Christmas 2010

Goodness me. A week since Christmas already? I can't believe it was over so quickly. Also, how lazy have I been putting off my after Christmas post? Sorry!

My main present was my gorgeous Wacom Intuos 4, which I managed to acquire early back in November to help me with uni work, but now it is officially mine! Its lovely, I just can't wait to have a proper play with it, at the moment I feel like I have no time! I also got some clothes and money, little bits and pieces, some shoes and the entire Friends boxset of course! I am a major Friends fan. I won't have to worry when they stop showing them on E4 anymore, I'm all set! I also got Wii Fit plus from my brother, which is awesome! I have to say I was a bit doubtful whether to ask for it, because I thought it wouldn't have many more extras from Wii fit, but I am so pleased with it! I love kung fu and the obstacle course ;)
 Christmas day was a lovely quiet affair, as per tradition, and then all the family down on Boxing day. Lots of laughs and fun, which is just how I love my Christmases.

Played Monopoly Christmas Day - Yes I won! :p

 I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas too. I hope to post my new year resolutions in a few days, are you doing anything nice for NYE tomorrow? I am off to my friend Grahams house, where he is cooking me stir fry and just chilling out in the evening. Nope, no clubbing or massive parties for me! Last year was probably my favourite New Years memory. A group of friends and I went down the beach and took some drink (not for me, I was designated driver!) at about 7pm. It was so cold, and we didn't even hold out till 12 unfortunately! We left at about quarter to, and I remember listening to the radio driving my best friend and sister home, with Take That - Shine blasting out, singing at the top of our voices without a care in the world when the clock stroke 12. So funny! I think tomorrow I will be wrapped up cosy in my bed though!
Bit of a rambly post today, hope you don't mind! What are your thoughts about Christmas and 2010 being almost over? And what was the best Christmas gift you gave this year?
Love, Katie
xoxo
P.S Just realised this is my 100th post!

Its Chriiiiistmaaasss!

 [via weheartit]

Ever since I finished work this afternoon, I have been wanting to shout out my blog title, Noddy Holder style. To be quite frank, I haven't felt Christmassy this week, perhaps because of work, Im not really sure! I have been counting down for so long, and suddenly now its here, I feel like time has suddenly sped up and I actually cannot believe it is tomorrow! Wow.
For me, Christmas is about family time and Jesus. Christmas is all about giving, not getting.
I wanted to create a lovely Christian message about Christmas. But seen as I struggle to put my thoughts into words sometimes, I will leave you with this message, straight from my devotional.
Christmas is all about giving, not getting. How did you decide who to give pressies to this Christmas? Do you only give presents to those who will give one back? Are you good at guesstimating how much someone will spend on you so you don't spend more on them? What are your motives for giving?
Look how God gives: He gave the most precious thing He had to everyone. He didn't pick favourites, He gave to all; He didn't scrimp on the budget, He gave the most valuable thing He had; He didn't give because we'd done so well and deserved such a gift, He gave because He wanted us to have what we needed. He didn;t give His gift under certain contractual conditions, He gave freely, knowing we would destroy His priceless gift: 'For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.' (John 3:16 NLT)
It pretty much sums up the amazing message. The Lord gave us His Son, and that's an amazing gift. Sure, sometimes, I am not afraid to admit, that even I sometimes can get a bit carried away with presents and food, and forget the real meaning that Christmas is all about Jesus. Perhaps it is because only 2 members of my family are Christian, it just seems to be forgotten. Tonight I'll be praying for tomorrow to be full of joy, love and remembrance in our Lord because he is the best present I have ever recieved.
Happy Birthday Jesus!
To all my blog readers, thankyou so much for reading my blog. I wish you all a beautiful, joyful Christmas and, whether you are a Christian or not, be thankful for eveything you have, don't take anything for granted, and have a wonderful time with your family :)
I'll be back soon with posts full of photos and good cheer!
Love, Katie
xoxo

Sunday Roundup #3

Hello! Hope your week has been good :) It feels like last Sunday was so long ago! Like most people, I am so excited for Christmas, I can't believe its 6 days! Woah. I had my work Christmas meal, which was fun, didn't win in the raffle though!

This week has involved a lot of these. As mentioned last week, I did go back to the doctors and thankfully, the new tablets worked! Hooray :)

I've had to put this next to my screen because I have lost so much work this week, its insane! Adobe Illustrator keeps crashing unexpectedly on me, so I lose all the work I am working on. I am such a forgetful person, I only save when I'm done, but this has proven I really need to save every 2 minutes!

 I also crocheted a little snowflake this week, it was quite nice making this, it relaxes me! I still have a lot of uni work to do :(

 
The day after I posted this post, it snowed! Yesterday we had an inch or snow or so, so not much, but enough for the roads to go haywire! I drove to work, which was a bit hairy at times but by the time I had finished, alot of the snow had melted. How exciting to think we could have a white Christmas this year!

I'd like to do a little Christmas post on Friday and what it means to me, hopefully I will find some time as I am working everyday this week! If not, then I wish you all such a happy Christmas! I hope you have a wonderful weekend with your families, or whatever your traditions are. I won't be doing a Sunday Roundup on boxing day, hopefully I will be too stuffed with delicious food and busy playing with games with the family!
Advent gifts this week: Earrings, magnets, polka dot socks, polka dot tights, calendar, hat, another one I cant remember!
Have a great week lovelies!
Love, Katie
xoxo

Five Things Friday - Stags

Sorry about the late post, I am feeling so sleepy and the day has gone by far too quickly!
This weeks FTF is stags. I have been seeing them so much this winter (not the actual animal, just inspired items!)

Pretty Picture - One of the first I posted on my Tumblr!

Tesco - Stag top (in the sale!)

Very cute Antler necklaces

Comfy Topshop Stag socks

 

 Interesting silver antler ring

The South hasn't been hit with the second round of snow yet, just icy roads! Have you seen snow yet? Hope you have a great weekend.

Love, Katie xoxo

Sunday Roundup #2

One thing I didnt want was to have two Sunday roundups after another! I like to have a post in the week to break it up, but university has had me keeping busy! Sorry for being a little AWOL this week, but dont forget you can find me on twitter, with my little updates.

University has now finished, and the plan is to work my socks off this week and finish all my work ready for the deadlines in January, and have a lovely relaxing Christmas. That's the plan anyway! I have been feeling pretty rotten this week too, and have been having horrible earaches! I finally went to the doctors, after putting it off for so long, and it turns out I have an ear infection, so I am on antibiotics. So far it hasnt helped at all, in fact its probably worse! I think another trip to the doctors is in order unortunately :(
X Factor final tonight, what do you all think? Personally, I think it will be either Matt or Rebecca who wins. I think I would prefer Rebecca win just because I think Matt could probably manage on his own if he didnt (like JLS and Olly Murs) I'm really not fussed though, they are both fab!

I still have a few more presents to get, I cannot believe it is 2 weeks until Christmas! I wrapped most of my presents Friday evening so they are out of the way at least. My wrapping skills are questionable mind you! I also recieved my first few Christmas presents from my best friend which I will pop under the tree soon. I couldnt resist the chocolate snowman though, poor thing has no head anymore! Haha :p

I've also started decorating my room a bit more festive, what do you think?

Advent gifts this week: Notebook, chocolate, whiteboard pens, scarf, mittens, Eyeliner, & one I cant remember!
Hope you all have a good week, heres hoping I get lots done!
Loves,
Katie
xoxo

Sunday Roundup

Hello lovelies. I've been thinking about doing a feature/something like this for a while so I thought why not! I really enjoy reading other bloggers posts about their week and so thought I'd do the same.

As I'm sure you've all heard, the UK was hit by snow this week, although the little South coast didn't get it until Wednesday evening. University was cancelled Thursday and Friday, so I managed to get quite a bit of work done! I was looking at some photos from about 2/3 years ago when we had snow before, and I remember thinking it was a lot of snow then! (For the South at least), but its laughable compared to what we just got! The snow is all melting now which is good, because the ice was so dangerous! I had to trek to the dentist in it on Friday, which wasn't fun!

[We had about 5 inches all together]

Every year, since I can remember, instead of getting an advent calendar (never had one!) we get a bag of little advent presents to open until Christmas day :) They're only little tiny things worth about £1-3 but I love this little tradition. Each week I'll show you the presents I got, here's what I've opened so far:

 [Packet of ripples, long grey over the knee socks, packet of razors, trainer shaped car air freshener, ring]

I love that little ring! Its from Matalan I think, and I was so upset when I wore it out on Friday and lost it in the snow, somewhere in my drive! Luckily I spotted it on Saturday morning before work, after spending an age Friday night in the cold trying to find it! It's a little big, but I love it all the same.

The plan for today is to watch some early episodes of Doctor Who, try and crack on with some uni work and tidy up my room! Wish me luck, Ive been procrastinating all morning!
Love, Katie
xoxo

[Excuse the weird expression! The headband is from Primark]

Sum it  up - November was a good month, although I'm really not sure where it went! (I say this every month but it's always true, time seems to be so fast lately)

Struggles - I have had a real problem this academic year with motivation. I get all my work done on time and everything, with good marks, but I never seem to get any work done when I want to. I have realised I work better at night, which is okay, but not when I have to get up at 7am for work/ to travel to uni.

University work -  Got a first at university for one of my projects. I have worked very hard this year (despite lack of inspiration) and it's so good to know it is all paying off. I just have a few more weeks of intense workload and then almost a month before hand in.

Christmas shopping - I've started listing and organising my Christmas budget and started buying some of the gifts. This year I am really excited about the gifts I am giving to others :)

1 - Visit old friends
2 - Donate to charity
3 - Get all university work out of the way so I can have a stress-free christmas
4 - Have an amazing Christmas with the family
5 - Play some board games
6 - Plan some blog posts

Presents from others - Although my birthday was back in July, my best friend gave me my gifts. I actually liked it 4 months on, I had completely forgotten about it and it was a surprise when I got them :) I received a 'My neighbour Totoro' DVD (she has me hooked on Studio Ghibli now), a cute Eco Bridge pencil set and a beautiful new notebook.

Presents to myself - I bought myself a new apple wireless keyboard. One of the lovely sleek ones that make me feel oh so posh when I'm tapping away :) My other Apple keyboard broke because I spilt water on it! The keys work fine, all except the spacebar key and I cant cope without that. Funny how we're all so dependent on that one key isnt it! Its so overlooked! Anyway, after that fiasco, I was using a wireless microsoft, big chunky black thing that luckily worked with my imac from my old pc. My Dad didn't even say anything when he asked about the old Apple keyboard and why it's broken *phew!*
I also bought a new bracelet, a case for my tablet (upcoming Christmas present I have acquired early!), some wool for a handmade gift to my best friend, some art materials for university, a new pair of boots and winter coat. I bought some new jumpers as well, which will soon make an appearance on here due to the cold weather!


So a very happy 1st of December to you all! I hope you are wrapping up warm if you're living in England. The South had a sprinkling of snow last night, but tonight is apparently the night for 2-3 inches. Who knows! Each morning I peer out of my window for that pure white blanket of snow, but nothing yet! Im sure to update on twitter, so follow me there, if you like!
Lots of love,
Katie
xoxo

P.S So sorry I have been slacking with replying to your wonderful comments! University is pretty crazy this week and I am counting down the days until we finish! I appreciate every single one though, so thank you :)