So long 2011

I wasn't sure whether to write this post. Not because I didn't want to share it, but just because, well, how do I even start to describe 2011?

It's been a good and bad year. I would say more downs than ups, so I'll get those out of the way. 

2011 has been a BIG year. For the most part, I was sad. I can't really explain why, but I expect it was because I had no idea who I was. I haven't been solid in my faith with God for a long while but around February/March time was the big crash. I decided I wasn't Christian anymore. Having been brought up as one, and being pretty confident with my relationship with God before I went to uni, it was a... shock I guess. I knew it was coming, but once I had actually made that big decision of not calling myself a christian anymore, it was kind of like I was in mourning. My faith was a big part of my life, I used to be so proud of it and then it had just vanished. It was probably a year before hand that I knew something was up but after a year of hearing nothing I guess I just moved on. Actually, even now, writing this I'm not too sure. It was such a big element of life that I don't think I can let go that easily. We'll see what happens. But anyway, 2011 was pretty rough. Thank goodness I had fallen in love! February was amazing. I began a new relationship with my best friend and I am so happy with him. I can't thank him enough for putting up with me! I cried a lot in 2011 and it was nice to have someone to hug and tell me things were going to be okay. Graham, I cannot thank you enough. 

2011 was a big year for my confidence too. First off, I decided to do something about it. My boyfriend helped a huge amount and I could start looking people in the eye and step out of my comfort zone that little bit more. I think 2011 has started off a good relationship with me and my confidence. I can't wait to see it grow even more. In September, I took a huge step out of my comfort zone and spoke to a professional who knew a bit more about self confidence although after a few weeks, I decided it wasn't for me. I'm pretty proud I tried though, and it's good to know that I had all the techniques and ability to do it myself. September also meant the beginning of my third year at uni. Not much to say about that, except I really need to do some work!

One thing I have realised in the past few months, is that I really need to work on my self esteem. This is a goal for the new year that needs to be worked on and I'll post my resolutions next week. 

I'm looking forward to 2012, but I am so scared! I have realised I seriously need a kick up the backside, there is so much I want to accomplish but if I keep going at the rate I am (and getting sucked in to the internet all day doing nothing productive whatsoever) then nothing will happen. And good things comes to those who work hard. I think that shall be my motto for 2012. 

So long 2011, onwards and upwards! 

Shores of easy

 

I popped in to town early Tuesday morning to try and grab a few bits before the shops got too busy! I managed to buy lots of lovely things in Primark with my christmas money, including the coat and snood in the top two pictures. I've been after a navy coat for a while, and there was a duffle style one I saw on the Asda website that caught my eye but I couldn't find it instore and I don't like buying coats without trying them on first. This one from Primark fits me perfectly, I always find it a bit difficult to get a sleeve length long enough but this one is great. I almost bought the mustard colour snood last month but put it back so I picked it up again and was pleased to see it had been reduced to £2 when I got to the checkouts; I do love a bargain! The grey jumper I recieved for Christmas, and I bought the skirt from New Look. Again in the sale, it was £7 and is from the kids section! I've been after a black pleated skirt for a while but I am rather picky with style and prices. This is actually a midi length skirt that I've folded at the top because I don't think they suit me. But if I decide to change my mind, I atleast have the option :) I hope you're having a lovely week, and thankyou Graham for taking the photos xo

It's a wonderful life

Did you all have a lovely Christmas? I did and was spoilt rotten :) We had a quiet day on Christmas day itself with just my immediate family and our presents. Yesterday was a busier affair with my grandparents coming down, playing on the wii and the delicious roast dinner! It was so good with three meats, turkey, beef and lamb, mashed potato and roast tatties and all the veggies! Plus it means I had bubble and squeak today which I love, and wish I had both meals more often! I was spoiled this year with some new pyrex bakeware, lots of cookbooks, new camera lenses, clothes, money and smellies. Chocolate, of course, and other bits and bobs. So lucky!

I hope you all had a lovely time too, quite sad that it's over now! I get to see my boyfriend again tomorrow as he is back after being with family for christmas. I also went shopping today and bought lots of lovely new things so I'll try and convince him to take some outfit photos for you all! I'm still ignoring the uni work, but I have run out of excuses xo
(Oh and I got that cute birdseye bear as my table present! Haha)

Good luck it's Christmas

 (I apologise for the quality of photos as they were taken late evening)

The title of this post is from this gorgeous song by Tellison, go give it a listen!
My christmas spirit is starting to come back after losing it last week. I think this is because I am working tomorrow and Christmas Eve which is a bit rubbish. I absolutely cannot wait until my shift is over on Saturday so I can get in to the festive spirit and look forward to my week off!
Wednesday I was baking up a storm for a couple of gifts. I didn't actually get all the things I wanted to bake done but I make some really delicious chocolate fudge, christmas biscuits and mince pies. I packaged them up in cellophane with a doily in the bottom, wrapped them in twine and attached a little gift tag, which you can see in the photos. I've also received some christmas cards from lovely bloggers which make me happy because getting mail is one of my favourite things in the world! I promised last week to show you my handmade cards so you can see the design in the third photo down. I drew the elements and ended up piecing it all together in Photoshop, printing them out and adding glitter! The card in the photo is glitter-less though, but I added little circles of glitter in the branches.

I won't be blogging again before Sunday so I wish you all a very merry christmas! Have fun with all your family and I for one will use it as an excuse to eat way too much. Have a good one! xo

London calling

I headed up to London for the day last Thursday as uni had planned a trip (which meant free coach!) We could spend the day however we liked, and me and my boyfriend went off to find Denmark Street. We were saving money by not getting the tube, and I'm actually really glad we walked it all. It meant I could see much more of London rather than if I was underground, and since I hadn't been for ages and have only visited a few times, it was really nice to see it all. Plus, we walked about six miles in all, which I hope justifies my KFC lunch! Our first stop was Harrods, which I had never been in to and so we wondered around there a little bit. I wasn't hugely impressed to be honest, it was like a maze and pretty busy. We visited Picadilly market which was really lovely, and visited a lot of bookshops in Soho. We got to Denmark Street where my boyfriend had fun playing his dream guitar and I was pretty happy listening to him since he is a great musician.

By this time it was getting dark (we didn't arrive in London till about 11) so we headed to the V&A. We stopped half way outside Hyde Park and had a rest, it was actually really nice just to sit down after the manic crowds and watch everyone go by! It was so also freezing, so we carried on and passed some garages (lamborghini or mclaren maybe? Who knows!) where they had some really lovely lights in the trees. I am such a sucker for christmas lights, they just make me instantly happy! We visited the Power of Making exhibition in the V&A and then it was time to get back on the coach. I had such a lovely day, and the day after I was actually missing it! I wouldn't have said London was my sort of place before, but I am itching to go back. There was so much I didn't see and so much more to explore! I'd like to go back some time in the new year, and I'll try to convince my boyfriend to come again because I had such a lovely time (Warning you now Graham!) I also picked up my first ever copy of Frankie magazine from one of the bookshops and absolutely love it :) Wish it was more local for me to pick up though!

This years love

Can you believe christmas day is two weeks away? I think I'll pop Love Actually on and finish wrapping my presents tonight :) I've had a busy week this week, with a university deadline and a day trip to London, which I'll post about soon. It's not really my kind of place because it's so busy, but I actually really miss it. I will have to go back again soon, there was so much I didn't see.
I've finally finished making my christmas cards. I'll post a picture soon but I don't want to spoil it on here for some bloggers who I am sending them to! I've been posting little peaks on twitter here.
I had to make envelopes too and I love the look of brown paper. I actually recycled Primark bags which I had been saving up and used this tutorial to make them. I'm really happy with the way they turned out too :)
This week I need to do some christmas baking and it's my last day at uni before christmas on wednesday. I've also got a christmas meal with friend on wednesday night which I am really looking forward to. Speaking of christmas meals, the work one last sunday was amazing! So good, so posh too! We had glasses of prosecco handed to use by waiters with trays and then they even placed the napkins on our laps when we were seated for the meal. I'd never been anywhere so posh but it was so lovely. The food was really yummy too, I wasn't sure beforehand as some of the meals weren't quite up my street, but it was all delicious. xo

P.S I passed the 200 follower mark this week, thank you so much! I'll be doing a giveaway in the new year :)

Christmas lights

December has certainly snuck up on me, I can't believe we're almost three weeks away from christmas!
I have been feeling very festive and finished my christmas shopping today. I got a lot of it online because it is easy and no stress and I made my very first ebay purchase the other day in preparation for my christmas wrapping. I bought some red and white twine, and have been making some little tags out of fimo. I'm planning on doing a lot of christmas baking to give as gifts, so I'd put the little star charms tied with the twine around the cellophane bags full of yummy treats! I made some glittery stars which you can see in the photos from cardboard, PVA and of course glitter. I'll hole punch these and add to my wrapping as well :) I am so excited to get wrapping and baking, although I think a lot of it will have to be made quite close to christmas. I have so many recipes saved in my binders on various websites, and some of them are freezable so hopefully I can get started soon.

I love December! I can tell it will be a good month. I've got my work christmas do on Sunday evening, a meal at a posh hotel which I'm looking forward to. A deadline on Wednesday and then I'm off on a day trip to London on Thursday! Is there anything I should see when I'm there? I've only ever been to London about 3 times, so I'm rather clueless! I've a busy week ahead, so I really need to stop procrastinating. Have a good weekend! <3