Category Archives: christmas

Christmas Gifting for the home with White Stuff

15th October 2015
I promised myself I wouldn’t start my Christmas themed posts too early this year, I’m sure there is a fine line between festive excitement and just down right annoying. I think now seems just about okay, if the steady stream of e-mails and the sudden influx of selection boxes in shops is anything to go by anyway!

I’m kicking of my festive gift guides with some gorgeous cosy pieces from blogger favourite brand White Stuff who have wowed me with their perfect presents for the home.

You can find all of the details for each product on the White Stuff website under the gifting section . I’m smitten with the velvet floral cushions and the oh so adorable Polar Bear egg cup- perfect for a cosy weekend breakfast in bed over the winter months!

Have you started thinking about Christmas yet? I’m torn between wanting to get all out excited and feeling like I should hold it back a little…hopefully by starting these posts I can summon up some inspiration for what to buy my friends and family though (and inspire you lovely lot as well.)

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Posted in brands I love, christmas, gifts

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Time for a Break

24th December 2014
The shopping is done, the presents are wrapped and I have just one morning left at work before I can officially relax and call it Christmas. This year, unlike other years I won’t be blogging over the festive period- oh no. Between catching up with my family and spending time up North with Ben’s I’ve decided to take a few days off from the internet and have a well earned break! I’ll be back posting some time next week I expect, or in the New Year- whichever feels best for me…and when I do return I won’t be putting those same pressures on my self to blog daily as well as working two jobs! I have a feeling that 2015 is going to be a big year for me and I need to learn to give myself some time just to enjoy what I have achieved.
Image from pinterest- I can’t find the real source!
Whatever you’re up to over Christmas enjoy it! I can’t wait to catch up with every one and reconnect with old blogging pals (and make some new ones!) next year! Thank you for all the support you’ve given over the six years this blog has been running, I wouldn’t be the person I am today without it!

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Posted in blogging, christmas

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Home at Christmas

23rd December 2014
I think my favourite part of the festive season is finishing work on Christmas Eve and heading home knowing that for the next 48 hours I don’t even have to contemplate leaving the house unless I really, really want to. This year because of the way Christmas falls I have four glorious days off work, two of which will be spent slobbing around the house and the other two will be spent with Ben and his family up North (probably slobbing around their house!).

Seeing home decorated with festive friends and twinkling lights makes me undeniably jolly even when I don’t really feel it, so I thought for my last post before Christmas I’d show some of my favourite things knocking about the house right now (plus an outfit I’ve been living in).

My mustard swing dress from Joy is perfect for lazy days pottering about the house, especially when paired with these cosy cable knit tights from Primark and faux fur lined boots for when I do brave the elements. It’s such a laid back outfit, perfect for sprawling out on cushions, such as these beautiful hot air balloon one c/o Graham and Brown who have become my number one place for interior inspiration.
Our Christmas decorations come from all over, we seem to collect new ones each year as we browse the shops on the frantic hunt for gifts. The gold owl bauble was picked up this year in Wilko, the whole family has an affinity with owls as they were my Nan’s favourite animal and it brings comfort to have a piece of her with us.
Much to Mum’s disgust I couldn’t resist the inflatable Santa and Snowman in our local 99p shop, as much as she likes to keep things elegant and colour co-ordinated I just can’t resist a bit of festive tat- and Mae loves falling asleep on these inflatable friends!
What does your home look like at Christmas? What do you think of my cosy new cushion? I love hot air balloons as they remind me of Bristol and my home town- honestly, there’s no place like it (or home) at Christmas.

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Posted in christmas, life, life stuff, outfits

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Oh Christmas Tree

15th December 2014
With only ten days left until the big day I am feeling more and more festive. I’ve completely caught the Christmas bug this year, having spent previous few years feeling more like scrooge. As such I’ve been embracing all manner of fancy get-ups and outfits that might bring more a little more attention to myself than I’d normally like. Case in point:

Hat and Jumper: Next | Dress and Tights: Primark | Boots: New Look | Necklace c/o Sushilla Jewellery

This hat, oh this hat! I fell in love with a very similar one at the Marks and Spencer magic and sparkle event and instantly regretted not buying it there and then because when I went back to get it a few days later it had sold out online and in all of the Bristol stores. I chalked it up to fate, a sign I really didn’t need a Christmas Tree bobble hat in my life…someone clearly disagreed though as a few days later Mum tracked down this look-alike from Next…complete with light up star bobble!
I may or may not have been living in this ever since I got my mitts on it, I just can’t resist anything novelty and knitted this close to Christmas. I do try to keep the rest of my outfit plain though- I’m loving these knitted cream tights from Primark (£3 and oh so warm, I need more!) paired with denim and neutral tones.
I’ve always been one to be drawn to more obscure items, but until a year or so ago I was always too afraid to wear them for fear of what other people might think. I suppose it’s all part of getting older, but these days I don’t really care, if what I’m wearing puts a smile on my face then that’s all that matters to me!

Anyone else sporting some festive headgear?

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Posted in christmas, life, life stuff, outfits

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Light up your Home this Christmas

13th December 2014
I love seeing the house all decked out for Christmas. If I had it my way our tree would be up on December 1st and wouldn’t be taken down until the New Year. I think there is something so warm and cosy about fairy lights and the smell of a Christmas tree and I’m always on the look out for new things to add to the collection.

I’ve featured the Hanging Lantern Company on the blog before (way back here) and was delighted when they got in touch again offering to spread a little Christmas cheer. They have a truly stunning range of festive treats and I was lucky enough to be able to try a few out (which also means I got my way and have some decorations up early!)

The first item I put together was one of the winter snowflake boxes (£12.95 for 8) which can be used either as a little gift box or be lit up with a Buttonlite LED and used as a table setting. I opted for the latter and loved the glow created, perfect for adding a subtle festive touch to the home (or placing on the cat for comedy value). The boxes were super simple to put together and the card is really sturdy so you know they’ll last- why not pop in some little nibbles and use as table settings for the big day?
Next up was this rather striking snowflake lantern which comes in a range of festive colours. This deep purple goes perfectly with the decor of the conservatory and it now has pride of place and looks stunning lit up in the evenings. It was a bit of a challenge to fit together, even with the extensive instructions but we got there in the end (thanks Mum!). This is something we’ll be bringing out year after year, and at £19.95 it’s an affordable way to add some cheer to your home over the festive season. A Buttonlite LED is included which will bring up to 36 hours of illumination.
Last but not least I found this Winter Floral cupcake holder (£9.95 for 12) which I think is a lovely idea for adding a special touch to Christmas bakes. I may not have had time to get in the kitchen lately, but it did make a brilliant tiara for the slightly bemused Mae!
Have you decorated your home for Christmas yet? I’m actually away this weekend and have a feeling that when I get home tomorrow night Dad might have snuck the tree up…

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Posted in christmas, inspiration, interiors

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