12 very real struggles of Christmas in your 20s

There'll be no prizes given out for guessing that this girl here flipping LOVES Christmas.

From trying to stay up all night and catch a glimpse of Santa, to falling asleep early on the sofa from all the Bailey and Bucks Fizz - as soon as midnight hits on December 1st, I just can't hide that festive spirit anymore. (And let's be honest, I've not done a very good job of disguising it ever since Halloween finished anyway).

But singing along to your Christmas playlist and glugging down the mulled wine ain't all that the festive period is all cracked up to be when you're in your 20s, oh no! 
There's oh so much more to that when you're stuck in between being a big kid and pretending to be an adult...

1.) The balance between twinkly and tacky

I'm all about the Christmas jumpers - sequins, glitter, vintage, and even ones with actual bells on - but as much as 5-year-old me could go all out practically dressed as Santa's little helper, that might be just a BIT too jazzy nearly 20 years later on my work commute. So, a slick of red lippy and my 'kissing guys for mince pies' jumper with do as I head to my meetings.

2.) The gift of giving

How about instead of gifts, we do gifs instead? I'll make you a personalised one with my expert Photoshop skills and everything. Tis' the season of giving, and I always see stuff I'm dying to get my loved ones - before I look at the price tag and remember than I've also got about 15 other people to buy for and I chose a career that pays a pittance... WHY MUST YOU COST SO MUCH YOU FESTIVE FIENDS.

3.) Winter bulking

Party season means the tiniest and tightest of dresses come out to play, but also, so do mince pies. And well, you can't go to a Christmas market without having a Bratwurst or 2 right? No other time of the year would it be acceptable to start your day with a teeny tiny chocolate every single day, but, y'know...it's Christmas! It's cold - you need to add a few extra layers on your body to keep you warm right?

4.) All I want for Christmas is...you?

Once upon a time, you imagined your life to look like the front of a snuggly Christmas card, with a couple cozy in front of an open fire. But in reality, you've been seeing someone for a bit and you don't know whether or not to get them a present - cus if they've got you one and you have nothing in return, well, you just look like a dick don't ya? Or you're just inundated with family members asking you if you've got a partner and why you're the only single one at the dinner table...BECAUSE I'M JUST FINE AND DANDY AUNTY CAROL LEAVE ME AND MY PIGS IN BLANKETS ALONE THANKS.

5.) Voice of an angel

Speaking of Mariah Carey, who HASN'T has tried to sing along with her vocal acrobatics and highest of high notes. Every time, every year, i'm convinced I can sing just as well as her (especially when it's the last song played on the dancefloor), and every year, I'm sorely proved wrong. Also, how many times is too many times to listen to that song in one day? Just asking for a friend...

6.) He's making a list, he's checking it twice

Well, I'm old and independent enough now that if I want something I like, I kinda already just, well, get it for myself? Long gone are the days of folding down pages in the Argos catalogue for my wish-list to Santa, and instead, I've realized I've ran out of that swish moisturizer I really like or I need a new diary - but that's just not as exciting as being surprised with a Barbie dream house is it?

7.) Decoration goals

You envisage your home to look like a winter wonderland of millions of fairy lights and wreaths that even Pinterest would be well jel of. In reality, you're stringing up your own baubles, cutting out snowflakes to hang on your archway and you've got the tiniest christmas tree that you and your flatmate's loose change can afford. It may be small but dammit it's YOURS and it smells glorious.

8.) White Christmas

As a kid, waking up and seeing the outside of your window covered in a beautiful white blanket was one of the best and most exciting feelings in the world. School was off and you were all geared up for a day of sledging. Now though, yeah you still get just as pysched - before you make your commute into work and the train's delayed or you need to de-ice your car. You're inevitably half an hour later and your gloves are soaked through.

9.) So, when are you free? 

Look, there's only 4 weeks in December, so only 3 weekends before the big day, therefore, realistically, only about 6 whole free days where you haven't got that thing called a job or life getting in the way. That ain't a lot of time for having fun with your squad! And with everyone's schedules being different, trying to find a time everyone to get together is just an absolute mission, but there's a reason why they call it a Christmas miracle.

10.) Merry & mulled 

It's been a long day at work, you'll go to a Christmas market or a pub with some friends just for a quick drink you think to yourself - you deserve it! You've been working hard at that 9-5 life yo. But mulled wine has this tricky power of tasting just like hot Ribena and before you know it, you're 6 mugs in and it's about to turn midnight. Just like Cinderella herself, you're trying to get the last train home after you've essentially drank a bottle of wine to keep yourself warm.

11.) Chill or thrills?

You can't wait to get home, get in your comfy clothes, and put on Love Actually with the bae (be that your other half or a big ol' pizza). Buttttt, the girls from yoga are also at the bar down the road - you know the one who do two for one cocktails and always play your favourite songs? Yeah. That one. YOU WANT TO DO BOTH BUT THERE'S ONLY ONE YOU.

12.) Nearest & dearest

And that's the biggest struggle of them all - having to come to terms and accept the fact that you're just a big festive soppy git deep down (you don't fool me you Scrooge)

Hope you all have a magical, love-filled festive period with all those that you love! 

Until next time,

A.x

21!

Yesterday, I turned the wise and ripe age of 21!

At the weekend I spent it with my family, who truly are the best and most loving family I could have ever asked for.

As not all of us get together all that often, having them all come back to spend the day with me was brilliant enough, but they also threw me a surprise pirate party!

(my brother took some brilliant photos, but i have yet to copy them off them, but i'll update this post when i do!)

When i asked why pirate, I just got a response of why not?! We all had pirate hats and eye-patches  played pin the eye patch on the pirate, and i had treasure hunt planned out for me, with goodies for both my 21 year old self and my 5 year old nephew to find.

It was such a lovely and brilliant day, and I went back to uni, where i woke up to my 21st birthday.

My bonkers and amazing housemates surprised me with confetti, banners, tea and horrific but hilarious photos plastered around the house!

I then had an exciting day at uni where i got to experience my outfit being shot at my first ever photoshoot! I'm so happy with how it looks and how it's all turned out, and as we're all usually working on these pieces in the sewing room and don't get to see it all put together, it was such a boost for us to see the final result and is definitely spurring me on. Unfortunately, due to copyright reasons, i can't post any photos yet :(

I then went out to dinner with some friends, and it was lovely to just spend some quality time with them, and a while back at home, i went for a birthday dinner with my friends from my hometown as well, and with us all away at uni, it was just brilliant to spend time with my amazing and caring friends, and just reiterated how that years later, how amazing all my still friends are :)

I really have had the best birthday, I've eaten so much yummy goodness that I'm surprised i haven't turned into a cake! i have so many people in my life who care about me, and support and love me, and i am so thankful for them. I am one happy, lucky, and truly spoilt birthday girl, and thank you to all of those who have sent birthday wishes, messages, cards and presents!

Hope you're all well,
Speak soon,
A.x

New Year, New Slate...

Happy 2013 everyone!

I hope you had a brilliant NYE, whether it was out boogieing with friends or chilled out at home with family.

I've always thought NYE is one of the most over-hyped nights in the calender and much i enjoy putting my gladrags on and a night out, i had a slightly more relaxed evening and had a night in with some friends and drinks, dancing along to 80s classics.

My 2012 has been one of the best and worst years of my short time on this earth.

I lost some people in my life, physically and emotionally. I lost a member of my family who was a massive part of my upbringing, and what haunts me the most is that i didn't get a chance to say goodbye. A relationship i had been in since i was 17 and that i put my whole heart and being into, ended. It was a massive change, so it's taken some getting used to, and to be honest, at times I'm still trying to figure out how to deal with. I had some big birthdays in my family and also a new member, making me Aunty Amy for the 3rd time!

And I've realised even more than ever how amazing my friends and family are and how much they are there for me, i've never appreciated them more and became a lot closer to some.

And there was the amazing Olympics! I was on full team GB fever! I've always been proud to be British, but this summer, it was extra special and the whole country just felt like it was united.

 

 Life will always have ups and downs, but the downs don't make the last year of my life any less special, and there is so much that I'm looking forward to in the next year! And I'm so grateful for those in my life who have overshadowed the lows in my life.

I'm not usually one for new year resolutions, and since the only resolution I've ever made in the past few years is the cliche of losing weight, which i have finally accomplished since moving out from home to uni (but I'm sure I've erased all that work over the Christmas eating period!)

However, there are some things i want to start doing in this year, and hopefully continue in my life..

Starting off easy, i need to go to bed earlier! Over this past year, I've slipped back into my nocturnal ways which i don't want to be, so here's to earlier night and earlier morning back in my life! Bye bye night owl!

Take more chances. So many times, i over-think things, which is one of my many bad habits. I need to just go for things more, go with my instincts. You only have one life, you might as well fill it the most amazing things and they're not going to happen without taking up all the chances that come your way. 

If the past year has taught me anything, its to never take your family and friends for granted, so i will always remember to make time for them, to go visit and see them and spend priceless time with them.
 

 Shop less. Not much else that needs to be said about that...

Start a video diary. Being a big Youtube geek, I've wanted to make videos for so long now, and so much is going to change during this year and i want to in a way document it. I don't know if they're going to turn into vlogs on Youtube, or just stay on my laptop, but I'm doing it, let's see where it goes :)

And finally, just for funsies, i want to learn the ukulele!  Why not?!

I hope you have an amazing 2013, filled with loved ones, adventures, good health, love, happiness, and lots of laughter.

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Hope you'll stick by me on my journey throughout 2013!

Speak soon,

A.x