In Bruges

A festive getaway to a European city for their traditional Christmas markets has long been on my travel to-do list (you can check it out here.) After deliberating about where to go, we finally decided on a long weekend in the picturesque city of Bruges, choosing the first weekend of December for our break.

Liam and I booked a charming hotel near the canal, while the girls stayed in an apartment just outside the city square. The great thing about the city is how compact it is, and many of its hotels and apartments are within a short walking distance. While our hotel had that lived-in, traditional feel about it and was incredibly comfortable, I have to say that the absence of a power shower was a bit of a minus for us! 

The city itself is beautiful and you can't help but be enchanted by the festive feel of its bustling Christmas markets and the intricate labyrinth of streets and canal ways. We spent a lot of our getaway wandering around and taking in the sights - aside from the crowds, it was nice to walk among chocolate shops and horse-drawn carriages. Although the Christmas markets in Bruges are not as extensive as some European cities, we found some great souvenirs to take home - from tree decorations to handmade jewellery - and the markets serve as a wonderful place to indulge in a seasonal Bratwurst or a hefty dose of Gluhwein.

Aside from browsing the markets, we also took a trip up the Belfort to catch a glimpse of the Bell Tower and paid a visit to the Chocolate Story Museum. The best part of our break was the food, however and the Flemish Beef stew was most definitely a highlight. After filling ourselves with delicious Belgian fare, the best part was lingering around the ice-skating rink with warmed mulled wine - even the rain didn't dampen our spirits.

9 Things That Take the Fun out of Christmas

1. Gift anxiety. While it's the thought that counts, don't fall into the trap of buying something you would like to receive - your Dad probably won't appreciate that seasonal edition of Yankee Candle wax tarts.

2. Seasonal Illnesses. The greatest joy of December is having to share your train carriage with a great many individuals that have not yet discovered that it is impolite, as well as pretty disgusting, to cough without putting their hands over their mouth. Combine that with a hefty dose of festive snogging at the Office Christmas party and you've got a recipe for festive flu. 

3. Starbucks Overhype. The prospect of a festive coffee is possibly the only thing worth thinking about. That is, until you're greeted with a drink that tastes very much like ordinary coffee mixed with scrambled egg...but wait, this one is served in a RED cup. Oh, and they've spelt your name wrong.
4. Festive Arguments. When I was a child, my parents used to have annual disagreements over how to put up the Christmas tree. Now I'm an adult, I too have arguments with my boyfriend on how to put up the Christmas tree. Surely it's all part of the fun, no?

5. Post Office queues. Of course, there is nothing I like better than standing in an endless parade of panicked people as they quibble and debate over parcel tape and jiffy bags. How very Christmassy.

6. Seeing Cliff Richard's face EVERYWHERE. That, and the seasonal treat of 'The Millennium Prayer'. UGH.

7. Public Transport. Make a journey on Christmas Eve and far from the joy-filled Richard Curtis scenes you imagine, you'll be faced with a sweat-drenched eternity and a stranger's elbow in your face.
8. Gingerbread House Fails. We've all dreamed of building a full-scale model of Hogwarts or constructing a dreamy cottage Pinterest would be proud of. Instead, it's more likely to resemble a soggy mound of dough haphazardly concealed in watery icing. Delicious. 

9. Boxing Day Sales. After getting yourself in a turkey and stuffing-based coma on Christmas Day, is there anything worse than heading out at the crack of dawn to bag yourself a half price microwave? Forget the sales and spend the day in your pyjamas instead - better for your bank balance and your sanity. 
Is there anything that makes you feel less than Christmassy? Let me know.

Merry & Bright

This year was a quiet Christmas back home with my parents and Liam. We had a very peaceful day- the obligatory turkey dinner was accompanied by some festive telly and a round of board games. Before Christmas day came, my Mum and myself went to Alexander House Hotel  for a festive afternoon tea. Big pots of tea (a honey spiced treat called Salome Kick for me, a peppermint and spearmint concoction for her) with turkey finger sandwiches, mini mince pies and a selection of pastries were served. Delicious and suitably festive.  Merry Christmas, all.

Dear Santa...Lust list

The build up to Christmas seems to bring the child out in me. This week, I have had a lot of fun sourcing the best mince pies, visiting the Coca-Cola truck on tour and painting ceramic Christmas tree decorations. I also managed to get the entirety of my Christmas shopping done! It is around this time of year, of course, that most of us will be posting our lists to Santa. Here is one winter wishlist for the cosiest, comfiest and most stylish christmas yet...

These cute Topshop reindeer pyjamas are perfect for wearing with a warm knit and some long socks to cosy up on the sofa after a long day. As someone with a penchant for fairisle print, I love these festive shorts!

As someone who lives in ankle boots all year long, I am always on the look out for a new pair to add to my collection and these studded ones were unique enough to catch my eye. Currently with £20 off the full price in the sale, they are practical and stylish.

Winter is also about stocking up with lots of yummy food and drink to get you through the season. Whittard's hot chocolate is indulgent enough to be a treat but also contains 70% cocoa and is fairtrade. Guilt-free hot chocolate! Yum.

This cosy Fairisle cardigan from H&M is a real favourite of mine. Perfect for layering over dresses or jeans as well as covering up on a night in front of the telly.

I have recently bought Great Expectations. A perfect present for anyone, this novel is a wonderful read in the build up to Christmas and these Penguin Classics look good on a bookshelf too.

Finally, this Aztec snood from Topshop is a lovely little cover-up for chilly walks through the country.

Here is my week in pictures...

(L-R: Ceramic Christmas tree decorations, Painting a christmas plate at Fun pots, Fairisle knits, peppermint tea and french onion soup, cosy slipper boots, Rimmel Ruby Crush nail polish, hot chocolate, Holidays are coming...)

The most wonderful season of all

This time of the year is my favourite. The anticipation of christmas, the burnt oranges and golds of autumn leaves, the cold in the air. Here are some of my favourite things about Autumn and Winter...

Starbucks christmas coffee. Fairisle knits. Berry nail colours. Being under a quilt when it is freezing. Getting stuck into a good book. Long hot baths on a Sunday. Cinnamon and apple spiced candles. Fireworks. Big fur hats. Wrapping christmas presents. Long winter walks. Christmas gift guides. Chelsea boots. Gingerbread. Crisp, cold and sunny mornings. Slipper boots. Hot chocolate. Thick socks. Mulled wine. Snow. A Christmas Carol. Chunky boyfriend cardigans. Running in the cold. Toasty log fires.

(L-R: Christmas spice candle, Models Own Thunder & Lightning nail polish, Starbucks Caramel Latte, Charles Dicken's Great Expectations, Autumn Leaves, Glitter roses from Liam.)

For celebrating the best of Autumn, head to these lovely little blogs.
Lauren Likes muses over the best in fashion and beauty this season (red lips and oxblood knits, anyone?) whilst Little Black Heart will make your mouth water with her scrumptious autumn delights. I love the look of her Caramel Macchiato cupcakes. What is your favourite thing about this season?

The Christmas present formula

This week I’ve been compiling my Christmas lists. With the Coca-Cola advert having graced our screens for a good week or two and Michael Buble making his annual appearance for the sake of his career, Christmas is definitely on its way.

Of course, compiling a Christmas list of wishes and wants is as important as compiling your lists for what to buy your family and friends. Come the end of November, I like to sit down and write down anything and everything I desire for Christmas in anticipation of some lovely gifts under my tree. This is for one major reason- men are generally crap at presents. This notion was proved entirely when, for my first anniversary with my partner, I received a mouse mat of the London tube map and a card that read ‘To the one I love at Christmas’ (despite it being the middle of February.) Needless to say, the next day I was appeased with a slap-up meal and the biggest bunch of flowers I’d ever seen.

I’m not saying my boyfriend is a terrible gift buyer. Last year, I received a mountain of presents under the tree that I’m sure wouldn’t look out of place in a John Lewis advert. (Granted, he’d begged my Mum to wrap them for him, but you cant have it all.) I am aware, however, that sometimes men just need a helping hand.

Here is where the secret lies. There is one simple formula that provides the secret to a happy wife/girlfriend/mother on Christmas day. My Dad taught me this from a young age, usually on our day-before-Christmas-eve panic dashes to the shops. Perfume+jewellery+electrical item= happy woman. It might seem simple, but it works. That said; follow the formula with as much common sense as you can muster. Take heed. Be careful in regards to the perfume. A good scent generally defines itself as anything from a reputable store that appears classy and doesn’t smell like someone’s Nan and Charlie Girl probably shouldn’t be used on any female over the age of fifteen.

When purchasing jewellery, avoid anything that is likely to make your partner’s neck a horrid shade of green by the time New Year’s Day comes around. Also, if buying a ring, avoid any unnecessary embarrassment by outlining exactly what it signifies. You might buy it because it is pretty, but the first thing on her mind on opening that box will be of the two of you waltzing down the aisle. A quick “It’s not what you think it is!” should eliminate any high hopes and uncomfortable disagreements.

Electrical items are also tricky. Something hair-related is a safe bet, whilst a bikini trimmer is perhaps a little unromantic. For my twenty-first birthday, I was bought a mini-blender. Thankfully, it was a joke. However, had I not seen the funny side, the only thing I would have been blending would be one of my boyfriend’s limbs.

So, there we have it. The perfect Christmas gift combination. Follow that formula, and you’ll have a happy lady. Now all you have to do is survive Christmas day with your mother-in-law.