Heart of the Ocean

I promised to show you my surprise present from my parents, so here it is

Isn't it fabulous!

I brought the ring that matches it when holidaying in Italy and we jokingly referred to it as the heart of the ocean.

I couldn't afford the necklace and despite cheekily asking my dad to treat me to it I came home without it so you can imagine my surprise when I opened it on Christmas morning.

Apparently my mum went back to the jewellers with my friends mum to buy it and has put it away since then. They didn't even tell my friend so she couldn't tell me about it.

Christmas Presents... Part 3

I was lucky enough to receive a number of Cath Kidston goodies for Christmas from friends and family and I know you will want to know what....

I have to say I've only had a quick browse through the book and there is an fabulous bathroom in there!

Tomorrow I'll show you the surprise present I received from my parents.

I went thrifting on Monday but wasn't very successful unfortunately, only 2 Enid Blyton books to add to my collection.

I had some success in the sales, mainly Christmas decorations (sorry I was unable to photograph everything the lighting was causing me problems) and these tins which will prove useful I'm sure

This vintage inspired Santa waited for me

I saw him Monday without a sale price and didn't want to go through the hassle of finding out how much... when I returned to the shop today there was a huge sale ticket on him and home he came with me

How do you tackle the sales? Do you have things in mind.... a plan of attack?

I've only visited local stores, I haven't braved the main shopping centres yet although I'm planning a trip to Selfridges on Friday

Christmas Presents... Part 1

My DVD collection has grown this year with a varied selection given as gifts

from Disney

to the Cult

old classics

and chick flicks

to the now traditional gift from my brother & SIL of the latest Desperate Housewives series

There's more family time this afternoon with my aunts and uncles so I had better get ready....

....tomorrow I'll share the books I received!

I hope not too many of you are having to return to work tomorrow, I'm pleased to say I have all of next week off.

All Over For Another Year

Did you all have a lovely Christmas?

Christmas Day was quiet, Boxing Day was our big family day with aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents

Brody slept through most of the celebrations

And everyone waited patiently as I was Santa and handed out the gifts

I'm still sitting in bed today watching DVDs I received as gifts surrounded by presents that are waiting for new homes in my room

But that can wait for tomorrow.... today i sit back and relax!

Traditional Christmas Eve

Tonight I will be doing this

as has become tradition the past 2 years and I'm looking forward to my new nephew joining us this year.

We walk from the green to our local church for the childrens Christmas service and then onto our local chip shop finishing at my friends home for mulled wine and cheese and biscuits

I hope you and your friends and families are having an equally enjoyable Christmas Eve

Getting There

I am making some progress with my present wrapping but still more to go and a scrapbook to make for my nan's present!

Luckily I'm off work today so should be able to finish all the last bits and pieces and then I can enjoy the next 2 days festivities.

Are you ready for the holidays or like me still frantically wrapping presents?

Christmas reading

As well as Nigellas book I have also indulged in Anthea's Christmas book

Mum & I have both decided to give the dried citrus fruits a go! (although whether we will find the time I don't know!!)

The slight scary looking elf was a decoration brought back from my parents holiday in Ibiza

What Christmas books are you reading?

Victoria x

Day Out & Giveaway Winners!!!

Mum and I had a nice morning at Fortnum & Mason's yesterday and I took some photos of their windows to share with you

I brought this lovely decoration

Then we stopped at Starbucks for Gingerbread lattes and look what other goodies I found

I couldn't resist bringing Ginger (as I have named her!) home and her 2 reindeer friends

Finally I can announce the giveaway winners!!!!

Tilly Rose

Sharie at View to the Hill

Andrea (no blog)

Jayne at Country Cottage Chic

That Krafty Girl Rachel

Josie-Mary

ihchicky

and last but not least those Two Crazy Crafters Twyla & Lindsey

Ladies if you email me your addresses I'll post your cookbooks as soon as I can and look forward to hearing about any recipes you try out

Now I'm off to swoon at the homes participating in the Christmas parties that are happening

Victoria xxx

Catching Up

I feel like I have crossed a few things off the to do list this week but still lot's to go before Christmas arrives!

I went onto Harrods where I purchased mum's Christmas present from my dad (I'm sure men only have to daughters to pass their present shopping onto!)

I was able to pick up some American Christmas magazines from there as well as french and US newspapers which I'm planning to experiment using as wrapping paper

And yes I also nipped into CK at Harvey Nicks and purchased a scrubbing brush for that overflowing bottom draw of mine!

I had every intention of wrapping my Christmas presents this afternoon but the day disappeared before I knew it!

This is what my room looked like earlier this evening once I piled all my presents and wrapping materials

I've managed to sort it into piles all ready to wrap tomorrow afternoon (definitely!!)... all my wrapping paper

....ribbons, trims, tags

giftbags

and piles of cards STILL waiting to be wrote

I must also show you these wonderful vintage ornaments I brought here to use on my mum's presents this year

Tomorrow morning mum and I have decided to pop to Fortnum & Mason's for our what has now become traditional December visit. You can read about my last years visit here

I know I still haven't drawn my giveaway... I will have the 8 winners pulled out tomorrow afternoon when I get back so you still have time to enter here

Cupcakes & Christmas Movies

How I am spending my evening!

I've been tagged - My Holiday Recipe

I've been tagged by Happy to share my favourite holiday recipe and I have just the one for you

Snow Covered Ginger Muffins

125g (4 0z) butter

125ml (4 fl oz) maple syrup

125g (4oz) light muscovado sugar

225g (7.5 oz) self-raising flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon ground ginger

2 eggs

125 ml (4 fl oz) milk

3 tablespoons glace ginger, chopped, plus extra to decorate

Icing

200g (7 oz) icing sugar, sifted

4 teaspoons water

2 pieces glace ginger, sliced

Line 12 sections of a deep bun tin with paper cake cases

Put the butter, syrup and sugar into a saucepan and heat gently stirring until the butter has melted

Mix the flour, baking powder and ground ginger in a bowl

Beat the eggs and milk in another bowl

Take the butter pan off the head then beat in the flour mixture

Gradually beat in the egg and milk mixture, then stir in the glace ginger

Divide the mixture evenly among the cake cases and bake in a preheated oven, 180c (352f), gas mark 4 for 10-15 minutes until well risen and cracked

Leave to cool

Sift the icing sugar into a bowl and gradually mix in the water to create a smooth spoonable icing

Drizzle random lines of icing from a spoon over the muffins and complete with slices of ginger

Leave to harden for 30 minues before serving

I made these for a party last year and one of my friend ate 3 in quick succession!!!

Let me know if you try them out!

Now I should tag some of you but I'm going to cheat and invite you all to share your holiday recipes! Let me know if you do post one so I can pop buy to visit

Christmas Tree oh Christmas Tree...

This weekend I went with friends to help them select their Christmas Tree and what a Christmas Tree it was!

Unfortunately it was a little large so needed some trimming down but it did create a second smaller tree that is living in their kitchen!

I spent the evening threading string to hang the baubles

Here's the finished work... we still want to add some ribbon and maybe any other decorations we find on our travels

I had my first Christmas dinner today with a friend, it was good but it really did feel like Christmas once finished and reaching to undo the top button on my jeans!

Over the weekend I managed to pick up some more decorations for my future home

I really love what I call American style decorations, esp these fun fast food ones I found

I remembered I brought a festive Yankee Candle plate and shade so dug that out this evening and is now accompanying my lovely smelling cider donut candle

Some good news as I've been tied up this weekend and having dinner with a friend tomorrow evening I'm going to extend my giveaway until Tuesday evening at 6pm so remember if you haven't done so already, leave a comment on this post

Hope you've all had a lovely weekend

Four Christmases

This evening I went and saw Four Christmases with friends and loved every minute of it!

On leaving we felt very festive so visited ASDA (the only place open at that time of night!) and stocked up on Christmas decorations as well as the following goodies

The Christmas spirit is flowing and will carry on throughout the weekend

Friday we have our towns Christmas Market, Saturday and Sunday I'm out buying trees for various friends homes

And don't forget if you have already entered my giveaway please leave a comment on this post!