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FESTIVE/ Christmas 2016
This is a little snapshot of my Christmas celebrations this year. Bit of a random post I guess, but it’s nice to make and share memories!
Where are all of the gifts, you ask? Unwrapped and behind the shot in a massive state of carnage! All wrapping in the shot is from Morrisons.
Gorgeously cute pressie from Grandmama Alice
Mama Alice folded the napkins into Christmas trees!
3 fish pate on rye
Venison with all the trimmings
Bread and butter pudding with double cream.
Thanks to Step-daddy Alice for his amazing culinary skills once again!
Grandmama and Grandad Alice
Mr Alice matching with our baby neice, adorable.
Stay stylish,J 😘xx
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FESTIVE/ Top festive tipples
Tis’ the season to be sociable…and festive frolics usually come with a little fizz! Sometimes a bit of creaminess, perhaps even a little fruit or chocolate? Whatever your preference, I have some fab festive tipples I’ve been enjoying this year.
Marks & Spencer Bucks Fizz
Bucks Fizz is perfect for the festive period – its light and easy which means it fits perfectly with an indulgent festive brekkie or a nice addition to lunch. Secondly, its fizziness means it feels more celebratory for toasting happy times and merriment all the way to #NewYearsEve. The bubbles mean that you don’t need to drink a lot to get in to the ‘festive spirit’ shall we say, which saves both money AND calories when you need them most.This is my probably my favourite alcoholic tipple EVER. I don’t just mean Bucks Fizz, I mean this exact brand. M&S also do a slightly fancier version too but I’ve always enjoyed this more. When I lived at home it was long running joke that my mum would have to hide this before Christmas Day to that I wouldn’t quaff the lot! This thought process wasn’t completely unfounded on her part, hehe.
Marks & Spencer Christmas Cobbler Cocktail
Absolutely perfect for fruity cocktail lovers who want to nod to the time of year.This one is a newbie for M&S this year so I thought I’d give it a go, and so far I’m not disappointed. The flavours aren’t too Christmassy, so I think this is one that I’ll be trying to eek out in to 2017.
Marks & Spencer Egg Nog Cream
This is a nice alternative to Baileys- really creamy and sweet. Plus (you can’t see it very well in this shot) up the bottle has a really lovely irredescent shimmer that makes it feel so much more Christmassy*. Like Baileys it also works beautifully in other drinks; used a large shot of this when I made white hot chocolate recently and it tasted amazing.*At this poínt I feel I should point out that M&S is always my go-to for festive alcohol, this is definitely not sponsored or angendered in any way!
Ribena Winter Spice
This is one of my favourite winter warmers as a non alcoholic drink, it’s a great for mulled wine lovers (like me) that don’t always feel like a drink. As I’ve been driving more in the evenings recently it’s nice to still feel I can enjoy a winter drink in the daytime that’s not hot chocolate.If you have any go-to tipples feel free to share them with me, it’s nice to try new things. Cheers!
Stay stylish,
J 😘xx
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FESTIVE/ 4 Ways to feel festive AF
Festive themed loungewear
Christmas clothing doesn’t just stop at jumper ya know. Be festive all day errr day…I dare you NOT to get in the #christmas mood when relaxing at home in this Boohoo pudding Loungewear! Boohoo have a great selection at the moment from the more subtle to full on quirky like mine, definitely worth checking ’em out. And, in keeping with my love for Sleepwear Sass I also picked up a cheeky ‘pudding tits’ sleep tee from Pretty Little Thing.Drink hot chocolate fom a Christmas mug
There’s a reason that big coffee shop chains out so much emphasis on creating kick ass festive drinks and cups every year – because the taste of winter and Christmas is everything. I got this immense Santa mug from ASDA (it’s sold singular in store for £3) and filled it with home-made rum hot chocolate.Christmas crafts
The first time I ever did this was when I visited Lydia’s with the girls (you can check out my post about it here) and it really got my feeling those festive vibes. I brought some bits home to have a go at home- as you can see this effort is definitely more on the basic side but they’re still quite cute!Make it smell like Christmas
Smell is ultimately what evokes the most memories in us, so smells that remind us of the holidays are going to immediately get those festive juices flowing! For me the smell of mullled wine and spices really puts me in Christmas mode, and this Harper’s Bizarre candle I picked up last year (still available now) is the epitome of this for me. Ya know, apart from actual mulled wine.So, if anyone needs me this month, I’ll probably be at home doing all of this…hehe.
Stay Stylish (and festive AF!)
J 😘xx
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FESTIVE/ Get Scentered this holiday season
The pressures of life can sometimes be enough, but around the festive period sometimes that can be really ramped up. There’s not always time to do the normal things to relax (massage, hot bath etc) so having something than can help chill you out on the go can be pretty useful. More than useful in some cases.
I heard about a company called Scentered and thought I’d take a look at their website. Within 5 minutes I’d ordered one of their therapy balms to try out.
I chose the Stress Less balm bauble which promised to be a “feel good scent” described as their “hero product”. The bauble is the same price as the regular balm but just gives that nice extra festive touch.
The product itself is lipstick-sized so fit really nicely in to my handbag for me to use any time during the day. The combination of scents is really nice and gives me spa vibes, which is my ‘relaxing happy place’. I’ve been using it (as per directions for use) first thing in the morning before I get to the office, and any time I feel I need it during the day. It’s also been great to start my bedtime routine by making me feel more relaxed. I’m definitely starting to see why this is the company’s hero product!With a few different scents on offer to help naturally target certain feelings, such as comforted, empowered and inspired, I don’t think this is the only balm I’ll be using in 2017.
Stay stylish (and scentered)
J 😘xx
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FESTIVE/ Last minute stocking fillers
It’s #ChristmasDay NEXT WEEK. Just let that sink in for a moment. If you’re still struggling with those little extras to fill a girly stocking, I’ve put together a little list of things around the £5 mark or under that can be picked up really easily.Marks and Spencer Chocolate prosecco caramels, £1.50
A lil’ bit of chocolate didn’t hurt nobody, especially when prosecco is involved!B & M Large candle jar, £2.99
I posted about my surprise discovery of B and M bargains having a great dupe for Bath and Body Works candle (read about them here)Imperial leather Marshmallow shower gel, 90p
This is so delicious smelling! I’ve been using this for over a year and really enjoy it’s girlyness and how lovely I feel after I use it, and I just know that others will love it. Since it’s such good value, I’d also recommend picking up the Fruit Salad scent as well.ASDA Lounge socks, £3
Foxes still feel quite wintry (to me, at least) but they’re not exclusively for #christmas so they can keep being worn without feeling dated. (Random side note: I did treat Mr Alice to a pair of Rudolph ones, complete with bobbly nose, which he’s been werking this month).Barry M Molten Metals nail paint (copper mine)
Metallic tones are so now, and this is a really easy way to get in on the trend and get out when you’re bored without spending a lot.Lydia’s afternoon tea voucher, £6
(sorry about the extra dodgy pic) This one is specifically for people in or planning to visit #Hull I guess, but the idea is still a good one wherever you live. This voucher gets you 6 taster cakes and a hot drink, and you get a little discount if you buy more. I picked up one for myself, Mama Alice and Grandma Alice (ssh, don’t tell them!) so we can have a lovely afternoon together in the new year.Hopefully this will have given you a couple of extra ideas if you still need them. Now go out there and get to shopping!
Stay stylish,
J 😘xx
About Me
I’m Jenny, nice to meet you. I’m a thirty-something who likes fashion, holidays and wondering about life. A lot.
Jenny Chat 