Wednesday, 31 December 2025

What I Read in November 2025


I'm a month behind with my reading wrap-ups, but I'm making the effort to squeeze in November's before the year is through.

The bookstack photo will have to be added later when I've recovered from Christmas as I'm useless and haven't taken one yet, but until then, I've added my Storygraph infographics to break up my bookish ramblings.

Here's what I read in November:

November Reading Stats:

📖 9 books completed, 1 started.
📖 4 hardbacks.
🎧 5 audiobooks
📖 1748 pages (3324 pages including audiobooks).
🎧 66.55 hours listened at 1.1x or 1.2x speed.
📖 3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ reads!
📖 3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ reads!
📖 Average rating: 4.19 stars.
📖 Average book length: 415 pages.
📖 Average time to finish: 7 days.

I finished nine books in November and started another, so it was a pretty decent reading month for me- especially as six of them were four or five star reads!

I Read:

📖Wisteria by Adalyn Grace. 5⭐
📖Phantasma by Kaylie Smith. 5⭐
📖Enchantra by Kaylie Smith. 4⭐
📖One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig. 3.5⭐
🎧Fall of Ruin and Wrath by Jennifer L. Armentrout. 2.5⭐ (Reread).
🎧The War of Two Queens Graphic Audio Part Two by Jennifer L. Armentrout. 5⭐ (Reread).
🎧Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. 3.5⭐
🎧Quicksilver Bonus Scenes Kingfisher's POV by Callie Hart. 4⭐
🎧Quicksilver by Callie Hart. 4⭐ (Reread).

And I Started:
🎧Ready Player Two by Ernest Cline.

Favourite Reads: My favourite book for November was Wisteria. In fact, I loved it so much, it's become an all-time-favourite! The entire Belladonna series was a delight to read, but I'd say Wisteria was the best one yet. It was so magical and whimsical, and came in strong with the enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, and grumpy x sunshine tropes, which were so much fun to see unfold. The back and forth between Blythe and Aris had me laughing out loud a lot, especially while they tried to make each others' lives a misery as they were forced to live together, and pretend they were in love. I loved getting Blythe and Aris' stories and POVs- especially Blythe's, who is my favourite character in the series because she's so fierce, although it was nice to see Signa, Sylas, and Elijah pop up from time to time, too. The book also still retained the ghostly,  gothic fantasy, and murder mystery vibes of the first two books, with plenty of chaos, humour, and heartache thrown in for good measure, so it was so well-rounded, and the perfect end to a fantastic trilogy. I honestly think it's one of the best fantasy series I've ever read! Do yourself a favour, and go read it!

I also thoroughly enjoyed Phantasma, a spicy dark gothic fantasy where a young woman with necromancy powers and OCD enters a deadly competition in an old manor house to find her missing sister, and has to team up with a hot ghost in order to survive the trials. Trials that are based around the seven sins and get deadlier with each level of the house. Ophelia has to use her powers and Blackwell's help to give her an edge, while watching her back against the other contestants, a devil determined to stop her from winning, and countless other dangers in the house. All while the voice in her head tries to interfere and make life so much harder for her. The love interest is also a charming but rakish ghost with a sad back story, and plenty of secrets to uncover, and he made it such a fun and surprising read. There is a lot of spice, so you've been warned if you prefer to avoid it, but it thankfully didn't overshadow the main story, or become the entire plot. I enjoyed the relationship between the two main characters, as well as the magic, and trials, but the FMC's OCD was what made the story so interesting to me- particularly as the author shares the condition with Ophelia. I never knew that sufferers of the condition could hear voices urging them to be compulsive, so I feel like I learnt something from this story, while being entertained by how creepy Ophelia's inner voice could be. I'd recommend it if you're over eighteen, but please check trigger warnings first.


Favourite Listens: I really enjoyed listening to The War of Two Queens Graphic Audio Part Two and Quicksilver. They were both rereads for me, but my first time listening to them, and they were really fun in this format. I could listen to the male narrator in Quicksilver, and the guy who voices Casteel in the Blood and Ash series Graphic Audios speak all day.

Least Favourites: My least favourite had to be Fall of Ruin and Wrath. I reread it to complete my audio read of the Blood and Ash universe, but I'd forgotten that the book has no plot, and that the characters are basically just carbon copies of Poppy and Casteel (from Blood and Ash) from an earlier time period. The story was mostly just spice, and it was even more frustrating to listen to than it was in print. I was so bored, I struggled to keep listening, and it took me longer than usual to get through it because I just wasn't motivated. I hope the series improves as I really like Thorne as a character, and enjoyed when he popped up in The Primal of Blood and Bone.

And that's what I read in November.

I'll be back with what I read in December ASAP... so I guess I'll see you in a month or two! Haha!

Have you read anything good lately?

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Tuesday, 30 December 2025

Erstwilder Christmas Brooch of the Day December 22nd to 29th 2025

Hey guys,

I hope you've all been having a great week, whether you've been celebrating Christmas, another holiday, or going about life as normal.

I had a lovely Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but pushed myself too hard, and have been stuck in bed unable to move for the last four days. It was worth it, but the pain and fatigue have definitely caught up with me this week. I feel like I could nap through 'til Easter. Maybe I will.

I may not have done a lot these last few days, but I still accessorised my outfits or pyjamas with Christmas brooches every day, and I'm here to post my final batch of brooches for the month.


December 22nd- I took this wonderfully dapper Santa with me to do a last minute Christmas food shop. He wasn't very helpful, but at least he looked snazzy in his daring trousers. This one is called Santa Clause and he was part of the Pete Cromer Christmas collection of 2020.


December 23rd- Not technically a Christmas brooch, but polar bears are festive, right? I wore Mama Bear to brave M&S for last minute goodies. This beautiful ripple-resin polar bear mum and cub have the most gorgeous mother-of-pearl-like finish, and were from a Fan Favourites collection in 2022. The original design was actually a pair of grizzlies!


December 24th- I double-brooched my outfit for Christmas Eve because you can't have reindeer flying about without Santa! How would the reindeer get down the chimneys?! Rudolph is called Guide My Sleigh and came from the 2018 Festive Splendour range, and everyone's favourite gift-giver is called Santa's Surprise, and makes his second appearance of the month from this year's Merry Menagerie collection.


December 25th- I couldn't think of a better brooch pairing for Christmas Day than a present and Christmas tree, so I popped on Under the Tree Tradition (the gift-with-purchase present brooch from the 2019 All Wrapped Up collection), and To Be Jolly (a kitschy tree from the 2017 Kitschy Christmas collection) for Christmas Day shenanigans.


December 26th- On Boxing Day, I chose a Spanish Rose called Rosa Espanola from the Spanish Fiesta range of 2019. It's not a Christmas brooch, but with it's pointed petals, and glittery red and green colour scheme, I think it can pass as a poinsettia in December. I wore it alongside an amazing Muppet Christmas Carol pin my sister gave me a few years ago. I think she brought it back from Disney World in Florida.


December 27th- I usually wear Mary's Bells from the Kitschy Christmas collection to ring in the New Year, but decided to get them ringing a few days early this year. It's one of the oldest Erstwilder brooches I own, so I figured it might want an early night on NYE for once. I love its glittery aqua bow!


December 28th- The Past Midnight cuckoo clock brooch from the 2019 All Wrapped Up collection also popped out to say 'cuckoo' ahead of time this year. I often wear it for the New Year's Eve countdown- and might still do- but just fancied wearing it that day. It's a recolouring of a brown and red cuckoo clock from an older collection, but I think the pastels are much prettier.


December 29th- And for my final Christmas-brooch-of-the-day (because this is the last one I remembered to photograph ahead of time), we have a brooch not made by Erstwilder! In fact, I don't know who made it. This lovely charm brooch was a Christmas present from my lovely friend, Lucy, a few years ago, and all I know is it's made from acrylic, super cute, and perfect to accessorise with all winter long.

So, there we have it. Twenty-nine days of Christmas brooches; thirty brooches, one enamel pin, and only two reappearances for some double-brooching. I wore all of the Christmas brooches I had planned, and even managed to post them on Instagram every day. It's been a fun month, and a good way to challenge myself to wear more of my brooch collection.

If you followed along on here or Instagram, thanks for coming along for the ride! Maybe I'll do Christmas earrings next year!

Did you rock any Christmas accessories this year? Which one of my brooches was your favourite?

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Tuesday, 23 December 2025

Cotton Clara Let it Snow Christmas Cross Stitch Wall Hanging

Last Christmas, I didn't give you my heart, but I did make this Cotton Clara 'Let it Snow' Wooden Banner Cross Stitch Kit. 

I don't think I ever found time to show you the finished project, so here it is, only a year late! Go me! Haha!

(I haven't managed to take decent photos of it yet this Christmas because I'm running on empty, so excuse these terrible placeholder photos until I'm able to replace them with better ones).

Anyway, I'd been admiring this kit from afar for a couple of years, and finally bought it when it went on sale last summer. I'm glad I did, as I love the finished banner, and how cute and colourful it looks hung next to the Christmas tree.

It was a fun, quick and easy little project that only took an hour or two to complete from start to finish. To be honest, it was far more basic than I'm capable of, but I thought it was pretty, and I wanted something fun to craft that didn't require a lot of time or brain power, because I never have much of either to spare in December. Who does, right?

The kit is so simple, a child could make it, so it's perfect for beginners, to make with your kids, or if you're just looking for a quick and easy craft to destress with when you finally find time to put your feet up.

It comes with everything you need to make it, including a pre-drilled wooden banner, coloured twine, needle, instructions, and string to hang it with. You just need a pair of scissors for cutting the twine, and neatening the tassels. You sew the letters just as you would a regular cross stitch; the only differences are that you're working on wood instead of aida, using wool instead of thread, and the holes and needle are bigger. The tassels were a little fiddly to begin with, but once I got the hang of the first two or three, they were so easy to get right, and just needed neatening with a pair of scissors once they were all done.

It's that easy, and the end result is a pretty striking decoration that looks great alongside my other Christmas trinkets. I'm really pleased with it, and I'd definitely recommend it for crafting next Christmas.

Sadly, the kit is no longer available direct from Cotton Clara, but Merry Stitchmas currently still have it in stock here.

Have you made anything this Christmas?

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Monday, 22 December 2025

Erstwilder Christmas Brooch of the Day December 15th to 21st 2025

I can't believe we're already in to week four of December, and that Christmas is only a few days away. Where has this month gone? I feel like I blinked and missed most of the month some how. 

It's crazy as I haven't done anything exciting at all so far this Christmas. My one bit of fun has been accessorising my outfits (or PJs!) with a different Christmas brooch every day (I know; I'm sad), and I'm here to show you the ones I wore during the third week of the month.


December 15th- I kicked off week three of December with the most untraditionally-accessorised snowman I've ever seen- Stay Frosty, Snowman from the Modern Holiday collection 2022. I love how Erstwilder put a modern spin on an old Christmas classic with gorgeous jewel tones, and lots of glitter.


December 16th- Back to something a little more traditional today with a holly and robin brooch... except that it's an exotic Australian robin instead of the European kind we all know and love in Britain. This one is Miss Mistletoe from the All Wrapped Up collection 2019. Not one of my favourites, but still cute and festive.


December 17th- I apparently decided to remain with the winged things on the Australian continent a little longer, and wore a kookaburra snowglobe brooch called Seasonal Merriment from the An Australian Christmas collection 2021 today. It might not be the most classically festive design, but it's so beautiful, and one of my all time favourites.


December 18th- Twasn't the night before Christmas, but a mouse was definitely stirring all through the house today. An adorably festive little mouse called Milly the Mouse, from this year's Merry Menagerie collection. I was planning to save her until Christmas Eve, but I just couldn't wait any longer to wear her.


December 19th- I did some double-brooching today, wearing Erstwilder's Darcy the Deer (the free gift-with-purchase brooch from the Merry Menagerie range), with a mini Lipstick and Chrome bauble brooch (another freebie I got with my Merry Menagerie order). I thought the turquoise bauble went perfectly with the even tinier one Darcy is carrying around.

December 20th- Some days, you just need to sparkle, and at Christmas time, Snuggy Snowman from the 2020 Pete Cromer Collection, is my go-to. He's so glittery, and shimmers like a diamond mine under the fairy lights! I love him!

December 21st- And for the shortest day of the year, I went with Treacle Treat from the 2018 Festive Splendour collection. I'm not a huge fan of Christmas pudding, but there's just something about cold, dark winter Sundays that make me nostalgic for steamed puddings with custard- probably as my Mum often made them when we were little. It's hard to tell from the photo, but the brown resin has a tortoise-shell-like effect, and it's so much prettier in real life.

And those are the Christmas brooches that I wore last week.

I still have more left to wear before the month is through, so I'll try to squeeze in one final brooch post after Christmas. In the meantime, you can catch my daily Christmas Brooch of the Day posts on Instagram here.

Have you worn any Christmas accessories this week?

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Saturday, 20 December 2025

Lipstick and Chrome Itty Bitties Christmas Jewellery

 When I posted my Erstwilder Merry Menagerie haul last week, I forgot to add a photo of the Lipstick and Chrome freebies the stockist, Oh My Marie, sent with my order.  

Along with my Erstwilder brooches, I was given some cinnamon hot chocolate, a mitten Christmas decoration, and the cutest mini bauble brooch, and stocking stud earrings. I might have squealed a little when I found them in my parcel.


I've never purchased anything from Lipstick and Chrome before, even though I've been tempted by so many pieces over the years, so this was a lovely way to get introduced to their jewellery. I'm really impressed with the quality of them so far, and the designs, while simple, are gorgeous, and super festive.

The mini bauble brooch is definitely my favourite. I love the mid-century style of it, and the bold pop of dark turquoise. It's made from a couple of layers of laser-cut jelly resin, and it's perfect for double-brooching with larger Christmas brooches. I haven't been able to find it for sale on its own, but it's available in a set of four mini brooches from Kinks and Quirks here. Not gonna lie, I'm tempted...


I haven't worn the Itty Bitty stocking earrings yet as I need to repierce one of my ears, but they're pretty darn cute, too. They're little red stocking studs with a white trim, and yellow accents, which have also been made from laser-cut jelly resin, and include engraved and painted detailing. They're basically the perfect classic Christmas earrings, and the best part is, they're only £8 from Kinks and Quirks here! I can't wait to wear them.

Well, I'm definitely sold on Lipstick and Chrome. I have a feeling that this might be another collection in the making...

Do you own anything by Lipstick and Chrome?

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Thursday, 18 December 2025

Niche Stitches The Muppet Christmas Carol Cross Stitch First Progress

What has everyone been up to lately?

I recently started a fun new cross stitch project. I haven't gotten very far yet as I've also been working on some little retro bauble designs, and haven't found much time or energy to sew yet this month, but I just had to show you the patterns in case anyone else needs to make them, too. I haven't been able to take decent photos yet as the weather has been dismal, so please excuse they awful, badly-curated phone photos, taken while I was stitching in bed last month.

The cross stitches I'm working on are these amazing The Muppet Christmas Carol patterns from Niche Stitches on Etsy. As soon as I came across them last Christmas, I fell in love with them and had to buy them immediately. The Muppet Christmas Carol has been one of my favourite Christmas movies since I was little, and we're always quoting it in my house, so I just couldn't resist.

The design is made up of two separate patterns to frame as a pair. I've started with Gonzo, but the PDF includes downloadable patterns for both Gonzo and Rizzo, which is really good value for under £8. They're very easy to follow, and you also get a full list of recommended DMC threads for each one to help you kit yourself out.


One thing I feel that I should point out is that the listing makes them appear like they're Christmas-tree-ornament-sized, but you'd need a very high count aida to achieve that. On standard 14 or 16-count aida, they're going to be closer to 7 or 8 inches tall, so that's something to bear in mind if you choose to make them. I'm working on 16-count white aida, so they'll be a decent size, but hopefully still small enough to not look too tacky when they're framed.

I'm so excited to get working on them, and eventually be able to hang them up with the rest of the decorations every Christmas. That definitely won't be happening this year, but I'm hopeful I'll have at least one of them done by the next one. I just need to keep my sewing mojo long enough to finish them! I'm hoping that it'll stay around for a while, and that I can find some time to get stuck in these next couple of weeks.

I'll be sure to post updates of my progress on Instagram as I go along.

Have you made anything yet this Christmas?

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Wednesday, 17 December 2025

20 Questions Christmas Tag

I've seen the 20 Questions Christmas Tag doing the rounds on a few blogs this Christmas, so I've  decided to give it a go myself, just for fun.

There are 20 questions and 20 answers, with everything from holiday traditions to the worst present I've ever received. It's about to get festive around here, so don't say I didn't warn you!

1. Use one word to describe how excited you are for Christmas.

Meh? The excitement I felt a few weeks ago has worn off, and while I'm looking forward to it, I'm currently feeling too sore and exhausted from preparing for it to enjoy it much.

2. Do you open any presents on Christmas Eve?

Not since my sisters and I were kids. Back then, we were allowed to open one present from a relative or friend on Christmas Eve night, but now there aren't any kids in the family, everyone waits until Christmas Day.

3. What holiday traditions are you looking forward to most this year?

I don't have any exciting holiday traditions, so just decorating the tree with the family, taking a drive to spot Christmas lights with my sister, and opening presents with my dog.

4. Is your Christmas tree real or fake?

Both! Our main tree is artificial, but I have a small real tree in my bedroom. Best of both worlds!

5. What is your favourite Christmas film?

It's a tie between Santa Claus the Movie, and The Muppet Christmas Carol. Best Christmas movies ever. Fact!

6. Where do you usually spend your holiday?

These days, I just spend Christmas at home with my immediate family. We used to visit my grandparents on Christmas Day until I was about ten, go to my auntie's Christmas Eve party in Worcester, and visit my Mum's side up north after Christmas, but things have changed a bit as everyone's gotten older, and relatives have passed away.

7. What is your favourite Christmas song?

Probably Last Christmas by Wham, I Believe in Father Christmas by Greg Lake, or Step into Christmas by Elton John, but I also love It's Only Christmas by Ronan Keating, and Underneath the Tree by Kelly Clarkson.

8. What is your all time favourite holiday food / sweet treat?

That's a tough one because there are so many tasty treats in our house during the holidays. I love my brother-in-law's goose-fat roast potatoes, a good turkey and stuffing sandwich, my Mum's apple pie, my sister's Chocolate Squidgy Log (like a fancy swiss roll filled with cream and chocolate mousse), and my apple and blackberry trifle. I'm also partial to a Hazelnut Whirl from a tub of Roses. So... any of those.

9. Be honest, do you like giving gifts or receiving gifts better?

I definitely enjoy giving gifts more. I love buying and wrapping presents for people I care about, and seeing their reactions when I get it right.

10. What is your favourite thing about Christmas?

The pretty decorations/ lights, and how it always seems to bring out the best in people. Sure, there are plenty of Christmas Scrooges, but I love how most people are a little kinder, happier, and more welcoming to others at Christmas time.

11. When do you start getting excited for Christmas?

Usually as soon as Halloween is over, but I have been known to start getting excited in September... 

12. What is the best Christmas gift you've ever received?

One present that still sticks in my mind is the Sega Mega Drive my sisters and I got for Christmas when I was nine. We never had a games console- besides an ancient Commodore we had to play on an old black and white TV in my room- until that Christmas, so it felt like the best Christmas ever. We spend all Christmas playing The Lion King and Columns, and were still playing games like Golden Axe, Aladdin and Maui Mallard on it years later.

13. What is the worst present you've ever received?

I can't think of anything in particular, but I've received my fair share of socks, and ugly bags that have earned a long stay at the back of my wardrobe.

14. As a kid, did a sibling ever receive a present that you wished was for you?

I can't remember ever being jealous of someone else's presents. It probably helped that my parents often got my younger sister and I a lot of the same gifts to avoid that, though! 

15. What would be your dream place to visit for the holiday season?

I'd love to visit New York City at Christmas time, and also somewhere in Scandanavia where I can see the Northern Lights, enjoy the snow, and cosy up in a cute log cabin at the end of the day. 

16. Most memorable holiday moment?

This is when I realise all of my Christmas memories are boring and uneventful! But I still laugh when I remember the Christmas Eve my older sister and were so excited we couldn't sleep, and plotted to make Christmas morning start early by turning a clock forward. I was sent into my parents' room with the evidence that it was definitely 7am, and certainly not the 3am their clocks announced. Of course, they sent us back to bed, but I just remember a lot of giggling, and how they gave in and let us get up to open presents at 6am that Christmas. Yeah... I really need to make some good new holiday memories...

17. Do you make New Year's resolutions? Do you stick to them?

I never make big, life-altering New Year's resolutions, but set smaller goals for myself for the year instead, like reading a certain number of books, or maybe learning a new craft. I usually stick to some of them, while others go out the window by the second of January! Haha!

18. What makes the holidays special for you?

I guess just spending time with my family, and that everyone does their best not to fight for a few days. My family's a bit dysfunctional, and nobody can tolerate that long around each other without arguing at the best of times, so it's nice when we can sit down to a good meal together, and get along.

19. What's the best part about Christmas for you?

I always enjoy decorating the Christmas tree, opening presents with my dog on Christmas morning, Christmas dinner with the family, and watching Christmas movies.

20. You have been granted one Christmas wish... What will it be?

Right now, I'd just wish to be free of chronic pain, and visual migraines. I've only had a few weeks without a migraine all year, and what I wouldn't give to be rid of them.

If you're reading this and want to take part, consider yourself tagged! Be sure to leave me a link to your post if you decide to have a go!

What are you most looking forward to this Christmas?

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Christmas Blogmas Tag

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Tuesday, 16 December 2025

Erstwilder Christmas Brooch of the Day December 8th to 14th 2025

I've been wearing a different Erstwilder Christmas brooch every day so far this month to help me get into the festive spirit, and I'm back to share the ones I wore last week, between the eighth and fourteenth.

If you missed days one to seven, you can catch up here.


December 8th- I started week two by letting The Christmas Cardinal spread his wings. He was one of the very first Erstwilder brooches I ever bought, and was from the 2017 Kitschy Christmas collection. I don't know what's festive about him, besides his brilliant scarlet plumage- are cardinals plastered on Christmas cards and decorations the way robins are in Britain?- but who cares, he's beautiful.


December 9th- The closest thing I'll likely get to snow this Christmas is the Season's Greetings brooch, which I wore today. It's an old favourite from the All Wrapped Up Christmas collection of 2019, and was a recolouring from an older collection, originally in more traditional Christmas colours. Personally, I think these pastel colours are far prettier, and I love how it gives off sugar plum fairy vibes.


December 10th- I wore a dainty little Nutcracker today from last year's Merry Kitschmas collection called The Promise Prince. He's only about the size of my thumb, but the amount of detail to him is insane. The evergreen and crimson ripple resins that make up his uniform are stunning, too.


December 11th- I was going to decorate my Christmas tree today, so I wore To Be Jolly- a glittery, green Christmas tree from the 2017 Kitschy Christmas Collection. Typically, about ten minutes later I realised my back pain was too intense for trimming the tree, so I wasted the opportunity to theme, but at least my pyjamas were perfectly accessorised. 


December 12th- I probably should've waited until the first day of Christmas to bring out my partridge-in-a-pear brooch- True Love's Gift from the Modern Holiday range- but I just felt like wearing this quirky, vibrant piece that day. I love the glittery magenta, and lime and teal ripple resins it's made from, and it's just so different to the usual Santa and snowmen you see.


December 13th- I was finally ready to deck the halls (or my bedroom, at least) that morning, so I accessorised with a big bough of holly called Kiss Me Kindly. It's another of my oldest brooches from the Kitschy Christmas collection, and though it's not the most exciting design, it still screams 'Christmas' to me.


December 14th- I ended week two with a sugary sweet gingerbread house that Hansel and Gretel would be jealous of- Structurally Sweet from last year's Merry Kitschmas collection. I love its colourful gumdrop-style rooftiles, and how it looks like an iced gingerbread biscuit.

And that's week two wrapped up. I'll be back with week three's picks next week, but in the meantime, you can also follow along daily on Instagram here.

Have you worn any cute Christmas accessories so far this month? Which one of these brooches is your favourite?

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