Original Tour London Christmas Lights

When I was little, my dad would drive up to central London in the run up to Christmas so we could see the Christmas lights on Oxford Street and Regent Street. He'd drive along the streets (I know, crazy!) and I've never forgotten the feeling of being wrapped up in a cosy car watching the festive lights through the window while listening to Christmas music... and that bagpipe player that used to stand outside Hamley's. I'm sure I didn't imagine that. Did I? Anyway, when I was contacted by Original Tour London to experience their Magical Christmas Lights Tour, I immediately thought of those times I spent marvelling at the streets of London all lit up, and I just had to try it out.

OOTD // Miffy Christmas Jumper

OK, last Christmas post, I promise. It's just that this jumper is so cute and I can't wait a whole year to post it at a more socially-acceptable time. My blog, my rules. 

Jumper: Truffle Shuffle Skirt: New Look Tights: ASOS (similar here) Boots: ASOS (similar here)

OOTD // Black Milk Wrapped Up Skirt

Ever since I bought my first piece of Black Milk Clothing way back in 2013 (see terrible photos here), I've absolutely loved the brand. I was really looking forward to their Christmas 2017 collection but there was only one piece I liked- the Wrapped Up Pocket Skater Skirt. At least that made my decision easier, I guess! 

Salzburg Christmas Markets

I'm starting to feel like all I've done this year is visit Christmas markets! Just before Christmas, we returned to Salzburg and when we weren't climbing mountains, we popped along to the markets. Now, I know I'm hugely biased but I mean it when I say Salzburg's Christmas markets are my favourite. Despite the small size of the city, they're much larger than others I've visited, and they're held in peaceful, pretty courtyards. Just perfect!

Munich Christmas Markets

Because I evidently hadn't had enough of Christmas markets, what with Winchester and Hamburg, I also visited Munich to experience Weihnachten the Bavarian way. Since I was ill on the first day, I spent most of it napping so we had to squeeze as many markets in our second day as possible. Thankfully, Munich is really easy to get around and most of the locations were within walking distance from each other.

Winchester Christmas Market

Yeah, ok. It might be a little late to write about Christmas markets now but I never got round to it and I don't want to waste all the time I spent editing photos. Just pretend Christmas hasn't happened yet.

A Very Copper Christmas

Earlier this week, I talked about looking for a little Christmas tree- Kevin- for my office. After failing to get one at the Christmas tree farm, we found one in Wilkinsons. Poor thing was very undernourished having sat in a shopping centre for days on end but at least he was cheap and came complete with the perfectly-sized bucket. Since my office is copper and white, it was obviously the only option for my Christmas tree colour scheme.

OOTD // Christmas Tree Farm

Last year I visited a Christmas tree farm to pick up a little tree named Kevin. It was a lot of fun and I loved having my own mini tree in the house so this time around I decided to return and get one for my office. 
Cardigan: Vintage Top: Primark (similar here) Skirt: Topshop (similar here) Leggings: Evans Boots: Missguided

My Christmas List

Just over a week until Christmas and I couldn't be more excited! It's been difficult to feel festive this year with the huge weight of uni assignments on my shoulders but now they're all handed in and I'm ready to party! Unfortunately, I haven't had time to decorate the tree so I might be waking up to a pile of presents underneath a pretty bare Christmas tree this year. Shall I just pretend it's a fashion statement? Less is more and all that. Speaking of presents, I've put together a little list of the things I'm hoping to find beneath my minimalist (ahem) tree this year.

Christmas Wishlist

Christmas is less than two weeks away, so I think it's high time we start cracking out the novelty jumpers! I've had a look around the internet to find my favourite festive knitwear and accessories.

Rudolph jumper // Really really want jumper // Coca Cola Christmas jumper // Christmas dog jumper // Christmas cat jumper Holly jumper // Merry Woofmas jumper // Mince pies before guys jumper // Miffy Christmas jumper // Disney Christmas jumper Baah humbug jumper // Yoda Christmas jumper // Bright 80s cardigan // Sonic the Hedgehog Christmas jumper // Jurassic Park Christmas jumper

Hamburg Christmas Markets

After the success of our trip to Amsterdam, Ami and I decided it was time we had another mini break. Since Christmas was coming up, we couldn't think of a much better idea than heading to Germany for the markets. There was no particular reason why we chose Hamburg- it looked pretty and flights were cheap, which is good enough for me! While we were in Hamburg, we visited two Christmas markets- the main one at the Rathaus and Santa Pauli erotic market.

Review // Lush Oxford Street Christmas Exclusives

Last year, I was disappointed to not get any Christmas exclusives from Oxford Street (I'm not even sure if they released any), so I was very excited when I visited this year and found out they had a small selection. Especially since one of them is the most amazing shower gel ever known to man.

What I Got For Christmas 2015

I know there are a lot of people who don't like these posts but there are also a huge amount of people who do. I shouldn't really have to put a disclaimer in here but I'm going to anyway: The reason I'm posting this is because I'm really happy with the effort my family have put into these presents and I want to share that. Not because I'm boasting (because, seriously, how many other bloggers are going to read this and go "Wow! I wish I had that book about social class!") but because I'm in love with and very excited by the wonderful gifts I've got. Deal with it.

Christmas Break at CenterParcs

I hate nature. Like, hate nature. Born and bred in a busy suburban town, the darkness and quietness of countryside freaks me out. For a while it's been a joke between me and Rich that a trip to CenterParcs would be the worst possible holiday for me. So what did we decide to do before Christmas? Go to CenterParcs, of course. No, I don't know why either. I think it was my idea too, which just makes the whole thing even stranger.

Merry Christmas!

It's Christmas at last! I don't know about you but I literally spend all year looking forward to Christmas! In fact, when I was a kid, I would always use my wishes to wish that Christmas would come faster.

Judging by the number of book-shaped presents under the tree, I'll mostly be spending my day reading and, of course, stuffing my face. 

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas! 

Bloglovin' // Twitter // Instagram

Christmas Eve 2015

This year, I had my Christmas Eve outfit picked out weeks in advance. I bought the accessories super early and spent time identifying the perfect dress to go with them. I knew I wanted a fitted silver, sequinned dress. Unfortunately, that's surprisingly difficult to find in plus sizes. Eventually I found this one from Asda but when I went to buy it on payday, it had completely sold out. Gutted isn't the word. I tried everywhere to find a suitable replacement but couldn't find a thing I liked. Instead I settled on this red lace Primark dress that I bought for Christmas two years ago.

Winter Wonderland 2015 // LDN Secret Santa

Every blogger knows that the best thing about blogging is the wonderful people you meet. This is largely down to those brave bloggers who take it upon themselves to arrange events and meet ups, one of whom is the incredible Lauren at Blonde Vision. As @LDNMeetUp, she organises absolutely amazing events in the London area, and earlier this week ran the second of her annual Secret Santa meet ups at Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park.  The event works in much the same way a usual Secret Santa does- you're given a name and have to buy that person a present without revealing who you are. Lauren used a fantastic site called Draw Names that meant it was totally random and not even she knew who we were partnered with. Another huge benefit of this is that it wasn't reciprocal so I had no idea who was buying my gift (and still don't!). However, Lauren's Secret Santa had a little twist.

Sponsored Video // My Memorable Christmas Moments

Once the Christmas advertising campaigns hit the screens, you know the festive season is upon us. This year, Littlewoods have released a beautiful advert with a piano arrangement of OneRepublic's Counting Stars and the hashtag #MakeTheirChristmas, which you can use on Twitter to share your own Christmas stories.

This hashtag has got me thinking about how people have made my Christmasses in the past, and my memorable Christmas moments. I've chosen a few of my most special Christmas memories to share with you here.

Best Christmas Candles 2015

As much as I say I love candles, what I really mean is "I love Christmas candles". I stockpile them from September onwards and then as soon as the new year kicks in, I completely reject them. This is the reason why I have a dedicated candle cupboard in the kitchen, yet still buy approximately 87 festive scented candles at the end of each year.

With so many candles, and a Diptyque-induced divorce imminent, I figured I'd put them to good use and write a round up of the best Christmas candles of 2015.

Christmas Tree Farm

Top of my list of things to do this festive season was to buy a real Christmas tree from a Christmas tree farm. In fact, what I really wanted to do was find a Christmas tree farm where I could choose my own tree to cut down but Rich assured me that wasn't possible. What do men know, eh? I found an incredible farm just 30 minutes away where it is, indeed, possible to cut your own Christmas tree- Crockford Bridge Farm.