A Very Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas! I was so happy to be reunited with my family this year and celebrations were in full swing for the occasion. Me and my boyfriend began the day with present opening by the tree for the first Christmas morning in our gorgeous new home.

I then got dressed up and ready for the festivities in my little green peter pan dress from Topshop, sheer tights, long boots and a cute new beret from Urban Outfitters.

Family celebrations were kicking off at midday over at my parent’s house. Champagne popped, Christmas songs playing and we were ready for the starter of marinated figs, rocket, mozzarella, parma ham and a honey mustard dressing – exquisite!

It was so great to be in the company of my brother and his wife on Christmas Day following last year’s scuppered plans due to Covid. Thankfully this year we all tested negative and could even have my wonderful Grandma join us for the day too.

Everyone was busy in the kitchen helping with preparations for the big roast dinner, whilst my Dad was mostly outside seeing to his pride and joy for the day, the BBQ turkey! An unconventional method of cooking the bird on a winter’s day in England, but I have to admit it does result in the most succulent meat.

Our late lunch/early dinner was served at 4:30pm and as usual my mum dished up an absolute feast. I just love all the delicious vegetable accompaniments with a roast, my favourite being the red cabbage, honey roasted carrots and not forgetting the brussel sprouts. My brother even did a homemade cauliflower cheese which was divine and stole the show this year!

With bellies full and very satisfied indeed, we sat around the table playing games before more present opening by the tree. I received some fantastic gifts and really enjoyed giving our presents this year too. My mum always pulls some little surprises out of the bag also, and this year she didn’t disappoint with a beautiful 60s style vintage handbag and coffee table book Fashion In Film which I’m obsessed with.

I do feel incredibly blessed and grateful our family could be altogether this year. It was the perfect day full of fun, laughter and love surrounded by the stars of my life.

Cheers to health, happiness and a very Merry Christmas ❤

Festive Fuzzy Feels

Merry Christmas babes! It’s certainly been an unusual one this year as we’ve all had to sacrifice celebrating with loved ones in order to stay safe during such uncertain times. Whilst plans have had to change and our usual festive traditions around this time of year have been scuppered, I decided it was all the more reason to embrace those jolly festive vibes and soak up the magic of Christmas.

Since early December I’ve been making my way through all the Christmas movies in an attempt to escape the reality of this mad world right now! On Christmas day itself I always like to watch The Snowman and Father Christmas to get me fully in the festive spirit and feeling like a kid again before the fun and games begin. Thankfully I am very lucky to be back home this year and blessed with the company of my closest family and boyfriend, who spoilt me rotten.

One of the more unusual traditions in our household at Christmas is my Dad’s pride and joy of barbecuing the turkey. I know, it sounds a little nuts on a cold winters day in England to be firing up the BBQ, but this is a super quick method of cooking the bird and produces the most succulent meat too.

To accompany our turkey dinner we did crispy roast potatoes, honey glazed carrots and parsnips, sweet red cabbage with apple, brussel sprouts sautéed with chestnuts, stuffing balls, lashings of gravy and my favourite for this time of year, bread sauce. It was quite the feast, so I could only manage some chocolates for pudding and of course a few glasses of Baileys later in the evening 😉

We had a wonderful day sharing our prezzies, listening to Christmas music, enjoying our drinks and indulging in all that yummy, naughty food. And I always like to dress up for the occasion, so this year it was a sixties style Topshop mini dress with long socks and my favourite Windsor Smith chelsea boots. Champagne coupe in hand, I was ready for a party at home!

Following a healthy helping of turkey and all the trimmings, soon enough I found myself changing back into PJs for the evening and excited to try on my new Victoria’s Secret set from Santa. Then when it comes to Boxing Day it’s all about stylish comfort, so I wore my new Stradivarius long split cotton skirt with a vest and my super cosy Zara polo knit arm warmer.

So whilst we haven’t been able to celebrate quite in the same way as we’re used to, it has most definitely made me more grateful than ever for my amazing family and friends. We may not be able to see our pals down the pub for a drink this Christmas, but I haven’t let that dampen my spirits and I’m optimistic that we’ll be back smiling in each other’s company before we know it.