Life Lately #120

Hello lovelies,

A week before Christmas day, James & I attended our friends Christmas meal at Gail's house. We all bring an element of the Christmas dinner to the evening. This year James & I brought the Yorkshires, along with some wine & a bottle of sherry (which I quickly discovered I'm the only person that's a fan of it! Yay me!) We also did secret Santa (thankyou jack for my lovely candle) & played a few games.

The next day we went to see our panto Aladdin at work & it was genuinely one of the best pantos we've put on. I adored the way the story played out on stage & all the characters were brilliant.

On 19th December, it was our work Christmas meal that I'd been planning since the beginning of the year! We went to the same place as last year, a local pub with live music in the evening. We had a late sit down time of 8.45pm, just so the last people on shift could come too & the food was delicious as always. We had a 5 course meal; starter, pallet cleanser, main, pudding & tea & mince pies to finish.

For Christmas this year, James & I split ourselves across all our families. We started with Christmas Eve at James' mums, where we had a full Christmas dinner in the evening, followed by a few games & we watched Finding Dory while we waited for midnight. It's tradition in their household to open a small present at midnight & then wake up around 9am for the rest of the presents. On Christmas Day, we headed to my grandparents' for lunch. We don't have a massive family, so 8 of us on Christmas Day always feels like a lot of people in one place! It was so nice to celebrate with them all. Finally on Boxing Day, we headed to James' dad's for round 3! Auntie Jules was down as well, so we spent the day playing games & consuming a lot of alcohol!

Scary thought coming up.. Lily turned 1. Yup that's right, 1. How has a year of this little ones life gone by already!? We had a party for her on Saturday in the local barn, filled with lots of balloons, bubbles & cake.

& finally, New Years. James' birthday is in fact New Years Day, so we celebrated with a few fireworks & a games day, followed by curry in the evening.

Oh & yesterday was my final day of holiday before I headed back to work this morning. We decided as it was a beautiful sunny day to go to West Wittering Beach. Before James & I met, it was tradition for my parents, the dogs & I to go to the beach for a walk on New Years Day, but we haven't been able to do that for a few years, so it was lovely to go & visit the beach as it holds so many memories for me. Although it was freezing, it was so lovely to see all the doggies running around in the sea & lots of people wrapped up in their new winter clothes. It has to be one of my favourite places ever.

How has your New Year lovelies?

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Life Lately #116

Hello lovelies,

Have you ever dieted? I mean like, properly dieted? Isn't the most miserable thing ever?! James & I decided to start eating better by cutting out chocolate, crisps etc, but we are seriously so miserable. I like fruit & veg don't get me wrong, but it was so hard to stick at it. We've now got to the stage of being sensible with food & not going crazy with our portion sizes & we seem to be doing well so far. I've decided I could never live without chocolate.. ever..

The girls & I had Sunday lunch at a local pub last week, which I'd never been too. It was the most adorable little place, complete with a log fire & the best roast I've had in ages. Definitely going back again soon!

Friday before Halloween, James & I had the morning together to carve our pumpkins. I've never done anything other than a scary face, so this was a new design for me! Did you carve pumpkins this year?

We also got to dress up at work for Halloween. I went as a dead child, who had come back to life as a doll. Weird I know, but I wanted to have pretty makeup, complete with a bit of gore on the side!

On Tuesday, Gemma & Ollie had a gender reveal meal at Pizza Express, where we found out what sex the baby is! I'm actually so excited to meet their little one!

I met up with Lorna in the week & we went to Costa. My heart could literally not take the excitement of finding out that their orange hot chocolates were back this year. They were my weakness two Christmas' ago & I can't wait to binge on them again this year!

Friday night, Campbell held a firework evening at his house, complete with the most amazing display. James & I were planning on going to a local display on the Saturday night, but didn't feel we needed too as Campbell's was so good. We'd had our fill of fireworks for this year.

& finally we celebrated Char's birthday this weekend. We went to Giggling Squid for lunch on Saturday & had breakfast at Char's Sunday morning. It was so nice to catch up with her (she's currently away a uni)

How has your November been so far? : )

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Life Lately #91

 

Afternoon lovelies!

 

Last week I went over to my friend's after work to watch a firework display. You know when you go to a back garden display, you think they'll be a few small fireworks etc, but Campbell went all out & we had massive explosions & the display lasted a good 10 minutes, complete with us being covered in ash from standing too close to them! You did us proud Campbell!

 

Last Saturday, it was Char's 21st! She came back from uni & we spent the afternoon pottery painting, which I've never done before, but it was such good fun! We got to pick out the item we wanted to paint, I chose a tea light / candle holder (which I might actually use for a makeup brush pot) & we get to collect them in the next few days after they've been glazed.

 

Last Monday, I started my Christmas shopping & I've almost managed to do half of it! Brilliant start if you ask me! I went to our local shopping centre with Gemma & we stopped at Costa for a tea & snack break. Costa have introduced their Christmas selection again for this year, including this delicious chocolate orange yule log. Unfortunately they haven't brought back the chocolate orange hot chocolate, which was my favourite last year!

 

I met up with Lorna last Tuesday & we spent the afternoon chatting away over a cup of tea & hot chocolate. I love hearing all about her tales at work & life stories. Really puts a smile on my face.

 

Friday night myself, Cathy & her parents went to see No Jacket Required, a Phil Collins & Genesis tribute band. We go most years & as always, it was a brilliant show. They are such a fantastic band.

 

Last night, myself & my family had a meal to celebrate my Grandad's 88th birthday which will be this coming Tuesday. We had a feast of duck, roast potatoes, veg & profiteroles for pudding. So delicious.

 

& finally I had to include this picture of Honey on my bed this morning. It basically sums up how I've felt the last few days! This week has been so crazy with work, meeting up with people & I've just been on the go all the time, it was so nice to wake up this morning & know I could relax. I'm currently saving like mad for Christmas & for next year when James finishes uni & we can hopefully move in together, so today is a welcome day off.

 

& I couldn't not mention the events that have happened over the last few days in Paris. Thoughts are with all the families that have had loved ones taken away from them & to everyone that's been effected. It's hard to believe that these things happen in the world we live in. #PrayForParis

 

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Life Lately #90

 

Hello lovelies,

 

A few weeks back I had my hair cut & highlighted. I had one of those nightmare trips to the hairdresser, where I came out & really didn't like the way the stylist had dyed my hair. I asked for balayage but I actually came out with a dip-dye with a few pieces of hair which were blonde towards my roots. My own fault I know for not saying at the time, but I came home & styled it myself & after a few tears & comforting from the girls, I realised it wasn't too bad, but still not what I'd asked for. Have you ever had a disappointing hair cut? It's the most gutting thing ever!

 

Shortly after Honey's birthday, I decided to have her spayed. She'd recently turned 6 & I never wanted to dismiss the idea of her having puppies, but it was the right time to get it done as she's 'middle-aged' now in doggy years. It was heart-breaking leaving her at the vets in the morning as she doesn't like strangers & gets very nervous about new surroundings, but all went well & she was back home later that day, wearing the cone of shame. (Up reference there!) After lots of cuddles & a good snooze, she was back to her normal happy self.

 

It was my mum's birthday on 22nd October & we had planned an afternoon tea at our local garden centre, but as Honey had had her operation the day before, neither of us wanted to leave her, so we stayed in & had breakfast together, which was equally as nice.

 

On the following Saturday, myself & James attended Rosie & Gareth's wedding in Gloucester. The ceremony was held at the local church, followed by the reception in the village hall, which was decorated with bunting & adorable glass jars with candles on the tables. It was such a lovely day & we can't thank Rosie & Gareth enough for letting us share their special day with them.

 

My girl Char was back from uni at the end of October, so we celebrated in the best way we could, with lots of food! I've mentioned the Giggling Squid many times on my blog, but it really is one of my favourite restaurants in our local town.

 

Ah Halloween! One of my favourite times of year! James was back for the week of half term, so we both traditionally carved our pumpkins on 30th. Can you guess which one is mine?

 

Also we were allowed to dress up for work the following day. I did James' & my own makeup & we found it great fun chatting (& scaring) all the customers. Of course, we had to have an opera & a ballet on that day so it was extremely busy!

 

That evening we went to see the local fireworks with Bo & Kieran. I absolutely love firework displays & although they are so expensive, it is tradition to go every year for us. This year, the display was to music which we thoroughly enjoyed. When we left the cricket grounds, it was so foggy, it seemed to happen while the display was going on. Perfect for Halloween night, as we had to walk back through a grave yard to get to the car park!

 

& I wanted to include these two new purchases that we bought for our dogs recently. Harvey got a new collar which was woodland themed & Honey has a new jumper for Christmas with Little Pudding written on it. She looks so cute wearing it round the house!

 

& finally yesterday I met up with my girl Ricka for pancakes at Bills restaurant. We had a lovely catch up & I was able to give her her birthday presents from the weekend.

 

How was October for you? Did you celebrate Halloween this year? : )

 

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Life At The Moment #65

 

Morning lovelies,

 

How was your Halloween? Myself & James got to dress up for work. The one day a year he lets me decorate his face with makeup & I loved it! We managed to scare a lot of children as it was half term & busy at the theatre.. mission accomplished! ; )

 

Have you been to see any fireworks this year? James & I went to our local village display last weekend, which was lovely. The smell of all the food makes me hungry just thinking about it!

 

I met up with Gemma last week for a late lunch, just look at my stack of pancakes! Yum : )

 

Elisa, Cathy & I went Christmas shopping on Saturday & of course, we had to make a pit stop at Costa to try out the new Christmas range of drinks & snacks. I had the salted caramel yule log & the orange hot chocolate & oh my goodness, I've never tasted anything so nice!

 

I decided to paint my nails firework themed this week (mainly for Char's birthday & to wear for the second display we went to this weekend) which was one of the best in the country. Seriously, I've never seen fireworks like these.. 

 

& finally, yesterday marked the 100th anniversary since the start of the first world war as I'm sure you all know. I've been wearing my poppy at work & we've had so many people coming in to buy poppies, it's been lovely to see.

 

Hope you're all having a fabulous Monday : )

 

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Bang Bang - Boom Boom!

Hey girls. : )

I've had the most awesome weekend. My boy came down on Friday night & we spent Saturday morning munching on bacon & eggs for breakfast before going to a fireworks display in the evening. The fireworks were beautiful, although the actual display was quite short. They said the bonfire would be lit at 7pm, so we presumed the fireworks would start about 7.30ish? Well, we got there at 7.10pm & they were just about to start! Kinda seemed a bit rushed as we watched the fireworks for 10 minutes, then pottered home again. But they were still fantastic. I did get a few shots, but I was playing about with the different modes on my camera so they aren't the best.

He went home yesterday afternoon, wahhhh. Got another 3 weeks before I see him again, then he'll be home for Christmas which will be nice. : )

Oh yes! I found the sparkler photos from last year that I mentioned in my last post. : )

I love light trails, there so fun & easy to do. : )

How was your weekend? ♥



NOTW #4

Morning girls. : )

My thumb looks so weird here.. haha!

This is the new Barry M, Gold Foil Effects nail varnish. I can't decide if I prefer the gold or the silver, both are such gorgeous colours. Have any of you tried these? : )

I'm in such a good mood today! My boy is back this evening! (Not that you haven't heard me rambling on about it for the past week or so.. ; D) & we're going to our local fireworks / bonfire night tomorrow. I can't wait. I remember last year we made some light trails in the garden using sparklers & it was amazing. I'll have to see if I can find some of the photos on my old memory stick to show you.

Anybody else off to a display this weekend? : )