50 Things I Want To Do This Christmas

Happy 1st of December!

I can't believe the festive season is officially here. It only feels like two minutes since the last one. This year has gone so fast.

Naturally, I'm already in full blown Christmas mode, and am busy trying to get everything ready for an awesome Christmas with my family. I've already started listening to Christmas music and rewatching my favourite Christmas movies, and I can't wait to enjoy all the other fun festive things that make December so magical.

There are so many things I want or need to do before the 25th, from wrapping presents to decorating Christmas cookies, so I've made a to-do-list to encourage myself to check off as many of my goals as I can.

Here's 50 things I want to do this Christmas.

1. Decorate the tree and my home for Christmas with my family.

2. Buy a little Christmas tree for my bedroom.

3. Put up Christmas decorations in my bedroom.

4. Finish my Christmas shopping.

5. Wrap Christmas presents as beautifully as I can. (I've already made a start using the cutest pink gingerbread house gift wrap).

6. Send any Christmas presents that need sending.

7. Write and send my Christmas cards.

8. Make this year's Christmas crackers.

9. Sew a Christmas embroidery.

10. Finish the Christmas cross stitches I'm working on.

11. Finally make the Christmas snow globe kit I've had for about six years.

12. Dig out my paints and do some Christmas water colouring to destress.

13. Put together this year's Christmas Eve box.

14. Open my Advent calendars every day of Advent.

15. Have at least one Christmas movie marathon.

16. Watch some festive TV specials.

17. Listen to lots of Christmas tunes.

18. Read The Penguin Book of Christmas Stories.

19. Read A Merry Christmas & Other Christmas Stories by Louisa May Alcott.

20. Reread A Christmas Carol.

21. Play board games on Christmas Day.

22. Make my Animal Crossing island look super festive. 

23. Blog as much festive content as possible. (I've already got several posts finished and scheduled already)!

24. Make my Instagram feed and stories look festive.

25. Light Christmas-scented candles every night.

26. Go to Bourton-on-the-Water's Christmas lights event, or if we miss it, go another night to see the lights and browse the gift shops in the town.

27. Go to my town's Christmas lights switch-on.

28. Visit the Appleton Christmas Barn near Abingdon in Oxfordshire. (It's a little Christmas tree farm with a barn converted in to a Christmas shop, and a couple of reindeer to see. They always have the loveliest decorations to choose from).

29. Spend a day at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour for Hogwarts in the Snow.

30. Browse the Christmas department at a local garden centre.

31. Buy at least one new Christmas decoration.

32. Go on a drive to spot Christmas lights.

33. Go out for hot chocolate.

34. Try a mince pie. (I never liked them as a child, so I haven't eaten one since I was little. I wonder if I might actually like them now, so I need to do a taste test to find out).

35. Make my Blackberry and Apple Trifle on Christmas Eve. (I've been making one every Christmas for about fifteen years).

36. Make a new dessert. (To pacify my little sister who is sick to death of my trifle).

37. Make Christmas cookies.

38. Make Christmas cupcakes.

39. Make a yule log.

40. Put together a dessert charcuterie board for our Christmas Eve buffet.

41. Have chocolate fondue while watching Christmas movies with the family.

42. Put together a shoe box parcel for a homeless person.

43. Donate to a food bank.

44. Wear the shit out of my Christmas brooches.

45. Buy at least one new Christmas brooch.

46. Buy a Christmas dress.

47. Open presents with my dog. (Rosie loves tearing open presents and getting new toys as much as a small child, so it's like opening presents with a furry toddler. She gets so excited and her reaction is so cute that it's become one of my favourite parts of Christmas Day).

48. Dress my dog ​​up in a Christmas jumper. (I'm not a dog owner who dresses her dog up all the time, but it has to be done at Christmas time).

49. Enjoy Christmas dinner with the family.

50. Take lots of photos and videos.

And those are some of the things I hope to do this Christmas.

I'm probably being a little too optimistic with that to-do-list, but there's always so much to do at Christmas time, and I like to fit in as much festive cheer as possible before the season is over for another year. I'm not putting any pressure on myself to cross off all of the goals- although, there are some, like finishing my Christmas shopping and wrapping presents, I'll be stressing about getting done until I do- but I'm going to try to cross off as many of them as possible.

Wish me luck!

What's at the top of your to-do list this Christmas?

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OPI Celebration Collection Advent Calendar Review With Spoilers 2021

I rarely get to splurge on beauty products for myself these days, so I always look forward to treating myself to a beauty Advent calendar each Christmas. This year, for the second year running, I chose the OPI Celebration Collection Advent calendar, a gorgeous little calendar bursting with mini nail polishes.

I'd intended to try something different this Christmas, but I knew I wanted another nail polish calendar, and wasn't impressed by the nail shades in the Essie, Ciate, or Barry M calendars at all. Too many boring nudes I'd never wear. OPI has the best selection of colours for my taste out of the limited selection of nail polish Advent calendars available this year, so here I am with an OPI Advent calendar beside me, ready to review for you guys for the second year in a row.

I'm so excited to tell you about it, and give you a full look at the contents.

So, the OPI Celebration Collection Advent Calendar is this year's offering from high-end nail polish favourite OPI. As usual, it's brimming with mini OPI nail treats in a range of bold and sophisticated colours to discover as you count down to Christmas, including twenty-two mini nail polishes, and three mini nail treatments. Inside, you'll discover festive reds and pretty pinks, bold blues and icy whites, and more in between, with ten brand new colours from this year's Celebration Collection Christmas range, and lots of old favourites, too.

Here's a full list of the mini OPI polishes and treatments you'll find in the calendar:

♥ Abstract After Dark- a shimmery midnight purple.

♥ All is Berry & Bright- a rich berry creme.

♥ Alpine Snow- fresh, crisp white, perfect for French tips.

♥ Big Apple Red- bright, shiny red!

♥ Big Bow Energy- a charming creme pink.

♥ Gelato on Your Mind- icy-cool pastel blue.

♥ I'm Really An Actress- a shimmery burgundy red.

♥ I'm Not Really A Waitress- a vivacious chianti red.

♥ LED Marquee- a vibrant holographic blue.

♥ Lincoln Park After Dark- midnight meets purple.

♥ Maraschino Cheer-y- bold creme red.

♥ My Color Wheel is Spinning- a holographic violet.

♥ Mylar Dreams- holographic fuchsia.

♥ OPI ♥ to Party- a rich burgundy creme.

♥ Paint the Tinseltown Red- a bold holographic red.

♥ Ready, Fete, Go- vibrant holographic teal.

♥ Ring in the Blue Year- vibrant cobalt blue creme.

♥ Snow Day in LA- a frosty pearl white.

♥ Strawberry Margarita- bright pink.

♥ Strawberry Waves Forever- strawberry glitter.

♥ Tickle My France-y- naughty nude.

♥ Turn Bright After Sunset- a dark holographic cosmic hue.

♥ Nail Envy Bubble Bath- a tinted pale pink nail strengthener.

♥ Rapid Dry Top Coat- a quick dry top coat with high shine protection.

♥ Start to Finish- a 3-in-1 base coat, top coat, and strengthener.

There are so many beautiful nail colours included in this calendar that I can't wait to try, from the vibrant holographic teal, Ready, Fete, Go! to the holographic violet, My Color Wheel is Spinning, the bold cobalt blue creme, Ring in the Blue Year, and of course, all the reds, because I will never not love a red nail polish. The calendar doesn't quite cover a whole spectrum of colours, with OPI once again choosing to fill their Advent calendar with reds, pinks, and dark purple polishes, but they have toned it down a little this Christmas, and added in a few blues and greens, which gives a little more variety. Don't get me wrong; I love red, pink, and purple nails, but there's such a thing as overkill, and I'm pleased to see more colour options in this year's calendar. 

My only real bug-bear with the selection- and it's only a little one- is that there are several nail shades that were also in last year's Advent calendar, such as Alpine Snow, Lincoln Park After Dark, and Strawberry Margherita, which is a little disappointing as a returning customer. I would personally have preferred to see a whole new selection so I could dip my toe (nails) in lots of new shades. However, the colours are gorgeous, and I can understand why they were included, as some of OPI's best-sellers of all time. I'm sure plenty of OPI fans will be pleased to find these classics in the calendar.

If you're expecting the calendar to be filled with full-size OPI nail polishes; you're going to be disappointed. All twenty-five bottles are miniature-sized, and they really are mini at just 3.5ml each. However, you still get several manicures out of each bottle, and it's a great way to try lots of OPI nail shades before committing to full-sized bottles, which we all know can be pretty pricy. They're also an ideal size to pop in your bag or suitcase to use on the go, and less likely to dry up or separate before you reach the bottom, which usually happens before I finish a full-sized bottle of nail polish.

As for the packaging, the Celebration Collection calendar is made from thin, but reasonably-sturdy recyclable card, and this year features a simple red and white design which reminds me of creased metallic foil. It opens like a book to reveal twenty-five unique nail-polish shaped cardboard windows, each numbered in order to make finding the right one a piece of cake each day- no matter how many drinks you put away at the Christmas party the night before! The design is festive and tasteful, understated but attractive, and the box won't take up too much space as it's not too big and can be folded shut.

Overall, my first impressions of the OPI Celebration Collection Advent calendar are almost entirely positive. I love most of the contents, the variety of nail colours has improved, it's not been bulked out with cheap tat like some Advent calendars, the packaging is attractive, and the price is reasonable. While I haven't tried any of the nail polishes yet, as I'm saving that pleasure for Advent, I've always been pleased with the quality of OPI nail polishes in the past, and have no reason to think this set will be any different. If I didn't trust the quality, I wouldn't be splurging on one of their calendars for the third time in five years!

I can't wait to start opening the windows this December, and will do my best to give you a peek at what polish or treatment I get each day of Advent over on Instagram. Make sure you stop by if you'd like to follow along.

The OPI Celebration Collection Advent Calendar retails for £70, but can be found much cheaper from various retailers, so make sure you shop around for the best price. OPI currently appears to have the lowest price online in the UK at just £45.44 in their Cyber Monday sales.

Have you treated yourself to a beauty Advent calendar this year, or have you gone with something a little traditional?

Erstwilder Jewellery Haul

I've collected a handful of new Erstwilder brooches and earrings over the last few months that I've not yet shown you, so today I'm here with a little jewellery haul.

I haven't gone crazy buying brooches since my last Erstwilder post in July. I've bought a brooch here and there, one or two at a time, but I haven't splurged, and there have been several collections I haven't shopped from at all. Partly as I needed my pennies for my holiday last month, and also because I haven't been hugely excited by some of the recent collections. I love the five new brooches and three pairs of earrings I have collected, though, so I think it's time for a look-see and some mini reviews.

Let's start with my favourite new Care Bear brooch...

I loved last year's Care Bears collection, so I was excited when Erstwilder returned with a second Care Bears range at the end of the summer. I would have loved to have splurged on Care Bears again, but I couldn't justify it before my holiday, and limited myself to one piece. For once, choosing which design to buy was easy; I had to have the Trick-or-Sweet Bear brooch in my life. I mean, who doesn't need an orange vampire-cloaked Care Bear brooch in their life?? He's so cute dressed in his red and black cloak, with a happy little pumpkin on his stomach, and makes a sweet alternative to the usual creepy Halloween ghosts, bats, and vampire designs. I love this little guy so much, and can't stop wearing him. I'll be sad to pack him away for another year in a few days time.

A couple of months ago, my Mum treated me to Scorpio the Serene, an awesome scorpion brooch from the 2018 Written in the Stars collection. She managed to snag it, and a Capricorn brooch for herself, for just £7.50 each from Glitterally's closing down sale! I'm actually a Cancer not a Scorpio, but I don't pay much attention to astrology, (even if I am apparently a typical Cancer), so to me it's just a cool scorpion brooch. The design is awesome. It's been made from glossy hot pink and cherry red resins, and is finished with three white pearlescent stars on its pincers. It's so eye-catching, and I'm sure you'll agree, a whole lot cuter than a real, living breathing scorpion. Thanks, Mum.

In July, I bought a couple of beautiful cockatoo brooches from the Erstwilder x Jocelyn Proust collaboration. I've always loved cockatoos because they're so cute and cheeky, and I instantly fell in love with them in brooch form, too. The only problem was, I couldn't choose between the two designs in the collection, so I had to add them both to my brooch zoo. I regret nothing! 

The first of my new feathered friends is Major Mitch, which is, unsurprisingly, a Major Mitchell cockatoo brooch. Major Mitch is a pearlescent pink parrot with textured silver and red feathers on his wings, tail, and crest, and he's a beauty. I love how much character this little guy has. I especially love the pearlescent pink and marbled red resins used in this design, and I'm impressed by how intricate the crest feathers are. They look delicate and breakable, but they're actually three layers thick, and as solid as a rock, so I don't have to worry about accidentally breaking them. I can just pin it to my outfit with confidence, and be on my merry, perfectly accessorised way.

The other Jocelyn Proust cockatoo brooch I adopted is a sulphur-crested cockatoo called 'Hey Cocky.' These kind of cockatoos are one of my favourite types of parrots, so I just couldn't resist adding this brooch to my collection. It's so lovely and makes me smile every time I wear it. Hey Cocky is a dainty little brooch not much bigger than my thumb. He's made from shimmery cream marbled resin, with lemon and daffodil yellow feathers, and a marbled grey beak and feet. It's such a sweet brooch, and I love how realistic it is. I have a feeling I'll still be wearing this one when I'm old and grey. 

And the latest brooch to join my Erstwilder collection is La Lune, a gorgeous crescent moon brooch from the Halloween collection 'Cute & Spooky by Mimsy'. It was designed by the Australian tattoo artist Mimsy Gleeson, and is a beautiful, sleeping, pearlescent moon surrounded by turquoise and lavender coloured flowers, and a tangle of lime and apple green leaves. The colours are a little more vibrant than I was expecting and I wasn't sure if I liked them at first, but now they've grown on me, I see they're the perfect contrast against the silvery moon, and a nice alternative to orange and black for Halloween. The brooch is too beautiful to save just for Halloween, though, and I'll definitely be wearing it all year round.

As well as brooches, I've also added a few pairs of Essentials earrings to my collection since my last update. I bought a pair of glittery purple crescent moon studs in Glitterally's sale for just £2, which were such a bargain. I think they were from one of the Pete Cromer collections (maybe the second one?), and they'd been on my wish list for ages. I also bought two pairs of heart studs from the Care Bears collection, but some time after they were released in the summer. I got a glittery red pair (to replace a plain red pair that had broken), and a gorgeous marbled blue pair, made up of shades of teal, turquoise, lime, and mauve. I love them! The new earrings are made from two layers of resin instead of one like the old ones, and seem much sturdier, so I hope they're an improved design Erstwilder are planning to use for future Essentials studs, and aren't just a one-off. I've had the backs break off a few old pairs this year, which isn't the end of the world at £6 a pair, but it would be nice if they held up longer. They're only cheap, simple earrings, but I really enjoy wearing them with my brooches for some matchy-matchiness.

And those are the newest additions to my ever-growing Erstwilder collection. I'm sure I'll be back with more brooch reviews when the Christmas collection launches next month! I can't wait!

Have you bought anything from Erstwilder lately?

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Kimchi and Coconut Galaxy Whale Brooch

Back in July, I took a birthday trip to Whipsnade Zoo, and stumbled up on a display of Kimchi and Coconut jewellery in their gift shop.

They had a great selection of sea life-themed designs, and there was one brooch in particular that caught my eye. Their galaxy whale brooch. In the end, I just couldn't leave without it, so I made a cheeky birthday purchase, and left a happy little camper.

Three months on, the whale brooch is still one of my current favourite brooches to accessorize with, so I felt it deserved a quick review on the blog.

The brooch I have to show you is a beautiful humpback whale brooch, with all the charm of a real whale compacted in to a wearable little brooch. I love whales and have always wanted to see one of those gentle giants in real life, so getting to accessorize with a whale brooch is the next best thing until that day (hopefully) comes.

This beautiful creature has been handmade in England from two layers of the dreamiest galaxy-effect acrylic, and the result is mesmerising. The bottom layer is plain black, and the top is a stunning mix of purples and stormy sea blues and greens, topped with flecks of silver glitter, and finished off with some etching. I think it might just be the prettiest whale brooch I've ever seen. I'm a sucker for a galaxy effect. (NB. There was a second whale brooch on display at the zoo, and the colours were much lighter, so be aware that the acrylic will vary from piece to piece due to the unique cut in the acrylic. The lighter one was gorgeous, too, but I personally preferred the darker, stormier look of this one). 

As for size... it's about the length and width of my ring finger, so it's a good sized piece; not too large or too small, but still big enough to make a small statement. It's perfect for wearing at the seaside or on trips to the aquarium... or with just about any outfit, really. It's so lovely, you'll want to wear it with everything. I know I do. 

The whale brooch retails for just £20, which I think is really reasonable for such a beautiful handmade piece- especially brought from a zoo gift shop, where prices are often inflated. I'm so pleased I added it to my brooch zoo, and think it was worth every penny. Having this little guy in my collection makes me happy.

If brooches aren't your thing, there's also a whale necklace, and Kimchi and Coconut have plenty of other brooches, necklaces, and earrings to choose from, too. Aside from their sea animal designs, I particularly love their Australian animal pieces; I have a platypus and a tiger quoll in my brooch collection, and they're amazing. If you like the style of this brooch, I'm sure you'll love their other designs, too, so be sure to check them out!

Do you have any Kimchi and Coconut jewellery in your collection?

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Autumn Goals

I don't know what it is about autumn, but as soon as we reach September, I always feel motivated to start new projects, and get stuff done. 

I find myself wanting to do all the craft projects, visit new places, have a big declutter, bake, and read lots of books. I'm guessing it's because autumn always signified the start of a new school year, and my brain still sees the change in seasons as a time to learn and get to work. Whatever the reason, autumn still feels like a new chapter in the year, and I've once again found myself with a big list of things I want to do before winter sets in. I thought I'd share some of them with you today to make myself accountable, and hopefully motivate myself in to achieving them, so let's go buy new school supplies, and get started.

Go For an Autumn Walk

I want to try to go on at least one autumn walk this year- preferably in the woods- so I can crunch through the fallen leaves, take in the colours of the foliage, and feel the cold air on my face. I love a good autumn walk.

Visit a Pumpkin Patch

I've still never visited a pumpkin patch, so I'd really like to visit one this autumn, and pick out a pumpkin to carve.

Carve a Pumpkin

I like to carve a pumpkin every Halloween, but couldn't last year as I wasn't well enough on the day, so I'm looking forward to trying again this year. I don't do a lot for Halloween, but I always try to at least butcher a pumpkin.

Paint Some Pumpkins

I'd also really like to try painting some pumpkins, and see what fun designs I can come up with. It looks like fun.

Have a Halloween Movie Marathon

I'm looking forward to some good Halloween-themed movie marathons this October. My sister and I are already talking about having a movie night at her house, with a takeaway, and some good snacks to celebrate Halloween. I'm most looking forward to the classic that is Hocus Pocus.

Watch My Favourite Autumn Movies

I also want to watch lots of autumnal movies to get me in the mood for autumn. I'm particularly looking forward to rewatching You've Got Mail, Practical Magic, Little Women, Stepmom, War of the Worlds, The Village, and lots of other autumn favourites.

Read Lots

I want to read as much as possible this autumn, and try to fit in some reading time every day. I've only got four more books to finish before I hit my Goodreads reading goal of forty books, and I'm hoping to reach it before December, as I'm always too busy to read much over Christmas. Two months to read four books? Should be easy.

Go to the Bonfire and Watch the Fireworks

Our local RAF base has the best fireworks and a massive bonfire for Bonfire Night, and I used to love going every year. I haven't been in ten years because of chronic pain, Covid, or because my sister and brother-in-law (who I need to sign me on to camp) moved away for a while, and I miss it. I'd really like to go this year- and my sister isn't giving me a choice, anyway- so fingers crossed for a good chronic pain day that night so I can go.

Take an Autumn Drive Through the Cotswolds

I live on the edge of The Cotswolds, which is obviously famous for it's beautiful countryside, and picture perfect little villages. It's gorgeous all year round, but particularly during the autumn when everywhere is backdropped with a palette of fiery oranges, golden yellows, deep reds, and rich browns. I'm hoping to be able to take a drive about to take it all in once the leaves have changed, and maybe even stop to do a little exploring.

Visit the Ashmolean and Pitt Rivers Museums in Oxford

It's been years since I last visited Oxford's museums, but I always found the Ashmolean and Pitt Rivers museums fascinating, and am itching to pay them both a visit again. There's something about chilly autumn days that makes me want to wander around cold echo-y buildings, and learn about old stuff.

Make Pumpkin Dog Treats

I don't know why, but I'd really like to try to make pumpkin dog biscuits / treats for my dog, Rosie, and her cousin, Mia from scratch. I know it would be easier to just buy some, but where's the fun in that?

Fix My Erstwilder Brooches

The brooch backs on two of my Erstwilder brooches, a sunflower, and a Halloween dog leaning on a pumpkin, broke a while back from separate falls to the floor, so I need to contact the brand and find out the best way to repair them. I want to be able to wear them both again this autumn / Halloween.

Make My Animal Crossing Island Look Autumnal

I still play Animal Crossing New Horizons every day, and I'm currently aiming to make it look as autumnal as possible. I made a start last week, and am currently working on a Halloween area, and a crop farm for my pumpkins. I'm feeling more inspired with the game than I have done in ages.

Visit the Wildlife Park

My sister and I are hoping to pay another visit to The Cotswold Wildlife Park once the leaves have changed. We'll get to enjoy an autumn walk in a pretty setting with lots of trees and foliage, and see lots of cute exotic animals along the way. What's not to like?

Paint

It's been ages since I last did some watercolour painting, so I'd like to dig out my paints, and spend some time getting creative this fall. I'm not very good at it, but I find it so therapeutic.

Finish My Christmas Cross Stitch

I began a Christmas cross stitch wall hanging two years ago, and I still haven't finished it because I've needed to go out and get some more threads to finish it off, and couldn't decide which colours to use. I've got so little left to sew, and I'm determined to get it done before Christmas so I can move on to something new.

Blog More

I've been really bad at blogging this year because I've rarely felt up to it, but I've got so many posts I want to write and post, including some posts about my recent holiday to Cornwall, and of course, reviews of my latest brooch purchases. I'm going to do my best to blog more this autumn, and I also want to start preparing Christmas content to take some of the pressure off in December.

Fill Some Gaps in My Wardrobe

There's a few gaps in my wardrobe I would like to fill this season. I particularly need a new pair of black ankle boots, and some new pyjamas, and I'd love to get some new dresses for the colder months. I rarely have the money for new clothes these days, and my wardrobe really is lacking, so it's time I picked up a few things.

Actively Start Christmas Shopping

It's just over two and a half months 'til Christmas Day (how scary is that?!), so it's time to actively start shopping for Christmas presents! (I like to start early to spread the cost, and stay organised). I've already bought a few presents this month, and bought some earlier in the year, too, so I'd say I'm off to a good start.

Organise My Bookshelves

My bookshelf is in desperate need of a sort-out. It's been overflowing with books- with a few stacks not far off the ceiling- for years, and the mess is stressing me out. I think the solution is to move my DVDs off the shelf (since they're rarely watched these days), put the discs in to folders, and store the cases in the shed. It should open up more space for books, so I can keep them tidy and organised. I just need to find some time (and spoons) so I can get started on it, and I want to get it done this autumn. Enough is enough.

Have a Clear Out

I also want to declutter some of my stuff, especially my wardrobe, so I'm going to try to have a clear out (if my health allows it), and maybe sell some stuff on eBay to make a little extra cash. The extra pennies would definitely come in handy with the festive season coming up.

And those are some of my autumn goals.

There are more goals on my to-do-list, but I've already rambled on enough, so I'll stop there. You can wake up again now.

I don't know how much I'll be able to achieve, and doubt I'll tick everything off the list, but I'm going to give it my best shot. That's all anybody can do, right?

Wish me luck!

What's on your to-do-list this autumn?