Countdown to Christmas #11 & 12

Well with a combination of partying, last minute shopping and a terrible Internet connection, I have become a bad blogger ( I hope Santa hasn't noticed ;) )

Without further rambling

I LOVE stockings!!! (the ones you hang up for Santa)
Yes I know I'm not a 5 year old and yes I still get a stocking of goodies, the task of filling the stocking has been passed from my mum to my boyfriend but let me tell you I still get as excited finding little treats in my stocking as I did when I was 5 it may not be toys inside anymore but make up treats are my grown-up equivalent....can't wait to see what's it holds this year ;)

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I LOVE carol singers!!!!

Yesterday, I had some last minute shopping to do and a friend to meet in town to swap gifts there was a huge choir singing carols, collecting money for a local hospice, in the town centre!
I could have stood and listened for hours!!

With the gifts, the food, the shopping, the parties, Santa Claus and everything else that comes with Christmas it can be easy to forget what it's really all about, when I hear Christmas Carols I'm instantly reminded of the true meaning of Christmas! HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!!

Wishing you all a Very Merry Christmas may all your Christmas wishes come true!

Keep Smiling :D

1 more sleep YIPEEEEEEE!!

xx

Countdown to Christmas #10

My partying, student lifestyle is a distant memory now that I'm getting a bit older however it likes to make a little comeback at Christmas time....

I LOVE Christmas parties!!!

All my weekends in December consist of at least one night of partying, I have Christmas parties with friends, work colleagues, family! I prefer Christmas parties to New Year parties...fun times :)

Do you party at Christmas time?

Keep Smiling :D

Only 4 sleeps!!!!!!!!!!!

Countdown to Christmas #9

Last night I had yet another festive trip to Edinburgh this time with my mum and sister along with free tickets (courtesy of the company I work for) to Mother Goose pantomime at Kings Theatre.....

I LOVE Panto!!!!

This is of course a new Christmas love as I hadn't been to a panto since I was around 7 or 8, mum and sis were the same, but hey who can refuse a free ticket, ha

I met up with a few of the girls from my office some of them had friends with them and others had their children, we all got to sit as a group so it was great having all age groups!

The panto was fab the actors definitely succeeded in entertaining both children and adults, we all laughed from start to finish, not to mention singing along to all the songs!

It had all the traditional panto characters the Dame (a male actor always plays the leading lady) her daughter, the daughters love affair- the handsome prince, the comic, the fairy, the animal (in this case a goose called Pricilla) and no story is complete without a villan!!!

The theatre is over 100 years old and I thought it had a beautiful interior, unfortunately I didn't have a camera but managed a few (not very good) pictures on my sisters phone(our seats were really high up so I was bit scared leaning over to take the stage, ha)

Panto is now on my Christmas tradition list, can't wait to go next year, ha!!!

Have any of you been to panto? What did you think?

Keep Smiling :D

OMG 6 sleeps people!!!!!!!!

Blogger Day of Silence

Countdown to Christmas #8

There's no denying, I am a food lover which means Christmas time is a complete over indulgence!

I LOVE Christmas food (and drink)!!!

The run up to Christmas I tend to have, a party night with friends, our company party, office lunch, the day itself and not to forget inbetween all of those the numerous mince pies, candy canes, chocolates from advent calander or chocolate tree decorations.... That is a whole lot of eating an drinking!

The chances of me fitting into my Hogmanay outfit are slim to none (no pun intended)

Are you a food lover who can't wait for turkey with all the trimmings?

Keep Smiling :D

8 sleeps to go eeek!!!

Countdown to Christmas #7

Miracle on 34th Street on, warm mince pies, mulled wine and I'm doing another Christmas fave...

I LOVE decorating the tree!

Our neighbours have all had theirs up since the start of the month, but my parents have always said it should go up 12 days before, not sure why!? But I've stuck with that rule, well because parents are always right (except that time they told me about a little round man in a red coat that comes down the chimney to leave presents for children on Christmas Eve...I forget his name ;)!)

I am a little late this year, had a bit of a drama finding where we had put the tree and decorations, ooops!!

I always went with my sister to choose a tree when we were younger which was great fun but we don't have a lot of space so it's just a little artificial tree but I think they are great too (no pine needle jabs and much less vacuuming).
I'm not one for decorating outside the house or garden just my little tree, a few festive pieces and some Christmas candles.

Isn't it beautiful when you can see twinkling trees in all the house windows,
I also love to see the town and shops all decorated it just seems so magical!

When do you put your tree up?
Are you like me and wish it could stay up all year round?

Keep Smiling :D

10 sleeps to go :)

Countdown to Christmas #6

For me the most important thing at Christmas time is family. I am truly blessed to have such an amazing family( soppy but true) they are fab, only slightly biased, lol.

I LOVE family time!

Spending time as a family has always been precious to me, but it can be difficult to get us all in the same place at the same time these days, life can get in the way :(
Up until about 4 years ago we all still stayed at home (parents house is always considered home, isn't it?) now we have to make arrangements just so we can all be around the same dinner table. Not at Christmas time though...

On Christmas Eve we all go to church together for a midnight mass then we spend most of Christmas day and night together at our parents house :) that's why it's my favourite time of year!

I have many friends who are not Christian or religious at all, that still celebrate Christmas purely for the family time.

Do you have any family traditions for Christmas?

(Note: I couldn't find a Christmas pic with us all in, so I added one below of me with my favourite people at my sisters wedding
L2R-Me, Dad, Cheryl, Papa(who has recently gone to heaven) Mum and Donna)


This week....
I've had the Christmas songs blasting on my iPod since Monday my favourite at the moment is the super cute,
Jackson5 - Frosty the Snowman

What's your favourite Christmas song?

Also been wearing Christmas themed socks (I know I'm so cool, haha) my fave were todays Rudolph ones!!


Keep Smiling :D

Less than 2 weeks people, 13 more sleeps to go....

Countdown to Christmas #5

I'm currently trying to play catch up with the countdown posts from the weekend, so without rambling I'll just get on with it...

I LOVE swapping presents!!!
I have to admit I love giving pressies to my loved ones just as much, if not more than I do receiving them.

I especially love buying gifts for my sisters, girls are so easy to buy for, right?
Also we have very similar tastes, we have, in the past bought each other the same items before and we often turn up with the same top on, in fact just yesterday, was my younger sister (I'm the middle in a set of 3) Donna's birthday she got two identical 'Happy Birthday Sister' cards from Cheryl and I, which made us all laugh!


I am known to get over excited, it's driving my family crazy right now, so when I have bought someone a gift I get so excited to watch them open it and make them smile(hopefully!?!)

Do you love or hate shopping for other people?

Any suggestions on what to buy, the guy who has everything would be appreciated, ha? I'm struggling this year!

Keep Smiling :D

Only 14 more sleeps.....

Countdown to Christmas #4

This is a little late but I had a crazy, busy weekend!

On Saturday I met up with my friend Annie she lives in Edinburgh which is an hour away from me by train, as you can imagine the capital city is always busy, more so at Christmas time.
However in Edinburgh you can find another of my Christmas loves.....

I LOVE German Christmas Markets!!!
The smells are amazing, the atmosphere is fun and I feel it adds to the excitement of the build up to Christmas!

We had mulled wine (and several other warm alcoholic drinks) huge pretzels, crepes, cheeses, we bought faux fur hats(it was colder than we had prepared for) we went ice skating and managed a little shopping. It was such good fun!!

Are there Christmas Markets where you live?
Hope you all had a fab weekend!!

Keep Smiling :D

15 more sleeps....

Countdown to Christmas #3

I slept through my alarm this morning and although I managed to make it to work on time it messed me up for the whole day.

FYI -shower, hair, make-up, cuppa, make lunch, dig car out of snow- can be done in under 20 minutes(not exactly to a professional standard, but done all the same!!)

Anyway what I was getting at was I forgot to open my advent calendar, when I got home 'the boyfriend' had beaten me to it!!! Is that grounds for divorce?!
It should be!
Ha

Before I ramble much more here's the third on my Christmas love list...

I LOVE Christmas movies!!!
There are so many Christmas classics that I love, Home Alone, The Holiday, It's a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, The Nutcracker, to name a few but...

...My favourite is ELF with Will Ferrell, it just always makes me laugh no matter how many times I see it!

Snuggling up in cosy PJ's on the sofa, hot chocolate(with marshmallow), Christmas tree lights twinkling, watching Christmas movies! It's the best!!

Random Little (Christmas) Secret - my sister is an Elf!
Okay not a real one, but at the weekend she plays an Elf in the Santa Grotto in our town - she's a big kid like me!


What's your favourite Christmas movie?


Keep Smiling :D

Only 20 more sleeps to go...

Girls just wanna have Fun...the weekend captured

My weekend turned out to be a super girlie one (which is always a good thing)

Saturday...

A few weeks ago I organised a get together with two of my best girlfriends and my sister, we decided a long overdue catch-up was a good excuse for getting glammed up, cocktails and dancing!!

What I wore

Top - Topshop

Jeans - Primark

Shoes - Next

Bag - Miss Selfridge

The Details

 

cross stud earings and long chain - Miso @ Republic

set of bracelets - Miso @ Republic

Watch - Michael Kors

Nail polish - Rimmel (001 Diamond Dust)

Revlon lip butter - Lollipop

Perfume - cacharel, Amor Amor

 

 

The girls

 

 

Sunday...

 

I attended the Girls Day Out Show at the SECC in Glasgow, a friend of mine has a shoe shop and had a display there, so my sister and I tagged along with her to see what all the fuss was about.

 

Basically a huge hall filled with stands, stalls and displays of all things girls love, beauty treatments, nail bars, hair salons(there were even people getting laser teeth whitening!!) jewellery, cocktail bars, cupcakes, fashion stores, make- up stores, etc

 

They had fashion shows, a modelling contest and lots of handsome, half naked men walking around.  We got some free champagne cocktails, chocolate fondue and even some free make-up samples :)

 

TOWIE's Lauren Goodger was there too, promoting her range of tanning products - Laurens Way (she tried on some shoes at my friends stand)

 

What a fun packed, girlie weekend!

What did you get up to?

 

 

Keep Smiling :D 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Countdown to Christmas #2

When I woke up this morning to find the world outside my window had a beautiful, white, glittering, carpet, I had to add this to my list...

I LOVE snow!!!
I know it is not technically anything to do with the actual festivities but when everything you look at resembles a Christmas card scene, it's difficult to not feel like its part of the fun!

Is snow your friend or enemy?
Are you a snowman or snow angel lover?

Hope you all had a fantastic weekend.

Keep Smiling :D

22 sleeps to go...




Also...Huge Congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (better known as Kate & Wills) who announced they are expecting their first baby!

Countdown to Christmas #1

Growing up we didn't have a lot of money, I had to share an advent calendar with my sisters (with me being the most excitable person in the world) it was tough having to wait 2 whole days for your turn to open the door.

However, I now live with my younger sister and its become a bit of a family tradition (obviously I get to go first because I'm older than her, haha)

So I will do a post every second day(when it's my turn) until Christmas, telling you what I love about Christmas, just so you all can be as excited as I am!!

I LOVE - the little things that make you feel all 'Christmasy' , the things that make big kids like me super excited, here a few of mine...

•The infamous Coca-Cola truck stops by (in your TV)

•Starbucks Red Cups/Gingerbread latte

•Christmas songs-in particular, Mariah Carey-All I want and The Pogues-Fairytale of New York

•Mince Pies - been stuffing myself with these for the last two weeks

•Lush Christmas- the melting snowman, is my fave this year

•Sparkles, sparkly shoes, dresses, bags, jewellery, make-up, everything sparkles more at Christmas time!

Are you like a big, kid too?
What gets you excited for Christmas?


Have a fab weekend and
Keep smiling :D


24 sleeps to go...

Catch up Wednesdays

I think we should have a weekly catch up here's what I'm up to right now...

READING Faith at Love.Life&Marriage posted the final instalment of her trip to Vegas 'What happens in Vegas will get on the blog'
It's made me super, excited for my trip to Las Vegas next summer (how my peeps will cope if I'm this excited until July, I do not know)

Check it out
faith-lovefamilymarriage.blogspot.co.uk

LISTENING to Rihanna -Diamonds, although its being drowned out right now by the boyfriend playing Call of Duty on his Xbox.
Any other Xbox widows out there??

LOVING hot baths, hot lush baths especially Snow Fairy baths! Pink, sparkly and lovely!

WISHING it was Christmas already!!!!!!!

THINKING what am I going to wear on Saturday for Girls Night Out. (I know,I know, it's only Wednesday, but I am the most indecisive person!)

FEELING truly blessed.

WEARING I have a cold, so came home from work, straight into my onesie and curled up with a hot water bottle.
(I promise next week to have a proper outfit to share with you!)


What have you been up to?
What has been making you happy this week?

Keep Smiling :D

2013 and a new Me...

I cannot believe there are only 5 weeks left of 2012!!

I was making plans to meet up with my friend Jen, finding a weekend that we were both free led us into the 2013 calendar. (Seriously, where has this year gone?)

Jen and I both went to the same Uni however, she moved back home to Ireland after we graduated so catch ups tend to happen only once or twice a year.

We decided to make a New Years Resolution to catch up more often.

This is the first New Years Resolution I have ever made and I'm so excited about it that I'm now thinking about having some more (I like a challenge)
Maybe 2013 could bring out a whole new ME!
ME...but better, ha.

Anyway after a weekend of over indulgence in the wine and chocolate area, in which my waistline took the hit, I think I may have a definite second.

Can a girl survive, without wine and chocolate?.....

Do you have any resolutions for 2013?
Did you succeed in any made for 2012?
Leave a comment I'd love to know!

Keep Smiling :D

'It's ok it's on sale'

Christmas is just around the corner (32 more sleeps) technically I should stop buying for myself until after the festivities. Unfortunately this is exactly the time of year I find myself shopping then justifying with...

'It's OK, they were on sale!' or
'its fine its just from Primark!'


We all have a naughty side, how do you justify spending when you really shouldn't?
Today is Black Friday, that's got to be an excuse for shopping, right ladies?


Keep smiling :D

Here's a little sneak peek at my ("I'm supposed to be xmas shopping") bargains.

Cropped striped sweater -Primark £7
Black coated trousers -Primark £15
Crochet sweater -Primark £8
Sparkly peterpan collar top -River Island £24.99

Black pointed flats -New Look £7
Rose gold flats -Primark £2!!!!

Hump Day Happiness...

Wednesday evening means we’ve made it over the hump of the week, it, all going well should now be a short, smooth run to the weekend.

Here’s a random selection of things making me happy half way through the week : D

READING I’ve stumbled across a blog which I’m totally loving, Diary of a Short Girl, if you love fashion and celebrity inspired looks, particularly if, like me, you are ‘fun-sized’ go check it out

diaryofashortgirl.blogspot.co.uk

LISTENING to the amazing Alicia Keys, Girl on Fire. WOW!

LOVING Revlon Lip Butter in Strawberry Shortcake and also Starbucks Gingerbread Latte. Yum

WISHING it would snow! Its practically been winter all year here in the UK, surely its time for some snow!

THINKING Christmas is creeping up on us at an alarming rate(where has the last year gone!) so mostly I’ve been thinking what to gifts to get for my friends and family!

FEELING slightly annoyed at myself, but mostly, super excited for the photo messages to commence. As I type, Rod Stewart is filming a Christmas special for ITV tonight in Stirling Castle which is not far from where I live, a group of my friends managed to get tickets, it’s a black tie affair and with a small audience. I believe there will be celebrity guests such as Michael Buble, Mary J Blige, Kylie and according to her Twitter, Holly Willoughby is there too. Why did I pass on this??

WEARING just home from the gym, running shoes and lycra, so I’ll leave out the pictures this week, Eugh!!


What has been making you happy this week?

Keep Smiling :D

There's a first for everything!

When was the last time you done something for the first time?

For me it was Friday past. A random little day off work led me to the cinema BY MYSELF for the first time, ever.

So for my day off I had initially planned to spend it alone (boyfriend was at work) in my PJ's watching movies and eating whatever I liked, a proper Duvet Day. Bliss!

However the DVD collection and SKYmovies left me with little inspiration, until I saw an ad for the latest addition to the Twilight Saga - Breaking Dawn Part II... in cinemas from TODAY!!!

Well then it just kind of happened, no thought process, I just went, to the cinema, by myself AND I loved it!

That is until I realised that while I was engrossed in the Cullen family beauty and Taylor Lautner's abs, I'd gotten myself a parking ticket. Ooopsie

Despite parking next to the machine I hadn't even noticed the car park was Pay and Display (this is why I tend not to do things by myself) I am known for being a little...well you know?!

So people, when was the last time you done something for the first time?
Did you love/hate it?
Will you do it again?


Keep Smiling :D