Aloha! Today I thought I'd do a little post about my most treasured Christmas decoration. I know it sounds silly to say I have a treasured Christmas decoration but it's very important to me.

And here she is...

This angel to sit on top of the tree was bought for me by my Gaga (It's my word for granny).

What makes it even more special is that she bought it for my first Christmas, 23 years ago.

The angel has topped the tree every single year since 1992, and this year will be no different.

When I moved out, my mum let me take the angel with me so she will be on top of the tree in Mikey and I's home.

She's had to have a few repairs over the years but she's still going strong!

I plan on keeping this angel safe, and passing it down to my children eventually. Hopefully they will love it as much as I do!

xxxx

Blogmas Day 4 | My Favourite Festive Fragrances

Aloha! There is nothing I love more than a good candle, especially at this time of year. So today I thought I would do a little post all about my favourite festive fragrances!

This post is a little bit biased, as it seems to feature 90% Yankee Candles, but we all love a good Yankee don't we?

1 - Fireside Treats by Yankee Candle: Technically not just a festive candle as it falls under the "food & spice" category. This one smells like toasted marshmallows, one of my absolute favourite treats!

2 - Candy Cane Lane by Yankee Candle: This one smells like peppermint candy canes. Sugary, festive goodness in a candle.

3 - Italian Christmas Biscotti by Yankee Candle: Part of the World Journey's range, this one smells exactly like it's name, buttery biscotti with a hint of spice. Not one you want to burn when you are hungry though!

4 - Christmas Garland by Yankee Candle: This one is as close to the smell of real christmas trees that I have been able to find. I had this one lit a lot last year, and I'm sure it will be the same this year!

5 - Christmas Eve by Yankee Candle: I'm not sure how to describe this one, but the smell does remind me of Christmas Eve. I like to save this one to burn just on Christmas Eve, whilst enjoy a hot cup of cocoa!

6 - Cosy by the Fire by Yankee Candle: This one is new for 2015 and smells like cinnamon and hot toddies! 

7 - Cinammon Bun by Village Candle: One that is not a Yankee! Cinammon is a scent that definitely reminds me of Christmas a lot, and this one is super strong and sweet! Another one you shouldn't burn whilst hungry!

8 - Snow in Love by Yankee Candle: This one is lovely. It smells kinda creamy with a sharp wintery freshness.

9 - Bundle Up by Yankee Candle: Another new one for 2015, this one smells like fresh linen that has been out in the cold after being washed with a citrus scented washing powder! Lovely, crisp fragrance!

So that is my list of my favourite festive fragrances. I'm sure I'll discover more the closer to Christmas we get as well!

What's your favourite festive fragrance?

xxxxx

Blogmas Day 3 | Christmas Tree 2015

Aloha! I put my Christmas tree up very early this year (29th November to be precise). This year I've gone for a red and gold theme, to match my bright red sofas, of course! 

I picked up these cute little tree decorations in Tesco the other day. They were on 3 for 2 as well, so I got all 3 for just £3!

They had loads of different ones too so it's definitely worth a look if you looking for new decorations!

And here is my tree in all it's glory!

The red berry lights were also from Tesco and were half price! (£7.50)

A lot of my decorations were given to me by my mum when I moved out a few years ago. 

Most of the baubles on the tree came from Tie Rack when I worked there 2 years ago. On the day the shop closed down for good we took all the Christmas decor home! Well an empty shop has no use for them!

Then there's the angel on the top. She has her own special story which I'm going to blog about on Saturday!

The red glitter star is currently hanging from the curtain rail above the tree. Last year I pinned it to our front door, but as we are in a different house this year, we can't do that so I've had to find it a new home!

I've got a couple of other bits and pieces I want to put up around the house but as yet I haven't found the time!

Have you put your tree up yet?

xxxx

Blogmas Day 2 | Chocolate Chip Cheesecake & 200th Post!

Aloha! It's day 2 of Blogmas! This post is also my 200th Blog Post! I never thought I'd see myself coming up with enough content to write 200 posts, but here we are! 3 cheers for me!
Today I have a recipe for my favourite Chocolate Chip Cheesecake, which I'm hoping you will love as much as I do!

Ingredients for the base: 

- 25g butter

- 150g shortbread biscuits, finely crushed

Ingredients for the topping:

- 300g dark chocolate (with no more than 40% cocoa solids)

- 2 eggs, beaten

- 400g full-fat cream cheese

- 150ml full-fat soured cream

- 50g dark chocolate chips or drops

Ingredients for serving:

- 100g dark chocolate

- 300ml whipping cream, softly whipped

Method: 

1. Preheat the over to 160 degree celcius. Grease the base of a 20cm spring-form cake tin with butter and line with baking paper.

2. Melt the butter in a small saucepan over a low heat. Stir in the crushed biscuits, then tip into the cake tin, pressing evenly over the base of the tin. Place in the fridge to chill whilst you prepare the topping.

3. Break the chocolate into a bowl and melt over a pan of hot water, stirring occasionally with a spoon until runny and smooth.

4. Put the eggs, cream cheese and soured cream into a separate bowl and whisk until smooth. Pour in the melted chocolate and whisk for a minute. Stir in the chocolate chips or drops.

5. Spoon into the tin and spread evenly over the biscuit base. Bake in the oven for 45-50 minutes until firm around the edges and slightly wobbly in the middle. 

6. Remove from the oven and run a small palette knife around the edge of the tin to release the cheesecake. Allow to cool in the tin before transferring to the fridge to chill. 

7. Once chilled, remove the outside ring of the tin and lift the base on to a serving plate, removing the paper lining. 

8. Spread about half of the whipped cream in a thin layer on the top of the cake. Finely grate the chocolate and sprinkle over the top. 

9. Pipe or spoon the remaining cream around the edge of the cake. 

10. Add some decoration if you wish. I used Malteaser reindeers for a festive look!

In bake off style - Ready, Steady, BAKE! 

xxx

Blogmas Day 1 | Blogmas Giveaway!

Aloha Everyone! This year I have decided to (attempt to) take part in Blogmas! I'm hoping it will encourage me to blog more regularly throughout the festive period!

What better way to start, than with a festive giveaway!

Here is what you can win!

1. Real Techniques Blush Brush

2. Real Techniques Shading Brush

3. Yankee Candle Small Tumbler in Vineyard

4. Yankee Candle Wax Melt in Baby Powder

5. Yankee Candle Wax Melt in Candy Cane Lane

6. Yankee Candle Wax Melt in Vanilla Chai

7. Yankee Candle Wax Melt in Wild Sea Grass

Follow the steps below to be in with a chance of winning!

The giveaway will run until midnight on Saturday 19th December and is open internationally!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!

xxxx

My charm bracelet story

Aloha! Today I thought I'd do a little post about my charm bracelet, and what all the charms on it mean to me. My bracelet is probably my most prized piece of jewellery. It is a Links of London sweetie bracelet which I was given for my 18th Birthday by my parents.

My Charms:

A book - This was a gift from my mum's best friend. It was given to me at a time when I was starting a journalism degree and symbolised my love of writing. I never completed my journalism degree, eventually switching to do law, but I still love writing, doing so through this blog!

A cocktail glass - This was a gift from my auntie. Cocktails are my favourite things to drink, closely followed by Mexican beers!

18 - As the bracelet was bought for my 18th Birthday, my best friend bought me the number 18 charm to mark the occasion!

Pink Heart - This was a gift from my mum, because she loves me obv. 

Jukebox - This was from my granny. It symbolises my love for music. 

K - This one is self explanatory. The first initial of my first name. Because what's a charm bracelet without an initial charm!

xxxx 

TheSundayPost - 29th November

Aloha! Wow it's the end of November already! I know I say this all the time, but I have no idea where this year has gone!

Here is what I've been up to this week!

1 - Drinking hot chocolate and scheduling posts! I'm going to be taking part in Blogmas this year so I've been super busy thinking up ideas for posts! This will be a huge challenge for me as I am not the most regular of bloggers and I find it hard to blog when I'm working full time too!

2 - I don't get paid until tomorrow so money has been pretty tight this week! Of course, that also meant I couldn't full embrace the Black Friday sales. I did manage to pick up a few things which Mikey kindly lent me the money for!

3 - I had been going on all week about really wanting a burrito from a local Mexican street food place called Pinto. (I blogged about it here.) Mikey surprised me on Friday night by bringing one home for me! It was soooo good!

4 - I bought allll the wedding magazines. I genuinely think I have an obsession with them. I have to buy one whenever a new issue comes out! I've been cutting out all the pictures I like and adding them to my scrapbook, which I'm going to blog about soon!

So that is about it for this week! I'm away to put up my Christmas tree now! I know it's not quite December yet, but there's nothing wrong with spreading some christmas cheer!

xxxx