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

This week and beyond in pictures

Interning

Giving my time to a women's lifestyle website in Chelsea, London. I look forward to commuting to a wonderful part of the city where duties include, amongst many other things, overseeing the website and researching for articles.

Graduation

On Tuesday I finally graduated in BA (Hons) Fashion Journalism. It was a truly wonderful day spent with thoseI have had the opportunity to work with over the past few years and close family members. I was exteremely nervous (as the picture suggests) walking up to greet the legendary Zandra Rhodes, a combination of maintaining my balance and remembering to smile as the camera panned onto our faces as we strode on stage to collect our scrolls. 

Afterwards, we had drinks and my parents treated me to a truly scrumptious meal and bottle of Champagne to celebrate my achievement. 

Holiday

My holiday wish came true! I cannot tell you how happy I am that my family eventually booked a holiday to be spent in the wonderully sunny location of Turkey. Sun, escapism and a whole lot of fun awaits me!

Birthday

I will be turning 21 at the end of the month and I am extremely excited to know that I will be on holiday.. celebrating by sunning it up and watching the sun set before dancing the night away. 

I  A M  N O W 

S O M E W H A T 

E X C I T E D  !

So... a holiday IS ON the cards and that means one thing - a complete lack of posts from me. But don't fret! Stay tuned to discover my goings-on when I return.

  In the meantime, whilst I am lying flat on a sun lounger, enjoy these pictures. 

What exciting things have you been up to?

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My Favourites in Pictures

Lie-ins 

A totally guilty pleasure but now that I have finished University and I therefore have no work to do, I feel more relaxed both mentally and physically. The longer I lay inside the warm haven that is my bed, the more I drift in and out of sleep. I am very nocturnal and can stay up all night as I generally don't enjoy sleep so late nights mean late mornings spent in bed!

Eating 

I literally think about food 99% of the day and that's not an exaggeration. I adore munching on a giant bag of Salt & Vinegar crisps, or better still Walker's Sensations Thai Sweet Chilli, devouring an entire plate of mashed potatoes and gorging Italian or Indian feasts. I love pasta, covered in spicy tomato sauce, oriental noodles or chicken dishes from Wagamama. Vegetarians look away now, because there isn't another culinary delight on earth quite like a juicy, hot steak. 

Bloody Mary Cocktails

As someone born without a sweet tooth (I could easily give up chocolate) this delicious red cocktail is the perfect thing for me to sip or rather, devour. Savoury and spicy with lots and lots of Worcester sauce, a dash of Tabasco, seasoning and a spurt of lemon juice (top tip), it tastes simply delicious. Even better with celery or salty crisps. 

Thinking about where I want to be

Not just what place I would like to be holidaying now, but career-wise too. The fashion industry is a hard one to get amidst of but I am remaining positive that where I am using my skills at the moment will be for the long-run.

Playing with our adopted kitten (which is leaving today)

Sadly, four kittens (3 male tabby and 1 black female) which were born at my Dad's garage at work, lost their Mother at six weeks old and so they came to live with us to nurture, feed and love. The remaining one is the girl (who I named Treacle) and is very playful, energetic and loves to run up and down the hallway. But today she is going to a new home and I actually think we're all going to miss her.

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You don't have to take your clothes off (but it's more fun if you do)

A little selection of pictures to lust over (and for all the right reasons). See them as a metaphor, if you will, for being free (I am finishing uni at the end of this month and no longer have any work to do), it's hot outside (so why not strip off?) and because everyone likes naughtiness (these pictures contain nudity).

So, need I say more? ENOUGH of the excuses.

NO explanation (or clothing) necessary.

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It's Hopping Mad!

       

        =

It seems everyone and I mean everyone, is getting into the Easter spirit (look out for the Ann Summer's Easter-themed advertising of their best-selling 'toy', who are even using it to their advantage, as they do the festive season). The May issue of Tatler was delightfully laden with all things rabbit and brilliantly amusing pieces related to such creatures. I adore the cover- Natalia Vodianova looking as incredible as ever (even after 3 children- there are no excuses!) with the cutest bunny ears and the colour combination- hazy grey mixed with pastel yellow and blue lettering- perfect for spring and of course, Easter time. I am getting excited for my big bag of crisps- yes, you heard right- crisps. I don't have a sweet tooth at all and a teeny tiny Celebration is enough sweetness for me in one sitting thank-you very much. Plus, I am off to New York next week as part of a Uni trip in collaboration with the Parson's new school, in which I am mirroring a student there- a talented young designer named Paige Kettering and my time has been filled with shopping for this. My new purchases include a Missoni scarf which was a complete bargain and Russell & Bromley tasseled brogues. I have not shopped like I have done over the past few weeks, in years and to be honest, it felt really good. Plus, I am glad I am not in England for the Royal Wedding because I truly am sick of hearing about it. That aside, Easter is a great time of the year and the sun shining makes everyone that little bit happier. Tatler made me happy this month and this as well as the sunshine, shopping, preparation for New York, reading a fair amount about bunnies (and eating some crisps, of course) has landed me amongst the Easter spirit filling the air- and magazines...




                                                     Tatler Nov 1988 (Jessica Rabbit, whom I am named after)

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This is my face:

I am sure you can empathise with me, as I'm pretty adamant many of you are in your third years at Uni (Note to first years- make the most of it!) and can understand the enormous workload, endless list of things to do which seems like a never ending pile slightly resembling a mountain which you never do get to the top of.

 

This is my face when I find myself with 10,000 words to write in a month and a half, as part of my FMP unit creating an entirely new magazine, plus layout, plus countless competitions to enter...

This is my face when my work, I feel, is going well- I'm on top of things at least and even if I do have to do final proof reads, competitions are typed and I have a hen weekend in Brighton to look forward to...

And this is my face when I have handed everything in, have a party in which to celebrate that night, can start to really get excited about New York and can go and do some very serious shopping.

Yay. I literally have never looked forward to a deadline so much.

The dreaded stomach-turning thought of handing in aside (a mixture of excitement, of course and a smidgen of nervousness when faced with the reality that this is the last piece of major academic work), I have a whole lot of things to look forward to this year. It is a big important and eventful one and I make myself happy just thinking about it and I want to wack on Robin S and dance wildly around the room like the much younger person I feel.

Well, when the eveing of 15th April came, this was exactly what I was doing, all washed down with a giant glass of wine. I feel this was very well deserved.

When work is done, Jessie will play and she will play hard.

Things to look forward to:

New York

Others turning 21

Birthday Parties

My 21st Birthday

Holiday

Graduating

Interning (and potential job)

The rest of my life

Cliched I know, but there are chapters coming to an end and lots of new doors to open...

 Who knows what could be waiting inside?

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Pack Up, Let's Fly Away...

2011 has been hectic from the word go and at the moment I have so much to at the same time- writing my dissertation began the never ending workload then it was onto the beginning of my Final Major Project, planning the writing for competition entries, interning, work experience, squeezing in the odd pub visit and flicking through the glossies. Plus- I have a New York/Parsons trip to think about, graduating and then turning 21 in the summer... the list really is endless.

I have been thinking about where to whisk off to for a while now as I really crave a holiday (even though my last was only August and time moves by so swiftly) and want to be somewhere amazing when I hit the big (but dreaded) 2-1. Having a birthday abroad just makes it that bit more special- my 11th (ha, seems like forever ago) in Calpe, a beautiful region on the east coast of Spain was one of the funnest times and definitely one of the best birthdays!

Walking around Chelsea whilst interning the other day I spotted a handful of planes overhead darting about the skies racing to what I imagined to be amazing locations- sunny, scorching hot, heaving with culture, cool places to eat... off on a tangent I go again. Well anyway, it got me thinking about the places I would possibly like to be for my birthday or potential destinations for the next journey I take to where the sun actually shines... one can dream, eh?

Have you been to any of these locations? What was your best ever holiday?

R i o   d e   J a n e i r o

I have never had a craving to go somewhere quite as much as I have for Rio- the nightlife simply looks incredible. So that's why I want to go. Plus, it has the most breath taking architecture and perfectly golden, sandy beaches.

Carnival Street Party, Rio

B a r c e l o n a

I have actually been before and want to go back soo badly. I went a few years ago and absolutely loved it- there is so much to see and do. Art is one of my passions and it really is one of the best places to go for that- culture is everywhere, plus it has a beautiful harbour and city centre full of eclectic places to shop.

Highly recommended.

Sagrada de Familia


 S i n g a p o r e

I've never had a strong urge to go visit the east, but lately have really warmed to venturing into the unknown. I really want to sample the food, see the bright lights and explore into such a diverse part of the world.

Raffles Place, Singapore City


C y p r u s

It's just a place I want to visit- it looks so tranquil and set amongst the ruins you could explore for hours. Looks and sounds idyllic and a holiday destination I am sure I will love as much as Turkey where I have been 6 years in a row and Greek Islands I have visited twice.

Northern Peak, West of Polis


E g y p t

In fact, I'd like to go anywhere in the UAE- including Dubai and Abu Dhabi. In Egypt I imagine myself lying in the scorching heat or venturing out in search of my own discoveries- either option sounds exactly like something I could do with right now! Even the North African marvel that is Marrakesh in Morocco. Sex & The City 2 made it look so exciting and adventurous- the enchanting bazaars and mysteriousness that came at night fall. It sounds like I am there already- and so I'm off again...

Gaza


I s t a n b u l

I have been to Turkey many a time, as you know and I desperatley want to visit this enchanting city. Not only for picturesque views, historical value and stunning landscapes, but the atmospheric and exciting feel it has. I long to experience that. It is known for it's cosmopolitan feel, amazing architecture and fantastical nightlife- the darkened lounge bars in which to soak in the energy whilst drinking and dancing the night away. That's my perfect night and one that I want to spend in one of the best countries I have ever ventured to. The traditional way of life, places to ponder and people to meet is, for me, what makes it so special.

The Princes Islands

A s p e n

I have been to the West Coast and NYC (as well as countless American airports) so I know it is somewhere that the food is always perfect and the people friendly. As someone who loves skiing, snow and anything picturesque or sweetly charming in which to ponder, I feel this is the place I need to be as it offers all 3. Just imagine how magical it would be at Christmas time. Next on the American list is New York (which I will be visiting in April as part of a Uni competition), California and Arizona (simply for the Grand Canyon- I love a view, me!) and the latter 2 (as well as Cyprus) partly form the route of my dream travelling experience...

The St. Regis Hotel

Camel image from hiren.info

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