Friday, 27 November 2015

101 Things To Do This Christmas

Can you believe there's less than a month to go 'til Christmas? I don't know about you, but I'm getting so excited for the holidays now, like a kid in a sweetshop at Disney Land.

If you don't already know, Christmas is my favourite time of year, and I love it just as much as I did when I was a kid- although these days, it's the lead up to the big day that I enjoy most. I try to fill the days and weeks leading up to the 25th with as many Christmas activities as possible, from festive movie marathons to Christmas crafting, baking tasty treats, and writing blog posts just like this one! There are so many ways to enjoy Christmas, and if you're stuck for ideas for ways to spend it, you've come to the right place.

I've compiled a list of 101 things to do this Christmas for you today, with heaps of ideas suitable for all ages and genders. If you don't have children, don't worry; every idea can be enjoyed by adults, too! I checked the list twice!



1. Make some festive playlists or dig out your old Christmas CDs to soundtrack all of your Christmas activities.
2. Go shopping for a Christmas tree.
3. Decorate the tree while listening to festive tunes.
4. Decorate the house while listening to festive tunes.
5. Buy or make a wreath.
6. Go to your local Christmas turning-on-of-the-lights event.
7. Visit a Christmas market. The European ones are usually the best.
8. Get hot roasted chestnuts and mulled wine from a street vendor.
9. Take a tour bus around a big city after dark when the Christmas lights have been turned on.
10. Put together a 'Christmas Eve box' of things to enjoy on Christmas Eve night.

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11. Go late night Christmas shopping.
12. Visit a fancy garden centre or department store to browse the Christmas departments.
13. Watch a festive film at the cinema.
14. Sit down and write all your cards while listening to festive tunes.
15. Go ice skating.
16. Drive around to spot Christmas lights.
17. Take a long walk to spot Christmas lights.
18. Make your own decorations for the tree.
19. Make your own Christmas cards.
20. Have at least one Christmas movie marathon.

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21. Watch a new-to-you Christmas movie.
22. Watch lots of Christmas TV specials. You can't beat The Vicar of Dibley's Christmas Lunch Incident and the Gavin and Stacey Christmas special!
23. Bake and decorate Christmas cookies.
24. Stop off for a hot chocolate or your favourite seasonal coffee.
25. Throw a Christmas party.
26. Do some Christmas scrapbooking or art journaling.
27. Visit a manor house that's been decorated for Christmas, such as Blenheim Palace.
28. Go Christmas carolling.
29. Take family photos in front of the Christmas tree.
30. Make your own Christmas crackers. You can make them from scratch or buy kits from craft shops like Hobbycraft.

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31. Make table favours to give guests a little treat during Christmas dinner.
32. Relax with an adult Christmas colouring book. Trust me, it's a great way to de-stress.
33. Have a go at some festive creative writing.
34. Make a gingerbread house.
35. Catch a play at the theatre.
36. Make an advent calendar or buy one to enjoy.
37. Light an advent candle (or any candles) every night in December.
38. Send shoe box parcels to people in need and / or our hard-working soldiers deployed overseas.
39. Go out for a turkey dinner / carvery at a cosy country pub.
40. Make a Christmas cross stitch picture.

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41. Make Christmas cross stitch cards.
42. Have a go at some festive nail art.
43. Go to the Christmas party and have some fun.
44. Learn a Christmas song on an instrument.
45. Find the tackiest Christmas earrings you can find, and wear them proudly whenever you can.
46. Hang stockings over the fire. Don't have a stocking? Make one! Don't have a fire place? Hang stockings on the banister, wall, radiator (make sure to turn it off first), end of the bed etc.
47. Knit or crochet something festive.
48. Make a yule log.
49. Make popcorn and cranberry garlands to string up on the tree.
50. Read festive books like A Christmas Carol and Little Women.

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51. Have a girl's night in but instead of watching the usual rom-coms, watch Christmas movies instead.
52. Take part in a secret Santa.
53. Relax with a hot bubble bath, preferably using a festive bath bomb from Lush.
54. Make a Christmas cake or pudding.
55. Go see The Nutcracker ballet.
56. Buy and wear a Christmas jumper.
57. Start a new tradition.
58. Go to a church service, if only to listen to the carols.
59. Spend a day watching classic Christmas films like White Christmas, The Holiday Inn, It's a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, and Meet Me in St. Louis.
60. Make some Christmas embroidery hoop art.

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61. Visit a Christmas craft fair.
62. Make your own Christmas place settings for Christmas dinner.
63. Go to a pantomime.
64. Take at least one photo a day.
65. Visit a Christmas shop.
66. Go see a musical at the theatre.
67. Make your own Christmas gifts.
68. Bake and ice some Christmas cupcakes.
69. Go Christmas shopping.
70. Buy new festive PJs to enjoy on Christmas Eve.

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71. Have a lazy PJ day at home to recover from your hectic schedule.
72. Go foraging for foliage to use as natural decorations. You could even spray paint them afterwards.
73. Make a Christingle.
74. Master the perfect Christmas dinner with all the trimmings
75. Buy a new Christmas decoration.
76. Donate food, toys, blankets, money, your time etc. to your local animal rescue centres, hospitals, homeless shelters, food banks, and other good causes that help those in need.
77. Try a Christmas tradition from another part of the world.
78. Have a sleepover next to the Christmas tree with comfy bedding, PJs, and snacks.
79. Make your own mulled wine, eggnog, or sloe gin.
80. Spend some time wrapping Christmas presents as beautifully and creatively as you like.

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81. Have a carpet picnic with lots of festive treats.
82. Meet up with old friends for a few festive drinks and a catch up.
83. Hang up paper chains.
84. Go to a concert.
85. Have a board game night next to the Christmas tree.
86. Make your own chocolate truffles.
87. Visit some reindeer.
88. Revisit your old Christmas family traditions.
89. Hang up some mistletoe.
90. Get your hair done ready for all of those Christmas photos.

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91. Go Christmas shopping in a town or city a little further away from home than you'd usually shop. You could even make a night out of it, and stay over night in a hotel to give yourself a little break.
92. If it snows, have a snowball fight, build a snowman, make snow angels, go sledding, and go for a long walk.
93. Take a holiday or a short break. I'm sure we all dream of visiting New York at Christmas time one day.
94. Try a new recipe, such as a delicious dessert. If it turns out well, it could even become a tradition for you to make it every Christmas.
95. Make mince pies.
96. Take a Christmas Day walk.
97. Visit Disneyland, Harry Potter World, or another big attraction when it's dressed up for Christmas.
98. Spend a day in the kitchen making foodie gifts for friends and family, or just for you and your immediate family to enjoy over Christmas.
99. Educate younger members of your family on the awesome Christmas films from the eighties and nineties, like Santa Claus The Movie, The Muppet Christmas Carol, The Snowman, and Home Alone.
100. Spend time with your family and friends- whether they drive you mad or not!
101. Make a Christmas photo album of all your Christmas memories.
Will you be giving any of these activities a go this Christmas?

What do you like to do to get yourself in the festive spirit? Are there any activities my list is missing that you think should be on it? Let me know in the comments below.

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Wednesday, 25 November 2015

Wednesday Wish List

These are some of the pieces on my wish list this week...


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15 // 16 // 17 // 18 // 19 // 20 // 21 // 22 // 23 // 24 // 25 // 26

1. I love the mid-century style, cocktail-glass print Audrey dress from Lindy Bop. 
2. This kangaroo and joey brooch from Erstwilder is one of the cutest brooches I've ever seen.
3. I need this red telephone-box bag from Accessorize, and I need it now! (Though, sadly, it will have to be later).
4. This red rose print 'Evelana' dress from Lindy Bop is stunning.
5. A possum brooch? Now I've seen everything!
6. I'm in love with these Cheshire Cat Vans. In fact, the entire Disney Vans collection is perfect.
7. This navy knitted cardi looks so cosy.
8. 101 Dalmatians print Vans!
9. I'm not convinced I could pull this off, but the paisley print 70s kimono maxi dress from ASOS Curve is so beautiful.
10. I love this red tartan circle skirt from Lindy Bop. I just love tartan, period.
11. I don't usually like fish tail dresses / skirts, but this navy blue velvet maxi from Scarlett & Jo is absolutely gorgeous.
12. This green studded cross body bag from Topshop would be perfect for the festive season.
13. This Erstwilder brooch would look great with my brown polka dot swing dress.
14. Way out of my budget, but this leather rucksack from Lost Property Of London is a beauty.
15. I adore this colourful tartan print Evelana dress from, you've guessed it, Lindy B. It would make a great Christmas dress.
16. The red knitted jumper looks so festive. I think it would be a great piece for embracing the Christmas jumper trend if you don't want to go for anything too tacky or OTT.
17. A sweet polka dot owl brooch from Erstwilder.
18. I love these purple mermaid-print PJs from ASOS Curve.
19. This unicorn necklace is awesome.
20. Guys, there is actually a necklace with  a sausage-dog-in-a-hot-dog-bun pendent! Yes, really!
21. I'm loving this green alpine-print swing skirt, which is yet another piece from LB.
22. This blue velvet bodycon midi dress is beautiful. Perfect for the Christmas party.
23. A cute pair of unicorn studs.
24. A pink echidna brooch!!
25. I don't need a new pair of slippers, but I love these colourful fairisle ones from Accessorize. 
26. And last but not least, I adore this 2-D illustration style backpack from Jump From Paper. Isn't the design amazing?

If you'd like to see more of the clothes and accessories I'm coveting each week, check out my style boards on Pinterest. I have several I pin to as and when I find new pieces that catch my eye.

What's on your wish list this week?

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Wednesday, 18 November 2015

Wednesday Wish List

Here are some of the clothes and accessories on my wish list this week...


1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10 // 11 // 12 // 13 
14 // 15 // 16 // 17 // 18 // 19 // 20 // 21 // 22 // 23 // 24 // 25 // 26 // 27

1. I love this peacock print swing dress from Collectif. The print is so pretty.
2. Who doesn't need a fluffy lilac, cat-shaped bag?
3. I'm not sure I'll ever need a can of sarcasm, as I'm already fluent in the language, but this bag is pretty damn cool.
4. Collectif's peacock print Delores wiggle dress is a stunner.
5. I am in love with this Marc Jacobs pansy coin pouch from the new Disney collection. As a big Alice in Wonderland fan, I can't express just how much I love the entire collection. I want it all.
6. This Collectif coat is so beautiful. 
7. These silver mouse-face pointed flats are the cutest.
8. Boohoo's pink Ruby fairisle Christmas jumper looks so warm and cosy.
9. Care Bear flats!
10. I love this denim pinafore dress from ASOS Curve.
11. I'm dying to get my hands on this pair of Alice in Wonderland Vans! Aren't they amazing? I need a pair of them in my life, like now.
12. Looking for a dress to wear on Christmas Day? Check out Modcloth's festive Gee Jolly dress. The print is to die for.
13. These Jungle Book print Vans are amazing.
14. This little black dress from ASOS Curve would be perfect for the Christmas party.
15. Another pairs of awesome Jungle Book print Vans
16. I think I love the red rose Marc Jacobs coin pouch even more than the pansy.
17. A cactus print dress!
18. I'd love to get my hands on this Home Alone Christmas jumper from Boohoo. I already own it in green (from last Christmas), but the red look so much more festive.
19. This tartan Hellbunny dress is gorgeous.
20. I really want this Erstwilder wreath brooch to accessorize all of my Christmas outfits with.
21. Lady Vintage's new red rose print Marilyn dress is a beauty. I can never resist a good rose print frock.
22. A gingerbread man brooch!
23. Skinnydip's colourful chevron print bag is so much fun.
24. This Boohoo dress would be perfect for party season.
25. I adore this pink Alice in Wonderland purse, especially the 'this way' arrow shaped zip pulls.
26. Another pair of awesome mouse-face flats.
27. And last but not least, a funky Christmas tree brooch.

If you'd like to see more of the pieces on my wish list each week, check out my style boards on Pinterest.

What's on your wish list this week?
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Tuesday, 17 November 2015

Candle and Jewellery Advent Calendar Round Up Christmas 2015

Following on from last week's round-up of this year's beauty advent calendars, today, I've compiled a list of all of the candle and jewellery filled advent calendars that I could find to make your life a little easier. I hope you find it helpful!


Let's start with the candle advent calendars...

Candle Advent Calendars


One of the most luxurious advent calendars this year comes from Parisian brand Diptyque. Inside you'll find a selection of their high quality candles and cosmetics in a variety of fragrances, which includes 16 candles, 7 eau de toilettes, a body butter and precious oils. If you really want to spoil yourself or a loved one this Christmas, Diptyque's advent calendar is the ultimate luxury treat, and it's sure to put you in the good books with the lucky lady in your life. Available now for  a cool £250.


Yankee Candle have brought out not just one but three candle advent calendars this year. The most expensive of the three is the Reindeer Carousel calendar, which in my opinion is also the prettiest- just look at that lovely packaging! Behind each window you'll find a votive or tea light candle in one of eight seasonal Yankee Candle fragrances, including Candy Cane Lane, Snowflake Cookie, Spiced Orange, and the new fragrance Berry Trifle. Available now for just £31.99.



The second of Yankee Candle's advent calendars is Advent In The Snow, a beautifully illustrated house-shaped calendar featuring a festive snow scene. You'll find a tea light in one of seven seasonal scents behind every window, and a festive votive candle as an extra treat on Christmas Eve. With all of those festive candles, your home will be so cosy and inviting right through 'til Christmas, and the best part is, it will only cost you £27.99


The third and most affordable calendar from Yankee Candle, is their Christmas advent calendar which features a snowglobe design with silhouettes of fashionable ladies shopping at Yankee Candle inside it. Behind the cardboard windows you'll find 23 festive Yankee Candle tea lights, and a festive votive on Christmas Eve. Available now for only £24.99.



Colony's Wax Lyrical advent calendar is filled with twenty four of their best-selling, festive-scented tea lights, and a tea light holder to light them in each day. This calendar retails for £22.88, which isn't bad considering its contents give approximately forty-four hours burn time.


Busy Bee Candles' advent calendar is made up of twenty-four of their handmade, high-strength wax melts in a variety of their most popular Christmas fragrances. Available now for £19.95.

Jewellery Advent Calendars


Echtschmuck Jewellery Advent Calendar £110

If you really want to treat yourself or the special lady in your life this Advent, then the Echtschmuck jewellery advent calendar might be the calendar for you. Presented in twenty-four red satin pouches are twenty-four pieces of high quality jewellery, including a necklace, adjustable bracelet, and twenty-two festive-themed charms. The pieces are made from high-quality sterling silver, Swarovski crystal, cubic zirconia, lapis lazuli, and / or rose quartz gemstones, and will set you back an indulgent £110.


Johnny Loves Rosie Jewellery Advent Calendar £55

The Johnny Loves Rosie advent calendar features a different jewellery treat behind every scallop-trimmed window. Inside you'll find gold and silver plated necklaces, earrings, rings, bracelets, and charms. (You can see a few examples of the contents via the link). It's available now for a reasonable £55, and would make a lovely gift for any jewellery fan.


Topshop Jewellery Advent Calendar £28

Topshop have returned with two jewellery advent calendar this year. In the Christmas tree calendar, you'll find a different piece of jewellery from their Freedom at Topshop collection behind each of the twenty-four windows, including 13 pairs of earrings, 8 ditsy necklaces, and 3 ditsy fine bracelets. It's reasonably priced at just £28, and the Christmas-tree-shaped packaging is really cute, too.


Topshop Jewellery Advent Calendar £25

The second of Topshop's advent calendars for 2015 is priced a little lower than the first, and has a completely different design, too. Behind the monochrome and gold, postage-stamp style doors are 12 pairs of stud earrings, 4 ditsy bracelets, and 8 ditsy charm necklaces from Freedom at Topshop. At only £25 it's one of the most affordable calendars this year, and is sure to be popular with fans of Topshop's accessories.

Charm and Bead Christmas Bracelet Advent Calendar £20

The charm and bead advent calendar from Amazon, features 3 flexible wrap around bracelets, and a selection of charms and beads in silver, rose-gold, and yellow-gold colours, with imitation pearls and crystals. Available now for £20.


Meri Meri The Nutcracker Charm Bracelet Advent Calendar £19.99

Meri Meri, a brand which is known for its gorgeous party supplies and stationery, has created a charm bracelet advent calendar in the style of a jewellery box. Forget the jewellery, the beautiful Nutcracker packaging and pop-up theatre have won me over! Inside the pretty packaging are two trays each with twelve compartments, where you'll find a silver bracelet and 23 festive charms, which I'm sure will appeal to many adults as well as the children it's aimed at. Available now for £19.99.


Jewellery Advent Calendar With Charm Bracelets £16.76

This festive advent calendar includes two extendible bracelets, and twenty two enamel and crystal charms which can be mixed and matched to create your own Pandora-style charm bracelets. Available via Amazon for just £16.76.


Smart Jewel's "Merry Christmas" jewellery advent calendar features two faux leather bracelets in black and brown, and twenty-two jewels that can be mixed and matched to create your own unique bracelets. Available through Amazon for just £14.09.




And last but not least is a another advent calendar from Smart Jewel. It's a few pounds cheaper than the other, and appears to have prettier jewellery inside, too. The product description doesn't give much away, but it appears to include two charm bracelets, a charm necklace, at least eighteen charms, and possibly a ring, too. You can find it on Amazon for just £10.69.

How will you be counting down to Christmas this year?

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Wednesday, 11 November 2015

Wednesday Wish List

Here are some of the gorgeous pieces that I've been coveting this week.


1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10 // 11 // 12 // 13 // 14
15 // 16 // 17 // 18 // 19 // 20 // 21 // 22 // 23 // 24 // 25 // 26 // 27

1. Pretty pastel Barbie Doll earrings!
2. The colour of this long sleeved Lyra dress from Lady Vintage is perfect.
3. This camel brooch from Erstwilder is so cute.
4. Who doesn't need a bespectacled lobster brooch with a moustache?
5. This burgundy thigh-split maxi from Boohoo is stunning.
6. I NEED this Elf tee! I don't think any explanation is needed; I just need it!
7. A pastel-coloured Barbie Doll necklace! Yes, I'm thirty- what of it?
8. I love the floral print and the gorgeous shades of blue and teal that make up this Lady V dress.
9. This Meow At Midnight cobalt blue cat brooch would fit in perfectly with my brooch collection.
10. I bloody love this rocket bag from Accessorize. Novelty bags just keep on getting better, don't they?
11. Oh, I come from a land, of a faraway place where the caravan camels roam...
12. I need a purple, floral sleeping fox brooch in my life.
13. The Harlow teal dress from Lindy Bop is absolutely stunning. 
14. I love this burgundy suedette satchel from River Island.
15. This red and black Harlow dress would be perfect for the Christmas party season.
16. Erstwilder actually make quoll brooches! I love that they include unusual animals in their collections.
17. Accessorize's Soda Pop bag is amazing. Want!
18. I'm in love with this red and black lace prom dress from DP Curve.
19. This bird cross body bag from George at ASDA is adorable.
20. I'm quite taken with this pinafore midi dress from ASOS Curve. I think I had a similar one in the nineties.
21. This double layer embellished maxi dress from ASOS Curve is so beautiful.
22. The Suzywan glitter star ring would be perfect for accessorising those Christmas outfits with.
23. It probably wouldn't suit me, but I love this embroidered swing dress just the same. 
24. I can always find room for one more polka dot piece in my wardrobe.
25. A neon pink perspex Barbie necklace!
26. I'm mad about these pewter brogues. My sister bought a pair and they're to die for! Shame her feet are bigger than mine.
27. And, finally, I really love the navy lace, pleated midi dress from DP Curve. It's so understated, but oh so pretty at the same time.

What's on your wish list this week?

If you'd like to see more of the clothes and accessories that catch my eye every week, check out my style wish list boards on Pinterest.
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