Happy New Year

Less than an hour left at work for me before I skip home for nearly 3 weeks. Tonight im packing my case, painting my nails and getting prepped ready for a 2.45am alarm call in the morning. I am so excited I keep getting butterflies, our holiday has finally arrived!

We are hoping and praying this heavy snow isn't as bad as they say it is so our plane can take off tomorrow morning from Birmingham, we then change plans in Germany and fly onwards to Newark airport. We have one night at an airport hotel before heading into the big apple. We have so much to see and lots booked already its going to be a busy busy week

One the 4th Jan we catch the train up to Boston where we have another 3 days to explore some of the city, hopefully slightly more relaxed although i've heard the shopping is axcellent in Boston so that may fill a little of our time. There are supposed to be some excellent reatuarants in Boston too so im sure we will be feeding ourselves well to stay warm!

On the 7th we flight out of Boston and down to the humid climate in Miami, we should be collecting our convertible driving to a motel for the night before early on the road the next day, driving down through the keys soaking up the sun and arriving in Key West for a couple of nights. Lazy days will take over, cocktails and the beach as well as some great seafood.

On the 9th we drive back up to South Beach drop off out car and check in to our hotel on Ocean Drive for the rest of week, hoping for sunshine, shopping, beach and lazy lunches and well as some excellent partying of course.

Im not sure wether or not i'll have a chance to blog whilst im away but if not i'll be back with a full report in a couple of weeks.

I wish you all a very happy New Year x

Christmas rituals

Just a few hours to go now and im feeling rather organised, for once there will be no dashes around the shops on later on for those last minute 'I'll just get that aswell' presents.

I put up the tree last week and saturday I spent in Oxford enjoying the christmas market and the carol singers and Salvation Army band.

This week family start gathering together, today the office closes at lunchtime and the pub is soon filled with us all. After a couple of winter pimms, i'll cycle to my local pub to see friends and have a bite to eat. Home late afternoon for a doze in front of the fire, change into something festive and head into town to meet more friends for drinks, catch a cab to my local village pub to spend the rest of the evening with my sister and friends before heading home and sneaking my presents under the tree.

Christmas morning is always fun, my sister and I always have a stocking on our door and open these together in bed. I think opening my stocking is always my favourite part of the day. Downstairs the tree will be standing over mountain of gifts and I play santa! One present each round for everyone! After gifts and thank yous are over mum gets the bucks fizz flowing and the american pancakes, bacon and maple syrup are produced.

Up to change into our christmas day outfits, usually something smart and comfy, and back downstairs to play with my new things while mum and gran start cooking the feast.

Lunchtime usually starts mid afternoon and its the whole turkey with all of the trimmings, champagne, christmas pudding and creams, liquers, coffees and after eights! By then everyone is ready to sleep so us kids will clear the table, wash up and get the dishwasher on. By then gran is fast alseep snoring amazingly loudly with the tv on.

Later evening a 'party tea' is produced with left over turkey, sandwiches, pastries and cakes and cups of tea are eaten in front of the fire. Then the games start. My sister and I have always received a game from Father Christmas each year and we all settle down to battle it out. Usually with my sister cheating!

By 11 everyone is ready to sleep off the food and alchohol induced state and yet another Christmas is over.

This is nearly every Christmas at home i've ever had although for the last four years my sister or I have been out of the country so this should be a fun filled day and I know my mum is especially looking forward to it.

Boxing day I will head to see my dad who is being very good this year spending his christmas day cooking for 50 at the Salvation Army which as well as being a worthy thing to do, he will love it - put my dad in a kitchen and no matter how many mouths he is feeding he will be in his element! We will be exchanging gifts with my grandmother and her husband and then heading to the village pub to watch the local singers perform outside.

Afternoon I head over to Stratford upon Avon to finally see Matt and his dad and hopefully have a fairly quiet evening.

Then its all over.. well not quite as it's Matts birthday on the Sunday and although he hates the fact, it is his 30th so lots of celebrating to do again, presents to give, and his mum to visit before a nice dinner out with my sister and fiance.

What are your christmas rituals?

Last but not least, a merry Christmas to everyone!

Topshop sale

I logged on to the topshop sale this morning and after about six attempts I finally managed to process my order.

Tall denim shirt, hoping this will be long enough to wear on its own over tights and leggings.

Pewter mini sequin shorts.

Cherry patent DMs. I've given up hope of finding my original pair from 15 years ago. Hope they are as comfy as I remember.

I shouldn't have been buying anything!

My purse is a little lighter

I can't find a picture anywhere but I bought the most perfect faux fur coat at the weekend and even my animal print hating mum and boyfriend both liked it! Its more of a cheetah come dalmation print - very creamy blonde colour with solid brown random shaped cheetah print, its a 60's style coat, thigh length with long bracelet sleeves and is very cosy, I sized down to a size 6 it was that roomy and is now a good fit. I wish I had a picture but im sure i'll take some at some point. Being blonde I have never found leopard print to suit me so im very pleased. It was from Miss Selfridge- £80. All I need now are some nice snug elbow length gloves.

I also had my hair cut and im not quite as pleased with that as I am my coat. I asked for 3" taken off to make certain to get rid of any dead ends - 5 " have been taken off!!! I also asked for a long side fringe - that is now eye length although that should hopefully grow pretty quick to my cheekbones.

I do love the colour and for £117 I really should. I nearly fainted when I went to pay! I kind of wish i'd bitten the bullet and gone for a bob now but I know I would have regretted it with sunny hols coming up.

Next year the search for a reasonably priced good hairdresser will start....

Festive fun

My walk to work

I saw this on The Front Cover and im feeling exeptionally festive today. The snow covered trees, white hills and that crunch you get underfoot when walking on new snow, it looks so pretty here today.

Favourite colour: To wear it has to be grey.

Facebook: Im really not a fan although I do have an account - Mainly to un-tag pictures of me.

Favourite christmas song: Driving home for Christmas - Chris Rea


Christmas tree, real or fake: The real deal just for the smell!


Hot celebrity: Im going for Kate Hudson at the minute.

Favourite restaurant: I don't visit the same restaurants often so im choosing a restaurant I ate in Milan which served the best steak with balsamic and rosemary chipped potatoes. I can't even remember the name of the place the food was that good!

Favourite Magazine: I don't buy magazines, matt occasionally does for me so i'll go for Elle.


Favourite holiday drink: It has to be mulled wine at this time of year.

Favourite christmas film: Home Alone can't be beaten.

I tag anyone who wants to join in!

All images google

Blog im loving

This weeks blog is Blushing Ambition. A gorgeous girl with gorgeous clothes and the added bonus of gorgeous food pictures. I would also move to San Fransisco in a heart beat so love the pictures from around the city.

All images Blushing Ambition

I like alot

Soft Neutrals

Mittens - My Wardrobe
Drape jersey dress - All Saints
Backless knit dress - Topshop Boutique
Lace body - Topshop

Fabulous fringe

Bag - Urban Outfitters
Shorts - Topshop
Boots - All Saints
Necklace - Urban Outfitters

Winter Brights

Blazer - NAP
Dress - My Wardrobe
Tights - Topshop
Bag - Urban Outfitters

Leather

Jacket - All Saints
Boots - ASOS
Bag - NAP
Gloves - Oasis

Shimmering metallics

Dress - Oasis
Shoes - NAP
Ring - My Wardrobe
Bag - River Island

Blog im loving

This weeks blog is Sea of Shoes, an extremely well known blog by Jane Aldridge in Dallas. Jane is still a teenager I think and has her own collection of shoes available in US Urban Outfitters and has just been dressed by Chanel and invited to the Crillon Ball in Paris - what a dream, but the shoes - its all about the shoes! Jane's mum's blog is also a really good read. Atlantis home.

All images from Sea of Shoes

Just one more purchase...?

Im trying very hard not to spend anything on myself at the minute although I do have a few gift cards burning a hole in my purse.

I also spotted this pale peach tutu yesterday which I love, I was thinking of wearing a fine knit slimish jumper for the day - similar to the photo and a fine knit vest / plain v neck tee for evening or a nice bodysuit.

What shoes would you wear? Thanks in advance for any help x

My buys

Its rare I find a product I will rave and rave about but this brush is one.

I have very long hair, its probably about 2ft long now, is fine but I have alot of it and has a few damaged ends as it hasn't been cut since February. When i've washed my hair and conditioned it and towel dried it, it is such a mission to get a brush or comb through it without causing pain and more damage to it.

I was at a friends at the weekend and asked if she had any spray in detangler or leave in condition I could use to try and get a brush through and she threw me over a Tangle Teezer. I had seen them before on Dragons Den years ago and my first reaction was WOW. This brush went straight through my wet hair first time, smoothly, without any pulling or snapping or pain. It is a miracle! I don't think I would have believed anyone's reviews until i'd tried it but I can't say enough good things about it. I have ordered one already on ebay and am counting down the days til it arrives! it may be the best £9.95 i'll ever spend.

They are here if you want to treat your hair and head http://shop.ebay.co.uk/tangleteezerstore/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p4340

Other items i've bought over the weekend.

Kerastase Ciment Thermique, i've been meaning to try this for ages after hearing glowing reviews. Its a heat activated re-constructive milk so ill report back when i've used it for a fair amount of time.

Plaid shirt dress. I spotted this shirt in Urban Outfitters and wanted it instantly, perfect for throwing over a pair of leggings or woolly tights as its a longer length than a standard shirt and it has nice deep hidden pockets which I love.

Coat rack jewellery stand from urban outfitters. A decent size non fussy silver stand which has much more room on it to hang and clip my jewellery than my other standing lady.