Saturday 9 January 2016

December disco

The festive season of December calls for 3 very important components, and in 3 varying degrees...

First there's the glitter and sparkle - now, you can just give a nod to the twinkly lights of Christmas with a long-length netted gold top, with a sparkly silver CK bra to save your modesty.
Step it up a notch with enough texture and shimmer to give Frosty the Snowman a run for his money. Pair with over the knee boots, pom-pom earrings and grey hair for maximum festive feels.
Or go the whole hog with big ol' gems and beads on your Elsa-worthy dress. Frozen? Eat your heart out.
Component no.2: The Christmas jumper. Now, you can go kinda traditional with a fairisle-style print full of beads and the like (Psst, it goes perfectly with dungaree-dresses and leather skirts with a touch of tartan)
Or drop in more of a novelty factor with some holly in embroidery form, with of course some added extra sparkle in the form of gems just for good measure.
But why do that when you could just throw caution to the wind and wear a jumper covered in glitter showcasing the very important motto that one is 'Kissing guys for mince pies'. Perfect with a shimmering, red dress that is oh-so-festive, or with a chevron skirt while you roller skate around the dance floor. Multi-purpose to the max.

And last but not least - tis' the season of giving! So that also means the receiving of gifts (if you've been good that is) And it seems that I can't have been too naughty this year because Santa bought me a swish new diary to keep my life in order, some pyjamas that are out of this world, and lots of other magpie-worthy shimmery sparkles.
Including a double-heart token asking me to sail away with them. Well, how could I resist the charm of rose gold eh?
Bonus round alert! If 3 major factors to Christmas isn't enough enough, then throw in a fishtail plan and enough tartan scarves to give the cold weather in Budapest a run for it's money.

 Until next time,
A.x


Tuesday 5 January 2016

Month by Numbers: Kylie, Kiss-mas & Kicking Back

With December being the festive season of gifts, drinking and eating until you resemble a pig in a blanket, it was a hella hectic month, broken up by a stint of Crimbo limbo where you do nothing but sit on the sofa and only move to grab another chocolate out of the Quality Street tin - and it looked a little something like this...

7 favourites...
1.) When I set myself a goal to document more little bits and moments of my life this time last year, I didn't actually think I'd stick it out for the whole 12 months! (My attention span isn't the best..) But Even if it's just me and my odd cousin who I don't really talk to anymore watches it, I've loved doing it and it's made me see my day-to-day life in a different and more creative way. And it gives me a outlet for all the random bits of clips that I record or save from my Snapchat story - they're not just wasting away on my hard-drive. Here's my December and last mini documentary of 2015: there was lots of family time and lots of festive fairy lights.

2.) I love getting post, and I wish I got more or sent more. Maybe it's because it's the festive season, or cus my friends are just thoughtful munchkins, but I came home from work to find quite the few Christmas cards - from friends at home to friends on the other side of the world - and even a little letter just to say hi. Everytime I saw an envelope with my name on and ripped it open to read what was inside, I was grinning like a Cheshire cat and my heart felt all warm & fuzzy. So maybe this year will be the year I get my pen & paper out...

3.) One of the massive perks of my job is getting tickets to go see something that I might not necessarily have been able to or have thought about going to. And one of occasions is when I got to see the pop princess that is Kylie Minogue perform a one-off Christmas spectacular at the Royal Albert Hall with my bestie. It was one big camp, colourful and carasmatic Christmas party, and I left feeling hysterical, overjoyed and exhausted in equal measures (and with no voice...)

4.) If you know me, I'm all about the activities. Yeah yeah, going for a drink or a coffee is all perfectly well and good, but why would I want to go for a flat white when I can skating on the ice white? And with festivities well and truly in full swing for the festive season, I did everything from skating - roller AND ice - to going to Christmas markets and pop-up versions of Tokyo. 

5.) Budapest was the perfect winter getaway - filled with twinkly lights, beautiful buildings & hot coco that essentially was jut melted chocolate (which was completely necessary in the cold & rain). Sights were seen, wine was drank and many miles were walked. Budapest? You were the Buda-best!

6.) Christmas means home. But not driving home for Christmas a la Chris Rea cus, y'know...trains and shit, but every time I come back home and see my family and catch up with my friends, my heart feels all warm and fuzzy inside. 

7.) And speaking of Christmas, what a Christmas it's been this year. This year, I felt well and truly excited and content at the same time. Food, family and fun is what it's all about, and everything else on top of that is just a brilliant extra. Now I have little niece and nephews running around putting cookies out for Santa and ecstatic for the morning of the 25th, it makes the festive season all that more magical.

5 tweets...

"I've eaten a mince pie every day of December so far - Christmas is off to a 
brilliant start y'all 🎄"
"Listening to @britneyspears as I do yoga is making me feel sassy & serene in equal measures 🙏🏼💃🏻"
"Pretty sure at this festive point my blood stream is 70% mulled wine, 20&% gin & 10% glitter 🍷🎄✨"
"Oh man! Dude on the train just sprayed an aftershave that smells just like my ex. Definitely don't miss the ex but god I do miss that scent"
"Today's the first time in about 6 days I've not had red lipstick on. Feels strange 💋💄"

3 outfits... 
dress:ASOS, skirt:Mango
I spent most of the month looking like some form of wintery ice queen. Whether that's in a sparkly and bejewelled dress to honour the pop princess that is Kylie Minogue when you go see her festive spectacular. Or covered in a wool and shimmering textured mad mess of a skirt with complimenting glittery nails. 
top:Nasty Gal, skirt:Mango, boots:Daisy Street, earrings:New Look
Or you could just go all out with your trusty fluffy and shimmering skirt once again, with a low-cut, flared sleeved top (did someone say ABBA?) Add some equally as fluffy pom-pom earrings and some knee high boots for good measure and BAM! You've got yourself a snow angel. Extra festive points for icy silver hair.

Until next time,
A.x