul

You never really do the job right, unless you do it yourself.

As you may have read in Blogmas #3 10 Things to-do this December (if not, read it here), I said I wanted to do a big LUSH Haul. Well that half went to plan. Leaving the mission in the capable hands of my mum, she didn't quite buy as much as I expected, but then I did ask for the whole shop. I'm joking, she didn't actually do half bad, but where on Earth is my Snow Fairy mother?!

 I'll show you what she did pick up.

Candy Mountain (£2.65)

(There just isn't an attractive way to photograph this at all, really)

Magic Wand (£4.95)

(I'm possibly the most excited to use this product.)

Star Light, Star Bright (£3.30)

(There are three reasons I love this product. 1. It contains Shea butter so my skin feels absolutely amazing once I've stepped out of the bath. 2. It's so freaking glittery, my bathroom looked like a disco ball. And 3. It has a blue center that turns your bath water turquoise, I felt like I bathing in the Indian ocean!)

What's your favourite LUSH Christmas products?

Merry Blogmas

xo

Blogmas #8 The DIY Present

Don't call me a 'cheapskate', but...

Christmas really doesn't have to cost a fortune.

I love when someone gives me a gift that they've really put thought into, I really don't need the most expensive gift in the store just because it was the first thing they saw. That in mind, I also love giving presents that I've put thought into. So this year for my parents I thought I would get a bit creative (thanks pinterest). 

I made a Mr. & Mrs. Display plate with their anniversary of on it. I was going to write all the important dates like the first time they met, when they got engaged and all that, but of course my Mum has the memory of a goldfish! And the best part it, it's so simple. All you need is a plate, mug, what ever tickles your fancy, and a Sharpie! Once you've drawn on what you want, stick it in the oven for 20 minutes on around 200 degrees and wallah, it's completely dish-washer proof, permanent.

(Sorry for the totes crap picture quality, it's just like me to forget that I haven't taken a picture of it before I wrap it up - at least I know who I get my terrible memory off.)

I'm also going to bake some of their favourite Christmas treats for a little extra! 

Merry Blogmas 

xo

Blogmas #5 Chocolate Biscuit Cake

A dessert so amazing, it was sent straight from the God's.

Christmas just would not be Christmas without my Auntie's infamous Chocolate Biscuit Cake. Like the name says, it's literally a cake made of biscuits and melted chocolate. So develishly tasty, the God's just couldn't keep it up there, so with many thanks it was sent down to us. You can follow a recipe here (we usually use method one, but choose whatever tickles your fancy.)

(Christmas 2011)

Merry Blogmas

Blogmas #3 10 things to-do this December

10 Things to do this December,

Is there a better way to start December than to make a list of the most festive things I could possibly think of? Yeah, I didn't think so either. 

1. Visit Winter Wonderland. 

2. Make a Gingerbread House.

3. Christmas Movie Marathon, yes, I'm talking 24 hours. 

4. Go on a splurge in LUSH on their Christmas range.

5. Have an ugly Christmas jumper day.

6. Resist the urge to eat too much stollen bread.

7. Dance around the house to Christmas songs whilst decorating the house.

8. Ice-skating!

9. Record a Christmas song!

10. Finish Blogmas!

Lets see how much I can actually do this Decemeber!

Merry Blogmas

Blogmas #4 Gift Ideas Under £10

My purse is literally screaming at me.

Christmas is a crazy expensive time of year. Presents for mum, presents for dad, presents for your brother, presents for your friends. It suddenly all adds up, and when you go to your purse, it's completely run dry. I don't have an unlimited budget to spend on Christmas, in fact, it's very tight, so for Blogmas #4, I thought I would give you a few inspirations for little presents that will brighten anyone's Christmas (and they're all under £10, hurrah!)

1. For Your Mistletoes

             

Essie nail varnishes retail at £8.00 here in the UK, however you can always go for a cheaper company, like Barry M, whose polishes are still quite amazing at half the price and treat them a little more with a manicure in a jar. 

                               

2. Christmas Cookies In A Jar

These are a fab idea, especially for a baking enthusiast or younger child. Simply layer all the ingredients for a batch of cookies. 

3. Thanks A Latte For All You Do

Either top up £10 or £5 onto a Starbucks gift card and treat them to a latte. 

4. Chalkboard Mug

If you're feeling a little bit creative, get your mitts on several cheap mugs, chalkboard paint, and follow this tutorial for a unique little Christmas present. I personally think my young cousins would lovvvee drawing all over these!

5. Haircare 3 For 2

Boots are always doing 3 for 2 on hair care, so you really can't go wrong!

6. And if worst comes to worst, nothing screams Christmas Cheer than homemade Christmas goods - Chocolate Chip Cookies, Gingerbread Men and Stollen Bread. (warning: they may taste pretty good.)

Merry Blogmas!

Blogmas: The Wishlist

Oh la, another blog challenge I'll try not to fail miserably at.

As the first post of blogmas, I thought I would share with you a few presents that I would love to wake up to open on Christmas Morning. (A little disclaimer, this is merely a wishlist and I don't expect to receive all these gifts.) 

('IT' by Alexa Chung, the Naked 3 Palette, Nike FuelBand SE in Rose Gold, Dolce & Gabbana 'The One, Desire', Kurt Geiger Mock Croc Travel Bag - with matching passport cover, of course! - and the Canon EOS 600D).

What's on your Christmas Wishlist?

Happy Blogmas!