But the prettiest sight to see is the holly that will be on your own front door

First of all, I'd like to wish Merry Christmas to you all and a huge thank-you to those who have taken a great interest in my blog over the past year. In case you've forgotten, it is 4 days until the merriment, over-eating, routine drinking and massive family get togethers begin. For me, it all starts on 23rd December, my dear Nan's birthday. My paternal family all gather together as per usual to drink, nibble and generally have a really good laugh. It's how we do things and it tends to get us all in the mood.

I have been working this week at a new role, which I am really enjoying and which has only made me look forward that little bit more to the end of this week (although not wishing it away at all) - listening to the Love Actually soundtrack and the most beautiful Christmas melodies in the office had gotten me slightly more excited with every note, as well as the adornment of twinkling lights and carol singers at the tube station. This year it has taken me a while to get into the Christmas spirit, purely because to me it doesn't feel like Christmas time yet, as it has done in previous years. My only explanation for this is the fact that I am no longer at University, instead living at home and working full-time in the city. This time last year, I had begun writing my dissertation and was somewhat excited to come home for three weeks for the Christmas holidays. 

So, I thought what better time than to share with you a series of somewhat beautiful, magical and aptly 'festive' images. I predict that blogging will slow right down when I rediscover lie-ins and too many bottles of anything have been emptied- plus I will be working from home- so I shall leave you to enjoy these until we are officially into the New Year, in which case I will be posting a brand new batch of festive delights in the form of amazing editorial photographs, like these beauties. 

I hope you all have brilliant Christmases and remember, it's not all about the presents. Reflect on the good times throughout the year (for me it was an amazing holiday, meeting new faces, graduating and gaining paid work), make the most of your families and being at home, keep safe and most of all have a really good time and enjoy yourselves the best you can. This year has been a great one, but I also cannot help but think of those who I have missed too...

Enjoy the images and have F U N  ! 

Where will you be spending Christmas Day? What are your plans for the lead up? 

What are you hoping for on the big day?

All images from fashiongonerogue.com

Ttile: Lyrics from It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

WONDER FULL

MERRY CHRISTMAS 

& A HAPPY NEW YEAR

x

A fashionable Christmas

As I posted earlier, I didn't ask for much this Christmas but I did get the 2 things I really wanted- the leopard print dress from TOPSHOP and of course, the retro fur collar jacket. (The Mulberry pouch and floral dress I have had for a while now and the camel ZARA dress and uber high black leather platforms from ASOS were presents to myself!) The rest I unwrapped on Christmas morning, rather excitedly. The best surprise were the cork platform sandals, which I were given after dinner (a family tradition), especially as I never did manage to get my hands on them over the summer as I thought they had sold out.


On that note, I hope everyone had an amazing Christmas and exciting New Year. Let's make it even more fashionable and eventful than the last...




What surprise additions were under your tree this year?

WONDER FULL

C A K E it on.

Just a little selection of pre-Christmas treats in the form of sweet and delightful cupcakes painted with icing and sprinkled with a variety of tasty treats for you to lust over. Thanks to my little sister who aspires to be a chef and own her own restaurant, baked these spongy delights the night before she had to ice them in school as part of her Food Technology course. She is loving it at the moment, creating tasty things to eat in the form of Victoria sponges, pastries and quiches. When she brought these home on Monday I got a little over excited, not only because they looked amazing, creative and most of all yummy, they gave me the perfect opportunity to grab the SLR again and get snapping. After all, I need all the practice I can get in preparation for my Final Major Project next year. I love my food and like my sister, have always helped out in the kitchen- stirring sauces, chopping vegetables, tasting here and there for seasoning. There is something fulfilling in creating something from a few ingredients that can become a meal for all the family to enjoy, if not a little fast-paced! I can't really say the same for fifteen cupcakes, as they are probably the most funnest things to make of all culinary creations, but they tasted gorgeous and Christmassy nonetheless with a cup of hot tea and a warm bed.

WONDER FULL(y yummy)!

For Christmas, please may I have...

It feels like forever since I posted anything on here but with uni deadlines looming, a lap top in repair and a schedule that was completely ruined by the snowy weather, it proved rather difficult to.


But anyway, I'm back and as the deadlines have now passed I thought it was time to really get into the Christmas spirit by sharing with you my Christmas list. Even though I haven't asked for much, as for me Christmas is more about getting together as a family- eating, drinking and generally having a good laugh. But, of course it is rather exciting to wonder what will be waiting under the tree for me to discover when the day finally arrives...

When I saw this jacket on the rail, it really was love at first sight. I'm really into retro fashion and the 1960's- I honestly believe I was born in the wrong era. With all the khaki and grey hues and blocks of black in my winter wardrobe or part of my look right now, this piece is a great way to brighten it all up and make the freezing temperatures that little more bearable. 

It is about time there was a good British comedy drama and this is by far the best thing on telly right now that makes my Thursday nights. The cast is amazing and the original format makes for a gripping watch- full of anger, chemistry and mysteriousness that keeps you hooked and leaves you thinking what will happen next. It is not in any way sugar coated, apart from the eye candy that bring the whole series to life. Robert Sheehan who plays Nathan is comically brilliant, is certainly easy on the eye and the ears too with that gorgeously irresistible Irish accent.

This always seems to make a regular occurrence on my Christmas list as it has readily become one of my make-up staples. Every girl has a favourite cosmetic item and this is mine. Applying make-up can sometimes seem like a chore but this just brings out the gal in me and I completely love it.

Coco Mademoiselle Eau De Parfum is my absolute favourite scent and just like the Chanel adverts starring the flawlessly stylish and sophisticated Keira Knightley draw me in, so does the perfume's flawless packaging which proves too hard to resist. It has an unbeatable aroma I adore, to simply spritz over any outfit with the effortless ease and grace Chanel brought to fashion so well and oh so elegantly.

This is one of the ultimate coffee table books I intend to add to my growing collection. My aim it to have an entire shelf full of fashion reads that offer amazing photography and fashion analysis of the highest calibre. This book is not only visually appealing but includes a history of the creation and art direction of Louis Vuitton, accompanied by an analysis of it's reference to architectural design. I simply cannot wait to delve straight into this mammoth of a read.

Christmassy and
WONDER FULL

HOME SWEET HOME.

It's nice to be living back at home... no bills to pay, warm carpeted floors, a cosy room, family get togethers- the list is endless. I really appreciate having my own room- a space to make your own and fill with personal things that show your personality- mine is exactly that with lots of red and patriotism thrown in! Looking out of my bedroom window onto yesterday's blue skies that filtered above the white cloudy puffs, made be glad to be home in my own space to appreciate the small things in life and the fact that the sun was brightening up the house, the golden rays filling the frosty air, was the crowning glory.

WONDER FULL